• NEWS
    • INVESTIGATIVE NEWS
    • Coronavirus Live Updates
  • LIFE & SOCIAL
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • POLITICS
  • CRIME
  • SHOP
  • LOGIN
    • My Profile
    • My account
    • Register
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Register
Login
No Result
View All Result
TurlockCityNews.com
COVID-19 News Updates
No Result
View All Result
TurlockCityNews.com
No Result
View All Result
Home Events & Entertainment

Top Five of 2013: Video Games

by Noel Daniel - noel@turlockcitynews.com
January 1, 2014
in Events & Entertainment
0 0
3
|

|

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The past year was a big one in the world of video games, packed with the high-profile launches of two new consoles: Microsoft’s Xbox One and the Sony PlayStation 4. Every gamer was anticipating their favorite games release time and getting ready to play for hours on end.

Yet many of the year’s best games were smaller independent titles, released for the PC.

Here, TurlockCityNews.com reporter Noel Daniel’s selects her top five games of 2013.

ADVERTISEMENT

Number 5: “The Stanley Parable”
Release Date: Oct. 17, 2013

At number five on the list is the charming and somewhat depressing adventure “The Stanley Parable,” developed and published by Galactic Cafe.

“The Stanley Parable” aptly begins with a man named Stanley, whose sole function is to push buttons. It’s stated that he’s rather happy with this set-up, and would be happy to continue doing this for the duration of his mediocre life. However, one day Stanley notices the curious lack of people in his office. It is here that Stanley’s branch of choices truly begins.

On one hand, you can choose the predestined path that the dry and witty narrator gladly points out to you. On the other, you can choose to defy the narrator as much as you possibly can. You even have the choice to wait in a janitor’s closet while the narrator harangues you.

“The Stanley Parable” is almost like an experiment. Those who loved the chemistry between Chell and GLaDOS in the “Portal” games will be delighted to know that this feels very similar. It’s a game of choices, however, and not so much a test. It’s up to you to decide Stanley’s fate, and unweave Stanley’s story – what will you choose?

“The Stanley Parable” is available on Steam for Windows only.

Number 4: “Wolf Among Us”
Release Date: Oct 11, 2013

As a fan of both the graphic novel “Fables” and a good mystery, “Wolf Among Us” delivered just what I’d expected it to. Telltale Games developed and published yet another fast-paced thriller, set in the “Fables” universe, with heartbreaking decisions that never feel like the right answer.

You play as Bigby Wolf, an investigator of sorts who cracks down on the Fable community and ensures that no breaches are made to the public. Notorious for your bad attitude, you prowl through Fabletown to enforce the rules of deputy mayor Ichabod Crane.

My favorite part about “Wolf Among Us” is the mystery aspect. Much like Bigby, you have no idea where to turn next. With no clue about what the right answer is, or even who your allies are, the game becomes a non-stop adventure that’s nearly impossible to stop playing.

“Wolf Among Us” is available for Windows, Mac, Sony PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Xbox 360.

Number 3: “Gone Home”
Release Date: Aug. 15, 2013

At the start of “Gone Home,” a smaller game developed and published by The Fullbright Company, you’re dropped on the porch of the strangely empty Greenbriar Manor.

After coming back from a trip abroad, Kaitlin Greenbriar – the protagonist – finds the family manor to be curiously vacant. Just exploring the dark and empty halls is eerie. When you add to that the fact that there are occult rumors circulating about the house, the entire atmosphere makes you uneasy.

You travel room-to-room, turning on lights and uncovering more and more of the story. The house looks genuinely lived-in, or like it had been at one point, and is littered with mementos like tickets to movies and concerts or cassettes that play indie rock. Finding these mementos unravels a touching 1995 Pacific Northwest adventure that’s bound to tug on the heartstrings of those who play it.

