In less than 2 weeks, we're saying goodbye to 2015, which makes now the right time to take stock of the games that came out this year. And these emerged on top of the heap.
"Bloodborne"
This game making it to the top 10 most-searched video games on Google can be considered a testament to its success among gamers this year. Could it be because, unlike most games today, it "casts you as a regular person and throws you into a gothic world of violence and despair"? Perhaps the seemingly sadistic consequence that has the user getting killed over and over holds some appeal to video gaming buffs.
"It's a game where every victory feels hard won," The Verge observed. "The bosses are huge, grotesque monstrosities that will take every ounce of your skill to defeat, but even the standard enemies - the plague-inflicted inhabitants of Yharnam - can kill you."
"'Bloodborne' forces you to learn how it works, and then tests your knowledge in the most brutal ways possible," the tech news source went on. "It's a game where you will die a lot - but that only makes your eventual victory all the more satisfying."
"Fallout 4"
This is just another title in a hit game series, proving to be a worthy successor to "Fallout 3" with the new additions ranging from" voiced dialogue options to crafting and settlement building choices," Mirror noted.
"There are still some bugs to be ironed out, but next year's introduction of expansion packs and official tools for player-built mods - also coming to consoles for the first time - mean there will be plenty to enjoy for a long time to come," it added.
"Batman: Arkham Knight"
Gorgeous graphics, fight-heavy mechanics, and a good selection of villains to clobber are just some of the features that make this title from Rocksteady a winner this year. One of the evidences of its success is the fact that there's a number of games out there imitating its combat system.
"Her Story"
Unlike the first three games, this one isn't heavy on the battles. However, like the already mentioned trio, this one's a very engrossing gaming whodunit that has you playing Sherlock Holmes in order to solve a murder involving a missing husband and numerous video footage that gets you stressing over how the case will unravel. Talk about "Gone Girl" gone virtual.
"Splatoon"
Playable only on Wii U, this relatively uncomplicated game is surprisingly loads of fun.
"There are two teams, each equipped with 'Bugsy Malone'-style splurge guns, which fire paint rather than custard and are fed from 'Ghostbusters'-style backpack canisters," New Yorker noted. "The teams compete to cover the majority of the pitch in paint of their color."
"Downwell"
Although the graphics isn't anything like those of modern action games, this apparently simple game turns out to be more complicated than it looks.
"At the beginning it feels like a twitchy game, one where fast reflexes are what will keep you alive, and where the best route to the bottom is the fastest one," The Verge explained. "The more you play, though, the more you realize Downwell is about strategy and planning."
What do you think is the best game for 2015?
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