So, I unfortunately missed out on entering a top ten list of games this year because I didn't think I'd played enough games to get a good sense of whether the ones I had played were worthy or recognition or whether they were just, you know, the ones I played.
In any case, I've finished off a few more in the last couple of months so I wanted to go through my top five (maybe more if I lose track) games for 2012.
Number five is Deponia. I was considering whether to put this here, Thomas Was Alone or Spec Ops: The Line. They are all great in so many different ways but Deponia is just pure point-and-click adventure fun. It doesn't have the occasional sparse nature of Thomas Was Alone or the clunky controls of Spec Ops and even though the puzzles are sometimes completely irrational, the meta dialogue and hilarious antics are enough to push this game into my top five.
Number four is Torchlight 2. It's just really hard to go past a game that has the hack and slash RPG down to such a very fine art. Torchlight is magnificent, loads of fun, and improves exponentially on the first game.
Number three is Journey. The gameplay is okay, the story is relatively interesting but it's the multiplayer here that puts this above the rest. I played this game with one other person all the way through and the connection through only a chime and movement was completely unexpected. An incredible experience.
Runner up for GOTY was Mass Effect 3. I love this series and I just finished the game last night. The story is spot on and the gameplay elements are well developed despite for contorted they have been from the last installment (ans ME1 for that matter). There were so many game this year that did something completely different and expanded the medium, ME wasn't one of them but honestly I'd rather sit down and play a great RPG like this one than an experimental game. I'm very attached to Shepard and her crew, I'm sad that it's over.
My GOTY was The Walking Dead. It wasn't comfortable, it wasn't pleasant but it was incredible story-telling done right in an interactive video game (that is, NOT the way Dear Esther did it). The controls of this game sucked and the movement in general was pretty terrible but this game had enough heart and intrigue to cover all that. The decision making was intriguing and this game was really something special that I've never seen before.
So there you go! A little late but it's out there.
1 Like Oh! I should have checked your blog earlier :O
Finally found a top list I can agree with AND I found a game I didn't know about. Deponia. Never heard of that but I'm a fan of point&click adventures.
Now that I know you have good taste I'll definitely be stalking you here.This comment has been deleted
Interesting list - I would make one myself, but I'd probably have to wait till the end of 2013 to know that I've actually played enough games from 2012. :P I loved Mass Effect 3 too; obviously, I disliked the ending, but the hard kick in the face we got was softened by the Extended Cut free DLC. I've completed each of the games in the series three times (I know, so nerdy), and I've gotta say I liked FemShep so much more than MaleShep. Even though I'm a guy, I thought Garrus was the most interesting romance character. XD
As for The Walking Dead, I see many people praise it but I haven't played it myself. Though I have played Heavy Rain and enjoyed that, even though it's far from perfect in some areas. Would you say the two are comparable (assuming you've played HR too)? :)
1 Like @Bamul Yeah, there are still so many games I haven't gotten to. Far Cry 3, for one. The thing I didn't like about the ending was that people apparently said there was a 'perfect' one and I don't agree at all. I actually completely forgot to install that but I watched it online later.
No way! Liara is Shepard's one true love =P
You should play it, I've played HR, yeah, I liked it a lot. There's more you can decide upon in TWD though HR has more paths to go down. They are similar.
@tempertress I too need to play Far Cry 3 - it looks great. And I went with Liara on my MaleShep playthrough and like her a lot too, but I stuck with Garrus on my FemShep playthrough through all three games. :P I will probably pick up TWD now that all of the episodes are released on disc (I prefer boxed games).
Btw, your "What Game Are You?" series was good; I watched it with my brother and it was quite entertaining and even funny at times. Keep up the good work. ;)
1 Like @Bamul I went Liara on my Femshep playthrough. Thought I've only had one playthrough! I got so attached to my Shep, I don't think I could do it again. Also, I can't stand MaleSheps voice acting. I had a short trist with Garrus but I loaded because it weirded me out haha. He was my buddy.
Thanks!
Nice list! Still hoping to play some Deponia someday, a couple of folks in our UK office really liked it.
@Chris_Watters Definitely do it, some parts are irritating but on the whole it doesn't take itself seriously and it's a solid game mechanics-wise.
I take it you didn't like Dear Esther? I played 15 minutes of it and haven't yet gotten around to finishing it, so I have no opinion yet. Journey, I really want to try. Happy New Year, Jess.
@GunnyHath Nope! I thought I would be crazy about it because I love story in games but I was so bored and unsatisfied with the vague ending. Bah.
Some nice selections. What about this year, is there anything in particular you're looking forward to?
