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GOTY 2013

by arbitrarywater

And here comes the Game of the Year list, in all its glory.

Games marked with an asterisk have additional commentary, assuming you're reading the blog like you're supposed to.

Showing 1-10 of 10 items

Fire Emblem: Awakening

1. Fire Emblem: Awakening

I am unapologetic in my love of Fire Emblem, and Awakening happens to be a Fire Emblem game that came out this year. Certainly helps that it's the best the series has been in a long while.*

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

My only complaint about A Link Between Worlds is that I wish it was longer and maybe a little more difficult. Other than those minor quibbles... it might be almost perfect. *

BioShock Infinite

3. BioShock Infinite

Even now, it's difficult to decide where I want Bioshock Infinite to be on this list, but I'll go with my gut feeling when I completed it and give it this high end spot. *

Super Mario 3D World

4. Super Mario 3D World

Much like Zelda, Super Mario 3D World is proof that when Nintendo brings their A-Game, they BRING IT. *

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen

5. Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen

I think I might like Dragon's Dogma MORE than when I played it a year ago. Sure, the small gameplay enhancements offered by Dark Arisen are nice, as is the brutal punch in the face known as Bitterblack Isle, but... screw it. I just wanted another excuse to put Dragon's Dogma on this list.

DmC Devil May Cry

6. DmC Devil May Cry

This is one of those times when I will gleefully proclaim "Screw the haters", even as I sort of mourn the part where this game's complete lack of success means that the series isn't going anywhere for the next few years. It's no DMC3, but what is?

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

7. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

Assassin's Creed is skirting dangerously close to burning out with its yearly release schedule, but ACIV succeeds at fulfilling the promise that ACIII squandered as far as gameplay is concerned. Pirates!*

XCOM: Enemy Within

8. XCOM: Enemy Within

Enemy Within doesn't fix some of the fundamental problems I have with Enemy Unknown, but it did mix enough up to where I willingly played it again and enjoyed doing so. It's a pity that for all the fantastic enhancements to the mid-game, the end-game is still flaccid and dull.

Saints Row IV

9. Saints Row IV

Saints Row IV maybe takes a bit too much from its prior incarnations (specifically, it literally reuses the world of Saints Row the Third), but it's still the king of insane, self-aware video games. *

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies

10. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies

Capcom's series of Anime Courtroom Antics returns in fine form after the rather underwhelming Apollo Justice (which you can tell was underwhelming because they didn't make a direct sequel for 6 years and instead focused on Edgeworth and Professor Layton related spinoffs). It also might have the best DLC of this year, involving a case where you defend a Killer Whale of murder.