2013 in Gaming, So Far

Is 2013 a good year for gaming? So far, yes. Well, most years are a good year for gaming, but some years do stand out than the rest. Maybe it's a bit early to confirm, but 2013 is most certainly going to be one of these years. Let's start with the news on the eight-gen console. Last February, Sony revealed the world their new console, PS4 at New York City. Then, 3 months later, rival Microsoft revealed their Xbox One. Just Google search "Xbox One vs PS4" and don't tell me you're surprised that the flame war has already started. There's also a newcomer in the market right now, Ouya, though I'm not sure what this console is. Next, as usual, the annual E3 this year took place at the Los Angeles Convention Centre in LA. And don't forget. Gamescom, the largest gaming event in the world, is going to be held at Germany mid-August this year.

What's Already Out?

Bioshock Infinite

Bioshock dropped in 2007 to critical acclaim. It was a surprise to the market, winning numerous awards as well as being cited as one of the best FPS of all time alongside FPS kings like Half-Life 2. The success spawned a sequel released in 2009, which too received very good response, but failed to surpass its predecessor in just about everything.

Tomb Raider

Lara Croft is the greatest heroine in gaming. Maybe slightly overrated, but true. She's a smart and beautiful gun-wielding adventurer-turned archeologist, and one of the most influential characters in gaming. She's a symbol that women too can be heroes in games. And that's why people are so fond of her.

But then again, that's not the take away for most gamers who are fans of the Tomb Raider franchise because of its sexual appeal. Well, it doesn't matter if you're hooked by the sexual appeal or by the great gaming experience that it has to offer, Tomb Raider 2013 is the reboot that the long-running franchise really needs.

DmC: Devil May Cry

The new Dante is nothing like the original one. He loves booze, women and partying. His guns are strapped to the bra of one of the woman he spent the night with. This new Dante is one of those stereotypical party guys who never take things seriously. Do Devil May Cry veterans love him? Most probably don't.

But Ninja Games are not afraid to push the button. In fact, when given a reference to the old Dante, this new one says, "Not in a million years." Not kidding, he really says that. That certainly pushes the button more. But does that make this a bad reboot? Nope.

What's Not Yet Out?

Total War: Rome 2

The 2004's Rome Total War was the one that brought the series to new heights. This is a masterpiece that absorbs you deep into its world and then does little to nothing to shake you out of the immersion. You won't stop playing because your mind is flooded with strategies and plans on your next moves. It's truly a masterpiece. Now, Total War Rome 2 is going to be the next masterpiece. Hopefully...

Mirror's Edge 2

When EA announced that they're working on the sequel to the 2008's Mirror's Edge, I was so thrilled that I ran and hopped around the house in a rather awkward manner that made me look like an idiot. Heck, it didn't matter because I was full of joy.

While the release date of Mirror's Edge 2 is not yet known, and it's most probably not this year, but the announcement of the sequel alone made 2013 a wonderful year for Mirror's Edge fans. Now, it's time for us to remove Mirror's Edge from our list of "Top 10 Games that Deserve Sequels", because --I'm going to say it again-- a sequel is on its way.

Call of Duty Ghosts

Yup, the biggest franchise ever is taking a new direction with Ghost. Call of Duty used to be just like any other WW2-themed military FPS until the release of Modern Warfare which brought the series to the modern era. MW defined the new CoD and turned the series into a big money-making franchise. Then, in 2011 Black Ops made a name for itself.

Now, it's time for Ghosts to steer CoD to a new direction. More new fans? Yes. More new haters? Yes. Old fans become haters? Also, yes. C'mon, it's the biggest franchise ever.

Saints Row IV

This game isn't about a giant can on rampage.

GTA clone, they say. The Saints Row series sure don't need that label sticking on its ass. It says, "I'm not a GTA clone. We're just similar, except that here you can beat people with dildo, and criminals can be presidents, and this year we're fighting aliens. Do you get to do that in GTA IV?"

For my first 3 hours of Saints Row, read here!

Survivarium

STALKER is a series of buggy games. But they are awesome, which matters more. STALKER Call of Pripyat was the third game of the series, and despite being the most stable of them all, it is still buggy in comparison to other games of its time.

Survivarium here was supposed to be STALKER 4, but the developers decided to turn it into an MMOFPS instead. That's a huge, bold move but some risks are worth taking, so we'll se how it goes.