Top Games: Honorable Mentions/GOTY 2013

Yes, honorable mentions. There are certainly more games that need to be addressed for various reasons, and I will eventually append another 10 more games to make a true top 40 of games, but until then, there are a few games to be mentioned.

Toy Story 2 (PS1)
I had a PS1 as a kid. This was my level based, nonlinear 3D platformer. And it was great. Not only is it
impressive that such a game can hold up to the big hitters like Super Mario 64, but it is also probably the best movie tie-in game to date. Or at least the best one I can think of.


Spyro 2/Crash 3/Super Mario Bros. 3/Super Mario World 2
By looking at my top 30 games, you should be able to see why these games deserve to mentioned. They deserve it for the same reason the other games were on the list. These games are all classics and shouldn't be too overshadowed.

Persona 4 (PS2)
I should really finish this game, shouldn't I? I got to the 3rd or 4th dungeon. This game played out differently than any other game I've played of the genre. Again, this was a story I was invested in and I actually really enjoyed the anime cutscenes. I really gotta go back to this game...

Halo (series excl. 4) (Xbox/360)
These need to be mentioned as they are wonderful to play. I've enjoyed every game to some extent aside from Halo Wars and Halo 4. And although I really only played the first 2 for local multiplayer, they still deserve to be mentioned. I've 1000 pointed Halo 3 and Reach and almost did so in ODST, just missing out on firefight points. And I even like ODST, just not as a $60 retail game, that was a bit bullshit. But the campaigns were fun, the online was fun, the local multiplayer (and forge) is fun. It's just a shame Halo 4 wanted to be Call of Duty...

Nazi Zombies (Call of Duty) (PS3/360)
I originally had this as an honorable mention when I first made this list. The maps in World at War are all solid and fun enough to play again and again. Unfortunately, Black Ops introduced the notion that every single map WILL have something annoying. You know, Nazi Zombies will get its own blog post explaining just what made good levels good and what made everything else AWFUL.

Crackdown (360)
This game is fun. This game was fun on my own, and this game was even more fun in co op. Yes, it can get frustrating some times, especially when you're falling down a building and instead of grabbing onto a ledge, slide down, or constantly auto-aiming on the car next to the dude shooting rockets at you, but nothing matches the base thrill and excitement of getting agility orb after orb after orb, or picking up cars and throwing them at people.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (360)
Is it fair including a game for only one thing? Well, one and a half things? I'm tempted to have this game in my tops, probably high 30s or so based solely on terrorist hunt and putting your face in the game. It's damn fun, DAMN fun.

Fallout 3 (PS3/360)
My relationship with Fallout 3 is interesting. I played through it once and LOVED it. Unfortunately, I didn't have any dlc and only saved in the final room where the game just ends and I can't finish any other quests I had or keep exploring the wastelands. I started it again like 3 or 4 times after at certain times, but got continually bothered by the terribly annoying engine and the low sensitivity. I do love it, just can't get focused on it quite like I did before.

As for games I played this year...

Gunpoint (PC)
This is a short game on the simple premise of spring pants. 2D stealth game based on spring pants. Short game with hilarious dialogue, very much recommend to everyone. Go play it!

Papers, Please (PC)
This is a premise I cannot sell to be fun. You are a checkpoint officer and you check the papers of those wanting to enter the country. That's it. Every day or two, another rule is added until people give you an insane amount of things to check and you mess up on the person's gender. It's really compelling, kind of intense, and has a surprising amount of depth to it. Again, this is a game I want everybody to experience.

Risk Of Rain (PC)
Do you like roguelikes? Do you know what roguelikes are? No? Well, this is a roguelike. Permanent death for each attempt, semi-randomized stages, random weapons and other things to aid you along the way. This game also has local co op as well as online co op. This game is really fun to play as well if you can handle the difficulty curve and really get comfortable with the game.

The Stanley Parable (PC)
Again, this is a game everybody needs to play. Everybody. The different thing about this one is that I can't tell you why or else it'd spoil the entire game. YOU NEED TO PLAY THE STANLEY PARABLE.

