Most Anticipated of 2013: Alice's Picks

The editorial team at Shacknews outlines their most anticipated games of 2013 individually. Next up, we've got cuss word expert Alice O'Connor with her list of 2013 titles.

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There's a lot to be excited for in 2013, and the Shacknews staff each have five games on their radar. The editorial team at Shacknews outlines their most anticipated games of 2013 individually. Next up, we've got cuss word expert Alice O'Connor's list of next year's titles.

Doting on Dota

Dota 2 I was keenly anticipating Dota 2 this time last year, and I still am. Yes, though you and I may have played hundreds of hours of Dota in the semi-public beta, it's not finished and out yet so on the list it goes. Valve still has 15 heroes to bring over from the original Warcraft III mod DotA Allstars, not to mention a tutorial to finish, general polish to apply, and other jazz. At the pace it's improving and expanding, a 2013 release looks likely. As Dota 2 is already the best video game, having it complete and open to everyone will be jolly exciting. The pro scene, which is pretty great fun to follow, can only benefit too. Oh, what is Dota 2? It's a multiplayer, team-based, objective-oriented, competitive, tactical action-RPG with 129 items, 94 characters, and 1 map, with each round lasting roughly 30 minutes to an hour. It's beautifully intricate, hugely rewarding, and so punishingly uninviting that I hesitate to recommend it to anyone. It is the best video game, though.
Sportsfriends I'm not boasting, right, but I am pretty great at shoving. I really am not boasting, honest, but I've been remembered and recognised months later by strangers for how well I shove people, a reputation mostly earned for playing the amazing first-person shover Johann Sebastian Joust. Joust is one of my absolute favourite games but has been one of those fabled 'indie event games' like Nidhogg, which most people only ever get to play a few times each year. It's finally getting a proper release next year in the Kickstarted collection Sportsfriends, which also includes crackers BaraBariBall, Super Pole Riders and Hokra. These are all wonderful. This is exciting.
Gone Home I am some kind of monster, yet I cried when I first played an early version of Gone Home. Not tears of joy cheated out of me with sappy soaring orchestral strings and a melodramatic death, as video games so often attempt, no--tears of joy cried at a beautiful point in its story. That's uncommon. Environmental storytelling is one of video game narratives' greatest tools, and Gone Home runs wild with it. The gang at Fullbright Company, who worked together at 2K on BioShock 2's fine DLC Minerva's Den, have crafted a sprawling family home where each room has purpose, and each item is placed in a practical and meaningful way. As we rummage in drawers, read diaries, scan VHS collections, and observe the careful placement of everyday objects, we come to know the family and uncover their mysteries. The story is beautifully written, told and acted, and offers a slice of life far more terrifying than any alien invasion or undersea uprising: teenagehood. Tears rating: 7/10.
Proteus Booze is all that can really revive flagging interest at the end of any day-long conference, so They say, but Proteus is more special than any amount of gin. Last year, Proteus creator Ed Key closed out an indie games conference in London that, lovely as it was, took place in a flipping freezing hall and its attendees had all woken up far too early. Rather than talk about his struggles and successes in developing the first-person explore 'em up, lead a rallying call for indie games, or rag on Big Video Games, he simply ran Proteus projected onto a screen and left a controller at the front. People wandered aimlessly across bright landscapes, pausing to tease singing flowers, watch stars bubble, and chase frogs, and we all watched, rapt. Proteus is a lucid dream where we it never occurs to us to fly into space or hold hands with Tilda Swinton, because a stroll in the countryside is just so beautiful. My friend and I rested our heads together as the craving for mother's ruin drained out of us. Special stuff, that game.

Not pictured in concept art: a lady just killing loads of stuff

Dragon Age 3 As the only game on this list I haven't already played of enough to know I adore, Dragon Age 3 is a bit of a shot in the dark. Basically, I would quite like to make a lady person, dress her up in pretty clothes then kill hundreds of men, monsters, or animals, and Dragon Age 3 seems like my best shot at this in 2013. I'm not very good at being excited about games in advance based on the tiny details publishers decide to release, see. I'm jolly excited about all these games I've played because, you know, I know they're jolly exciting, but no marketing campaign has yet captured my imagination for 2013. Sure, Dragon Age is a pleasant series and I honestly enjoyed 2 more than the original so it'll be nice to see how this all pans out. Chiefly, though, ladykills.
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  • reply
    December 31, 2012 12:00 PM

    Alice O'Connor posted a new article, Most Anticipated of 2013: Alice's Picks.

