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7Dec 12

Because I Said So Part 1 - 2012

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Now in its fifth year, Because I Said So is the only game of the year awards you should care about...because I said so. Each year I select my favourite game, along with a few others in categories such as favourite unwrapped, most dissapointing and prettiest Final Fantasy costume. If you're interested what I chose last year, you can check it out here.

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Games in this category don't necessarily suck. They either didn't live up to my hype or I felt they could have been so much more.

WINNER - SYNDICATE (PC)

I couldn't even guess how many hours I sank into the original 1993 classic strategy version. It was such an accomplishment at the time and still holds up as an excellent game today. I didn't mind too much that this reboot was taking a different direction, mostly because it had a look similar to my 2011 GOTY, Deus Ex Human Rev. Unfortunately, the weak story made it difficult to fully enjoy what was an amazing looking game.

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RUNNER UP - ASSASSIN'S CREED LIBERATION (VITA)

The prospect of the full Assassin's Creed experience on a handheld was exciting, but ultimately let down by a few seemingly minor issues. It looked great and handled well, but an uninteresting story and horrible sound meant I was unable to fully immerse myself in the experience.

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The winner of this category is either still shrinkwrapped or awaiting download on Steam. I know it's good, as many people tell me so, but I just haven't had the time to kick it off yet.

WINNER - FARCRY 3 (PC)

With such a large unplayed shame pile, I now try to avoid buying games until I've finished whatever I've got going. However, at AU$28 for a new digital version from Ubisoft, I couldn't pass this over. I don't expect to kick it off until around the Xmas holidays, but I know I'm in for a treat.

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RUNNER UP - PERSONA 4 GOLDEN (VITA)

I'm pretty sure Persona 4 was on this list last year or the year before as one of my favourite unplayed PS2 games - and this remains true as I'm still finishing off Persona 3. Anyway, I decided I'd probably have more luck finding time if I picked up the portable version, so I'm waiting on slow shipping from the UK to bring me a Vita version.

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We don't all have the time to play each and every new game released within the year, so here I give you the top game I played for the first time, but came out before 2012.

WINNER - FINAL FANTASY IX (PSN/PSP)

Being the massive Final Fantasy fan I am, this one is a little embarrassing. I picked this game up brand new when it was first released on the PS1 in early 2001. However, I think Metal Gear Solid 2 got in the way and I never finished it off. It wasn't until recently that I decided to start from scratch and wrap it up. It's a true classic and one that should be played by all RPG fans.

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RUNNER UP - COSTUME QUEST (XBLA)

I'm a big Tim Schafer and Double Fine fan and I feel guilty I put this one off for so long. It was such a great little game, I only wish I had played it closer around Halloween than earlier this year.

That's all for now, but keep an eye out for Part 2 and be sure to share in the comments if you've started posting your own GOTY selections!

32 comments
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Drilbit777
Drilbit777 like.author.displayName 1 Like

PErsona 4 golden is probably the only amazing game so far on the vita. SOny really needs to step their game and start releasing some good first party titles made by the original developers instead of just letting other handle it ( i' m talking to you Resistance Burning Skies). The 3DS is completely killing it right now despite having a crappy start and now games like fire emblem awakening on their way to the system itself soon.  Well hopefully Killzone mercenary and soul sacrifice are enough to get the vita off its feet instead of just being a paperweight.

EbenOlemaun
EbenOlemaun

 @Drilbit777 The problem is P4 was already amazing on the PS2. Great idea to port it, but a new Persona title would have been better.

Drilbit777
Drilbit777

 @EbenOlemaun Exactly, they should have made a new IP for the vita just like they did with the devil survivor series on the DS and look how amazing that turned out. Persona 4 Golden is an amazing game but there's only so much you can add to an already amazing game like new costumes and gameplay tweaks.

Ayato_Kamina_1
Ayato_Kamina_1 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

I didn't enjoy IX that much at first, the graphics seemed a bit laboured, the characters a bit boring and the overall story didn't sit too well with me at first, but I ended up replaying it a few years ago in a final fantasy marathon (playing all FFs through 1 - 10) I realised it was a much better game than I had initially given it credit for. Of course I was comparing it to how 7 and 8 really blew me away, but 9 wasn't far behind them.

