• 2. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Stealth and swordplay have always been at the core of this series, but Black Flag adds a new element: engrossing sea battles, as you and your pirate-ship crew romp across the 1730s’ Caribbean. (Ubisoft Montreal, for the PlayStation 3&4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC)
    2. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Stealth and swordplay have always been at the core of this series, but Black Flag adds a new element: engrossing sea battles, as you and your pirate-ship crew romp across the 1730s’ Caribbean. (Ubisoft Montreal, for the PlayStation 3&4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC)
  • 3. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch The Japanese studios behind movies such as Spirited Away and games such as Dragon Quest collaborated on this epic about a kid transported to an alternate universe. It has all the pleasures of a role-playing game with the charm and humour of great anime. (Studio Ghibli and Level-5, for the PlayStation 3) AP Photo/Namco Bandai
    3. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch The Japanese studios behind movies such as Spirited Away and games such as Dragon Quest collaborated on this epic about a kid transported to an alternate universe. It has all the pleasures of a role-playing game with the charm and humour of great anime. (Studio Ghibli and Level-5, for the PlayStation 3) AP Photo/Namco Bandai
  • 4. Tomb Raider The video-game icon Lara Croft gets an origin story, as the shipwrecked heroine fights for survival on an island full of goons. As the teenage Lara evolves from helpless to deadly, you can’t help but think this kid’s got a bright future. (Crystal Dynamics, for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC)
    4. Tomb Raider The video-game icon Lara Croft gets an origin story, as the shipwrecked heroine fights for survival on an island full of goons. As the teenage Lara evolves from helpless to deadly, you can’t help but think this kid’s got a bright future. (Crystal Dynamics, for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC)
  • 5. The Last of Us This journey across a post-apocalyptic United States presents one nerve-racking confrontation after another – but it will be best remembered for the smartly written, subtly acted relationship between its protagonists, a bitter survivor and the lively young girl he’s to protect. (Naughty Dog, for the PlayStation 3)
    5. The Last of Us This journey across a post-apocalyptic United States presents one nerve-racking confrontation after another – but it will be best remembered for the smartly written, subtly acted relationship between its protagonists, a bitter survivor and the lively young girl he’s to protect. (Naughty Dog, for the PlayStation 3)
  • 6. Gone Home Remember that feeling of returning to your childhood home only to realise you don’t know anyone who lives there? That’s the mood captured by this sweet, sad yet hopeful mystery, told entirely through the things a family has left behind. (The Fullbright Company, for PC)
    6. Gone Home Remember that feeling of returning to your childhood home only to realise you don’t know anyone who lives there? That’s the mood captured by this sweet, sad yet hopeful mystery, told entirely through the things a family has left behind. (The Fullbright Company, for PC)
  • 7. Device 6 This witty mystery reminded me of the classic text adventures of the 1980s – except now, you have to rotate your iPad to follow along. The elegant design, with just a smattering of pictures and music, makes the creepy story all the more effective. (Simogo, for iOS)
    7. Device 6 This witty mystery reminded me of the classic text adventures of the 1980s – except now, you have to rotate your iPad to follow along. The elegant design, with just a smattering of pictures and music, makes the creepy story all the more effective. (Simogo, for iOS)
  • 8. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Nintendo opens up the magical land of Hyrule – and its darker twin, Lorule – with a storyline that invites more exploration in the most challenging Zelda in years. (Nintendo, for the Nintendo 3DS)
    8. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Nintendo opens up the magical land of Hyrule – and its darker twin, Lorule – with a storyline that invites more exploration in the most challenging Zelda in years. (Nintendo, for the Nintendo 3DS)

The National

In pictures: Top 10 games of 2013

The National staff

December 29, 2013

  • English
  • Arabic

History and horror; witches and dragons; brave Lara Croft and evil Lorule – here are the games that delighted in 2013.

Assassins CreedADMLara CroftTop 10