Coint and Plick 2013 - The Sixth Annual ILX Video Game Poll

My high is 376 million. And I thought I was doing good.

I've settled on using the peace, long combo and double pink boosts as my go-tos; I think if I swapped out the peace boost for either the dog or the cat I could probably take my baseline score up to the next level

also I play this game compulsively

how do you "afford" to use the boosts though? seems like you'd only be able to use them once every few games, and the rest of the time save up money

My money management strategy for the first 30 "levels" of the game was to only use the peace boost and to avoid events until I had over 10,000 gold; then I added another cheap boost and kept playing until I could reliably make 1000 gold per game, at which point I added a third cheap boost. I would also take whatever free boost I won on the wheel.

So, for a while until I built up my bank, I only played with peace, yellow, and +10 multiplier and would regularly end the game with 1000+ gold, which when added to the incidental gold you make during the game and the bonus gold you can win on the wheel, meant that I was always coming out positive in the coins. I recently switched to long combo/peace/double pink, which is 2000 gold, and have been reliably scoring 1800-2100 gold at the end of the game which has kept me at about the break even point while I work on figuring out how to get to the trillion mark. If I get too low in funds due to a string of bad games, I just go back down to the peace boost and play some games to get my bank back up.

in mamc i always am held back by not wanting to feed my bronze/silver/gold/etc to the monsters because i want to build more of them

its like i kinda keep refusing to play it correctly

haha yeah, I understand that; the realization that I could make more points by feeding bronzes to blue rather than hoarding them was a long time coming, mostly because in the original MAMC blue was useless except for in very specific situations where I was likely to not even have him swapped in

doesnt the blue do the same thing?

keep the tower straight no matter what?

in the original, blue keeps the tower from falling and that's it
in super MAMC, blue keeps the tower from falling AND doubles any time bonus, coin bonus or multiplier bonus you get from matching pink condos

he basically went from being the least useful monster to the most useful IMO; he's the only one that radically boosts your ability to extend the time limit on the game, giving you more of an opportunity to score points

ohhhhhhh

http://i.imgur.com/rTFDA1m.gif
#32: Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland – PS3 – 20 pts - 1 vote - 1 top game votes

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6842904475_d3a60afdb9_z.jpg

Official Game Site

Metacritic

Gameplay Video

http://m5.paperblog.com/i/24/240244/ss-reviews-atelier-meruru-the-apprentice-of-a-L-V1SRlK.jpeg

Localization Interview

RPGamer

Coming to Vita

http://d1vr6n66ssr06c.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Atelier-Meruru-Apprentice-of-Arland-gallery-01.jpg

zappi: If you can get past the ubertwee cutesy graphics (and switch off the English dub, ugh nobody needs to hear that garbage) there is a really fun worldbuilding JPRG underneath. Oh and half the game is spent tooling around in menus combining items to create new ones through alchemy.

that was the worst gif, right there

http://i.imgur.com/evELBtU.gif
#30 (Tie): Far Cry 3 – PS3, X360, PC – 20 pts – 2 votes

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02413/Far-Cry-3-cover_2413312b.jpg

Official Game Site

Metacritic

Gameplay Video

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18at7esoy8pp7jpg/xlarge.jpg

Zero Punctuation

Quarter to Three

I Broke Far Cry 3

California Literary Review

Author Interview

Producer Interview

YouTube Soundtrack Playlist

http://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Farcry-3-Story-Trailer-Screenshot-01-600x336.png

The Crysis/Far Cry/Crytek-in-general thread

Jordan: The best hang-gliding sim of the year.

jjjusten: YES THE STORY IS STUPID PROBABLY. NO I DIDN'T ASK FOR A GAME WHERE MY PROGRESS IS MEASURED BY A TRIBAL TATTOO.
Okay, now that that's out of the way, FC3 a much more enjoyable followup to FC2, with the nice changes as listed here:
1. Your character might be a jerk, but he isn't actually an inherently evil and terrible person.
2. Sound and visual design is as good as it gets. Seriously.
3. Respawning murderous animals makes a lot more sense than respawning guard posts, probably.
4. Lots of diversity in mission design.
5. Great use of vertical space. In a lot of ways, the map feels like Just Cause 2, but with less abject stupidity (dont get me wrong, love that game but wow is it dumb).

serious questoin: is the tribal tattoo/progress bar symmetrical and located directly above the butt?

http://i.imgur.com/xPpkicz.gif
#30 (Tie): Wargames: WOPR – iOS – 20 pts – 2 votes

http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/230127-WOPR-Header.jpg

Official Game Site

Metacritic

Gameplay Video

http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/files/2012/12/wargames.jpg

Developer Interview

A Brief History of Match Three

http://www.pixelitis.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/wargames_wopr.jpg

S. Clover: Wargames certainly profited from a retro tie-in, officially franchised no less! But the story is mainly confined to some clips and dialogue between levels. The rpg-puzzling itself is where the action is at. More than other draw-a-line matchers, there's both scarcity and time constraints in the wargames world. The field is basically littered with ticking bombs, and against a sufficiently powerful opponent you'll always, eventually lose. So play is strategic, but also over quickly. And unlike the steady grind of some other similar games, you can just jump into a level of your choice.

