2013 has just about wrapped, and it’s that time of year again when the staff and community at PSU.com cast a reflective glance back at the last 12 months of gaming goodness. Yep, it’s our annual Game of the Year awards, where we scrutinize titles across a broad range of genres in order to determine the cream of the crop of titles from 2013. Whether it’s RPGs, action/adventure, racing, beat-’em-up or the coveted Game of the Year award itself, you have been voting in your dozens over the past week or so, and the results are now in.
So, let’s crack on with the awards. Next up, we have a gander at Best Shooter of 2013.
Shoot-‘em-ups were out in force in 2013, with two of the biggest names in the industry making their next-generation debut in Battlefield 4 and Call of Duty: Ghosts. These two titans previously clashed back in 2011, and while it appears Activision’s juggernaut won the sales battle, critical reception seemed to favor Electronic Arts’ visually-stunning effort. If that wasn’t enough, Irrational Games emerged with the narratively-gripping BioShock: Infinite, keeping players hooked with its satisfying vigor/gun combat and evocative scenery.
And the winner is….
Irrational Games’ seminal shooter offers a far more cerebral experience than many of its contemporaries, combining intricate storytelling with gripping gunplay amidst stunning scenery. The city of Columbia is easily one of the year’s most enthralling game locations, and the cast of characters – lead by Booker DeWitt and partner Elizabeth – make for a brilliant distraction from the frantic, fast-paced battles. BioShock: Infinite proves that shooters don’t need to be backed up by a multiplayer mode to keep you hooked, as the story of DeWitt and Columbia will keep you coming back for more — even if it’s just to try and get your head around THAT ending. A majestic adventure that simply has to be played even if you passed on the original games.