We’re in the final week of 2016, and we’re continuing our compilations of the Fandomania staff’s favorite releases of the year. Yesterday we talked about our favorite movies of 2016, and today we’re taking a look back at our favorite video games.
Overwatch
“Blizzard’s newest game has taken the Internet by storm. Overwatch excels with its fun shooter gameplay powered by the best and most engaging cast of characters of any game in 2016, making it my favorite multiplayer game of the year.” – Jason Dorough
Quantum Break
“I was annoyed when Remedy announced a new game that was not Alan Wake 2, but within a few minutes of playing Quantum Break all was forgiven. It’s no secret I’m a sucker for time travel, but I also have little patience for sloppy time travel stories (which is most of them). Thankfully, Quantum Break uses my favorite model, making it extremely satisfying both intellectually and emotionally. Add in player-determined branching outcomes, the unique blend of gameplay and live-action TV, an incredible cast, and intensely cool time-manipulation superpowers, and you have one of the absolute best games of the year.” – Celeste Monsour
Forza Horizon 3
“Forza Horizon 2 was my favorite racing game of all time until Horizon 3 unseated it this year. This iteration of the series doubles down on everything the previous games have gotten right, and it makes them better by offering a high degree of customization in races, not to mention the exceptional Blizzard Mountain expansion that released at the end of the year.” – Jason Dorough
Skyrim Special Edition
“I haven’t played many video games this year, especially new ones. I’ve been enjoying the upgraded graphics and the ability to add mods. Skyrim really doesn’t disappoint, no matter how many times you play it.” – Mandi Harris
Final Fantasy XV
“The fifteenth numbered release in the venerable Final Fantasy series is the most enjoyable one in many years. It shakes up the formula with a new combat system and a new, more modern atmosphere for the game world, but it holds onto the essential elements that make it Final Fantasy.” – Jason Dorough
Uncharted 4
“Uncharted 4 was exactly everything I wanted from Nathan Drake’s final outing: a thrilling present-day adventure that also reflects Nate’s past and future. I also probably spent half my gameplay time messing with photo mode because the locales and cinematography were just too gorgeous not to take advantage of. Sprinkled with just the right amount of self-referential nostalgia, I can’t think of a better sendoff Naughty Dog could have given Nate or his fans while still leaving us with hope for the life of the franchise.” – Celeste Monsour
Inside
“Reminiscent of the developer’s previous game, Limbo, Inside is an entirely weird, dark, and unsettling side scrolling puzzler that presents some entirely compelling mechanics mixed in with supremely creepy characters and situations. It’s my favorite non-AAA game for 2016.” – Jason Dorough
Hitman
“Though it suffered greatly from server problems and its unusual episodic release schedule, Hitman definitely delivered in terms of gameplay. With enormous and vibrant level designs that allow for infinite possible ways to fulfill Agent 47’s contracts, I’ve sunk 22 hours just into the first two levels and have still barely scratched the surface. In combination with the addition of challenges (bonuses given for going above and beyond a basic assassination) to the familiar Hitman formula, the replay value of this game is nearly limitless.” – Celeste Monsour
Doom
“As someone who played the original Doom when it first released on PCs back in the day, I fully appreciated this year’s return to the hectic and explosive action of the franchise. Doom feels true to its roots while managing to do fresh and exciting things in the aging first person shooter genre.” – Jason Dorough
