BOOTYS YOU CAN SEE
Best Visuals: The Order 1886
I can't deny that this was an excellent game to look at. The key word there being "look".
Best Art Direction: Bloodborne
Let me tell you all the reasons why this game has incredible art direction. Actually, maybe this picture should do the talking.
Let me tell you all the reasons why this game has incredible art direction. Actually, maybe this picture should do the talking.
Most Unique Style: Apotheon
They made the game look like Greek pottery art. Let's give a medal to the guy who thought of that idea.
Worst Art Direction: Halo 5
Halo used to look awesome. Remember when Halo looked awesome? Now it looks like this.
Arts 'n Crafts Award: Kirby, Yoshi, Armikrog, and Tearaway
They keep making games out of art materials!
Best Use of Neon: Ori and the Blind Forest
Most Colorful: King's Quest ep. 1
This game was literally painted by hand. My eyes have rarely glimpsed such beauty.
Most Depressing: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5
Something about the visuals of this game make me sad.
Best Explosions: Just Cause 3
The color contrast in the game makes the explosions even more striking.
Ugliest Characters: Xenoblade Chronicles X
No offense, but everyone in Xenoblade Chronicles X looks weird.
Best Cutscenes: The Order 1886
Considering about 90% of the game is cutscenes, they better be good.
Best Cutscenes: The Order 1886
Considering about 90% of the game is cutscenes, they better be good.
BOOTYS YOU CAN HEAR
Best Soundtrack: The Witcher 3 & Xenoblade Chronicls X (tie)
In all my years of the BOOTY Awards, I've always been able to pick a clear winner for best soundtrack. There are often many amazing scores but one that stands above the rest. This year, I simply can't do that. Both of these RPGS have absolutely incredible music. Both of these games deserve recognition for their unique and incredible musical landscapes.
Most Improved Soundtrack: Halo 5
Giving Neil Davidge the boot in favor of Kazuma Jinnouchi was the best thing 343 has done for Halo so far. Although they were the ones who hired him in the first place...
Most Relaxing Soundtrack: Yoshi's Woolly World
Yoshi's New Island raped my ears last year, but Woolly World has come with the lotion to sooth my aching ears.
Most Unique Soundtrack: Splatoon
Ever heard of squid-rock? Now you have.
Most Epic Character Creation Music: Xenoblade Chronicles X
Making a character has never felt so awesome.
Least Memorable Soundtrack: The Order 1886
I'd write something about this, but I honestly don't remember much except that Austin Wintory composed the main theme. Unfortunately, that's the only track he worked on.
Best Sound Design: Bloodborne
You hear that horrible screeching wail in the distance? It's probably coming to kill you.
Worst Soundtrack: Boxboy
I love Boxboy as a game, but the music is just grating. It's repetitive, composed of unpleasant sounds, and gets annoying very quickly. I ended up muting the game so I could finish it.
Catchiest Theme Song: Super Mario Maker
Nintendo: theme song geniuses since 1985.
Best Performance: James Clyde as The Bloody Baron
The one character from 2015 I'll never forget is the Bloody Baron. James Clyde's excellent performance really brought such a complex character to life.
The Totally Ruined Award: Super Meat Boy
Compare these knockoffs:
to the amazing originals:
Because somebody involved is apparently a tremendous asshole, the entire (excellent) Super Meat Boy soundtrack was replaced for the PlayStation release, thereby ruining the game. What a terrible way to celebrate the game's 5th anniversary.
Best RPG: The Witcher 3
Also, one of the best RPGs ever made.
Best fighting game: Mortal Kombat X
I don't even recall another fighting game coming out, besides DBZ.
Best 3rd Person Shooter: Splatoon
Yes, it totally counts. Feels good to give Nintendo this award.
Best Mobile Game: Steven Universe: Attack the Light
Probably the best mobile game I've ever played, actually.
Best Puzzle Game: Boxboy
Looking past the terrible soundtrack, the gameplay of Boxboy is both clever and fun.
Best Platformer: Yoshi's Woolly World
I have actually been waiting for this game since Yoshi's Island, I just never knew it.
Best JRPG: Xenoblade Chronicles X
I'm making a distinction here because I want to acknowledge how much I enjoyed this game.
Best 1st Person Shooter: Fallout 4
I'd say that Fallout 4 qualifies enough as a shooter to get this award. The alternative is Halo 5, and I don't really want to give it to Halo 5.
