top games of the year
After long deliberation, here's my top ten games of the year. In a very particular order.
10. Peggle 2
It's more Peggle, what's there not to love? New masters, new stages, and it literally sounds amazing.
9. Stanley Parable
A delight all the way through. Also a very smart criticism of video games.
8. Saints Row IV
Goofy and fun.
7. Papers, Please
Quite possibly the most stressful game I've ever played. Wholly unique and just so good.
6.Ā Ridiculous Fishing
We need more games like this on iOS. Perfectly suited for the iPhone, tons of depth (pun not intended!), near impossible to put down, and so much fun.
5. Bit.Trip PresentsĀ Runner2: Future Legend ofĀ Rhythm Alien
Released early in the year and as a result unfairly forgotten in some 'Best of' coverage. I've always lovedĀ rhythm games and Runner2 is a a practically flawless one. The Vita release is probably my favorite but I also played through it on Xbox 360.
4.Ā Joe DangerĀ (iOS)
This one came out way back in January so it's also been unfairly forgotten. Hello Games took an already outstanding franchise and made it even better than its console iterations with this brand new iOS game. I seriously played this one straight through without putting my phone down once. That alone should be worth something.
3.Ā Super Mario 3D World
This is your reason to own a Wii U right here. A great 3D Mario platformer with top notch level design and multiplayer that works so, so well. This is really the best 3D platformer in years.
2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Not only an incredible throwback to what's universally consideredĀ one of the best games ever made but easily my favorite Zelda since Wind Waker. Also, without question, hands down, the best game on the 3DS. Nintendo tweaked the Zelda formula just enough to make it feel incredibly fresh again while also still definitively being Zelda.
1.Ā Grand Theft Auto V
I had more fun playing GTA V than any other game this year. Definitively. And it was so incredibly tight all the way through. The game has so many remarkable moments throughout, right from the opening scene. Driving and shooting are better than they've ever been in the series. Police AI had been loosened up a bit for V, making it thankfully easier to escape the cops. I also never felt bored doing a single mission, as I have the GTA games. Oh and the three-main-character dynamic was superb. Without question, my very favorite GTA.
Honorable Mentions
These are all ports of sorts so I didn't include them in the contention for my top ten list. That said, they're all easily definitive versions.
Spelunky on Vita
Hotline Miami on Vita
Terraria on Vita
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD on Wii U
