[Question] The Gamingforce Game of the Year 2013: Heigh-ho it's off to Vote we go

Thomas Was Alone - 30 points

I tried to give such a short little game fewer points than this, but i just couldn't. It's beautiful in every possible way, from the narration giving the little rectangles such wonderful personality to the cleverness of the level designs. Thomas Was Alone is one of the best gaming stories i've experienced this year.

Floating in water is totally a superpower.


Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn - 30 points

I've never really been one for MMOs. Most of the people who play them are all about rushing to endgame and munchkining as hard as possible, which makes a story-focused player like me feel kind of ostracized from the community. This game, however, felt like a Final Fantasy game complete with a world to explore, and a story to be told. As first forays into the world of MMOs go, it was (and still is) thoroughly enjoyable to explore and become a citizen of Eorzea. It also helps that the game is absolutely beautiful. It feels emptier now that all of the friends i started the game with have ditched me, but even alone i'm still enjoying myself.

Shame i'll never be able to afford a house, though.


Fire Emblem Awakening - 15 points

I've always loved Fire Emblem, and this is probably my favorite game in the series. I really appreciated the addition of casual mode - as someone who can't stand to lose a character permanently, it means i have to re-do levels a lot less often. I still play the game in the same way, but the last enemy pulling off a 2% chance crit at the end of a 45-minute battle no longer means i have to do the whole thing over again. Which is nice.

Also MUST GET EVERY SUPPORT CONVERSATION MY GOODNESS I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS


Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies - 10 points

Yup, it's a Phoenix Wright game alright. The writing in these games is just so fantastic. Makes you feel absolutely awesome when the lightbulb comes on and you understand everything and oh my goodness i can't believe that [spoilerspoilerspoiler].

Shouting at your 3DS never felt so good.


Sonic and All Stars Racing Transformed - 10 points

This game is a solid kart racer, and gets exponentially more fun when you play with friends. It's like a slightly more balanced MarioKart in some ways, except for playing against high level AI. Between the rubber banding and the occasional "i'm just gonna be impervious to weapons for a while, no big deal", it gets pretty ridiculous trying to get stars at the S-class level. Still, a lot more fun than it would appear at first glance.

BEEEEES


Ni No Kuni - 5 points

I had to get Ni No Kuni in here somewhere. I haven't made it very far in the game, but it's just so unbelievably beautiful that it's hard not to just fall in love with it. I guess it just didn't grab me enough to make me get through the entire thing in one run, but i still plan on getting through it sooner or later.

Now i want to go back to this game right now just for the music.


Honorable Mentions:

Persona 4 - Didn't come out this year, but i played it over the course of the year (one of the games that distracted me from Ni No Kuni).

Dishonored - Came out last year, but i played it this year. The whole game just oozed atmosphere, and the stealth gameplay was crazy fun.
What do we do with a drunken whaler....

Divekick - 2 button fighting game, and ridiculously elaborate fighting game in-joke. I don't get all the jokes, but my brother does. He tells me they're pretty funny.

Jam it back in, in the dark.