Best Action Game: Transformers Devastation
Platinum made it so of course it's going to be the best action game. They could make a game about fighting potatoes and it would be amazing.
Best Multiplayer: Splatoon & Rocket League (tie)
I just can't pick. I usually hate playing games online with strangers but both of these games have me hooked.
Best Indie Game: Rocket League
I have rarely, if ever, had as much fun playing a game online.
Best Sports Game: Rocket League
I have rarely, if ever, had so much fun playing a sports game.
Best Xbox Game: Halo 5
Honestly, what the hell else was I even going to pick? It was pretty much this or Tomb Raider, which I haven't played. And that's not really an exclusive anyway.
Best PS4 Game: Bloodborne
It was a pretty barren year for the PS4 as well. Luckily, Bloodborne rocks (especially considering the alternative is The Order).
Best Wii U Game: Super Mario Maker
On the other hand, there's the Wii U that had so many fantastic games in 2015 that it's difficult to pick just one. Ultimately, Mario Maker's endless replayability and ease of use make it Nintendo's best of the year.
Best 3DS Game: Code Name S.T.E.A.M.
3DS did not have the greatest year. I wish I could give this award to Majora's Mask, but alas it does not qualify. At the very least, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is a pretty good game.
Best Vita Game: Tearaway again
For the third year in a row, I name Tearaway the best Vita exclusive game because there are literally no other Vita exclusives and this game is just so damn good.
Best DLC: Geometry Wars 3 "Evolved" Update
Not only was this completely free, but it almost doubled the amount of content in the game.
Best Console Port: Elder Scrolls Online
It plays just like you hoped it would.
Best Rerelease: DmC Definitive Edition
This was a great port, complete with tweaks that made the game better.
Best Remake: Majora's Mask 3D
It wasn't the HD version the game deserved, but it was still surprisingly beautiful and had plenty of additions and improvements.
Best Remaster: Tearaway Unfolded
Is that even what you call it? I don't know, but this game is still incredible. They added a bunch of stuff, too, and tweaked the whole damn thing to work with the DualShock 4.
SUPER SPECIAL AWARDS DIRECTORS CUT HD EDITON
First Game of the Year: Whoa Dave! for PS Vita, released January 6th
Gear of War 2 Award for Best Sequel: The Witcher 3
Fable 2 Award for Worst Sequel: Batman: Arkham Knight
Best Earthbound: Undertale
Best Climbing Simulator: Grow Home
A Game That Exists: Ironfall: Invasion
Creepiest Moon: Majora's Mask 3D
Least Gameplay: The Order 1886 Button Prompts
Weirdest Name: Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late
Work-in-proggress Name Nobody Bothered to Change: Code Name S.T.E.A.M., Project Cars
Best Pun: Starwhal: Just The Tip, OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood, Catlateral Damage, Splatoon, Galak-Z, Darksiders 2: Dethinitive Edition
Game That Sounds Like it Could be Either a Metal Band or Biker Gang: Helldivers, Screamride
Sega Saturn Award for Shortest Time from Announcement to Release: Five Nights at Freddy's (10 days from official announcement to relase)
Most Forgotten: Battlefield Harline
Best New IP: Splatoon
Most Costumes: Super Mario Maker
Best Spartan: Spartan Locke
Best Pooping Horse: Metal Gear Solid 5
Game Most Opposed to You Having Fun: The Order 1886
RIP Light: Dying Light
Most Clever Logo: Evolve
Sequel That Apparently Came Out: Blade Kitten 2
Game Whose Title I Always Read Wrong: Final Fantasy Typo HD
Biggest Fuckup: lack of amiibo stock, Halo 5 ships with barebones multiplayer
Most Brutally Difficult: Bloodborne, Super Mario Maker
Most Generic Sounding Game: The Awakened Fate Ultimatum, Worlds of Magic, Legend of Legacy
Wish I'd Heard of it Sooner: Grand Theft Pizza Delivery
Best Tower: Tower of Guns
Crummiest Game: I Am Bread
So Close Yet So Far Award: Halo 5
Shadow of Colossus Jr. Award: Titan Souls
Best Game Named After an Awesome Song: Roundabout
Most Hated Game: Hatred
Better Check Those Claims With the FDA: Dr. Mario Miracle Cure
Late to the Party: Zombi
Best Moment of the Year: Having Codsworth call you Mr. Boobies in Fallout 4
Best Detective Vision: The Witcher 3's witcher sense
Best GoW Rerelease: Gears of War Ultimate Edition and God of War III Remastered
Port Nobody Asked For: Knights of the Old Republic 2 for Mac and Linux
Most Badass Elephant: Tembo The Badass Elephant
Least Necessary HD Port: Legend of Kay HD
Lame Excuse Award: Adding letterboxing to The Order 1886 for "cinematic effect"
Best Sonic The Hedgehog Game: Freedom Planet
Most Games in a Single Collection: Rare Replay
This Game Seriously Came out in 2015: Garfield Kart
Game that Sounds Like an Incomplete Thought: Until Dawn
Bloodiest Baron: The Bloody Baron
Best Avalanche Game: Just Cause 3
Best Home Designing: Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer
Most Disappointing Entry in a Popular Franchise: Animal Crossing Amiibo Festival
Most Gruesome Moment: Murdering innocent fluffin puffin chicks as Yoshi
Best Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars: Rocket League
Most Complicated Game: Xenoblade Chronicles X-treme Micromanagement
Maddest Max: Mad Max
Didn't Help At All Award: Xbox One UI update
Most Disappointing Werewolves: The Order 1886
Best Use of Abe Lincoln: Code Name S.T.E.A.M.
Most Disturbing: Witcher 3's Crones
Most Helpful Ally: Fallout 4's Mysterious Stranger
Worst Story: Halo 5
The US Wins Again Award: smaller New 3DS is released
StarFox Void Filler: Mario Tennis Ultra Smash
Most Bat Shit Insane: Devil's Third
This Game Hasn't Been Out For Years Already?: PlanetSide 2 for PS4
The Collection Award: Homeworld Remastered Collection, Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, Mega Man Legacy Collection, Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection, Alien Isolation: The Collection
The Edition Award: Darksiders 2: Dethinitive Edition, Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition, Don't Starve: Giant Edition, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, Dishonored: Definitive Edition, Gauntlet: Slayer Edition, Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition, Payday 2: Crimewave Edition, Skills of the Shogun: Bon-A-Fide Edition, Puzzle & Dragons Z + Super Mario Bros Edition, State of Decay: Year-One Survival Edition, Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition, Trine: Enhanced Edition, DmC Definitive Edition, Duke Nukem 3D: Megaton Edition
Last Game of the Year: Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power, released December 22nd
ANTI GAME OF THE YEAR AWARD
But now, the reasons why this game deserves to be my least favorite game of the year. At the core of the problem is basically the fact that 343 strung us along by making the game seem like something it wasn't. It was advertised as having an epic campaign with dual perspectives that revels why the Master Chief has gone rogue. Again, Microsoft did a superb job marketing this game with an excellent audio drama and mysterious ads that left us begging for answers. Why was the Chief being hunted? Had he really let innocent people get killed? What were the guardians and why were they waking up? We got answers to these, kind of, but the game wasn't even close the mysterious and personal story we were pitched. Instead, we spend a mere three levels as Chief and his team, one of which is completely pointless from a narrative standpoint. The rest of the game is spent as Locke's team as they travel all over the cosmos doing intergalactic chores for the UNSC or the Swords of Sanghelios. The bigger picture (which actually plays out in the background) is a comic book caliber tale that completely negates the ending of Halo 4 and, surprisingly, isn't even as interesting as Locke's exploits with the Arbiter. At the very least, it has the possibility of being a good setup for Halo 6, if 343 can execute on it.
But it's not just the story that sucked, the levels sucked too. The game plays great, but the missions are pretty terrible. They consist of going down a linear path to kill all the enemies to progress to the next linear path to kill all the enemies. I honestly cannot even fathom how this game, proclaimed to be the biggest Halo experience yet, works the Xbox One so hard that they can't pull of split screen. A lot of these stages are very tiny. There's some verticality, but it's not like there are massive, destructible battlefields with hundreds of AI allies and enemies fighting at once while intense dogfights take place overhead. Instead, you'll find yourself shooting guys in such exciting locations as a cave, a bridge, and a freight elevator. How is it that Halo: Combat Evolved, a game released over 14 years ago, was bigger, more open ended, and more feature-packed than this?
