2013 – A year to cherish

Bioshock Infinite

I was blown away by the First Bioshock. It provided an amazing and original world for gamers to explore and while the combat wasn’t the most refined; it gave players the option to tailor their characters abilities to their play style. Bioshock Infinite changes the setting, moving players from the sea to the sky, and while the game isn’t a continuation of past Bioshock games, it looks as if game will utilize many of the features that made the first game so memorable. I’m looking forward to discovering how this, supposed utopia, failed. In the original Bioshock I enjoyed uncovering the mystery’s and secrets that Rapture, and subsequently its inhabitants, held, and am looking forward to doing the same with Infinite. And what would a Bioshock game be without mysterious and horrific foes? We’ve been introduced to several enemy varieties so far, but their back story and true purpose of their creation is a still unclear.

Previous Bioshock titles have been solo adventures, but in Infinite you’ll have a companion, Elizabeth, who there may be more to than meets the eye. It’ll be interesting to see the character development and dynamic between the two, as your character, Booker Dewit will have a voice, a first for the franchise. I’m also eager to see if any improvements have been made to help the fluidity of combat, as I found with the previous games that the combat services more as a platform to progress the story. This is my most anticipated game of the year, and it’s released on my birthday so I kind of have to buy it. Obligations, you know?

Dead Space 3

The first two Dead Space games did two things exceptional well, in providing a level of tension and horror that hadn’t been prevalent in survival horror games for some time, setting the standard for the genre. Strategically dismembering enemies, trying to complete puzzles quickly and without becoming surrounded by Necromorphs all fit together seamlessly and cohesively. The game also provided a truly disturbing and horrifying world for players to explore, but also, trying to explore the protagonist Issac Clarkes disturbed mind.

Despite this praise, the initial E3 trailer was worrisome to say the least. The most surprising addition to Dead Space 3 would be co-op. Ideally co-op is something that is sorely missing from more modern games, but many feared that Dead Space 3 would suffer from it. Part of what made Dead Space so god damn frightening was the sense of totally isolation from humanity, as well as claustrophobic nature of being trapped in space. Would the inclusion of a partner and being forced to babysit an AI partner diminish the horror aspect that made the franchise so memorable? We’ll know in a little less than a month, but I’m still looking forward to exploring the games new setting-as it will feature several outdoor environments, as well as continuing the story of Issac Clarkes turmoil.

GTA V

I played Grand Theft Auto IV to completion and I wasn’t very impressed. Sure, the story felt more concise than previous Grand Theft Autos, but I was looking for more. I was looking for more than just another open world and mostly tedious challenges to complete. While the game did provide somewhat enjoyable multiplayer, I was looking for some type of innovation to the single player, instead of more of the same. Grand Theft Auto V looks to possibly address my qualms, as its been hinted at that the game will feature three protagonists, with you playing the story from each of their perspectives. Perhaps this new take on approaching plot will reinvent the way Rockstar approaches open world games, while still providing gamers with a rich and lush world to run amuck in.

Metro: Last Light

Maybe it’s the Russian in me, but I really enjoyed Metro 2033, despite some of its major flaws. Sure the combat was pretty weak as bogus hit detection and moronic AI were rampant. But what the game did do well was the player in this post-apocalyptic future better than any game had since S.T.A.L.K.E.R Shadow of Chernobyl. With Last Light it seems THQ is increasing not only the scope of the Metro world but also refining some of the gameplay to make combat and controls tighter. The original gave players a choice of approaching combat stealthily or a guns blazing, and the typically poor hit detection made stealth nearly impossible. I’m optimistic that if the gameplay is more refined and they develop the story into something that amounts to more than good vs evil, Last Light will provide gamers with a strategic shooter that relies on tailoring combat to players play style.

Half Life: Episode 3

Okay, it’s official. This is no longer an episodic title. The last Half-Life game was released when I was back in high school, and now I’ve almost graduated College. Yeah, that’s a long ways back. But hey, when we’re talking about a franchise as legendary as Half-Life don’t hate me for still waiting with baited breath for the conclusion to this series.