Bioshock Infinite (360)
I don't play games for stories. This game has a wonderful story and I really should play it again to get a true grip on things. This game was compelling and I do believe that playing on normal is a bit too easy and doesn't give a reason to use your vigors, which is a damn shame. I do want to get 1000/1000 in this game just haven't gotten around to it yet. And this would have had the best story for a game I played this year if it had not been for...

Spec Ops: The Line (PC)
Hooooooo my god. This game is magnificent. This game deserves a slot in my top 30 and given more time to tweak my list, it would probably be around #15. As a game, it's standard, functional. Modern military shooter, cover-based third person shooter. But the story that comes with it is unlike anything else I've ever played and is second only to Bioshock's. The things this game tells you and succeeds in doing is incredible, and this is an incredibly bold thing for a game of this genre to do. Again, I don't want to say why as it would spoil it, but trust me on this. If you think you understand modern military shooters, you need to play Spec Ops: The Line. Notice that I didn't mention anything about the online multiplayer because it's not important, the developers didn't even want it in and were pressured by their publishers, and it actually undermines the idea of the game. So you don't need to worry about it.

And so...
I probably forget a game or two, here or there, and this'll probably be amended to accommodate for em all.

TOP GAMES

Yes, top games. First list I made, about a year and a half ago, it's changed a little bit from there, but nothing too drastic. At some point, I'll probably add 10 more to make a top 40, but that'll take some time. Also, the console stated is the console that I played it on to aid in the noting the style of game as well as helping to describe my experience.  HERE WE GO!


30. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
Now interestingly enough, I never actually owned this game, but I did complete it 3 times on varying difficulties and got its platinum trophy. I also never played any of the other Uncharted games for whatever reason. I played the online multiplayer a few times 'cause my internet was shit, and the deathmatch was pretty annoying, but the co op was actually really fun. And, most importantly, the singleplayer was incredibly fun, I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the combat. Oh, and cheats in-game are awesome.

29. Spyro The Dragon: Year Of The Dragon (PS1)
This game should require no description because if you had a Playstation, you played Spyro. And if not, you suck at games. This game is great and I've always been itchin to go back and replay it and just never got around to it. I'm sure if I did, it would still hold up.

28. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (PS1)
It was difficult choosing between this and warped. I think I had to pick this one because I got it first and played it to death all the time. And like Spyro 3, if you had a Playstation, you should have played this game.

27. Mario Kart: Double Dash (GC)
You know, these later games on the list are all about difficulties in choosing iterations. It was tough between this and 64, and I never owned the DS one but hear it's great. But yeah, although I'm not particularly big into racers, kart racers are the shit. Especially this one. BABY PARK ALL THE WAY.

26. Mario Party 2 (N64)
Fuck this game.

25. Dead Rising 2/Off The Record (360)
Now, this game is just pure, visceral fun. Ever wanna destroy zombies by charging through them with a lawnmower blade on your head? Or just knock em over with a tricycle? Or ANYTHING? This game definitely has some problems, as it's kinda slow moving around, it's annoying with no sprint button, and platforming is kind of annoying, but I've tossed so much time into this game. And no, I can't decide which I like better. Off the Record added a new area and some other stuff, but is just Dead Rising 2.5. And I played Dead Rising 2 earlier. But both are excellent.

24. Guitar Hero 2 (PS2/360)
Now, I play rhythm games. I play rhythm games. And I did start with Guitar Hero. GH 1. I started on easy on that one, played up til expert. Then I jumped in Guitar Hero 2 on expert and never turned back. Guitar Hero 2 is such an upgrade over the first one. Bigger, (arguably) better setlist, HOPOs that actually WORK, and awesome multiplayer! This game is a classic and I still play it every once in a while.

23. Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
1st SNES game I had, and what a game it is. It's wonderful. Excellent platforming, still holds up. Love the art style, the music, the environments. If you're a platforming fan, this game is a necessity.

22. Bully (PS2/360)
It's sometimes difficult to pinpoint exactly why I like a game, and such is the case for this one. There's no one thing to point at with this game, everything just clicks and is awesome. The people are cool, the environment is excellent, riding bikes and go karts are fun, EVERYTHING is just great. If there was a Bully 2 announced, I'd pre-order it instantly. 1000/1000 points in scholarship edition!

