The Top 5 Games of 2016 IBRO [In BurtonReviews Opinion]

(GIF sourced from http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/295036/2016-what-lies-ahead)

It’s Christmas time once again, and with that another year is rounding to a close; meaning all the big releases of the year have already come and either gone with the wind, left a lingering presence in your mind, or stayed with you for months now because just one more Overwatch match is never enough. But with it being the end of the year, that also means we all need to get our thinking caps on and arbitrarily slap the best games of the year together in a list and rank them against eachother. Have no idea where to start in a year crammed with explosive sequels, world-wide phenomena’s, and that period of literally a new AAA shooter a week. Well never fear because BurtonReviews has compiled a list from it’s very, very, very, some would argue too extensive time researching just which game should make the cut and go down in history as 2016 virtual bangers of the year.

(Image sourced from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEYp1RTvllM)

1.    Overwatch

Isn’t it just always the case? The one thing you thought would never interest you in a million years, turns out to be the thing that steals your heart, and in this case alotta hours of my life. With this kind of hero-structured game never being my thing (one bad experience with League Of Legends three years ago to thank for that), I couldn’t muster up any care for this game on its lead up to release. That was until I watched the superbly produced animated shorts. The universe, its interesting history, and its refreshingly bright and wacky characters were just too cool to resist buying this game, even if my wallet wasn’t quite prepared on release day. After just two hours of playing I knew this game was special. From its vast and unique gameplay, to its exhilarating sense of competition and dream-fulfilment as you basically become a team of super powered beings that, on a good day, could rival The Avengers, this game caught me in its never ending loop of risk and epic reward. A loop that still has me continuously running its course even to this day. If you haven’t checked this game out or think it’s not your jam, I highly recommend you just take a couple of minutes to look into Overwatch, there may genuinely be something in this game for everyone. 

(Image sourced from http://www.syanart.com/furi-afro-samurai-cyberpunk-hacknslash-game/)

2.    FURI

Another complete and unassuming surprise is my second favourite game of the year, FURI. One of PlayStation Plus’s free games from August, I downloaded FURI on a whim because the trailer looked kinda cool. And damn am I thankful I watched that trailer because this game is flippin’ awesome, in every sense of the word. But this game is not for the faint of heart. A continuous boss runner where all you do is go from one intense and unforgiving boss battle to the next, this game is incredibly hard and never apologies for it. Its story is vague but intriguing as all hell, every single stage, character and animation of this game oozes vibrant style as one minute you’re walking through a barren snowy mountain side to then be teleported to a land of floating spiralled platforms that defy every rule of gravity, all to beat up a cybernetic samurai, or giant baby head. And don’t even get me started on the incredible and epic electronic soundtrack that has been what I write these articles to ever since. This game is weird, this game is cool, and this game hasn’t let me forget it ever since I survived through its gauntlet of pain and triumph.

(Image sourced from https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2015/12/23/uncharted-4-a-thiefs-end-now-launches-on-27th-april-2016/)

3.    Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

If an Uncharted game comes out, it’s inevitable that it’s going to turn up on my list of top 5 games for that year, and this one is no different. The final story of Nathan Drakes swashbuckling career as an Indiana Jones impersonator, Uncharted 4 was an emotional ride. While the series’ iconic set pieces of utter destruction and chaos took a backseat for this entry, what came to the forefront in its place was an incredibly written and performed story that warmed my heart and almost brought tears of happiness to my eyes. When playing through an argument between two characters in the game is one of your favourite moments, you know the game’s doing something right. Especially when that is just as captivating as the shooty shooty parts of the gameplay that, don’t worry, are still here and with a revamped aiming system feel as good as ever; being highlighted nowhere better than in Uncharted 4’s exhilarating multiplayer that still has me coming back for more on the odd weekend here and there.    

(Image sourced from https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/battlefield-1-ps4/)

4.    Battlefield 1

In a month of shooter after shooter with Battlefield 1 having to fight off both Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare and Titanfall 2, you have to do something really special to standout. And that’s exactly what Battlefield 1 did. Its harrowingly brutal and honest depiction of this bloody and terrible period in history, paired with its intense and heart pounding gameplay that makes surviving feel just as hard as it should in the first war that swept the entire world, made this game a special experience. I was genuinely moved by its refreshing style of single player campaign (being a set of mini vignettes showcasing many facets of the war from a wide array of perspectives) and made to think on a war that I honestly didn’t know much about, but after this game both wanted and needed to. Then to its multiplayer that even managed to show the horrors of this life, where I didn’t strive to get the best kill streak, or most head shots, but instead just to make it through this trial alive. This game left a real impact on me, and that’s without even mentioning the games finely tuned first person shooting and the multiplayer’s varied and grand game modes that never left me bored for even a second.

(Image sourced from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6_cQe1INFc)

5.    DOOM

Speaking of finely tuned first person shooting, DOOM has it in spades. This games comes out of the gate screaming and on fire as its metal soundtrack and fast and fluid gameplay slaps you in the faces and challenges you to do better in this world of demons on Mars where you’re the only juggernaut of a being that can stop, or should I say stomp, every demonic scumbag that has the very unfortunate luck to be in your way. Simply put, this game is balls to the wall fun that shows you why gameplay is king.

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So that’s it, those are my top 5 games of 2016. Obviously with a year jam-packed full of games some just missed the cut, like Watch Dogs 2, which has had me addicted to its quirky personality and hackery amongst the streets of San Francisco for almost a month now. But some of the games I really want to mention didn’t even come out in 2016, I just happened to play them for the first time this year. And they are Journey and Far Cry 4. I’m sure you’ve all heard by now; Journey is a strangely emotional, but completely beautiful experience that really is a unique ride everyone should experience once in their life. Its art style was captivating and its story moving as you are allowed to wholly absorb into this weird world of scarfs and yelps. Then there’s Far Cry 4 on the complete other end of the spectrum. A loud, explosive, laugh-out-loud, hell of a time that makes you feel like the supreme badass of the land as you truly become the action-movie hero of your dreams that can jump out of a moving car, off a cliff, and glide to the ground below, all while hurling out grenades and shooting badguys as they yell about the legendary angel of death approaching from above.

Now I pass it over to you, do you agree with my list? What are your favourite games of 2016? Voice your opinions in the comments below and of course, Happy Holidays everyone!

Why not check out my YouTube channel, BurtonReviews, where I upload awesome gaming montages put to badass songs or scores every Sunday. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUfnyezvQsVsDgN3TGRh1Q

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed.