We FINALLY recorded our game of the year discussion on the EvilCast podcast this past week. We wanted to wait until everyone could participate before we recorded, and with the holidays and one cast member stuck in Arizona, literally, we had to wait until last week. While it may be late and you may not care what we had to say, a couple of stats about this podcast may interest you.

First of all, fellow SGR writer Chris and I were responsible for six of our top ten choices. The stat that most surprised me was learning that I am the only contributor who has picked the top game of the year the last four years in a row. In other words, listen to my recommendations, people. I obviously know what I’m talking about.

I haven’t hidden at all that I’ve been largely disappointed with this year’s games. I had such high hopes with several games, Gears of War Judgment and BioShock Infinite in particular, and as I’ve already discussed in great length, none of my anticipated games have met my expectations. Compiling my list of my top ten games of the year for the podcast was actually quite hard for me. I only had 7 before I broke out my games library and forced myself to pick three more that I didn’t think were that bad. I really hated feeling that way.

Two games that hit my top 5 were LEGO games–LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and LEGO City Undercover. These LEGO games have made leaps and bounds beyond what LEGO games used to be, and it has been these last two that have made me stop disliking spoken dialogue in LEGO games. The writing is amazing, and I laughed more at both of these games than I did at Saints Row IV, and that’s really saying something considering that game has a freaking dub step gun.

And that’s all of the podcast I’m going to spoil for you. You’ll have to listen to the rest whenever it updates (hopefully soon!). I know we ramble. Drink while listening. It helps.

This year we’re trekking down to Houston to spend Christmas with my family (it’s really all about the baby to them), and I’m so stoked I have two handhelds with games (and a strategy guide!) I can take with me.

The Vita is perhaps the most important instrument at my disposal. Not only will I be able to play lots more Ys: Memories of Celceta with it, but I also plan to grind a little more in Dragon’s Crown to hopefully get past that damn dragon I’m having trouble with (stupid, stupid timed-levels), but I’m going to try out connecting with my PS4 back home. I haven’t played a lick of either Resogun or Contrast, and what better time to do it than when everyone else has gone to bed at 9 p.m.?

I’m also going to pack my 3DS, which, for this site, is the most important handheld. Along with it shall go The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and its corresponding strategy guide. Now that I’ve reviewed most of the strategy guides on my to-do list (the review for The Wonderful 101 should go up today), it’s time to focus on this beauty, something I deeply regret is just now getting my attention. Stupid fall launch and all of those games eating up my time.

I’m going to pack all of this in my special N7 calibration kit messenger bag. Handhelds, strategy guide, chargers…it may get quite full. Heck, I may even throw in the strategy guides for Wind Waker HD so I can start writing up that review. So excited to get these things done so I can start the new year somewhat fresh for strategy guides.

I hope everyone has safe holiday travels and a fantastic holiday, no matter which one you celebrate.