“Fifa 14 gives everything a football fan wants without having to kick a ball.”
Over the year developers have brought their vision alive and onto our screens, working hard to ensure they produce their best work for you to enjoy over and over again.
2013 has been no different in creating some of the most inventive and creative games ever known. From the likes of Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, Battlefield 4, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, and NCAA Football 2014, gaming has truly surpassed all expectations.
So join us as we look back at some of the industry’s top games of 2013.
Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA V)
After the success of Grand Theft Auto IV, GTA V was tipped to be just as popular, a belief that remained strong as 11 million copies were sold on release day.
Rockstar returns to San Andreas with beautiful mountains, lush forests and grand deserts. At the heart of it is Los Santos, a large and affluent metropolis modelled on Southern California.
However the strength of GTA V is in its campaign mode with 3 protagonists in the main story instead of one. Each character brings something different to the GTA V table as seen when either undertaking a mission involving just 1, 2 or all 3 characters.
Online gameplay has also improved with players having unbridled customisable options when creating online avatars. Once it is fully customised, the player can embark on missions alone or with friends increasing their rank and bank balance to buy cars and even real estate, giving gamers more reasons to continue playing after the campaign.
The Last of Us
It’s the year 2033 and you’re on a ruthless journey for survival across America, fighting a zombie takeover; this is the theme for The Last Of Us.
The gamer plays as Joel, a single father on his way to a resistance group while chaperoning Ellie, a girl that may hold the answer to stop the global infection.
Over the course of the journey, 14 year old Ellie’s tough independence and fierce instincts become apparent as Joel’s coping skills after being infected come into play, allowing ample time to stir up feelings for both characters.
Also with a multiplayer mode in which players chose their alliance in ‘Factions’, building on the theme of survival, gamers have many hours of gameplay. One fan said:
“The PS3 deserves this console exclusive, what a brilliant way to say good-bye to this amazing console.”
FIFA 14
Another year, another FIFA game, EA sports are back with their annual football simulator.
There has been an aesthetic change with a new UI and an addition to manger mode entitled the ‘Global Transfer Network’ which allows gamers to make full use of the game’s redeveloped scouting system.
Gamers dispatch an army of scouts around the world looking for players to match their specifications to ensure they have the next Lionel Messi at their club. As one fan said: “Fifa 14 gives everything a football fan wants without having to kick a ball.”
There is also an exclusive for the Xbox One called ‘Legends’ where gamers can buy and sell players from different eras of football in their Fifa Ultimate Team campaign.
Forza Motorsport 5
To coincide with the release of the Xbox One, Forza 5 makes its debut on Microsoft’s 8th generation console.
With 14 circuits from around the world such as the Yas Marina Circuit from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as well as the Belgian track, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, racers can immerse themselves in some of the most notorious tracks around the world.
However a race-track would be incomplete without the cars and Forza 5 gives players 200 cars to pick from when racing. This includes playable formula one cars such as McLaren M23 and the Ferrari 312T2, adding another dimension fans of the series will love.
Call of Duty: Ghosts
After huge success with the Modern Warfare series, Infinity Ward are back with Call of Duty Ghosts. Selling $1 billion worth of units within just 24 hours of its release highlights the positive response of this new instalment.
Gamers are now given the chance to create 10 solders to be utilised in teams of 6 in 5 game modes online. Squad points can also be earned by ranking up and completing various challenges online to purchase a whole host of military goodies to help the gamer’s army to victory.
The campaign mode, albeit rather short, has great drama including the chance to now play as Riley, a German Shepherd sent to infiltrate and take out the enemy, showing off Infinity Ward’s growing creativity and ingenuity.
Considering all the games out in 2013, picking 5 was not easy. However these 5 illustrate how hard developers have worked to introduce new dimensions and features to games, making us want more and more.
Also with the next generation of consoles upon us and developers bringing out more great games for 2014, we are undoubtedly in for another great year of gaming. Bring on the next level!
Which is your top game of 2013?
- Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA V) (39%)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (28%)
- The Last of Us (22%)
- FIFA 14 (11%)
- Forza Motorsport 5 (0%)