I held off on doing this list because there were a few games I wouldn’t play until Christmas. That said, I have played everything I think I am going to play for the year, so here we go…
Games I couldn’t include because I haven’t played: Mario Kart 8, GTA V (for Xbone or PS4), Lego Batman 3, Bayonetta 2
Honorable Mentions: Alien Isolation, Shadow of Mordor, Infamous Second Son, Hyrule Warriors
Games that would NEVER have made this list because they were just so disappointing: Assassin’s Creed Unity, Destiny, Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes, Call of Duty Advanced Warfare
10: The Evil Within
This game is buggy, and has poor framerate. Other than that I absolutely adore it. The original Resident Evil games are some of my favorite games of all time. And this truly felt like a throwback to SURVIVAL horror, not so much “action”. While far from perfect, this game actually had me at the edge of my seat and made me feel like I was just trying to survive. Even at moments where I had plenty of ammo and health, two boss battles in a row and I would be back to sneaking by enemies and praying for some bullets. I just wish it was a little more polished.
9: The Last of US Remastered
So admittedly, I didn’t love this game on PS3. I can’t really pinpoint why, it just wasn’t anything I figured I would play more than once. The PS4 update of this game is fantastic. They really improved not only the gameplay, but the overall experience for me. This game was the reason I bought a PS4 and I am very glad I did. While the story remains the same, the updated controls and overall gameplay made this a great experience.
8: Bravely Default
This game is an amazing throwback to Squaresoft RPGs of the past. This was a great game and made me feel very nostalgic to the RPGs I grew up on, and long for the simpler days before the Final Hallways and the ridiculous level systems of the present.
7: Metro Redux
This is the second HD remake that I feel is worth its salt. This took two games, one which was relatively obscure and a 360 exclusive, and gave them a full upgrade, not just a fresh coat of paint. Two games for the price of one, both of these games play brilliantly and actually feel like a next gen experience.
6: Diablo III Ultimate Evil Edition
This game is kind of an HD remake, and not at the same time. I really liked Diablo III, but this update and sequel were just amazing. I had more fun playing this game than any other this year. I can’t explain why, but being able to import your characters from other consoles (PS3 to Xbox One in my case) was a real selling point. Just knowing I could pick back up where I left off was a real treat.
5: South Park The Stick of Truth
A game made BY SP fans, FOR SP fans. This game was hilarious, well-paced and had a solid battle system. It was an RPG that told a great story that felt like it was taken right from an episode of the show. I laughed so damn hard at this that I had to replay it a second time to pick up on some story elements I missed and inside jokes I had overlooked. A damn near perfect game.
4: Super Smash Bros Wii U
This game is awesome. What more can I say? I like SSMB, but never LOVED it, until this game. A terrific roster, great online play and actually playing it with a GameCube controller just make it an overall amazing experience.
3: Halo: The Masterchief Collection
I am a huge Halo fan and admittedly this game was pretty broken when it came out. But the reason it is so high on my list is Halo 2 Remastered. Halo 2 is my favorite single player campaign in the Halo series, and this remake was absolutely brilliant. Gameplay, graphics and cut scenes were brilliantly rendered and this was an amazing homage to the game that I purchased my first Xbox to play. Had this game been relatively bug free, it would have easily grabbed the number 1 spot.
2: Wolfenstein: The New Order
Arguably the best FPS of the current generation, this took everything awesome about the original ID shooter and incorporated it into a modernized game. The best part? NO MULTIPLAYER! They put all of their focus into the single player campaign and it shows. On top of dual wielding weapons and an over the top action experience, there is also a surprisingly well done stealth element that reminded me of another great game, Dishonored. More shooters need to follow this game’s example
1: Dragon Age Inquisition
I know, I know – predictable. But this epic experience was just mind blowing. I never put much time into Origins or DA2, I love Bioware, but was more of a Mass Effect or K.O.T.O.R. guy. But this game really made me want to go back and experience the entire Dragon Age saga. An amazing story coupled with near perfect gameplay. This is the next gen experience I was waiting for.
