I know what you're wondering. Why didn't I do the usual game of the year list? I just didn't feel bothered to do it to be honest. It's not that I don't think there were any good games, but more so that I needed a breather before getting back down to business in 2018. I also didn't want to basically sound like a parrot listing off the favorites everyone else already covered. Everybody, for the most part, seemed to enjoy what I enjoyed. While the reviewed favorites were common across most outlets I did find my leisure time preferences to be a little different than others'. To that extent I do have some things I'd like to mention before moving on into 2018's business. I'd like to take a moment to reflect on my personally favorite gaming experiences of 2017, and type about some studios that really impressed me with their offerings.
In 2017, despite meeting some resistance on the gaming PR front I was privileged enough to review a decent amount of games. Bandai Namco, Idea Factory Intl., NISA, ATLUS, and some highly respectable indie studios such as Abylight let me prove to them that I'm a man of my word. That I deliver as I say I will. Through them I learned of some well crafted releases, and was able to share with you my thoughts on each of them. Bandai Namco did a few re-releases for the PS4 which I covered, and brought back into the light some games I thought were worth revisiting. The Naruto Shippuden triple bundle gave gamers more bang for their buck with all previous features intact. One Piece Unlimited World Red, also made a worthy return. It is, in my opinion, one of the best One Piece games to date. Let me not forget the re-introduction of the '.HACK/G.U.' series through an all inclusive, and visually enhanced compilation known as "The Last Recode". It is a JRPG series that takes on very serious and controversial topics about online game interactions. A must play, and must own title, in my personal opinion.
Idea Factory Also returned triumphantly reinventing the Neptunia series once more in a lighthearted action RPG platformer setting that looked amazing, and was also fun to play. You'll know that game as "Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online'. It took the series down a path that shed light on the Gameindustri gals' online gaming habits while focusing once again on a topic of discussion relative to the real world gaming community. An embedded discussion about mmorpgs, and the communities that choose to inhabit their virtual worlds. NISA contributed to the JRPG genre release of 2017 as well. They brought some noteworthy JRPG entries to the US in the form of 'Demon Gaze II', and 'Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana'. The latter of which met with some localization issues, but was and still is being corrected into the perfect vision Nihon Falcom had for the game. I loved 'Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana', and was impressed with NISA's drive to make the game's experience perfect for fans. It's this kind of dedication that has always drawn me to NISA games. If it weren't for NISA we would have missed out on some real gems over the years, so definitely support them if you fancy quality JRPGs.
One of my biggest surprises of 2017 was ATLUS actually letting me review one of their games. I considered myself lucky. The game in question was, "Utawarerumano: Mask of Truth". I ended up enjoying the game, but was unfortunately at a loss in regards to understanding when diving in at this second release's entry point. I felt I would have been better prepared had I have played through the first game in the series. That being said the game's art, storytelling, and light JRPG gameplay mechanics made for an entertaining playthrough. I could tell it was mostly about the political side of AquaPlus's Utawarerumano lore, and I appreciate that niche touch. It had great character development, and a story I feel would be good enough to experience in full.
On the indie scene Abylight was my star studio of the year. I had previously reviewed "Cursed Castilla EX" for them, and followed that up with a review of, "Super Hydorah" on the PS4. Super Hydorah was both amazing, and hardcore. A tribute to classic shmups of years gone by done up with a quality presentation. In the end I thought that the price was just a wee bit much for what the game offered content-wise, but that the game was definitely worth owning. As a journalist who has covered their games I can tell Abylight has a passion for publishing quality indies that pay homage, and proper tribute to genres of the past. I have much respect for them, and hope they continue to wow us in 2018 with more releases of the indie kind.
Onto my favorites ...
A lot of my free time in 2017 was spent on the causal experiences. The free-to-play PS4 games, and shooters. I found myself falling in and out of love with Grasshopper Manufacture's/SUDA51's "Let it Die", but ended 2017 dedicating even more time to the game's grind. I also found enjoyment in the new CoD. Thought I'd never say that again in my lifetime, but there's something about "CoDWWII" that has me having fun. Maybe it's the shotguns, and my one hit melee trench knife? There's those two games, and Netherrealm's "Injustice 2". Fighters this year have not held my attention much outside of "Injustice 2". Though it is an obvious grind I feel it's vastly more rewarding, and fun than what a lot of the other studios have released. It feels more fair, and (as I said) more rewarding. I actually paid for out of pocket all 3 fighter packs. I liked it that much.
