Top 5: Gaming Moments Of The Year

1. My First Gaming Expo

Venturing to my first ever gaming expo is an experience I’ve desperately hoped to regale in for many years. You envision gaming expo’s in a kind of twisted fantasy, for example, my own delusional take on what a Gaming expo normally consists of, is somewhat tragic. Like the absurd notion that half naked temptresses would entice you to play Skyrim, whilst serenading you with beautifully melodic music, or the idea that the expo includes endless lines of titles that everyone has the opportunity to indulge in, without the need for queuing. But once you accept that this is a total fabrication, you begin to enjoy the rather hectic experience, and become consumed in the atmosphere of like-minded individuals, all sharing the same enthusiasm. I’m home!

2. Skyrim’s Blinding Beauty

Gazing into the vivid world of Skyrim is the visual equivalent of a chocolate fudge cake, smothered in deliciously decadent whipped cream, you know you should feel guilty about indulging, and that its somehow a sin to enjoy it, but you don’t. Who, at the games commensement, after escaping the recently incinerated town, where you narrowly evaded execution, didn’t stop and stare in gratifying awe at the prospect of venturing into this beautifully rendered land? I thought not. A truly stunning game, which exceeded all my expectations.

3. L.A Noir, Hit And Miss

I am yet to finish this title, despite its obviously gripping story, deeply immersive 40’s style, LA backdrop, that’s made even more intriguing by the dark and foreboding undertones that encapsulates the intrigues of this corrupted city. But the interrogation premise that was so unique at the games begining, soon became a repetitively, meandering experience. Couple that with the increasingly formulaic gameplay which roughly consisted of chasing down perps, interrogating them, driving to your next destination, before another criminal either initiates another tiresome shootout or chase. L.A Noir was one of my biggest disappointments of the year.

4. Portal 2, Making Me Feel Smart

Portal 2 has the uncanny ability to not only combine intricate puzzle solving and fun into one imaginative entity, but to also create the illusion that I’m incredibly intelligent, despite the painful fact that I’m as dumb as, well, it would be incredibly unfair to compare my IQ to anyone or anything. But the fact remains that Portal 2 has achieved something that most games this year, or any year, certainly haven’t, made solving increasingly difficult puzzle’s, aided by 2 seemingly simplistic robotic characters, FUN!

5. My Girlfriend Completing Uncharted 3

This is easily my proudest moment of the year, even more exceptional (or possibly sad) than myself exhaustingly finishing a play through of Uncharted 3, in less than a day. Let me first explain that my gorgeous girlfriend *that should win me some boyfriend points* is as familiar with gaming as I am with fashion, style and anything remotely popular, and watching my girlfriend attempting to acquaint herself with the controls is the equivalent of watching in proud astonishment, as your child you’ve tenderly nurtured takes his/her tentative first steps. The moment of realisation that overcomes you, when she escapes from the collapsing city in Uncharted 3’s conclusion proved that if she can do it, anyone can. I’m so proud! *wipes away tears of joy*

What has been your favourite gaming moment of the year?