The Rufus Reviews Top Games Of The Year

Source: IGN.com

With 2013 coming to a close I thought it would be timely to have a look back at some of the best games of the year.  This isn't a countdown and I am completely unable to choose any of the following as a game of the year.  This is simply a rundown of what I considered to be the highlights.

So without further ado...

SPELUNKY HD

Okay, I realise that this was around on Xbox live for a good year or so plus I am still a huge fan of the original freeware version but 2013 was the year this randomly generated, super tough but hugely re-playable platformer hit the PC and PS3.  Yes, I bought it on both! Why not check out my review.

BIOSHOCK INFINITE

The world created for this metaphysical shooter is just amazing.  Getting into the flying city of Columbia is as breathtaking as the place itself.  Of course this beautiful city soon shows itself to be a place of extreme intolerance and violence.  Okay, I do no this game is a first person shooter but I still feel the level of violence could have been peeled back a little since once it gets ramped up towards the end it becomes more of a chore and has an adverse affect on the game.  It's still worth seeing it through for the insanity of the finale (even if one of the big reveals is pretty much given away in advance).  Oh, and if you find the guitar definitely play it.

TOMB RAIDER

Hmm, reboot.  Reboots can be a big concern at times.  The Tomb Raider series had gotten a little stale so the idea of taking a young, inexperienced Lara Croft and putting her in a fight or die situation was certainly intriguing.  Thankfully the new Tomb Raider delivered, with spectacular scenery, frantic action, lots of hidden treasure, thrilling set pieces and a crazy mystical plot to move things along.  There is a bit too much reliance on quick time events (where failure leads to some of the most gruesome death animations I have seen in recent times) and the "inexperienced" Ms Croft seems to quickly get over her aversion to shooting arrows and firing bullets through peoples heads, but overall this is a great gaming experience.

SAINTS ROW IV

There are really two main franchises that have become synonymous with sandbox games and while on the surface they seem rather similar their latest installments really do show just how different they are.  First up (because I played it first) is Saints Row IV.   Considering just how crazy the third installment of this series was it was always going to be difficult to top it.  Fortunately the developers delivered giving us a plot where the leader of The Saints managed to become president (during a sequence with the best use of Aerosmith's "Don't Want To Miss A Thing" ever) and an alien invasion.  Throw in a bunch of super powers, all conveniently explained by the plot, regular parodies of other games and Keith F*cking David and you have a big pile of fun!

GTA V

The second big sandbox title is of course GTA V and boy did Rockstar step up to the plate.  With three main characters to explore the massive map with and missions where switching between them allows you to mix up the gameplay to help keep things varied and fresh.  You are still stuck driving cars over long differences, something I found detracted from GTA IV, however the driving is more enjoyable this time round.  Add in crazy side missions and random encounters to become involved with and you end up with an epic tale of three horrible human beings that you just can't help but like.

RAYMAN LEGENDS

Rayman Origins was a fantastic platformer, however it's difficulty curve pretty quickly turned into a sheer vertical precipice.  The sequel very sensibly keeps the colourful fun characters, great music and fast paced gameplay of its predecessor but adjusts the difficulty for a more gentle experience.  Cleverly the challenge is still there as to unlock all the games secrets you need to find some fiendishly hidden secret areas and complete bonus levels that ramp up the challenge significantly.  Oh and the musical challenge levels are sheer brilliance.  Near perfect platform shenanigans, don;t trust me check out this review I found lying around... somewhere...

THE WALKING DEAD: ALL THAT REMAINS

There is a definite prerequisite before playing the final game on my list.  The first series of the Walking Dead game showed how episodic gaming should be done and provided a grueling adventure game experience set in the Walking Dead world.  Simply put you must play the first season, and the mini-episode DLC "400 Days" before launching into the latest installment.  The first episode of the second season is now available and carries on the story based on decisions from the first season.  There isn't much in the way of plot in this initial episode but it clearly shows the intent to ensure the thrilling, and often gruesome, world is experienced to the full.  This is the most fun you can have in a depressing bleak world of death.

Game Review - Spelunky HD*

*This review is based on the GOG version of the game

Spelunky HD has been around for a while on Xbox live and has finally come back to PC.  "Come back?", I hear you ask.  Well just be patient, we'll get to that.

Spelunky HD is a randomly generated platformer where you take your choice of adorably cute characters deeper and deeper into a legendary cursed cave.  There is treasure galore, damsels to rescue, weapons and helpful accessories to discover and buy and more monsters and traps than you can shake a boomerang at!

Straight up, this game is uncompromisingly difficult.  It presents itself as a series of randomly generated levels that take you through four different environments as you try to get to the ultimate treasure.  In your way are snakes, spiders, scorpions, exploding toads, piranhas and yetis (and that just to name a few).  There are so many ways to die in this that at times it seems like four lives are not enough, especially since falling on spikes or getting blown up is an instant game over no matter how many lives you have.  Lives can be restored by finding damsels on distress and getting them to the exit of the level (which will give you one life back) but this tied in with the excellent risk versus reward aspect of the game means that sometimes you are better off just trying to make it to the exit as quickly as possible.

The dangers can be faced in a variety of ways.  You can try to avoid the nasties using alternate paths or a limited supply of ropes and bombs to make your own path.  There is also the platform staple of jumping on the monsters, but this does not remove every baddie.  Throughout the game there are crates and treasure chests that sometimes contain handy weapons like spike shoes (which make your jumping attack more effective) to shotguns and even a boomerang.  Additionally you will come across stores where you can replenish your bomb/rope supply or even buy weapons, or in the case of the kissing booth, lives.

If I had to put one disclaimer on this review is that this game is addictive.  The "one more go" factor is high and the desire to see if you can just get a bit further definitely pulls you back in.  Once you make it to a new area there is a helpful character who will eventually build a tunnel for you so you can bypass the previous areas, at a cost of course, but using these shortcuts means your game won't count on the leaderboards.  The Steam version also comes with a daily challenge mode where a preset level set is presented and players can challenge to see who gets the best score.  As this is not available on the GOG version I can't really comment, but I have no doubt that this adds an extra layer of replayability in an already addictive game.

Sound promising, but not sure if you want to lay your cash down?  Don't worry PC players.  Spelunky started out as a freeware games for Windows before being polished and marketed.  The great news is the developers still have that original version available at Spelunky World, and it's still free.  They have added more hazards and features in the polished up version of course, but the original is still excellent.  Go on, try it out, it's free, the only thing you'll lose is time once you get addicted!

Overall Spelunky HD is a very difficult, yet extremely fun game.  It has a great pick up and play feel and is great in short bursts or long play sessions.  Best of all the original game is still available and free to download.