Games completed in 2013
A list of games I completed in 2013 (updated as I go).
List items
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Completed 01/01/2013
I've always been a big fan of the Hitman franchise. And I was a little reluctant at first (as many were) when they showed off the game way back when. It seemed more linear - it seemed there weren't multiple ways to take out targets. Thankfully alot of these concerns got put to bed with various gameplay videos and walkthroughs released before the game. Overall I enjoyed the latest adventures of Agent 47. The issues I feel stem from the trial and error rigamerol that you must go through in order to know what's possible in a level. I doubt there are very many times that those that played this did a perfect hit with no retries and no prior knowledge - its near impossible. I'd give this game a solid 8/10 - sure there were some issues. But it was a fun ride while it lasted and the replay value is there to explore other ways to complete your contracts.
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Completed 15/01/2013
A replay of a classic. My continued exploration into one of the best gaming franchises of all time (in my humble opinion). The game doesn't stack up to MGS 1, but still offers a solid game with some great story moments. Played and enjoyed this on the Vita. The long cutscenes at times didn't lend themselves well to portable gaming on the go, and this was furthered by the lack of auto save - instead having to find the opportune moments to dial the codec to save your progress but all in all it was manageable enough. Next stop - MGS 3. 8/10
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Completed 20/01/2013
Not feeling all the hype for the new DmC (I'll pick it up once its cheaper) I decided to instead purchase the HD collection to relive the original 3 games of the series. Devil May Cry was interesting to play through again. You can see how much the combat improved over the series by playing the original. Where it still had 'some' combat - it really wasn't all that refined. The story (what little there was) was awfully written and the dialouge at times was laughable "I should have been the one to fill you with liiiiiight!" overall though - nice to replay the game, though if anyone says this still holds up today - I think they're looking at things through rose tinted glasses. 6/10
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Completed 20/01/2013
The world, the combat, the exploration - it's all incredible. But why was the story so god awful? That was the biggest thing to let me down with Far Cry 3. It seemed as though story came last, the 'boss fights' were lazy and hard to understand. Why would I suddenly have a one on one fight although in 'reality' I'm surrounded, outnumbered and captured? It's lazy and made the whole experience leave a bad taste in my mouth. Like I said the exploration and the world was fantastic - its just a shame the story and missions weren't exactly all that exciting. 7/10
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Completed 03/02/2013
Spec Ops: The Line had been on my radar but I just didn't have the time last year, so I was thankful to find it for £15 recently. Perhaps I misread some things - but I was under the impression this game had some tough decisions to make, yet I only really feel I made perhaps one or two and even then they weren't soul crushingly difficult. The game itself is a well rounded third person shooter with some basic squad commands throw in for good measure. I enjoyed the ride, and appreciated the mature take on a military shooter story. Many of the conflicts presented grey areas and you were unsure if you were in the right or wrong all the way through. Co-op would have been an obvious addition to the story but I can see why it may have been decided against. Even without it the game offers a coherant shooter with a rather nice soundtrack. Sadly perhaps a little on the short side. Still a fun game for the price. 8/10
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Completed 11/02/2013
It wasn't the direction I wanted Devil May Cry to go as a franchise, but the game wasn't without its merits. Interesting environments and some nice new weapons. But overall where the game's combat engine may have been the most extensive in a Devil May Cry game. The overly easy title didn't impress in terms of challenge, story or character development. 7/10
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Completed 24/02/2013
After 10 minutes of this game, I was already willing to cry tears of joy as I watched Raiden jump from missle to missle and hack limbs off a metal gear ray. This game is beyond epic. Great all around - and a game which encourages you to improve in combat (Cause if you don't - you're toast) atleast this is the case on the hardest difficulty out of the box. Fantastic stuff all around. Loved it. 10/10
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Completed 28/02/2013
A speed run on normal. 2 hours 42 minutes and 59 seconds.
