Hello all! And welcome back to Nathan vs Video Games...the blog. Yeah, there's been some serious radio silence on this end for a while, mostly because of life issues, but my New Years goal is to provide you with one review or article on this blog daily, so re-bookmark and re-subscribe or whatever, because content is coming full force!
You may note I said "Article" in addition to Reviews. While I still plan on continuing the epic quest to review every game I've ever played, I also am no longer pigeonholing this site to just reviews. Expect lists, articles, and more on here as part of the daily content update for 2013. It's gonna be good stuff! And all video game related, so you know you'll love it!
In addition, there will be a hefty amount of new video content once I figure out how Adobe Premiere works. For those who missed it, I built a sweet gaming PC over Christmas, and now have switched to Windows for video editing. So those who subscribed to the YouTube channel and are sad because of lack of updates...don't be! Stuff is in the pipeline. Stuff big.
But for now, let's do a very quick list of my favorite games I played in 2012. Now, here's the catch: these games don't have to be released in 2012 to count. I know, right? This list is, in fact, for games I played for the first time in 2012. I'll be referencing games released in 2012, but there are a few I played the first time this year worth mentioning.
Also, these aren't in any particular order, so there's that too. Ready? GO!
Mega Man X
I can't believe I never played this game before now. I had played all the Mega Man NES games, all the Mega Man Zero games, but for some reason never touched the X series. Well, I fixed that in 2012, and good damn, this game is fantastic. As stated in my glowing review, Mega Man X is probably one of the best action platformers ever created. The controls are perfect, tight, and the game has excellent game feel. The power-ups are useful and cool, the stages have tons of secrets to be discovered, and the final area is a serious challenge. It's an unmatched game, to be sure, usurping even the NES Mega Man games in terms of quality. If you haven't played it, you really should. Really. Do it.
Spec Ops: The Line
I literally finished this game two days ago, so expect a review up shortly (as well as a spoiler-filled article on why this game is fantastic) but in terms of games released in 2012 that I actually finished, Spec Ops: The Line is my absolute favorite. Not because it's a good game (the controls are clunky, the shooting never changes, and the gameplay is wholly generic), but because of what it does. Without digging too deep, this is a game based on Heart of Darkness, a critique on the horrors of war and what it does to people. Only Spec Ops: The Line takes it one step further. That generic box art that looks like Call of Duty or Battlefield? A trap. The generic intro and hour-start that sets the trappings of just another "hoo-rah," shoot the foreigners, war-glorifying shooter? A ruse.
This game knows its audience, and as such lures you in before completely pulling the rug out from under you. And not just that, it points its target of criticism not just on its psychologically damaged characters, but on you as a player, in some incredibly well done "meta" ways. I won't say more for risk of spoiling it, but you should really play Spec Ops: The Line. Just...don't read anything more about it until you do, ok? Spoiling this game will ruin the experience. It's unbelievable to me this game got greenlighted based on the underlying meaning it pushes.
Shatterhand
Here's an NES gem that was overlooked by too many people. Shatterhand is, simply, an action platformer with an emphasis on punching. It's sort of a hybrid between Ninja Gaiden, Mega Man, and...God Hand, maybe? Ok, not really, but both games have a lot of punching.
The thing that makes Shatterhand so great is the controls. It's one of the best feeling games I've played (right up there with Mega Man X), combined with a cool powerup and healing system (where you can pay for heals with the coins you acquire, mid-stage) and well designed levels that are an absolute blast to traverse. It's a difficult game, to be sure, but an awesome one.
Also, the graphics are gorgeous and the music is kick-ass. Seriously, good stuff.
The Walking Dead
Confession: I haven't beaten the season yet, but I can tell already that this game was made for me. Dynamic character choices, exceptional voice acting, a cool story that isn't cliche, and some genuinely tough decisions make this a game I had difficulties pushing down. Well, until my computer died and ate my progress, meaning I'll have to burn through two episodes to get back to where I was. Either way, there's a reason people won't shut up about this game. It's awesome. And I won't way any more for fear of spoilers or just lack of knowledge.
FTL (Faster Than Light)
I love Indie games, if only because they often do things that wouldn't fly from big publishers. Such is the case of FTL, a Kickstarted game that turned out amazing. FTL is basically The Oregon Trail in space. You start with a small ship that you stock, man, and arm and set it out into space. You then travel to different (randomly generated) locations, doing battle, saving aliens, and embarking on adventures as you try to avoid getting caught by the big baddies that want you dead. Death is permanent, the game is very hard, and the battles are unbelievably cool. If you ever wanted to be the commander of the Enterprise but none of the Star Trek games were doing it for you, this is a game you need to play. With all its unlockable ships, events, and the fact that you can do a run in under a half hour (or less if you really suck), it's a great game in short bursts.
If you can ever put it down. Good luck with that.
Mark of the Ninja
I love stealth games. Let me correct myself, there: I love the concept of stealth games. Sneaking around, offing dudes secretly, and feeling like a badass is great. The problem is, most games do stealth completely wrong, or only get part of it right. For as much as I love Metal Gear Solid, those games always felt routine and clunky to me. As much as I love Batman: Arkham Asylum, there was still a bit of trial and error that irked me. Where's that awesome stealth game I want? I'd also like to be a ninja in it, please.
Oh hey, Mark of the Ninja.
These are the guys who made the not-so-great Shank, and holy cow this game is so much better than that one. Mark of the Ninja is everything I want in a stealth game. It's empowering. It gives you tons of tools and options to work with, with dozens of optional paths for every single enemy. Or you can just never kill anybody; the game gives you the tools for that too (a true badass). Paired with excellent UI and HUD abilities, tight controls, and a killer art style, and Mark of the Ninja cuts a bloody path through the competition. Grab it on XBLA or Steam, seriously. It's incredible.
Theatrythm Final Fantasy
This is a game that SquareEnix made just for me. Yeah, I'll share it with all you guys, but they obviously made it just for me. Seriously. They couldn't not have.
A rhythm game using the touch screen? Awesome. Featuring Final Fantasy music?! Amazing! And a leveling up system?! What?! And absurdly difficult segments, unlocks, and secrets? Ok, you're giving me too much here!
My only complaint about Theatrythm is the DLC. It isn't badly priced ($1 a song isn't awful), but the fact that they put songs out on the iOS version that aren't on the 3DS really ticks me off. Also, nobody likes the soundtracks after Final Fantasy X, Square, so stop releasing them as DLC. And you released a song from the vaporware Final Fantasy XIII Verses and not Final Fantasy Tactics? For shame!
(Put Chrono Trigger and Xenogears songs on there and I'll love you forever, Square <3).
Super Mario 3D Land
Yeah, I got a 3DS this year, can you tell? Anyway, Super Mario 3D Land caught me by surprise. I thought it would be another stupid Mario game like all the New Super Mario Bros games are, just regurgitating the same formula over and over. To my surprise, this game is completely different. It's like a weird fusion between the 2D Mario and 3D Mario games into this totally strange hybrid. And it works. It doesn't just work, it excels! Super Mario 3D Land is one of my favorite Mario games to date, if only because of how totally unique it is. While I am a bit sad it isn't a sequel to the weird-as-balls Super Mario Land, it's enough removed from all other Mario games anyway that I guess I'll take it.
Also, the graphics are gorgeous and the 3D is killer. This is probably the best game on the 3DS (even if Theatrythm is my favorite 3DS game).
A Bunch of Other Games I Haven't Played Enough But Seem Cool Anyway I Guess?
Journey - Aka the quest for the Super Scarf
XCom: Enemy Unknown - I played for like an hour and had to quit because I knew I'd never do anything else again for the rest of my life. I'll be back.
Far Cry 3 - It doesn't do anything particularly spectacular (besides the awesome intro and pretty graphics on PC), but I can't stop freaking playing it
Zelda: Four Swords (GC) - Yeah I actually have played this game before, but my wife and I found new love for playing it together. It's quite crazy-awesome!
Borderlands 2 - The Mechromancer is the way to play this game, because it takes all your intuitive conventions of shooters and ruins them. Playing as other classes is ok (minus the absurdly slow start to this game), but I really enjoyed the game with the Mechromancer. Also the guns are better.
Nier - Game of the year, every year.
Well, my brain is fried, so that's it from me for now. Future articles will actually have graphics and stuff, but I'm too sick today to be bothered. Hope you enjoyed it, and see you tomorrow!
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