The most recent games may not be the most popular of the year. However, they’re the ones that stood out the most. You’ll still be talking about and playing them long after they’ve been released due to their captivating stories, immersive environments, or their unrelenting gameplay.
While many sequels are iterative enhancements of an existing formula, XCOM 2 rises above its predecessor thanks to an original perspective and overhauled combat system that has an unlimited ceiling for experienced players. It’s among the few titles that are both kid-friendly and mature, with a great aspect that doesn’t diminish its quality of play.
Brutal Legend, the first non-Squaresoft game to utilize Unreal Engine 4, proves that old-fashioned action games can be effective. The game is a riot of nostalgia, combining the bleak beauty and majesty that are found in PS1 classics with modern action games.
Spec Ops The Line is a great shooter with a compelling story that is more important than ever. It’s the most interesting game to date in the series, with a sci-fi setting that’s both easy to relate to but difficult to understand and a character that’s relatable but also difficult to empathise.
Despite the absence of any new content, Final Fantasy XIV has returned to the good graces of its fans following a downturn with Warlords of Draenor. The game’s revival can be due to a renewed focus on storytelling, and to the continuing dedication of the development team to continue 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.