    The editorial team at Shacknews outlines their most anticipated games of 2013 individually. Next up, we've got cuss word expert Alice O'Connor with her list of 2013 titles.

    • reply
      December 31, 2012 12:08 PM

      I do not see Metro: Last Light. Why don't I see Metro: Last Light there? You're in for a stern talking to, Lady! >:V

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        December 31, 2012 1:32 PM

        I have not played Metro: Last Light, and am not particularly excited by what I've seen of it. That is why it is not one of the five games I chose.

        It should be an enjoyable video game, but is not one I am more keen to see released than any of these.

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      December 31, 2012 1:35 PM

      [deleted]

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        December 31, 2012 3:50 PM

        I too am mortally wounded by the sharpness of your wit.

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      December 31, 2012 1:53 PM

      You enjoyed Dragon Age 2 more than the original? WHAT THE FUCK!

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        December 31, 2012 2:25 PM

        Psst. it is possible to have differing opinions and tastes ;)

        Seriously, I know people who preferred mass effect 2 over the original.

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          December 31, 2012 4:09 PM

          You mean most people? I can't imagine preferring ME1.

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            December 31, 2012 4:43 PM

            what in the high heavens is going on in this subthread.

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        December 31, 2012 2:44 PM

        The tedious 'epic' story of Dragon Age: Origins is immensely off-putting to me. I don't care about rampaging hordes of demons and dying orders of protectors and heirs to thrones and all that bollocks. Terribly boring. Makes me want to turn the game off.

        2's narrow focus on a city was jolly pleasant and far more interesting. 2 has some very nice companions, though also some whiny gobshites, and I enjoy how they interact and grow with each other.

        I also enjoyed 2's combat more, aside from how enemies would spawn in the middle of the fight. That bit was awfully unpleasant. Re-used environments also frustrating.

        On balance, yes, I like 2 more.

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          January 7, 2013 1:31 PM

          Dragon Age series sucked. No two ways about it, one of the worst, most hyped up games ever. I remember the DAO videos and was totally amped. The game didn't even come close to delivering. Any further information on DA3 and I'll just skip the read and save the time for more important things, like peeling my scrotum off my thigh on a hot day.

    • rms legacy 10 years legacy 20 years mercury super mega
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      December 31, 2012 2:33 PM

      Interesting list, hadn't heard of most of these!

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      December 31, 2012 2:39 PM

      Really excited about Gone Home after hearing Steve Gaynor's talk about it on Idle Thumbs

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      December 31, 2012 3:12 PM

      Hell yeah! I liked DA 2 over the first as well. What a classy broad.

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      December 31, 2012 4:08 PM

      Really looking forward to Gone Home. Alice, tell Steve Gaynor that you think my insight could be valuable to the development of the game and I should be allowed early access.

      I'll let you twiddle my moustache.

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      December 31, 2012 4:42 PM

      any games with dudes dongs I'm sure

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      December 31, 2012 4:44 PM

      Totally agree with DA3 I think it will be amazing.

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      December 31, 2012 5:14 PM

      Pretty lady killing monsters... Bayonetta 2? I'm guessing you didn't add it because it's a Wii U exclusive.

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        December 31, 2012 5:16 PM

        No, I'd like to make a lady and then dress her up. And then go kill things.

        Also, yes, Wii U.

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        December 31, 2012 5:17 PM

        Hopefully won't stay exclusive for longé.

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          December 31, 2012 6:23 PM

          Isn't it being published by Nintendo? I imagine it will stay an exclusive for a while at least.

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            December 31, 2012 6:38 PM

            It is. Nintendo's involvement is the main reason why it's getting funded, considering how Sega's gone cold on everything except Sonic, Total War, Football Manager and Aliens (...Aliens?!).

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      January 2, 2013 6:54 AM

      My 2013 picks? Valve showing a Half Life 3 logo at E3 and telling everyone more info will be released about the game in 2014.

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