Saturday, December 31, 2016

Remembering 2016: Best of Video Games


You are right and I was wrong. I once believe that the year 2016 would be a great year ever for video games and it can't possibly get better than this but then it did. From a remake of a classic horror shooter, a futuristic battle of the heroes, a band of brotherhood tagging along on an epic road trip of a lifetime, an interstellar warfare of infinite proportions, and new ways to catch and befriend monsters on the go, this year brought us the best and worst in gaming.

So, let's jot down the 16 best games of 2016.

1)  Biohazard 0 HD Remaster - Remastered version of the 2002 prequel chapter of the Biohazard (Resident Evil) saga, fans of the hit survival horror franchise return to the untold chapter that is set before the first one as players take the role of STARS Bravo Team member Rebecca Chambers and escaped convict Billy Coen, taking advantage of their abilities while surviving through the nightmare that uncovers the hidden truth behind the beginning.

2) Quantum Break - By the creators of Alan Wake, Quantum Break offers a unique blend of third-person shooting, decision making, and a live-action drama that pushes the boundaries of time and space for storytelling games available for Windows PC and XBOX One,

3) Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - The long-awaited fourth installment of the ever-popular Uncharted action games developed by the same folks that brought you the popular Crash Bandicoot games sees a much darker turn for treasure hunter Nathan Drake. Sam, his brother, re-emerges and asked Drake to save his life and offer him a quest he wouldn't resist. That meant he's on the search for the long lost treasure of Captain Henry Avery and with his brother, they'll venture through different parts of the globe to search for the legendary treasure.

4) DOOM - The first-person shooter legend is back and for 2016, the legendary FPS game Doom gets a whole new modern twist to this one helluva shooter game that caused a stir on millions of gamers since the original Doom went out on the PC in the mid-90's. Now made for PC and new-generation gaming consoles such as the PS4 and XBOX One, the new Doom is going to be the bloodiest offerings in the summer. Apart from the new storyline as well as multiplayer madness, the new Doom is now more fun than ever thanks to the brand new DOOM SnapMap feature, where players can create maps and objectives, and then share it to the world for them.

5) Overwatch - Blizzard's latest offering is a first-person multiplayer game that is becoming one the most popular games ever launched. In this game, players can choose as one of the heroes while teaming up with other players in series of multiplayer missions that will test their skills and their cooperation against rival teams.

6) THE IDOLM@STER Platinum Stars - While this is mainly a sacrilege for purists everywhere, this PS4-exclusive game marks the new beginning for Bandai Namco's decade-long franchise about raising idols to become superstars. Platinum Stars sees a bold new turn for the 765PRO ALL-STARS as they're undergoing a training camp and you're in charge of nurturing all 13 idols to its true potential. Just like One For All two years ago, Platinum Stars allows players to raise their favorite idols such as Haruka Amami, Yayoi Takatsuki, Makoto Kikuchi, Chihaya Kisaragi, Ritsuko Akizuki, Azusa Miura, Yukiho Hagiwara, Iori Minase, Ami and Mami Futami, Miki Hoshii, Takane Shijou, and Hibiki Ganaha. How you'll live it up to your favorites' expectations is all up to you.

7) Tales of Berseria - The latest mothership title of the two-decade-long Namco Tales franchise, Tales of Berseria, breaks the tradition of past Tales titles because for the first time in Tales history, a heroine will be the star of the new game, under the name of Velvet, a young woman who has a thirst for vengeance following a string of tragic events. Exclusively for the Playstation consoles, PS4 and PS3, this new installment is a Tales game unlike any other, giving a fresh new spin to the two-decade-old franchise that wowed millions of fans, new and veterans alike.

8) Pokemon Go - Since its announcement last year, Pokemon GO is one of the most anticipated smartphone app games the world has ever faced and even though this is one of the many ways to honor Pokemon's 20th anniversary, Pokemon GO gives millions of Pokemon fans from across the globe the chance they've been waiting for; capture Pokemon in the real world just as what they did on video games. As of right now, Pokemon GO offers over a hundred Pokemon as seen on the Red/Green/Blue/Yellow games or as I like to call it, Pokemon that came from the Kanto region. You start off with one of the three starter Pokemons; Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle, and then set off to catch and train Pokemon. As you catch more and more Pokemon, you can level up your trainer and as your trainer level goes high, you can gain access to more powerful items that will be a great use on your journey. Because of such popularity and criticism, we can expect more to come in the Pokemon Go app and in due course, more Pokemon to catch in the real world.

9) Forza Horizon 3 - The Horizon Festival goes Down Under in this latest installment of the Forza Horizon series and unlike any other Horizon Festivals you've been through since the first one, Forza Horizon 3 puts you in charge of Horizon Australia as your goal is to make this Horizon Festival a success while driving a roster of fast cars on Australian roads, a dream come true for the discerning petrolheads living the life of the location ubiquitous for shooting promo videos and commercials on new cars.

10) Assetto Corsa - Following the success of the PC version, Kunos Simulazioni were pleased to bring the popular racing simulator game to PS4 and XBOX One consoles. Following the release of the console versions, the developers behind it announced that they will be bringing Porsches in-game via DLC. Of course, all versions will get these DLC packs based on Stuttgart's finest but the PC versions get them first, followed by PS4, and then (uncertainly) for the XBOX One.

11) Titanfall 2 - Sequel to the 2014 hit game, the latest chapter is offered not just on the XBOX One, but for the first time (and to the annoyance of many Titanfall fans) on the PlayStation4. From its dramatic solo-player storyline and its high-octane multiplayer gameplay, it takes guts to master their pilot and titan skills to overcome this new kind of battlefield.

12) Battlefield 1 - Not to be confused to the original Battlefield Bad Company game, Battlefield 1 aims players a shot through time to relive the First World War in many ways to enjoy this game while blending historic fact and surreal fiction in the most spectacular way while delivering the same Battlefield thrills as the other installments.

13) Call of Duty Infinite Warfare - The classic Call of Duty action as experienced in most games boldly goes where no warfare has gone before as Infinite Warfare brings the surreal warfare action into the solar system. With the intense solo-player campaign, enjoyable multiplayer, and the Zombies game most fans loved, this franchise has already evolved to the maximum level.

14) Pokemon Sun & Moon - This is the biggest birthday gift to honor 20 years of Pokemon. In this new installment, players emerge through the tropical Alola region where they can catch, trade, and battle new Pokémon around the region, pass through trials, avert a major threat, and become the island challenge champion.

15) FINAL FANTASY XV - The long-awaited installment from the hit JRPG franchise gives a new start for new and returning fans many. Because of the extensive advertising used to promote this game, it even features two prologues to up the ante such as the KINGSGLAIVE FINAL FANTASY XV film and the BROTHERHOOD FINAL FANTASY XV anime series. As Prince Noctis and his friends, he's on an epic grand tour in the world of Eos in search of many secrets while racing against time to save the Kingdom of Lucis from the uprising that marked him dead alongside his father, King Regis.

16) Yokai Watch 3 Sushi/Tempura/Sukiyaki - The latest installment of Level 5's hit video game franchise marks the game's debut of new American Yokais such as USAPyon, Tomnyan, K. Koma, K. Jiro, and many other new Yokais, including King Enma and Nurarihyon. In these new installments, Keita Amano (Nate Adams) and Jibanyan are going to the USA while Inaho and USAPyon stay in Japan in search for more yokais doing annoying habits. With two worlds, two heroes, new yokais, one story, what could possibly go wrong?

There are many good games ever launched in 2016, but let's leave it here.

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