1. XCOM: The Enemy Unknown
Frixas continued its habit of releasing games that make us say Just one more turn at 4 in the morning, with XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a reboot of the 1994 classic UFO: Enemy Unknown. The game features addictive tactical action against alien foes as you command your soldiers in operations that often have you recovering valuable technology, fending off invasions so that civilians can get away, or even assaulting downed UFOs. When youre not ordering squads around, youre back at HQimpressively presented like an ant colony managing global finances, researching technology, and trying to appease world leaders. Where XCOM really shines though is the connection you make with your soldiers, who you can name, customize appearance, promote, and reluctantly send to die. It happens. Sometimes because you make a poor decision; other times, its because of bad luck; often its because they need to die pawns sacrificed in a brutal game of chess. Its not unsurprising that Firaxis can make a great game (Civilization, Pirates!). However, to stick a surprisingly subtle and effective emotional core inside a great game is something they hadnt done until now. What about you, readers? What games floored you last year? Let us know in the comments section below.