2016 huh?
Well, at least we had video games... you know I heard that there's never been a better time to be playing 'em.
Anyways folks, here's my list! I played a butt load of games this year, here's a list of 'em, and there are still a good few games I feel bad for leaving off. Those include: Stardew Valley, Overwatch, Thumper, and Kentucky Route Zero. Nothing against these games, I just feel that I haven't spent enough time playing them and/or I haven't finished them. Also, here are some games I've recently picked up but haven't gotten around to! Superhot, Hitman, Final Fantasy XV, Owlboy, That Dragon, Cancer and Darkest Dungeon. Man, this could be a much different list... oh well!
The following list of games will be ordered from 12th to 1st, with numbers 12 and 11 being my favorite "old" games of 2016 and then proceeding to the top 10.
Hope all you cats enjoy, and cheers to 2017!
Showing 1-10 of 12 items
12.) So I've dabbled with a few roguelikes here and there (Downwell, Rogue Legacy, Spelunky, etc.) but none of them really got their hooks into me. That is, until I got around to Nuclear Throne. Might be because of how this game falls on the very "lite" side of roguelikes, or possibly because this game's everything feels real good. There's something about picking Yung Venuz and just mowing cats down with a golden cross bow. I will sit on that throne some day.
11.) I liked Rocket League last year, it was really fun. But my friends were finally able to get it this and we put a lot of time into it this year. This might be the multiplayer game I played the most this year. To get to the point though, the way this game has been updated all year has been such a treat to constantly go back to. The new maps, new cars and the new modes have all been a joy, even when I've messed up after not playing for sometime. Thanks for carrying the squad Chris.
10.) I'd recommend playing this game on easy. Not because it's hard, but because personally I found the combat encounters to not be all that enjoyable. Plus, that way it gets you to the next story beat quicker which is where this game really shines. Whether it's Nate and Elena at home eating dinner, Sam and Nate as kids exploring an old home, the guys driving around Madagascar telling old stories, Nate and Elena trapped in the jungle finally confronting the issues in their relationship, or that epilogue. The quiet moments of this game are so well done and poignant that they made a game that felt so needless to me become a necessity.
9.) I love petting Trico. There's this spot you can get to that's right by Trico's left shoulder blade but right bellow it's wing where Trico will get on the ground and start lounging out if you're petting there, as if it's Trico sweet spot. Not to mention, when you're petting Trico, I would feel my control vibrate a bit to a rhythm similar to breathing or a heart beat. It's an amazing little touch, that I'm a little worried if I imagined it. But the reason I'm focusing so much on petting this adorable Bird-Cat-Dog, is because for me, it reflects the bond that you as the player and Trico form. Which was what this game was all about for me and was well worth the wait.
8.) I haven't finished this game. I've put about twenty-some hours into it and just got to the royal conservatory, so take from that what you will. What I can say though is that I find myself tirelessly searching each superbly crafted level for every rune, bonecharm, newspaper, book, painting, opportunity, route, etc., not because of any completionist need, but because of how interesting Dishonored 2's world is and how I'll find new and creative ways to get around the environment on different runs. I know I'll be playing this game well into 2017. Oh also, I know this has been a staple of PC gaming, but I don't know if it has been in many console games, I hope other games take the quick-save and quick-load options and put them into their console versions. Especially, into stealth games.
7.) I haven't had this much fun with a multiplayer shooter ever. I tried with Destiny, I tried with Black Ops III, they were fine (Yes, I know I'm late to the party), but compared to Titanfall 2... oh man. Just the combination of this top level movement with some of the best gun play makes for a roaring good time. Did I mention the giant robots that you can eject from, as you set to explode, blowing up other giant robots! God this game is so much fun, I even regenerated in this game, which is something I never do. Titanfall 2 also happens to have one of the best single player campaign's as well, with levels like effect and cause. I cannot wait to play more Titanfall 2.
6.) There's something about this game that I really appreciate. For starters, I actually adored the combat encounters in this game. Whistling dudes over and stabbing them in the neck never got old for me. Also, throwing a voodoo distraction to corral a group of enemies together and throwing a Molotov at them is so rewarding. But what really get's me is the world and the writing of Mafia III. From the way the cars feel, to their UI, the amazing radio stations, the way npc's react to you, the architecture, the lighting, they all fit into this cohesive whole that make New Bordeaux feel lived in and real. Then you get to this games characters, with main players of Lincoln Clay, Father James, and Sal Marcano. They might be in a boiler plate mob revenge tale, but it's how this game goes out of it's way to actually say something and have an opinion that's so great. Not too mention all of the compelling side stories of your lieutenant's and also the Dupree case that takes place over the radio. Yes, the game might be a little too long for it's own good, but I'm glad I sat through it all.
5.) No game frustrated me more, and I mean that in a good way. I started filling notebooks with rough sketches of puzzles, making cutouts to figure things out, taking pictures of the environments and saving them to my computer. The Witness messed with me in a way no other game has and that's what I love about it so much. It got me to think outside the box, literally. I would not recommend playing this game while you're in school, it does not help, at all. Also, how when you think you finally have a grasp on what's going and then you see something and think...wait there's no way. And it turns out yes, there is a way and you audible yell HOLY SHIT at three o'clock in the morning.
4.) Speaking of amazing movement and gun play in a first person shooter...DOOM. This right here is a video game ass video game. From the moment Doomguy cock's his shotgun it's go time. There was something so joyous about this game, that I always had a smile on my face. What that might say about me is for a different time, but what DOOM does to modernize itself is something to really applaud. RIP AND TEAR.
3.) I had a weird experience with Firewatch. While I was playing the game I had a graphical glitch that started to change the way the world looked. It didn't last too long but it came at a point when Henry, the main character, is questioning what is actually going on, what he really knows, and what's happening to him. I know it was not intentional but because of that graphical issue, it actually enhanced that moment more for me, especially because after that segment, it just went away. It freaked me out more but I really love that that happened. It really helped me love that idea what we think is going on might not be as big as we imagine it to be.
