Year in Review, or Twice by 12. Part Two
*Hello, everyone!
While other sites create their versions of top lists on the topic of 'How I spent 2012 and which game I consider the best', we decided to tackle the issue creatively and in a gamer-friendly way. We summarized the year's results in a somewhat unconventional, non-linear, and at times very illogical format, with laughs, humorous characters, and positivity. Discussion is encouraged, jokes are welcome, and let’s have some fun! Let’s go!
As numerous surveys and top lists show, we warmly welcome role-playing games above all. We also anticipate them more than others and we care about the heroes the most, bonding with them wholeheartedly. Someone clearly didn't play enough as a wizard or warrior in their childhood..
**Immersed in Role:** *[Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3), [Dark Souls](/games?search=Dark Souls), [Risen 2](/games?search=Risen 2) Dark Waters*
Although the final part of BioWare's trilogy about the adventures of the brave 'cap' cannot be called a pure role-playing game, the dosage of RPG elements in it is quite substantial. You will need to decide who to save, who to bury, with whom to flirt, and who to throw into space amidst global shootouts, which is quite in line with the spirit of the series. By importing previous saves with living or not-so-living party members, you have the chance to influence the final outcome. Some may find the RPG elements in the second part insufficient (it is, in my opinion, stronger from a role-playing perspective), someone may stomp their foot over the finale, but I think this way: if we care so much about the fate of Shepard, his dream team, and Earth as a whole (and we do care, judging by the community's uproar), it means that the immersion in the role went remarkably well.
From Software decided to go even further and stuffed the gamer into the body of a dead guy. And they did it the Japanese way, with hardcore and harakiri. You'll die in the game with the frequency of the late Kenny, enemies are eager to turn you into a footrest, and the universe positively glows with friendliness and clicks its teeth. Against this backdrop, the Reapers are just a wicked, revived Lego constructor. But before diving into this joy, you'll have to sweat over the settings (Japan, remember?), but after that, the grim, dark, slightly zombie-smelling happiness is practically guaranteed.
Talking about the creation of Pirahna Bytes after this is like turning on a rainbow in 220W. In contrast to the gloom, darkness, and the anxious 'we're all going to die', the pirate [Risen 2](/games?search=Risen 2) delights us with beautiful sunsets, a jungle of plot, and, according to fans, smells of that very 'Gothic' that old-school players hold in high esteem. Pleasant companions, good world-building, interesting quests, and a clear leveling system did not go unnoticed. And for the naysayers, there is always a voodoo doll, an anchor up their backside!
Of course, these games cannot be strictly called RPGs, but that hasn't stopped fans from nearly permanently bonding with Shepard's suit or the pirate saber.
Although the best device of all time is the Direct Hands™, without mice, keyboards, and other headsets, we would be living a dreary life. Gaming peripherals have been, are, and will be among the best gifts for a true gamer. We thought about it and remembered some cool devices for all occasions.
**These are the tools that help us build and thrive:** *Razer DeathAdder 3500 mouse, SteelSeries QcK mouse pad, [Turtle](/games?search=Turtle) Beach X12 headset, Logitech G110 keyboard*
A gamer without their devices is often not even a gamer. No wonder top companies spend a lot of time and effort making a fan for the keyboard or designing side buttons on the mouse to be as user-friendly as possible. And although the variety of features heavily depends on personal preferences and wishes, there are quite a few universal devices that will suit, if not everyone, then a lot. I should note that we chose these based on popularity and reviews. Well, based on our personal impressions too.
For example, the well-known DeathAdder mouse fits perfectly into the arsenal not only of frag lovers. 3500 dpi, superb ergonomics, and reliability proven over the years – nothing superfluous or useless. Every curve of this mouse is beautiful, and in addition, this model has been redesigned in black and upgraded with rubberized inserts. At the end of 2012, a new green version was created with an advanced resolution of 6400 dpi (coming soon), and there’s already a separate model for left-handed people, which is generally rare with ergonomic mice. In general, it's the beauty of a mouse, although MMO lovers might find the buttons a bit lacking here.
