Yeti Corner: My Top 5 of 2015
As a look back at 2015, I decided to do the most cliche thing and put together my top five games I played last year. One caveat before I begin – these are not all games that were released in 2015. Also, one of the best games of 2015 is not on the list (Fallout 4) because I haven’t played it yet. Yes, I’m lame. Plan to see it on next year’s list.
So without further adieu…
NUMBER FIVE: This War of Mine
Although released near the end of 2014, I didn’t pick it up until the Winter Sale on Steam in 2015. That said, it’s a fascinating game. Much like Papers, Please, it’s not necessarily “fun”. It’s actually quite sad. But that’s what makes the narrative so strong.
The game is about war, but instead of being a soldier, you control a small group of civilians who are trying to survive in a war-torn country. It’s like the most depressing version of The Sims ever. I currently have four people living in a battered and burnt out house. You have to scavenge for food, protect your turf, search for supplies, and build important, although mundane, necessities like heaters and beds.
The game makes a statement, which I appreciate. It doesn’t take a stance on war, necessarily, but it does give you a different perspective about it. Instead of the glory of run-and-gun, sniping, or huge combat vehicles, it’s the gloom of starvation, depression, and hopelessness. The game does give you opportunities to help others, which helps you feel a little better about the dismal state of affairs.
NUMBER FOUR: Far Cry 4
This is the second (and last) game on the list released in 2014. I’m a sucker for Far Cry, and this one is by far my favorite.
I have an obsession with mountains. If possible, I’d live in the mountains. I’ve been fortunate to visit some of the most amazing mountain ranges in the world. So when I heard that Far Cry 4 would be set in a fictional country high in the Himalayas, I was hooked before I even played it.
The gameplay is Far Cry through and through. It doesn’t innovate a lot, but it improves on an already solid system. The process of exploration, stealth, capturing outposts, and hunting wildlife all works well. Plus the story is slightly better than the B-Movie experience typical of a Far Cry title.
NUMBER THREE: Ori and the Blind Forrest
This was my biggest surprise of the year. I figured I’d enjoy the game, but I was completely hooked from the moment I started. It’s the best Metroidvania game that I’ve played without Metroid or Castlevania in the name.
The game is built around platforming and exploration. It’s challenging at just the appropriate level. I died more times than I can count, but I never got so frustrated that I wanted to quit. It has enough backtracking to make you feel like you’re finding new areas without it feeling repetitive.
Most of all, the visual design and score are amazing. It is immersive, stylish, and fun. You feel accomplished when you get through it.
NUMBER TWO: Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
As much as I love this game, and I do love it, MGSV will always be the game that could have been great. It feels so good until you get to one of the biggest let downs in gaming history. The ending of the game is so abrupt… but then it’s not really over… but what is left is so broken that it makes you really sad about the potential masterpiece that doesn’t quite happen.
All that being said, the game is still number two on my list for a reason. It plays different than any MGS before, which was reason to worry. But it delivers an open world experience while sticking true to the Metal Gear DNA. It has sneaking, strategy, and epic boss fights.
The addition of buddies adds a lot to the game. Also, the ability to build up Mother Base while researching new equipment is a welcome addition. I had so much fun extracting enemy combatants to make them work for me and develop a fancy new tranquilizer sniper rifle with a suppressor. Plot-holes aside, it’s a fun experience that could have gone down as one of the best games ever. Could have…
NUMBER ONE: The Witcher 3
I didn’t play the first two all the way through, and it didn’t matter even a little bit. This game is phenomenal. I saw a statistic that The Witcher 3 has been named game of the year by more than 160 publications. Add me to the list.
The success of The Witcher 3 is proof that there is still a place in the gaming world for deep RPGs. That makes me happy because I grew up on Zelda, Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, D&D, etc. The Witcher 3 has its flaws, but the epic world, deep characters, and engaging story make up for the shortcomings.
There are a plethora of outlets where you can find people going on and on about this game (my own podcast outlet of Gaming Uncensored included). At the end of the day, you just have to play it. And you should. Because it’s awesome.
Here’s to an amazing 2016 in gaming!