Forksclovetofu: Late to the game on this one but I think it's not unfair to say this is nearly as good as 10000000. http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-colbert.gif

tribal tattoo is on the arm because main character IS A TOUGH GUY MAN GODDAMNIT

http://i.imgur.com/maOKvlY.gif
#29: Fairway Solitaire – iOS – 21 pts – 3 votes

http://cdn3.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/features/10%20more%20free%20iPhone%20games%20and%20edits/25-freeway-solitaire-580-90.jpg

Official Game Site

Metacritic

Gameplay Video

http://blog.swagbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/fairway-solitaire-2.jpg

Play Free Online

Dev Interview, Part One

Dev Interview, Part Two

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmaH7-jeWzM/Tz8iEX3HFYI/AAAAAAAABJc/-0dc7ypf7T4/s640/FairwaySolitaireCheat.png

EZSnappin: Loved the PC version, but the iOS one is better. Once they added the daily challenges I was hooked. Worth that 5 minutes of play each day.

ok to be fair, the game is actually weirdly good at defeating that same mythos as much as celebrating it, but still, dudertown tribal armband thing is dumb as shit

http://i.imgur.com/BjEqiCd.gif
#27 (Tie): I Am Alive – PS3 – 25 pts – 1 vote

http://static9.cdn.ubi.com/en-US/images/IAA_Screenshot_12_620x350tcm1932369.jpg

Official Game Site

Metacritic

Gameplay Video

http://thecontrolleronline.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/i-am-alive-trailer.png

Zero Punctuation

Rock Paper Shotgun

Dev Interview

”Development Disaster”

Soundtrack on Spotify

http://media.t3.com/img/resized/i_/xl_I_Am_Alive_4_624.jpg

come anticipate a TS w/me: infamous Vs. prototype Vs. I am alive

Jordan: I am the only person alive who liked this game. It worked within its limitations so well that it always felt bigger than it was.

http://i.imgur.com/Hv0bt6L.gif
#27 (Tie): Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 – PS3 – 25 pts – 1 vote

http://cdn.pocket-lint.com/images/4S5W/pes-2013-pro-evolution-soccer-2013-review-1.jpg?20120923-193438

Official Game Site

Metacritic

Gameplay Video

http://www.ubergizmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pes-ps3.jpg

Dev Video Interview

”Brand Manager” Interview

YouTube Soundtrack Playlist

http://screenshots.nl.sftcdn.net/nl/scrn/3342000/3342271/pro-evolution-soccer-2013-02-700x393.png

EZSnappin: The best soccer game got better, primarily through better AI. Remember when we all wanted some of the processing power to go towards better AI? At least one group of developers got the message.

http://i.imgur.com/Fgj9cLp.gif
#26: Puzzle Craft – iOS – 26 pts – 2 votes

http://quickman.gameological.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/120905_sawbuck_puzzlecraft_featured.jpg

Official Game Site

Metacritic

Gameplay Video

http://www.gamasutra.com/db_area/images/feature/180102/PUZZLECRAFTFINAL.jpg

Quarter to Three

Gamasutra: The Evolution of Puzzle Craft

Dev Interview

”Good At Killing Time, Not Good At Usability”

http://www.hookshotinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Puzzle-Craft-1.jpg

Top 25 to come.
Can a fella hear a little enthusiasm?

I know nothing about video games of the 21st century, but I am v much enjoying the rollout and imagining in my head what the games might be.

are any of these games available for free in browser or are all those types of games only on iOS now

Rebuild, Burrito Bison, Infectonator, Fairway Solitaire - all definitely available for free in browser. I played them all as browser games first, but I think most/all were last year or before, hence it being iOS versions that are in this poll.

I cannot even comprehend what would compel anyone to vote for these community sim games. Like, fine, waste your precious hours playing them, I get it. Life is meaningless. But to recommend that practice to others is cruel.

oh thanks xp. i noticed there were a lot more iOS games this year, and i usually use these threads to find new distractions. played Rebuild a while ago, was a fun hour or two.

puzzle craft is another one that i probably would've voted for w/ a bigger ballot but just too small and inconsequential to feel like one of the 10 best games of the year. the 'puzzle' element is practically non-existent too.