When it comes to mouse pads, I want to praise SteelSeries for their QcK series. The top part of the pad is made of silky high-quality fabric, while the bottom is rubberized for better grip on the surface of your desk. Or wherever you play. Add to this several sizes for all occasions and a multitude of gaming brandings (the Heart of the Swarm pad, for instance, just came out), and you’ll understand why they are so popular.
Naturally, we can't go without a headset: your party isn’t telepaths, and listening to music without annoying your neighbors wouldn’t be possible without it. I enjoy the Turtle Beach X12 headset: it sits perfectly on the head, light, comfortable, and truly delivers great deep sound. Playing Amnesia in these ears is the sweetest deal, my friends: any rustle will scare you to a state of mild panic. The bass is effectively bassy, and the microphone provides very decent call quality. Additionally, this headset can be plugged in not only to PC but also to Xbox. Considering the turtles' love for 'the box', I can only rejoice that they have such a nice model for computer lovers.
And, of course, the keyboard. An excellent device in terms of price, features, and their quality is the Logitech G110 gaming keyboard. With its help, you can adjust the backlight, program the keys, and play around with various wrist supports. It also supports audio through USB. You will need to get used to the pressure of the keys and the side buttons a bit, but the result is worth it: it's one of the best gaming keyboards of the year.
Of course, this is by no means all the interesting devices, but what is listed here definitely deserves attention. And deciding to buy or not to buy, of course, is up to you. ;)
A single-celled saga or an epic play in several acts with a grand batman and other extravaganzas? Traditionally, they come out sparingly, but in 2012, surprisingly many hack 'n' slash games happened. Let me tell you how not to get lost in a dense forest.
**Mouse killers:** *[Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III), [Torchlight 2](/games?search=Torchlight 2), R.A.W.: Realms of Ancient War*
We have become accustomed to shooters or action games being released in droves every year, worth lining up for.. but one can’t say the same about RPG kill-fests: they release in dribbles. However, this year the dam burst, and several projects appeared. The main one is, of course, the devil himself.
The horned creature in the third degree has long been awaited, with bated breath and skyscrapers of hopes. So when, in mid-May, Diablo started spawning again on battle.net servers, very few could pass by without stopping. Five heroes once more take up the old routine and slaughter demons on an industrial scale. The plot is banal to the point of classic status, the presentation format hasn’t changed at all – kill everyone and drag your mouse along. Yet, the wrapping in which everything is presented is generously sprinkled with quests, history, epicness, and OMG-tech-drama. The game turned out to be good, solidly built, and polished to a shine, yet ambiguous and lacking PvP (for now). Some found the auction a bone in their throat, others harboring resentment over the need for online connection. However, this is Blizzard, meaning the game is destined for patches, sanding with sanders, and other addons.
[Torchlight 2](/games?search=Torchlight 2), which became a peculiar outlet for the discontented, came out much quieter. However, the brainchild of Runic Games never pretended to be the most awaited project of the year: it was created calmly and somewhat in a familial manner. This, to a great extent, played to the game’s favor: after the contentious release of [Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III), the public received the second Torch much warmer than it might have under other conditions. If the third devil was made with an eye on the future, then the second 'torch' followed the traditions and canons of the past. A bright cartoonish clone of the second Diablo melted the hearts of genre fans with its strict adherence to old-school hardcore tenets. Nothing new, casual, or superfluous, just pure meat, generously sprinkled with self-irony. Already fans are rubbing their hands, polishing the game into their mods, and some predict the ex-Blizz product a very bright future.
The project proudly titled 'Ro' (also known as 'The Curse of the Ancient Kings') stood by without interfering in the demon-and-torch bear’s fight and simply observed from the sidelines. It came out shortly after the Torch and didn’t particularly stand out on the general background. And it had no right to. The folks from Wizarbox molded it out of whatever they could find in the pantry, so high ratings weren’t to be expected. If R.A.W. would suit someone’s first acquaintance with the genre, it certainly doesn’t expect much after its more illustrious colleagues. Awkward hordes of monsters on fast-forward combined with a hardcore murky leveling system might as well take a smoke break. Although purely for fun and killing a couple of evenings, it might just work.
