Editorials
The Top 10 Best Games of 2017
2017 is almost gone, and all the games worth getting have already been released. Sure, the Advance Wars-inspired Tiny Metal will release in a few days, but since the developer has been accused of mismanaging Kickstarter funds, it’s best we not talk about that game. We received some surprises, some disappointments, and more than our fair share of downright scams (coughStarWarsBattlefrontII‘slootboxescough). But, which games came out on top this year? Here’s my list of the best games of 2017. Note: this list will only include new games, so re-releases and remasters such as Okami HD, .hack//G.U. Last Recode, and the Nintendo Switch port of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim don’t count.
10. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
Every so often, a game comes along that invents a genre, or at the very least popularizes it, and spawns a cavalcade of clones. DOTA created the MOBA genre; Demon Souls created the Souls-like genre (but Dark Souls popularized it), and this year’s PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds has popularized the “battle royale” genre wherein players are dropped into a remote location and forced to scavenge for weapons and armor to become the last man (or woman) standing. Think of the game as the cult classic Japanese movie Battle Royale (and not the overrated The Hunger Games) in video game form. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is low on the list because it’s very niche and not for everyone, but it came out of nowhere and quickly became an official esport, so I have to give the game props.
9. A Hat in Time
The Internet exploded when ex-Rare employees announced the spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie, Yooka-Laylee. However, the game became a victim of its own hype and disappointed gamers. The game is not bad by any stretch of the imagination and a far cry from the dumpster fire known as Mighty No. 9, but it just couldn’t live up our expectations. Gears for Breakfast’s indie game A Hat in Time, however, did. It is everything we wanted from Yooka-Laylee, if not more. The game has all the charm of the 90’s 3D platformers that inspired it and includes smooth (camera) controls that were simply unavailable back then, which isn’t something that can be said about Yooka-Laylee. A Hat in Time demonstrates that, in the right hands, 3D platformers have a bright future.
8. Divinity: Original Sin 2
Classic isometric RPGs are making a comeback, and Larian Studios’ Divinity: Original Sin 2 stands head and shoulders above the rest with almost unprecedented freedom. The game can be played as a standard isometric RPG, but the developers also designed the game so players can solve in-game puzzles and problems (including boss fights) in inventive and novel ways. When you take into account in-depth systems that completely change the story if players so much as wear the right hat, Divinity: Original Sin 2 becomes a must-play game for RPG lovers.
7. Persona 5
Persona is a franchise that has been going strong since 1996, thanks to a combination of memorable characters, gripping stories, and some of the best music ever created for any medium. Persona 5 continues the glorious tradition of mixing classic, fantasy turn-based RPG battles and slice of life high-school life simulation to create an experience far removed from pure-fantasy RPGs such as Final Fantasy. Moreover, Persona 5 oozes style and is immediately recognizable even when compared to previous Persona games. We can only hope Atlus keeps up this level of quality for subsequent entries.
6. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Ninja Theory sought to create a game with a AAA level of polish and an indie level price tag, and it succeeded. The game is just drop-dead gorgeous, surpassing many AAA games released this year, both in terms of graphical fidelity and art direction. The story is also unique and stars a protagonist with a realistic portrayal of psychosis, which isn’t something I thought I would ever say. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice demonstrates that, with the right team, a game development studio can create a AAA game without an AAA publisher, because far too many of those force studios to ruin their games with shoehorned multiplayer modes and microtransactions, not because they’re necessary but because they artificially inflate profits.
5. Cuphead
Another indie game vastly superior to most AAA games released this year, Cuphead is also the most difficult game released this year. While the game is jokingly referred to as the Dark Souls of side-scrolling platformers, it actually deserves that title thanks to its tough-yet-fair bosses and emphasis on memorizing enemy patterns. Cuphead is also a love letter to classic Fleischer Studios cartoons and nails the art style, music style, and audio quality. While the game’s difficulty makes it a hard sell for all gamers, it’s still a must-buy (or try) thanks to everything else.
