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Charlie's Fav Games of 2013 #4-3
12 years ago
GROUPS
#4-Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
For the past couple of titles, I haven't exactly loved a few entries in the fabled series. Well not like is a strong word, more expecting more. The Phantom Hourglass was so hand holdy and easy, I didn't even bother finishing it, something I'd never done to a Zelda game before, and Skyward Sword felt like a retreading of the OoT that didn't have the revamping I thought it needed while having motion controls that where take-it-or-leave-it. This return to classic might seem like a head scratching affair for a series that's only criticism has been its unwillingness to shake up things to its foundation but there's something that always feels fresh about a top-down-zelda to me. From the GBC ones done by Capcom, and the classic Link to the Past, they are great jump-in-and-play styles that require the best puzzles in the series. Wonderful puzzles and a fast pace that kept the game going made this one of the most enjoyable titles to me and it went through in a breeze. Only thing holding it from being higher is that it feels at time its a bit too slavish to A Link to the Past and could've have tried its own thing a bit more but very happy with what I got from it.
#3-Bioshock Infinite
This game is too easy to go into a essay length in explaining the themes it touches on, the plot, story, and twists in the plot. Actually that's probably the main problem from it easily reaching my #1 spot is with how ambitious it got and on the way lessened the more concise, powerful impact that the first Bioshock had. While Bioshock was a laser point parody on Randism, this felt like a huge smorgasbord of American racism, parallel universes, religion, revolutions and the drawbacks of them, it was literally one of the best juggling acts I've seen in awhile. It's just too bad it couldn't stick to topics and leave a more impactful statement. This sounds really negative but that's only because the potential for one of the best games ever are seen here. Some of the finest set-up events, vertical combat, story, themes, it's AAA class across the whole board, just not as focused as I would have liked it to be. It's a monumental game and I can't wait for what Ken Levine comes up with next.
Honorable Mention: Beyond: Two Souls
I seem to always be the cut man for popular games that got kicked around by the majority. Beyond was heckled and booed at for issues I wouldn't completely rule against: yes it should have made a story that was more affected by the player and it played out more like a linear book or movie, some scenes seem disjointed, some of the dialogue was plain hokey at times, but under some of these problems was a game that I saw a huge amount of heart and soul (HAH!) in, characteristics that are solely missing in other AAA games. Rarely do we see the whole lifespan of one character and go through every important moment in their life, usually reserved in long-winded RPGs. Ellen's acting was wonderful only to be supported by an even more superb performance from Willem DaFoe, who fills the typical mad scientist role and fleshes out a character I who feels like he has a legitimate relationship throughout the game. There where 4 scenes where my heart swelled and touched me in its emotions and performances. No, it's not able to keep that level of emotion and tone throughout the game, even some eye rolling scenes at times, but most importantly the story left its mark on me and I was happy I experienced it. I'll keep defending this game until the next big that gets racked in the presses and I'll spend the next months stressing to defend it. Where's my defense attorney's badge!?
For the past couple of titles, I haven't exactly loved a few entries in the fabled series. Well not like is a strong word, more expecting more. The Phantom Hourglass was so hand holdy and easy, I didn't even bother finishing it, something I'd never done to a Zelda game before, and Skyward Sword felt like a retreading of the OoT that didn't have the revamping I thought it needed while having motion controls that where take-it-or-leave-it. This return to classic might seem like a head scratching affair for a series that's only criticism has been its unwillingness to shake up things to its foundation but there's something that always feels fresh about a top-down-zelda to me. From the GBC ones done by Capcom, and the classic Link to the Past, they are great jump-in-and-play styles that require the best puzzles in the series. Wonderful puzzles and a fast pace that kept the game going made this one of the most enjoyable titles to me and it went through in a breeze. Only thing holding it from being higher is that it feels at time its a bit too slavish to A Link to the Past and could've have tried its own thing a bit more but very happy with what I got from it.
#3-Bioshock Infinite
This game is too easy to go into a essay length in explaining the themes it touches on, the plot, story, and twists in the plot. Actually that's probably the main problem from it easily reaching my #1 spot is with how ambitious it got and on the way lessened the more concise, powerful impact that the first Bioshock had. While Bioshock was a laser point parody on Randism, this felt like a huge smorgasbord of American racism, parallel universes, religion, revolutions and the drawbacks of them, it was literally one of the best juggling acts I've seen in awhile. It's just too bad it couldn't stick to topics and leave a more impactful statement. This sounds really negative but that's only because the potential for one of the best games ever are seen here. Some of the finest set-up events, vertical combat, story, themes, it's AAA class across the whole board, just not as focused as I would have liked it to be. It's a monumental game and I can't wait for what Ken Levine comes up with next.
Honorable Mention: Beyond: Two Souls
I seem to always be the cut man for popular games that got kicked around by the majority. Beyond was heckled and booed at for issues I wouldn't completely rule against: yes it should have made a story that was more affected by the player and it played out more like a linear book or movie, some scenes seem disjointed, some of the dialogue was plain hokey at times, but under some of these problems was a game that I saw a huge amount of heart and soul (HAH!) in, characteristics that are solely missing in other AAA games. Rarely do we see the whole lifespan of one character and go through every important moment in their life, usually reserved in long-winded RPGs. Ellen's acting was wonderful only to be supported by an even more superb performance from Willem DaFoe, who fills the typical mad scientist role and fleshes out a character I who feels like he has a legitimate relationship throughout the game. There where 4 scenes where my heart swelled and touched me in its emotions and performances. No, it's not able to keep that level of emotion and tone throughout the game, even some eye rolling scenes at times, but most importantly the story left its mark on me and I was happy I experienced it. I'll keep defending this game until the next big that gets racked in the presses and I'll spend the next months stressing to defend it. Where's my defense attorney's badge!?
So it looks good, it sounds pretty good and it plays alright but I agree to the heavy ties it has to linke tot the past. I know its supposed to be a sequal but from an outside perspective when they copy pasted the villages and stuff (only 3D) it seemed slightly lazy. I know the majority of the zelda games play heavy on the nostalgic factor but it seems like it was a bit too heavy on this series.
Not to mwntion the fact that nearly every review brought up the fact that the puzzles were "too easy" which kinda brings up a little red flag for me because legend of zelda wasnt the most intellectual challenging franchise out there to begin with and nobody really complained about the puzzles before. But that is just me =p
Bioshock infinite -
Okay, so I havent played this title either (I am a poor college student with a ps3 a few hundred miles away, cant expect me to play all the games) but from what I heard it really did play well, had a great story, and the end had everyone talking. (I still dont know what happened myself). But all in all it seemed pretty good. I did hear about a few hiccups here and there though and personal urks (one of the female characters seemed good but ends up an antagonist, the gameplay didnt really didnt seem all that bioshock-ish to me for whatever reason, and other stuff) But I still think the good outweighed the bad in the end. At least from what Ive heard. Plus, its spawned the "booker! catch!" meme and a few videos and gifs that have made me laugh quite a bit so it cant be all bad. =p