The most recent games aren’t always those that were the best of the year. But they are the ones that stood out the most. You’ll still be talking and playing them long after they’ve hit the shelves, whether it’s because of their captivating stories, enveloping environments or their unrelenting gameplay.
While most sequels are iterative enhancements of the same formula, XCOM 2 rises above its predecessors thanks to a fresh perspective and a reworked combat system that offers an endless number of possibilities for players with experience. It’s one the few titles that are both kid-friendly and mature, with a fun factor that doesn’t overshadow its intelligence.
Brutal Legend, the first game not developed by Squaresoft to utilize Unreal Engine 4, proves that old-fashioned action games can be powerful. The game is a blast of nostalgia, combining the dark beauty and splendor that are found in PS1 classics with modern action games.
Spec Ops The Line is an excellent shooter with a plot that’s more important than ever. It’s the most interesting game to date in the series, with an sci-fi setting that’s accessible and difficult to sympathize with and a character that’s accessible but also difficult to sympathise with.
Final Fantasy XIV is back in the good books of fans despite the lack of content. This follows a period of lows that began with Warlords of Draenor. The game’s revival can be due to a renewed focus on storytelling and the constant commitment of the team behind the game to improve the base experience through a variety of extensions that make it one of the few subscriptions to an MMO you’ll want stick with.