4. Super Mario Odyssey
Have you ever seen a Super Mario game that isn’t “game of the year” worthy? Super Mario Odyssey continues that proud tradition of superb level design and breathtaking atmosphere and music. Unlike recent games, Odyssey utilizes large, expansive levels that border on open world. The game also up-ends how time-honored coins work, does away with lives, and introduces the Swiss Army hat known as Cappy — all to great effect. Everything about the game comes together to create one of the best Super Mario experiences since the timeless classic Super Mario 64.
3. Horizon Zero Dawn
Introducing new IPs is a risky proposition. These days, the only games that seem to be successful are sequels, reboots, and re-releases, but Guerrilla Games demonstrated that not only can developers create new game worlds, but they make these games more successful than those with preexisting fanbases. Horizon Zero Dawn creates a living, breathing world filled with breathtaking landscapes and beautiful robot animals (yes, I am aware of the irony of stating robots help create a “living, breathing world”) that can only be taken down in intense and satisfying Monster Hunter-esque battles. If you buy only one game for the PlayStation 4, make it Horizon Zero Dawn
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild just barely, BARELY beats Horizon Zero Dawn for this spot. While Breath of the Wild has some design flaws, including/especially weapon durability, eventually you begin to enjoy the game so much you just accept these flaws and use them to your advantage. The game oozes character and is a joy to explore. Heck, I have yet to do any main quests in the game and have only wandered around semi-aimlessly, looking for any shrines and Korok Seeds I can find; it’s just that enjoyable to get lost in Breath of the Wild‘s world. And that doesn’t even include the game’s little nuances, including the ability to hurt/scare enemies by dropping objects on them, to sneak up on and ride wild horses and bears, and to climb any surface unless it’s raining — just to name a few. I could gush about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild all day; it’s just that good a game.
1. Resident Evil VII
As much as I love Breath of the Wild, I have to go on record saying Resident Evil VII is the best game of 2017. Why? Well, after Resident Evil 6, we all assumed the franchise to be dead, but Capcom took a page out of Konami’s P.T. demo (no, I still haven’t forgiven them for cancelling Silent Hills, firing Hideo Kojima, and alienating all of its fans and employees) and created one of the best survival horror games of recent memory. Resident Evil VII is a return to Resident Evil‘s survival horror roots and demonstrates that to scare gamers, all you need is fantastic audio design, claustrophobic corridors, and a feeling of helplessness even when you have a gun. No cheap jumpscares, just good old fashioned good game design. Resident Evil VII is, without a doubt, the best game of 2017, and fills me confidence that Capcom can live up to future promises, especially those regarding Monster Hunter: World and Mega Man 11.
After many years of fans begging Square Enix to remaster Final Fantasy VII, they finally listened and did just that. There were numerous excuses as to why the game’s re-release had lagged behind the re-releases of both VII and IX, with the most common excuse being that the game’s original code was lost years ago. However, the company made it happen and the game is finally available for modern audiences to play on modern hardware today. We’re going to give you 5 reasons why you should do just that.
First time available on modern hardware
As we’ve already said, this is the first time that the game is available on modern hardware. While the game originally launched for PS1 back in 1999, it later got a PC port in 2000. That means that is has been a whopping 19 years since a new version of the game has been available for purchase, and that wait was a brutal one. However, it is finally over and you can now play this classic game on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch along with PC. If the lack of modern hardware support was stopping you from checking out, that excuse just got thrown out the window.
The visuals look better than ever
Thankfully, Square Enix did not just slap this port together quickly and throw it out there to shut everyone up. They did a terrific job of putting on a shiny new coat of paint for the game, with the character models in particular looking much better. While things like environment textures didn’t get quite the same amount of attention, this is nevertheless the best that the game has ever looked. It also helps that the game is simply beautiful from a design standpoint, with the game’s world being gorgeous to behold even though we’re dealing with the hardware limitations of 1999.
