With so many major games coming out throughout the year, it can be daunting to try and keep track of which titles qualify as the Best Games of 2013. It’s also easy to forget some of the year’s earlier surprises by the time November and December roll around. Fortunately, we’ve been keeping tabs on the best of the best so you don’t have to. With that in mind, here are our Best Games of 2013.
The Cave
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii U, iOS
Three strangers must work together to traverse the mysteries of The Cave, the latest adventure game from the minds at Double Fine. With seven different characters to choose from, the experience will be different for everyone involved, and this player choice mechanic also offers plenty of replay incentive. Sharp graphics, laugh-out-loud humor, and intuitive puzzles make The Cave a must buy..
Dead Space 3
PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360
Isaac Clarke has returned, and with him comes a brand-new way to play Dead Space. In Dead Space 3, Visceral included cooperative play for the first time in franchise history, as well as a new weapon-crafting system that drastically changes the way you're able to battle the Necromorph hordes. The series has evolved beyond its survival horror roots, but the strong story and solid action will keep you coming back for more.
State of Decay
Xbox 360
The zombie apocalypse has been hot for a few years, but still developers continue to mine the well for new and innovative takes on the genre. XBLA title State of Decay manages to be fresh and new by offering gamers the first true open-world zombie title with real consequences. Perma-death lurks around every corner, and you truly do feel like you're smack in the middle of the end of the world. Even if the tropes in the story have a been there, done that vibe, Undead Labs has accomplished something truly memorable.
Ridiculous Fishing: A Tale of Redemption
iOS
You know what's outrageous? That a fishing game could be considered one of the best games of 2013. Of course, the minute you start playing Ridiculous Fishing: A Tale of Redemption you realize just how fun it is to drop a line in the ocean. The soundtrack is terrific, the art style is reminiscent of 8-bit games, (but with a bit more personality), and the easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay is addictive as any mobile game that's been released.
DmC: Devil May Cry
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Plenty of fans decried Ninja Theory's reboot of Capcom's Devil May Cry, but little did they know the developer behind Enslaved and Heavenly Sword would deliver one of the best entries in the series to date. The new-look Dante has a wealth of powers and weapons at his disposal to make use of a easy-to-learn combat system that is just as addictive as past DMC games. Combined with great graphics and a solid story, DmC: Devil May Cry breathed new life into a stale franchise, earning its spot in our Best Games of 2013 list.
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Nintendo 3DS
As part of Nintendo's "Year of Luigi," the release of the 3DS sequel to a Gamecube classic was one of the best ideas the publisher ever had. Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon showed off the 3DS' capabilities, while also being a really fun, and surprisingly lengthy, adventure. Combined with a adequate multiplayer component, Dark Moon served as an example that Luigi could really stand on his own as a competent leading man. It doesn't hurt that Nintendo knows how to get the most from its hardware either.
Kentucky Route Zero
PC
Though only the first chapter of this new episodic adventure game has been released so far, Kentucky Route Zero has already established itself as one of the Best Games of 2013. The point-and-click genre has had a bit of a renaissance in recent years, and Kentucky Route Zero is just the latest example of how there's still plenty of mileage in the tank with the right developer. Centered around a mysterious secret highway running through caves beneath Kentucky, the atmosphere of the world and questions raised during the journey will have you glued to your keyboard, waiting to find out what happens next.
Etrian Odyssey 4: Legends of the Titan
Nintendo 3DS
Etrian Odyssey 4: Legends of the Titan continued the strong legacy established by earlier entries, but added a few new wrinkles to the fold. With a bigger world, and 3D monsters for the first time in franchise history, Legends of the Titan was an instant standout amongst its predecessors. Also, there are dragons flying around that can attack your airship, so that's an automatic pass into the best of the year conversation. Atlus continued to show it knows how to impress with RPGs on Nintendo handhelds, and Etrian Odyssey 4 might be the cream of the crop.
Monaco
PC, Xbox 360
Who hasn't wanted to be one of the greatest thieves of all time? Monaco gives you the chance to act out your inner Danny Ocean, and along with a few friends, you can be stealing valuables from around the world in no time. The clever stealth-based indie game requires solid teamwork to get the job done, and even with its simplistic, yet attractive, style, Monaco manages to be a captivating downloadable game. As the tag line says, "What's Yours is Mine." You should make this game yours.
Remember Me
PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360
New franchises typically don't spring up at the end of a console's cycle, but that didn't stop Dontnod Entertainment and Capcom from bringing Remember Me to the gaming masses. One of the few games this year to feature a female protagonist, Remember Me's heady sci-fi is both ambitious and, at times, too smart for its own good. Nilin's world is quite remarkable though, and the combat is fluid and fun, which helps Remember Me stand out from a crowd of sequels and tired genre titles.
Angry Birds Star Wars 2
iOS
The supremacy of Angry Birds remains through the years and the release of Angry Birds Star Wars 2 is proof. Not only does it expand on the universes of both franchises, but it makes no compromises on fun. You have a multitude of new levels and birds for you to enjoy. In fact, Rovio has done something spectacular. They've made the Star Wars prequels enjoyable.
Rayman Legends
PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U
Mario doesn't have a monopoly on platforming. Rayman is another legend of the genre and he is in full form with his latest game. It is platforming nirvana that allows three other friends to drop in and out to help or hinder your quest. The controls are fantastic and tight, but the real highlight of this game are the incredible visuals that border more on cartoonish paintings than digital artwork. Missing this game would be a huge disservice to a platformer fan.
StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm
PC
StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm delivered more of the fan-favorite awesomeness PC gamers have come to expect from Blizzard's franchise over the years. The second of three planned games, Heart of the Swarm brought improvements on the gameplay in Wings of Liberty, and kept fans engaged with a new perspective in the ongoing battle for space supremacy. Blizzard is known for taking its time with releases, which can tick off gamers, but when the final product is as strong as StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm, it's hard to argue with their mentality.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Nintendo 3DS
If there's one thing avid Nintendo fans adore, it's a new Animal Crossing. New Leaf brings the sim game to the Nintendo 3DS, with a host of new features, but the same core gameplay die-hard fans have come to expect and enjoy from the series. Being able to play such an addictive game on the go is a major plus, and with the ability to visit friends' towns, there's seemingly no end to this title's enjoyment.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
PlayStation 3
When Level 5 teamed with Studio Ghibli to create Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, people expected greatness, but nobody was quite prepared for the RPG to be such an engrossing game. Combining the fantastic animation Ghibli is known for with a robust and challenging gameplay system, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch established itself as an early frontrunner for RPG of the year.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360
Few games this year have been as fun and ridiculous as Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon. Fueled by nostalgia for the '80s, Blood Dragon brings the macho attitude we recall from so many bad (read: awesome), sci-fi action movies of the era into a first-person shooter, and reminds us all that not every game has to be serious business. There are dragons with laser eyes, for crying out loud. Add in a wonderful synth soundtrack, and you've got one of the most enjoyable downloadable games we've played this year.
Guacamelee
PlayStation 3, PS Vita
Whether you're on the go or playing at home, Guacamelee's side-scrolling luchador action shouldn't be missed. A wonderfully eclectic and stylish game, Guacamelee is a title that must be played to be truly appreciated. The action is fast and furious, and it has style and flair to spare. If more games like this are what Sony has planned, the future is certainly bright for the PlayStation brand.
Battleblock Theater
Xbox 360
Behemoth has made a name for itself as a premiere multiplayer developer on Xbox Live, and Battleblock Theater continued the company's tradition of excellence. Fast-paced platforming action, coupled with crazy co-op play, give Battleblock Theater a unique personality, but still resides wholly in Behemoth's wheelhouse of incredible fun. As XBLA games go, Battleblock Theater will stand alongside the platform's greatest, let alone being one of the best games of 2013.
The Swapper
PC
Space, the final frontier. That's the setting for the platform-puzzler The Swapper, a unique title that challenges you to solve the mysteries of a space station with nothing but your own ingenuity and a handful of clones. Atmospheric, challenging, and maddening all at once, The Swapper is a perfect example of how to do this genre right.
Tomb Raider
PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Lara's return to the fold was well worth the wait, as Tomb Raider showed the leading lady still had a lot to offer an entirely new generation of fans. Crystal Dynamics learned a lot from Tomb Raider-inspired titles like Uncharted, and delivered what could be considered the most complete Tomb Raider adventure in the entire franchise. The action was intense, the reimagined origin was on point, and even if the tombs weren't as prevalent or important as they were in the past, Tomb Raider stands at out as one of 2013's best video games.
Grand Theft Auto V
PS3, Xbox 360
The unrivaled king of the open world franchises is back with Grand Theft Auto V. It is so audacious a feat, so utterly huge, and so fun, that it had to be near the top of this list. Bouncing back and forth between characters lets you experience much more of the world. Plus, it always helps that you can jack a vehicle and ramp it off a mountain if the mood takes you. Grand Theft Auto V is the ultimate way to wander, explore, and waste some time acting like a criminal.
Antichamber
PC
Antichamber is a first-person puzzler, wherein the player traverses non-Euclidean levels with only his wits and a specially designed gun to aid him. In development for quite a few years, Anitchamber originally started out as a mod for Unreal Tournament 3, and has since evolved beyond its original form to its current state. Developed entirely by just one man (Alexander Bruce), Antichamber challenges conventions and has won numerous indie game awards over the past year.
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Nintendo 3DS
Fire Emblem: Awakening is the latest in a long line of successful tactical role-playing games from Nintendo. This time the franchise has branched out to the 3DS, and with it comes new gameplay mechanics including the introduction of an overworld, job classes, and the ability to marry and have children. The primary focus is still on the strategic turn-based combat, but thanks to the new features this entry is among the deepest in the series.
BioShock Infinite
PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Irrational Games took its sweet time with BioShock Infinite, and fans were not disappointed one bit by the sequel to one of this generation's most memorable games. While it's not going to be revered for its advances in first-person shooter mechanics, the story and presentation of BioShock Infinite will be talked about for quite some time. There is still a lot to think about when it comes to what it all meant, but that the conversation is still ongoing is a testament to BioShock Infinite's quality.
The Last of Us
PlayStation 3
Naughty Dog has once again wowed gamers with another stellar PlayStation 3 exclusive title. The Last of Us' post-apocalyptic tale combines everything compelling about stories like True Grit, The Road, and zombie thrillers, and puts together a package that exemplifies just how strong gaming can be as a narrative medium. It's also incredibly fun to play, too. We don't know what's next for Joel and Ellie, but we hope this isn't the last of this franchise.
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