Then, of course there is the multiplayer. It's fun! It's the most fun I've had with a Halo game online since Halo 3. But it's also kind of broken and very lacking in variety. The game launched in only a few maps and game modes, some of which are pretty broken with terrible respawn points and bad lighting. Most upsetting of all, though, is that 343 lied to us once again about the content. The game technically shipped with over 20 maps. The game actually shipped with six real arena maps. The rest of the maps were mode exclusive (for breakout or warzone), created in forge, or "remixes" of the six existing maps that use similar assets and geometry. One of the forge maps was so badly designed, it was removed a couple of weeks after the game launched. And of the six warzone maps, three are just smaller versions of the other ones. But wait! There was a promise that all the DLC for the game would be free. Over 18 new maps! Again, an outright lie. Big Team Battle came and the six maps available currently were all made in forge by community members. Remember, these maps that anyone could make on their own in forge are being passed off as DLC. The arena maps so far have been more remixes, with no indication that it'll change in the future. So far, the only real map released was a single warzone map called Battle of Noctus. Did I mention that the non-forge maps that exist lack the beauty and creativity of previous Halo games, even Halo 4? I'm not sure what the hell happened, but they are generic and unimaginative now.
I can go on and on about this, but at least REQs are cool and forge (once it was released) is great. So here's hoping they go back to the drawing board for Halo 6 by keeping the gameplay and throwing out everything else.
TOP FIVE SIX GAMES OF 2015
In 2014 I could only come up with a mere four games that really impressed me. This year, I have six. I guess that makes up for it?
- It's a licensed game
- It's a mobile licensed game
But against all odds, not only is Steven Universe: Attack the Light a great licensed game, and a great mobile game, it's a great game. Period. What it basically boils down to is it being designed specifically around being played on touch screens. The game itself is an RPG in the style of Mario RPGs, where you time your button presses (or taps, in this case) to execute offensive and defensive maneuvers. So the first thing they did right was a tap-based combat system.
The second thing they did right was swipe to move. Instead of a virtual d-pad, the game worlds are split into screens (like the original Zelda) that you can navigate between simply by swiping in one of four directions to move between them, and interacting with things by tapping on them. Of course, this means that enchanting enemies will automatically initiate a battle, yet it feels more fair than random encounters.
The rest is pretty standard fare. Each of your four characters can be leveled up and gain new abilities, there's a stamina system for attacks that depletes every turn, badges can be unlocked and equipped for passive bonuses, and items and be used in and out of battle. It sounds pretty run-of-the mill except that it's a game made for cell phones that feels like, at least, a 3DS or Vita game. And it has controls that work. And it makes great use of the Steven Universe source material. Other recent cartoons, like Adventure Time, Regular Show, and Gravity Falls, have had tie-in games made for the 3DS that aren't half as well made as this.
Steven Universe: Attack the Light has impressed me by being the best mobile game I've ever played. For something you play on your phone or tablet, it goes above and beyond.
It's a miracle I even like this game at all, let alone liking it so much it's my fifth favorite game of the year. See, I thought the original Xenoblade Chronicles was rad. It had a cool concept and a cool world and unique gameplay for a JRPG. But I sucked at it. I mean sucked at it. I got so decimated after venturing into the first cave that I gave up after a number of tries. I simply could not wrap my head around the combat system. It was like if you wrapped the complexity of a typical MMO with the complexity of your typical JRPG and then deep fried it.
It's weird, then, that I like Xenoblade Chronicles X, the most complicated game ever made. I mean, they might as well have just called the game Micromanagement Chronicles X because you can literally micromanage every aspect of this game. I hate it when RPGs force you to manage your party. I hate RPG combat that revolves around waiting for cooldowns. I hate open world RPGs that stifle exploration by blocking your path with high level enemies. But I love Xenoblade Chronicles X. It's an enigma. Something about the game just clicked with me. I understand the combat and find it fun. I like running and jumping around the world. I even like the hoops you jump through to get a mech. The complexity of this game makes it the most realistic unrealistic RPG ever.
The world is great, the gameplay is great, the soundtrack is great, the story is not so great but it doesn't even matter. Something deep in the back of my mind had me excited for this game for years and I guess that little mind thing was right this whole time.