If you enjoy smashing mobs after work, pay attention to these projects. Here you can easily slay bosses without worrying about your career.
[Good game](/games?search=Хорошая игра) delights the fan not only with a tasty plot and charming heroes. It also gives the gamer several extra hours of enjoyment by offering new heroes, new quests, or something else. New. Or not-so-forgotten old. Thus, it often falls to DLC to fulfill this role.
**Loading up the boxes:** *Dragonborn ([Skyrim](/games?search=Skyrim)), Leviathan ([Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3)), Mechromancer ([Borderlands 2](/games?search=Borderlands 2))*
Not all DLC are equally useful – this is a well-known fact. In one pack, we can be gifted with an excellent story with nifty twists, while another might demand cash for nothing particularly in return. Fortunately, in Dragonborn, that is not the case. Another adventure of the dovahkiin rightfully earns the title of one of the best DLC of the year. Thanks go to the story and captivating gameplay, which has already become the trademark of the series. Even the age-old bugs won't deprive you of the joy of riding a dragon and finding new Easter eggs in this wonderful world. A worthy end to the year as viewed by TES, in the best traditions, so to speak.
Another DLC that is highly recommended to check out is Leviathan. If by some misunderstanding you still haven’t saved the galaxy from danger, battle the Reapers only together with this DLC: the popup 'WTF?' will bother you much less often, and during the script, there will be far fewer questions raised. Oh, and yes, it’s simply interesting. If comparing DLC with the predecessors of the series, it’s more akin to 'The Gray Mediator's Lair', which is delightful. Not to mention the opportunity to play galactic Sherlock isn't useless either. Nothing warms the hearts of fans like the opportunity to find answers to all-very questions. Well, or at least to some.
From this perspective, Mechromancer for ‘Borda’ is useless: it provides no answers to global questions. Yet it features the cutest girl Gaika, who, along with her partner Zhorstokus, performs truly imba wonders, especially in co-op mode. With her, wandering through Pandora will be a breezy jazz stroll. Punk styling is an extra cherry on top of this caloric cake. Play it, you'll enjoy it: even a whole store of battle fluff has something to counter with. I reiterate, this is imba, but a lively imba with catchy tunes.
In general, rely on your feelings. Some would rate Omega – 10 points on the Gamer.ru scale.
If you rolled your lips in anticipation of pink rhinestones, roll it all back. A cute can be cute not only in a fluffy profile but also in a stern facade. Yes, at first glance, these heroes do not invoke a tender 'meow-meow,' but that doesn't prevent them from being cute and surprisingly charming.
**Were cuter than kittens:** *Max Payne ([Max Payne 3](/games?search=Max Payne 3)), Agent 47 ([Hitman: Absolution](/games?search=Hitman: Absolution)), Corvo Attano ([Dishonored](/games?search=Dishonored))*
He's tough, bald, bearded, and a bit pot-bellied. In this brief description, very few would recognize handsome Max, who wore a casually tied tie and a shirt artistically splattered with blood. The third Max has more resemblance in appearance and fighting style to a paratrooper celebrating the Airborne Forces Day. However, even a tank top and a Gandalf-style beard cannot wholly kill the charm of our beloved. And although alcohol wheels have tried hard to harm his image, Max remains cute, and if desired, his beard can be braided into cute little braids.
The laurels of Bruce Willis (bald and cool) do not let go of Agent 47. A cool dude in black leather gloves and a red communist tie can melt the ice in hearts with just a glance from under his brow. Even though he is flaunting a couple of guns and a twisted face on posters and covers, we all know he's actually fluffy and warm inside. Additionally, he is a Virgo by zodiac.
