WRITERS' PICKS: THE BEST GAMES FROM OUR FIRST YEAR
No fewer than 152 games have undergone rigorous playtesting and reviewing at Pixel HQ since we started out in May 2012. Now, a year on, we thought we'd put together a list of the ten best titles we've had the pleasure of covering during the period. It's not a run-down of 2012 itself (though our favourite Game of 2012 does appear), but personal favourites from those we reviewed. Racers, FPSs, RPGs, adventures, beat 'em ups, extreme sports, survival-horror, er, ninjas - there's a great mix. We listed these crackers alphabetically and not in rank-order as they're all worthy of your attention. Enjoy!
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The Writers:
Alan Passingham Tom Clare Shane Battams Chris Weatherley Posted: 25th May 2013 |
Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3) Reviewed by Alan
2009 was a great year for games on the PS3 but little could better Arkham Asylum for pure joy. A cross-over of various styles where stealth, beat ‘em up and puzzling segue perfectly together with the Asylum’s environment and Batman’s weaponry/gadgets to make for third-person perspective perfection. The controls are insanely good; meaning the art of combat against multiple opponents is, for once, a fluid and magnificent proposal. That utility belt is adorned with juicy goodness allowing for impressive takedowns in the style you would expect from a man in a bat suit. There’s no lethargy here. The design of the Asylum is exquisite, as is arch-nemesis the Joker’s plan throughout. He’s constant taunting of the Batman through the Asylum’s loud-speakers is an absolute delight. Most importantly, it’s no cake-walk. Victory over the Asylum’s inmates is a tough old challenge. For that, it makes bouncing around the living room exclaiming ‘I’m Batman!’ to your wife once you’ve hit a 40+ combo a perfectly normal way of revelling in such a marvellous game.
STANDOUT MOMENT: Whilst the Joker (and the splendid vocals of Luke Skywalker) punctuates events throughout like the Gods pouring lashings of Ambrosia down upon gamers, the two nightmarish sequences with the Scarecrow are joyous to behold both in the way they play and how they’re subtly crafted to fit neatly within the Batman’s history and back-story. Nice.
Final Fantasy VII (PS) Reviewed by Tom
Some would argue that when Final Fantasy went global in 1997, RPGs went global too. Capturing the imaginations not only of the bedroom-dwellers but also the wider gaming populous, Final Fantasy VII took role-playing games out of the dark ages (metaphorically and in some cases literally) as pointy-hats, wizards and castles were cast aside in favour of a glorious vision of a planet torn between its utopian, naturalistic settings and the grimy footprint left by mass-industrialisation and the advancement of technology. It was buoyed by a gorgeous interface, a world-beating soundtrack, epic battles and the kind of story and depth of character other JRPGs could only dream of. Ambitious, emotive and extravagant, FFVII has left all subsequent RPGs floundering in its wake, and replicating its excellence now seems a distant dream.
STANDOUT MOMENT: So many. Midgar's slums from the sky, visiting the Gold Saucer amusement park, uber-villain Sephiroth disappearing into the flames of Nibelheim village in a chilling FMV. Even little bits like hearing the anthemic chimes of the boss anthem, or witnessing the elaborate summons such as Shiva and Ifrit – they all stay with you. Something also happens at the end of disc one, so for the three people alive who don't know, I won't spoil it, it's a wowzer.
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Forza Motorsport 3 (X360) Reviewed by Shane
Always dubbed Microsoft’s Gran Turismo, the Forza series first two outings were pretty great. But with Forza 3, Turn 10’s grasp of the genre came full circle. The accessibility is still present, and yet those hardcore loonies who want realism to the max will be immensely satisfied too. It’s polished on almost every front, features some of the slickest racing you will ever see and is a pleasure to play. And the best part? There’s more content than you can shake a stick at, with a hugely lengthy season mode coupled with time trials and online multiplayer. Now, we can safely say that Forza has stepped out from Gran Turismo’s shadow, not only equaling its rival, but in some respects, trumping it.
