My top 12 weapons from the last year (or so) Paul Fiander
Weapons are one of the most important components in a game. They can be easy or difficult to use as long as they have a pull towards them I’m happy. This list picks twelve of favourite Toys from the last year or so.
|
12) Spas-12 (BF3 Close Quarters)
I love shotguns and the close quarters DLC allowed them to become the most effective weapon in BF3 for a time. The SPAS-12 is a king of the close quarters, in my opinion. The pump action may limit the fire rate but its effective power and the way it handles make this gun a must-own. You have to complete a fairly basic assignment (20 kills with both shotguns and pistols) to free it off and its worth every moment you spend to unlock it. |
11) Composite Bow (Far Cry 3)
Far Cry 3 came out with a bang at the end of the year. However, one upside of this open world foray is the Composite bow. From hunting Humans to Tigers, the bow is a silent menace and also has the ability to be upgraded with both scopes and specialist arrows. The action of using the right stick (on PS3) to draw back has a weighty feel making mastery of the weapon a fun yet not too difficult ride. For a review of the FC3 based Blood Dragon hit the link |
10) M-92 Mantis (Mass Effect 3)
The basic Bolt action sniper rifle available to both Shepard (Mr or Mrs depending on your preference) and your multiplayer loadouts is a beast of a weapon. Even at lower levels a headshot is a kill shot for the lower enemies. Level this gun up and stick an armour piercing mod on it and you have a M-98 Widow sniper at a fraction of the weight (although the Widow does give more damage if you hit the body or to are up against bigger foes). This means you can easily add a heavy pistol or SMG without compromising your power recharge weight too much. This is my fall-back sniper rifle, especially when I want to use my Vanguard class. |
|
9) Wei Chen (Sleeping Dogs)
Although technically not a weapon, playing as Wei Chen makes you feel like you can be. The martial arts world of Hong Kong is rife with enemies who would love to kick the crap out of an undercover cop. However, with a mix of button-mashing you can break bones and use shutters to incapacitate enemies to your heart's delight. Add to that the Zodiac Tournament DLC (don’t call it Enter the Dragon too loudly) and you really can have fists of fury. (Sorry for the blatant Bruce Lee reference, unless you liked it then you're welcome) |
|
8) Shotgun 1340 (Borderlands 2)
A possible reward for completing the Out of Body experience mission within the game. Sentient weapons have always interested me since first reading about Khazid'hea (or cutter) in the forgotten realms series. However, unlike the deadly sword, this shotgun is an early acquisition and feels underpowered after going up a few levels. For the missions we were together I enjoyed the constant quips such “yeah more bullets” while reloading, the hurt tone when you swap to another weapon and my favourite of “I spy with my little eye” while scoping in. |
|
7) Murder of Crows (Bioshock Infinite)
Most of the weapons you find in Columbia are generic weapons of the era. From Pistols to Crank guns they are fun but nothing too ambitious. Now, the vigours in this game are a whole new world. From water-based tentacles to fireballs these powers can create mayhem to your oncoming foes.
My favourite power has to be the murder of crows. It gives you the ability to fire the aforementioned Murder (flock) of feathered denizens at anyone you choose They then proceed to create havoc and this is great to watch.
For our review of Bioshock please follow the link.
Most of the weapons you find in Columbia are generic weapons of the era. From Pistols to Crank guns they are fun but nothing too ambitious. Now, the vigours in this game are a whole new world. From water-based tentacles to fireballs these powers can create mayhem to your oncoming foes.
My favourite power has to be the murder of crows. It gives you the ability to fire the aforementioned Murder (flock) of feathered denizens at anyone you choose They then proceed to create havoc and this is great to watch.
For our review of Bioshock please follow the link.
|
6) Lara’s Bow (Tomb Raider)
Our Miss Croft has been on a huge journey and this latest installment has gone back to her origin as The Tomb Raider. Not to spoil the game, but to say you go from a studious young woman to a one woman army is a bit of an understatement. One of the main reasons for her kick-assery is her upgradable bow. It seems to be a trend this year but I did enjoy taking enemies out from a distance with stealth or blow stealth and got a bit 'Legolas' on a group of enemies. One other great touch is the way the arrows can become part of your Melee repertoire. It is a great way to incorporate the bow into more than just a range weapon. If you’re sitting on the fence about this game read our Review. |
5) B23R (CODBLOPS2)
This burst fire secondary is so effective I have given it its own class. Even after it was nerfed by the developers at Treyarch it still manages to kick some serious multiplayer butt. As it is a pistol it can suffer from its effectiveness at range but just add the 'Long Barrel' modification to compensate. Other than long range it is brilliant in most situations. As with most Burst-Fire weapons the kick takes some getting used to but, like the Chicom, it has become an integral part of the fun factor within Black Ops 2. So, save your select 10 for some perks and go out there Jack Bauer-style; destroying heavily armoured opponents with just your sidearm makes you feel epic and, ultimately, is the reason we play Call of Duty.
