As the year 2015 comes to its end I'd like to post my own GO(a)TY list here; but rather than making a ranked list of all the games I've been playing this year, I prefer dividing it into the--subjectively--five most outstanding and five most disappointing games.*
Top 5 Favorites:
1) Xenoblade Chronicles X (WiiU): a MMORPG-like vast open-world game in the spirit of Phantasy Star/Final Fantasy Online and Monster Hunter Ultimate, featuring extraordinary graphics and a superb yet complex UI (GamePad!), plus lots of character customization options.
Negative: a very varied soundtrack that cannot be modified or turned off.
2) Until Dawn (PS4): a thrilling experience due to its interactive narrative approach allowing for an alternative story development according to situational decisions--or failures (QTEs).
Negative: relatively short in spite of its big replay appeal (several playthroughs recommendable).
3) Fallout 4 (PS4, all): a great, multifarious game overall but similar to previous editions, such as Fallout 3/New Vegas.
Negative: the side tasks are very repetitive, while too much loot hinders quick story progression.
4) Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines (PSV): an epic Japanese turn-based RPG original in story, gameplay, graphics, music.
Negative: too much time required to complete the (post-)story 100%.
5) Star Wars: Battlefront (PS4, all): good though not exceptional online shooter MMO, magnificient graphics drawn from the Star Wars universe.
Negative: the famed Star Wars "heroes" appear rather accessorial (Disney infinity 3.0, on the other hand, includes also the new SW characters).
Further mentions: Assassin's Creed: Syndicate, Life is Strange, Mad Max, Splatoon, Disney Infinity 3.0--none of which I did play thoroughly yet.
Top 5 Failures:
1) LEGO Jurassic World (WiiU, all): cute like previous LEGO games but without much improvement or new ideas (the ever-same puzzles), and falling short compared to the more innovative LEGO Dimensions also released this year.
2) Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden (3DS): a 2D fighting game sporting more manga-like dialogue than (easy!) combat but still enjoyable for fans of the Dragon Ball saga. Positive: free Famicom Dragon Ball Z 2 download.
3) Battlefield Hardline (PC, all): a largely unnecessary spin-off in the Battlefield series whose hype lasted just for the Open Beta. (When will they let Visceral make a Dead Space game again?)
4) Evolve (PC, all): challenging gameplay and utterly fun to play as a monster, but without long-lasting appeal, unlike the Borderlands, Left 4 Dead series.
5) The Order: 1886 (PS4): enjoyable cover-shooter with impressive cinematic visuals and interesting characters but no DLC or Sequel announced, offering few replayability after an easy Platinum.
*[Both: 1-5 = most to least]
Other categories:
- Best soundtrack: Assassin's Creed: Syndicate (Austin Wintory)
- Best sidekick: Codsworth (Fallout 4)
...
Any comments welcome :)