2012 was a pretty good year for me, for games and in general. I haven't played everything I wanted to yet, but I think this is my solid GOTY list.
Honorable Mentions: Persona 3 FES (2012's 2007 Game of the Year), Kid Icarus Uprising, Fez, Trials Evolution, Lollipop Chainsaw, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Hotline Miami, Spec Ops: The Line.
For a while I've thought game can be the best medium to tell a story. The interactive element can draw you in more than a film or book. The Walking Dead, I feel, is the finest example of this. The comic and the TV series both are great at showing the harsh choices people have to make in the most dire of circumstances, but the game puts those choices in your hands. You feel more of a bond with the characters when you have such a direct impact on their lives. The excellent writing and voice acting contributes to that as well. It all comes together to form one of the finest stories in this, or frankly any, medium.
You know a game has to be really fucking good to beat Borderlands 2.
It's pretty much more Borderlands, but better. The original is one of my favorite games ever and this carries to this one. The addition of the lovely Anthony Birch takes the writing to another level, adding many cool characters to hang out with/kill horribly. I expect to be playing this well into 2013.
Man, if you would've told me this time last year that a visual novel would be way high on my GOTY list (let alone touching so many nerves and becoming one of my favorite games ever), I would thought you were out of ya damn mind. Well, Katawa Shoujo is one hell of an experience. I won't go into the "feels" too much, but it did hit really close to me in so many ways. It is absolutely amazing a game made by a fluctuating team of people working together online, based off of a single page character sheet turned out so wonderful.
Lilly is best waifu, btw.
I've called this the most straight up fun game I've played this year and it is absolutely true. The 2D perspective along with fantastic game design all around gets rid of so many frustrations that plague stealth games. It's got beautiful animation, an interesting story, and it's just fucking awesome! Play it!
Yeah ME3 has problems. It's not as good as ME2. But it's still a hell of a game. Honestly, the story isn't the main appeal of these games to me. I mean, I care about it, but the real appeal of these games are the characters. ME3 has a ton of great character moments that make the game. It's still great just to hang out and adventure with the gang one last time. That's what makes ME3 for me.
I was introduced to this game by some friends at this year's Magfest. Man, am I so glad I was. Everything about the game is fantastic. The look, the music, the writing, the sense of humor, all are so great. The true last hurrah for the Wii.
God I love this game. I mean, I'll love anything with Mike Patton doing his crazy demon voice, but man this game. The story and how it's conveyed is so cool. Well worth checking out.
And Jenny is hella cute too.
Following up one of the best RPGs ever made with a fighting game is totally weird. But it works. The fighting system is super accessible and really fun. The story is total fanservice, but it does set up some interesting things for whatever comes. And who the hell am I kidding, I'll take any excuse to hang out with those knuckleheads again.
Brad has blown this game up enough, so y'all probably already know about it. It's total anime madness in game form. Play it already.
Side note: I'd really like to see this team do a Gurren Lagann game. Would be very fitting, I think.
Them Harmonix cats know how to make some fun shit. A brilliant way to freshen up your RB library and a super fun game too.
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