Corvo Attano is the only one of this trio who still has hair on his head. This cute citizen loves animals (especially has a weakness for fish and rats) and children, and without the signature skull mask, he could likely win a beauty contest. Besides, he’s inherently beautiful, as characters who barely avoided being killed become heroes automatically gain +15 charisma. Don't believe me? Remember Max. Corvo walks the well-trodden path, winning gamer 'meow-meow' like destiny and actions. Because he is also a wicked handsome villain.
In short, the cover is undoubtedly splendid, but we are looking a tad further.
It just so happened that the past year was rich in invasions. No, we aren’t talking about a local music festival, but about the real 'they swooped in and robbed the caravan.' They can’t sit at home, you see! And everything unfolds like in the famous saying: whoever comes to us with a sword, shall receive it in a certain body part.
**Interveners:** aliens ([XCOM: Enemy Unknown](/games?search=XCOM: Enemy Unknown)), Reapers ([Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3)), demons ([Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III)), rats ([Dishonored](/games?search=Dishonored))
From the Ministry of Defense report: the Reapers definitely hold the palm for invasions ([Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3)). Their grievance was truly galactic in scale, marked by characteristic gunfire and mass brawls.. everywhere. However, as you know, the higher you fly, the harder you fall. I don’t know what those devious little ships were counting on while gearing up to unleash a gas chamber on everyone: even Murzilka understands that this will not end well for them. Surely some sufficiently insane captain will roam the galaxy, gathering a cosmic militia, and then bomb the place with a big bang..
The theme of evil aliens also unfolds in XCOM. The guys forgot how 'Independence Day' and 'War of the Worlds' ended and, clanking their technologies, intruded onto Earth. Not too bright, obviously, and the earthlings could not let this slide, sending their secretive international organization out to give the invaders a good punch in the face. The success of the operation directly depends on your ability to think strategically.
Another apocalypse flavored with paprika stomped straight out of Hell: this time the lands of 'pitiful little humans' were invaded by demons. They arrived, of course, with fireworks, parades, and adventures, with the horsemen of the Apocalypse and other super-bosses. However, the guys forgot about one tiny factor: greedy players will disassemble not just one army of intruders in pursuit of XP and better loot. And then respawn them thousands of times to get even more loot and XP. Citizens demons, if you do not want to deal with players of over9000 levels, don’t invade anywhere! Stay home, and there will be nobody for them to level up off.
Nevertheless, trickier and more creatively than the cool aliens or wicked little demons acted the rats. Sneaking quietly through the streets of Dunwall, the little furry adversaries showed everyone how to properly organize an invasion: quietly, without PR or showy performances. The result: half the city in ruins, the other half in panic, and one of the game’s endings might very well serve as an anthem about the plague. Take notes, colleagues!
Although most of our readers find that video games are the source of their pleasure, we cannot ignore board games. Many of them are responsible for the laughs, ridiculous photos, and other amusing incidents.
**Laid out for the company:** *Dixit (Imaginarium), Uno (Swintus), Twister*
I must clarify: since boardgame subjects are somewhat different, we chose to use public opinion and tell you about the most popular games played last year. The results turned out to be a bit predictable: the simpler and more entertaining the game, the better.
For example, Twister has long cemented its place in the party schedule, traditionally serving as the catalyst for some of the funniest photos and videos. Don’t believe me? Twist four people into a pretzel on a standard 4*6 board – and you will understand how Indians invented the Kamasutra. However, pathological hatred for particular colors and sometimes for the host can be a common side effect. But the photos, yes, always bring joy.
Unlike the physically mobile Twister, Dixit and its colleague Imaginarium focus on imagination and associations. The concept of the game is quite simple: you need to come up with associations for psychedelic pictures, but in such a way that other players (but not all, that’s important!) can guess them. Looking at some of the pictures, Salvador Dali would probably hang himself on his mustache. However, one cannot deny the game’s ability to develop creative thinking.
Another regular of parties is Uno, though I personally prefer his piggy brother. The essence of the game is as simple as pie: throw cards of the same color and denomination at the right moment. Moreover, wait out quiet durations, throw underhanded tricks at friends, pass turns, or even take other players’ cards. It’s lively, fun, dynamic, and uncomplicated. Shall we play?