The year of implausibility continues. I hate sports games and I hate playing with strangers, but I love Rocket League. Turns out when you make soccer about rocket-powered cars, I love it. Not much to say about this game except that it's damn fun, and may not understand why unless you play it for yourself. Any game that can get me to not only want to play online but want to not stop playing online has got to be doing something right.
I've used a lot of level creation tools in my time, but none are easier or more intuitive than Super Mario Maker. Not only does it make creating and sharing your own levels fun, but it provides infinite replayability with infinite stages. And since Mario Maker focuses on only one thing (making Mario stages), it's intuitive as heck. There's been some mind-meltingly creative things done in Mario Maker.
And I have to say, this is one of the most inspiring games I've ever played. Seeing others star or comment on your stages is very motivating, and playing other's stages can be downright inspiring. Be it garbage or greatness, there's always something to learn. Mario Maker is fun, yes, but it's more than that. It's a communal experience.
Before Splatoon released, Nintendo had a stress test and opened the game up to everybody for a little while. I played it, loved it, and immediately wanted more. Splatoon, like Rocket League, has got me playing with strangers online. I find it to be more cooperative than competitive. In Splatoon, I feel like I always have something to contribute. I'm typically pretty bad a shooting dudes, but I can definitely shoot the floor. And while I don't necessarily agree with the content drip-feed, it definitely kept interest in the game for months and months.
But there's also the surprise single player offering that turned out to be pretty excellent. It may not have been the longest campaign, but each stage used the games simple hooks to great effect with tons of creative puzzles.
Nintendo (finally) took a gamble on a new IP and it payed off.
To say The Witcher 3 is an excellent RPG would be the understatement. In fact, it's no overstatement to say that The Witcher 3 is one of the greatest RPGs ever made. Perhaps the greatest ever. It very rarely falters. Perhaps the menus could be better or the quests could be more diverse. But none of the game's minor issues make it any less riveting. The combat is great, yes. The music is incredible. The leveling system is unique and interesting. All the standard RPG staples are done well here. But there is one area where The Witcher 3 really excels. There is one that makes the game worth playing even during your 100th footprint investigation. The writing.
The Witcher 3's world is vast and intricate. It's teeming with life in places that feel lived in. Epic beasts roam the untamed wilds. No matter what you're doing in The Witcher 3, it's always interesting because the world is so well-built. And it helps, of course, that you're not playing as a no-name hero of destiny. You're just a man. A professional, enchanted man, but a man nonetheless. You're not the chosen hero. In fact, you're often reviled. You play as someone with an honest-to-goodness personality on a quest that is personal. Yes, there are other RPGs that do this, but it's the thought put into the land and the interactions that Geralt has with everyone he meets that make this one special. The cast of character are complex and feel alive, while the choices you make can have massive impacts on the world as a whole.
Ever since Fable in 2004, I've been dreaming of the day when a 3rd person action RPG would be released that had fun combat and an unforgettable world. No matter what I'm doing in The Witcher 3, be it hunting epic beasts, solving a mystery, or just playing cards, I'm always having a blast. I am thankful The Witcher 3 exists. There may never be another RPG like it.
SCORECARD
Best PS4 Game preditction: Tearaway Unfolded
Best PS4 Game winner: Bloodborne
I totally broke my own rule here by proclaiming Tearaway would win, since it doesn't even qualify. Had it been released for the first time in 2015 it definitely would have won, though.
Best Xbox One Game prediction: Halo 5
Best Xbox One Game winner: Halo 5
I called this, probably by virtue of nothing else releasing for the system.
Best 3DS Game prediction: something unannounced
Best 3DS Game winner: Code Name S.T.E.A.M.
Unfortunately for 3DS last year, Nintendo didn't announce and release any amazing surprise games. Happy Home Designer and Chibi Robo aren't exactly award worthy.
Best Wii U Game prediction: Yoshi's Woolly World
Best Wii U Game winner: Super Mario Maker
Not a bad call here. I didn't quite expect Mario Maker to be as involved as it was at the time. Yoshi is a great game, though. Oh, and by the way, just because Splatoon was ranked higher overall doesn't mean I can't say Mario Maker wasn't my favorite Wii U game. My list, my rules.
Best Download-Only (indie) Game prediction: Night in the Woods
Best Indie Game winner: Rocket League
First of all, I decided that since indie games are download-only anyway, I'd just call it the indie award. Second, I thought for sure Night in the Woods would come out in 2015, which is why I picked it. Third, I literally never heard of Rocket League until it showed up for free in my PS+ queue.
