You you've ever wanted to play a game that will make your brain melt and pour out of your ear, this is the one. When I bought this game I knew nothing about it, a friend recommended it to me so I spent five dollars to purchase it. And in all honesty I was not ready for what I played. Explaining this plot is nigh impossible, all you need to know is that you play someone playing a game where you play as a pony and fight demons. "Pony Island" is as meta as a game gets, and breaks the fourth wall in a way that few ever have. The gameplay is simple, but filled with some clever puzzles. What really sets this game apart is how it rewards you for thinking out of the box. Finding secrets and multiple alternate endings, and even hacking the game's files to get the true ending that explains the truth are not required or even explained it to you. "Pony Island" is one of the most unique games I've ever played, and one I'd recommend to anyone looking for something truly unique and different.
In 2012, developer Arkane Studios released "Dishonored;" published by Bethesda, "Dishonored" was a stealth-action game taking place in a steampunk filled, Victorian Era style world. Upon its release the game was widely praised as one of the best of the year. Ever since, fans have begged for a sequel; finally, 2016 delivered. Taking place 15 years after the events of the first game, "Dishonored 2" lets you take control of either empress Emily Kaldwin or as her most loyal body guard and father Corvo Attano. On the anniversary of Emily's mother's death, a woman claiming to be Emily's aunt arrives to overtake the thrown; and just like Crovo, she has incredible powers. So playing as either character, you set out to stop her. "Dishonored 2" had a lot to love up to considering how good the original is; and while "Dishonored 2" may not be as good as its predecessor, it's still one of the best of 2016. Much like the original, the game's world is utterly fascinating and beautiful; the amount of history, lore, and mystery in the story are on a whole different level. Many characters have a lot going for them, and like its predecessor the game features a unique and beautiful art style. While the combat has changed very little, the mechanics are tighter and allow for more options when approaching missions. "Dishonored 2" is an exciting, and detailed stealth game that will be compelling to any gamer that plays it.
I first heard about this game from one of my favorite YouTubers, who played it for one of his videos. Before that I had never heard of it, but it looked fun so I bought it on a whim. On the surface it's a good game: tight fighting mechanics, a lovely art style, and a good soundtrack. What really surprised me was what was under the surface, a truly original and creative game design. Much like "Pony Island," "Icey" is about as meta as it gets; constantly breaking the rules of conventional game design. Throughout the game, the title's developer is talking to you; and manages to trick you by getting you to do things you aren't supposed to do (it knows you're going to go off the beaten path and it plays you like the fiddle). This is probably the first game I've ever played from a Chinese developer; and with China relaxing their once very restrictive laws on video games, I'm certainly interested to see what other unique projects can come out of the country.
Leading up to the release of this game in early November, I had never heard of it. This was an obscure little indie game developed by a handful of people that took almost a decade to finish. What really got this game on the map would be the near universal acclaim it received upon launch. You play Otus, a young owl living in a floating village in a mythical world. As an owl, you are tasked with exploring the floating lands and defend your people. One day while off exploring, your village is attacked by a group of pirates who plan on destroying the capital. With the help of some friends, you set out to stop them from causing any more damage. Playing "Owlboy" reminded me of the first time playing a "Legend of Zelda" game, it gave me that same sense of wonder. The title's art style is stunning, featuring some of the best looking pixel-art style I've ever seen in a game. The controls are tight and responsive, and work every well for the way the game plays. The story is entertaining, with several adorable and hilarious characters you fall in love with. "Owlboy" has a lot going for it, and is such a standout that it has helped raise the bar for all indie games to come.
The "Deus Ex" franchise started back in 2000 with "Deus Ex," a stealth RPG that many will call one of the greatest games ever made. While the next sequel "Invisible War" was met with much more criticism, the series relaunched itself with "Human Revolution" in 2011. Praised by critics, "Human Revolution" would go on to be one of the best reviewed games of the year. Naturally fans wanted a sequel, and it finally arrived. "Deus Ex: Mankind Divided" is an action/stealth RPG taking place in 2029. In this world, human augmentation is a widely available practice; but after the events of the previous game, anti-aug sentiment is high. You play Jensen, an Interpol agent stationed in Prague. You hired taked with investigating a series of bombings, but after looking into it you realize there's much more going on. "Mankind Divided" has a lot going for it; impressive graphics, solid combat, brilliant level design, an engaging story, a cool setting, and stealth that gives you many options on how you want to complete your mission. I'd even say that it's one of the best stealth games I've played in years. While this is the first "Deus Ex" game I've played, I'm hoping it won't be my last.
For many, the original "Doom" and "Doom II: Hell on Earth" were the first games that many gamers ever played. Noted for being some of the best early first person shooters, as well for their over the top violence, both titles were huge hits in their times. Unfortunately for fans, 2004's "Doom 3" left a bad tastes in many mouths. While a "Doom 4" was said to be in development, the planned game dropped off the face of the earth for many years; but at a press conference in 2015, it was announced that a new inst lament in the franchise was in the works simply titled "Doom." Many years in the future Earth is going through a major energy crisis, in an attempt to make do the world decides the best course of action is to draw energy directly from Hell. Taking place at a huge research facility on Mars, the company behind the plant regularly makes trips in Hell to bring back artifacts, including a sarcophagus containing a feared soldier known simply as the Doom Slayer. You play the Slayer as you wake up from your long sleep to find everyone at the facility dead; with demons running a muck the Slayer decides to do what he does best, kill everything that moves. "Doom" is one of the most enjoyable games I've played in a long time. The combat is fast and frantic, offering tons of ways to brutally kill demons. Featuring great level design, an intense soundtrack, and great direction from developer id Software, many will walk away from 2016 saying "Doom" was the best game of the year.
