Welcome to the first annual GameINation Video Game Award. This is where we look at the greatest games of the year, and we commemorate them for their unforgettable experiences. Let’s start this off with the best games of the generation, after all, a new generation of consoles is here!
Shooter of the Generation: Battlefield 3 (EA, DICE) PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Battlefield 3 is the definition of a shooter. Insanely well put together shooting mechanics, stong multiplayer, and great singleplayer. While the singleplayer lacked an entertaining story, it delivered enough explosions and fire fights to entertain the heck out of you. The multiplayer is the best on any shooter, PERIOD. With phenomenal game modes, maps, and weapons, DICE proved they can deliver a one-of-a-kind experience.
Action-Adventure of the generation: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword(Nintendo) Wii
Skyward Sword is without a doubt, the best Zelda to date. With phenomenal visuals, revolutionary controls, strong story, jaw-dropping world, and incredible scope, this dominates every game of the genre. WIth limited hardware, Nintendo proves it brilliance once again.
Platformer of the generation: Super Mario Galaxy 2(Nintendo) Wii
What can I say? The Galaxy games raise the bar for an entire genre. Not only is this game the best in it’s genre, but the best on it’s platform. The Wii was home to many great games, but Super Mario Galaxy 2 is by far the BEST game available for the little white box.
RPG of the generation: Xenoblade Chronicles (Monolith Soft, Nintendo) Wii
Honestly, this is the greatest RPG ever conceived. While it surely isn’t the prettiest game out there, is sure makes up for it in story and gameplay. Monolith Soft went from a slowly dying Square Soft, to a juggernaut of the JRPG genre. This game’s large and dangerous world paints a brilliant image of war and despair, It touches the soul’s heart strings with devastating moments. You love each character, you truly hate many. This game further proves that video games can be art as much as entertainment.
Game of the generation: Portal 2(Valve) PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Yeah. Hell, what can be said about Portal 2? It has beautiful visuals, impressing me more than ANY “Next-Gen” title. Controls? Please, no game has ever done them better. The only game that comes to mind that rivals the controls of Portal 2 would be Half-Life 2, and that is the greatest game ever created. With ingenious design, rivaling that of Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Valve has proved time and time again that it is the greatest video game developer ever. The characters of Portal 2, while few in numbers, they feel real. GLaDOS is the greatest video game character ever conceived. You develop a love and hate relationship with her, she follows you through your journey through the Aperture Science labs; giving you time to digest her evil jokes. Wheatley is also up there with GLaDOS. The relationship you have with Wheatley is also a strange one, you begin with a strong love for the character, to the extent that the sight of him excites you, and then you begin to despise him at the end. It is this kind of design that makes Portal 2 the best game this generation.
Studio of the Generation: Valve
Valve has proven to be the greatest developer in history. Valve yet again solidifies this generation that they aren’t kidding around. They enter this generation much stronger than the one before it. With games like Portal, Portal 2, Dota 2, Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, and Counter Strike: Global Offensive, they prove that they are not some one-hit wonders. I tip my hat to you Gabe, well done.
Now that we finished with these awards, let get to THIS years Video Game marvels.
Shooter of the year: Battlefield 4 (DICE, EA,) PC, 360, PS3, XB1, PS4
What can be said about Battlefield 4? While the game isn’t better than it’s predecessor, it still proves that Battlefield is more than ready to overthrow Call of Duty. Although the game such a large amount of bugs on PC, when the game works, it’s amazing. From crazy vehicle moments, to making a building collapse, Battlefield 4 proves to be an exceptional experience.
Action-Adventure of the year: The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds(Nintendo) Nintendo 3DS
With every entry, the Zelda franchise raises the bar on what a Zelda game is, A Link Between Worlds is no different. While the world of Hyrule and Lorule are small, they definitely show that ingenious design is always more important. This is the first Zelda game where you can do everything at your own pace, and it feels damn good to know there isn’t any hand-holding.
Fighter of the year: Injustice: Gods Among Us (Netherrelms, WB Games) Wii U, 360, PS3, PS4, PC
Injustice: Gods Among Us is one of the best fighters ever made. Netherrelms has proven yet again that they are more than capable of delivering a superb fighter. With their reboot of Mortal Kombat, we knew it could only get better from there.
RPG of the year: Diablo 3 (Blizzard Entertainment) PS3, 360, PC
Yes I know, Diablo 3 came out in 2012 on PC, but the console re-release is a great sign of Blizzard showing some love for the console space. Diablo 3 on console is by far one of the best ports I’ve seen in a while, and one of the best comebacks for any developer.
Game of the year: Super Mario 3D World (Nintendo) Wii U
Super Mario 3D World is by far the best 3D Mario since 64. With Galaxies incredible design, but predictable environments, 3D World changes up everything in each level. This gives you a breath of fresh air in every new level. The multiplayer is finally worth playing, and it’s fun as heck. The multiplayer elements has never been good in Mario,(excluding Mario Party and Mario Kart) but 3D World changes that and makes it an excellent addition to the vast amount of content in 3D World.
Review of Super Mario 3D World: https://gameinations.wordpress.com/2013/11/24/super-mario-3d-world-review-in-progress/
Studio of the year: Nintendo
Nobody could out do Nintendo this year. With extremely memorable releases, there is no doubt the best platforms this year were the 3DS and the Wii U. The 3DS got games like Fire Emblem: Awakening, Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Pokemon X and Y, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, and Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon.The Wii U also got huge releases making it the platform for this holiday season, with games like Super Mario 3D World, Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Pikmin 3, and the long awaited re-release of Earthbound. In 2014, Nintendo seems to be coming back even stronger with games like Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and many others.
Thank you all for reading. We anticipate next years marvelous titles.
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