2013’s Awards – Game of the Year & Game of the Generation

As all good things must come to an end, so does 2013. Nevertheless, this past year will sure go down as one of the more impressive ones in our industry. Not only did the 8th generation of gaming begin, but 2013 also saw the release of yet another batch of overly impressive titles, which are sure to amaze pretty much everyone.

The time has finally come. This year, though, our “Game of the Year” award will be honored by a special guest, one which only appears once in about six-ten years – Game of the Generation. But first, let’s take care of 2013. Our top five games, spanning all platforms and genres are:

  • Rayman Legends
  • Tomb Raider
  • BioShock Infinite
  • Grand Theft Auto V
  • The Last of Us

And the winner is…

The Last of Us

The Last of Us is so good, that winning our “Best PS3 Game of 2013″ award just wasn’t enough.

The truth is, there is so much I love about The Last of Us that a review cannot fully justify what I have to say. If I had endless amounts of time, and my reader had endless amounts of patience, I could tell you every little piece about The Last of Us that just makes it so special. By the time the credits roll, The Last of Us will have moved you, and you will seldom be able to deny the impact this game has.

Naughty Dog has truly proven that it’s the master of this craft we call game development that so many try their hand at. If you own a PlayStation 3, you owe it yourself to play this game. It’s what the PlayStation 3 was made for. The Last of Us is the PlayStation 3′s swan song, and it’s a great way to end the generation.

You can check out our full review, here.

With that being said, let’s move on to the big one! With the arrival of the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One, it’s now time to look back, and decide what specific game is worthy of being called “Analog Addiction’s Game of the Generation.” It doesn’t matter the genre, nor the platform; it’s all about that special, lasting impression. As always, we’ve compiled a list of five titles from which the winner will be covered in everlasting glory. And the nominees are:

  • Fallout 3
  • The Last of Us
  • BioShock
  • Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
  • Red Dead Redemption

And the special – one that will be remembered for generations to come – winner is…

BioShock

That’s right! Irrational Games’ original BioShock takes the crown for “Analog Addiction’s Best Game of the 7th Generation” award. AA’s own Robbie Key, Eric Pepper, and Ryan Livingstone would like to say a few words…

Robbie Key

It’s funny how a couple of weeks ago I decided to get all remaining achievements for BioShock out of the blue. Now here we are in this moment dubbing it with our “Game of the Generation.” BioShock is one of those experiences you do not come across too often in gaming. The plot in its entirety is rarely topped – whether it’s books, or movies.

Rapture feels like a real city, even though it is a literal hell; the psychotic characters are as frightening as they are dangerous, and despite the game’s roughly 6-and-a-half year age, it is still quite the looker in graphical quality. People owe it to themselves to experience such a game. Just make sure that when you play it for the first time to bring a mop because your mind getting blown away makes quite a mess.

Eric Pepper

When thinking back over an entire generation’s worth of titles, it is unbelievably difficult to pinpoint the one which best represents everything. However, some titles will likely come to mind much faster than others, and BioShock is one such game. It succeeds in immersing the player in a rich, incredible world full of characters that you legitimately care for, and want to learn about. There are audio diaries hidden throughout the city of Rapture which provide even more insight into the events that occur, adding to the already impressive narrative.

The degree of tension; the intimidation experienced the first time a player encounters a Big Daddy; being provided with reasons for every task you accomplish; traversing a plethora of varied environments within Rapture; and, of course, the stellar cast of characters – these are only some of the features which make BioShock our game of the generation.

Ryan Livingstone

BioShock is one of those experiences that every gamer must partake in. It has everything you could ever want from a game. Perhaps the most memorable experience in BioShock is exploring and unraveling Rapture, and all its history. Not only does it have a fantastic environment, but the characters and storytelling are unforgettable. It provides more than just a game. It provides a benchmark for other game companies to strive for. It is certainly a game most people will never forget.

That it, folks! Analog Addiction’s 2013 awards end here. Agree? Disagree? We’re always eager to hear your thoughts, so don’t forget to put them down in the comments section below. Oh, and if you haven’t already, check out our other awards, spanning Best Vita & 3DS Game, Best PS3, 360, Wii U, PC & Mobile Game, Best Trailer, Soundtrack & Visuals, and Best PS4 & Xbox One Game.