Top Five Predicted Winners:
1. The Witcher 3
2. Batman: Arkham Knight
3. Splatoon
4. Halo 5
5. Tearaway Unfolded
Well, I got number one correct anyway. It was going to be my 2014 pick before it got delayed, so I automatically made it my top choice for 2015. Batman was a big 'ol disappointment for being too much of the same and adding the Batmobile what, honestly, wan't too fun. Splatoon is indeed on my list, but moved up. Halo 5 turned out to be my anti-game of the year, so that wasn't even close. Finally, once again, I screwed up with Tearaway which didn't even qualify. I guess I wasn't quite sure if it was a remake or a remaining or what. Turns out, it's not quite different enough to warrant being considered a new game. Lastly, I added a sixth game which I didn't even expect to do.
2016 PREDICTED WINNERS
Best PS4 Game: Horizon: Zero Dawn
PS4 has a great year ahead with exclusives like Ratchet and Clank, Uncharted 4, Detroit: Being Human, Nier: Atomata, Wild, Gravity Daze 2, The Last Guardian, and the aforementioned Horizon. Ultimately, Horizon has me the most excited. Although, honestly, Nier could sneak up and take it. It is Platinum, after all.
Best Xbox One Game: Quantum Break
The Xbox lineup for this year is considerably more sparse, with only three games confirmed to have a nebulous 2016 release date. Though Crackdown 3 and Gears 4 have potential, Quantum Break already looks great. Plus, it has an actual firm release date.
Best 3DS Game: Fire Emblem Fates
Which one? Considering they ought to be one game with two story lines, who knows. But I feel confident this game (these games?) will be great. 2016 looks like a much more exciting year for the 3DS.
Best Wii U Game: Zelda
The Wii U looks like it's actually going to have a pretty great year too. Of the confirmed games, Zelda will probably be the best one. We've not seen much of it, but Zeldas are usually good and this one looks like a step up in terms of depth.
Best Indie Game: No Man's Sky
I feel like this year will be the year of indies. It seems like many of the games that have been long-anticipated will finally be finished and released in 2016. Among them is No Man's Sky, which has a soft release date of June. It could be pushed back, but it's got a decent six month window to work with so I'm pretty sure it'll come out this year. Oh, and it looks pretty damn incredible. It's a close call between this and Yooka-Laylee, but the latter has an estimated October release that could easily slip into 2017. And, although I'm sure it'll be platforming heaven, No Man's Sky has some incredible innovation behind it.
TOP SIX PICKS
Since 2016 looks like it's even more packed with incredible games than 2015 was, I'm going to stay with six games rather than five. Who knows, one day it might even grow to ten.
1. No Man's Sky
2. Final Fantasy XV
3. Yooka-Laylee
4. Horizon: Zero Dawn
5. The Last Guardian
6. Zelda Wii U
Talk about difficult choices! I once said that No Man's Sky would be game of the year whichever year it came out, so I'm sticking to my word. My number two pick is based on the assumption that Final Fantasy XV will come out in 2016. Considering they said it would be out before 2017, that leaves only one year. Yooka-Laylee is undoubtedly going to be amazing and I'm sure will be one of my favorites. But now this is where things get messy. There are a lot of games I'm looking forward to, and I tried to pick just three based on what I know of them so far and the legacies behind them. Horizon looks like a fantastic new IP. I almost went with Quantum Break because that looks fascinating, but I'm not yet sure if the shooty gameplay will entertain or disappoint. The Last Guardian is in the fifth spot because I haven't seen much of it, but its predecessors are amazing. Finally, there's Zelda Wii U which is meant to take a page from the Link Between Worlds book. I'm usually a fan of 3D Zeldas and that sounds great to me!
Games that almost made the list but I bumped off and may regret: Quantum Break, Doom, and Deus Ex Mankind Divided. I'm sure there will also be a few surprise games released this year, like Fallout 4 did last year.
The second thing they did right was swipe to move. Instead of a virtual d-pad, the game worlds are split into screens (like the original Zelda) that you can navigate between simply by swiping in one of four directions to move between them, and interacting with things by tapping on them. Of course, this means that enchanting enemies will automatically initiate a battle, yet it feels more fair than random encounters.
