It's been a strange year for video games. By some measures, 2016 has been one of the most exciting and consistent years in recent memory, with a steady stream of very good games beginning in January with the mind-boggling puzzles of The Witness, and never slowing until the December release of the long-awaited Last Guardian. On the other hand there was a distinct lack of world-shifting, once-in-a-decade hits.
More than ever before, the line between "indie" games and those put out by massive AAA studios is blurring, with the likes of Stardew Valley sitting side-by-side on digital shelves with Watch Dogs 2. Fewer people are heading to physical stores to pick up their games, and more purchasing decisions are being influenced by internet scuttlebutt and impressions videos than traditional advertising and reviews.
Fresh online experiences like Overwatch and even Pokemon GO opened millions of minds to new kinds of play, while on the other end of the scale the most hardcore veterans dug in to games like Dark Souls III and Civilization VI. Indies like Oxenfree and Owlboy made headlines for their unique takes on established genres, while the world's biggest shooter studios turned their attention back to Hollywood-style single-player experiences in instant classics Doom, Battlefield 1 and Titanfall 2.
Virtual reality made its mark, with the Oculus Rift, Vive and PlayStation VR all hitting consumer's homes with a smattering of interesting experiences rather than any humungous must-haves, and amidst it all there was a healthy dose of excellent remakes and remasters — like The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess —, breathing fresh life into older games for a new generation of players or those who want all their favourites on their latest machine.
But none of the above mentioned games are in my personal top ten for the year. As I said, the great video games have come in a steady stream this year, and if I mentioned them all this article would easily be a "top 60". But in the interest of everyone's time, here are my picks for the ten best video games of 2016:
XCOM 2
Another masterclass in strategy design from Firaxis, this is a tough and incredibly satisfying sci-fi adventure. It's a little bit better in every way than the previous game, but the tenets remain the same, with player constantly balancing the benefits of patience with the world's imminent destruction, and the need to be strategic in the face of intimidating and subversive enemies.
Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon
In a year of pretty incredible roleplaying games on Nintendo's 3DS — shout out to the outstanding Fire Emblem Fates and Dragon Quest VII — I'm a little surprised to find Pokemon is the one I want on this list. For the first time in years, the iconic game about collecting and battling pocket monsters saw a significant overhaul, removing old frustrations and injecting a much-needed dose of modern design.
Gears of War 4
An inspired middle ground between a Gears 3 sequel and a full-on reboot, the reigning king of cover-based shooting and grim military fantasy jumps 25 years into the future to shed some of the macho shoutiness and convoluted story of the previous games. At the same time, it keeps everything that's always made Gears the best at what it does. Add a totally revamped multiplayer effort (with split-screen intact!), and you have one hell of an engrossing gore-fest.
Final Fantasy XV
As with Pokemon, this is another sequel I was sure would fail to live up to its contemporaries, in this case Japanese RPGs like Bravely Second or Tokyo Mirage Sessions. But XV smashed expectations with a focused, accessible and enthralling adventure. Converting decades-old concepts into a smart, fun and surprisingly warm game, this is Final Fantasy totally rethought for a modern audience, and it rocks.
Job Simulator
The most fun I've had in VR so far, Job Simulator is just so perfectly stupid. In a future where humans no longer work, you visit a theme park that shows you what that was like. Although there's really only one joke — the robots creating this place have a hilariously wrong understanding of work — using your hands to experience these bizarre takes on cooking, office work and more is hugely entertaining.
Overcooked
A big-screen spin on the mobile favourite restaurant management simulator, Overcooked takes the idea of cooking to a recipe as fast as you can and adds a massive serving of chaos. Teaming with up to three friends, you need to establish a collaborative kitchen flow and stick to it even as diabolical obstacles make that almost impossible.
Forza Horizon 3
More like an adventure game on wheels than a traditional racer, players are let loose in a fantasy version of Australia, complete with recognisable landmarks, impressive details and incredible Aussie skies. Appealing to our love of the bush and the beach isn't its only trick however, as the massive collection of great cars, impeccable driving systems and flexible game modes makes this easily the best car game of the year.
Firewatch
Lonely, beautiful and engaging, Firewatch is all about narrative but it would be nowhere near as effective as a non-interactive animation. As you gently pull at loose threads you unfold the sadness of Henry's life — and the spark of friendship with Delilah — through clever walkie-talkie dialogue. A rare game that deals with serious, adult issues in a realistic way and still manages to be a fun adventure, this one will stick with you.
Uncharted 4
The first of the franchise to appear on PlayStation 4, this entry didn't make an industry-changing impact like 2 or 3, but is nevertheless a masterful goodbye for one of recent gaming's most beloved characters. The ultimate expression of the original game's mix of beautiful vistas, tense set-pieces, progressive gunfights and personal drama, Uncharted 4 is the height of cinematic action games.
Inside
Harrowing. This is the word I keep thinking of when I remember Inside. There's no overt horror or jump scares, but this perfectly-paced little game is oppressive and intimidating, unsettling and terrifying, even though it's very easy to play. Inside's simple controls remove some of the abstraction of video games to let you focus on the increasingly wrong and beautifully disquieting reality of its world. From the stark, polished visuals to the impeccable audio and a procession of unexpected twists and turns, this is a level quiet confidence and artful restraint not often seen in a mainstream video game.
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