Every year the Push Square Team gets together to vote for the site's PlayStation Game of the Year. While we usually keep these polls secret, we're putting the spotlight on some of our authors this holiday so that they can highlight some of their personal favourites from 2015. Today it's the turn of Simon Fitzgerald, where variety rules the day.
Fifth Choice: Fallout 4
This was a no-brainer top five pick for me, as the amount of effort that Bethesda has put into Fallout 4 is stunning. The endless hours of fun I have had exploring the wasteland is honestly quite ridiculous and I'm not even half-way complete yet. I loved every minute spent in this massive open world, with the freedom to roam around, around, around... 'Cause I'm a wanderer.
Fourth Choice: Batman: Arkham Knight
Batman: Arkham Knight was overcast in shadow this year by other strong contenders but it was easily one of my favourites. With the new addition of the Batmobile, my childish excitement was through the roof, as I raced around Gotham. It also brought a fitting end to an excellent trilogy of Batman games from Rocksteady Studios.
Third Choice: Until Dawn
I'm not usually one for horror games but Until Dawn piqued my interest and so I decided to check it out and boy did it get me gripped – by the throat. The plot was a bit silly, as you'd expect with a slasher game, but the main attraction was that the choices I made had a huge impact on who survived.
Second Choice: Life Is Strange
I would have to say that Life Is Strange was a pleasant surprise for me. DONTNOD did a great job, with a very clear story that executed excellent. This main focus was crucial in my enjoyment of the game as it kept events believable while still having slight fictional elements mixed in. It also introduced some unforeseen plot twists in the later episodes and therefore has pushed its way into my silver position.
First Choice: Rocket League
On top for me is none other than Rocket League. Since launch, this has been a favourite among me and my friends, and we return to it on a regular basis just to hammer home a few more goals. The speed, simplicity, and sheer enjoyment that can be experienced from this small title has proved to me that the little guys can do just as good, if not better, than the triple A big boys.
What do you make of Simon's varied selection? Is it hot or is it not? Point your thumbs up or down in the comments section below.
Comments 31
I'll be around if anyone wants to discuss or criticise my choices.
Well, I've only played two of these games so far, but I do feel Rocket League is well deserving of 1st place, especially if you play it fairly regularly with friends, it is superb fun.
I found Batman a tiny bit disappointing, but I suppose expectations were very high after the first two games. It did have a lot of fun moments though, and it definitely isn't a bad game by any stretch.
A little surprised Witcher 3 and Bloodborne don't feature in your list, but maybe fantasy action RPGs aren't really your thing?
The Witcher 3 was definitely a big contender for me, I picked it up on launch and loved the visuals and the huge amount of content and the open world but I just couldn't get into it like other titles. I'm not saying it's bad, I just couldn't get used to the combat system as I don't think it suited my play style.
As for Bloodborne, it's one game that just slipped through the net this year and i've had @get2sammyb on my back nagging me to play it. I will hopefully pick it up over the christmas holidays.
That's fair enough, the combat does take some getting used to in The Witcher. Hoping to give your other choices a go at some point, all look interesting. Hard to have enough time to play everything! Might get Fallout on Xmas day, we shall see!
@fit6958 I certainly wouldn't criticise your choices as there is no right or wrong selections.
Its clear to me though we have a difference in opinion and taste when it comes to our top 5's - nothing wrong in that. The only game from your list that would make my top 5 is Batman. I know the Batmobile received a lot of criticism (rightly so) but I do think it overshadowed what was essentially a very good game. Granted those Batmobile missions/quests were overused, repetitive and very 1 dimensional, but the rest of the game was great. The Batmobile was also great fun to drive around Gotham in and then eject out into flight. Story was good overall and I thought Mark Hamills Joker was brilliant too. It had some 'jump scares' and moments that made you wonder if you were mad - Posters/billboards/statues etc changing and then when you looked back reverted back to normal leaving you wondering if you had actually seen it. I 100% the story (and yes that involved solving every Riddler trophy) but feel that many read or heard that the Batmobile 'sucked' and didn't give this a chance.
There's only one game i'd personaly mention in that list that's Fallout but that's the joy of it I suppose there's something for everyone.
@BAMozzy yeah it was a good game to finish the trilogy and it was definitely overlooked by many because of some very minor issues.
@xMEADx I really enjoy a big variety of games and I'm sure others do too. I get tired of playing the same genre for hours on end so I like to mix it up a bit.
