From new franchises to the return of old favorites, 2016 has been exciting for video games. Here are our picks for the best of the year.
From new franchises to the return of old favorites, 2016 has been exciting for video games. Here are our picks for the best of the year.
UNCHARTED 4: A THIEF’S END
A satisfying send-off for Nathan Drake and a fitting conclusion to the Uncharted series sees Drake go in search of the mythical pirate city of Libertalia with his long-lost brother, Sam. The gameplay is as good as ever, and the locations and visuals are among the most gorgeous the series has ever visited.
OVERWATCH
Blizzard’s first original IP in 17 years, Overwatch is a fast-paced multiplayer FPS with a colorful cast. Matches consist of 6 v 6 objectiveoriented gameplay with an emphasis on teamwork. Unlike many shooters, success in Overwatch isn’t entirely dependent on your ability to aim, and many heroes rely more on good decision making than headshotting, making Overwatch accessible to gamers with little to no FPS background.
PONY ISLAND
Pony Island is a brilliant and bizarre meta-aware game that could easily have come from the mind of David Lynch or David Cronenberg. Essentially a point-and-click puzzle game, Pony Island is the name of a retro arcade game within the game that you interact with. Here’s the catch: Pony Island was developed by the devil himself to capture the souls of the living.
DOOM
A surprising return to relevance for the granddaddy of FPS games, DOOM somehow captures the essence of the original while updating the series for modern times. The constant action, pure shooting gameplay (no cover system or regenerating health here!) and fun level design adds up to an enjoyable and nostalgic experience.
DARK SOULS 3
The Dark Souls series continues to both punish and delight gamers with its unique mix of challenging gameplay, gorgeous environments and rich lore. The third game in the series includes a ton of callbacks to previous locations and characters, including a very welcome return to a certain city from the first game.
THE WITNESS
Indie game developer Jonathan Blow’s take on classic puzzle adventure games like Myst and Riven sees you exploring a lush but deserted island dotted with unusual technology. As you progress through the game, solving its conundrums and maze-like puzzles, you’ll uncover the island’s mysterious secrets and history.
PICTURES BLIZZARD, BETHESDA SOFTWARE, THEKLA INC., SONY, DANIEL MULLINS, FROM SOFTWARE.