It's me! It's me! It's Quaglar The I Vee!!

AND THIS IS MY FIRST EVER TOP TEN VIDEO GAME LIST FOR THE YEAR 2015!!!!

2015 Top 10 Video games.

10.

Until Dawn (PS4)

One year, after a tragic prank gone wrong, in the isolated mountains of washington, ten teens gather to try and reconcile the guilt and grief they all feel. Through meditation and talk therapy.

Or through making new pranks and trying to have sex!

Until Dawn is a great mix of David Cage and TellTale. It's the first game I've played where I actually feel like the choices have a meaningful impact on the story. I'd heard any one of the characters you play could live or die depending on your choices. That is true, but all the parts in between help make this one of the more memorable choice driven games I've ever played. Games like this tend to have events that MUST happen. Sure you can choose the red pill or the blue pill, but you'll be in the matrix either way. Until Dawn hides these unavoidable events so well it's hard to tell what was your doing and what was the game's design.

9.

Fallout 4 (PS4 [also on XBONE & PC])

I have really grown to appreciate Bethesda games over my lifetime. Getting Oblivion with my 360 was pretty great; but I had no idea what I was doing. At the time it was too big for me.

Later in life I put over 150 hours into Skyrim.

Fallout 3 didn't grab at all, despite trying on 2 occasions to play it. I like the concept of a fish out of water wandering around a post apocalyptic world, but while playing it I never felt that drive to continue after a few hours. This was almost definitely on me, not giving it enough time or not being in the right state of mind for that type of game. So when Fallout 4 fever was happening, I didn't really see what the big deal was. but after putting over 80 hours into Fallout 4 I can kinda see what the big deal is.

Fallout has an incredibly well realized world combined with a good combat system make it a joy to roam around in. That being said, I didn't really care too much about the story or about the characters that were in the world. Some of my companions were interesting, and while their sidequests did a great job of establishing them in this world, it didn't really feel like anything changed once their quests were completed.

I had so much fun exploring the Commonwealth and getting to know the world of Fallout 4. Talking to my friends about what areas they found, the weapons and skills they chose, things they've seen. It seemed liked this world had infinite possibilities, that was until we realized almost every scenario is designed to funnel you into combat. Having high charisma is great for getting more caps for a job, or early on convincing some thugs not to shoot up a diner, but it quickly devolves into empty choices leading to predetermined paths. This feeling is what ultimately led me to stop playing Fallout 4 without having seen the story through.

8.

Dying Light (PS4 [also on XBONE & PC])

This game came out pretty early in the year and could be pretty easy to forget. Dead Island was a game I got for free on 360 one month and had a decent amount of fun with, but Techland really stepped it up with Dying Light.

The game looks great and plays even better. Smashing zombies with melee weapons is incredibly satisfying and the parkour elements work wonderfully. Fearing the night due to super powerful zombies, who are practically invincible early on, is a fun mechanic. this adds a level of strategy about when to do missions and tension when your watch beeps letting you know you only have one in game hour left to find shelter. I mainly played co-op with 1 to 3 friends which made for a hell of a fun time. There's nothing like watching your buds dropkick a zombie of a room then ziplining away.

7.

Mortal Kombat X (PS4 [also on XBONE & PC])

I really like fighting games. I'm not super good at them, I'd say I'm above average at some, and okay at most. I wouldn't say I like the Mortal Kombat X more than 9, but it was the logical next step. They tried to continue the amazing story that was reestablished in 9 with mixed results and the option to pay $20 to unlock all the items in the Krypt is pretty skeezy, especially since it seems like the in game currency comes to the player in a trickle.

However, I've continuously gone back to this game. Whether it's been to try out a new character, or play a few rounds with my friends, I consistently have a great time with the fighting. I guess that is all it really takes for this to be one of my favorite fighting games ever, and one of my favorite games of the year.

6.

Bloodborne (PS4)

Oh Dark Souls. How I love thee. Okay. I know this isn't Dark Souls, but it hits enough of the same notes that I love it all the same. That's not to say this is Dark Souls 2, there's already one that does that, but the changes it makes adds a whole different strategy.

While I played Dark Souls hiding behind a shield, that method is impossible In Bloodborne. This game encourages constant attacking, by giving you a chance to regain lost health a few seconds after receiving a blow, and dodging. There is no block. This makes it a much faster paced game than the those of the Souls series while keeping the brutal difficulty and death penalty of losing your souls blood echos if you die and fail to retrieve them on your next life.

It did suffer from unbearable load times that seemed like more of a punishment than losing some echoes (this was later fixed) and a camera that can be uncooperative at times. But beating most of the bosses invoked the same feeling of accomplishment that Dark Souls bosses gave me. Along with a co-op function, that once was patched to work better, let me and a friend roll together destroying the nightmares that would wreck us on solo, and a DLC that brought even my over leveled NG+ character to her knees, makes this one of the best games i've played this year.

5.