STANDOUT MOMENT: Weird as it sounds, your very first race. Those who love the series realise that Turn 10 have reached the peak of their craft. Those new to the series will find themselves becoming addicted. It’s really that first race which makes you fall in love with Forza 3.
STANDOUT MOMENT: Every single second of every single minute of every single hour that you spend in the boots of Gordon Freeman is magnificent, from the now much copied opening film styled credits to the finale when the G-Man hints the resonance cascade, in all likelihood, was probably no accident. But the moment when you first pick up that crow bar following Black Mesa’s combustion from the cascade; yeah, that’s when you step into a world that nearly all other FPSs can only have wet dreams about.
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Mark Of The Ninja (X360) Reviewed by Shane
Stealth games are a dime a dozen these days. Ninja games, too, are pretty common. But the glorious combination of old-school and new technology bring Mark of the Ninja to life more impressively than any game before it. Move over Tenchu; MoTN’s incredible level design, array of ways to play and sweet presentation trump any who have come before it. This download-only release is a game which constantly shakes up its obstacles, making sure no two levels feel the same. Even if you stick to killing or sneaking, levels offer multiple routes and exciting paths to completion. Hidden goodies such as challenge rooms and collectibles, as well as a New Game+, add immensely to the replay value. It’s a refreshing approach to a somewhat stagnant genre, and stacks up there with the best the system has to offer.
STANDOUT MOMENT: Really, Mark of the Ninja feels stand-out throughout. But one of the most memorable levels comes in the form of a desert-styled obstacle fest. Not only do you have to deal with the guards this time, but you also have to avoid dangerous traps which all instantly kill the unnamed ninja should he touch them. It’s challenging, but also incredibly satisfying, and definitely the most unique level in the game.
MotorStorm RC (PS3) Reviewed By Tom
The Pixel Empire's Game of 2012, the destination of our inaugural Pixel Hi-Score Duel and, thanks to the game's Director Paul Rustchynsky, the subject of our first ever Pixel Q&A. If all that's not a big enough hint as to how highly we regard MSRC, then we'll give you something a little more concrete. A top-down racer featuring a brilliant array of vehicles, fiendish circuits and terrains, and a near-unquenchable one-more-go factor, MSRC masterfully married a modern game engine with old-skool sensibilities. A racer that'll keep you going for weeks, the £4.79 price-tag it launched at still represents phenomenal value for money.
STANDOUT MOMENT: Every time you shave a few tenths off your best challenges, edging you a little closer to the sub-40 minute overall time required to earn a certain Gold Trophy, or edge yourself a few positions higher on the leaderboards.
Secret of Mana (SNES) Reviewed by Chris
If I didn't make it obvious in my review, then I'll make it obvious now. This is the finest game released on the Super Nintendo, nay, one of the finest games ever. Mana takes all the classic JRPG elements, strikes a harmonious balance and blends them together in a vast, enthralling and emotional journey. Visually it features a gloriously-realised, classic top-down view, the effects are highly apt and the scoring is simply the bee's b*llocks. The main theme is just spine tingling, the in-game music is juxtaposed well with the scenes and pace of the story. The biggest part of its genius is the control set up and equal usage of the three protagonists. It creates many variables for the player, and alters how they wish to proceed, battle and improve. Coupled with a usable and creative menu system that is simple to learn but hard to master, Secret of Mana provides all the ingredients needed for a blockbuster RPG. The only way it could be bettered is to render it in full HD, placing in voicing and dramatic cut-scenes. As it is however, it remains a totally wonderful and ageless adventure.
