While my passion for games this year have dwindled at points and I don't think there have been as many games I've enjoyed, I still think 2016 has been a really solid year. As ever there are games I not enjoyed because of my own incompetence like Hitman, really wanted to like others but really disappointed with, I'm looking at you Starfox Zero! and other games which in my heart of hearts knew I wouldn't get so didn't invest in them, like Titanfall 2 and The Witness. Also a few games which came close to making my list like Pony Island, Streetfighter V, Worms WMD, No Mans Sky (which for all its flaws I really liked my time with), Pacman CE 2 and Paper Mario Color Splash (which I really wanted to get into but was too much of a time investment).
Honorable Mention
This year has me change my opinion on adventure games and also Pokemon games. I finally played Pokemon Yellow (3DS) and it led me down a dark path of the franchise. I must have spent a good chunk of my summer commute playing this lovable little RPG familiarizing myself with the original 151 Pokemon, getting frustrated with legendary Pokemon and killing them rather than catching them, looking up what TMs and HMs are and working out the best combination of Pokemon types to take into battle and realizing the selection I'd chosen was useless. There are games on my list that came out earlier than 2016 but this game seemed like it would be a stretch to add to my list and also other Pokemon games have forced there way into my life this year too.
10. Abzu (PS4) Sharing a lot of the same DNA as Journey it looks gorgeous and was a joy to play. It took no time at all to drift through the ambiguous story but it was broken up by stopping every once in a while to admire the look of the game and the spectacular eco system that the game contains. It doesn't really build on mechanics, at the end of the game I was doing the same thing as the start but it's worth it just for the few spectacular set pieces in its short duration, the encounter with a pod of whales in particular was awesome.
09.100ft Robot Golf (PS4) I liked this game quite a bit, easily the best story mode in any golf game I've played and it was refreshing how each character in the game took a different approach to swinging a golf club. A different approach is the best way to describe this game, instead of taking turns most modes is a race of destruction toward getting the ball in the hole. Not everything about the game worked, but when all the chaos hit the right spot it was a lot of fun.
08.Life is Strange (PS4) bit of a technicality this one as it was released last year, but I got the complete collection early in the year, like a good TV show this is how I'd rather consume games, knowing that all the pieces are there to complete it rather than waiting around for the next instalment. I took a big break between a section of the game and i've no idea why as once I returned to it it was moving,gripping and one of the best storylines in a game I've played. The choices and character interactions all felt meaningful the only thing, sadly this is quite a big thing, that let the game down was when it decided it wanted to be a video game and forced elements like stealth into the game and that didn't work most of the time. Still its a wonderful thing all the way to its powerful conclusion.
07.Firewatch (PS4). There are a couple of games on my list this year that I'd rather watch than actually play the game, in a good way. The story of this game was so strong and unusual for a video game that it had me gripped from start to finish. I loved the feeling of ownership I had to the main character I had through the early decisions I made and it instantly got me hooked on the game. What transpires is unexpected because its an understated game which goes in directions which I genuinely didn't see coming. It's choice of a cartoony look contrasts with what is a very adult story, dealing with grief, responsibility and depression. Its good fun though. Honest.
06.Pokemon Go (iOs) For time spent with a video game this year or miles walked with a game this would be hands down number one. Stripping back to the series core concept of "Catch 'Em All" theres a battling/gym thing going on but I couldn't care less. For me its about the 82 miles that I walked to evolve a Charizard or when I happened upon a Primeape while walking home. Steady updates have reeled me back into playing it every time I thought I was out and the most unusual thing is its a free to play game with little incentive for me to put money into it. A real guilty pleasure of mine.
No comments:
Post a Comment