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In all honesty, I hate picking "favorites." The second I've come to a conclusion, when stacking together a list, my indecision pulls me back to re-contemplate, every time. This year - being my first "Top 10" for 4P - this has proven more difficult than ever. Not simply because 2012 was such a engaging year in video games, but also because I yearned to make a statement with my 10. One, I hope, some of you readers can agree with.
When struck with boredom even the most tired of ideas can be found fun. Tired ideas, which have crafted most of the video game landscape we know today, should not be praised for simply being fun, but be questioned with what they are doing to move the genre forward; be it technological, artistically, or intellectually.
For the last 24 years, I've had my fun playing video games; this year is no exception. Yet, when I compare the generations of games I've played throughout the years, I find my favorites riddled with rehashes, considerable "clones", and more of the same. A discouraging truth which I fear will only leave me uninterested in the future of our favorite hobby.
Mass Effect 3, Max Payne 3, Sleeping Dogs, Assassins Creed 3, and Halo 4, among many others will NOT be found in my top 10. Not because they were not fun and engaging games, but because they did not do enough to compete against the horde of games in 2012 that I've considered to be "doing more" for their designated genres, or games in general.
2012 found a wonderful balance between games deemed pretentious, artsy, groundbreaking, and fun. In retrospect, it may have been the most diverse year for video games I can remember; and quite possibly one of my most memorable. It was a year for everyone; destined to please those looking for something "new", and satisfy those happy with more of the same.
Change; it should be this years motto. Some of our favorite franchises have done it; some of our favorite developers have too. For better or for worst. It keeps this "game-scape" expansive, satisfying, and refreshing.
4Player Networks Top 10's are right around the corner. Much like you wonderful readers, our staff also anticipates seeing one another's lists - yes, they're kept secret between staff members. I can't help but wonder if the rest of team enjoyed the same games as I; as much as I. If they too were looking for as much change in video games as I did this year.
Comments
11 years, 11 months ago
Completely agree (Except Mass Effect 3). While playing games like Dishonored or The Walking Dead, or even Mark of the Ninja, which completely came out of left field for me, while playing games like those I felt like I've never played a game like them before. That being said, I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone's Top 10's as the end of the year grows closer.
11 years, 11 months ago
As a fan of 4player this is one of my favorite times of the year. Seeing what games you've all enjoyed and hearing what everyone thinks about them is really cool. Its always such a kick in the pants to hear you guys talk highly of games I may not have had a chance to get around to.
Also can we get Bob a medal or something? I think he deserves it for a year full of Amy and Kinect games. He has been a real trooper.
11 years, 11 months ago
Great points Jeff. I've found myself taking a similar mentality lately. I actually had a discussion with my girlfriend about how we need more games like Asura's Wrath. Not in a clone mentality, but rather a game that is willing to do something different and stand on its own. The reason everyone thinks so fondly to the SNES and PS1 days is because there was so much innovation and variety. We need more of that.