This year has the potential to be one of the best years for gaming since 2007.
A quick glance through the list of upcoming games for 2013 reveals several promising new additions to beloved series. The ones that I am most interested in are: Grand Theft Auto V, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Patriots, Bioshock Infinite, Pikmin 3, and Dead Space 3.
IGN has a great list of upcoming titles ordered according to “buzz” over at ign.com/games/upcoming.
Sadly, if 2012 releases demonstrated anything, it was that hype did not correlate to quality. That is why, for this list, I’m going to exclude games that haven’t been released. The games in this list have all been played, discussed and reviewed by my favourite reviewers.
I have played a few of the games myself and I trust them all to deliver a great gaming experience. This list is the top games that I can’t wait to play during my free time in 2013.
5. Battlefield 3: End Game
Battlefield 3’s End Game DLC is the last installment of Premium content announced for Battlefield and is scheduled to come out in March 2013.
I am usually not a fan of pre-purchasing DLC packs such as season passes, CoD Elite or Battlefield Premium, but Battlefield Premium has turned out to be one of the most rewarding purchases I made during 2012. All four of the currently released DLC packs are top notch and have exceeded my expectations.
DICE has managed to impress the Battlefield community with their quality content. This is not very common in the current gaming industry and I have to give credit to EA and DICE for the great job they have done in supporting Battlefield 3.
The last DLC release, Aftermath, demonstrated DICE’s years of experience with the Frostbite 2 engine. The vertically tiered level design and stunning visuals blew me away. The new game mode, Scavenger, is also an amazing FPS experience as it levels the playing field by requiring players to pick up randomized weapons during combat.
I can’t wait to see what DICE has in store for us in End Game. They have obviously mastered developing for Battlefield 3 and they have demonstrated their talent in the previous DLCs.
4. Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando
Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando scored amazing reviews across the board when it released back in 2003. It currently holds a 9.4 rating from IGN and a 90 on Metacritic. I played this game back in middle school and I really haven’t touched it since. I remember it being a humorous and ridiculously fun RPG with an extraordinary level of creativity.
Recently I was at a friend’s house where he had Ratchet and Clank: Future and the gameplay instantly reminded me of the old series. Going Commando was my favorite of the PS2 series, so I have decided to play it again. I have no doubt it will deliver an experience that will challenge and possibly surpass the new releases of 2013.
3. Trials Evolution
I was first introduced to Trials Evolution when I stumbled upon akamikeb’s YouTube series “Trials Evolution TuesdayS,” also known as TETS. Trials Evolution is the sequel to the hit Xbox Live Arcade game Trials HD.
Trials Evolution is a physics-based, motorcycle racing game with 2D gameplay that focuses on finely controlled speed and balance. What sets it apart from other games is its powerful map editor that allows users to build their own tracks, game modes and even minigames and publish them on the web. It’s a nearly infinite content marketplace with highly talented contributors and it is all free.
I bought Trials Evolution during the Christmas sale and I have yet to play it. It will probably consume a lot of my free time in 2013.
2. Asterix and Obelix: Kick Buttix
Asterix and Obelix: Kick Buttix did not receive amazing reviews like other games, but I remember myself loving it when I played it in 2004.
I am a huge Asterix and Obelix fan so this game is right up my alley. For Christmas I received a copy of the Asterix Omnibus 1. The quality of the print is amazing and rereading the comics was delightful. Now that I have finished reading the Omnibus, I am left craving more Asterix and Obelix content.
I know that the Kick Buttix game contains all of the running jokes and quirks of the comics and is a great game for Asterix fans, but I am doubtful that the graphics and gameplay aged well. I will likely review this game later in the year.
You can watch my YouTube (Vok250) or future issues of The Baron for that review.
1. Far Cry 3
If you’ve been following the reviewing community or the general gaming community this past month, then you have probably already guessed that Far Cry 3 would be my number one must-play game of 2013. It has been getting great ratings from nearly all of my most trusted reviewers.
It has also been sold out around Saint John for the last few weeks (at least the copies at sale price). I currently haven’t found a copy for the $40 running sale price and I am almost ready to pay the full $60 so that I can jump into the game before schoolwork gets heavier.
The Far Cry series was generally considered to be “dead” after the flop that was Far Cry 2. Compared to other releases, Far Cry 3 had next to no marketing and was flying under the radar. This game really came out of left field this year and proved that a well-made game can sell like crazy without the help of over-hyping.
A lot of great sequels came out in 2012, but they only look “average” compared to the reviews for Far Cry 3. I can’t wait to play it myself.