Back in E3 2006, Japanese developer Square Enix announced an upcoming title for their flagship franchise. "Final Fantasy XV" was originally announced as a spin off of another "Final Fantasy" that was in development, and was originally supposed to come out several years ago. Unfortunately, numerous delays pushed the game so far back that many lost faith. But finally, after over a decade of development FFXV is here. You play Noctis, a young prince who's traveling the country to marry his bride to be, but along the way you learn that your kingdom has been attacked and your father killed. So with the help of your three best friends who were accompanying you, your gang sets out to right the wrongs that have befallen you and your kingdom. FFXV had a lot to live up to, and while it's not perfect there's a lot to love. The game's graphics are phenomenal with top notch visual and world design. The history and lore of the world is interesting, and the game's lead characters are unique and lovable. Paired with a combat system that's unique and fun, and classic JRPG elements brought into 2016, there sure is a lot to love about "Final Fantasy XV."
There were several very good indie games released released in 2016, but none were better than this one. "Inside" was developed by Playdead, the same people behind the brilliant title "Limbo." "Inside" is very clearly influenced by "Limbo," but seems like a natural progression. The game's a 2.5D platformed with puzzle solving. The game has a story, but at no point is it clear what is going on; I could try and describe it to you, but I couldn't do it any justice. "Inside" is a brilliant little game; clever puzzles, a beautiful art style, a haunting world, and a short but engaging narrative. Many of 2016's big AAA games have been disappointing, so the indies have had to pick up the slack; and I don't think any independent title released this year will be remembered as fondly as this one.
Since its introduction, the "Dark Souls" franchise has taken the video game world by storm. Every title in the franchise have been praised highly, winning countless awards along the way. Noted for their combat, stories, world design, and grueling difficulty, this series has gone from a little known jem to a full blown sensation. "Dark Souls 3" is the latest installment, and it borrows the best from all the previous games. The world is dying, and the first flame is going out; you play the Ashen One, the one tasked with making it to the first flame and choose humanity's path. Along the way you fight countless monsters, and must kill the Lord's of Cinder (warriors who lit the flame in the past). But once you make it to the first flame the question remains, "what will you do." "Dark Souls 3" has all the best aspects from the franchise, going back to the begging. The combat is heavy and sharp, but faster compared to the previous installments (influenced by the series spin-off "Bloodborne). From what we've been told, DS3 will be the last "Dark Souls" game, if so this was a great way to go out. While we're unsure what developer From Software is up to now, they'll have some pretty big shoes to fill.
Blizzard Entertainment has brought many of gaming's most beloved titles into this world, and are widely considered to be one of the best development studios working today; and their latest title "Overwatch," is one of the most talked about games in years. "Overwatch" is a competitive, class based first person shooter. It takes place in a world tired from a war between humans and robots years before. Overwatch was a military group meant to fight the robots, but after the war was disbanded; but when violence starts to reemerge, Overwatch member Winston sends out the message to get the gang back together. "Overwatch" only has a multiplayer campaign, which means it does one thing and one thing only; fortunately though, it does it very well. The game features a wide cast of memorable characters, several maps, and a variety of game modes; the combat is tight, and the art style is vibrant, cartooney, and always enjoyable. Personally, I'm not a big fan of competitive multiplayer games (mostly because I'm terrible). But since I'm fairly good at "Overwatch,"
For nearly a decade, the "uncharted" franchise has been one of the most celebrated and acclaimed franchise's in the video game industry. The first three installments in the franchise were praised for their stories, dialog, characters, action, and set pieces. While many thought that 2011's "Drake's Deception" was going to be the final game in the series, the franchise developer Naughty Dog announced that there would be one more adventure. "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" takes place years after the events of the third game; many of the characters have moved on with their lives, leaving their past explorations behind. Nathan Drake now lives a simple life at an underwater salvage company; but one day while getting ready to close, he's visited by his brother (whom was presumed dead for 20 years), asking for Nate's help to discover a long lost pirate treasure. While hesitant, Drake decides to go out one last time for the prize of a life time. "Uncharted" is to games what "Indiana Jones" is to movies, action packed blockbusters. Like the previous games, the story, dialog, and characters are top notch and expertly written. The graphics are impressive to say the least, and some of the best we've ever seen on console. The performances from the voice actors are great as always, bringing these characters to life. The combat is the same from the previous games; not revolutionary, but a tighter version from its predecessors that makes stealth a viable option. And as always, the game features exciting set pieces guaranteed to get the heart pumping. "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" is just that, a fitting end to an incredible series. While I'm sad to see it go, I'll always have the memories from some of the best games released during my lifetime.
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