@fit6958 I wish I played a wider variety of game's i'm more for the MP but this year only 2 of my top 5 would be MP game's, it's been a great year for SP game's for me with the amazing Fallout 4 at the top. Maybe R6V could be top but i'm not sure if i'm still caught in the honeymoon period with the game but it is pretty awsome.
Good choice!
Mine goes to Batman, closely followed by Bloodborne...
Batman is not better than Bloodborne, in my opinion of course.
@DominicanGlory @Dodoo Bloodborne is the one title that I haven't tried but wish I had, unfortunately not having much free time was a big cause of that
Until down was a pleasant suprise! I rented it and played it until I finished it, almost without breaks. Really enjoyed this game.
Rocket league is not bad, but not a game I liked. What I don't understand about it is, why the similar, almost same game on PS3 ( cant remember the name ), had not this success.
I can't comment about the others, as I have not played them.
@Melucine you have to remember that the PS3 didn't have as big a fan base as PS4 now has because the Xbox 360 was so similar in specs. Also Rocket League was on PS Plus so a lot more people got it who wouldn't have got it otherwise.
I agree with your list , my personal favourites this year without a doubt were life is strange <3 and bloodborne
@Melucine I don't think Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars was as well executed. The idea was there, but they opted for crazy arenas. It also didn't run as well.
I actually really liked SSARPBC, but it wasn't as good. They nailed it on second attempt with Rocket League.
Life Is Strange is my game of the year, & one of my favorites of all time. Man did that game get to me. I can't wait for the physical collector's edition in January.
@fit6958 @get2sammyb
I can see your point, its just that I tried both of them and felt the same game, on the other hand it was not my type and didn't played a lot.
I'm surprised to say that I think Resident Evil Revelations 2 was my most enjoyed PS4 game this year. I really got into that, even slogging through half of it again because of getting the bad ending first time round.
I'm very excited to see the positive comments about Batman. I've actually been avoiding it because of comments I keep seeing. Been planning to pick it up next year after a nice price drop. Something to look forward to.
@Melucine Fair enough some games just aren't for everyone, for instance I don't particularly like the Witcher 3 even though it is a really well designed and polished game. It is the same with Rocket League, some people just won't like it even though it is well designed and polished.
@chiptoon Batman is great, just the batmobile is overused a lot. I wouldn't say its as good as Arkham Asylum or Arkham City but it is a good end to the trilogy.
Great list - I've played and bossed your top 2 only finishing Life is strange last night. I have Until Dawn and am just about to start it after FIFA tonight.
@themcnoisy @Illusionistt @Neolit Thanks for the positive feedback, it's much appreciated.
@fit6958 Yeah that's the same reason (should I say problem?) as to why I've not got round to Witcher 3 yet! We need 36 hour days dammit!
@DominicanGlory Batman only just edges it for me simply because it's more my type of game, though Bloodbourne comes very close. Of course it's subjective so all is fair in love and war
I am sure Rocket League will be on alot of people's list.@fit6958 you said it right these guys did what AAA guys can do. Even if you didn't get it with PS+;it's still worth it IMO.
I won't criticize, but I don't agree with anything on this list. Maybe Rocket League or Fallout 4, but certainly to me RL isn't the first.
Pretty cool list. I'll admit that I haven't played, well....any of these games, reading lists like these is always cool and generally something I'll take to heart when I'm looking for games.
@DerMeister Thanks, I am genuinely surprised at how good a response I've had from this article. It's awesome.
@Frank90 that's fair enough everyone is entitled to their own opinion. There are plenty more of these article coming over the next few days, maybe one will suit your tastes better.
@iDangerMouse_ To be honest the others that I considered were Witcher 3, but I couldn't get into the combat system; Just Cause 3 and Rainbow Six Siege, but they only came out recently so I haven't played them enough to say they were better than any of these five.
@fit6958 its your opinion so all good. I'd say it was nice to see Life is Strange on your list, easily one of my top five too.
I hated Batman though, couldn't wait to finish and get that game off my shelf hehe. I enjoyed Until Dawn but overated game imo, though good to see new IPs doing so well.
Wow, it's interesting to see a list which doesn't have Bloodborne or Witcher 3, but it's cool none the less. I'm glad you gave some love to Life Is Strange, it really is fantastic. Also, it's nice to see Rocket League get some love too!
I still need to dig into Arkham Knight. I was a little worried that the lack of Paul Dini's writing would veer it off course but I shall give it a play soon and go in with open mind. Thanks for sharing your list Simon.
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