We're bringing it back.
Even as the Wii U seems to be floundering, gasping for air and energy without the nutritious bounty of new release, the 3DS appears to be soaring. Last month saw Mario's green-capped brother charm charts and critics alike, and the fantastic Fire Emblem: Awakening stormed into shops, boasting high sales and high scores this month.
There were disappointments too, games that we had hoped might set April alight -- Riptide and Defiance, we're looking at you -- but it's been a great month for titles away from the high street shelves. The likes of Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon and BattleBlock Theatre have shown that larger indie titles and double-A developments are forming a delicious middle ground, bolstered by digital distribution, and they certainly deserve honourable mentions.
Runners-Up
Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine - The review is on its way , but we can say in no uncertain terms that Monaco is absolutely brilliant. The 2010 IGF winner has spent a few years getting a spit and a polish, and the result is a top-down, pixellated mashup of every crime caper you've ever fallen in love with. It's like a barmy Ocean's Eleven that rewards careful planning and elegant thievery, whilst more often than not bringing the house down. It's sublime, and it supports 4-way co-op, whether you fancy playing locally or online.
Injustice: Gods Among Us - Have you ever wanted to punch Harley Quinn into the Earth's Core? Or smack Bruce Wayne upside the head with his own Batmobile? Or feed Superman to a massive shark? Well Injustice lets you do all of those things and more. You don't need to be a huge DC fan to enjoy this game, and you don't need to be a fighting game veteran either. Injustice may not be a perfect game, but it's an entertaining spectacle, packed with content, and it'll leave you with a big, goofy grin on your face. - 8/10
Winner
Fire Emblem: Awakening - As Jon wrote in his review, Fire Emblem Awakening is magnificent. In a year when the 3DS has finally found its feet with any number of fantastic exclusives, Intelligent Systems have delivered its undeniable killer app: a gloriously deep strategy RPG that's perfect for stolen minutes on the train or long nights spent bathing in the glow of your dual screens. Infinitely complex high-level tactical planning goes hand in hand with a compelling storyline that unfolds over the course of sixty hours, and an unforgettable cast of characters who bring personality to what is sometimes a sterile and clinical genre.
It's an absolute masterpiece, whether you're a series veteran or rank newcomer. As one of the finest Strategy RPGs available on any handheld format, not to mention the best game on the 3DS thus far, it practically defines the term "killer app". - 9/10
Win!
So if you want to bag a copy of Fire Emblem: Awakening, all you have to do in order to get involved is to tell us what game you've been playing most this month and why. Pop a little blurb into the comments box below and job done.
The competition will close on Monday 6th May at noon.
We'll being using a Toby's psychic powers to determine a winner, and we'll announce the victor on the Monday afternoon.
A few little house rules:
- UK entrants only please
- No duplicate accounts
- Please use a valid email address
- Do feel free to comment more than once in the thread, but we'll only count you once for entry.
Good luck!