With the countdown to 2017 looming, I thought it was apt to do a countdown of my own and sound off some of the best games that came out this year. It's going to be a 'Top 8' this time as it has been a remarkably busy year for me, with my dissertation, grad film, graduation and first real job in industry. When you line it all up like that, it certainly sounds impressive anyway!
Without further ado, here's the list!
8: Overcooked
Of all
the games I've played this year, this one caused the most shouting - and with good reason. Overcooked is
basically Gordan Ramsey Simulator 2016 as you and up to four friends
are put in charge of a very heated restaurant. You will shove
one another and bark out orders and it can be absolute chaos if
someone tries to do too many things (like me). But when it all goes
right and your teamwork pays off, it can be remarkably rewarding.
7: Superhot
Fresh
shooting game when time and bullets only move when you do. Genius.
The game's mechanics turn the game into more of a violent game of
chess, which I dig. While I don't need much of an excuse for
shooting a bunch of dudes in slow-mo, I really appreciated the game's
story which does a good job of propelling you through the brief
campaign. Simply put, “it's the most innovative shooter I've played
in years” (play the game to get the reference!).
6: Battlefield
1
Bullets,
mustard gas and trenches, Battlefield 1 spits
on the people who thought that a WW1 setting could never make for a
compelling shooter. Online play consists
of up to 64 people playing simultaneously and, when games go well, you
really do feel like you're in the middle of a merciless conflict.
Above all else, the game's tone is praiseworthy, treating WW1 with a lot of respect that I did not expect from a
game series that inspires the ironic MLG community. A lot better than
I was expecting this one to be, and that’s always a nice surprise.
5: Firewatch
Who knew
that a game about being a fire warden for a national park could make
for such a cerebral character study? While you are in this truly
beautiful environment, you will feel very alone at times and your
only means of contact is to another woman on a walkie-talkie. This
dynamic makes for a psychological treat. While
the ending doesn't quite hit the mark it wants to, the
journey is expertly written and almost feels like a moving graphic
novel at times. It will keep you second guessing yourself at every
turn and I love that.
4: The Witcher 3:Blood & Wine
The base
game of Witcher 3 is a very tough act to follow, but without even
breaking a sweat, the developers pushed out what is possibly the
biggest piece of DLC for any game ever. Vampires and banquets go
hand in hand, creating a spectacular and surprisingly humorous,
adventure. Special credit is due to CDPR for ending the entire 100+ hour game in a way
that is wholly satisfying and sure to please anyone who has even
spent a few moments in Geralt's boots.
3: Inside
Every time
I think of this one, I like it more and more. It plays out as a minimalist adventure, starting you off as a little boy running
through the woods. He can jump and grab and that’s about it. However, it's
the way that the dystopian world makes you feel so desperately
vulnerable - everything is threatening and you are constantly being
hunted by someone or something. It's a minimalist and incredibly fluid
puzzle platformer that ties every action back to the game's world
and tone. It's rare to see a game do that so consistently.
2: DOOM
Doom
can be summed up in one word: visceral. Everything, from dismembering
hell spawn to pulling the trigger on the super shotgun just feels so
damn good. While
I gave kudos to
Super Hot for being an
innovative shooter, Doom
is just straight up old-school.
Your health doesn't
regenerate and it smartly encourages you to keep moving and keep
killing to maintain your resources so you are ready for the next
bloody encounter. You can tell this game was made with high regard
for the 90's and, call me nostalgic, but sometimes I want to go down
a polished, blood-soaked version of memory lane.
1: Overwatch
Undoubtedly the game I played the most this year, Blizzard's hero based shooter
just works on every conceivable level. Multiple heroes with unique
play styles, a healthy pool of maps and really responsive gameplay
constantly inspires you to be your best. This is the gold
standard of online shooters. I have played this dozens of times with
friends and strangers and we are all inclined to work together to
achieve a common goal. More often than not you'll find yourself
screaming down a microphone because your team landed a nail biting
victory. With even more free content coming in 2017, it's going to
be a game that just keeps on giving.
