GameSpew’s Top 10 Games of 2017
As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect upon the games that have come and gone throughout 2017.
It may have been a crap year in terms of pretty much everything else, but when it comes to video games, 2017 has been one of the best. We’ve had a whole new console in the form of the Nintendo Switch; we’ve had an update to Microsoft’s console with the almighty Xbox One X; and we’ve had so many amazing games that there just hasn’t been enough time in the year to play them all.
This list celebrates the best of the best from this year; the major players who’ve dominated our gaming libraries, our playtime, and our hearts. It’s been hard to pick just 10 — so many other games have deserved our attention, too — but we’ve done our best to narrow it down to the games that have stood out to us personally.
Without further ado, here are GameSpew’s Top 10 Games of 2017.
Want to see our indie picks? Scoot over to see GameSpew’s Top 10 Indie Games of 2017 right here.
10. Sonic Mania
Available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC
What we said: “A Sonic fan couldn’t really ask for more than what’s been delivered by Sonic Mania. It’s got the gratifying Sonic physics, responsive controls, thrilling speed, open levels and brilliant bosses. It truly is a return to form for our favourite speedy blue hedgehog, which is ironic considering that it’s not made by Sonic Team. This is Sonic just as you remember, but bigger and undoubtedly better. Is it the best Sonic game? That’s hard to say as it comes down to personal preference with regards to stages etc., but one thing is for sure, Sonic Mania is likely to be at the top of many Sonic fans’ lists. And in the year 2017, to make that statement about a new Sonic game is something that many of us thought would never happen.”
Why is it on the list?
I’ve always cherished my time spent with Sonic. It’s been painful as of late to find him in so many games that simply don’t do him justice, but Sonic Mania is just perfect.
It reminds me of my spent time playing the best Sonic the Hedgehog games on the SEGA Mega Drive all those years ago, perfectly capturing everything that made the franchise so great to begin with. Yet, it also throws enough curveballs to keep the experience exciting. I don’t know which direction Sonic is headed next, but hopefully there’s more Mania and less Forces. Though as one of the best games of 2017, at least Sonic Mania will be there for me to jump into from time to time to remind me that good Sonic games can still be made. — Rich
9. Nier Automata
Available on PlayStation 4 and PC
What we said: “NieR: Automata is undoubtedly a better game than its predecessor then, but still somewhat of a rough diamond; it doesn’t shine to its full potential, but it’s precious nonetheless. An overflow of quirkiness and an air of mystery empower it with a great deal of charm. It’s just so unusual and varied that it’s easy to overlook the occasional frustrations that it puts in your path. Ultimately, it’s a game that will stay with you long after you’ve seen the credits roll for the second, third or even fourth time; the memories of its characters and music lingering in your head, reminding you of what games can be like if they dare to be different. Unless you have no soul, I fail to see how you couldn’t be enraptured by it.”
Why is it on the list?
The original Nier was a flawed but utterly compelling game. It was janky as hell at times, but the sublime soundtrack and sometimes heartbreaking story kept it in my memories for years after release. But with PlatinumGames at the helm, Nier Automata is better in every way.
It’s not devoid of problems, yet you care little for them as you explore Nier Automata‘s strange world, completing quests, engaging in furious combat and uncovering threads of its sombre narrative. All the while its astonishing soundtrack plays out, making every second a treat for your senses. Nier Automata is one of the best games of 2017 because even though it’s not perfect, it’ll stick with me for years. And not many games can manage that feat. — Rich
8. >Observer_
Available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC
What we said: “An audio and visual tour de force, Observer doesn’t pull any punches. It would appear that Layers of Fear was simply foreplay for Bloober Team; a warm up for the full-on madness that Observer is. Combining investigation, exploration, stealth, puzzles, and a near constant barrage of horror, Observer is a meticulously created game that rarely puts a foot wrong. If you think you have the stomach for it, this could be one of the biggest surprises of the year.”
Why is it on the list?
When Bloober Team unleashed Layers of Fear upon us in 2016, I have to admit, I was terrified. At the same time, however, I was excited. ‘Just what would they do next?’, I wondered. And the answer was >Observer_.
Featuring the vocal talent of Rutger Hauer, >Observer_ kept me on my toes when I played it earlier this year. I headed into a run-down apartment block to locate my missing son, and initially thought that I was in for a good old murder mystery with a cyberpunk setting. Not quite — I jacked into someone’s mind and all hell broke loose. Honestly, >Observer_ is one of the best surprises of 2017. Why not give it a go and see for yourself? — Rich
7. Forza Motorsport 7
Available on Xbox One and PC
What we said: “Packed with more content than ever, visuals that leave you astounded and a driving model that is exciting yet ever reliable, Forza Motorsport 7 is clearly ahead of the pack when it comes to racing games. There are some changes that may alienate legacy Forza Motorsport players, but prize crates aside they’ve all been made with good intentions and mostly pay off. The racing in Forza Motorsport 7 is more refined, accessible and competitive than ever. With you at the centre, the journey to win the Forza Drivers Cup is one that is tense and exhilarating every step of the way. If you’re a racing game fan, Forza Motorsport 7 is absolutely essential.”
