Great writeup!

I feel Doom works because the authors weren't afraid to take a stance. They picked a line and played it through. It works out of the same reasons why The Witness or Thumper work. Trying to fully realizegame play concepts, deciding on an angle and a tone and sticking with it. Today there is a lot waffling because, you know, you don't want to insult or disappoint anybody. Doom, Witness and Thumper are all games that could have failed gloriously because they do the one thing they decided on but thats also why they are amazing.

I love this list. I also have to say Alex, as always, is responsible for some of the best well-reasoned arguments during GotY podcasts. I'm probably going to pick up Thumper and Darkest Dungeon based on how reverently I've heard him talk about them.

2016 was amazing, probably the best year in a long time

I would play/watch the hell out of a Steven Hitman game as Alex described.

Damn good list as always.

I started playing Boy Orbson because competitive games suck when you're a Mercy in solo queue, and that boy's orbs have saved my team's behindus on many an occasion.

Reinhardt still number one on the point and in our hearts tho.

this is a fantastic list.

thank you so much for mentioning ATS! it's a great mental relaxation/zen recharge from other games, just as ETS2 was (and still is).

Fantastic writeup, Alex!

I always believed in Orbson, Alex. I think he deserved better in that category!!

Ditto! :D

Solid list. Even better writing Alex.

I've begun to sour on the 'shit on 2016' train.

I got to watch my tiny son grow. That was enough for me.

Glass half full!

I seriously appreciate your love for Thumper, so much so I decided to purchase the game on steam while it was a bit cheaper. I much say I am not disappointed, and the game in VR is really something. The only regret is I didn't play it before I voted on the community top ten. You are a true National Treasure Alex.

Hey Alex just want to say thank you for paying respect to so many games that deserved a note of appreciation this year. Whether it was the INSIDE or Tokyo Mirage Sessions you gave some praise to games that were outside most of the other staff views. Cheers to the best Wingman of 2016 you.

I second that and will add that he's my favorite game reviewer period!

I'm really surprised Thumper isn't number one.

D.va and Zen were also my mains when I played Overwatch. Hopefully once MW: Remastered releases me from it's nostalgia hooks I can get back to hitting people in the face with Zen's golden balls.

anytime alex or brad write im always filled with a huge foreboding sense of my own inadequacies.

What a glorious Boy Orbson!

I want to like Overwatch but I find it incredibly boring to play, it doesn't feel satisfying to land anything in that game. I wish it would click for me, another thing is I find the art style generic, the character designs aren't but the overall look doesn't impress me at all.

This was my favorite list this year. Fantastically written, Alex!

Love it, also great to see Merritt on GB!

Zenyatta finally gets his respect!

Hey @alex did you ever get around to That Dragon, Cancer? I don't think I heard a single mention of it during the GOTY deliberations and I really think you'd like it due to the way you digged Firewatch's perspective on grief.

Alex, your writing is always a highlight on this site. Mafia III and No Man's Sky have their fair share of detractors, but your reviews were a pleasure to read and were two of my favourite reviews from any site this year - even people who don't care for those games can see how well-reasoned your arguments were.

Also, I've only listened to half of the GOTY discussion, but above everyone else on GB, I hoped that you shared a passion for the same games I did because you consistently made the best points and were usually convincing.

I probably enjoyed more of the honourable mentions from your intro than your actual top-11, but this was still my favourite list of the week. Please keep doing what you do!!

Kick ass list to recap 2016 in gaming, especially the argument for Overwatch as game of the year (also my choice).

See you on the battlefield!

I don't feel strongly about Overwatch, but I can appreciate Alex's sincere love for it.

No love for Uncharted.

Great list.. American Truck Simulator and ETS2 are examples of how a studio supports a game. They allow mods on crazy levels and respond to what customers want (the massive rescale) when they know it is right. The game is fantastic.. with online mods, a full radio station with live DJs pumped into the game to virtual trucking companies you can work for. It is relaxing.. and once you get in the experience is unlike anything else. Glad you were able to point a spotlight on this fantastic game.

Alex, that is the correct number 1 game. =D

I haven't finished Thumper because it's hard, but it's amazing.

@aaronmt: He is easily my go-to healer, aside from Lucio. If you need to heal and assist with damage, he does a great job of maintaining that balance.