Edward Love — Staff Writer
Nioh
Since Dark Souls emerged in 2011 offering Metroidvania gameplay in a fully realized 3D world, developers have been scrambling to distil and emulate the magic elixir. That’s where Nioh comes in. Years in the making, Team Ninja’s hack ‘n slash RPG has the best of Souls wrapped up in an all new package. It’s challenging and at times infuriating, but it remains an exhilirating experience from start to finish. Simply unmissable.
The Surge
I can’t help but feel The Surge got an unduly bad wrap this year. Yes, it was created by copy and paste merchants Deck13, but in many ways it’s a clever play on the risk-reward formula perfected by the Souls series, replete with a world that folds back on itself. The Surge cleverly lets you upgrade your gear by slaying enemies; and not just slaying them, but dismembering the exact body part you need. Critics dismissed it as B-movie fare, but I think The Surge has replay value in spades, and offered up some of my fondest memories of 2017.
Prey
Prey might not be perfect, but it’s never forgettable. An RPG in the classic mould of System Shock, it leaves you aboard a giant space station to sift through the wreckage. The world design is inspired; art deco touches intermingle with science fiction trappings and Arkane’s previous work on the Dishonored series is clear to see: areas are littered with shortcuts and vertical vantage points out of sight. I reviewed the title upon release earlier this year and decried its bugs and lack of polish, but six months on it stands tall as a real mood piece. The best games bring a real personality to the table, and Prey does just that.