Although MMOs are regularly released, not every game becomes an epic project. Is it necessary to mention the interest with which players await something that might live up to their expectations? Some really manage to meet them, often reinventing the wheel.
**Crowded and clubbing:** *[Guild Wars 2](/games?search=Guild Wars 2), [The Secret World](/games?search=The Secret World), [World of WarCraft: Mists of Pandaria](/games?search=World of WarCraft: Mists of Pandaria)*
The game ArenaNet has undoubtedly become the best MMO release of the year. Loved by both critics and players, it earned unbelievably high ratings, which, however, were more than deserved. The story is excellent, the graphics are stunning, and the buy-to-play payment system virtually kissed you on the cheek. The game honestly gathers gamers in heaps and subtly hints at how fun it is to play together in one sandbox. Add to this a genuinely well-thought-out world packed with events, interesting races, and an innovative approach to leveling ("You’re a tank, you’re a healer, and that frilly bra looks awesome on you!") and you get an MMORPG that could please even those who generally do not play anything like this. Also, judging by the first part’s coolness, the second ‘Guild Wars’ is likely to have a long and happy life.
The folks at Funcom attempted to surpass everyone in originality with their cherry seed.. and arguably succeeded in [The Secret World](/games?search=The Secret World). How well they did, you judge for yourself: it’s clear that nothing is clear. Mysterious factions, three in total, walk their own narrative path, using distinct methods. Levels and classes? Not a chance! However, conspiracy theories and other urban rumors proliferate like yeast, spilling onto the player from every pixel. I can’t judge the game’s future, but the fact that it intrigues is unquestionable.
However, the experts at Blizzard didn’t get too fancy and crafted an addon for the immortal WoW in their old familiar style: traditionally upped the max level and tossed even more ingredients into the gaming broth. The pandas were received with some skepticism by the community, but the acres of new Pandaria were welcomed enthusiastically. Fans went to level up their heroes, anti-fans took to bashing the furry legion, and the curious, like me, studied the videos and made conclusions. According to Blizzard themselves, with the community's ongoing interest, the pandas are far from the last addon they plan to append. Additionally, among the ritual racial dances, the infamous Gangnam Style is definitely lacking. \_
The outgoing year is the year of the dragon, and the dragon is traditionally associated with the east, Bruce Lee, and other flying Chinese characters. Hence, the fighting nomination was born all by itself. Plus, that’s generally more interesting than comparing headshot accuracy or fireball diameters, don’t you think!
**Sat on the splits with nunchucks:** *[Sleeping Dogs](/games?search=Sleeping Dogs), [World of WarCraft: Mists of Pandaria](/games?search=World of WarCraft: Mists of Pandaria), Legends of Kung Fu*
The most combat-filled game is, of course, Legends of Kung Fu. This MMO was awaited by many, and although some warriors’ predictions didn’t come true, the game still made enough noise. Shaolin sticks out from each pixel, and heroes can deliver utterly killer combos with just one leg. If you miss the good old 'Enter the Dragon' sometimes, play it, you will enjoy it.
Not at all less eastern, albeit more caricatured and stylized, is Pandaria. The role of fearless warriors, who are best buddies with zen, qi, and bamboo sticks, is played here by fluffy, pudgy mammals. It doesn’t matter that the monk panda has a much better chance of defeating an opponent just by dropping onto him from above. What matters is that he is in sync with the universe and strives for harmony. However, that doesn’t prevent him from 'pavement-stomping' in his free time.
Fighting is the distinct feature of [Sleeping Dogs](/games?search=Sleeping Dogs), of which even the lazy have sung praises. "Doggies" allow you to put yourself in the shoes of a policeman in Hong Kong and spectacularly beat up all those Triads that get in your way. It’s also nice that, besides classic spin kicks, you can easily throw aside an opponent off a cliff or show off some parkour on the city streets.
