GameSpew’s Game of the Year 2015
Diggy: Undertale
Undertale is one of those annoying games which is completely impossible to review without spoiling everything that makes it good. Suffice to say that it is one of the most well written, intelligent and moving games that I have ever played; a game that made me shed both laughter and tears over the span of its enthralling journey. The ultimate proof (if anyone needed it) that a game can be made by a single person, with a resolution so low you can count the pixels, and still blow the vast majority of 50-million-dollar AAA titles out of the water.
Inspired by quirky JRPG Earthbound, Undertale is a clever parody and deconstruction of almost every gaming trope you can think of, and inverts your expectations on so many levels it becomes bewildering – but also simultaneously immensely satisfying. With a sublime soundtrack and a cast of funny, engaging characters, the game’s only downfall is its graphics, which are often basically just ugly – to the point where the deliberate use of pixel art is no longer an excuse.
That one small detail aside, Undertale is quite simply a masterpiece, and something everyone who has an interest in games as an art form should experience. It only remains for me to echo the sentiments that have been expressed by every fan and reviewer on the internet: Just play Undertale before you hear anything more about it. At £6.99 on Steam you’d be mad not to.
Conor: Fallout 4
I think Fallout 4 delivered on its hype. Plain and simple. It introduced so many great new aspects, such as the weapon modification and settlement building. There are of course reasons why people might not like the voiced protagonist or the more shooter-like elements, but to me, I don’t think Fallout 4 could’ve done any better in terms of providing a solid experience, whether it be the seemingly endless amount of quests and content, or the tense gameplay. Personally, I feel as though this is a step in the direction for RPGs to follow suit in what they can provide for the player, and this is the benchmark they need to reach when they come out. Are some elements out of the game going to be missed? Of course. But you can tell the amount of effort put into this game is astronomical.
Whether it be the simply addictive settlement building, or the amount of locations to explore; you can spend hours upon hours exploring the Commonwealth and find something new and challenging at each passing turn, and each challenge is rewarding. Fallout as a franchise is evolving, and Fallout 4 is the first step in the new line. In short, Fallout 4 is enjoyable, plentiful and inspirational.