Quality of life improvements
While those who played the game 20 years ago will still be getting what is essentially the same experience, Square Enix did add some quality of life improvements to put it more in line with current JRPGs. These changes include the likes of increasing battle speed by 3 times, shutting off random encounters completely and even a cheat to give you max HP and limit breaks. While these may seem minor, these will go a long way to ease some of the tedium that many feel after some particularly long gaming sessions. Max HP and Limit Breaks will also make the incredibly tough Ultima and Omega Weapon boss fights a lot easier to deal with.
Triple Triad
The Final Fantasy series is known for having its fair share of enticing side quests and mini games, but there isn’t a single one that is as addicting as Triple Triad. The game is essentially a card game that is played on a 3×3 grid, and each card has a certain number on the top, bottom, left and right sides. You need to place your cards in a manner that the numbers on your cards are higher than your opponents, and seeing as your card can be attacked from four different sides this can be tricky. You’re able to challenge many different characters to a match throughout the course of the entire game, and doing so comes with plenty of nice rewards that will make your quest easier.
The game is awesome
While our previous points focused on specific elements of the game, this one is a simple fact that has been true since 1999: the game is awesome. Unfortunately, releasing immediately after Final Fantasy VII (a watershed moment for gaming) put it under a very cruel microscope, with many knee jerk reactions simply saying it “isn’t as good as VII.” However, in the years that have passed people have revisited the game, and the consensus has definitely changed. This adventure that Square created is unlike any other in the series, being host to an ambitious and bizarre plot filled with some of the best characters the series has ever seen. If you’ve played the game before then this is the perfect time to experience this masterpiece all over again, and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for?
2019 has been yet another good year for gaming so far, with several games releasing that will be big contenders for game of the year once the curtain closes. However, despite the year already being more than halfway over, there are still some huge titles on the horizon that are sure to make their own dents on the coming best-of lists. This article will list the 10 biggest games that are still coming in 2019.
Control
A new game from Remedy Entertainment is always highly-anticipated, and Control is no different. The game is an action-adventure game in the same style as Alan Wake or Quantum Break, but with a supernatural twist. Players will control Jesse Faden, who possesses a variety of supernatural abilities like telekinesis, levitation and more. She will be using her abilities in order to defeat an enemy known only as the Hiss, which has corrupted reality. Control launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on August 27th.
Borderlands 3
It has been many years since the last game in the Borderlands series released, but the hiatus is finally coming to an end very soon. Those who have played previous games in the series will feel right at home with this game, as it’s once again a loot-driven FPS. The game will offer more zany characters and a charming and insane world to explore, all while dealing with new antagonists Troy and Tyreen Calypso along with their Children of the Vault cult. Borderlands 3 launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on September 13th, with a Google Stadia port release date being TBA.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series is returning soon with Breakpoint, which will serve as a continuation of previous game Wildlands. The game is set in an open world environment called Aurora, which is a fictional island in the Pacific Ocean. Players will control Lieutenant Colonel Anthony “Nomad” Perryman, who is a special forces operative that was sent to the island to investigate a series of disturbances in the area. Breakpoint launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 4th, with a Google Stadia port coming in November.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Each new installment in the Call of Duty series is always huge, but Modern Warfare’s release marks a first for the long-running franchise. It will be the first game in the series that is reimagining of a previous game in the series, taking 2004’s original game and updating its mechanics and themes to match today’s world. The game will still have some of the beats that the first game had, but will also incorporate lots of surprises to make it a fresh experience. Modern Warfare launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th.
The Outer Worlds
Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds is one that will be very highly-anticipated for fans of Fallout: New Vegas, as this game serves as a sort of spiritual successor to that game. It will be an open world RPG that allows you to explore many unique areas crawling with plenty of deadly foes. Players will also be able to encounter and recruit NPCs as companions that have their own personal missions and stories to take part in. The Outer Worlds launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th, with a Switch port also being in the works.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
It seemed very unlikely that Luigi’s Mansion would become a recurring franchise for Nintendo following the original GameCube game, but here we are. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is coming to Switch, which also means it will be the first home console release since the original game back in 2003. This time the game is set in a haunted hotel rather than a mansion, and Luigi has some new tricks up his sleeves to take down all those ghosts. Luigi’s Mansion 3 will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch on October 31st.