If I didn't make it obvious in my review, then I'll make it obvious now. This is the finest game released on the Super Nintendo, nay, one of the finest games ever. Mana takes all the classic JRPG elements, strikes a harmonious balance and blends them together in a vast, enthralling and emotional journey. Visually it features a gloriously-realised, classic top-down view, the effects are highly apt and the scoring is simply the bee's b*llocks. The main theme is just spine tingling, the in-game music is juxtaposed well with the scenes and pace of the story. The biggest part of its genius is the control set up and equal usage of the three protagonists. It creates many variables for the player, and alters how they wish to proceed, battle and improve. Coupled with a usable and creative menu system that is simple to learn but hard to master, Secret of Mana provides all the ingredients needed for a blockbuster RPG. The only way it could be bettered is to render it in full HD, placing in voicing and dramatic cut-scenes. As it is however, it remains a totally wonderful and ageless adventure.
STANDOUT MOMENT: Finding the Dragon Buster sword. Acquiring the Flammie Drum, beating it and flying Flammie around the world map; outstanding use of Mode 7. Witnessing the huge plot twist that occurs in Pure Land; surreal and upsetting. The metamorphosis of the gleefully deluded Thanatos into the Dark Lich. All the Sprites’ cheeky jokes, and the final epic battle against the Mana Beast.
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Silent Hill (PS) Reviewed by Tom
Silent Hill took the familiar late nineties survival-horror template and translated jumps into outright, tangible scares. Creating incredibly tense, prolonged atmospheres through intelligent design, it utilised all the gaming facets we'd come to take for granted. Deliberately-tight camera angles accentuate Harry Mason's vulnerability; vision in the darkness is desperately short, giving value his cheap torch; distant noises reinforce the player's unease even in seemingly-safe surrounds, whilst the DualShock shakes in tandem with the lead protagonist when he's injured. Silent Hill shows that games have the capacity to scare more than horror films, because you're forced to live every step, there's no hiding behind the couch here.
STANDOUT MOMENT: Having endured a nerve-shredding trek through the suffocating confines of the school, you think you're home free as you head to the central courtyard. Entering the Clock Tower with its cramped confines and unnerving ladder-descents into darkness, sirens start to moan in the distance, before you exit to... the courtyard again? Huh, that's funny. Only this time, there's a lurid symbol on the ground. Head back inside the school, and the places you thought were nightmarish before? You'll give anything to be back there again...
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Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe (AMI) Reviewed by Alan
Now over 20 years old and not only the best game released on the mighty Amiga, Speedball 2 remains one of the kings of the world. A phenomenal piece of gaming in every sense it has bastard hard difficulty; delicious multi-directional scrolling; a futurism design that would make Ridley Scott cream in his jeans; tonnes of ways to score making every match unique; Super fecking Nashwan; simple management content to compliment the hardcore in-game brutalism; bounce domes; the terrific score multiplier; league and challenge play; two player mode - perfect for squabbling brothers; robotic ambulances to remove players beaten to a pulp from the field of play; exquisite design in the arrangement of the Speedball arena; perfect introductory music; replays; the genius of making games only three minutes in length; super quick sprites; on the money collision detection; and a scary A.I. that has been programmed to constantly p!ss on your cereal to make the game insanely balanced and moreish rather than frustrating. Oh, and ice-cream. Don’t forget the ice cream. In other words it’s pretty much the perfect game.
STANDOUT MOMENT: After 15 years of trying, finally managing to stick it to Super Nashwan where the sun doesn’t shine. The bunch of clagnuts.
Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (SNES) Reviewed by Chris
Without doubt the father of the modern beat ‘em up, Street Fighter II gave us the greatest progression of any single genre. Multiple playable characters, detailed original backgrounds, thousands of moves, combinations, storylines, memorable music and awesome visuals. The list goes on and on. But this is only the superficial stuff; the underlying personality and soul of SFII has run in the DNA of all the top one-on-one brawlers ever since. The characters have become iconic, as have the special moves and fighting styles of the original eight world warriors. The SF series put Capcom’s name firmly in the annuls of great game developers, and it all started with this game. Legendary in every sense of the word.
STANDOUT MOMENT: Any 2-player action in Vs mode; endless kick-ass fun. Completing the game with all characters on the hardest setting. Scoring double-perfect over Bison or Vega. Near arcade perfect graphics and sound. Chun Li’s thighs…