2015 saw the release of so many great games that it's impossible to narrow it down to just one overall best game of the year.
Mike Splechta – Xenoblade Chroncles X
I had originally predicted that my GOTY would be the expected Witcher 3, or perhaps Fallout 4, but then Xenoblade Chronicles X came in halfway through November. Hell, it almost didn't even make the cut, let alone be considered. Turns out that the game consumed me whole, and I mean that in a good way.
There is so much to talk about with Xenoblade Chronicles X, but if there's one thing that stuck out to me the most, it's the actual world, planet Mira, that also happens to be fully explorable. Maybe I'm just feeling the fantasy fatigue, but there was something new, fresh and exciting about exploring the alien landscapes separated into five vastly different continents. From the green fields of Primordia, to the desert plains of Oblivia, and even the fiery mountains of Cauldros, all of these locations were so intriguing due to their alien nature, and simply begged me to explore them. It also helped that there wasn't a loading screen to be found while exploring. And then there were the alien creatures, ranging from small to simply gargantuan, each one posing a different kind of threat.
Planet Mira ended up being a world that felt more alive than many other open-world locations in current-generation games, and that's saying something. Of course, the game has tons of other great aspects to it which contributed to me picking it as my personal Game of the Year. From the fantastic combat that was slightly updated from its predecessor, the great characters that are worth getting to know, the various deep mechanics of crafting and upgrading, to the interesting online modes. Xenoblade Chronicles X is so deserving of being a Game of the Year contender, and for me, it surpassed any and every expectation I had.
Mike Boccher – Life is Strange
There have been many games this year on many platforms that I have enjoyed for many reasons. None of them, however, came close to making me feel the way Life is Strange did. Square Enix and DontNod provided an episodic, emotional roller coaster that kept us reeling for 10 months and I loved every second of it.
The story of Max and Chloe was an incredible one. It took a stereotypical shy, 18 year old girl and made her completely relatable to everyone regardless of sex or age. This was also done with topics such as depression, suicide and bullying handled in such a way that they remained focal points of the story without taking over the game as a plot device.
There are many truths to Max, Chloe and the rest of the cast that all people can identify with. It's a unique game that allows people older like myself, not really I'm only 36, and younger people around Max's age relate so intimately with a character. I ended up asking myself many times questions like "Did I make the right decision back when…" and "What if I did this instead of that.." about my own life. Younger people who may not have lived long enough to experience those decisions yet find themselves receiving free advice on what to do when those situations arise.
Life is Strange is a thing of beauty with everything from its autumnal, hand-drawn background to its emotional and thought provoking dialogue. The ending is one that exhibits the true meaning of life and the people that go through it with how when you finally reach closure on one topic it opens up another.
I cannot recommend Life is Strange highly enough for anyone. Not only is it an incredible game all the way around, but it also shows you how to act and behave like a better human being overall; the only game I've ever played to invoke such a feeling.
Jordan Biazzo – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt as my Game of the Year is something I didn’t expect to say at the end of 2015. I really had no interest in the game pre-release and with all the other titles that were coming out like Batman: Arkham Knight, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, and the highly anticipated Fallout 4, I totally brushed over The Witcher 3.
I would also like to say prior to Witcher 3, I have never played a Witcher game before. And you would think by jumping in at the latest entry of the series you would be lost right? Well, you’d be wrong. CD Projekt RED did an excellent job allowing both new players to the franchise and Witcher enthusiasts feel right at home. The world that the developers created was both beautiful and gritty at the same which made it feel so alive.
The dynamic quests, monster contracts and overall story for the Witcher 3 was outstanding. The side quests were so good, I need to mention it again. They weren’t just fluff tailing and eaves dropping missions that we tend to receive with modern games; they had a purpose, sometimes they bled into the main quest other times they would go on for hours. Each side quest never felt the same, it’s a rare thing to say nowadays and deserves to be noted.
CD Projekt RED truly crafted a masterpiece with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Each game this year had their strengths and weakness, but Witcher 3 is nearly perfect, and this is why it’s my Game of the Year. If you have yet to give it a try I couldn’t recommend it more, please do yourself the favor and try Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you won’t regret it.
