10. “Brothers – A Tale Of Two Sons” (360, PS3, PC)
“Brothers – A Tale Of Two Sons” is a co-op puzzle game for one player, and it tasks you with finding medicine for your father. You control two brothers — one with each analog stick — as you traverse a beautiful fantasy landscape. @@gameinformer@@
9. “The Stanley Parable” (PC)
Comedy is hard to pull off in video games — especially when the subject matter is gaming. But “The Stanley Parable” manages to create an astounding and hilarious experience that tears apart common tropes of game design. @@pcgamer@@
8. “Gone Home” (PC)
Misdirection is one of the most powerful tools an artist can exhibit to craft a meaningful experience. With that said, go play “Gone Home.” The less I say about it, the better. @@gonehomegame@@
7. “The Last Of Us” (PS3)
Naughty Dog has long stood as the leading name in cinematic gaming, telling stories that manifest as unforgettable experiences. “The Last Of Us” is the team’s magnum opus — a dystopian action-thriller that is relentlessly brutal in every aspect. @@naughtydog@@
6. “Grand Theft Auto V” (PS3, 360)
This last year was a big year for gaming, and there was no bigger game this year than “Grand Theft Auto V.” The enormous, detailed world of San Andreas is a testament to every name on the 20-plus-minute credit roll. Using this stage, Rockstar tells their finest crime drama yet with bombastic heists that were among 2013’s best moments. @@rockstargames@@
5. “The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds” (3DS)
Despite my Nintendo fanboy status, I never had a ton of love for the Zelda series. “A Link Between Worlds” finally hooked me by switching the established format. The open-world structure invites you to tackle dungeons in almost any order, and the control feels fantastically smooth. @@zelda@@
4. “Gunpoint” (PC)
Many games frame you as a hacking techno-genius, but the ability never seems to manifest as anything other than fancy lock-picking. Not so in “Gunpoint.” You can hack a guard’s gun to remotely electrocute another person when he pulls the trigger. Also in “Gunpoint,” you can hack an elaborate series of elevators and switches to traverse a level in any way you see fit. You can even tackle a guy through a fourth-story window then pummel him once you hit the ground. That last one is not even about hacking. It’s just really friggin’ cool. @@metacritic@@
3. “Super Mario 3D World” (WiiU)
“Mario” is one of those franchises which always finds a way to avoid stagnation. Despite being on the market for almost 30 years, the latest 3D platformer is fresher than ever. The game boasts multiple playable characters, genius level design and an astounding level of content makes me hope Mario will be around for a few more decades.@@supermario3dworld@@
2. “BioShock Infinite” (PC, 360, PS3)
“BioShock Infinite” is like a demented Disney fairytale come to life. The game is artistically beautiful and loaded with thrilling action. It’s an absolute roller coaster ride of a shooter. Top it with an ending that had the Internet talking for months, and you have the best major studio release this year. @@bioshockinfinite@@
1. “Rogue Legacy” (PC, coming to PS4/PS3/Vita in 2014)
Few games have captured my attention as deeply as “Rogue Legacy.” A sidescrolling action platformer in the same vein as “Castlevania,” the game changes with every death. From your character’s attributes to the layout of the castle itself, everything is variable. As you run members of your knight’s family tree through the medieval gauntlet, you master the game’s airtight control and upgrade set skills to get a little bit farther in the next run. Give it a shot, and you’ll be as hopelessly hooked as I am. @@roguelegacy@@