Rise of the Tomb Raider (XBONE [also on PC, on PS4 holiday 2016])

Laura's back and better than ever! The follow up to the 2013 hit improves on every element of it's predecessor. The combat is tighter, the graphics are better and Laura's character has grown since we left her and she left murder island. This time she's taking to Stalin in the frozen hellscape that is Soviet Russia where tombs raid you!

I apologize deeply for the previous sentence.

While taking place in current time, the amount of defunct soviet outpost, burning propaganda posters, cutting down soviet flags and stabbing wolves harkens back to the days of the red menace and reaganomics.

I played this game on hard and found the combat very satisfying. While i tried to stealth my way through most encounters, when things went sideways or I was forced into combat I found there were enough combat options to keep things interesting. whether using Flaming and exploding arrows, making bombs out of gas cans and radios, or just going to town with a machine gun, the pacing of the combat encounters didn't wear thin until the very end.

The story is pretty good, and flows nicely wrapping up well and providing interesting lore for the series to build on in the future.

Lastly the tombs. My goodness the tombs! Every optional tomb provides a unique challenge that is rewarded with a skill or weapon part that feels earned and valuable. This makes every tomb feel worth it and keeps you going even if you seem to be missing a key element in completing the tomb.

4.

Tales from the Borderlands (PS4 [Also on XBONE, PC, Xbox 360, & mobile])

In 2012 I fell in love with Telltale's Dead the Walking Dead. It offered an engaging story from a series I was pretty into while presenting it in an adventure game format with heavy player input. Every terrible event, every death and struggle felt like it was your fault. Beating a canbible to death in front of your pseudo adopted daughter? That's on me. Someone dies? Probably should have not said that thing.

I say this to put into perspective that this has been my favorite TellTale game to date.

While I like Borderlands, I never really got into the lore. I liked Mordecai, he had a hawk, Pandora seems like a messed up place, the narrator sold you guns, CATCH-A-RIDE!!! Vaults! Handsome Jack and Claptrap are kinda annoying.

But from that spawned one of the most enjoyable games of the year. After every episode I wanted more. The several month long breaks between episodes that killed my interest in previous TellTale games wasn't rearing it's head.

You play as two characters, Rhyse, a mid level salary man trying to climb the corporate ladder at Hyperion following the power vacuum in the wake of Handsome Jack's death, and Fiona, a Pandoran conwoman trying to get rich in a world where most problems are solved with bullets.

Both characters have their own unique personality and crew helping them along and eventually each other. The interactions between characters is very well done. You hate and love characters in their own ways. The writing is solid and is hilarious throughout. While bad things happen, it never gets as dark or hopeless as the Walking Dead.

While the choices won't drastically change the game it does a great job in making you feel like it could. Different choices cause different cutscenes to play out, such as customizing a loader bot with weapons to help you against a group of psychos you would otherwise have no chance against. Little changes like this make you feel like you have agency over the story even if it's going to end the same way.

This game truly exemplifies enjoying the journey, rather than the destination.

3.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Geralt is at it again, and this time, it's personal! The Witcher 2 was one of my favorite games when it came out on 360 and I was able to play it. It built a fantasy world that was well realised, full of creatures and people who followed certain rules and laws that feel like were established over thousands of years. Wild Hunt continues this world building in incredible fashion.

Once again you slip into the sultry boots of witcher Geralt of Rivia, a mutant who travels the world killing monsters for anyone who can pay, by coin or trade. Geralt has been having vivid nightmares about the Wild Hunt chasing a young woman named Ciri, who Geralt has raised and trained from a very young age. He embarks on a quest to find her, tracking down leads in the war torn Velen, the city of Novigrad and the many island of Skellig, all the while taking on odd jobs and sorting out disputes if the player so wishes.

Player agency plays a huge part in this game, and I believe the way this game handles choices is better than almost any game that has come before it. Unlike a Mass Effect or Dragon Age, most choices are not clearly good or evil, paragon or renegade, but rather shades of grey. You tracked down a thief who hijacked a shipment of medicine from the invading army, but he needs it for his family. A werewolf killed his wife during his wolf state, but only because his sister-in-law took his wife to the cave he would use to hide out in in order to show her he was a monster and leave him, leaving him to be consoled by said sister-in-law who is secretly in love with him. Who is the bad guy there? Do you let him rip the sister-in-law to sheds? Do you put an end to his life despite his attempts to keep others safe? These ambiguous scenarios pack Wild Hunt with so much character it's hard to tear yourself away.

The main mission does have some pacing issues. It often feels like you are making little progress as your efforts to find Ciri are sidetracked by other people needing your help, many involving other missing people. Bloody Baron needs help finding his wife and daughter, Dandelion is missing, Dudu is missing, there's an effort to eradicate all magic users from Novigrad, Skelliga has got Viking problems, etc. It's easy to lose the thread especially since every side quest is fully voice acted and has it's own plot. There are very few instances of filler, even exploring random caves may lead to an unforeseen quest. This attention to detail and appreciation of the player's time stuck with me through my entire playthrough. Going back to the DLC after months of not playing only reaffirmed my confidence in this being one of the best games of the year.

