The latest games aren’t the greatest games of the year, but they’re the ones that stand out the most. You’ll still be talking about and playing them long after they’ve hit the shelves whether because of their captivating stories, the enthralling environment, or their unrelenting gameplay.
While many sequels are iterative enhancements of the same formula, XCOM 2 rises above its predecessors thanks to an entirely new perspective and a overhauled combat system that has an endless amount of possibilities for experienced players. It’s among the few games that is both child-friendly as well as mature, with a fun aspect that doesn’t diminish its intelligence.
Brutal Legend, the first non-Squaresoft title to utilize Unreal Engine 4, proves that old school action can be powerful. The game oozes nostalgia from every pore, with an aesthetic that combines ugly beauty of PS1 classics with the stunning elegance of modern action games.
Despite some of the most boring grinding games in the genre Spec Ops: The Line is a fantastic shooter that’s more focused on story than before. It’s also the most intriguing entry in the series to date, featuring an intriguing sci-fi set-up and characters that are both relatable and difficult to sympathize with.
Final Fantasy XIV is back in the good books of fans despite the absence of content. This comes after a period of lows that began with Warlords of Draenor. The game’s revival is due to a renewed focus on storytelling and the dedication of the development team to keep improving the basic experience with a variety of extensions that make it one of the few MMO subscriptions that you’ll want to keep.