Death Stranding
If you’re looking for the most ambitious (and weirdest) game still coming in 2019, then look no further. Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding has perplexed gamers ever since its announcement, and each new trailer that releases just brings more and more questions to the table. It is Kojima’s first game since breaking up with Konami after the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phanton Pain (and the cancellation of Silent Hills), and it looks like Kojima has taken the newfound complete creative control to deliver something truly original. Death Stranding launches exclusively for PS4 on November 8th.
Pokemon Sword & Shield
At this point we all know what to expect from a new Pokemon game, and Sword and Shield seems poised to deliver even more cute creatures for players to capture and battle very soon. What sets Sword and Shield apart from its predecessors is that it will be the first home console release for the series, which is saying something considering the series has been around for over 20 years. Pokemon Sword & Shield launches exclusively for Switch on November 15th.
Shenmue III
If you’re a fan of Shenmue then nothing needs to be said for the inclusion of the upcoming third game on this list. Fans of the series have been waiting nearly two decades for a follow-up to the second game, and in just a couple of months that will finally be delivered to them. Brought to life thanks to an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign, the game continues the adventure of protagonist Ryo Hazuki as he hunts down his father’s killer. Shenmue III will launch for PS4 and PC on November 19th.
DOOM Eternal
id Software’s DOOM 2016 was one of the best FPS games to come along in years, so it’s a no-brainer that the follow-up would be on this list. Eternal is set to offer yet another intense FPS campaign for players to plunge into, while also offering a multiplayer component that greatly improves upon the last game’s underwhelming multiplayer mode. There will also be twice as many demon types than there was in the last game, meaning that the chaos level just got that much higher. DOOM Eternal launches for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia and PC on November 22nd.
Microsoft’s Xbox E3 2019 Press Conference has officially come to an end, and with it came plenty of big announcements to get excited about. Some new games were announced, whereas previously-announced games got new footage and/or release dates. In this article we’ve narrowed it all down to the 5 most exciting announcements.
New Xbox “Project Scarlett” Coming Holiday 2020
We’ve known for a while now that a new Xbox was in the works, but now we know when to expect it. Microsoft’s fourth console (which hopefully has a better official name than Xbox One did) will be a big step up from the previous console. Things like much faster load times, an AMD Processor that is four times more powerful than the Xbox One X, 8K Resolution and 120 FPS were all mentioned. A price and exact release date weren’t mentioned. It will also be launching with…
Halo Infinite Coming Holiday 2020, Launching On Both Xbox One and Project Scarlett
The wait for the next Halo game has been longer than ever before for series fans, and the announcement at E3 revealed that the wait will continue. Halo Infinite will not be launching until Holiday 2020, meaning it will have been 5 years since the previous game released with Halo 5. It will also be launching on Xbox One and Project Scarlett, meaning the new console will have a big launch title for fans to get pumped about.
Cyberpunk 2077 Coming April 2020, Stars Keanu Reeves
It’s hard to pick a game that people have been more excited about than Cyberpunk 2077, and after Microsoft’s press conference we’re even more excited. Not only is it coming in April of next year, but Keanu Reeves himself will be playing a “key” role in the game. Everything shown from the game has looked great so far, so hopefully it all pans out and we have another classic from CD Projekt RED come April 2020.
FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin Collaboration Elden Ring Announced
This one was actually leaked prior to the presentation, but Dark Souls developer FromSoftware and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin are collaborating on a new game. The game is called Elden Ring, and it will be a departure from the developer’s most recent games as it will be open world. Very little information on the game is known at this point, as it is still in the early stages of development.
Phantasy Star Online 2 Is Coming West
It took a very long time, but the popular MMORPG is finally coming west. The game is coming to Xbox One in a free-to-play form in Spring 2020, so the wait won’t be that much longer. “There will be no limitations on game experiences,”says Sega, because they want to “provide all players with a fair and exciting experience.”
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