VGX Predictions

What a year we have had in 2013, for video games. We were given amazing games, that from January to December, for any kind of fan. We had narratives that left us speechless, action scenes that made us think Michael Bay directed them, and gameplay that gave us hours of entertainment. Many could argue that 2013 is the greatest year for video games to date. You had so many great games: Last of Us, Dead Space 3, Bioshock Infinite, Ni no Kuni, and Super Mario 3D World. It’s a year that will spark a huge debate of, who is the best? Well that’s where the VGX’s (formerly known as Spike Video Game Awards; VGA’s) step in. The award show that will air Saturday evening will give us many things to debate and games to anticipate. I am here to give you each category and give you my selection. After reading this, please give me your choices and lets start the debating early.

Game of the Year

• BioShock: Infinite

The third installment of the series that left us thinking and wanting to play more.  Booker and Elizabeth guided us on a subversive story that we still discuss with fellow gamers. The mixture of fun gameplay, beautiful atmosphere, and incredible story makes many choose this game over all other challengers.

• Grand Theft Auto 5

The epitome of Sandbox Gaming is the best way to describe GTA 5. It has an open world that anyone can find something to do. The story was a fantastic adventure that gave us movie-style moments like no other game. This game is arguably one of the best times you can experience.

• Super Mario 3D World

Everyone’s favorite plumbers are back and ready to say, “I’m a gonna win.” The four-player co-op platformer gave us an experience that only Nintendo can give us. The ability to play as Mario, Luigi, Peach, or Toad gave gamers hours of fun times. Oh and a cat suit. Who doesn’t love cats?

• The Last of Us

“Greatest game of this generation.” Those are the type of statements made about Last of Us. It gave us moments of absolute heart wrenching drama, gruesome deaths of Clickers, and magnificent pieces of art that left our jaws dropped. Joel and Ellie have teamed up to give us an amazing game that many are saying is the game to beat this year.

• Tomb Raider

Lara Croft is back and better than ever. This adventure game gave us the origin of everyone’s favorite treasure huntress. The gameplay was so fluid and the action sequences gamers had to say, “ No way!” This classic series returns with a stellar first game to get new gamers excited about Ms. Croft.

Prediction: Last of Us

My Choice: Bioshock: Infinite

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Studio of the Year

• Irrational Games
• Naughty Dog
• Rockstar North
• The Fullbright Company

Prediction: Naughty Dog

My Choice: Naughty Dog

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Best Shooter

• Battlefield 4
• BioShock Infinite
• Call of Duty: Ghosts
• Metro: Last Light

Prediction: Call of Duty: Ghosts

My Choice: Bioshock: Infinite

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Best Action Adventure Game

• Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
• Grand Theft Auto 5
• The Last of Us
• Tomb Raider

Prediction: Grand Theft Auto 5

My Choice: Grand Theft Auto 5

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Best Sports Game

• FIFA 14
• MLB 13: The Show
• NBA 2K14
• NHL 14

Prediction: NBA 2K14

My Choice: FIFA 14

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Best Independent Game

• Gone Home
• Kentucky Route Zero
• Papers, Please
• The Stanley Parable

Prediction: Gone Home

My Choice: Gone Home

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Best RPG

• Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn
• Fire Emblem: Awakening
• Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
• Pokemon X/Y

Prediction: Ni no Kuni

My Choice: Fire Emblem: Awakening

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Best Fighting Game

• Divekick
• Injustice: Gods Among Us
• Killer Instinct
• Tekken Revolution

Prediction: Divekick

My Choice: Injustice: Gods Among Us

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Best Driving Game

• F1 2013
• Grid 2
• Forza Motorsport 5
• Need for Speed Rivals

Prediction: Forza Motorsport 5

My Choice: Forza Motorsport 5

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Best DLC

• Borderlands 2: Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep
• Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall
• Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
• Mass Effect 3: Citadel

Prediction: Borderlands 2: Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep

My Choice: Mass Effect 3: Citadel

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Best Xbox Game

• BioShock Infinite
• Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
• Grand Theft Auto 5
• Tomb Raider

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Prediction: Grand Theft Auto 5

My Choice: Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons

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Best PlayStation Game

• Grand Theft Auto 5
• Rayman Legends
• The Last of Us
• Tomb Raider

Prediction: The Last of Us

My Choice: The Last of Us

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Best Nintendo Game

• Pikmin 3
• Rayman Legends
• Super Mario 3D World
• The Wonderful 101

Prediction: Super Mario 3D World

My Choice: Rayman Legends

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Best PC Game

• Battlefield 4
• Gone Home
• Papers, Please
• The Stanley Parable

Prediction: Gone Home

My Choice: Battlefield 4

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Best Handheld Game

• Animal Crossing: New Leaf
• Pokemon X/Y
• Tearaway
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Prediction: Tearaway

My Choice: Tearaway

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Best Casual Game

• Animal Crossing: New Leaf
• Disney Infinity
• Plants vs. Zombies 2: It’s About Time
• Skylanders Swap Force

Prediction: Disney Infinity

My Choice: Disney Infinity

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Best Voice Actor

• Troy Baker as Joel in The Last of Us
• Troy Baker as Booker DeWitt in BioShock Infinite
• Steven Ogg as Trevor Philips in Grand Theft Auto 5
• Willem Dafoe as Nathan Dawkins in Beyond: Two Souls

Prediction: Troy Baker (It doesn’t matter which)

My Choice: Troy Baker (see a trend?)

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Best Voice Actress

• Ashely Johnson as Ellie in The Last of Us
• Courtnee Draper as Elizabeth in BioShock Infinite
• Camilla Luddington as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider
• Ellen Page as Jodie Holmes in Beyond: Two Souls

Prediction: Ashley Johnson

My Choice: Ashley Johnson

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Best Soundtrack

• BioShock Infinite
• Grand Theft Auto 5
• Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
• The Last of Us

Prediction: Ni no Kuni

My Choice: Bioshock: Infinite

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Best Song in a Game

• “ADHD” by Kendrick Lamar (Grand Theft Auto 5)
• “Sleepwalking” by The Chain Gang of 1974 (Grand Theft Auto 5)
• “Survival” by Eminem (Call of Duty: Ghosts)
• “Will the Circle be Unbroken” by Courtnee Draper & Troy Baker (BioShock Infinite)

Prediction: Will the Circle be Unbroken

My Choice: Will the Circle be Unbroken

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Most Anticipated Game

• South Park: The Stick of Truth
• Destiny
• Watch Dogs
• Titanfall
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Prediction: Titanfall

My Choice: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt