PS3 Game of the Year

Dishonored — “For my money, this was the smartest, most distinctive FPS of the year, shoehorning adult themes, nuanced characters and sophisticated gameplay mechanics into a wince-inducingly visceral campaign. Oh, and it was great to see so many primary colours too! Sequel please!”
— Fred Dutton, Manager, EU PlayStation.Blog
XCOM: Enemy Unknown — “This game scratched an itch I didn’t know I had, weaving tense turn-based firefights into a shockingly addictive management simulation. This is a refreshing and utterly fascinating game with a surprise and a delight around every corner. Highly recommended.”
— Sid Shuman, Manager, US PlayStation.Blog

PS3 Game of the Year (PSN Only)

Journey — “Some complained that it was too brief, but Journey’s three hours of playtime will surely live longer in the memory than almost any other release this year. This is joyful, uplifting, must-play material. And, no, there’s no shame in admitting its final moments set your bottom lip aquiver, right?”
— Fred Dutton, EU PlayStation.Blog
The Walking Dead – Episodes 1 – 5 — “Telltale’s memorable series starts small but slowly builds to towering emotional heights, culminating in what may be the greatest gaming moment of the year. This is a prime example of the narrative potential of videogames – don’t you dare miss it.”
— Sid Shuman, US PlayStation.Blog

PS Vita Game of the Year

Gravity Rush — “Feisty, flighty heroine Kat is hands-down my favourite new character of the year, and the game she’s wrapped up in is none too shabby with either. Gravity Rush is a charming adventure that did a fantastic job of showcasing the PS Vita’s considerable horsepower and versatility.”
— Nick Suttner, PlayStation Blogcast US co-host
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale — “A tough choice, but my voracious appetite for portable pugilism ultimately tipped the scales in favour of the All-Stars. SuperBot’s slavish attention to detail shines on the OLED screen and the characters feel intoxicatingly powerful, making this a perfect choice for mobile encounters.”
— Sid Shuman, US PlayStation.Blog

PS Vita Game of the Year (PSN Only)

Sound Shapes — “Jonathan Mak’s unique approach to game design yields one of the biggest surprises of the year: A whimsical musical platformer that whisks you away on a magical tour of five imaginative worlds, leading inexorably to a momentous meeting with Beck.”
— Sid Shuman, US PlayStation.Blog
When Vikings Attack! — “Okay, maybe I’m biased, but I found When Vikings Attack!’s bonkers Britishness impossible to resist. If there was a more satisfying mechanic in gaming in 2013 than flinging a skip at a gang of Viking invaders, I certainly wasn’t privy to it. If you’re after a hidden gem to discover this Christmas, you could do a lot, lot worse.”
— Fred Dutton, EU PlayStation.Blog

PS Mobile Game of the Year

Rebel — “Super Crate Box is the easy choice, but with that well-trod I want to make sure that no one misses out on Rebel. A sort of anti-Crate Box that has you dodging falling weapons crates while turning enemies against each other, Rebel feels satisfying thanks to a brilliant reward loop of upgrades that turn time-waster into skillful navigator.”
— Nick Suttner, PlayStation Blogcast co-host
Super Crate Box — “Believe it or not, I reckon I’ve played SCB more than any game in any category. Vlambeer’s bite-sized score-attack platformer was an ingenious confection, and nailed that just-one-more-game catchiness better than any other title this year.”
— Fred Dutton, EU PlayStation.Blog

Best Use of PlayStation Move

Datura — “Probably the best example yet of how PS Move can open up new ways to interact. Navigating the dreamlike forests of Datura from a first-person perspective using PS Move brings a hypnotic surreal quality, as well as a more tactile interface. Really cool stuff.”
— Sid Shuman, US PlayStation.Blog
PixelJunk 4am — “Sure, it’s something of an acquired taste and plays best, as advertised, in the small hours after a night on the town, but Q-Game’s music plaything really got its hooks in me over the summer. If you like your digital entertainment arty, freeform and very, very bleepy, this one’s for you.”
— Fred Dutton, EU PlayStation.Blog

Most Anticipated PS3 Game

Puppeteer — “A close call between this and BioShock, but my innate predisposition towards anything involving 2D visuals, running, and jumping won through. Japan Studios’ lovely platformer is a true feast for the senses, shot through with a delightfully dark sense of humor and A-grade character design. One to watch out for.”
— Fred Dutton, EU PlayStation.Blog
The Last of Us — “An agonizing decision, but (sorry BioShock Infinite) I’m putting my money on Naughty Dog. I’m drawn to the game’s suffocating atmosphere of hopelessness, but I’m also dying to learn more about the fragile relationship between innocent Ellie and world-weary Joel. Fingers crossed that Naughty Dog pulls off something extraordinary here.”
— Sid Shuman, US PlayStation.Blog

Most Anticipated PS Vita Game

Killzone Mercenary

Strong showings from Sly Cooper, Soul Sacrifice, and Tearaway weren’t enough to unseat Guerilla’s upcoming powerhouse. Intriguingly, Atlus USA’s mysterious Dragon’s Crown earned the most write-in votes.

Soul Sacrifice

Tearaway

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time

Soul Sacrifice — “Inafune’s dark fantasy promises to bring some serious emotional gravity to the co-op battlefields, such as tragic boss monsters that beg for mercy and an alarming array of life-or-death choices. I’m particularly drawn to the grim, almost grotesque art style.”
— Sid Shuman, US PlayStation.Blog
Tearaway — “Can’t wait. Expect wild innovation, free-wheeling creativity and charm in abundance. If you don’t covet a PS Vita now, just wait until this one lands on shelves.”
— Fred Dutton, EU PlayStation.Blog