2.

Rocket League

My list is packed full of narrative focused games, many with complex mechanics, RPG elements and player choice.

Rocket League has none of that. Simply put, Rocket League is a competitive game where rocket powered cars play soccer. the who, what, when, where and why don't matter. The concept is simple, the controls are simple, the changes you can make on your car is cosmetic, and the only upgrades that occur are you improving your skill at the game.

While everything about Rocket League is simple, mastering the mechanics is most certainly not. You must understand the physics of every variable on the field; the ball, your car, your team and your opponents. only through hours of practice can you hope to reach the upper echelon of play.

This is one game that I have consistently gone back to throughout the year due mostly to it being free on Playstation Network for a month so most of my friends have it.

1.

Metal Gear Solid V

DARPA chief? METAL GEAR? THE PATRIOTS!!!! A HIND D?!?!?!

I've loved Metal Gear for many years. I rented the VR missions at least four times just trying to rent Metal Gear Solid. and once I got my hands on it. It was amazing.

anyone who talks shit about Twin Snakes can go straight to hell!7

MGSV is one of the greatest open world games ever made. Combined with the fact that almost every scenario features a plethora of alternate paths makes it one of the most innovative, adaptable, commerciale, convertible, immersible, reversible, games I've ever played..

Unlike past stealth games. unlike past Metal Gear games, This game features an insane amount of freedom. Each mission features a main objective. Kill X, Capture Y, read document L. The difference in this game is, if you fuck up... Like if you for real FUCK UP!... You can recover. You can change the tide in a way that will make your mission a success, and everything is okay.

THIS is what makes MGSV the most unique game I've ever played.

You get spotted in your the first sleven seconds of your "stealth mission?" Don't worry. Just slit a few thoughts, gas a few blokes, and you're golden!

There are very few places in MGSV where you straight up FAIL.

If you get spotted; Hide and try again. Kill a dude?

Hide and try again.

Almost every mission allows wiggle room in terms of tackling the mission in espionage or brute force.

i would often find myself in an unwinnable scenario. Snake pitted against the overwhelming force before him...

But I took a breath... Ran to the outskirts, equipped my sniper Rifle, and laid waste to those before me.

This is only one example of me adapting to the changing wiles before me... maybe I sabotaged a tank... or called my sniper lady to fire Armor Piercing round instead of tranqs....

The amount of tactics and counter-tactics in MGSV make this the most fun, the most unique, the most individual,. combine that with almost wrapping up a decade worth a ridiculous stories, this is the greatest game of the year, in my book..

I wanted to write down some of my thoughts about Ryan Davis.

Two years ago Ryan Davis passed away.

Most people in the my life have no idea who this person is, but to me, this was one of the saddest moments of my life.

Ryan Davis was a gaming journalist and personality who most recently worked for the website Giantbomb.com, a video game website that focuses mostly on long form video of newly released games and have a podcast every Tuesday, the Giant Bombcast, where they discuss that week in gaming, and the various going ons in their lives.

I first discovered Giant Bomb in 2012 on the Penny-Arcade forums. I don't remember exactly how, but I somehow found a few YouTube videos of their podcast, one of which was a story about how Ryan tweeted about how the floor of the hotel his room was on reeked of weed. After this he took a nap and when he awoke, found he had been responded to by the hotel, saying they informed the manager and would be taking action, meaning he accidentally “narced out” a couple of “harmless weed smokers.”

From then I have not gone a week without consuming some content from Giant Bomb, be it video, audio, or articles. This is primarily due to the personalities on the site and how well they play off each other. Ryan was the host of the Giant Bombcast and his personality was immediately likable and hilarious.

Over they years, despite never having met them, I felt like I knew these people. Hundreds of hours of listening to their voices, discovering new things in video games, and having something to look forward to after a bad day. No matter how shitty I felt I knew watching one of their videos would make me laugh and forget about what was bothering me, at least for a little bit.

Two years ago today Ryan Davis died. News of this hadn't gotten out until a few days later out of respect for his family. Reading the short article posted on the website was one of the most shocking things to have happened to me. I didn't believe it at first and thought it was a joke, since he was taking time off for his wedding. Unfortunately this was not the case. Less then a week after his wedding, he was gone. This voice that I had spent hundreds of hours listening too was gone, and would never be back. I would never have a chance to meet him and tell him how great he was.

This is the only time I've cried about someone I've never meet dying. It seems silly. I didn't actually know him. He didn't know me. We never talked or e-mailed. I never even tweeted at him, mostly because I don't use Twitter, but the point is I never actually interacted with him.

In my mind, I know this. But it still doesn't change how I feel. A great man died, someone who I had hoped to meet one day, someone who brought joy to the lives of so many people, someone who had not been married a week. He's gone, and there's nothing I can do to change that...

The only thing I can do is remember who he was to me, introduce him to people who I think might enjoy his personality, and keep on gaming.

While writing this, I almost started crying. It took a lot to hold back the tears... years later, I still miss him. Love Ryan Davis.