It is that time of the year when most of what the year had to offer has passed us by, and we get ready to reflect back to all that we have experienced and start to judge the merits of its offerings.
We here at Segment Next have compiled our own best of 2013 for every category of games that came out during the year.
The following article will present five best games in its particular category, and the winner will be determined by the result of the reader poll in the coming month.
Best PS Vita Games of 2013
With the rising success of Nintendo’s 3DS system, PS Vita faced a tough road throughout the whole 2013. While the system lacked high profile exclusives, it was still home to pretty terrific games that kept Vita owners hooked throughout the year.
Tearaway
Developed by the creators of the Little Big Planet games, Tearaway is about a messenger character who is on a mission to deliver a message to the player.
The game utilizes the unique rear touch screen feature of Vita to simulate an effect of player pushing their fingers through the game world to interact with the enemies and environment.
With this novel gameplay mechanic and paper craft like art style Tearaway offered a unique gaming experience that can only be experienced on the PlayStation Vita.
Guacamelee!
Guacamelee! Is a 2D action-platforming game that is set in a world inspired by the rich Mexican culture, traditions and folklore.Featuring a buff Mexican luchador trying to rescue his love interest from vile skeleton Calaca.
The game followed the metroidvania template of open-world action-platforming and a deep combat system which included launchers, air combos and grapples like pile-drivers.
Guacamelee! was not only amazing to look at, it was also immensely fun to play and gave players an experience that was unique, stylish and charming.
Stealth Inc. A Clone in the Dark
A fast-paced stealth, puzzle platformer, Stealth Inc featured a nameless clone trying to maneuver through one test chamber after another to find its way to freedom.
Presenting an experience akin to that of Portal games, A Clone in the Dark presented very tight puzzle and platforming mechanics that also had the Super Meat Boy type instant death, infinite lives system that punished carelessness and rewarded exploration, planning and execution.
What set the game apart from the rest of its puzzle-platforming ilk was the overall character of the game and the design of the atmosphere presented. It was a truly game that was mechanically fascinating and held the player’s attention right until the end.
Killzone Mercenary
With the lack of success of franchises like Resistance and Call of Duty to make a mark on Sony’s new portable system, it was Killzone Mercenary that was the solid first-person shooter that showed everyone how FPS should be done on the Vita.
Set during the events of the Killzone trilogy, the game put the players in control of a mercenary whose main incentive was his own well being and thus had no qualms about working with ISA and the Helghast.
Boasting console quality graphics, smooth and problem-free aiming and robust multiplayer, Mercenary made full use of Vita’s hardware capabilities to bring an engaging hardcore FPS game directly into the gamer’s hands.
Muramasa Rebirth
Follow up to Muramasa: The Demon Blade, Rebirth is essentially an expanded port of the Wii original which brings the fantastic action RPG to the handheld arena.
Featuring a distinctly Japanese hand-drawn 2D art style, Muramasa Rebirth was not only wondrous to behold and also immensely fun to experience the tactical sword-play based action gameplay.
Improving upon the original game, Rebirth added four new playable characters, each with their own distinct weapon and unique story and bosses. With a hundred plus swords to uncover and multiple endings for each character, Rebirth provided action gameplay with immense replay value.