21. Downhill Domination (PS2)
This game is another game that I can come back to whenever I want. Extreme mountain biking? Where you throw bottles at people and do backflips and shit? I was even introduced this game partway into the 7th generation of consoles and went BACK to the PS2 to play this game. It kicks that much ass.

20. Skate 2 (360)
For a certain other skateboarding game, I was really into these certain skateboarding games. From then, I was always interested in Skate. I picked up Skate 2 for 20 bucks one day off a whim and oh, what a purchase it was. I've beaten this game twice, as well as Skate 3. These games are the tits. Another game I'd probably preorder once it's announced.

19. Sims 2 (PS2/Xbox)
I believe this is the only game where it's important to specify which platform this is on. I played the hell out of this game with my sister because it's split screen and controls vastly different than on PC. It's mostly the same kinda sim objectives and gameplay, but this one has you controlling your character DIRECTLY. Playing this with a friend is always fun and I can still fall back on it if necessary. AND I bought 2 copies of it after losing the first one.

18. LittleBigPlanet (PS3)
This game is a masterpiece. The music is wonderful, the aesthetic can't be beaten, playing with friends, which devolves into slapping simulator is always fun. I even enjoyed making levels in it! And the only trophies I don't have in it are bullshit trophies in getting other people to like your shit. What are the odds of that?!

17. Super Mario World (SNES)
This used to be Super Mario All Stars + Super Mario World, but I decided to be less of a bitch and be more decisive. AGAIN, VERY tough to choose between this, Super Mario Bros 3, and Super Mario World 2. I stuck with this one as it was the first I had, I think. I played the hell out of it, and it, again, still holds up and is fun.

16. Rollercoaster Tycoon (PC)
The first one was soooo good, the next one was preeetty good and the third one was shit. Or at least I dismissed it from vastly changing everything. But in terms of kid-friendly RTS simulation games, nothing can top this. Still fun to play, easy fall back game. 

15. Shivers (PC)
This is the only game on here purely for nostalgia. Yeah, it's a bit of an all right point and click game from the 90s, but I still love it to bits. You go into an Professor Windlenot's (unfinished) Museum of the Strange and Unusual. It looks absolutely amazing, and I still love the music. Sure the enemies are cheesy and some puzzles are outright sadistic, but I still love it.




14. Star Wars Battlefront 2 (PS2/Xbox)
The internet loves this game, I love this game. And rightly so! Some people say it doesn't hold up and thos people are WRONG. I still play this all the time, split screen, on Xbox. Why doesn't the PC version allow multiplayer galactic conquest?

13. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2)
Still waiting for a better Grand Theft Auto game. Part of it's the amazing soundtrack, part of it's the wonderful environment, part of it's the fact that this is the first ps2 game I played (when I was like 10), but this game is just tops. A classic. And as a side note, I'd like to say that I can become connected to Tommy Vercetti. I like him, unlike three other grand thefting protagonists...

12. Super Smash Brother Melee (GC)
Should this be higher? Maybe. It's important to say that I hate one on one fighters because I'm not very competitive when it comes to PvP. But this game is the exception to fighting games. It controls well, it has a high skill ceiling, and can be fun on multiple levels. The best GC game, as well as the best fighting game.



11. Top Gear (SNES)
I hate realistic racing games. This isn't that. It's just a fun, simple racing game with nitro and pit stops. Also, interestingly, it can only ever do split screen. If you're on your own, it tosses a computer in on the bottom half of the screen. Still fun nonetheless. Best racing game.


10. Left 4 Dead (360/PC)
It's interesting, I had so much fun with this game some time ago, a fun I haven't had with L4D2, and actually haven't even been able to recreate it with the 1st one as well. Maybe I just gotta keep playing with friends, more friends. So if you have L4D, PLAY WITH ME. I love it. This game is damn good zombie fun.

