6) Firewatch
It’s always great to see smaller indie games going head-to-head with the big dogs on Game of the Year lists, and Firewatch is definitely deserving of its spot here. Telling the compelling tale of a fire lookout and his supervisor, this stunningly gorgeous game generated a ton of pre-release buzz — and fared just as impressively once players got their hands on the game.
[zergpaid]“Considering The Walking Dead creative leads Jake Rodkin and Sean Vanaman crafted the story here, I shouldn’t have been surprised by how the interactions between the two are excellent,” wrote our reviewer, Eric Hall. “The strong narrative and gorgeous setting have left a stronger impression on me than just about any other recent release.”
5) Titanfall 2
We already knew Titanfall 2 was going to have excellent multiplayer going in — after all, that’s what the original game was known for — but it was an unexpected surprise to find the sequel’s single-player campaign to be among the most fun and exciting in the genre. Despite its quality though, this game hasn’t sold as well as expected. Still, if you haven’t taken a shot at its fast-paced and fluid FPS action yet, be sure to jump on it when you get a chance.
“Titanfall 2 excels at providing you with new and exciting things to do,” wrote our reviewer, Shaan Joshi. “Environments run the gamut from jungles and forests to industrial factories and military installations … [and] a few standout moments completely switch up the way you play.”
In an era where some gaming content can feel recycled even when it’s brand-new, I think this praise speaks for itself.
