Nominees for Destructoid's best 2013 character

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Best of 2013

2013 had no shortage of interesting characters. From Welsh fairies, to two wisecracking brilliant twins, to companions that were so much more than they seemed, a number of games were significantly enhanced by their cast.

Whether they were brand new takes on old tropes or just a new shine on a classic tale, without further ado, here are our nominees for best new character of 2013.

Drippy (Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch)

If you’re a lover of games that require you to put in before you get out, and you recall the glory days of the Eastern RPG, where experience points were the lifeblood and the grind was king, you have literallynodecent excuse for not finding a way to playNi no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.

A classic of the modern age, built entirely from classics of the past, it’s advised you get comfortable, cancel all your plans, and prepare to enjoy a game that will dominate your life for the next few months.

Read the fullNi No Kuni:Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witchreview.

Trevor (Grand Theft Auto V)

Grand Theft Auto Vis both a reflective and deflective game, diving into the heart of theGTAseries with more than a few subtle things to say about itself. Michael is tired, and old, and wants to change, but he can’t, and eventually he grows to accept and even enjoy that. Franklin is smarter than his surroundings, dreaming big but held back by old fashioned ideas.

Trevor is hilarious, surprising, and a disgusting degenerate. All three characters, in their respective ways, feel representative of theGrand Theft Autoseries as a whole, and contribute to makingGTA Vwhat it is — the ultimate culmination of Rockstar’s beloved and despised series. Personally, I think that’s a fine thing to be.

Read the fullGrand Theft Auto Vreview.

Rex Colt (Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon)

The result of all this is a deep and well crafted premise in a somewhat shallow game.Blood Dragonis well made, and thoroughly entertaining to lovers of the eighties, but in many ways, it becomes a victim of its own success — the core ideas are so fun, so lavishly crafted, one aches to see them in a game equal to their quality.Blood Dragonis a good little game, and I highly recommend checking it out, with the caveat that it’s one of those games that does a few things well enough to inadvertentlyhighlight its own flaws.

As critical as I may be, however, I’d rather haveBlood Dragonexist as it does than not exist at all. A game this delightfully stupid can only make the world a better place, and I sincerely hope this isn’t the last we see of Rex Colt.

Read the fullFar Cry 3: Blood Dragonreview.

The Lutece Twins (BioShock Infinite)

This is not to say the story is harmed by the lack of such opposition. This is very much the tale of Booker and Elizabeth, and it’s a tale told well. There are also some really good supporting characters to make up for it, too — chiefly the Luteces, a brother and sister duo who show upoccasionallyto aid Booker and provide some of the game’s best comic relief.

This is to say nothing of the various developments in the latter half of the game that turn the story on its head and provide some damn near unbelievable scenes.

Read the fullBioshock Infinitereview.

Uay Chivo (Guacamelee!)

Right from the start, Guacamelee! offers up a sugar skull-covered playground to delight in and devour with mucho gusto. It’s a game I’ll be playing and replaying again for some time to come.

Read the fullGuacamelee!review.

Lara (Tomb Raider)

Tomb Raidercould so easily have gone wrong, and its opening gambit looks like it’s heading down a most erroneous path. It starts off with some ambushing QTEs and absolutely pummels Lara Croft into the dirt to such a degree, you’d almost suspect the developers were getting off on it. This first impression is an awkward obfuscation, however, one that soon erodes to reveal a savvy, thoughtful, and above all, immensely enjoyable game.

In fact, I’m happy to go on record as saying this is the bestTomb Raidergame I’ve played. Tightly produced, competent in both its puzzling and its combat, this is one reboot that manages to be unequivocally superior to itspredecessors.

Read the fullTomb Raiderreview.

Joel (The Last of Us)

There is more toThe Last of Usthan just combat and “emotional” story tropes. To touch on its setpiece moments, to detail its beautiful changes in pace, would be to spoil too much. It cannot be said enough, however, that Naughty Dog’s new best creation iscomplete,and when I saycomplete, I mean it to pay the highest of compliments.

I do not want more fromThe Last of Us: I do not need more. As the last line was uttered and the credits ushered in the close, I was done.The Last of Ushad achieved everything it needed to achieve in order to provide me with everything I wanted.

Read the fullThe Last of Usreview.

Ellie (The Last of Us)

It’s about how Ellie annoys her companion in a way that entertains, rather than irritates, the audience. It’s about how themes of compassion, tolerance, determination and common selfishness are woven expertly into a familiar narrative structure.

You’ve seen most of the elements of this story many, many times. You’ve not seen them all threaded so well together. It is in overwhelming quality that Naughty Dog triumphs against the risk of genre fatigue.

Read the fullThe Last of Usreview.

Elizabeth (BioShock Infinite)

Elizabeth’s uses as an ally are extensive and go toward making her more than just a stereotypical rescue prospect. Able to look after herself in combat, toss Booker vital supplies and cash when the player’s in direst need, and pick locks to all sorts of useful areas, Elizabeth feels like a real partner.

She becomes an impeccable example of how gameplay can be used to further the narrative. She is as crucial to the player as she is to the story, and both aspects of the character work together in harmonious synchronization.

Read the fullBioshock Infinitereview.

Narrator (Stanley Parable)

Comparisons, too, are going to be woefully inadequate. Perhaps its closest cousin would beDear Esther, but whereDear Estherwastes the form of interactive entertainment,Stanley Parableuses and then subverts it. Where so many games that aspire to be more than games end up less than any form of art,Stanley Parablestrives, and then succeeds, to be every game ever created.

Even so, holding the game to the standards of any other title is simply not going to be correct.

Read the fullStanley Parablereview.

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Congrats to all the nominees! We’ll be announcing the official winner on Monday, December 24.

Here’s all the other nominee categories we’ve revealed so far:

In the mean time we wantyouto tell us which character was the best of 2013.

Community Poll: Who was your favorite new character of 2013?