I just started far cry 3. Probably would have voted for it if I had played it earlier.

the first truly millennial video game! or so some idiot game reviewer told me

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/12/behold-the-first-video-game-about-the-millennials/266039/#

atlantic game coverage is truly horrific

xpost
i think i remember that idiot reviewer! where was that?

whoops, you already posted it before i could ask :)

i think fairway solitaire is another game that has shown up on c+p a few times from different systems

i just started it too, and i think it's really solid so far.

yes its "the beach" + "red dawn" story elements are pretty bad, but fwiw still a notch above most shooters

xps it meaning FC3

ha goole i was plowing through max payne 3 so i could rack in some more time on fc3 and then loan it to you!

#27 (Tie): I Am Alive – PS3 – 25 pts – 1 vote

as it should be

If i'd started playing fairway earlier, it totally would have made my ballot. I've three-starred all the levels except for the bonus ones now. so yeah, its pretty much just down to the one daily level, but at this rate it'll take me forever to unlock any of the remaining stuff. the monetization on this is also sort of ridiculous (12$ IAP? seriously? who does that?).

fairway solitaire is the first video game about the millenials

... sit on the bench man, you on a cold streak

http://i.imgur.com/zXVW885.gif
#25: Botanicula – PC – 30 pts – 2 votes - 1 top game vote

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/images/11/dec/bot1.jpg

Official Game Site

Metacritic

Gameplay Video

http://images.pcworld.com/reviews/graphics/products/uploaded/software_manufacturer_botanicula_1199324_g4.jpg

Experience Points

Play the Demo Free Online

Dev Interview

Soundtrack

Composer Interview

http://amanita-design.net/img/games/botanicula-02.jpg

CraigG: I'm never entirely sure that I'm solving the puzzles in this - I'm mostly wandering my little crew aimlessly about, but I seem to keep getting a little further each time. I found Samorost, Machinarium, and games like that really passifying in the past, and this is no exception. Plus, the audio and overall style are lovely.

Zora: This was one of the most original and (I hate to say it but-) charming games I've ever played. It was hard at times because it required an insane amount of lateral thinking, but the upside of course is that it both surprises and satisfies. And it's more affordable than a meal cooked by Heston Blumenthal.

http://i.imgur.com/LsxTDxS.gif
#24: Diablo III – PC, Mac – 30 pts – 3 votes

http://images.pcworld.com/images/article/2011/11/diablo-3-5235391.jpg

Official Game Site

Metacritic

Gameplay Video

http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Diablo-iii-auction-house-trouble.jpg

Zero Punctuation

Hey, remember that slow start? Good times.

Quarter to Three

Brainy Gamer: A Comfy Conditioning Chamber

Diablo Is Kind of a Dick

Gamasutra: Diablo III - Lead Director Interview

California Literary Review

Gay Gamer

That Game’s(UX)

http://www.diablo3classes.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Diablo3_creaft.jpg

Diablo III

EZSnappin: Bought this to play with a friend. Had a blast but haven't played it since that first month. Still, it was worth it.

Forksclovetofu: Bought this to play by myself. Had a blast but haven’t played it since that first month. May have been worth it? I’m just glad this lacked the opiate power of it’s predecessor. I still refer to Diablo II as one of the main reasons I don’t have a bachelor’s degree.

are we wrapping up today?

Nope. Likely gonna go on a bit longer. Prior appointments.

http://i.imgur.com/RudSDGE.gif
#22 (Tie): Magic: The Gathering 2013 - Duels of the Planeswalkers – iOS, PC – 31 pts – 3 votes

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7261/7411999038_a3449b28be_z.jpg

Official Game Site

Metacritic

Gameplay Video

http://www.maclife.com/files/u325188/2012/06/magic_screen.jpg

Quarter to Three

Gamasutra: What Can Magic Teach Us

That Game’s(UX)

http://cultofmac.cultofmaccom.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/E13-Challenge-Gameplay.jpg

Magic: The Gathering C/D

EZSnappin: I hadn't played the card game since the Ice Age expansion, but this got me interested again. I have no desire to get into the collectable bullshit part of it again, but this was fun.

http://i.imgur.com/rhaNRT5.gif
#22 (Tie): Max Payne 3 – PS3, X360 – 31 pts – 3 votes

http://www.wired.com/gamelife/wp-content/gallery/maxpayne3/max-payne-3-12.jpg

Official Game Site

Metacritic

Gameplay Video

http://media.rockstargames.com/rockstargames/img/global/news/upload/maxpayne3_screenshots_03012012_0005.jpg

