PC gaming awards 2017
So once again the year draws to a close and we can now look back on the year of 2017 with captain hindsight riding shotgun. This year has certainly been crammed with controversy and outrage but this isn’t the place for that. Here I am going to give the games I have most enjoyed this year a solid nod and give my reasons for why I think these are the game you should be downloading this Christmas.
Five of the best
XCOM 2: War of the Chosen
I am a huge XCOM fan and have been thrilled to see the series brought back to life in the most excellent way. Firaxis has taken the best elements of the classic games, chucked out the bit they didn’t like and infused their template into a modern masterpiece. With XCOM 2 Firaxis took the brave step of being a PC exclusive which gave it all the room and raw power it needed to zing. A few technical issues aside, XCOM 2 was a true sequel that improved every aspect of the first. When War of the Chosen was announced I was a little sceptical due to the fact this wasn’t a typical expansion and more of a reworking. My fears were well and truly put to bed because WOTC takes a creative crowbar, prises the formula open and pours in a plethora of gameplay we never knew we needed. I absolutely love this game and at the time of playing I assumed it would be my game of the year, but a year can be a long time in the games industry. Regardless, this game deserves to be one of my five runners-up and I cannot wait to see where Firaxis take the IP next.
Nier Automata
We can sometimes play through familiar games almost on autopilot. However, every so often a game comes along that slaps your preconceptions across the cake hole and demands to you sit up. On the face of it Nier Automata is a slick and fast-paced shooter but under the hood, there is a lot more going on. It’s designer Yoko Taro takes us on a remarkable journey which will play with your emotions and assumptions of what defines life. Gaming is lots of things to lots of different people and while I love a mindless FPS like DOOM as much as the next gamer, sometimes I like to be surprised. Nier Automata is an important game that deserves recognition for its bold design and brave choices. You can read my none spoiler review linked below but one word of advice, you should try all the many endings to get the most from this title.
Hollow Knight
Since games like Metroid carved out the blueprint for action platform games there have been many that sought to capture that same sense of exploration and phased progression. Hollow Knight should be considered as one of the best action platformers of our time. Not only does it have exquisitely presented visuals throughout but also has the chops to carry them off. Boasting an immense subterranean world for you to delve into, Hollow Knight does ask for a solid commitment in order to topple it. There are many tough and well-designed boss encounters, which give new skills to access previously locked areas. If you love this genre of game this one comes highly recommended.
Prey
Arkane Studios are one of my favourite game developers due to the ambition of their games and the intricate digital worlds they craft for us. Many saw Prey as ‘Dishonored in Space’, yes fucking please. Right from the word go this title will be messing with you both in what you can see but also giving you hints at a bigger picture evolving out of sight. As I covered in my review, there are so many hidden stories for you to uncover most players will need at least two runs through Prey to find them all. In addition, for reasons I can’t spoil, there is a truckload of replay value here. There are also many ways to beat the various challenges you face which again, adds so many fun ‘what if’ moments. The whole package comes together in what I would regard as one of Arkane best games and considering how much I adore Dishonored that is some statement.
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus
For a game that cut its teeth as a Nazis murder simulation, it seems bizarre that we are now being treated to some fantastic story and character elements in these last few Wolfenstein games. B.J. Blazkowicz is still the unstoppable killing machine we’ve always had but now we also see his humanity. This has been aided by the ensemble of larger than life characters in the resistance he now fights for. The New Order set the tone for this current Wolfenstein saga but The New Colossus take everything I loved about it and galvanises it in raw awesome. Wonderful set pieces, explosive gunplay and a brilliant twist: this is why Wolfenstein 2 is one of my top five games this year. As with most games, there is a season pass and this one follows the exploits of three different characters from this same universe. Keep an eye out over the next few month as I’ll be reviewing each in turn as they arrive.
Best Indie games of the year
Making games is a long and often expensive process so I wanted to give my favourite indie game of 2017 a nod. With Steam opening the floodgates and allowing shovel-wear to pour into their platform it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the hidden gems. In the new year, I will be putting together a more comprehensive list of worthy games to help you fine people make a discerning choice. However, for now, please check out these three gems which are certainly worthy of your time and support.
Rain World
If we bought games based on how cute the protagonist was Rain World would be the best selling game this year. I love a high powered AAA game like the next person but titles like Rain World reminds me why I really play games. I love to be surprised and challenged which is maybe why this title clicked with me so much. The developers at Videocult have given us a survival game of sorts which as obscure as it is beautiful. With procedural animation and some amazingly lifelike predators, this side-on survival romp is extremely challenging. However, once you start to learn how to survive the satisfaction is immense. What is most impressive is that Videocult has continued to work on Rain World and have just released a huge update adding new modes and multiplayer.
Dark Wood
This is another game that does not hold your hand and in fact, tells you as much on the launch screen. Played from a top-down view you awake in dark and deadly forest. Right from the off you must use limited resources to fend off the horrors in the mist and survive each successive night. Clinging to the light in you Cabin while hearing things moving around outside and hoping the generator holds out is genuinely terrifying. This title is a showcase for how, when used correctly, lighting can make a game. If you do pick up Dark Wood please ensure you play it with headphones on and the lights dimmed.
Dead Cells
In a year of excellent platformers, it takes a lot to stand out from the crowd but this ‘rogue-lite’ has managed to do just that. The aim of the game is simple, fight your way through the ever-changing areas picking up weapons and abilities on the way. There’s a lovely graphical style at work here using pixels in some very cool ways. The title is still in early access but don’t let that put you off as it really does feel as polished as a full release. As the developers say, kill, die, learn, repeat. If you love platformers you must check out Dead Cells.
Game of the Year 2017
Assassins Creed Origins
There are some developers and publishers out there who have their own distinct style. Slick twin-stick shooters often gravitate towards Devolver for example. Ubisoft is by far the most ‘set in their ways’ games company I can think of with most of their open world games sharing many of the same mechanics and tropes. One of my favourite IP’s are the Assassins Creed games, for better or worse I have played each game extensively. For the last few additions to the series, gamers have been getting restless with a lack of innovation despite some stunning locations.
It is actually a surprise to be doing this but my game of the year for 2017 is Assassin Creed Origins, let me explain. I have been blown away by how much Ubisoft have thrown out their own rule book and been brave enough to break the mould. We have come to expect beautiful and historically accurate environments from Ubisoft games and we most certainly get that with Origins. However, it is the myriad of clever details working within the game itself that have impressed me the most and this deserves recognition. I am still playing Origins and have only just hit the hundred percent mark. As a testament to how much I love this game, I am very tempted to start the whole thing again. You can read my full review at the link below to see why I think everyone should play this game and why I am very excited for future Assassins Creed games.
