2016 Game of the Year, Part 1

It’s that time again! Although perhaps a few weeks ago was probably a better time to be “that time again”, but what are you going to do, eh? That’s right – it’s the post where I announce the best game of 2016.

As always, there are two points to be made here:

It’s the best game I played for the first time in 2016, not necessarily the best game that came out in 2016.
No arguments. I’m correct. Lalala, I can’t hear you.

It’s a difficult one this year too, as I played more games than most people even know exist. Some of them were great. One of them was best. But which one? Find out now! Or rather, not now as I’ve split the post as it was very long. Long in a good way, as it means there was a lot to talk about that was good, of course.

In no particular order, and bearing in mind that Part 1 isn’t any better than Part 2 in any meaningful way, let us begin to find the 2016 Game of the Year:

Hyrule Warriors Legends (3DS)

It’s no secret that I’m a massive fan of HYRULE WARRIORS. It’s possible, without hyperbole, I’m the game’s actual biggest fan. I certainly seem to be. The Wii U original is, quite possibly, the very best game ever made. I’ve given it some serious consideration over the last few years, wondering if it edges out Mario 64 and Run Baby Run at the top of my Best Game Ever list, and I think that it might.

And then they released a 3DS version, which contained most of the stuff the Wii U version did and added a load more: more characters, more levels, a new story, and several new weapons and stuff. And it was portable! Some of these made it back into the Wii U game as DLC, but much didn’t. The only thing, and of course there has to be something, is that it was only single player. Since I played the vast majority of the original in two player this was a massive step backwards for me, and so I can’t in all honesty say it’s as good. It’s still excellent, and one of the best 3DS games, but it isn’t quite there.

Broforce (PS4)

It was full of bugs, and even though it was a seemingly simple 2D platformer suffered from horrendous slowdown, but every single level and every single character of this over the top shooter was awesome.

Explosions, destructible environments, an over-the-top America! Hell[ref]I don’t say the other word.[/ref] Yeah! Mentality and oh so lovely pixels. A story that is nuts. Random characters to control each time you die. A wide variety of weapons and enemies. And bugs. Broforce has it all!

The Witness (PS4)

Never before did a game make me feel so damn clever. Every time I found the key to a new puzzle type, my brain would swell and I’d gain 10 IQ points. By the time I’d completed the game, including the Speed Puzzle challenge mode that only true brainiacs can manage, I was able to understand quantum theory AND I couldn’t get my head through the door.

In making me clever, it was easy to see that the game itself was clever in being able to do so. Leaving clues to how puzzles work with no dialogue, no written instructions, and no tutorial. Abstract shapes that were once nonsensical became simple conundrums once my brain had been tuned to them. And! It looks gorgeous and has blue skies like you’ve never seen outside of a Sega game.

Firewatch (PS4)

Them sunsets! That mystery! As a narrative discovery game, Firewatch contained a surprising amount of actual “game”, but it’s the story that makes it. The current events and what you uncover of previous events. Are they linked? What is hiding in the Area 51 type compound? Who is listening in on you and why?

It was quite short, quite easy, but quite lovely.

Star Fox Zero (Wii U)

Here I am, someone who was never a fan of Star Fox (or even Starwing, Eurogaming people!), and actually hated the N64 version, posting about Star Fox Zero like it’s one of the best games of 2016. Why?

Because it IS one of the best games of 2016. Not bad considering my past interactions with the series, and the severe backlash Zero got from fans and press alike when it was initially revealed. How is that everything changed? Just play it. It’s so varied, the boss battles are Metroid Prime tier stuff, and the dual TV/Gamepad steering and aiming system is actually quite incredible once you get used to it.

Kirby: Planet Robobot (3DS)

Over the years there have been many, many Kirby games, but very few have come close the excellence of the first few. Hoshi no Kirby 3 on the SNES is perhaps the pinnacle of Kirbyness, and although the Kirby’s Adventure game on the Wii, and Kirby’s Epic Yarn, were both pretty good, they never truely felt like proper Kirby games. The same goes for Triple Deluxe on the 3DS.

Planet Robobot, however, reverses all that and is not only the best Kirby game in decades, but is also one of the best games on the 3DS. High praise indeed when you consider all the other 3DS games there are.