“Gone Home” is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Number 2: “The Last of Us”
Release Date: Jun. 14, 2013
I have never played a post-apocalyptic zombie game that hit quite so close to home. “The Last of Us,” developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, was a heartbreaking game with a powerful narrative, flawless gameplay and beautiful graphics. Although Telltale Games’ “Walking Dead” adaptation was poignant and above par, “The Last of Us” was truly groundbreaking.

Because zombies aren’t so novel anymore, they aren’t nearly the main character of “The Last of Us.” They serve as a mechanic with which to tell a story. The plot is very intricate, and can’t be summed up very well without revealing spoilers. In short, you play “Joel,” a time-tempered yet paternal survivor in the wasteland that’s become of our society.

Resources are limited and attacks are sudden. “The Last of Us” handles tension with an effortless mastery, combining the sheer beauty and depth of its world and characters with an expansive and immersive plot that doesn’t fall short in any respect.

“The Last of Us” is available on the PlayStation 3.

Number 1: “Papers, Please”
Release Date: August 8, 2013

In a time where graphics are considered one of the more important qualities of a game, “Papers, Please” – a game developed and published by Lucas Pope – takes the winning spot with only rudimentary drawings. Although this puzzler-esque masterpiece may not seem like much at face value, it manages to be more immersive than any of the other games I’ve played this year.

As the main character of “Papers, Please,” you’ve been selected by a labor lottery to man a checkpoint in the fictitious and totalitarian state of Arstotzka. You have a family to feed and keep warm in the bitter cold of the season, so you accept the ruthless position of gatekeeper. It’s your job to go through various paperwork in order to process the entry of numerous immigrants into your state. However, there are many hidden discrepancies.

Do you choose to turn away the wife of the man who just went through, simply because her passport is expired? Will you face the citations imposed by your government, just to save the life of a woman who would die if she doesn’t get through the checkpoint – even if it means deducting from your own family’s livelihood?

It’s up to you to keep Arstotzka safe from murderers and terrorists, but at what cost? In “Papers, Please,” there is no right answer, and it’s hard to say what winning really means. Regardless, it’s undoubtedly worth a play. Glory to Arstotzka.

“Papers, Please” is available on Steam for both Windows and Mac OS.

Tags: 2013EntertainmentFiveGamesTopVideo
Previous Post

Stephen “Coach” Feaver Obituary

Next Post

Top Five of 2013: Sports Moments

Next Post
|

Top Five of 2013: Sports Moments

Comments 3

  1. aaaaaaaaaa says:
    7 years ago

    worst top 5 ever. JEEEESUS

    Reply
  2. Follow the Money says:
    7 years ago

    Forget the video games, how about the top 5 stories of the year, did the 5 TID board members assist in the selection…why is this website so anti-TID lineworkers, jealous DJ of the high-paying jobs you can’t find? What about a top story the only hospital Emanuel is sold or CSU Stanislaus has a wonderful, amazingly smart new President, Dr. Sheley. Oh I forgot Matt Swanson’s minion Eric Gonsalves also is a board member (owns) this website.

    Reply
  3. Who Runs This Website says:
    7 years ago

    Why no story about the Robocalls, did Ted Howze threaten to sue??? Did Bublak or Vanderwide, where is Linda Taylor and her black spandex? Who is lying now?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Comments

  • 안전카지노 on Kaepernick Loses in Semifinals of Madden Cover Vote
  • koi cbd zen on THS Class of 2014 Looks to Build On Experiences
  • Lamadrid on Subject Found in Shoplifter’s Vehicle with Meth, Both Arrested
  • film on Harder Campaign Denies Alleged Slander Against Howze, But There’s a Recording
  • film on Harder Campaign Denies Alleged Slander Against Howze, But There’s a Recording
Facebook Twitter Instagram

© 2019 TurlockCityNews.com | Anything & Everything Turlock

No Result
View All Result
  • Register
  • Login
  • Coronavirus Live Updates
  • Home
  • News
  • Life & Social
  • Crime
  • Around Turlock
  • Events & Entertainment
  • Obituaries
  • Lost Pets
  • Job Watch
  • Campus News
  • Local Vocals
  • Investigative News

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In