Overall, 2015 was a much better year for video games than the abysmal 2014. Whether in part because it contained anticipated sequels in series where games aren’t released every year or because we just got lucky and a lot of interesting stuff got released this year that managed to gain mainstream attention, but I look back on this year with much higher hopes. With 2016 looking equally as interesting, things are looking pretty up for the world of video games right now.
As an aside, here are a list of things I haven’t played yet but plan to, as to explain their possible absence from this list: Final Fantasy Type-0 HD, Undertale, Super Mario Maker, Resident Evil Revelations 2, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Jotun, Life is Strange, Pathologic HD, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, Dying Light, Age of Decadence and Fallout 4.
5. Splatoon
For a long time, I always wondered why Nintendo never attempted to make their own variant of the shooter. Nintendo has always had far simpler sensibilities that looks for unique ways in which to explore a genre on its own terms. Splatoon manages to fill that void admirably, taking that leap into online shooter in their own backwards Nintendo way. While the actual matchmaking and online infrastructure is garbage, the important part, the gameplay, is fast, smooth, and fun. A game less concerned with K/D ratios and more concerned with interesting take on a tired genre is openly welcome in my mind, especially one with such a clean function.
4. Rocket League
Somewhere during the long years of the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii, developers and publishers — outside of Nintendo, I suppose — decided that multiplayer would be dedicated to how many military shooters we could conceivable fit into an already crowded arena. As one of the outliers of that time, a small company named Psyonix developed a car-combat, sports-game thing called Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars, which boldly defied that trend. Not a lot of people played that game, but a lot did play the similar but excellent follow-up Rocket League.
There is nothing to say about Rocket League outside of the fact that it is exactly what it promises, rocket car soccer, and lives up to the potential in every conceivable way. Play it.
3. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Once having gotten over the souring realization that the ending of the game is terrible and kind of meaningless, it becomes a lot easier to recognize that MGS V is the king of open-world gameplay this year. MGS V does not manage to strike the balance between story, post-modern implementation of gameplay elements, or solid fundamentals of those said elements, it manages to exceed expectations in the most important one. MGS V‘s open-ended mission design, as repetitive as it may be, let’s it be one of the most varied experiences of the year. It also plays great as well, which is more that can be said for the next game.
2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3 is almost the exact opposite of Metal Gear Solid V. MGS V has excellent gameplay, TW3 is more of a mixed bag. MGS V fails to tell a compelling story in most ways, TW3 is one of the better written games of the year. MGS V‘s open-world is barren and tacked-on, TW3 is packed with compelling and unique content and is the game’s biggest strength. TW3 succeeds primarily on its tertiary elements, which elevate it to one of the best games of the year and one of the best open-world games of all time.
1. Bloodborne
Occasionally, I feel as though I’m going to be really depressed when this Souls train comes into its last stop. Since Demon’s Souls hit the scene in 2009, I’ve fallen in love with every game in the series, and each for their own different reasons. Bloodborne also proves that this is a series that thrives on strength’s of its core gameplay and setting, that having a combination of near-perfect, if familiar, mechanics coupled with a brand new setting to explore is these game’s really come into their own and stay fresh. Dark Souls II felt like a retread because it was tied to heavily to a known universe. Each other Souls game feels more original because that sense of self-discovery isn’t lost, it becomes a focal point of the game itself. Bloodborne readily and gladly ranks up with both Demon’s and Dark Souls.
Honorable mentions:
Sunless Sea – At some point I will dedicate more time to this game, but with my short few hours with it I was intrigued by what the game had to offer and wanted to explore more.
Her Story – Likely the most unique game of the year, Her Story is an excellent little tale about solving a mystery in a naturalistic yet non-linear fashion. Anchored by a strong central performance and a lovely conceit, Her Story is almost an excellent introductory game for someone hesitant to explore the medium due to its outwardly violent nature.
The ABC's of Gaming 