Over a thousand games came out in 2013, and many of them were outstanding. From January to December, we saw titles from nearly every genre showcase how far video games have come.
Before the PS4 and Xbox One unlocked a whole new generation for gamers, older hardware amazed us with titles that may go down in history as some of the best the video game industry has ever seen. Games that will be talked about in five or maybe even ten years. The next-generation has a lot to live up to.
Sifting through the best of the 2013 is no easy task, and only one can be crowned CraveOnline’s Game of the Year 2013. So who won, and what made it to the top 10? Check out the gallery below to find out.
The Top 10 Video Games of 2013
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10. Pokemon X & Y
Pokemon X & Y was arguably the most bold creation in its best-selling series. New mechanics, including mega evolution and shared experience, helped to refine a formula that has been seeking evolution of its own for many years. It was also the first Pokemon game to feature 3D graphics, making the world and its hundreds of familiar and new pocket monster inhabitants more tangible than ever before. Capturing pokemon and choosing which to train and play with was a real treat for new and old fans of the franchise.
Our score: 8.5/10 (read the full review)
“Its hundreds of pokemon are brought to life unlike ever before, and offer interaction that make them more than just weapons for battle.”
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9. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
For how popular pirates are, it's mind-boggling how rare it is to see a good pirate game. Thankfully, Ubisoft stepped up to the plate and delivered an excellently crafted pirate-themed Assassin's Creed game during October.
Sea-faring, ship battles, treasure hunting, and other tasks were made plentiful and fun in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. The game made every effort to make you feel like a swashbuckler, and that included the alcohol and crew of pirate followers.
Our score: 8.5/10 (read the full review)
“Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is an incredible experience that has exceeded many expectations, while not straying far from its comfort zone.”
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8. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
There are a lot of MMORPGs out there, but not many like Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. Beyond its grade-A Square Enix visuals, it employed generous use of the Final Fantasy IP. You found yourself not only using materia, but riding chocobos and fighting legendary beasts like Ifrit.
The leveling experience was perhaps its greatest feat. It mixed things up with a good quantity of dungeons, and a FATE system that quelled some of the bore of grinding. Best of all, being able to play as any of its appealing classes on one character was something the MMO market was glad to see. Made better, not only PC gamers were able to enjoy its brilliance. A PS3 version was available on launch day, and a PS4 version is soon to come.
Our score: 9.0/10 (read the full review)
“Square Enix has somehow managed to completely revitalize Final Fantasy XIV. The result is a Final Fantasy MMO that does the series justice.”
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7. Tomb Raider
Lara Croft has had a challenging past few years, but turned everything around in the beginning of 2013. The best of Tomb Raider was delivered with extremely high production values, instantly marking the aging series back on the map.
Seeing Lara fight and crawl her way against all odds was painful to watch at times. However, she would always find a way through with perseverence and acrobatic skill. Other action-adventure titles have become mainstays during the past decade. Now, they have to compete with Tomb Raider. Good luck to them.
Our score: 9.0/10 (read the full review)
“Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider is everything you could want in a blockbuster, AAA video game.”
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6. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
The newest The Legend of Zelda game didn't disappoint. But really, should it have? This is a series that has not one, but several games that are regarded as legendary.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds was the kind of game that can make a Zelda fan out of anyone. Its clever puzzles and level design were some of the best seen in 2013, and made it a console-quality experience despite its handheld residence.
There were several outstanding handheld games in 2013, but none did better than The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.
Our score: 9.0/10 (read the full review)
“The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is a well presented package that’s consistent in its delivery.”
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5. Super Mario 3D World
The Wii U's first blockbuster exclusive was a precious one. Super Mario 3D World performed two things admirably: it delivered a great platforming experience that can rival just about anything on the market, and was one of the best co-op games of recent years. While its visuals were charming, its gameplay, with plenty of new enemies and power-ups to see, always had something new up its sleeve. Nintendo once again proved that Mario has plenty more potential.