The rest is pretty standard fare. Each of your four characters can be leveled up and gain new abilities, there's a stamina system for attacks that depletes every turn, badges can be unlocked and equipped for passive bonuses, and items and be used in and out of battle. It sounds pretty run-of-the mill except that it's a game made for cell phones that feels like, at least, a 3DS or Vita game. And it has controls that work. And it makes great use of the Steven Universe source material. Other recent cartoons, like Adventure Time, Regular Show, and Gravity Falls, have had tie-in games made for the 3DS that aren't half as well made as this.
Steven Universe: Attack the Light has impressed me by being the best mobile game I've ever played. For something you play on your phone or tablet, it goes above and beyond.
It's weird, then, that I like Xenoblade Chronicles X, the most complicated game ever made. I mean, they might as well have just called the game Micromanagement Chronicles X because you can literally micromanage every aspect of this game. I hate it when RPGs force you to manage your party. I hate RPG combat that revolves around waiting for cooldowns. I hate open world RPGs that stifle exploration by blocking your path with high level enemies. But I love Xenoblade Chronicles X. It's an enigma. Something about the game just clicked with me. I understand the combat and find it fun. I like running and jumping around the world. I even like the hoops you jump through to get a mech. The complexity of this game makes it the most realistic unrealistic RPG ever.
The world is great, the gameplay is great, the soundtrack is great, the story is not so great but it doesn't even matter. Something deep in the back of my mind had me excited for this game for years and I guess that little mind thing was right this whole time.
And I have to say, this is one of the most inspiring games I've ever played. Seeing others star or comment on your stages is very motivating, and playing other's stages can be downright inspiring. Be it garbage or greatness, there's always something to learn. Mario Maker is fun, yes, but it's more than that. It's a communal experience.
Before Splatoon released, Nintendo had a stress test and opened the game up to everybody for a little while. I played it, loved it, and immediately wanted more. Splatoon, like Rocket League, has got me playing with strangers online. I find it to be more cooperative than competitive. In Splatoon, I feel like I always have something to contribute. I'm typically pretty bad a shooting dudes, but I can definitely shoot the floor. And while I don't necessarily agree with the content drip-feed, it definitely kept interest in the game for months and months.But there's also the surprise single player offering that turned out to be pretty excellent. It may not have been the longest campaign, but each stage used the games simple hooks to great effect with tons of creative puzzles.
Nintendo (finally) took a gamble on a new IP and it payed off.
The Witcher 3's world is vast and intricate. It's teeming with life in places that feel lived in. Epic beasts roam the untamed wilds. No matter what you're doing in The Witcher 3, it's always interesting because the world is so well-built. And it helps, of course, that you're not playing as a no-name hero of destiny. You're just a man. A professional, enchanted man, but a man nonetheless. You're not the chosen hero. In fact, you're often reviled. You play as someone with an honest-to-goodness personality on a quest that is personal. Yes, there are other RPGs that do this, but it's the thought put into the land and the interactions that Geralt has with everyone he meets that make this one special. The cast of character are complex and feel alive, while the choices you make can have massive impacts on the world as a whole.
Ever since Fable in 2004, I've been dreaming of the day when a 3rd person action RPG would be released that had fun combat and an unforgettable world. No matter what I'm doing in The Witcher 3, be it hunting epic beasts, solving a mystery, or just playing cards, I'm always having a blast. I am thankful The Witcher 3 exists. There may never be another RPG like it.
SCORECARD
Best PS4 Game preditction: Tearaway Unfolded
Best PS4 Game winner: Bloodborne
I totally broke my own rule here by proclaiming Tearaway would win, since it doesn't even qualify. Had it been released for the first time in 2015 it definitely would have won, though.
Best Xbox One Game prediction: Halo 5
Best Xbox One Game winner: Halo 5
I called this, probably by virtue of nothing else releasing for the system.
Best 3DS Game prediction: something unannounced
Best 3DS Game winner: Code Name S.T.E.A.M.
Unfortunately for 3DS last year, Nintendo didn't announce and release any amazing surprise games. Happy Home Designer and Chibi Robo aren't exactly award worthy.
Best Wii U Game prediction: Yoshi's Woolly World
Best Wii U Game winner: Super Mario Maker
Not a bad call here. I didn't quite expect Mario Maker to be as involved as it was at the time. Yoshi is a great game, though. Oh, and by the way, just because Splatoon was ranked higher overall doesn't mean I can't say Mario Maker wasn't my favorite Wii U game. My list, my rules.