Why is it on the list?
In 2016, Forza Horizon 3 came out and became the best arcade racer for years. Perhaps even the best arcade racer of all time. It was phenomenal — and that’s exactly why it earned its place as GameSpew’s Game of the Year 2016. Unfortunately it means that any racing game that comes out now is held to a much higher standard, but out of all of 2017’s racing game releases, only Forza Motorsport 7 came anywhere close to greatness.
Forza Motorsport 7 is still more of a serious racer, but it has a newfound playfulness. Elements of Horizon have seeped into it, making it challenging but also fun. It’s got one of the largest car lineups ever found in a game, sublime handing, a massive selection of tracks and visuals that make your eyes bleed. On a standard Xbox One Forza Motorsport 7 is mightily impressive but running at 4K on a beefy PC or Xbox One X, it is simply mind-blowing. If you pick up one racing game this year, make sure it’s Forza Motorsport 7. — Rich
6. Yakuza 0
Available on PlayStation 4
What we said: “If you’re a Yakuza game veteran, Yakuza 0 should be considered absolutely essential, though it provides a great starting point for those wanting to get into the series too. There’s no better a time to get into it either, what with a remaster of the original title, Yakuza Kiwami, due in the west later this year. It may look a little dated at times and be a bit rough around the edges, but it offers a compelling story alongside some seriously enjoyable gameplay that is as varied as you want it to be. And not only that, but it does it whilst constantly surprising you with its mix of melodrama, charisma and oddball zaniness. To play Yakuza 0 is to deeply fall in love with its characters and world; a challenge that many games try to conquer, but only a handful ever manage to actually achieve.”
Why is it on the list?
Playing Yakuza 0 at the start of the year made me mad that I’d not played the Yakuza series sooner. It’s one of those game that should be a mess – what with all the things it tries to do and how often it changes tone – but somehow, it just works. It’s so crazy that it’s mesmerising.
Kazuma Kiryu has quickly become one of my favourite game protagonists of all time, and Majima Goro? Well, there’s a special place for him in my heart too, despite being an absolute loon. To play Yakuza 0 is to fall in love with it, whether you find yourself strictly following its helter-skelter storyline or engaging in side content such as ten-pin bowling or running a cabaret bar. In my opinion, no best games of 2017 list is complete without Yakuza 0, and I can’t wait to delve into more Yakuza in 2018. — Rich
5. Horizon Zero Dawn
Available on PlayStation 4
What we said: “On the surface, Horizon Zero Dawn borrows from a litany of other games and it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that it’s merely unoriginal and derivative. However, these well-worn gameplay tropes have been streamlined and polished to a near-perfect sheen. With its excellent combat system that is extremely fun to play, and its breathtaking world that begs you to explore it, Horizon Zero Dawn easily overcomes its few flaws and delivers a must-play game that, even this early into 2017, is a dead cert to be one of the best games of the year – perhaps even of the generation.”
Why is it on the list?
When he reviewed it for us back in March, Sean called it straight away: of course Horizon Zero Dawn was destined to be one of the best games of the year. What we didn’t know at the time was just how much competition would follow, but Horizon has still stood out as a worthy contender for any GOTY award, and as Sean rightly says, perhaps even for the entire generation.
It’s an open world game, sure, but one with so much heart and soul that it appeals to even the biggest nay-sayers of the genre. With a strong female protagonist like Aloy, and a fictional world that combines earth and science in one of the most creative and well-realised ways we’ve seen in a video game, it’s not difficult to see what makes Horizon Zero Dawn so great. It’s a world that we’ll be going back to time and time again as this generation wears on — and the beauty of Horizon Zero Dawn won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. — Kim
4. What Remains of Edith Finch
Available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC
What we said: “What Remains of Edith Finch is, quite simply, a stunning experience. It takes Gone Home and turns it up to eleven. While it’ll undoubtedly end up being labelled as a ‘walking simulator’, it takes that genre and throws it on its head, giving us an experience so rich, so deep with emotion and meaning, that you’ll probably not quite know what to do with yourself when the credits roll. It’s a story like no other; both very grounded in reality, yet at times other-worldly beyond imagination. It’s touching and thought-provoking; daring to explore dark subject matters rarely delved into by video games. It may only take a few short hours to complete, but every moment is so packed with significance that it hardly matters. It’s rare such a game makes me want to play again, but the moment I put down What Remains of Edith Finch, I wanted to start it back up again, just in case there was any part of the narrative I’d overlooked; any remaining mystery I’d somehow missed along the way. Do yourself a favour and add it to your collection. You won’t regret it.”
Why is it on the list?
In retrospect, referring to What Remains of Edith Finch as a ‘walking simulator’ is a massive disservice to everything that the game is. It is a fairly passive experience, granted, with most of the game merely playing out to you as you wander from one room to the next. But the journey it takes you on far surpasses anything of a walking simulator. This is leagues away from the likes of Dear Esther, and even Gone Home, in terms of depth and storytelling.
