2017 is undoubtedly one of the most disappointing years of gaming history. Nonetheless, in some aspects, it was also a year of great success. As we close out this year to welcome the new, it’s time to put all the toxicity behind us. It’s time to focus on those great titles that managed to shine through a year of corporate greed and bring a smile on faces everywhere. Here are the top 5 video games of 2017.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Guerilla games released Horizon Zero Dawn in February of 2017. The developer’s first attempt at an RPG is what you get when you cross a movie like Terminator with a game like Far Cry Primal. It follows the story of Aloy, a huntress in a world overrun by machines. While companies like EA and Bungie continue to focus on monetization of video games, Guerilla is perfectly happy to make money the old-fashioned way: through deep stories and immersive gameplay. Last year, it was worth getting a PS4 solely for Uncharted 4. This year, that claim belongs to Horizon.
Cuphead
Cuphead is on this list because of how unique it is compared to every other entry this year. It is difficult to point out what makes Cuphead so good. The retro cartoon style of the video game is endearing. The difficulty is frustratingly addictive. Cuphead harks back to a time when video games engaged players with the actual challenge. Remember Contra? That was an age when the reward for completing a video game was bragging rights.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
There may be a trend on this list where all entries remind us of a better time in Gaming history. Resident Evil 7 returns to the franchise’s roots as a horror game. Gone is the bullet hail you can hide behind from RE5 and RE6. In Biohazard, you are no hero. You’re a victim of horrible events only hoping to survive a night. Excellent story writing and eerily realistic visuals make this title a must-have.
Super Mario Odyssey
Somehow, Nintendo has kept Mario’s popularity up for 36 years. Super Mario Odyssey is a blend of the fast-paced platforming of the original Super Mario Bros and the interactivity of Super Mario 64. In this video game, Mario’s hat gets possessed by a spirit called “Cappy,” who allows him to control items and characters. The story then goes as you would expect, and Mario has to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. Pretty standard, so this isn’t winning awards for the story. But the fun is still there, and the challenge is what you would expect from Nintendo.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Breath of the Wild isn’t as original as Cuphead or Horizon. However, it did earn the title of Game of the Year at the VGAs. BotW features an incredible world filled with diverse enemies and events. Everything immerses the player; from a an excellent story, to an intricate crafting system. The depth of this game challenges even best the Elder Scrolls franchise can offer. Perhaps the most fun aspect, however, is how BotW allows the player to experience the game in any way they want. Freedom is the blood of role-playing and the open world of BotW has few restrictions, if any at all. Want to face of against Ganon as your first act in the game? You’re more than welcome to try.
There you have it. That was our list of the 5 best games this year. Keep in mind this is not a definitive guide, and preference will always come into play when writing top lists. Are there any games that you think should have made it here? Be sure to let us know.