A couple of months ago we asked you to vote on your favourite games of the year (up to the end of October, except for the blockbuster of the year award, which is still running now on the site). You’ve voted and now, in the coming weeks, we will unveil the results.
The process: Earlier in the year we asked you, our readers, to rank nine different games per category in order of preference (or how interested you are in a game, if you haven’t played it before). We have taken those rankings, averaged them up, and the resulting list below are the top four games – three runners up and the winner.
First up is Australian game of the year. Digitally Downloaded is an Australian games publication, and we like to support the local industry wherever possible. The local industry has gone through some interesting times in recent years, but one thing is certain – where innovation is key (especially on mobile platforms) Aussie developers know what’s what.
Antichamber: This is a delightfully artistic PC title that takes some inspiration from classic games like Portal, and then demands that players think about things in a completely different manner. Combining pleasingly minimal aesthetics with some truly mind-twisting puzzles, Antichamber is one of those rare indie darlings that just about everyone can enjoy.
Towncraft: This little indie-developed mobile game takes elements from sim games, Minecraft, and also a dash of casual titles like Farmville and brings it all together in a way that is often more compelling than any of its individual elements. Towncraft is an ambitious title, especially coming from such a small team, but it worked, and as a result this is one of the most compelling and lasting exclusive experiences on the iPad.
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse HD: It’s not often that an Aussie development team gets to work on what amounts to a major studio project any more, and indeed the developers behind Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse have, sadly, since been shut down by parent company SEGA, but what a way to go out. This HD reimaging of a retro 2D platforming classic brims with personality and class.
escapeVektor (Nnooo): Releasing right at the start of the year in the US, escapeVektor on the 3DS and Vita is a truly brilliant mix of retro style level design and modern production values. A little like Qix and Pac-Man merged together, escapeVektor offers many levels, plenty of challenge, a slick visual style, stylish music and some incredible score-based competition with friends via online leaderboards. This is the kind of game that you’ll sit down to play for five minutes and before you know it, the sun is rising for the next morning.
