When you look back at the games you completed in 2013, how long is that list? You clearly made room for Grand Theft Auto V and Bioshock Infinite, but was that it? It’s tough; life gets stressful and time becomes less available. But come the holiday season you find you have a bit more time on your hands, but if you’re like me you can’t quite remember what great titles came out earlier in the year.
There are some marvelous gems that you may have forgotten, but you can rectify that when you’re out shopping for something to hold you over Holiday break and to start off the new year right. After all the wrapping and unwrapping is done, make sure to check out these games that may have slipped your mind.
DmC: Devil May Cry
A somewhat unpopular announcement in its infancy, DmC went on to impress critics and fans alike. Its stylized look catered to its origins while giving it a fresh coat of paint, and the combat was ultimately fun and exhilarating. The added touches of cultural commentary make it an even better experience, even if Dante’s haircut still looks silly.
Best Deal: Amazon currently has it for $19.16!
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Studio Ghibli is known for their beautifully-crafted movies and shorts, and now they’re known for their collaboration with Level 5 in creating one of the cutest game of 2013: Ni no Kuni. One of the studio’s staples is their art style, and Level 5 managed to blur the lines between their films and the game perfectly. Paying homage to what made traditional RPGs addicting and surprising the player with new elements even twenty hours in, Ni no Kuni is a must for all PlayStation 3 owners.
Best Deal: Target has it for $19.99.
Skulls of the Shogun
Originally a Microsoft exclusive, Skulls of Shogun is turn-based action strategy game that welcomes both newcomers and experts alike looking for a challenging game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Its cartoon demeanor and the non-existent language all the characters speak bring home the notion that a strategy game is able to balance difficulty and quirkiness!
Best Deal: Now available on Steam for $7.50
Remember Me
Remember Me is an interesting case: in essence it is a good game, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype nor went toe-to-toe with the other hit titles released around the same time. While there are some missteps in the game—namely the missed open world possibility—Remember Me manages to present a fascinating protagonist, Nilin, whose goes on an epic journey through high-tech Neo-Paris. The soundtrack is exceptional and environment itself is captivating. If the concept of a futuristic dystopia that uses memories as currency piques your interest, you should definitely pick up Remember Me.
Best Deal: Get is on Steam for $22.99
Pikmin 3
The Wii U hasn’t been receiving a lot of good press lately, at least now that the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are out in the wild. While it’s true the Wii U in comparison doesn’t seem to be on the same level in terms of features and online infrastructure, what it does have over its competitors is a great catalog of games to choose from this holiday season. One of those titles is Pikman 3, a strategy game using little creatures who have an assortment of abilities to solve puzzles and explore a strange new planet.
Best Deal: No good deals right now, but you can snag it on Amazon for $59.99
Battleblock Theater
Picture this: there are characters named Hatty Hattington and Purrham Furbottom, there's a ship called the S.S. Friendship and there are evil cats. All of that equates to the wonderful adventure that is Battleblock Theater, a zany platformer that’s all kinds of insanity and joy. Multiplayer makes it an even better experience; in fact I recommend only playing this game with others, it amplifies the fun factor. There is one small detail to keep in mind: your family and friends will hate you when you realize how fun it is to throw them to their death.
Best Deal: Available on Xbox Live Marketplace for $14.99
For more video game-related buys to hold you over this holiday season, you can check out GameZone's 2013 Holiday Gift Guide for Gamers.
