As is becoming an annual tradition here at Push Square Towers, we’ve corralled our core group of staff writers and prodded them until they’ve told us what their favourite five games of the year are. With such a strong assortment to select from, added force was required in some instances. We warned Stephen he'd have to explain the meaning of 'Quintumply' if he didn't decide upon his list.
Fifth Choice: Undertale
It may have taken a couple of years for Toby Fox's acclaimed RPG to make its way to PlayStation, but boy was it worth the wait. Undertale is a real treasure. It's a game that subverts your expectations, upends gaming conventions, and constantly strives to entertain. The world building is excellent, and is supported by an immensely loveable cast of characters that accompany you through a melancholy yet heart-warming and hilarious story. So strong is the writing and characterisation that you'll even fall in love with base-level enemies. It's definitely one of the most memorable games I've played this year.
Fourth Choice: Yakuza 0
Speaking of memorable games, Yakuza 0 was my entry point into the long-running series, and I'm so pleased that I decided to jump into this crazy, kick-ass world. The central story is up there with the year's best narratives, effortlessly interweaving the paths of Kiryu and Majima, two fantastic characters I loved spending time with. There is almost too much to talk about, but the brutal brawling and the endless assortment of mini games and side missions countered the melodrama and furrowed brows of the story. The result is a riotous mash-up that had me hooked for dozens of hours.
Third Choice: Sonic Mania
Another highlight from SEGA came in the form of a classic, 2D Sonic title made by a group of passionate fans. Sonic Mania earns its place on my list because it turned out to be exactly what I wanted: a no nonsense, proper Sonic game. It recaptures the feeling of playing the early games perfectly, and I had a constant, stupid grin on my face. Christian Whitehead and his team should be applauded for their achievements; the level design, the presentation, and the classic gameplay transported me back to a simpler time, and I couldn’t be happier with the result.
Second Choice: Everything
From nostalgia overload to an experience unlike anything I've ever played before, David O'Reilly's Everything had always intrigued me, but I didn't expect it to resonate with me to such a degree. Going into it, I didn't think I'd find the game so relaxing, so profound, and so captivating. The simplistic look and funny animations belie a game that's deeper than you think, with numerous ways to interact with its universe soundtracked by the fascinating philosophy of Alan Watts. I just love existing in its world, one with no rules or objectives, but a unique sense of freedom and playfulness.
First Choice: Horizon: Zero Dawn
For me, though, Horizon: Zero Dawn sits above Everything, and everything else this year. Aloy is already one of PS4's most iconic protagonists, but perhaps even more impressive is her story, an origin tale with twists and turns right to the end. While you mulled over the mysteries, you had huge, powerful, robotic beasts to take down. Not only were they well designed, but excellent fun to fight, and with the gorgeous world begging to be explored, it was impossible to put the pad down. Guerrilla's best game, and also one of the most enjoyable action titles PS4 has to offer.
Are you nodding your head vigorously in agreement with Stephen's selections? Raise your hands above your head in the comments section below.
Comments 38
@AnimeGamerFan Haha, it’s all good! These are just my favourites. What’s your top game from this year?
I wasn't expecting much from Horizon, just another third person open world game but I have to say it really exceeded my expectations. Excellent attention to detail and as you say some really cool twists in the story. Great game. Looking forward to the sequel, hoping they introduce a few more interesting characters.
Undertale is on sale at the moment on psn. I'll probably pick it up in the next few days for the Vita, seems to be very popular.
@Kidfried Everything kind of caught me off guard. I knew I’d like it, but I really didn’t expect to fall in love with it the way I have. Really great game
@LieutenantFatman Hope you enjoy Undertale! I played it on PS4 myself, but I think it’s a perfect fit for Vita
@AnimeGamerFan Everyone is so in love with Horizon here, I thought it was good but really nothing special. The story was decent but the characters completely forgettable.
@Kai_ I think the characters are definitely something they need to work on in the sequel. I don't think they were bad at all but as you say, not many that are particularly memorable.
@Kai_ you’re not alone. I personally found Horizon really dull.
Great to see some Yakuza love!
Yakuza 0 was my entry point into the series & I've been hooked ever since. Can't wait for Kiwami 2 & Yakuza 6.
I also bought Undertale in the last sale. Planning to play it on vita, but I heard the bullet hell mechanic might be more difficult on the smaller screen. Luckily it's cross-buy.
All you guys are crazy about Horizon! Not my GOTY *cough*cough Persona 5, but it's exceptional nonetheless.
I enjoyed P5 but thinking back I remember rushing through the end just so I could see it. With Horizon, I didn't want it to end.
@AnimeGamerFan boring and uninspired are the last two words I would use to describe horizon lol.
@Kai_ that's fine not everyone is going to like everything. For example erend,sylens,aloy,Avad to name a few are not forgettable to me. The story was more then decent and was actually unique for a sci fi story john Gonzalez of fallout new vegas fame knocked it out of the park
Horizon’s combat is Godly and Aloy is a superb protagonist. Good picks, Stephen — I loved Everything, too.
@get2sammyb it was so good (combat) that i barely know how they can make it better in the same style. maybe more giant robots
wait the writer for one of my fave game ever,fallout new vegas,wrote the story? damn
@get2sammyb Haha, thanks Sammy
Please someone explain to me the obsession with Yakuza games, I really don’t get it. The combat looks like Arkham games done wrong, the AI is as clever as in AC games and graphically it screams last gen all over it. I guess the story is good, no complaints there...but overall? Come on, Horizon is not just better, it’s entirely different league in most aspects.