It’s been eight months since I played the game for the first time, but I still often find myself thinking about wandering around that empty Finch household, mulling over what I found, and remembering the characters as if they were my own friends and family. It’s extremely rare for any game to have such a profound and lasting effect on me, and that reason alone is enough to warrant it as one of the best games of the year. — Kim
3. The Evil Within 2
Available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC
What we said: “2017 has been a great year for games, but for me, The Evil Within 2 has been one of the most pleasant surprises. It’s a fine example of how a sequel should be done; taking what worked and made the original such a memorable experience while building upon it and stripping out the fat. The Evil Within 2 is good old-fashioned survival horror with a little bit of an open-world bent, and it works beautifully. It’s tense, it’s scary, it’s exciting, it’s absorbing – it’s everything I hoped it would be and more. If you want something horrifying to play this Halloween, make sure it’s The Evil Within 2.”
Why is it on the list?
I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the original The Evil Within. I loved its grotesque character designs and ridiculous plot, but it felt a little too focused on action at times, and that wasn’t its strongest point. I was still excited to jump into The Evil Within 2 when it was released though, and boy, was I glad I did.
The Evil Within 2 rights everything that its predecessor does wrong, while also adding new elements into the mix too. There’s a nice mix of open world and linear gameplay sections, allowing you to breathe at times, the combat feels much more intuitive, and enemy design is absolutely brilliant. As I played The Evil Within 2 I just couldn’t help thinking that it was almost the true successor to titles like Silent Hill and Resident Evil: games that expertly balance horror and action with engaging stories and heart pounding boss battles. The Evil Within 2 is the horror game I’ve been waiting years for, which is why it’s one of our best games of 2017. Now I’m just left hoping we get a third instalment. Pretty please, Bethesda! — Rich
2. Assassin’s Creed Origins
Available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC
What we said: “With a stream of post-launch content bolstering what it is already an epic 50-hour-plus adventure, Assassin’s Creed Origins is one of the most engrossing and awe-inspiring experiences of the year, especially on Xbox One X where the visuals are pushed to the max. You can nit-pick all you like about the odd funny glitch here and there and some duff NPC dialogue, but Assassin’s Creed Origins is a near flawless open-world gaming experience. After a year’s absence, Assassin’s Creed is back and it has been reborn. And I’ll happily admit that I’ve got egg on my face, because it’s better than ever.”
Why is it on the list?
“Engrossing and awe-inspiring” pretty much nails it; I’ve always been a fan of the Assassin’s Creed games, but Origins takes everything they stand for and turns it up to 11. The series has had its ups and downs in the last several years, which is why Ubisoft made the decision to take a year’s hiatus before releasing Assassin’s Creed Origins into the wild. Clearly, that extra year to work on it made the world of difference, as this is by far the best Creed game we’ve ever seen.
I’ve never played a game with a world so massive yet so rich and full of life as Origins’ rendition of Egypt is. While it’s obviously not historically accurate, it’s plain to see that the era has been painstakingly researched to make it as realistic and believable as possible. It’s these touches that make the game a cut above the rest. It helps, also, that Bayek is such a humanised protagonist; he’s far from perfect, but he’s been through pain and heartache that makes him more relatable than any who’ve come before him.
While a few years ago, we’d sigh at the news of a new Assassins Creed game, knowing we’d enjoy it but it would be more of the same, after Origins, I cannot wait to see what Ubisoft can do next. — Kim
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Available on Nintendo Switch
What we said: “Every moment spent with Breath of the Wild is pure joy. It’s the sheer delight of discovering something new: the first time you accidentally hit a cuccoo, or the first time you throw some ingredients into a cooking pot. It’s the incredible reward of reaching the top of that tower and seeing fresh, unexplored land laid out before you. It’s the feeling of exhilaration when you land a killing blow on a colossal Hinox or a brutal Lynel. It’s the sum of all those things; The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is yours to experience however you want. It’s a new generation of Zelda, and it’s a whole new breed of open world gaming. And it’s brilliant.”
Why is it on the list?
The amount of Game of the Year lists that have featured Breath of the Wild at the top made me pause for thought and wonder if we should try and be a little different. After all, we’ve always liked to march to the beat of our own drum at GameSpew — but sometimes you just have to follow the crowd. There are no two bones about it: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the best game of the year. It could even be one of the best games of all-time.
Why? It’s hard to summate in just a few words what makes Breath of the Wild so brilliant. Is it its fantastic art direction, complete with cel-shading and gorgeous animation that makes Hyrule feel familiar yet brand new all at once? Is it the fantastic open landscape, packed with hidden secrets ripe for discovering? Is it the shrines, each one with its own brilliantly-designed puzzle, set to test us in a way that few games do these days? Is it the charming character of each village new and old, the delightful quirks of every NPC we come across? Is it the sometimes-overwhelming freedom to roam wherever you want and tackle the game however you wish? It’s all of that, and more.
The Zelda series has always been special to me, but Breath of the Wild takes it to a whole new level. As I said in my review, it’s a new generation of Zelda — a generation that opens the game up to new players just as well as it reacquaints those already familiar with it. Without a doubt, Breath of the Wild will be one of those games that people talk about for years to come. It’s going to take something truly amazing to beat it, that’s for sure. — Kim
