Top Stories 2012
Regulars
Japan’s Favourite Games of 2012 Might Surprise You
Japanese people have different tastes from their Western counterparts (heck, many of our Culture Smash columns focus specifically on this sociological difference), and Japanese gamers are no exception. Every week, Japanese gaming magazine, Weekly Famitsu, collects user impressions of newly released video games. Users rate games from 1 to 10 and comment on what they liked or disliked about each game.
Why XCOM: Enemy Unknown Should Be Game Of The Year
This mission, which comes from a template of regular assignments, delivered my most profound gaming experience of 2012, one I’ll remember for the rest of my days. Games that take hold on your mind well after you power down the console or put the PC to sleep deserve to be called Game of the Year. Kotaku has nominated eight so far. XCOM: Enemy Unknown is the ninth and last.
Why Super Hexagon Should Be Game Of The Year
Earlier today, our own Luke Plunkett nominated Crusader Kings II for Kotaku 2012 game of the year, writing that it’s “the only game on this list that’s about sex and politics”.
Why Papo & Yo Should Be Game Of The Year
Papo & Yo did something that too few games manage to do: it let me step into the life of another, actual-living-breathing person. And once I did that, I played through an experience that showed me how that person got through a painful relationship and was left with a lesson that I too could pick and use if I needed it.
Why Spelunky Should Be Game Of The Year
On the surface, Spelunky is a rogue-like platformer where you become like Indiana Jones, going farther and farther inside ancient caves holding untold riches and perhaps even lost civilisations. You have some rope, some bombs, a whip and whatever else you find along the way. It’s a difficult game, and you will die a ton. But death is also a tool in your arsenal: eventually, you’ll have a repertoire of mistakes that help guide your future spelunkers to make better decisions.
Why Journey Should Be Game Of The Year
The first time I played Journey, I thought “OK.” It had been a lovely experience, sure. I’d played it to around the halfway mark, taken a short break, then finished it. It seemed very nice. Lovely looking, and with a gorgeous soundtrack. Past that, I couldn’t quite nail it down. The second time I played Journey, I thought, “That was one most beautiful video games I’ve ever played.”
FreddieW’s Videos From 2012 Mashed Into One Funky Video/Song Remix
YouTube superstar Freddie Wong has a knack for making fun, special-affected videos based on games, tropes in games, and whatever else about games.
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