Zero Punctuation

Quarter to Three

I Broke Max Payne 3

California Literary Review

Errant Signal

Dev Interview

Voice Actor Interview

Nightmare Mode

”Max Payne 3 Soundtrack Should Be A Model For The Future”

Pitchfork Soundtrack Review

YouTube Soundtrack Playlist

http://www.rockstargames.com/maxpayne3/img/global/screens/maxpayne3-weapon-smgs-01-640.jpg

What about Max Payne 3 already

CraigG: I got this in the July Steam Sale, and alternated between playing this and playing Skyrim in bursts, though both games tended to distract me to the point where 'bursts' become '3-4 hours'. It's definitely just as good as Max Payne 1/2 were, the story is interesting enough to keep it trundling along, but really - as with the first two - it all just comes down to how badass a shootout is with well-implemented (by the developers) and well-executed (by you, the player) Bullet-Time. There are even some great set-pieces that show that real-time-events don't have to be frantically tapping the 'x' button to wrestle with someone, or pushing a joystick one direction at exactly the right moment, they can just be more badass bullet-time!
It does suffer for crappy vehicle missions (I've never enjoyed vehicle missions in games like this, GoW, Halo, etc), so I just drop the difficulty to get those over and done with, then get back on with the shooting.

jjjusten: Haven't finished this yet, so I reserve the right to yank my vote if there's one of those skull-fucking crying baby blood trail levels, but they haven't showed up so far. Thankfully Rockstar also managed to dodge the pitfall of doing another dark shadow noir take on this one, keeping the vibe but splashing color all over the place. Obv being who they are, it's clear that they were throwing buckets of money all over the place for this one, and it shows, from the interstitial cut-scenes to the splashy environments. You learn pretty quickly to take the world-weary max schtick with a grain of salt, and if you hone into the humor it's actually pretty well planned out. I've got some qulams about the controls at times, too many moments where you end up inadvertently shoot dodging for no reason, but it never seems to end up with cheap death scenarios so it's a minor quibble at best. Some not-quite-quicktime events that didn't need to be there arise, but not enough to be all that frustrating, and as a dude that thinks that 90% of cover shooters are rank bullshit, this one actually seems to work (again, level design in a cover system needs to be basically perfect or that shit just doesn't work.) I hear there is multiplayer, so hey, hooray for people that care about that sort of thing.

http://i.imgur.com/84YdyL8.gif
#21: Mass Effect 3 – PS3, X360 – 32 pts – 4 votes

http://media.washtimes.com/media/image/2012/03/10/mass-effect-3-allies_r640x400.jpg?5f283927f7404204a81e453b153d50eb7d86d89b

Official Game Site

Metacritic

Gameplay Video

http://cache.g4tv.com/ImageDb3/293725_S/mass-effect-3-multiplayer-guide-a-simple-strategy-to-survive.jpg

Zero Punctuation

Quarter to Three

PopMatters

Gamasutra: Mass Effect 3’s Creative Challenges

California Literary Review

That Game’s(UX)

Pixelogic Interview

YouTube Soundtrack Playlist

Writer Interview

http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/electronic-arts2012/bioware/masseffect3/MassEffect3GOTY610.jpg

Mass Effect

diamonddave85: As stupid as the ending really was (WHY WAS SETH GREEN RUNNING AWAY FROM THE BATTLE??), as weak as the storyline was, and as much as I hated the protagonist (Shepard looks exactly like this loud jock bro that lived above me at the time), I have a soft spot for space action/adventure games and enjoyed the battle system quite a bit.

WillM: The best thing about Mass Effect 3 is that I'm done with Mass Effect now. I love love love the first game -- it so perfectly captured the essence of space loneliness during those quiet, irrelevant Mako treks on barren planets and moons -- that the shootered up, voice-forever-in-ear Crank 2 High Voltage little brother in Mass Effect 2 could do nothing but disappoint. Mass Effect 3 spends its entirety, from the first five minutes to the last fade out, that HEY USER, THIS IS THE END. Which works for it at times (the Geth/Quarian missions) and not so much others (any time you are reminded of your "galactic readiness" it's just wearying and so so so lame). I was so insanely hyped for 2, and, honestly, 3 too... I'm just glad that it's "over" and that I'll never really be hyped for another one of these. The multiplayer was shockingly competent, which definitely didn't hurt.

mass effect 3 was my disappointment of the year. after playing the first 2 (multiple times) i just could not get into the third one. it's not you, mass effect, it's me. i'm sure. i no longer want to watch 4 hour space opera cutscene dialogues in my video games. i want to play them.