You know how it goes: the game leads you along a chosen storyline, then – oops! – throws up some unexpected twist. For skeptics: yes, I am fully aware that the surprises mentioned here weren’t revelations and didn't take your breath away. But the subject is still curious. And by the way, there are spoilers here, just so you know.
**Marked from around the corner:** *[Assassin’s Creed](/games?search=Assassin’s Creed) III, [Dishonored](/games?search=Dishonored), [Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III), [Hitman: Absolution](/games?search=Hitman: Absolution), [Call of Duty](/games?search=Call of Duty) [Black](/games?search=Black) Ops 2*
How many times has the world been told: nothing happens for no reason. Never! If you are a simple working guy thrown in jail on false charges, no one will pull you out from behind bars for free. The protagonist of Dishonored was once a mouse for his rescuers, the loyalists, and eventually was beaten by his own credulity: the citizens just wanted to seize power on the sly. Indeed, why venture into a rat’s nest when Corvo can bring everything on a silver platter?
Another plot twist could grace the front page of tabloids. They love to print ugly stories about how a famous actor turned out to be gay, or a popular singer decided to sing bass and changed gender. This time, Blizzard outdid itself, stuffing the most terrifying demon and the main demon of all games... into a female body. No matter how many times Chris Metzen explains to the community that demons are asexually being, fans still note unusually alluring, exciting curves in the figure of the Horned One.
Another curious twist was tossed in by UbiSoft: through the lengthy brawls between assassins and templars, they suddenly pulled the Brazilian soap-opera-style twist. You know, the kind where Raúl turns out to be the long-lost brother of Paula, and templar Samuél – is the father of assassin Connor. Nope, nope, nobody saw that coming, mamma mia!
An interesting twist also occurred at the very beginning of the new Hitman: 47 makes a ‘goodbye’ to his trademark barcode, for which he happens to owe his name. Some fans wept, seeing in this gesture a preamble to the Apocalypse, others conversely saw a symbol of change and bright future. How it will turn out in the end, only time will tell.
And the biggest surprise of the outgoing year: the new [Call of Duty](/games?search=Call of Duty) has been RELEASED! It was so unexpected that I will refrain from commenting, I think. \_
If you think I will be talking about marines here, you are mistaken. In this column, the collective mind decided to voice the loudest, most anticipated, and ambiguous releases of the year and what they resulted in. There were star games aplenty, but the landing went very differently.
**Burst onto the scene:** *[Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III), [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3), [World of WarCraft: Mists of Pandaria](/games?search=World of WarCraft: Mists of Pandaria), [Call of Duty](/games?search=Call of Duty) [Black](/games?search=Black) Ops 2*
Blame me for bias and subjectivity, but I am 150% convinced that the launch of the third Devil was the loudest event of the year. The number of search requests and the tsunami that followed its release are witnesses to that. One can’t call the launch of [Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III) ideal: the campaign plan was declassified not right away, and the descent on the rope ended right in the mud (even if the patient got up almost immediately, shook off, and ran further). As a result, we got a new sales record, countless opinions echoing everywhere the gamer’s foot reached, and understandable phrases like “error 37” for the initiated.
By the way, the fluffy colleague of the Devil in his field (codename - Panda) also landed with songs and dances, making the iconic slap on the bottom by landing. And while some were trolling friends and party members with the catchphrase “Can’t Play!”, others simply enjoyed it and organized flash mobs, such as Chinese enthusiast girls.
Holding their breath, fans waited for the finale of Shepard's adventures. They googled, pre-ordered, hoped. Therefore, the wave of fury triggered by three multicolored endings and narrative confusions could easily compete with the Eiffel Tower’s height. It’s odd still that BioWare's office didn’t get burnt to a crisp by the hate rays aimed by heated grandmothers. Now, several DLCs and a year later, the passion has calmed down. Still, the memories remain fresh, which, however, doesn't prevent the particularly fervent from eagerly googling “[mass effect](/games?search=mass effect) 4” with hope in their hearts.
