It’s that time of year again when we all argue over what game was the best out of all the amazing games released in the months past. But how can one game really be better than another? How can Monster Hunter be better than Call of Duty? How can Fall Out be better than Mortal Kombat? There is so many different styles of games that all stand out in their own unique ways which is why I’ve taken the time that could be spent playing games to consider which games stand out from all the great work we’ve received this year.

Bloodborne

Playing this game is almost worth it just to experience the rich fantasy/Gothic world it takes place in. At times it can be brutally challenging but somehow in a way that makes you want to keep trying instead of giving up. When you do succeed, overcoming a difficult section only feels that much more empowering.  This is a great RPG that tries to tailor itself to how you want to play making you feel like you’re fighting your own challenge and not just a difficult game. The monsters are horrifying at times but the combat against them is good and will have you trying to press on after every encounter.

Rise of The Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider has been important to me since the first game launched in 1996. While the rebooted series strayed from being a good “Tomb Raider” game, it was also one of my favorite action-adventure games of all time. The sequel is no different. It builds on the rich and exciting story that began in the last game but also makes improvements to the game play. It is now possible to go through the entire game without ever engaging in combat or go total chaos and fight everyone. The world is even bigger and the exploration is more intriguing with this game having a better focus on tomb raiding. The game is as cinematic as ever and the breaks in game play to watch the sometimes lengthy  cut-scenes are always welcome.

Destiny: The Taken King

The third expansion in for the First-Person MMO is a clear cut example of a developer truly trying to improve on their game and not just expand on it. The expansion brought with it a great addition to an already good story by providing us with lots new quests to go adventuring on. The newly added Strikes and the Raid felt different tho, it was a step away from bullet sponge bosses to mechanic based fights that required players to do more than hold a trigger and hide once in a while. As a result, Bungie have created a raid that I’ve played more times than I can actually remember and a game that even tho it isn’t my number one priority, I always make time for a few hours a week.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

How do you want Big Boss’s story to play out? Cause now you kind of get to choose. Hideo Kojima’s latest stealth game completely redesigned how you go about your missions by creating a totally open world for you to roam. If you want to go in guns blazing, you can. If you want to find the best way to sneak in an quietly eliminate your enemies, you can. On top of its great stealth game play you also get a phenomenal story that totally reinvigorates the series and sucks you in and leaves you wanting more every time  you turn it off.

Assassins Creed Syndicate

Syndicate is a prime example taking a series back to what made it great in the first place. The game has been made a bit more simple in all the right ways but adds new features like the rope launcher to help keep the game’s flow going, letting you get to the action faster and easier. The story is actually interesting and the protagonist duo offer two fun and unique ways to play the game. There is always plenty to do in the huge and accurate map of London when you want a break from the main story. This is the best Assassins game since Brotherhood.

Splatoon

It’s no secret that online first person shooters have been some of the biggest games in recent years, bringing millions of players together to duke it out. It’s also no secret that they’ve all been fairly similar. When Nintendo decided to take a crack at online PvP, I was expecting a family oriented experience aimed at children but boy was I wrong. Nintendo has taken an exhausted genre and completely reinvigorated it. Splatoon is down right fun. Not only is it a total blast to play, but it also manages to appeal to people of all ages and interests. It perfectly incorporates all the things that make online shooters enjoyable rewarding skill while simultaneously letting less skilled players contribute to hugely impact the game feel useful all while adding fresh new features to set it apart from all the other games in its class.

Mario Maker

For most of us, 2D Mario games are where we cut our teeth. Spending hours enjoying the revolutionary game play in the early 90’s with Nintendo’s most recognizable character, Mario. Now in a modern 3D world, Nintendo has taken us back to our fond memories of our side scrolling plumber but this time handing us the keys. Giving the community the ability to create and share levels was nothing short of genius. Players are able to find levels of all skill requirements from the nearly impossible to walks in the park. Mario Maker is the best use of the Wii U’s game pad yet making level creation a breeze and Nintendo’s efforts to continually update the game with new content is bringing us level crafters worthy of being paid level designers. Mario Maker is one of the Wii U’s best titles and will never get stale.

Ori and The Blind Forest

Simply put, this might be the most beautiful game I’ve ever played. The story is one of the best in its 2D platforming genre and the intro is sure to move even the most hardened Postal 2 players.  The games hand painted art creates a world that makes me want to stop playing video games and see if I can find such beauty out in the real world. The platforming physics are a step above any side-scrolling game to date and will be a benchmark for future games to take note of. On top of a gorgeous game with incredible physics, it also offers RPG elements that allow you to tailor the game the way you want to play and a difficulty curve that will keep veteran gamers happy and new players having fun.

Rocket League

This innovative Soc-Car game got me hooked in my first match and has kept my interest long after being given the game for free on PSN. Despite being free for many of its players, Psyonix have still managed to earn over 50 million dollars from Rocket League and all of that was well deserved. Rocket League is instantly addictive and has an appeal that has hooked even the most casual  gamers. This is undoubtedly my favorite sports game ever and satisfies my hunger for a sports game with no rules or whistle blows slowing down the flow. Its not necessarily easy to be great at, but mastering the more difficult techniques gives players something to keep them interested while trying to dominate the pleasantly chaotic matches

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3 impressed me on every level of game design. The giant world was gorgeous and full of life that really felt like a place of old. The characters you encountered on your epic journey had amazing stories of their own that made them feel real and interesting,  you couldn’t help but take the time to deal with their problems. The story was well rounded and full of exciting events that hooked you for the long haul and left you wanting to keep pushing forward and an amazing cast of supporting characters you grew fond of almost instantly after meeting them. You are given the freedom to make your own choices that will impact the game making you feel excited to see what comes next. The Witcher 3 is the best RPG of all time and our game of the year.