Bioshockraptor
Bioshockraptor like.author.displayName 1 Like

As usual, very nice entry. I've only played (enough to consider them for any awards that is) I think 3 new games this year so my "best game I've yet to play" award may be very, very difficult to decide on :P.

Legolas_Katarn
Legolas_Katarn like.author.displayName 1 Like

FFIX is the first Final Fantasy I played and even though I really don't like the artstyle I think I liked it more than IV or VI.

 

Far Cry 3 and Dishonored are two that I still need to play.

Allicrombie
Allicrombie moderator moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

FFIX is one of the better FF's out there.  Glad you finally played it.

CaesarIIII
CaesarIIII like.author.displayName 1 Like

You know what... I decided to dust off my PS1 and have another go at VIII, has been years seems I last play it that one....I also find out, that is a remake of the 1998 PC version of Final Fantasy VII, that has come out this year ? ... men this is confusing .... How I miss that one ? I have to look more into it.

 

Hellcat-
Hellcat- like.author.displayName 1 Like

Great read, Farcry 3 does look awesome but I can wait for the steam sales.

mjc
mjc moderator moderator

 @Hellcat- Yeah, you know it'll drop down to a few dollars sooner or later!

DivineSword
DivineSword moderator moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

Can't really avoid the backlog if they keep giving you good deal on these games right?

This comment has been deleted

mjc
mjc moderator moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Suikogaiden Okay, I'll throw out any old games I'm yet to play and only focus on crappy new games ;)

Cryptic_Shadow
Cryptic_Shadow like.author.displayName 1 Like

FF9 has some great characters.  One of my favz.  Sometimes I wish Square-Enix would go back to those style games or at least implement that style into their 1080p capabilities.

mjc
mjc moderator moderator

 @Cryptic_Shadow That would be great. I'm hoping the HD release of FFX does well and they consider doing others.

modernsocks
modernsocks like.author.displayName 1 Like

Hmm... hmm.... Yes. Also, Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story (especially this one) are two games you must play before you die (if you haven't already, though, if you're a massive Final Fantasy fan you likely already have).

mjc
mjc moderator moderator

 @modernsocks I sure have played them. That's why this FFIX is so embarassing! How have I played other Square games like Tactics and Vagrant Story, but not IX!?

modernsocks
modernsocks

 @mjc Ha, yes, actually, I admit it's exactly the same for me. I never finished IX. For some reason or another, I tapped out somewhere over halfway.

granola_goodnes
granola_goodnes like.author.displayName 1 Like

Nice blog!  I like the catagories you chose, esspecially "old games I finally played."  FF9 from like 12 years ago, LMAO.  I don't think I have a game that I have been putting off for that long.

mjc
mjc moderator moderator

 @granola_goodnes Haha, thanks! It's probably worse than that, I think I have a couple of unplayed NES and Sega Master System games in my collection...!

CaesarIIII
CaesarIIII like.author.displayName 1 Like

Final Fantasy IX ? interesting.... my favorite one is Final Fantasy VIII... you should try it, IF you can find it any where.

mjc
mjc moderator moderator

 @CaesarIIII Don't worry, I've played FFVIII - many times. I picked it up day 1 on PS1 and also have the PSN version. Fantastic game!

Foolz3h
Foolz3h like.author.displayName 1 Like

That's a shame about AssLib's story.It sounded like it had the potential to be interesting.

mjc
mjc moderator moderator

 @Foolz3h She's a interesting and dynamic character, but they just didn't give her the story to back it up :(

JodyR
JodyR moderator moderatorstaff like.author.displayName 1 Like

Hah, good stuff.

mjc
mjc moderator moderator

 @JodyR Keep an eye out for the next parts :)

Mattyrock
Mattyrock like.author.displayName 1 Like

I feel inclined to try out Syndicate since it looks decent and the music is cool (although I did notice the weak plot). Haven't played much of Liberation but I thought it was good despite some glitches.Far Cry 3 is amazing but I'm putting it on hold to play The Walking Dead. Waiting for my order of PErsona 4: Golden.So wanna play Final Fantasy IX, the music I heard in Theatrhythm sounded awesome. Plan to get Costume Quest some day :D

mjc
mjc moderator moderator

 @Mattyrock You played Theatrhythm before playing FFIX? Sacrilege!!! (who am I to talk...)

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