The best games of 2013

The new year is almost upon us, and with it comes the promise of all kinds of sweet new games to enjoy. But before we dive into the winter releases, we thought it would make sense to take a look back at all of the games that came out this year and pick a few favorites. Of course, we couldn’t agree on one list, so we each picked a few of our own!

Charlie’s best games of 2013

Grand Theft Auto V. There were a lot of great games this year, but nothing gave me as much sustained enjoyment, or sparked my creativity, as much as GTA V. The story and the heist missions were wonderful, but my favorite moment? Planning and executing an elaborate solo heist to steal one of the jets from the military base.

Bioshock Infinite. The world of Columbia was, for me, just as engrossing as my first trip to Rapture back in the original Bioshock, and Infinite’s story was equally thought-provoking. Plus, the music in this game is absolutely incredible, especially when you get to the ending and realize that every song you’ve heard has a double meaning.

Honorable mention: XCOM: Enemy Within is an expansion, not a full game, but damn is it ever fantastic.

Chris’ best games of 2013

The Walking Dead Season One. TellTale’s The Walking Dead pushed me to make tough split-second decisions that genuinely affected the outcome of the game, and for that I absolutely loved it. The game kept me in suspense all the way through, and the hundreds of decisions you make throughout the game gave The Walking Dead an incredible amount of replay value. Can’t wait to play through season two.

Sengoku no Hagyou. Ok, so this is not a mainstream game, nor is it even in English, but I’ve fallen in love with this feudal era simulator so deal with it. The game is a work of art. Everything from its visuals to sound is so masterfully done that I can’t stop playing. The game is free to play, but for the first time ever I’m genuinely considering paying for some in-app purchases. That’s how good it is.

Iain’s Best Games of 2013

Bioshock Infinite. I really didn’t want to give the same answer as anyone else but in this case it can’t be helped. Bioshock Infinite is not the best game of 2013, it is the best game I have played in years! It is deep, confusing, immersive and harrowing in the extreme! I could write an essay on why Bioshock Infinite is fantastic but I won’t, because plenty of others have already done this. Suffice to say that the next time someone says “computer games are limited, they can’t be real works of art, they lack the complexity of literature and movies blah blah blah,” sit that dumbass down, make them play Bioshock Infinite, and then watch their heads explode. Infinite is the vindication that gamers have been looking for for years. A triple-A title so smart and complex that people are still debating its meaning months after its release.

Hotline Miami. I had heard rumblings about Hotline Miami when it was launched for PC in october last year but never got a chance to play it until it was ported to consoles in 2013 (a loophole… so sue me). Let me just say that this game is brain-fryingly good. Yes, it’s ultra-violent; yes, at times it is so cryptic you have no idea what’s going on, and yes, the gameplay is super simple. But when you combine that with hard levels, a high learning curve, intense colors and porno music, you get an experience that is out of this world. Hotline Miami will hypnotize you and suck you in; it’s like watching someone else’s bad trip from inside their head. It’s horrific, mesmerizing and mind bending! I strongly recommend it.

Malee’s best games of 2013

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. True, it could be said to be a rehash of the old Link to the Past, but A Link Between Worlds is, all things considered, a masterpiece. The only game on Games in Asia to score a perfect 10 yet, this reimagined Legend of Zelda game is a must-play, fan of the series or not.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies. A well-written, perfectly-paced reunion of iconic Phoenix Wright characters — including ol’ Nick Wright himself, of course — Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies might not have garnered itself a box set for its Western release, but it definitely deserves one.

Tearaway. This is the game the PS Vita has been waiting for. No other game out there completely makes use of all of the Vita’s bells and whistles – and does it so well, either. Tearway is the lovely little story of a paper messenger and her quest to reach you, and if you have a PS Vita you absolutely must give her a hand by playing the game.