It’s going to be Nier...unless there’s a reason Zelda is in a larger font.
😁 I’m looking forward to this! He only said “I think,” who knows what game he’s playing?
Not in order yet. There will be an upset in the end...
- Nioh
- NieR: Automata
- Horizon: Zero Dawn
- Persona 5
- Injustice 2
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
- Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
- Metroid: Samus Returns
- Middle Earth: Shadow of War
- Super Mario Odyssey
10. NieR: Automata (PS4) -- Did I play it? Yup. Did I like it? Yup. Can I tell you much about it now, months later? Nope. I remember it being great, but only got two or three of the endings. I will go back to it eventually, but for now, it barely made the list.
9. Metroid: Samus Returns (3DS) -- Well, duh! It's METROID! And, yes, I did go out and get the Amiibos!
8. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (PS4) -- The latest adventure of a legendary hero that's been around since the 8-bit days. This was an action adventure that featured a great tree and a powerful woman that fought back against a force that threatened to destroy a kingdom she protected for centuries. You gathered resources, you went on many quests. You met with the powerful representatives of 4 races of beings that also protected the lands. This sits side by side on my list next to another game of a similar style... The Ys games are funny. They are very under-rated and have never caught on nearly a fraction of the "other" series, popularity-wise, but they never cease to impress me. They always start out innocently but get kinda dire. They are always a blast to play. Colorful graphics, bad-ass bosses, excellent action. In an alternate dimension where the TurboGrafx-16 overtook the NES, this is one of the greatest series of all time. "Oh, Adol... Always remember the GIRL in me!"
7. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch) -- I acknowledge the fact that this game is HUGE and gives you a ton of freedom to play it as you will. I am amazed at the cut-scenes, the drama and the voice-acting all around. It was a legendary playground full of Zelda-dungeon-style-puzzle Shrines. Can there be too much of a good thing, though? I am also surprised by the darker, border-line depressing tone of the game. This will be remembered as what happens when NINTENDO makes a sandbox game. I prefer the 2D or traditional ones more than this. I respect people LOVING it, but it's NOT one of my top games this year!
6. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Switch) -- If this was a list of the biggest SURPRISES of the year, this would be NUMBER 1! I admit, I scoffed when I heard about it, I was skeptical up to the very day before I got it. What greeted me when I booted it up the first time completely squashed my negative expectations. Such humor, such an incredible synergy between the Rabbids and the Mushroom Kingdom cast. The fact that this is basically Mario Strategy, a-la Xcom, with Mario basically packing a GUN...?! Unbelievable! Can't wait to play even more of this, can't WAIT for the next story DLC. Bravo, Michel Ancel, you're obviously a HUGE Nintendo fan and it SHOWS!
5. Horizon: Zero Dawn (PS4) -- You wanna showcase a PS4 Pro? THIS is the game to do it! Utterly gorgeous, intricately detailed, masterful in HDR... but enough about how it LOOKS! I'm shocked this isn't number one on more GOTY lists...! From the story-line to the creation of an insta-classic gaming Heroine in Aloy, this game nearly has it ALL! The design of the enemies; mechanical monstrosities with destructible parts and the clever use of resources you hunt and gather from them. This attention to the hunting mechanic is unparalleled in any other game! I love the big, open world in this one too, even more-so than BoW. I love how they gave you optional "dungeons" and plenty to explore and do. It's funny though, there was sooo much of a good thing, it almost got to be overwhelming! Great, great game nonetheless!
4. Injustice 2 (PS4) -- Hands-down, the BEST fighting game to come out this year. Hands-down, the BEST super-hero fighting game EVER! Netherrealms COMPLETELY outdid themselves with this one! Perfected balance. Heavy-hitting SUPER moves. The FINEST facial expressions in a fighting game so far. A "Loot" system built in where the armor pieces you obtain make it so your Heroes may look completely different than anyone else you fight against... Another textbook example of HOW TO make a single-player, story-mode in a fighting game. I could go on an on and on... Really, truly, honestly... If you are a Super-Hero fan, buy it. If you are a Mortal Kombat fan, buy it. If you just want one of the BAD-ASS-IEST, ASS-KICK-ING-EST games of 2017... JUST FRIGGIN' GET IT ALREADY!!
Mario + Rabbids is the biggest surprise of the year....besides the massive success of the Switch.
3. Middle Earth: Shadow of War (PS4) -- I honestly think this game was "black-listed" by reviewers due to the whole loot-box controversy; a subject I feel has been completely over-blown. This game takes EVERYTHING that made the first Shadow of Mordor game GREAT and quadruples it! There's SUCH a variety of creatures now. There's soooo much more to explore. There's so many variables that go into the randomly generated Orcs. Who's a Mystic, who's a Poisoner, who's a Beast-Tamer, who's a Cannibal, who's an Archer... Elemental attributes, Earned Titles... Bodyguards, Warchiefs, Elites... the list is endless... The Possibilities are endless... The Nemesis system works for enemies and allies of yours. It is --SO-- ROBUST now, it's nearly mind-blowing! You even recruit and build an Orc army of your own! The single player game fits right into Lord of the Rings lore, but it goes on from there. You can attack online player's Strongholds. You need to build your defenses, as well. You can pit Orcs of yours versus Orcs of another player's world against one another for loot. There's a LOOT system now too. Get different Bows, Rings, Swords, Armor... fit them with Gems that alter their attributes. To put it plainly: This game is sooo much FUN I can see myself playing it, even after I beat it, for many, many more months to come! I have not purchased a single loot box. I have earned more than enough to keep myself strong and healthy and I had a great time doing it, to the point where I think the whole loot box "drama" is ludicrous! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Just watch your back **door** if you get it, I may just sneak in at night and conquer your ass!
Here's the games that came out this year that I think are worthy: