Instead of doing the impossible and naming my single favorite game of 2012, I’m going to list all of the ones I played instead, and show you some of my favorite tunes from each. They’ll make the blog look longer than it actually is!
Separated into two parts to make loading faster, here are games of 2012 that I played!
Dustforce (PC)
My favorite things about Dustforce are the music and the aesthetics, which are smooth to match the gameplay. Levels range from simple to frustrating to borderline impossible, but I immensely enjoyed the challenge and test of my platforming ability, which, thanks to Super Meat Boy and other indie platformers, has been steadily improving. I picked up Dustforce during a Humble Bundle sale, netting the soundtrack and several other games at the same time, but no matter what the asking price, platforming fans looking for something to test their aptitude can’t go wrong with Dustforce.
Soul Caliber V
As a purchaser of a large variety of fighting games, I have to give the Soul Caliber series a nod of favoritism. Its simplicity has allowed my cousins (who’d rather play nothing at all than suffer through a match of Street Fighter or BlazBlue) to enjoy a bout of smart fighting mechanics and even occasionally find victory in the process. We’ve spent an uncomfortable number of hours in the character creation perfecting a legion of fabulous men (with such names as Fabulista, Fabulocity, Fabuloso, and Fabulicious) with which to scare our opponents. Our Voldo is particularly frightening, with his monstrous hips and outrageous uniform. Perhaps none of our characters are in good taste, but each of them is worth a laugh or two.
My roommate, who had never before played a Soul Caliber game, has practiced for hours after I turn in many times and now his Patrokolos, Maxi, and Raphael are fearsome, and my Nightmare, Xiba, Siegfried, Natsu, Ezio and Voldo are struggling to keep up. Of course, I can always relax when our friends come over to the apartment, and Voldo’s “Floppy Fish” mode can destroy their hopes and dreams and send them wallowing in despair back to the chasms from whence they came.
Dillon’s Rolling Western (3DS)
Dillon’s Rolling Western is another excellent addition to the 3DS’s stellar lineup of cheap eShop titles. I especially appreciate some of the character designs, including an awesome lizard and some entertaining townsfolk. The gameplay is fun, the music is appropriate (and I always enjoy a good western tune), and, though my fingers are crossed for a cooperative experience in the hopeful sequel, for the price Dillon’s Rolling Western is a complete package, and just one of several reasons my 3DS has never had any downtime.
SSX (PS3)
I had not originally planned to pick up SSX in a crowded year of must have titles, but after playing the demo early in January, I was addicted to the high-score chasing competition I held with my brother for weeks. Even in class I’d receive texts claiming the domination of last night’s best run, and the seconds we shaved off of our times were seemingly impossible. I preordered two copies of the game promptly, and the weeks after its release led to a lot of slope time! Our most missed feature was even added as free DLC in the summer- synchronous multiplayer. Best experienced on the more dangerous levels (particularly the tree runs), the head to head racing became a battle against each other instead of a race against the clock. SSX has joined my small ensemble of excellent snowboarding titles, which includes 1080 and Shaun White Snowboarding.
Journey (PS3)
It’s not difficult to explain why I love Journey. Fifteen dollars for what amounts to no more than 3 hours of experience may not seem reasonable compared to some games minimal entry fee and far greater running time, but for the experience Journey could easily go for more and still leave me satisfied. Its music and simplicity are second to the incredible sense of camaraderie it creates in its genius approach to multiplayer. A nameless, voiceless ally created a greater bond than anything else I created with strangers. That I now play with my mysterious partner regularly, if only to discuss what we had experienced earlier this year, should show the staying power of such an experience.
Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS)
Perhaps I’m fortunate to have poured hundreds of hours into Metroid Prime Hunters, and so my hands had no trouble adjusting to the “awkward” controls of KI:U. I felt right at home in this 3DS title, and the sheer amount of content alone is enough to make me recommend this title to all 3DS owners (and those who should shell out the cash for the system). The game is visually stunning, the gameplay is enjoyable during both the one rails air segments and the freer ground segments, and the characters are entertaining to the extreme.
And while the game would be worth it for the campaign alone, the multiplayer is where I’ve spent most of my time, championing many a match with my unwieldy clubs. The variety of weaponry is the greatest part of Kid Icarus’s return, and ensures no two players will play exactly alike. I look forward to continuing to soak up some of 2013’s downtime in KI:U’s multiplayer, and onwards until the release of the next Super Smash Brothers.
Mario Tennis Open (3DS)
While more barebones than previous Mario Sports games, I still immensely enjoyed my time in Mario Tennis Open, and to this day daily throw down against the Streetpass matches. I’m fortunate to have a brother who also owns the game, since it gives us ample opportunity to play against evenly matched opponents. I’m hopeful following Mario Sports Titles will be a little more feature rich, but Mario Tennis Open had exactly what I needed when I needed it- local multiplayer for four players.
Dragon’s Dogma (PS3)
Dragon’s Dogma is a fantastic open world fantasy game whose lack of convenient fast track is only a minor dilemma, especially if you can multitask running forward to cross Grand Soren while simultaneously grinding your Etrian Odyssey team. The entire time I played the game, especially fighting those epic bosses who are scattered across the landscape, I could not help but wish the game featured co-op. But then I guess I’m just a sucker for co-op. Even without it, however, I really enjoyed Dragon’s Dogma and will be there day one for a sequel.
Gravity Rush (Vita)
While not personally a Vita owner yet (though hopefully someday soon!), I have had ample time with my cousin’s console during visits to finish Gravity Rush. It was such a beautiful game! The art style is lovely, and being able to fly through the world by changing your gravity is a blast. I’m looking forward to Katt’s being a member of PSABR’s cast and, hopefully, a continually supported Sony franchise.