Perfect choice at number 1 horizon is one of the best game this year but no mentioning nier automata or persona 5 was a little disappointing. With horizon I just wish it was longer than 46 hours I invested to get the platinum trophy.
@fisher I didn’t understand all the love for Yakuza either, for a very long time. Then I played one
@Quintumply so what made you change it? I’m genuinely bamboozled here
@fisher For me, it’s the unabashed looniness of it. There’s a cracking story about the Japanese criminal underworld with some really great characters, and even on its own the story becomes really engrossing. Then on top of that is all the crazy stuff, mini games like bowling, darts, RC car racing, telephone dating, the list goes on. THEN you have the fantastic side missions, most of which are hilarious and see Kiryu and Majima in utterly ludicrous scenarios. The fighting isn’t the best in the world but it’s hard hitting, funny, brazen, and satisfying to pull off.
It all hangs together so well. It’s not a series everyone will enjoy, but I just love its meld of humour, drama, and variety. If you’re not sure, maybe rent it or track down a cheap second hand copy and play it for yourself. Stick with it and you might be pleasantly surprised
@Kyroki Hopefully soon!
Maybe I need to try Undertale again. I just didn’t get what all the fuss was about. I abandoned it after a few hours, so it’s probably just my impatience.
Great well thought out article though. Yakuza 0 is in my backlog for later.
@fisher The combats brilliant in Yakuza it bears no resemblance to Arkham. Tbf Yakuza zero was my jumping in point, so I cant comment on the quality of the earlier games. Its my goty easily. You should stop playimg grown up men in capes and start playing a real game!
@quintumply awesome list bro and great synopsis of each game. Have a boss Chrimbo.
In Total agreement
@Kai_ I agree. I didn't even finish it. I traded it in for Crash Bandicoot Although I know why people consider it to be their goty.
@themcnoisy Cheers noisy, have a great Christmas!
@KratosMD Yeah, Alan Watts’ rhetoric is a huge part of the game, and I love listening to it all.
Horizon Zero Dawn is also my goty, without a doubt. I still need to play Yakuza 0, Everything and Undertale.
@NinjaWaddleDee Crash was so boring in did not even play the first world of crash completely.
I would rather have played a remaster of Legend of Dragoon.
Great list bit im at least 1 year behind and i have the games here in plastic.
Horizon is a game I kinda regret missing.
Sonic Mania was the only game on this list I played. It was fun. I also jumped into Yakuza this year, but it was with Kiwami instead of 0.
Horizon was really good, the only criticisms I have after having completed it would be the combat and the AI. They weren't terrible by any means, but after I unlocked the ability to shoot three arrows at once, everything fell quickly. The AI just felt very easy to fool as well. Still, that being said, I enjoyed it throughly.
@DerMeister You gotta get the complete edition then cause it is an exceptional game worthy of GoTY and the Frozen Wilds dlc is how dlc should be done. My favorite game of the year.
@RedMageLanakyn A friend of my had the same complaint so the replayed it on very hard before he reached the proving. Have you tried the Frozen Wilds? Its tougher. Im currently on an ultra hard playthrough.
@oryo23
You should check out the most recent episode of NoClip on YouTube, its a really cool documentary on the making of Horizon.
Horizon gets my vote as this year's best game, the story was so engrossing, I loved filling in detail with the collectibles too. Combat was incredible, production values second to none and Aloy, what can I say, fantastic!
@3Above Haven't tried frozen wilds, and i believe my playthrough was on very hard. It was just easy to kill things unless I actually forced myself to attack something out in the open. Plus I would usually hack a couple to help out just to speed things up. Once I get caught up on some backlog I'll pick up frozen wilds, i'd like another chance to get back into that world and face some challenges.
I've only played sonic mania and yakuza 0 out of these but both were excellent. This was a very good year if you enjoyed weeb games.
Nice to see Yakuza 0 get some love. It's easily my favorite PS4 game of 2017 because it remembers exactly what video games are about. It has a strong story and characters but even if you take that out it'd still be at the top of my list because of the crazy, over the top combat and goofy side activities.
As for Horizon at no. 1. I don't gush about the game as much as others here, and it isn't close to my favorite game of 2017 when we factor in the Switch as well, but those acting like it's a bad game are crazy, imo. It's the same when people bash Zelda: Breath of the Wild. You don't have to like the game but you have to be able to acknowledge when something is well made.
Horizon is on my contender list as well for game of the year: great story and narrative, new and innovative mechanics, looks fantastic.
@Lovespuds who is noclip? you know what?im gonna check it
@oryo23
NoClip is a Patreon funded documentary makers, run by the super talented Danny O'dwyer, formerly of Gamespot.
He makes serious documentaries about games...I cannot recommend enough, superb stuff.
Horizon as number one? Great pick! Same goes for me.
If I had to pick too 5 this year:
5. The Evil Within 2
4. Knack 2 (huge surprise, plus the soundtrack is incredible)
3. NieR: Automata
2. Nioh (as someone who never got into Souls games, I loved every second of it).
1. Horizon: Zero Dawn (+expansion)
I have yet to play Persona 5
@themcnoisy I dont agree on that point there is room for both i loved Arkham Knight.
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