If you’re reading this, congratulations. You survived 2016’s clutches.
So…a lot about this year was…not great. But in between a lot of chaotic garbage, video games stayed pretty darn good…kind of. I think it’s one of the least memorable of recent years, but the few things that hit for me hit very, very hard. So let’s talk about those heavy hitters and send 2016 on its way for good.
Antichamber requires a lot of time and effort to make any progress. For a game that does a lot of smart things, one of it’s most respectable is that it never holds your hand, and it doesn’t want to. Antichamber throws you right into a puzzle box and expects you to either find your way out, or go play something else. (more…)
The Last of Us isn’t perfect, but it’s one of the best ways we could have sent out the last generation of consoles. While they may not be down and out just yet, Naughty Dog’s latest is not only their finest offering to date, but is a showpiece of nearly everything this last generation has been capable of. (more…)
The real Game of the Year list starts here. Almost everything below this point has been in a state of flux. I’d had Anodyne, BADLAND, Gone Home and others in the 07-10 spots, but 06-01 have been a sure thing since the list was in its early stages. From #06-#01, I’m splitting hairs at this point by trying to put them in any order, but I’ll try to do it anyway. Just know that anything from here to #01 could have been my Game of the Year, and I’d have been just fine with that. Let’s start talking about the best of the best of 2013 with MegaMan Unlimited.
MegaMan Unlimited feels like a revival of one of gaming’s most treasured heroes, and one that Mega Man deserved. Capcom may not want to capitalize on how good Mega Man games can be, but that doesn’t stop fans from trying to reach the heights of the Blue Bomber’s glory days. (more…)
Say what you will about nostalgia for the first few iterations, but Pokemon X and Y are among the best games Game Freak has ever produced.
With over 700(!!!!) Pokemon now, there’s never a shortage of things to do in Pokemon X and Y. Although, disappointingly, there are several that can’t be found here, the number that are available keeps the game fresh for dozens of hours. I’m still finding Pokemon than I’ve never seen before and changing up my team, and I’m over 65 hours into the game.
The Pokemon have never felt more alive than they do here. In one of the most astounding graphical upgrades to a series I’ve ever seen, every Pokemon is fully rendered beautifully in 3D. They don’t feel like pictures anymore, they feel alive. It’s the most visually impressive Pokemon game ever produced, as long as you leave the special 3D effect switched off to save framerate.
It’s easier than ever to play with friends and strangers, as the online functionality has been rebuilt. A constant list of online players is kept on the bottom screen, and trading or battling is only a tap away. This one may play the same as ever, but it’s never looked or felt so good to do it.
It’s time for HippoChippies’ top ten of 2012! Here, we’re counting down from the tenth best game of 2012 all the way down to our Game of the Year, number *one*. Let’s get started!
#10 – Mass Effect 3
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