2016 was a year with tons of innovation in the gaming industry. Just in the past twelve months, Virtual Reality has become publicly accessible, a mobile Pokémon game was Googled more than the President-elect, and both Sony and Microsoft have begun steps to end console generations as we know them. In terms of the actual games themselves, however, not much changed. That’s not to say that there weren’t plenty of decent, solid titles; a few (looking at you, Final Fantasy XV and The Last Guardian) even pulled off miraculous escapes from development hell. In a sea of “yeah, pretty good” games, it can be hard to spot the few that rise above the crowd—but, nevertheless, here are my top five that made the cut.
#5
Publisher: Playdead
Developer: Playdead
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Inside
If you enjoyed Playdead’s previous game, Limbo, you’ll have some idea of what to expect with Inside—and yet, no idea at all. A creepy, atmospheric puzzle-platformer, Inside throws you into the shoes of a red-shirted young boy crouched on the outskirts of a forest, hiding from an armored truck and some vicious attack dogs. The closer you get to civilization, the weirder things get: zombified people, mind-controlled pigs, and the underwater equivalent of the hair girl from The Grudge all stand in your way. It’s a few parts beautiful, a few parts creepy, and even as a fan of Limbo, a total surprise in the end.
#4
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Developer: genDESIGN, SIE Japan Studio
Platforms: PS4
The Last Guardian
One of those long-delayed games I mentioned above, it was a bit surreal to actually get to play The Last Guardian. Perhaps the game’s most laudable achievement is the fact that, after nearly a decade in development, it managed to stick to its original vision. Trico is one of the first AI animals I’ve seen in a game that feels truly alive; sometimes, the massive bird-dog-cat thing seemed to solve puzzles even faster than I did. The game has a couple of issues—like the button prompts that take a while to fade away—but there’s just so much heart there that I love it anyway.
#3
Publisher: 505 Games
Developer: Giant Squid
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Abzû
Abzû isn’t from the same company that made Journey and Flower, but it’s from one of the same creators. It’s one of a very, very few games that exist not as a test of skill or a medium to tell a story, but as an experience that exists just for the joy of it. In addition to some gorgeous artwork and a stunning soundtrack, Abzû is one of the only games I’ve played that actually makes underwater movement fluid and fun. Game developers, take note—this is how you handle free movement in all directions. The emotional story and impressive ocean vistas, filled with literally thousands of individual fish, are only icing on the cake.
#2
Publisher: The Pokémon Company
Developer: Game Freak
Platforms: 3DS
Pokémon Sun/Moon
I’ve always been a huge fan of Pokémon, but Sun and Moon blew my expectations out of the water. The setting, on a series of tropical islands with Island Challenges in place of the traditional gym system, did a lot to freshen up the old formula of beat-eight-gyms-and-the-elite-four. That’s not what pushed Sun and Moon all the way up to my number 2 spot, though—no, that honor goes entirely to Team Skull. Whereas past Pokémon enemy teams have grandiose criminal empires or dreams of destroying the planet’s ecosystem, Team Skull members just kind of… crab-walk up. And flail. Then they try to rap, before awkwardly dancing and running away. It’s hilarious, and if I had an award for Best Villains, Team Skull would take it, hands-down, before running back to hide in the closest Hot Topic. They mah boys.
#1
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Overwatch
For the second time in two years, a shooter-style game takes my Game of the Year award—and, again, this isn’t a genre I usually enjoy! It’s a testament to just how good Overwatch is, then, that it manages to be at the top of my list. Blizzard was able to make every single one of its characters—the current roster holds 23—unique and memorable, so much so that there are dedicated fan-art followings for each. The gameplay itself is snappy and quick, and offers plenty of room for each character’s niche to shine—and if one isn’t getting enough love, the dev team’s been quick to tweak abilities and give fans answers. There’s just one more thing Blizzard could do: Terry Crews as Doomfist. Come on, Blizzard. You know we all want it.
Game My Mom Has Heard Of
Pokémon Go
It may be lacking in features, it may have some (read: a lot of) questionable mismanagement, and it may be responsible for a server room still being on fire somewhere, but there’s no denying it: Pokémon Go somehow became one of my most-played games this year. This buggy little mobile title took the nation by storm, and became a phenomenon in its own right. I’d walk down the street and meet tons of total strangers out playing, gave pointers to a few parents who had never, ever touched a video game in their lives, and even ran through a park in the middle of the night for a chance at a Dratini. Though lots of players dropped off after the initial rush, and many more became frustrated with Niantic’s communication, I’ll still happily fire up the app for a walk around the block.
Weirdest Game Concept
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
Take the tactical, Medieval-fantasy world of Fire Emblem, the post-apocalyptic, demon-infested Tokyo of Shin Megami Tensei, throw in the brightly-colored, sparkle-and-flash world of Japanese pop idols and you get… what must surely have been one of the weirdest game concepts to land on the desks of the folks at Nintendo and Atlus. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE throws itself wholeheartedly into its premise of battling back demonic Mirages with the passion its characters pour into a soda commercial, a magazine modeling gig, or a microwave-based cooking show. Though the gameplay itself isn’t much to write home about, there’s something to be said for having such a bizarre, bold vision and fully committing to the spectacle of it.
Death by Noodles
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice
After six main games, a handful of spinoffs, and nearly 50 murder mysteries, it’s crazy to think that the Ace Attorney team can still come up with twists and turns to keep even long-time fans like me on our toes. Even more impressive is the appearance of the game—while previous game Dual Destinies brought the series from sprite work to 3D models, Spirit of Justice perfects the look without losing any of the charm. Though probably not the best introduction to the series, being six games in, Spirit of Justice is one of my favorite chapters in the Ace Attorney story. (And, let’s be honest, nothing’s ever going to beat out Trials and Tribulations.)
EGM’s Best of 2016 Coverage
We’re taking a look at the best games of 2016 all week, from Christmas day through December 30th. Check back every day for our Top 25 Games of 2016, as well as our personal lists for the games we loved most this year. Check here for everything that’s been posted so far.