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Turn around one corner and The Stanley Parable is delightful. Then it's unsettling. It's laugh out loud funny. It's mundane. It's full of surprises. It's more than just clever criticism, which it also is but that's besides the point. It's an experience that left me reeling for days, a psychological funhouse of video game nonsense and beyond and probably the best thing I played in 2013.
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Gripping and spectacular, from the detailed environments and characters to the grounded survival/stealth mechanics to the narrative journey. The dialogue is tastefully understated and the personal interactions are as good as games get. Early frustrations aside, it's a ride that sucks you in and rolls around inside your head long after it's over. Multiplayer's not too bad, either.
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A shining example of good game design - what seems like random unforgiving challenge at first glance is revealed to be a series of puzzle-like systems and obstacles that make sense with each untimely demise. And just when you think you're getting the hang of things, Spelunky smacks you down with another agonizing lesson in patience, observation or hubris. Quick restart, try again, daily challenge, rinse and repeat indefinitely.
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This year's hot new Mario Bros. game has all the latest graphics, power-ups and levels. It also has all the creativity, diversity and polish one could hope for from the fun wizards that made Galaxy 2 and 3D Land. Makes me glad I picked up a Wii U, I find myself playing just as often on the gamepad as I do on the big screen. Capable local co-op and clever Miiverse integration throughout.
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Refined, turn based strategic bliss. A seemingly endless amount of content kept me busy for months but the compelling relationship system is the heart of this particular Fire Emblem. With well written characters and direct impact on story, combat and lineage, I quickly found myself grinding for friendship and liking it.
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Darkly funny, sobering and thoughtfully presented, where action and inaction dictate narrative threads and the gameplay loop is unexpectedly engaging for a paperwork sim. After a few early endings I found myself creating handwritten maps, symbols and notes in order to serve country as efficiently as possible (glory to Arstotzka). Kids should play this one in schools, Oregon Trail-style.
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The most impressive open world city to date - Los Angeles is a perfect setting for GTA's signature brand of cynicism and mayhem.
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As a shooter it's fast and fluid, allowing for player creativity by way of arsenal and environment. As a story it's ambitious and bombastic, equal part modern fairy tale, half-hearted commentary and metaphysical mindfuck. Somewhere over to the side is a floating barbershop quartet singing God Only Knows in the clouds.
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Tearaway's tactile, living, softly crackling world sunk its paper claws deep into my heart from the first loading screen to the bittersweet finale. Unfolds from idea to idea with a clarity of vision and effortless charm few developers can match. Features a smarter integration and successful evolution of Media Molecule's play/create/share values. A game that's never afraid to stop and draw the moustaches.
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A snappy, classically designed Zelda adventure, one that deftly walks the line between familiar and fresh.
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Puzzle rooms, heady concepts and a clone gun in outer space. Engrossing atmosphere. Classy sci-fi sound design, soft, glowy visuals.
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Guacamelee! is a Metroidvania Video Game and it wants you to know it, but it does so with a confidence and style that's easy to like. Platforming segments are challenging and new abilities are rewarding to master, there's a luchador inspired combat system, mirror world traversal, chicken transformation, all sorts of good stuff in there. Also, there's memes.
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A sneaking and hacking puzzle game wrapped in pixelated noir style that doesn't wear out its welcome and allows room for improvisation.
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Tall tales of the Wild West, featuring an innovative first person narrative structure and plenty of appropriately satisfying gunslinging.
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All the depth and political complexity involved in simulating history on a global scale is here, with numerous emergent stories that take shape during the course of your rule.
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Bursting at the seams with gorgeous artwork, crazed happiness and all the platforming goodness one could possibly want from the titular Mr. Rayman and his cohorts.
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