10. Frog Fractions
This is an educational game that teaches you about fractions. Or is that all there is? I really can't say anymore without ruining the reveals. It's free, go play it and get lost in those fractions. http://twinbeardstudios.com/frog-fractions
9. Cart Life
A truly unique game that -at its core- is a retail sim (In fact, that's what the official website touts it as). What it does so well is that the world and characters around that sim are real and affecting. Also, its free! Go download at http://www.richardhofmeier.com/cartlife/
8. Journey
The first time I played this I was enthralled with its style and its beauty. The simple game play is easy to grasp and it's not hard at all. Though, I wondered why so many people were praising this as more than just a good game. Then I met another player and my entire game changed. Its cheap (But only on the PSN) and can be picked up in a bundle with Flow and Flower for the PS3.
7. Hitman: Absolution
KILL ALL SEXY NUNS!!!!11!1! That might be all the news you've heard about this game but please look past the media hype and give it a play. It is very pretty and it's easily the most populated world Agent 47 has ever stalked. You are going to notice that I don't really care about graphics as much as I care about game systems and how they interact through emergent gameplay. On that front, Hitman delivers abundantly.
There was a worry that the game was moving away from it's Blood Money roots but Square has made the best Hitman yet. And oh my goodness is it a looooong game (Perhaps a little too long), well worth whatever they're asking for a copy. http://hitman.com/
6. 10000000
Easily my surprise hit of this year, 10000000 can almost be described (in a reductive manner) as Bejeweled with mana and hit-points. Throw-back graphics and music give it a nostalgic feel in a very charming way. Simple and quick game play will have you hooked and thinking 'Just one more game.' I probably have spent longer on the john than I would've because of this game.
5. Call of Duty: Black OPS 2
To start: this is the first COD I have ever played. Oh I've been aware of it's phenomenal impact on the games industry and have actually followed some really good players on YouTube. So why now? Why Black OPs 2?
1. I finally have reliable high-speed internet (Welcome to the 21st century).
2. I have been hearing that this is the best COD in a very long time.
So why not give it a shot? Know what I found out guys? It has a very addictive and great multiplayer game system they have going for them. The 'Pick-Ten' system is brilliant and I felt like I was getting better with each game. And for all those who complain about the online community being annoying and full of racist, homophobic 12 year olds.... you're so right guys! It's almost like I'm playing with the entire congregation of the Westboro Baptist Church. Luckily, there is a mute button.
4. Dishonored
This game is a mixture of Half-Life 2, Theif, Bioshock and Deus Ex. So, naturally, I love it. It features an open level design, filled with multiple game systems and endless options limited only by the player. If you can get through the first lackluster hour of the game, you'll soon find that you are in a very special game that just begs to be replayed over and over.
3. X-COM: Enemy Unknown
A remake of a hardcore turn-based strategy PC-only cult classic that's actually better when played with a controller? A bunch of hooey and applesauce I say!
I am eating my own hat on this one guys. The game is deep, engaging and deceptively simple. And hard. I mean 30 hours into your play-through and you will just lose hard. Perma-death hard. Yet ,with its difficulty comes a many great rewarding moments and holy-shit-did-I-just-pull-that-off close calls.
2. Mass Effect 3
At first I was upset that ME3 seemed to neuter my bad-ass renegade fem-shep. Then, I realized that the writing was so good that I felt conflicted going completely 'bad-guy' in my choices.
This, coupled with improvements to the battle system made the game better (Though I still think ME2 is the best in the trilogy).
Where this game got me were the moments of despair I felt with the endings to certain characters. Also this game received a ton of flack for it's ending and I will admit I wasn't too impressed with it at first either. Then I read about the indoctrination theory and (I don't care if BioWare has denied it as canon) I felt completely satisfied and honestly think it's the coolest thing a video game has ever done.
The games have recently been released in a trilogy bundle (Even on the PS3) so go play them and experience the best game trilogy this generation.
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| 'I am the very model of a scientist Salarian....' |
*SOBS*
1. FarCry3
After loading up my game I stepped out of my little hut startling a herd of Water Buffalo. As they were running away, a tiger pounced out of the bushes and tackled one of the Buffalo into a passing jeep full of pirates. Though the pirates were knocked out of the jeep, it kept going full speed into a tree, flipped over and promptly exploded causing a forest fire that not only killed said pirates but also the herd of buffalo and the tiger. All because I stepped outside.
I cannot describe how fun it is to exist in the FarCry3 world with all of its systems.
The story starts out in an oddly hilarious poke at the 'Bros' featured in most video games. I mean, to gain power your character gets a tribal tattoo. How obvious do I need to be? In this way I was enjoying story enough but then it makes a turn. A bad turn.
Despite the crappy story stuff, I love the world of FC3. I am addicted to every aspect. Whether it's disarming radio towers, collecting letters, finding relics, killing a shark to make a wallet that holds more money (Trust me, you'll understand) or clearing out a pirate stronghold with nothing but a rock and a pack of rabid dogs.
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| This picture is only worth one word: 'VIDEOGAMES' |
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