As for [Call of Duty](/games?search=Call of Duty) Black Ops 2, it was awaited more quietly (except for the most zealous fans, of course). Though the series rarely disappoints: it releases more steadily than "Komsomolskaya Pravda". And despite every release gamers wrinkle their noses and declare that “CoD is no longer a cake”, it still sells in seriously significant quantities. How so? It's a paradox, I tell you! By the way, the publishers made a little joke here too: some gamers ended up with [Mass Effect 2](/games?search=Mass Effect 2) on the game disc! No matter how much you shoot from the cannon, they are still staring into space.
Although for some people a game is merely a way to kill time, for fans, it often serves as a cult item. Almost. Otherwise, the huge boxes filled with various components wouldn’t be so immensely popular. I’m referring to the most powerful collector's editions of the outgoing year.
**Museum Exponates:** *[Call of Duty](/games?search=Call of Duty) [Black](/games?search=Black) Ops 2 Care Package Edition, [Assassin's Creed III](/games?search=Assassin's Creed III) Freedom Edition, [Borderlands 2](/games?search=Borderlands 2) Ultimate Loot Chest Edition, [Guild Wars 2](/games?search=Guild Wars 2) Collector's Edition*
The curators of the gaming Louvre report: the departing year was quite rich in tasty masterpieces. I am, for obvious reasons, interested in the most stuffed boxes, and I will evaluate more by the composition of the edition than the awesomeness of the game. I’d like to begin not even with a box. But with a whole chest.
No matter how you feel about “CoD”, it’s hard not to appreciate the power of the edition. In addition to the classic steelbook with various soundtracks and extra content, the creators placed two collectible metal medals and the main feature of the edition – a remote-controlled drone. This helicopter charges through USB and can fly around your apartment, scaring your grandma. All of this is stored in a large black box, in which you can easily lock away that pesky little brother. The edition costs about 250 evergreen bucks on average. But that’s nothing compared to the problem of where to put this gigantic plastic sarcophagus..
If big boxes don’t intimidate you for various reasons, I recommend turning your gaze towards another box based on [Borderlands 2](/games?search=Borderlands 2): it is stuffed to the brim. In the Pandora's Box, traditional steelbook, additional content, a multitude of useful papers (stickers, travel notes, maps, artbooks, lithographs, and various certificates) await you, as well as a Marcus figurine, who shakes his head for everyone's joy. This set comes in the company’s signature chest, and the price hovers around the same 250 critters with variations if eBay doesn’t lie.
While downloadable content is undeniably pleasant, many collectors expect more tangible features from an edition. They want a monument, something grand. Especially, fans of [Guild Wars 2](/games?search=Guild Wars 2) should rejoice: for a more earthly price of 150 presidents, they received not only the game in a steel box with all sorts of digital frills, artbooks, and soundtracks, but also a cool figurine of Ritlok, standing at a height of 25 centimeters. The figurine deserves appreciation: it's beautifully detailed and will surely look more interesting on a shelf than the black boxes. For this, she is loved.
A similar reason for celebration was also present for fans of assassins: Freedom Edition flaunts not just additional materials and block notes of all sorts of Washingtons, but also a cute Connor figurine, stepping on a piece of rock with his foot. The hood sliding over his eyes, compressed lips, a tool in hand, and the hereditary chronic scoliosis of the character - all in the best traditions of the series. And the detailing has not let down. For 150 bucks, Connor could find a place on your shelf.
This, of course, is far from all the interesting editions of the year, but just the thickest and heaviest ones. So if you really love cramming your apartment with gaming artifacts, this year there were plenty of things to set your sights on. You can certainly believe me.
As you have probably noticed, I have conspicuously sidestepped a part of games and events. This was done not inadvertently, but maliciously, and with intent. Read about the other part of the year’s results (again, 12 pieces) in the review of Phlegmatic, which will fill out the remaining gaps and throw some logs in the discussion fire.
On this joyous note, I bid you farewell, but not for long. Soon, 2013 will ring in, and it too will be scrumptious and lively with events. Because that’s how we love video games. There’s always something to rejoice. \_
Happy New Year, kittens, and until we meet again!