Thinking Aloud towards the Sports Game of the Year... - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

Thinking Aloud towards the Sports Game of the Year... Stuck

Posted on December 11, 2012 at 11:40 AM.

(18)

As we march onwards towards what is ultimately going to be the Sports Game of the Year Awards for 2012 (assuming the world doesn't end first), I'm left wondering how in the world are we going to select the game this year?

This year is harder than most, with a whole slew of titles at the top of the mountain. You have NBA 2K13 which is probably the voting public's favorite this year (just my guess), and the game was a phenomenal game.

Likewise, MLB '13: The Show was incredible -- just it released seven months prior to NBA 2K13. So the problem is, and will continue to be for The Show that people's memories are short and they don't quite remember a game that might've been more than seven games ago for some folks.

FIFA Soccer 13 was last year's champ, and the only thing FIFA did this year was get better. Everything within FIFA was more refined and simply better in this gaming editor's eyes, but FIFA's margin of victory last year was so small I can't find a realistic way it can repeat.

NHL 13 is the only hockey some people are going to get this year, and that's just fine thank you. NHL's new skating engine really amped up the realism on the ice but it also changed a lot of the gameplay dynamics -- and the new GM Connected mode continued sports games' trend online.

But then you have the wildcards, games like SSX and WWE '13 which reviewed quite well and were fan favorites. There are so many people who simply didn't play those games but they are both quality enough to be considered amongst the rest of the pack, just unless either jived with enough OS'ers neither will even sniff a spot at the podium.

So you see? This year's Sports Game of the Year is a challenge. As we near the end of our current console generation, the quality of games in our genre has really begun to rise -- which makes our jobs both tougher and more fun all at the same time.

Pre-Voting Sound Off: Which games are good enough to be considered for Sports Game of the Year in 2012?

Comments

# 1 Gramps91 @ Dec 11

NBA 2k13 gets my vote. By a long shot!

# 2 lynkraid @ Dec 11

I would give it to Madden. I bought NCAA13, Madden13, WWE13, 2k13, MLB12 and by far the best of that bunch has been Madden. Online play for Madden has been rock solid, they have fresh new gameplay with physics, an improved online franchise mode, while 2k13 is the same old game with less features then past, while what adding a carbon copy of Madden Ultimate Team, thats flawed its self. NCAA13.. Is basically the same thing as NCAA12 I wouldn't even consider it a option. Even MLB the Show is a lot of the same game its been for years. Madden IMO is the only game out there that took a big step forward.

What makes 2k13 so deserving? Its had the same gameplay for years now, with little changes. They ditched crew, online is still bad, My Player mode is still the same mode its been. Online leagues are a joke, roster updates are still horrid.

This is coming from someone who hated Madden since it went next gen with Madden 06, and I've been a life long 2k fan. But Madden is just the better game this year.

# 3 tril @ Dec 11

@linkkraid
Madden did step up their game this year. MAdden should get a comabck game of the year, not game of the year. People still compare MAdden to that other great football title from the 2k.
MAdden shouldnt be even considered for this award until it surpasses that benchmark. Madden does alot right but still has a long way to go. Im still playing mAdden so that says alot. Like you I hated MAdden in the past-but taht shoudlnt be the reason why they win goy

IMO its a toss up between NBA2k13 and MLB THE SHOW.

# 4 DJ @ Dec 11

MLB 12 The Show should win. They introduced new ball physics that actually work, while also improving the core gameplay. The issues with The Show as so minor compared to other sports games out there.

1. MLB 12 The Show
2. NBA 2K13

# 5 statum71 @ Dec 11

@linkraid

2K is the same old game?????? Wow, it took me several days to learn the new control scheme.

I enjoy them both but Madden isn't in 2K or The Show's league yet, IMO.

# 6 Eski33 @ Dec 11

The Show. I am still playing it and it doesn't get old. The animations, gameplay and variety are unmatched. Not perfect but a true emulation of its sport. And one of the toughest sports to translate into video games.

# 7 DaReapa @ Dec 11

Like some of you guys, I gotta say The Show 12. One of the more impressive sports games I've played this gen.

# 8 alphawill @ Dec 11

i would say 2k13 but i havent played madden cuz i gave up on madden 3 years ago but it looks solid and i dont play Baseball soccer or hockey......2k took away or should i say limited users way to much in this game....but soley as a basketball game try to replicate its real life counterpart i say its should be Sports GoTY

# 9 ps3veron @ Dec 12

Let snot forget that Madden made some very positive progress this year (best Madden game in a long time). I am split between The Show, FIFA and 2K13, a great year to be a sports gamer.

# 10 GlennN @ Dec 12

Sad year for me. I'm not really into soccer or basketball, so I have not played FIFA or NBA 2k13. I'm a 360 gamer, so I have not played The Show. That leaves NHL 13, which I found rather lacking. Will there be a voting option for None of the Above?

# 11 lavy23 @ Dec 13

Wish I had played the Show but it is already tough to choose between all this year's great sports games that i DID play. Here's how I'd rank the ones I played:
1. FIFA 13
2. NBA 2K13
3. Madden NFL 13
4. SSX
5. MLB 2K12

# 12 Crimsontide27 @ Dec 13

On the contrary, I find this year pretty easy to judge. SSX was a step backwards pretty much to everything that made the series great. You have Madden that has so many problems that its probably in the worst shape its been in a while, even the new collision engine is broken...not too mention the entire CC mode.

So that leaves the Show, NBA 2k13, and NHL.

The Show only releases on PS3, so it doesnt get near as many people playing it as they possibly could. NHL is such a regional sport that less than 10 people probably play it.

Which only leaves NBA2k13 and FIFA 13. NA sales of NBA should be head and shoulders above Fifa, and such it should be of no strange of chance that NBA2k will win the award. There arent many glaring issues and its been a solid title for awhile.

# 13 lynkraid @ Dec 13

Quote:


	2K is the same old game?????? Wow, it took me several days to learn the new control scheme. I enjoy them both but Madden isn't in 2K or The Show's league yet, IMO.

Really? I sure wouldn't give 2k13 game of the year just because it changed controls around. It still plays like the same game it was last year minus a few tiny changes. And with the Show it really plays like the same exact game as last years, not a bad thing though cause the Show last year was the best sports game out.

Madden made the most progress in the right direction this year over all other sports games.