I think "Let it Die", "CoDWWII", and "Injustice 2" were my favorites of 2017. Again, this isn't saying I didn't like the other games I listed, but in the personal sense these three releases held my attention more than most. Sometimes undeservedly so.
In closing I will say I'm looking forward to a lot of releases in 2018.Hopefully I get to cover them for you, and if not be sure to let me know what you think of the games that are released.
In 2017, despite meeting some resistance on the gaming PR front I was privileged enough to review a decent amount of games. Bandai Namco, Idea Factory Intl., NISA, ATLUS, and some highly respectable indie studios such as Abylight let me prove to them that I'm a man of my word. That I deliver as I say I will. Through them I learned of some well crafted releases, and was able to share with you my thoughts on each of them. Bandai Namco did a few re-releases for the PS4 which I covered, and brought back into the light some games I thought were worth revisiting. The Naruto Shippuden triple bundle gave gamers more bang for their buck with all previous features intact. One Piece Unlimited World Red, also made a worthy return. It is, in my opinion, one of the best One Piece games to date. Let me not forget the re-introduction of the '.HACK/G.U.' series through an all inclusive, and visually enhanced compilation known as "The Last Recode". It is a JRPG series that takes on very serious and controversial topics about online game interactions. A must play, and must own title, in my personal opinion.
Idea Factory Also returned triumphantly reinventing the Neptunia series once more in a lighthearted action RPG platformer setting that looked amazing, and was also fun to play. You'll know that game as "Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online'. It took the series down a path that shed light on the Gameindustri gals' online gaming habits while focusing once again on a topic of discussion relative to the real world gaming community. An embedded discussion about mmorpgs, and the communities that choose to inhabit their virtual worlds. NISA contributed to the JRPG genre release of 2017 as well. They brought some noteworthy JRPG entries to the US in the form of 'Demon Gaze II', and 'Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana'. The latter of which met with some localization issues, but was and still is being corrected into the perfect vision Nihon Falcom had for the game. I loved 'Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana', and was impressed with NISA's drive to make the game's experience perfect for fans. It's this kind of dedication that has always drawn me to NISA games. If it weren't for NISA we would have missed out on some real gems over the years, so definitely support them if you fancy quality JRPGs.
One of my biggest surprises of 2017 was ATLUS actually letting me review one of their games. I considered myself lucky. The game in question was, "Utawarerumano: Mask of Truth". I ended up enjoying the game, but was unfortunately at a loss in regards to understanding when diving in at this second release's entry point. I felt I would have been better prepared had I have played through the first game in the series. That being said the game's art, storytelling, and light JRPG gameplay mechanics made for an entertaining playthrough. I could tell it was mostly about the political side of AquaPlus's Utawarerumano lore, and I appreciate that niche touch. It had great character development, and a story I feel would be good enough to experience in full.
On the indie scene Abylight was my star studio of the year. I had previously reviewed "Cursed Castilla EX" for them, and followed that up with a review of, "Super Hydorah" on the PS4. Super Hydorah was both amazing, and hardcore. A tribute to classic shmups of years gone by done up with a quality presentation. In the end I thought that the price was just a wee bit much for what the game offered content-wise, but that the game was definitely worth owning. As a journalist who has covered their games I can tell Abylight has a passion for publishing quality indies that pay homage, and proper tribute to genres of the past. I have much respect for them, and hope they continue to wow us in 2018 with more releases of the indie kind.
Onto my favorites ...
A lot of my free time in 2017 was spent on the causal experiences. The free-to-play PS4 games, and shooters. I found myself falling in and out of love with Grasshopper Manufacture's/SUDA51's "Let it Die", but ended 2017 dedicating even more time to the game's grind. I also found enjoyment in the new CoD. Thought I'd never say that again in my lifetime, but there's something about "CoDWWII" that has me having fun. Maybe it's the shotguns, and my one hit melee trench knife? There's those two games, and Netherrealm's "Injustice 2". Fighters this year have not held my attention much outside of "Injustice 2". Though it is an obvious grind I feel it's vastly more rewarding, and fun than what a lot of the other studios have released. It feels more fair, and (as I said) more rewarding. I actually paid for out of pocket all 3 fighter packs. I liked it that much.
I think "Let it Die", "CoDWWII", and "Injustice 2" were my favorites of 2017. Again, this isn't saying I didn't like the other games I listed, but in the personal sense these three releases held my attention more than most. Sometimes undeservedly so.
In closing I will say I'm looking forward to a lot of releases in 2018.Hopefully I get to cover them for you, and if not be sure to let me know what you think of the games that are released.
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