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Completed 29/03/2013
During the development of Tomb Raider, I was reluctant as I felt the game was simply following a path already cut out by Nathan Drake in the Uncharted series. Taking a chance on day one, I was pleasantly surprised to find that while Lara may have borrowed a trick or two from the hero in a half tuck - shes also stepped out to forge her own path, and create an incredibly enjoyable experience in the process. The story is interesting, the environments are beautiful and above all else this reboot is a huge sucess. The game helps a vaulnerable Lara develop more into what we know and love about her as a heroin. Her character is so humanised and its great fun to play. All in all, this is undoubtedly the best game I've played so far this year. 10/10
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20/04/2013
With excellent story, environments, combat and voice acting, Bioshock Infinite really stands out as one of the most impressive titles of early 2013. Everything about this game is triple A. 10/10
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11/05/2013
Purchasing the 'Classic Dante' skin and diving back in to play 'Son of Sparda' mode. I found myself enjoying the reboot of the franchise more. Bear in mind, I was skipping ALL cutscenes - so I still could care less for the 'story' or paper thin characters here. The tougher enemies and creative combinations provided a much needed challenge which should have been the 'hard' mode of this game (which I breezed through originally)
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Completed 26/05/2013
There is no denying the visual prowess on display during the high points of God of War Ascension. The presentation here is incredible. Sadly however the high points are few and far between. Some of the boss confrontations are jaw dropping, but the rest of the time you'll be wrestling with incredibly liner paths, a neither here nor there story and extremely sub par combat when compared to the likes of DMC and Metal Gear Rising. I adore the God of War franchise, but I feel some drastic changes need to be made to really improve on the series. Hell, bring it into modern day with a descendent of Krato's - run dual stories, one for the new guy and one for Kratos - such a change would bring a much needed change of pace to an otherwise flogged franchise. Still - there are those moments of brillance to be seen here. And overall it was an enjoyable 9-10 hour ride while it lasted. 6/10
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Completed 23/06/2013
From watching the initial footage of this game and knowing the powerhouse that is Naughty Dog, I knew that The Last of Us was going to be something special. From then on I avoided any and all information about the total as I wanted to be all the more surprised and amazed when I finally got my hands on the game. And I'm glad I did. The Last of Us is one of the most ambitious games I've played in recent memory in terms of absolutely everything. Characters, development, soundtrack, level design, combat, narrative. It is all above and beyond top notch. Clocking in at around 15 hours for me, this was a great game to play through and it is easily the best game I've played so far this year. 10/10
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03/07/2013
Having played the soundtrack long before I even managed to get my hands on this game. When Hotline Miami finally came to the Vita it was a day one purchase for me. Stylistic and brutal thanks to its lighting quick gameplay, it becomes obsessive to perform 'the perfect run' of a level, and its great when it finally all comes together after countless attempts and one hit kills. The soundtrack helps create an incredible atmosphere which leaves you dropping far greater periods of time into the game without even realising it. The targeting was a little hit and miss - literally thanks to a touchscreen system. But once you get the hang of it, all it simply clicks. 8/10
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06/07/2013
The Walking Dead 400 Days. I was actually rather disappointed by what we got with 400 days. Everything just felt so lackluster in comparision to the intense action and story from the original game. This DLC just felt rushed and really didn't go anywhere. It was hard to make meaningful connections with characters that were barely on screen more then 10 minutes. Just when you thought something was going to happen - each story just pettered out and you were left thinking 'is that it'. As much as I loved the original game, this DLC leaves me slightly worried for a potential second series. 4/10
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07/07/2013
Having always been a fan of Suda51's madness, I picked up Lollipop Chainsaw on the cheap. I didn't get it day one as I wasn't so sure about the setting and story. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised. Suda51 always delivers a crazy environment for his games with equally off the wall characters and funny writting. Gameplay wise, Lollipop Chainsaw is pretty standard - but overall it was still a fun game with an interesting soundtrack. 7/10
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30/07/2013
For all its rough edges. Alpha Protocol is actually a stunning achievement in terms of conversation systems and choice in a game. The system for conversations is so fluid and there is no right or wrong response to make. How you react can have hugely different outcomes to that which you've had before. This was a replay, and it was so different that a second playthrough was incredibly rewarding. Enemies from my first playthrough were some of my closet allies come the end of the game, it's incredible to think of the depth the system offers. It's a great shame to think that this series never got the chance for a sequel cause it would have polished some of the rough edges and improved upon a solid foundation...if only things had been different.
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Completed 08/09/2013
Splinter Cell Blacklist is an incredibly impressive entry in the long running espionage series which continues to build on the sucess of its predecesors. The controls are fluid, the gadgets at your disposal are deadly in the right hands and when it all comes together you can't help but feel like a bad ass. Fantastic story, characters, voice acting, level design, full marks across the board. Multiplayer is also intergrated well into the main campaign providing a little more longevity then previous entries. Here's hoping another sequel is planned and builds on the ground work created here for a fantastic follow up. 10/10
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Completed 08/09/2013
As much as I love Suda51's brand of uber stylish crazy. I can't help but feel a little short changed on Killer is Dead. The game literally drips style and cool, but at the same time I couldn't even tell you what the story is actual about. Style over substance is extremely prevelant here and the game suffers because of it. Had the story been more fleshed out and well...made sense. I might be inclinded to offer a higher rating, but even the combat is somewhat shallow when compared to other character action games from the year so far. 5/10
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Completed 15/09/2013
For all I enjoyed of Saints Row IV, I couldn't help but feel concern for the franchise. I mean where do they go from here? Obviously there are ways to continue on, but it runs the risk of falling flat. Over all, Saints IV was a good entry into the series, it had some funny moments, but some of its choices also fell flat. If there were another game, it would need to really step up on everything - new engine, new gameplay and new ideas. I can't play Saints Row 3.5 again - which at times is just what this feels like. 6/10
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Completed 15/09/2013
Kickbeat is an interesting take on the rhythm games of old and finds itself rather lonley in the genre in 2013. Overall the game is enjoyable but is truely lacking in terms of anything beyond gameplay - and even that can wear thin. What little story we get is rather bland and unimaginative and just as easily ignored as it is viewed. There is some fun to be had - but taper your expectations accordingly. 5/10
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Completed 29/09/2013
Upon release, the Grand Theft Auto games are truely an exciting thing to behold. Every time a new game comes out, Rockstar continue to push the boundaries for open world games. The sheer amount cramed into GTA 5 is incredible, and even more so when everything is done so well. Near 60 hours of content from my playthrough is testiment to Rockstar's craft. Even more so when I enjoyed nearly every single minute of it. 10/10
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Completed 17/12/2013
A revist, but a great time still. Max Payne 3 is one of the best 3rd person shooters out there and it really shines from start to finish. The narrative is strong, the soundtrack is awesome and the gunplay is the best in a game to this day. Everything about Max Payne 3 is first class and a replay just makes me wish for a fourth outing for the former member of New York's finest.
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