Ten best video games of 2013

New Delhi: The year 2013 saw video games taking storytelling to new heights and ended with the release of Xbox One and PS4 that pushed graphics and interactivity to a whole new level. Overall, it was a year packed with ambitious and surprising new titles. It was also a year of new benchmarks, with games like Grand Theft Auto V blowing away all previous sales records. But still a handful of games simply stood head and shoulders above the rest. Here is a list of top 10: 1. The Last of Us Developer Naughty Dog's post-apocalyptic adventure was one of the most deeply moving gaming experiences of the year, with one of the more surprising and controversial endings of any video game. It was a visually astonishing and exciting to play work of art. It tells the personal story of Joel and Ellie with subtlety and grace, something that most games fail to do.2. BioShock Infinite BioShock Infinite, which takes place in the floating city of Columbia during 1912, is the latest first-person opus from Ken Levine and Irrational Games. Initially conceived as a floating symbol of American ideals at a time when the United States was emerging as a world power, Columbia is sent to distant shores with great fanfare by a captivated public. The player takes on the role of former Pinkerton agent Booker DeWitt, sent to the lost city to rescue Elizabeth, a young lady imprisoned there since her childhood. He develops a relationship with Elizabeth, enhancing his abilities with hers so the pair may escape from a city that is literally falling from the sky. DeWitt has to learn to fight foes in high-speed Sky-Line battles, engage in combat both indoors and amongst the clouds, and harness the power of a myriad of new weapons and abilities.3. Grand Theft Auto V The fastest-selling game of all time, Grand Theft Auto V was also a masterpiece of open-world game design. The game, developed by Rockstar, made $800 million on its first day and hit the $1 billion mark by day three. According to the NPD Group, those sales accounted for 15 percent of the games sold in October. GTA 5 sold 29 million copies globally in its launch month.In this game, players assume the role of three criminals whose storylines intersect within the fictional city of Los Santos. Players can switch between each character to follow his storyline, completing missions which often include criminal activities (e.g., stealing cars, executing heists, assassinating targets). Players use pistols, machine guns, sniper rifles, and explosives to kill various enemies (e.g., rival gang members). In one sequence, players are directed to use various instruments and means (e.g., pipe wrench, tooth removal, electrocution) to extract information from a character. Within the game, TV programs and radio ads contain instances of mature humor.4. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag The latest installment in Ubisoft's “Assassin's Creed” game series, “Black Flag,” was well received by gamers. The game toed the same storyline that has made “Assassin's Creed” so successful over the years, but this time instead of Italy or Colonial America, the game's central character is a pirate named Edward Kenway with links to previous assassins in the series.5. Tomb Raider Tomb Raider is the 2013 reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise from developer Crystal Dynamics and publisher Square Enix. The game is a genuine fun and admiration. It's an adventure game, replete with stunning vistas and wild stunts, that starts a bit slow but quickly becomes a joy to play. The game explores the origin story of Lara Croft and her ascent from a frightened young woman to a hardened survivor.6. “Gone Home” The game turns the process of exploring a house into a captivating and deeply poignant journey of discovery, through excellent writing remarkable attention to detail. That story is intimate and honest and beautiful, and the active way in which you piece that story together.7. “Device 6” This iOS game plays with the conventions of games and literature, to draw players into an intriguing mystery of technology and neuroscience. The game's elegant design, with pictures and music, makes the creepy story all the more effective.8. “The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds” It is the first Zelda game made exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS. The game is set in the fan-favorite world of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. A daring adventure awaits Link in Hyrule, where he can use his new ability to become a “drawing” and move along walls of dungeons. This opens up ways to explore and puzzle elements that give Link access to locations he could not otherwise reach.9. “Peggle 2” (PopCap Games, for Xbox One) Peggle 2 is a game developed by PopCap Games and is a timed-exclusive title for the Xbox One. It is the sequel to the highly successful Peggle, which was released in 2007 and has been downloaded more than 50 million times. The game features new levels and challenges, new environments, and new Peggle masters.10. “Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn” The game invites you to explore the world of Eorzea with friends from across the world. Forge friendships, mount up on a chocobo, board an airship with your friends and create your own unique stories within the Final Fantasy Universe.