Best Games Of 2017

 

While 2017 wasn’t the best year for video games, there were a bunch that I had a lot of fun playing.

Here, in no particular order, are the best games I played in 2017.

 

Resident Evil 7 biohazard

Developer: Capcom

Publisher: Capcom

Systems: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC

Admittedly, this isn’t as Resident Evil-y as I would’ve liked. It’s not a b-grade zombie movie with you as the hero. It also takes a while to get going. But when it really kicks in, it’s not only the best Resident Evil since Resident Evil 4, it’s easily the scariest game in this series by far. Especially the beginning, which is like walking into a feeling of dread (as odd as that may sound). You can imagine why I didn’t play this in VR.

 

 

Sniper Elite 4

Developer: Rebellion

Publisher: Rebellion

Systems: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC

As much as I loved the previous game in this series, Sniper Elite III, and its undead spin-off, Zombie Army Trilogy, this one far exceeded my expectations by making all of the battlefields big, open areas. As a result, you can now come at your objective from multiple directions, and your enemies can do the same. Which is why this plays like a tense but addictive game of cat and mouse…if the cats were Nazis.

SCORE: 9.0/10 (You can read my review here)

 

 

Horizon Zero Dawn

Developer: Guerilla Games

Publisher: Sony

System: PlayStation 4

Given that two of my favorite games of the last few years are 2015’s Rise Of The Tomb Raider and 2016’s Far Cry Primal, it’s hardly surprising that this game — which essentially injects the hero from the former into the setting of latter — would be one of my favorite games of 2017. But what really made Horizon Zero Dawn stand on its own was how it also added the best elements of Sniper Elite 4 (see above), Batman Arkham Knight, and Mass Effect into something rather compelling.

SCORE: 8.5/10 (You can read my review here)

 

 

Bulletstorm Full Clip Edition

Developer: People Can Fly/Epic Games

Publisher: Gearbox Publishing

Systems: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

It’s funny, when the original Bulletstorm came out in 2011, I liked it, but felt it was a bit too silly. But now, six years later, I appreciate the silliness of this sci-fi shooter more. Go figure.

SCORE: 8.5/10 (You can read my review here)

 

 

Star Wars Puzzle Droids

Developer: Disney

Publisher: Disney

Systems: iOS, Android, Amazon

Family Guy Another Freakin’ Mobile Game

Developer: Jam City

Publisher: Jam City

Systems: iOS, Android

While most mobile games don’t hold my attention for long, match-3 puzzle games can…when done well. Which is what I’d say about both of these. Sure, the Star Wars one is a bit more inventive, and does some different things, while Family Guy is pretty typical. But both kept me coming back, day after day, just to see if I could get a little bit further.

 

 

Uncharted The Lost Legacy

Developer: Naughty Dog

Publisher: Sony

System: PlayStation 4

For years, Chloe has been my favorite character in the Uncharted games. So much so that whenever I met someone from Naughty Dog, I’d tell them they should ditch series star Nathan Drake and make a Chloe game instead. Well, they finally did, and in doing so, proved I was right all along.

SCORE: 9.0/10 (You can read my review here)

 

 

Fastlane Road To Revenge

Developer: Space Ape Games

Publisher: Space Ape Games

Systems: iOS, Android

Though it’s essentially a simple arcade game, kind of like Spy Hunter on steroids, I still got a real kick out of this top-down vehicular shooter. Especially after I spruced up my car with multiple machine guns.

 

 

Destiny 2

Developer: Bungie

Publisher: Activision

System: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

This first-person shooter makes this list because of its great controls, cool environments, and narrative mix of sci-fi and fantasy tropes that makes me wish someone would write a companion novel. I just wish it had a dedicated single-player mode so I could pause things when the pizza guy shows up.

(You can read my review of Destiny 2 as a single-player game here)

 

 

Forza Motorsport 7

Developer: Turn 10 Studios

Publisher: Microsoft

System: Xbox One, PC

Given that it has the same great controls, twisty tracks, and sense of speed as Forza Motorsport 6, Forza Horizon 3, and so on, it’s no surprise that this options-heavy racing game would be one of my favorites of the year, even with its numerous (albeit tiny) problems.

(You can read my review of Forza Motorsport 7‘s single-player career mode here)

 

 

Wolfenstein II The New Colossus

Developer: Machine Games

Publisher: Bethesda

System: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Switch

As a Jew-ish geek with a love of shooters, the Wolfenstein games have been a favorite of mine since this series began. But this new one stands out for really using its alt-history setting and locations to great effect. That playing it also feels like an act of resistance these days just makes it that much sweeter (though also, to be honest, sadder).

 

 

 

Guns, Cars, And Zombies

Developer: Denali Games

Publisher: Denali Games

System: iOS, Android

Kind of like a Mad Max version of Fastlane, this arcade driving game has you running over zombies in a car you trick out with armor plating, spikes, and spinning blades. It also has a ton of variety in its modes and objectives that kept me coming back for weeks.