2016 was a big year for gaming for me. I got an Xbox One and a PS4, which has allowed me to play lots of new and wonderful games. I previously only had a PS3 and a gamecube, which kept my options pretty slim. But now that I've been able to explore what the gaming world is currently like, I have a lot of new favorites. Here are six highlights from my gaming journey this year.
1. Batman: Arkham Knight
Hoo boy, I love the Batman Arkham series of video games. I bought one on a whim at Half Price Books and my life hasn't been the same since. The graphics are great, the story is even better, and the voice cast is the same as from the animated series in the 90s. But Arkham Knight is by far the best out of the series. It is the final installment in this line of games, and the creators didn't skimp on anything. You play as Batman as he flies (and, for the first time, drives) through Gotham fighting against Scarecrow, who is about to release a fear toxin throughout all of the city. Along with the main storyline, there are tons of side stories to complete on the way to defeating Scarecrow. The gameplay is fluid and the puzzles are just challenging enough without becoming frustrating. While actually getting to drive the Batmobile is more of a challenge than being fun, I did not distract too much from my absolute love for this game. Available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
2. The Last Guardian
This game is gorgeous and immediately pulls you in emotionally. You play as a young boy who finds himself trapped in a dungeon with a mysterious animal named Trico. You work to befriend and gain the trust of Trico throughout the game and work together to progress through the story. I fell in love with Trico on sight, and I spent the majority of the game using the petting function to prove it. What makes this game especially endearing is that Trico acts like a real animal. He wanders off, wiggles around, and doesn't always do what you want him to do. It takes patience and lots of encouragement to train him properly. This game is emotional, fun, and an overall lovely experience. Available on PS4.
3. Journey
Another emotional rollercoaster of a game. You journey through a desert world to try and reach a distant, looming mountain. Along the way, you discover the cryptic history of this wasteland and it's remaining inhabitants through large wall paintings. There is no dialogue at all, you communicate through small chirps and do not speak to anyone. There is only the sweeping soundtrack that responds directly to your gameplay. It's a relatively short game, I finished it in about two hours, and by the end I was in tears. It's one of the most beautiful games I have ever played. Available on PS3 and PS4.
4. Shovel Knight
A classic pixel platformer reminiscent of the original Legend of Zelda. The game is surprisingly challenging, but the frustration is all worth it once you feel the accomplishment of defeating a particularly hard boss. The graphics are cute and full of color and the gameplay is very intuitive. You play as the shovel knight, trying to rescue your partner after the entire world has been taken over by an evil empress, using your shovel as your trusty weapon. It's a very fun game that is well worth the effort you put into it. Available on PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Mac, PC, 3DS, and Wii U.
5. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
This was the first Uncharted game that I played, but it's been heralded as the best of the four. This game is the final one in the Uncharted series, and the graphics are insane. The entire game feels like a movie that you get to interact with, the cutscenes are especially cinematic. It's so much like a movie that my parents insisted on being present for the entire gameplay because they didn't want to miss any of it. This game combines many different types of gameplay: exploring, platformer, fighting/shooting (though not excessively enough to feel like a Call of Duty game), and puzzle solving. Available on PS4.
6. Firewatch
Another beautiful game with wonderful voice acting. You play as a middle aged man who is working for the forest service for the summer. Your only companion is your supervisor who you communicate with through hand radios. This indie game is one of many "walking simulators" that have become popular, as you play in the first person through the eyes of the main character. You are able to make many choices in how you behave and speak, which greatly affect how the game proceeds. The story is incredibly immersive, the building mystery makes you feel like you're really there- another game where you get to make the choices in a movie playing out in front of you. Available on PC, Mac, PS4, and Xbox One. A word of note, unless your computer can handle running games, I would recommend playing this game on a console!
