2013 has been a great year for video gamers. Imagine seeing an Oscar worthy film every time you visited the local googleplex and you'll get an idea of how great a year it has been for the industry. Certainly there have been some disasters (the less said about Aliens: Colonial Marines the better), but the vast majority of releases this year have been well above average. I wish I could have included every game that deserved mention on this list, but it was hard enough finding the time to sample the 25 items you'll find below.
Pokemon finally steps into the 3rd dimension with this new set of adventures set in a fictional country, Kalos, that, with its cafes, boutiques, and pastoral countrysides, feels very French. The typical Pokemon formula hasn’t been changed (get a starter Pokemon, go on a journey, battle some gym leaders, and defeat an evil Pokemon organization that wants to do something or another), but new online features allow gamers to trade, battle, and take part in competitions anywhere in the world. With 718 Pokemon to catch, either of these titles should keep gamers busy for hundreds of hours. (Available on 3DS)
The Coke and Pepsi of the military shooter genre, Call of Duty and Battlefield have their share of admirers and detractors. While the single player experience can be finished in a blink-and-you-missed-it four hours, that doesn’t really matter since most gamers go straight for the online multi-player experience. Critical reaction to the new Battlefield and Call of Duty has been tepid at best, but these games are review proof and essential additions to any gaming collection. (Battlefield 4 is available on Xbox 360, PS3. Call of Duty: Ghosts is available on PS3, Xbox 360, and WiiU)
Matthew Mitchel
Adult Services/Outreach Librarian, Paramus Public Library