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0 If there is one thing there isn’t enough of, that is most definitely the physical print within gaming. Over the past couple of years, we have seen a few amazing companies set up that produce stunning material. Here we have what looks to be another must-have for the gaming book collection, Video Game Of The Year.
Too many games, too little time!
Video Game Of The Year is brought to us by Jordan Minor. Residing in New York City, Jordan has done everything from freelancing to writing physical books. As an entertainment and Tech Journo, he spent a good amount of time as a Senior Editor with the team over at Geek.com. Jordan is now working on Apps and gaming over at the legendary Pcmag.com.
A Closer Look
Minor takes the reader on a journey of gaming history in Video Game Of The Year. Starting in 1977 with Pong, you read through the book a year at a time. Each year focuses on one particular release, with extra life content and quotes from the industry. Taking a look into everything from development to art types, there is more than enough for your eyes to feast upon.
As mentioned above, each year has a focal game and it also comes with a chapter title quip. However, they sound like they would be more fitting at an awards show. For example, The Legend Of Zelda – The Wind Waker chapter is named The Nintendo Left Swerve Of The Year. Safe to say I will be disappointed if one of the up-and-coming awards ceremonies for the gaming industry doesn’t reach out to Minor to name the awards. Newcomer Of The Year doesn’t quite cut it anymore.
Alongside each of the titles, there are some amazing illustrations by Wren McDonald. Each one of them brings the written words and the games to life. There are no screenshots in Video Game Of The Year. However, due to Minor’s writing, you get flooded with memories of your own. Nothing but smiles from cover to cover remembering the games that got the industry to where it is today. The book also does give you a bit of a backlog, unless you have completed each game. There are some for me that I have never picked up (however, I now feel that I need to), but the majority I know when I played – I couldn’t put down.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes compendiums can be a little lackluster. Usually, the same old titles from a list curated by someone else are printed into another book. I can safely say that this is not the case. Some of the games that Jordan has picked would not have made it into the book if I was at the other end. But that is what is so great and unique about Jordan’s writing. For example, Rock Band was no Guitar Hero and it fell a little short for me. However, it’s great to see it getting some recognition. There are no rules with this book and as it says on the cover Best, Boldest and Most Bizarre. It doesn’t fall short of this.
Everything from the Extra Life sections to the dev stories explored will have gamers engaged. Not only that there will be learning points to take away from this evergrowing industry. I award Video Game Of The Year a Thumb Culture Platinum Award.
Disclaimer: A sample was received in order to write this review.
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