Best Download-Only (indie) Game prediction: Night in the Woods
Best Indie Game winner: Rocket League
First of all, I decided that since indie games are download-only anyway, I'd just call it the indie award. Second, I thought for sure Night in the Woods would come out in 2015, which is why I picked it. Third, I literally never heard of Rocket League until it showed up for free in my PS+ queue.
Top Five Predicted Winners:
1. The Witcher 3
2. Batman: Arkham Knight
3. Splatoon
4. Halo 5
5. Tearaway Unfolded
Well, I got number one correct anyway. It was going to be my 2014 pick before it got delayed, so I automatically made it my top choice for 2015. Batman was a big 'ol disappointment for being too much of the same and adding the Batmobile what, honestly, wan't too fun. Splatoon is indeed on my list, but moved up. Halo 5 turned out to be my anti-game of the year, so that wasn't even close. Finally, once again, I screwed up with Tearaway which didn't even qualify. I guess I wasn't quite sure if it was a remake or a remaining or what. Turns out, it's not quite different enough to warrant being considered a new game. Lastly, I added a sixth game which I didn't even expect to do.
2016 PREDICTED WINNERS
Best PS4 Game: Horizon: Zero Dawn
PS4 has a great year ahead with exclusives like Ratchet and Clank, Uncharted 4, Detroit: Being Human, Nier: Atomata, Wild, Gravity Daze 2, The Last Guardian, and the aforementioned Horizon. Ultimately, Horizon has me the most excited. Although, honestly, Nier could sneak up and take it. It is Platinum, after all.
Best Xbox One Game: Quantum Break
The Xbox lineup for this year is considerably more sparse, with only three games confirmed to have a nebulous 2016 release date. Though Crackdown 3 and Gears 4 have potential, Quantum Break already looks great. Plus, it has an actual firm release date.
Best 3DS Game: Fire Emblem Fates
Which one? Considering they ought to be one game with two story lines, who knows. But I feel confident this game (these games?) will be great. 2016 looks like a much more exciting year for the 3DS.
Best Wii U Game: Zelda
The Wii U looks like it's actually going to have a pretty great year too. Of the confirmed games, Zelda will probably be the best one. We've not seen much of it, but Zeldas are usually good and this one looks like a step up in terms of depth.
Best Indie Game: No Man's Sky
I feel like this year will be the year of indies. It seems like many of the games that have been long-anticipated will finally be finished and released in 2016. Among them is No Man's Sky, which has a soft release date of June. It could be pushed back, but it's got a decent six month window to work with so I'm pretty sure it'll come out this year. Oh, and it looks pretty damn incredible. It's a close call between this and Yooka-Laylee, but the latter has an estimated October release that could easily slip into 2017. And, although I'm sure it'll be platforming heaven, No Man's Sky has some incredible innovation behind it.
TOP SIX PICKS
Since 2016 looks like it's even more packed with incredible games than 2015 was, I'm going to stay with six games rather than five. Who knows, one day it might even grow to ten.
1. No Man's Sky
2. Final Fantasy XV
3. Yooka-Laylee
4. Horizon: Zero Dawn
5. The Last Guardian
6. Zelda Wii U
Talk about difficult choices! I once said that No Man's Sky would be game of the year whichever year it came out, so I'm sticking to my word. My number two pick is based on the assumption that Final Fantasy XV will come out in 2016. Considering they said it would be out before 2017, that leaves only one year. Yooka-Laylee is undoubtedly going to be amazing and I'm sure will be one of my favorites. But now this is where things get messy. There are a lot of games I'm looking forward to, and I tried to pick just three based on what I know of them so far and the legacies behind them. Horizon looks like a fantastic new IP. I almost went with Quantum Break because that looks fascinating, but I'm not yet sure if the shooty gameplay will entertain or disappoint. The Last Guardian is in the fifth spot because I haven't seen much of it, but its predecessors are amazing. Finally, there's Zelda Wii U which is meant to take a page from the Link Between Worlds book. I'm usually a fan of 3D Zeldas and that sounds great to me!
Games that almost made the list but I bumped off and may regret: Quantum Break, Doom, and Deus Ex Mankind Divided. I'm sure there will also be a few surprise games released this year, like Fallout 4 did last year.
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