Amazon’s Picks for Top 10 Games of 2013

Amazon has posted it’s list of the top 10 games of 2013, while also listing numerous runner ups and honorable mentions, and an alternative list based on Facebook. For the most part the main list of top 10 includes a number of titles no one would be surprised to see, alongside a few curve balls, ranking from 1st to 10th the main list contains: Last of Us, Rogue Legacy, LoZ: A Link Between Worlds, Tearaway, GTA V, Bioshock Infinite, Rayman Legends, Divekick, Super Mario 3D world, and Ni No Kuni.

The list definitely shows that this year was a lot kinder to the Console and Handheld demographics over PC, with only 4 of the 10 titles available on PC and only one of which, Rogue Legacy, was an exclusive (for this year at least). The list overall shows a healthy balance of RPG, Shooter, and action, as well as titles varying from a heavier focus on narrative, pure action, adult tones or things fun for kids. Overall I find myself agreeing with many of their choices, with switching out a few titles between what actually made their list, and those that were simply honorable mentions (personal favorites of mine listed here include Brothers, Fire Emblem Awakening, and Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon).

The only thing that bothers me about the whole thing is a total lack of mention for what I feel was one of 2013’s best console games, Dragon’s Crown, a side scrolling beat ’em up fused with RPG mechanics, and one of the most addicting revivals of an arcade style experience. Amazon did mention that this list was made out of taking a larger list of 40 titles, and rules a few of these out due to being DLC rather than full new games, remakes, and episodic titles, then taking what was left and voting for their top 10. They’ve also got a top 10 Facebook list based on fan voting, with many of the same titles being on the list with a few changes, mostly indie titles being removed in favor of bigger name published work including Battlefield 4, Assassin’s Creed 4, Fire Emblem: Awakening, and Tomb Raider. In review 2013 has been a solid year for gaming, and I’d argue a major step up from what 2012 had to offer (a few amazing indie games like FTL and Hotline Miami as exceptions). We’ve already got a number of good looking titles announced for this year, and we can only hope that things just get better and better!