9. Borderlands (PS3/PC/360)
I don't remember quite why I bought this game, but I brought it home, played it with a friend, and 7 hours later, we decided we should call it a day and go to sleep. This still happens occasionally. This game is addictive, the guns are fun, the environment is pretty fun, and I can play this game (and do) on a whim with friends as well. It's still pretty fun.

8. Pokemon Silver (GBC)
You know, I had gold as a kid, then my mom took it away and it was never seen again. But I try not to play anything past gen 2 cause I can nitpick the fuck out of em. Silver was the height of Pokemon. I enjoyed it's aesthetic and music more than any other, and the fact that it let you play two regions is even better. 

7. Bioshock (PS3/360)
If there's anything to note from this list, I tend not to play games for their story, but for their gameplay. This game has an incredible both. This game might possibly have my #1 favorite story of any game and I don't even mind the final boss fight. I've beaten this game at least 5 times on varying difficulties on varying systems and loved every minute of it. Platinum on PS3 as well as 1100/1100 on 360.

6. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3/360/PC)
I can describe my thoughts of Call of Duty in one sentance. CoD 4 was incredible and every one after was worse after. Black Ops was the last "good" one. But nothing will ever beat 4 for how clean the gunplay felt, how solid the story was, and how much fun I had in the online multiplayer. Unfortunately it's impossible to play on consoles anymore as it's riddled with hackers, but the fun I had in this game in the matches and even in private lobbies with friends I've made online makes it near impossible to be beaten by another game in its genre.

5. Portal (PS3/360)
It's weird, I unfortunately heard Still Alive before playing this game, but it's still an incredibly charming song to end an incredible game. This is my list of favorite games, but in a list of "best games ever," this would probably be #1 for how clean the game is, how everything just fits. The only complaint is its short length, but at least it can't overstay welcome, right? 200/200 in the 360 standalone.

4. Minecraft (PC/360)
People will occasionally say that this isn't a game because there's no objective. Those people can fuck right off. I've sank so many hours into this and have created some things I'm really proud of. This game is fun on PC, this game is fun on 360, split screen. It's hard to find the things to say about this, because what can you say? It's fun to play and I think everyone should give it a try at some point.

3. Kirby Superstar (SNES)
I've played this game so much as a kid with my sister. It's so much fun and has wonderful co op. Again, hard to find things to say about it, but there's almost nothing bad I could ever say about it. I hold this game dear to my heart.

2. Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (PS2)
To those who keep saying that THPS 2 or THUG1 is the best, I will forever disagree. This game feels so nice and has incredible flow. Yeah, people hold the story of THUG1 above this, and I do agree that it's better, but I don't care about a tory in a Tony Hawk game. I care about skating and doing outrageous shit. AND this game has classic mode. Soundtrack is also kickin, there's no doubt about it. I've beaten this game more times than I can care to count, AND I've gotten all the gaps in it. That's dedication.

1. Rock Band (series) (PS3)
I. PLAY. RHYTHM. GAMES. I play them so goddamn much, I haven't met a person better than me at rhythm games, on guitar OR drums. I've bought every console Rock Band game to add to my collection. I have like 400 songs in Rock Band 3 to choose from. It will always be a game I can go back and play as well as being the #1 party game ever. Nothing beats 3 dudes shouting into a mic as loud as they can. There will never be a series I put more time more time or more money into let alone both, not even Runescape which really should be somewhere on this list... ANYWAYS, yes, Rock Band. I choose it over Guitar Hero as well because each main iteration of Rock Band is a vast improvement on its predecessor, instead of Guitar Hero continuously milking the franchise and genre into oversaturation. These games ROCK.

Introductory...

It's about time I post my damn lists in an easier place to discover than, you know, Faaaaceboooooook.... So with the aid of AJ Alonzo, I created this. What a brilliant idea, if only I had thought of it, right? I'll use this introductory paragraph to state that I try my best to only ever claim my lists as being my top FAVORITE of things. Yes, that's FAVORITE, so, not only is it going to be different than yours, it subject to change. And it will change. All the lists I've made already have changed! Another thing to note is that I may post non-list related things on here. Should I make a separate blog and use it as a journal? Eh, probably. So if that happens, disregard those last few sentences.