The key to our awards is not the release date but when we played the game in question.

The team's top 5 games of 2013; Jon

Jon has already looked back at games he's played this year, but heck, he's played some more since then. Take a look at his latest list...

Gone Home

Indie sleeper hit from The Fullbright company that proves that story-driven games can still be compelling without the triple A glitz. Explore a deserted house and piece together the mystery of your missing family from all their possessions in the house. The game has no other NPCs, but everything in the house is interactive and, as the story unfolds, you discover all is not what it seems. A clever twist, well written and convincing while subverting the normal gaming tropes and a gut wrenching plot also make this Jon's Game of the Year. 

You can read the full review here.

Format Mac/PC

Castles in the Sky

'Is this is a game?' is the question Dev team The Tall Trees get constantly asked about  their interactive storybook, Castles in the Sky. It is, but its mere 15 minutes contains more emotional impact than many other complete games series put together. Enjoy the dreamy journey of a little boy as he floats through the clouds, with a poetic dialogue of wistful wisdom and nostalgia following him on his way. This could be an acquired taste to some gamers, however for the small price involved, and with rumours that the developers may be releasing a USB version to stick in your stockings, it is a low-risk buy that may surprise you. 

You can read the full review here.

Format Mac/PC

Tearaway

Jon's review of this game will be on the site very soon, but he's too busy building cute paper animals with his daughter at present so is somewhat distracted. Needless to say Tearaway is (spoiler) very good. The first game to make good use of all the sensory inputs of the Vita without being gimmicky and with enough creativity to make it fun but not a chore. Clever integration of the player in the game and some cracking good platforming, make this a must buy to while away the hours of crap TV over Christmas. If you own a Vita but do not own this game, what's wrong with you? 

Format Vita

Resogun

The Only PS4 game on this list, but definitely worth a mention. From the studio that brought us Super Stardust HD, Resogun is a frantic fast-paced side scrolling shooter inspired by 80's game, defender. It's 2D in nature although the whole game world is based around a spinning cylinder which rotates as you move left and right. You shoot oncoming enemies while at the same time rescue survivors before the impending apocalypse on the planet in question. With a staggering amount of particles bouncing round the screen, gorgeous visuals and a satisfying pay-off at the end of each level, this is pure arcade fun. At time of writing, Jon is still somewhat confused with the survivor mechanics, so still needs extensive play to unravel this. This game plays very well on remote play too, and since it comes free with PS Plus is a great launch bonus for the PS4.

Format PS4

Device 6

A unique game for the iPhone, and not exactly a casual play either. Device 6 is strikingly unique. A blend of text based adventure and multimedia with head aching puzzles, mysterious hidden elements to discover and ever-creeping horror-filled undertones. From developers, Simogo, who also made the wonderful, Year Walk, it makes excellent use of sound and minimalism with a striking art style, and clever integration of the iPhone's touchscreen and motion sensitivity. It leads the player around the screen and beyond its reaches. the game needs to be played to be (semi-)understood. Oh and stay away from that doll....



Format iOS