Our score: 9.0/10 (read the full review)
“…this is another must-play Mario game for fans and a legitimate enough reason to pick up a Wii U this holiday season.”
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4. BioShock Infinite
BioShock Infinite was one of those rare games that grips you from beginning to end. Set in a fictional sky city called Columbia, the journey took you behind the curtain of a seemingly-perfect fantasy world with a dark secret. Your perspective of the intriguing world around you changed radically during the course of the narrative, and interaction with its cast was unforgettable.
The original BioShock was spectacular, and Irrational Games managed to create a similarly successful game without retreading too much. There were a lot of new toys to play with, and the shooting mechanics were better than ever. Most of all, its narrative twists stood toe-to-toe with the best in video game history.
If there's one game in 2013 that will drop your jaw during its ending sequence, it's BioShock Infinite.
Our score: 9.5/10 (read the full review)
“Somehow manages to rise above the seemingly insurmountable hype and deliver the goods.”
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3. Rayman Legends
There are great games, and then there are legendary games. Rayman Legends was one of the latter, hence its name.
From beginning to end it delivered an extremely entertaining experience that you can enjoy alone or with friends. Lively visuals and a wonderful soundtrack made it a treat for the senses. Rushing through its generous handful levels, trying to collect everything in sight, was uncompromisingly enjoyable.
Finishing the game was only the beginning, too. Ubisoft injected a high dose of replay value into the game. The result was a platformer that could deliver upward of 40 hours of consistent joy.
Our score: 10/10 (read the full review)
“Rayman Legends has done it. It’s not just the best side-scrolling platformer of this generation, but it’s arguably the best of any generation.”
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2. The Last of Us
The Last of Us could be argued as Naughty Dog's greatest game, and that's saying a lot considering it made Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Crash Bandicoot.
Instead of opting for a happy-go-lucky attitude, The Last of Us was dark and sorrowful. It evoked feelings of tension and stress as you fought to survive the rigors of a post-apocalyptic America. Despite this negative connotation, the game was enthralling. You really wanted to see what would become of the characters as you fought your way through monsters, human and creature.
Its survival-horror style was carefully crafted to place you in the shoes of the protagonist. Supplies were limited, and you would regularly find yourself reaching for bottles and bricks to keep enemies at bay. Few games are as frantic as The Last of Us.
Even once you beat the game, and the ending by itself was worth the price of admission, you had a surprisingly good multiplayer component to enjoy. As if one of the best single-player experiences in history wasn't enough.
Our score: N/A
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Game of the Year: Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto games seemingly take forever to develop, but for good reason. After over five years of wait, Rockstar Games delivered what could be argued as best game of the generation in the form of Grand Theft Auto V.
Grand Theft Auto V did just about everything right. Its map was huge and packed with entertainment. Shooting mechanics and driving were cohesive, making the minute-by-minute experience thrilling. Instead of letting you play as just one character, it gave you three very different individuals to switch between.
As with past Grand Theft Auto games, the quantity of content in Grand Theft Auto V was staggering. There were hundreds of vehicles, hundreds of missions (including heists), stunt jumps, easter eggs, customizable weapons, and much more. You could even buy a gas can, dump it on a vehicle, and set it aflame in the middle of the city to show how pedestrians how much fun you're having.
But it's all the little things that make Grand Theft Auto V so memorable. It's packed with humor, which is just as borderline offensive as its violence and sex. The game has great characters, particularly Trevor who quickly becomes the rockstar of the game with his sweat pants and receding hairline. Every corner of the enormous map invites you to test your creativity.
Few games are as consisently fun to play as Grand Theft Auto V, and for that reason it's CraveOnline's Game of the Year for 2013.
Our score: 10/10 (read the review)
“GTA V is a celebration of fun, and one of the most entertaining games ever; a perfect sendoff for the seventh generation of video game consoles.”
