Man, what a year that was. I remember sitting in my dimly lit living room, controller in hand, completely blown away by what I was experiencing. 2013 wasn't just another year in gaming - it felt like a turning point. We saw storytelling evolve in ways we hadn't imagined, gameplay mechanics that genuinely surprised us, and graphics that finally started doing justice to our imaginations. That year's Game of the Year 2013 contenders weren't just products; they were cultural moments.
What Actually Won Game of the Year 2013?
Okay, let's cut to the chase. The big winner across nearly every major outlet was The Last of Us by Naughty Dog. I still get chills thinking about that opening sequence - you know the one. But let's be real, calling it just a "zombie game" is like calling Shakespeare "some old writings." What made this the definitive GOTY 2013?
The gameplay loop was tense - scavenging for supplies felt genuinely desperate. Every bottle or brick mattered when you were surrounded by Clickers. But what really set it apart? The relationship between Joel and Ellie. I've never cared about fictional characters like I cared about those two. That scene with the giraffes? Pure magic. Though I'll admit, the combat could feel clunky at times, especially when you fumbled while trying to craft mid-battle.
The Heavy Hitters: 2013's Award-Winning Contenders
Don't get me wrong - The Last of Us deserved its crown. But holy smokes, the competition was fierce. I spent more sleepless nights in 2013 than during my college finals. Here's what made this 2013 Game of the Year race so memorable:
| Game | Developer | Awards Won | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto V | Rockstar North | BAFTA, Golden Joystick | Massive open world, revolutionary three-protagonist system |
| BioShock Infinite | Irrational Games | DICE, SXSW | Mind-bending narrative, stunning floating city |
| Super Mario 3D World | Nintendo EAD | Game Critics Awards | Perfect co-op platforming, creative level design |
| Tomb Raider | Crystal Dynamics | Multiple action/adventure awards | Gritty Lara Croft origin story, cinematic gameplay |
GTA V was a technical marvel - three protagonists with intersecting stories? Genius. But honestly? I found Trevor so over-the-top he became exhausting. BioShock Infinite's ending blew my mind, though the combat felt repetitive compared to the original. Tomb Raider's reboot made me finally care about Lara, even if some QTEs were frustrating.
Underdogs That Deserve Your Attention
Beyond the big names, 2013 hid some absolute gems that still hold up:
- Gone Home (The Fullbright Company): A masterclass in environmental storytelling that you can finish in one sitting. No combat, just exploration and emotional discovery.
- Papers, Please (Lucas Pope): Ever wanted to feel the crushing guilt of bureaucracy? This dystopian document-checking simulator was weirdly compelling.
- DOTA 2 (Valve): Officially launched in 2013, reshaping competitive gaming forever. Steep learning curve though - I still get destroyed regularly.
Where Are These Games Now? Availability and Legacy
So you're feeling nostalgic or maybe missed these gems first time around? Good news:
| Game | Modern Platforms | Price Range (2023) | Is It Worth Revisiting? |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Last of Us | PS4/PS5 (Remastered), PC | $19.99 - $49.99 | Absolutely - the remake looks stunning |
| GTA V | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | $19.99 - $39.99 (frequent sales) | Single-player yes, but online is pay-to-win now |
| BioShock Infinite | PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC (BioShock Collection) | $15.99 (as part of collection) | Narrative holds up, gameplay feels dated |
| Super Mario 3D World | Switch (Bowser's Fury version) | $59.99 | Yes - especially with Bowser's Fury expansion |
Here's something interesting: playing The Last of Us remake side-by-side with the original shows how far we've come technically, but the emotional impact? Still just as powerful. Meanwhile, GTA V became the entertainment equivalent of the Titanic - too big to sink, with Rockstar still releasing online updates a decade later.
"2013 was the year games grew up. Not just in graphics, but in their willingness to explore uncomfortable themes and complex emotions." - Martin, 35, gaming since SNES days
Why Does the 2013 GOTY Debate Still Matter?
You might wonder why anyone still cares about a decade-old award. Valid question. But here's the thing - the game of the year 2013 discussions created templates we still see today:
- Cinematic storytelling: The Last of Us proved games could deliver movie-quality narratives without sacrificing interactivity
- Open world saturation: GTA V's success led to every franchise going open-world (for better or worse)
- Indie recognition: Smaller titles like Gone Home proved you didn't need AAA budgets to make impactful experiences
Personally, I think we lost something too. Many 2013 titles had complete single-player experiences without microtransactions. Remember when $60 got you the whole game? Wild concept today.
The Cultural Impact Beyond Gaming
This wasn't just about gamers. The HBO adaptation of The Last of Us brought the story to mainstream audiences, proving game narratives could translate to prestige TV. GTA V became the fastest entertainment product to hit $1 billion. Suddenly, everyone was paying attention to our hobby.
Your Burning 2013 GOTY Questions Answered
Apples and oranges, frankly. GTA V was a technical marvel and commercial juggernaut, but The Last of Us pushed narrative boundaries in ways we hadn't seen. Which is "better" depends whether you prioritize scale or emotional depth.
Absolutely. Every major title mentioned has been ported forward. The Last of Us has a PS5 remake, GTA V got current-gen upgrades, and BioShock's collection makes it accessible everywhere. Even Wii U exclusives like Super Mario 3D World came to Switch.
Ah, the eternal confusion! Different publications have different criteria. The Game Awards didn't exist yet - major winners came from:
- BAFTA Games Awards (The Last of Us)
- DICE Awards (BioShock Infinite)
- Golden Joysticks (GTA V)
Not the big awards, but DOTA 2 and Battlefield 4 dominated multiplayer discussions. The shift toward service games was just beginning - most 2013 GOTY contenders were primarily single-player experiences with finite stories.
The Lasting Influence on Today's Games
Play any modern narrative-driven game? You'll feel The Last of Us' DNA. See an open-world title with multiple protagonists? Thank GTA V. Notice how many indies focus on emotional storytelling? That started gaining traction in 2013. Even the remakes/remasters trend? Partially fueled by demand to replay these classics.
Some franchises stumbled afterward. BioShock hasn't had a new entry since. Tomb Raider's sequels never quite captured the reboot's magic for me. But Naughty Dog? They doubled down with The Last of Us Part II - proving their 2013 Game of the Year win wasn't a fluke.
What's crazy is remembering the technical limitations. The Last of Us on PS3 struggled to maintain 30fps. Loading times felt eternal. Now? We complain about 60fps vs 120fps. How spoiled we've become!
Should You Still Play These in 2023?
If you've never experienced these titles? Absolutely. But with caveats:
- The Last of Us Part I (Remake) is the definitive way to experience this masterpiece - wait for a sale if $70 stings
- GTA V's story mode remains brilliant, but avoid the shark card-infested online mode unless you have dedicated friends
- BioShock Infinite shows its age gameplay-wise, but that story twist still slaps
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury offers more content than the original and plays beautifully on Switch
Look, not everything holds up perfectly. Some mechanics feel clunky by modern standards. But the best Game of the Year 2013 contenders offer something timeless: compelling stories, memorable characters, and moments that stick with you long after the credits roll.
Final thought? We'll never have another year exactly like 2013. The industry's changed too much. But that perfect storm of technical innovation, narrative ambition, and pure creative confidence created titles worth revisiting - or discovering for the first time. What was your personal GOTY 2013? Bet it wasn't an easy choice then... and probably still isn't now.
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