Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 by Jared Cherup
My Standout Games of 2016
Games I enjoyed in 2016 in no particular order
2016 has been a good year for video games. It turns out I played more than I thought this year. I spent time in No Man's Sky, but it didn't make the list. It's a pretty diverse list but here are my favorites of the year:
Super Mario Run (iOS)
We live in a different reality now, where Donald Trump is the president-elect and Nintendo is making games for non-Nintendo hardware. Super Mario Run is a great game and puts other mobile games to shame with the amount of polish this game has. (I wrote more about this in detail a bit ago.)
Videoball (PS4)
Videoball is a game I had followed for a while. It's a single screen multiplayer game where players shoot balls into goals with triangles. It's easy to pickup and start a game with newcomers even if they aren't hardcore gamers. Shoot balls with triangles from your bigger triangle. It's one of those easy to learn but hard to master games. "That sure was Videoball."
Pokémon Go (iOS)
Pokémon Go has certainly been an experience, but is it really a game? It's like a digital scavenger hunt everyone is playing. My fondest memory was playing it on vacation with four other grown adults. Our vacation spot was a veritable Galapagos Islands of Pokémon diversity. I am not super invested on Pokémon Go as some of my friends are/were, but I still open up the app from time to time.
DOOM (PS4)
I was pumped for a new DOOM1 since the first preview last year. When I booted up the game I found a first person shooter that threw all the "realism" (reloading, hiding behind cover, gritty story, etc.) right out the door. It is a throwback to older FPS games, but with modern sensibilities and level design. It also allows you to play the game how you want to play it. If you want story, there is one. If you want to explore, you can. Every encounter in this game is crafted and fun. If you stop moving, you're dead. It makes for a frantic, ridiculous game that always gets my adrenaline pumping.
Overwatch (PS4)
Overwatch is probably my favorite game this year. Another FPS, but one that is so polished and fun. It doesn't matter if you want to play this game casually or competitively, it caters to all. As of writing this there are 24 distinct characters, both in play style and personality. The game promotes teamwork through almost every design choice. Matches end with everyone's contributions, and it completely negates kill death ratios2 in lieu of how each player contributed to the match. Every interaction with players is a positive one. It is very much like Splatoon in that aspect. Since this is a Blizzard game, there is a whole universe built around this game. Surprisingly all the information about that universe is found outside of the game through short movies and comics. The minor detail of having characters speak things to each other before a match referencing their personal histories is such a small thing that has a huge impact on the world Blizzard has built. Even if you don't play the game, watch the short below and see the amazing world Blizzard has built.
Jackbox Party Pack 3 & Drawful 2 (PS4)
Jackbox Games continues their realization of making interactive party games that are so much fun to play. The great thing about these games is that experience of other video games is not necessary to enjoy them, which makes them very approachable for everyone. Just use your mobile device as a controller. These games always produce such laughter and are much deeper than something like Cards Against Humanity.
Forza Horizon 3 (XBone)
I love these games. It is so expansive. Driving into a sunset , or off a cliff, or racing a train, it's got something for everyone.
The Witness (PS4)
A fun puzzle exploration game that I've played with my wife. It almost feels like a modern Myst but better in almost every way. I need to finish this.
Oxenfree (XBone)
An adventure game focused on choices. It follows the story of five people on a trip to an island and then some spooky things happen. The best thing is how well the dialogue and dialogue trees flow into the game. It's more about the journey than the destination.
Gone Home (PS4)
Another adventure game that tells an intimate story while you explore a spooky large house during a storm. There is more than meets the eye. I would recommend this to people who don't play games often.
It has to be in all CAPS, or else. ↩
"What's your KDR man? Headshots, boom!" ↩
Naperville, Illinois, United States
Categoriesgaming Tags2016, favorites, gaming, Ios, list, ps4, xbone
One Reply to "My Standout Games of 2016"
Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 12:56 pm
Overwatch is the game I got the most mileage out of this year. It's one of the few online games that I'm pretty good at. Even after I thought I was done with it I kept going back.
I wish I had spent more time with Forza or even finished Doom. One day.
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