Holiday Picks from eSports Inquirer

07:46 AM December 25, 2014

It’s Christmas day for us here at eSports Inquirer and like the avid gamers we all are, everyone in the staff is looking forward to spending the holidays with family and friends — hopefully while dining on good food and playing some truly fun games!

While we may be just a bit too old to wait for jolly old St. Nick to drop us a few presents inside our holiday stockings, we are never too old to head over to Steam and fill our wishlists with gifts from the great GabeN.

And that’s exactly what we did in the spirit of the season. We combed through the list — checking everything twice — and selected games we would love to add to our own libraries (*wink these also make great holiday presents *wink). Here are our picks:

Jasper — Dota 2 writer

Could you go the DISTANCE (P499.95)?

I’m not a fan of racing games, in fact, I sort of hate them. Not for the fact that I can’t beat the finish line, but that it makes me feel dizzy and my eyes can’t catch up with the race’s phase.

So, why did I choose Distance, which is basically a racing game ported in a next level dimension of racing? That’s it. That’s the reason why I picked it.

Distance puts itself far from the usual racing games that we have. Cars could fly, twirl, turn 360 degrees, accelerate, stop, etc. These small yet game changing innovations give a different twist to the game. It challenges the mind like never before; proper utilization of these car mechanics is a must — if you put it in Dota terms, microhan lang.

So, how far could you go the Distance — physically and mentally?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eawFajFmqv8

Robin — Dota 2 Writer

The Call of Duty is Upon Us (P2,230.95)!

From Modern Warfare all the way to Ghosts, Call of Duty seem to always play out the same. The same mechanics, similar guns and same tactics have always been part of the Call of Duty experience. For some weird reason, I am still drawn to its repetitiveness. In a way, it is very similar to Dota 2, a game I play very often. Dota 2 and Call of Duty both involve killing and achieving objectives. You level up and spend tons of time playing both of these games. You can also be very casual or very eSports-like. And it has jetpacks! Who doesn’t like jetpacks?!

Earl — Dota 2 Writer and Columnist

The Road to the Future: Advanced Warfare (P2,230.95)

What has hooked me to Call of Duty is not the storyline or the multiplayer function, but the endless running and gunning. The fact that you play as a soldier that you can call the best backup on the field is in itself a very powerful incentive to play the game. It is like having a dose of Valium nonstop…

With that being said, the fact that the price of Advanced Warfare has been decreased means that there will be more people who will be able to experience the near-cinematic experience of the latest edition of the franchise.

Finally, we must not forget the competitive scene: Although there is no competition for PC, the console version of CoD is a well-established title in Major Gaming League, and if anything, the scene is just as vibrant as ever!

Fiona — Copy Editor

Child of Light (~~P679.00~~ P407.40)

I don’t know if it’s because of the handcrafted art, the charming premise or the whimsical overtones, but I took one look at the trailer and I immediately wanted to play Child of Light. I’ve always had a soft spot for platformers, so that coupled with the great reviews about its combat system and puzzle solving makes me want to give it a go. I’ve also read and heard amazing things about its storyline — and the rhyming narrative is icing on the cake!

Juan — Graphics Editor

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (P214.36)

I am an avid fan of the movie series and HELL YEAH I’m a fan of its games too! Star Wars: KOTOR is a diverse RPG game ranging from a wide range of character development, a probable combat system and a vast inventory to collect or craft (we make lightsabers here FYI). But as an RPG and because it bears the title Star wars, it marvels balanced hardcore accuracy and convenience for the inexperienced. It also caters to every gamer type: if you’re a reader, you can geek out for hours at how well the Jawa language has been adopted for a video game, and even the coolest kids will be able to see the appeal of dual wielding lightsabers, blasting an enemy with a droid and choking impudent fools from across the room. A must have this Christmas season!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBjxiUVJsu4

Marco — League of Legends Writer

Game(Transistor) Review(Awesome) (~~P499.95~~ P334.96)

Supergiant games’ follow up to their critically acclaimed Bastion, Transistor is a cyberpunk adventure that once again attempts to redefine video game storytelling. This manifests itself as a persistent narrator that spews different remarks based on how you play the game. Also, the narrator happens to be your weapon. That’s right, this game gives you a talking sword!

Do you know what else it gives you? Vibrant hand drawn backgrounds. A masterfully mixed soundtrack featuring the same composer and vocal talents of Bastion’s award-winning soundtrack (also available for purchase on Steam). A deep tactical system that combines fast-paced real time and cerebral turn-based combat. A plethora of skills, called functions, which can be used in three ways, creating a wide spread of permutations for you to transform your playstyle.

All this wrapped up in a dystopian tale of love and loss, as you play one woman armed with her mouthy broadsword, trying to save her city from totalitarian rule and utter annihilation. It reads like Neuromancer, sounds like Portishead, plays like KOTOR, all wrapped up in a futuristic Great Gatsby styled package. If that doesn’t tickle any of your fancies then you’re seriously missing out on one of the most breathtaking gaming experiences of the year.

Nino — Games Writer

The Next Car Game: Wreckfest (~~P759.95~~ P509.17)

I’m going to make this short, simple and to the point. The reasons why i want this game is: first, it’s on early access meaning i can play it earlier than everyone else; second, it’s about racing, I like racing; third, it’s about cars, I REALLY like cars (not the movie); 4th and final, is it’s about destruction, I REALLY REALLY like destruction. This game has been on my wishlist for a while since it was revealed in E3. Good or bad, I really want to try this game mainly because of the reasons above.

Allen — Street Fighter 4 Writer

The Shadow of Mordor Falls (~~P1,239.95~~ P929.96)

With the last of the Hobbit movies finally being released, what better way to spend the holiday season than by playing a game based on the highly popular series? I have long loved the the Lord of the Rings series of books and its many spin-offs.

In Shadow of Mordor, you play as one of the fallen rangers of Gondor, protectors of the Black Gates, along with the wraith spirit of the elven forger of the rings of power. Not only are you introduced to new characters but known characters from the Tolkein universe like Gollum also play an important role in the story.

The player has the option to use his newfound powers for good or fall to the evil of Sauron. Lead your armies, grow in power and find your way out of the Shadow of Mordor.

Paolo — Managing Editor

This War of Mine (~~P499.95~~ P424.95)

For the holidays, I sure can pick ’em. The Bosnian Conflict and the fall of Sarajevo is not the most festive of images around this time of year, but 11-Bit Studios’ This War of Mine has been high on my wishlist since I saw teasers and gameplay trailers on the Steam client.

Inspired by the 1992-1996 Siege of Sarajevo, This War of Mine is a survival game that banks on the popular mechanic of “Do Not Die. Have Fun”. The game sets itself apart is in its ingenious and emphatic delivery of both story and action. Instead of being a soldier trying to make your way through a war-torn area (at least, until you make it to a gun), you play the game through the eyes of civilians caught in the crossfire.

Its beautiful side-scrolling design and almost comic book feel perfectly accentuates the quiet demeanor the game has and makes me want it even more. And though playing such a grim game — complete with the terror of losing your civilians buddies as they die to forces beyond your control — seems out of sync with the season, at it’s heart, This War of Mine is a game about the importance of banding together and getting through the worst of times.

And after all, isn’t that what the holidays is all about?