5. Super Smash Bros
“Settle it in Smash!”
I’ve always been in the mindset that it’s more fun to talk
about Smash then to play it, the
build up to the newest entry in the series is always filled with rumors and
speculation that often times trump the actual game. But with Super Smash Bros I finally got the
excitement for the series. Both the Wii U and 3DS versions offer up robust
fighting experience with many different ways to play and just as many modes to
explore. But perhaps the best thing Super
Smash Bros is its full realization of its party game routes. Eight-player
Smash and Smash Tour/Run feel like a natural extension of the games past and a
bright sight of the future.
4. Broken Age: Act One
“When you tire of
child’s play, come see me.”
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One of the best parts of growing up is getting to make your
own decisions, and one of the worst things about growing up is being
responsible for them. Double Fine’s newest point-and-click adventure, Broken Age, follows two characters that
make the first big decisions of their adult lives and suffer the consequences.
And while that may seem like a cold setup, the game reveals itself to be full
of life and humor. No other game this year has had me laughing one moment and
on the edge of tears at the next.
3. The Wolf Among Us
“Do you even care
about us?”
For a while there it was difficult to see how Telltale could
possible top the wonderful First Season of The
Walking Dead, but after playing The
Wolf Among Us it was easy to see that they had made their masterpiece.
Where The Walking Dead was centered
on one mans journey, Wolf Among Us aimed
for something grander by focusing on a town. And what a beautiful town it was,
getting to build the relationships and systems that would come to define
Fabletown was one of the most delightful experiences of the year. By the end of
the game I truly felt like I had an impact of this place, and now I only wish
to return to it sometime in the future.
2. Shovel Knight
“A new adventure is
about to begin…”
As I said in my
review for Shovel Knight, I’ve found
this newest genre of gaming, retro revival, to be something of a catch-22.
While its always nice to go back and experience something from the past, but
more often than not these trips down memory lane offer nothing new in the way
of advancements we’ve come to expect.
But Yacht Club Games pleasantly surprised me with Shovel Knight, a game that perfectly melds the past and
present. From its Dark Souls inspired death system to its meddling of Zelda, Mario,
and even Ducktails mechanics the games biggest achievement is making every one
of these things feel unique. Shovel Knight is a very special game,
and it signals a very bright future for Yacht Club Games future, just like
Shovel Knight looks up at the stars after every boss, one can only imagine what
comes next.
1. Kentucky Route Zero: Act Three
“So, I guess I start in the
morning”
The character of Cardboard
Computers Kentucky Route Zero has
accumulated their fair share of debt. Loans,
lost jobs and favors have put all their futures in the hands of those who
control their debts. And with the third episode of the series, these characters
finally have to admit they can no longer run from it anymore. To say anymore
would spoil one of the most heartbreaking journeys to come to gaming in the
longest time. What can be said though is Cardboard Computers have created a
masterpiece of emotion and story as the journey of Conway and crew take is one
that demands to be experienced. Every moment of Kentucky Route Zero: Act Three offers up something new to ponder
and an extra layer to the world, and to single one out would be a disservice to the
overall experience. No game this year has stuck with me to my very core like
this one, and with three episodes remaining it will be a delight to see how
Cardboard Computers tops it.
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Jake Doolin is the Podcasting Editor for BYTE