This burst fire secondary is so effective I have given it its own class. Even after it was nerfed by the developers at Treyarch it still manages to kick some serious multiplayer butt. As it is a pistol it can suffer from its effectiveness at range but just add the 'Long Barrel' modification to compensate. Other than long range it is brilliant in most situations. As with most Burst-Fire weapons the kick takes some getting used to but, like the Chicom, it has become an integral part of the fun factor within Black Ops 2. So, save your select 10 for some perks and go out there Jack Bauer-style; destroying heavily armoured opponents with just your sidearm makes you feel epic and, ultimately, is the reason we play Call of Duty.
|
|
4) Acolyte Pistol (Mass Effect 3)
Why is a three-shot pistol with low damage on Armour in the top echelon of this year’s weapons?
Its devastating effect on Shields and barriers is the reason. This pistol is so effective it has effectively turned the previously nut-wrenching sound of a Banshee into a minor inconvenience. The pistol fires a grenade-like projectile that can bounce off of surfaces and strip the barriers from multiple enemies within its blast radius. for this kind of power it can be forgiven for its relative weakness in the armour-piercing stakes. For a great mix, use the heavy barrel and Lightweight materials and couple this gun with the previously mentioned Mantis rifle and you can become a one man/woman (other assorted alien) army.
Why is a three-shot pistol with low damage on Armour in the top echelon of this year’s weapons?
Its devastating effect on Shields and barriers is the reason. This pistol is so effective it has effectively turned the previously nut-wrenching sound of a Banshee into a minor inconvenience. The pistol fires a grenade-like projectile that can bounce off of surfaces and strip the barriers from multiple enemies within its blast radius. for this kind of power it can be forgiven for its relative weakness in the armour-piercing stakes. For a great mix, use the heavy barrel and Lightweight materials and couple this gun with the previously mentioned Mantis rifle and you can become a one man/woman (other assorted alien) army.
3) X-Bow (BF3 Aftermath)
The weapon assignments are one of the major reasons I love BF3’s multiplayer. Even though the SPAS has a place on my list it pales in comparison to the X-Bow (no idea why they do not call it a Crossbow). A silent devastator with upgradeable bolts makes this weapon a wonderful addition to the high powered world of Battlefield 3. It is cheaply acquirable by winning 3 Rounds of scavenger in the Aftermath DLC and so easy to pick up and use once you have unlocked it. Learning the trajectory can be tricky as BF3 has bullet drop and the arrows suffer from the same phenomenon, so keep this in mind when firing a long shot;you will discover endless hours of William Tell-related fun.
The weapon assignments are one of the major reasons I love BF3’s multiplayer. Even though the SPAS has a place on my list it pales in comparison to the X-Bow (no idea why they do not call it a Crossbow). A silent devastator with upgradeable bolts makes this weapon a wonderful addition to the high powered world of Battlefield 3. It is cheaply acquirable by winning 3 Rounds of scavenger in the Aftermath DLC and so easy to pick up and use once you have unlocked it. Learning the trajectory can be tricky as BF3 has bullet drop and the arrows suffer from the same phenomenon, so keep this in mind when firing a long shot;you will discover endless hours of William Tell-related fun.
2) Raiden's Katana (Metal Gear Rising Revengeance)
Being a Cyborg Ninja must have some drawbacks but being able to destroy everything in your way is not one of them. The main tool which allows Raiden to be the bringer of carnage to the world is his Katana. The sword itself looks amazing as you wield it but the main reason it climbs so high in my list is the blade mode with which it is associated. The moment when time slows and you get to carve up a Metal Gear for the first time is an amazing gaming high. Although you do get other weapons in this game, the Sword is still the top dog.
For a look at why this weapon is so much fun in this game check the review.
Being a Cyborg Ninja must have some drawbacks but being able to destroy everything in your way is not one of them. The main tool which allows Raiden to be the bringer of carnage to the world is his Katana. The sword itself looks amazing as you wield it but the main reason it climbs so high in my list is the blade mode with which it is associated. The moment when time slows and you get to carve up a Metal Gear for the first time is an amazing gaming high. Although you do get other weapons in this game, the Sword is still the top dog.
For a look at why this weapon is so much fun in this game check the review.
1) Miss Moxxxi’s Bad touch SMG (Borderlands 2)
An amazingly powerful (as long as you wait 'till later levels to pay for it) corrosive SMG. The weapon is acquired by tipping everyone’s favourite Innkeeper around 15,000 credits. This is an epic weapon and is one of the main reasons I was able to complete (with a certain Mr Darth Nutclench) the game. As it is a Maliwan SMG you get the wonderful disc shaped magazine that spins while it is in use (love this animation) but for raw devastating power I have not found a better SMG in the whole of Pandora or any other game this year. My love for Borderlands is centered around its weaponry and this gun is certainly the Queen of all the world.
An amazingly powerful (as long as you wait 'till later levels to pay for it) corrosive SMG. The weapon is acquired by tipping everyone’s favourite Innkeeper around 15,000 credits. This is an epic weapon and is one of the main reasons I was able to complete (with a certain Mr Darth Nutclench) the game. As it is a Maliwan SMG you get the wonderful disc shaped magazine that spins while it is in use (love this animation) but for raw devastating power I have not found a better SMG in the whole of Pandora or any other game this year. My love for Borderlands is centered around its weaponry and this gun is certainly the Queen of all the world.
All Pictures are used with permission of their respective owners
