Gone Home – Best Original Game 2013
Platform: PC
Developer: The Fullbright Company
It's no surprise to me that most of the original game nominees this year came from independent game developers. Every year major game companies give us an abundance of titles that rehash formulaic storylines, continue the saga of cash cows, and rarely every stray from what they think gamers expect to see. While we occasionally do get some unique triple-A titles from the mainstream, most of the more significant games fall under the radar. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was beautiful and innovative, Path of Exile lured us in with its Diablo-esque charm, and The Stanley Parable was so elusive that sometimes people wouldn't even know they had finished the game. True story; I've seen it happen.
Gone Home still wins out over all of these titles. It does an amazing job of making the player reflect on the choices they make throughout the game constantly, which I wasn't expecting. Every clue you find and every journal entry you read tells a beautiful story while never detracting from the ominous ambiance of being alone in a big empty house. Games don't usually have an emotional impact on me but this one did. If the twenty-dollar price tag is the only thing keeping you from picking it up, just wait for the next Steam sale. for this is a game you need to play. Your brain will thank you.
Runners Up:
