The most recent games aren’t necessarily the ones that are the best of the year. But they are the ones that stood out the most. They’ll be talked about and playing them long after they’ve hit the shelves, whether it’s because of their captivating stories, immersive environments, or their unrelenting gameplay.
XCOM 2 is a superior sequel to the original. It features a fresh viewpoint and a redesigned battle system that lets experienced players achieve an endless ceiling. It’s one of the few titles that manages to feel both kid-friendly and mature at the same time, with a savvy approach that doesn’t impede its fun factor.
Brutal Legend, the first game not developed by Squaresoft to make use of Unreal Engine 4, proves that old-fashioned action games can be a powerful game. The game is awash with nostalgia from every crevice, and has an aesthetic that combines the brutal beauty of PS1 classics and the dazzling beauty of contemporary action games.
Spec Ops The Line is an excellent shooter with a plot that’s more important than ever. It’s by far the most exciting installment to date in the series, with the setting of a sci-fi story that’s relatable yet hard to empathise and a character that’s accessible but also difficult to connect with.
Final Fantasy XIV is back in the good books of players despite a lack of content. This comes after a period of lows following Warlords Of Draenor. The game’s revival can be the result of a renewed focus on storytelling, as well as the their website continuing dedication of the development team to keep improving the base experience with a range of extensions that make it one of the few subscriptions to an MMO you’ll want stick with.
