2016 wasn't that great, but there were a bunch of real cool videogames that came out this year and this is my column where I write about my top ten in a few lines and try to convey what I enjoyed about them and why I think they're important games. I'm lucky enough to be able to play almost anything that I want - bar buyer's remorse preventing me from getting too many games at once - but you'll notice a small 3DS skew on this list. Man did that little handheld have a good run...
10 - The Witness
Jonathan Blow's latest puzzle game wasn't on my radar at all, but once reports on its quality began to emerge, I had to check it out. This almost myst-like puzzle exploration game where you solve grids of colored puzzles located in visually interesting environments in order to progress and learn the mysteries of the island you're on had its hook in me for a while. The natural progression of puzzles - all explained without text - and the soothing style of the visuals and the audio came together quite nicely.
9 - Grim Dawn
I really like action role playing games and I had backed Grim Dawn's original crowdfunding campaign when kickstarter wasn't a thing, back in the day. I had high hopes for this game since Titan Quest is one of my favorite of all times, and it didn't disappoint. I have to admit that I found the skill variety to be lacking for my tastes and that I never managed to beat the game, but its regardless a fine evolution of the Titan Quest style and a solid ARPG by itself, able to rival with the Diablos of this world.
8 - Overcooked
Chaotic small multiplayer cooking game, Overcooked is a game that me and my friends just blasted through in one sitting and it indeed was a blast. The way multiplayer works, combined with the puzzle-like nature of each level and the necessity to have well-oiled production methods to succeed at each of them created a solid base for the game, while the sillyness that ensued from our mistakes and other hazards gave this a layer of natural humor that couldn't have been forced.
7 - Pokémon Sun & Moon
I had been waiting for this one for quite a while and I dove right back into the world of Pokémon with Moon edition. It's a great pokemon game in 3D with a few new mechanics that I either enjoyed or didn't use at all. The story went different places from the other games and I enjoyed the island challenge format quite a bit. I don't consider myself an obsessive pokemon fan, but I still went through the whole thing with a smile on my face and didn't feel like stopping until the game was past over.
6 - Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
SMTIV:A takes much from the original Shin Megami Tensei IV, but it's still a very good game in that setting. Changing characters and taking place in a different timeline, this game feels like a fresh new experience in familiar territory. I feel like the overall flow of the game is a bit improved over its predecessor and that goes a long way to build on top of already really solid gameplay mechanics.
5 - Zero Time Dilemma
I have waited so many years to play the conclusion on the Zero Escape franchise and while I feel that ZTD isn't the best one in the series, it's still a great game on its own with a lot of twists and turns and a compelling story that moves you forward always... Even if it does not land properly at the end. Interesting characters and good puzzles and a ton of world building went towards making this a game I couldn't put down until I was completely done with it.
4 - Bravely Second : End Layer
Bravely Second kept on improving the mechanics and ideas from the original Bravely Default and as someone that really enjoys class-based turn-based RPGs, it wasn't a big surprise how much I enjoyed it. This game kept the mechanics that were interesting from the original, tweaked the story structure a bit and sent me on a wild chase around the its world, trying to get the most overpowered RPG team, can you say attacking four times with four weapons equipped?
3 - Phoenix Wright : Ace Attorney - Spirit Of Justice
I'm a huge fan of Phoenix Wright games and while I feel that they won't be able to beat the specific moments I cherished so much in the 5th game, Spirit of Justice is an amazing entry in the franchise on its own. The twisting storylines, mixed with interesting characters and the kind of humor you enjoy in Ace Attorney are all there, culminating in a pretty crazy last case that keeps delivering plot twists. I've also learned much about Rakugo thanks to this game, and no other digital entertainment product this year can claim that!
2 - Picross 3D Round 2
I was an avid player of Picross 3D when it came out and I lamented the years during which japan had the second game, but we didn't have it. There were just no good options to play this, but then Nintendo announced it, out of the blue, and it was out almost immediately and I jumped on the game. It's more Picross 3D, it's got a new dual color mechanic where you can paint blocks orange and blue - instead of just painting them one color - so you can get more rounded and angular puzzle pieces. The style and music from Picross 3D are still there, better than ever. This is a great puzzle game, I love it so much!
1 - Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
Announced forever ago as Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem, I dove in TMS#FE the second it came out and played it for three days straight, in what I think will be an experience I won't forget soon. TMS#FE is almost persona-like and almost SMT-like, but it's definitely its own thing with a very unique battle system, cool crafting choices and a blend of Fire Emblem references that were well welcomed. I enjoyed the story and the characters, the dungeons and the sidequests. The world - albeit small - felt alive and vibrant, like I would expect in a Persona game. This game gives me high hopes for Persona 5 and what Atlus can do. Best of all, it's on Wii U, finally, a great RPG on Wii U! Who would've thought!