First and foremost, sorry for the slight delay as I know that the new year has already started, there is just something about the holidays that had me traveling all in between cities. However that didn’t stop me from having my way with another batch of games that I have played/purchased this year. I actually wanted to put the games in a category (aka “Best MMO Game”, “Best Open-World”) as I actually don’t remember all of the games I played this year but that would just be unfair to the ones I do remember regardless whether they were good or bad and while I have not added any game system this year since I lost(traded) my New 3DS for some other piece of hardware last February 2016, I still have my generation 1 Play Station 4, iPhone 6 and PC that I have managed to upgrade slightly, add my ISP that changed the service they given me this year to their crappy LTE service that has me choking on 5GB worth of data every day and could almost never connect to PSN so I had to stop playing some online titles that I had with my PS4. 2016, in my opinion has been very polarizing in terms of the game I played this year, I saw one of the most hyped games that it fell so flat, the earth could have actually turned on itself, while also seeing the birth of new titles and sequels that gave me something to look forward to and some fixes that improved the over-all game experience.
Last year’s “Year in Gaming“, I was pretty soft with the rules however this year I have made my own criteria up:
- Must be bought/played in 2016 regardless of release date
- MMO’s must have a huge amount of content added or an expansion released if they are to be included again
- DLC’s should have a reasonable amount of content (ie. The Witcher 3: Blood & Wine/Heart of Stone)
- These are not necessarily reviews but more of what happened after the reviews and subsequent playtime
THE BAD
No Man’s Sky (PC, PS4)
This game had made so much waves this year when it finally released and pissed almost everyone who bought it, from features promised that didn’t ship out with the base version of the game, to it’s own creator misguiding everyone, to people having trouble whether they would be able to get a refund (from Steam), bad optimizations for all platforms and even charges of false advertising. The game had literally nothing to do when it has been marketed as a “Space Exploration” simulator, with very little (or lack thereof) story but a chunk of lore included, No Man’s Sky could arguably be the most ambitious game this year or just the result of a drug-fuel induced mind of Sean Murray. I had two copies of the game for both platforms and while I didn’t mind the 30fps (or so) from the PS4, however since my ISP changed, I could not get some online experience and I had to get it from PC (which was a delayed release). The PC version had more settings to tinker with as usual and high frame-rates, however optimization issues made even the most high-end enthusiast PCs suffer from frame rate dips to crashes. Players have a new hope as the Foundation update released last November 2016, implemented some of the features promised such as base-building and some new game modes.
Elder Scrolls Online (PC)
While I had really high hopes for this game especially with the introduction of the “One Tamriel” update which lets the content scale with the level of your character so everyone could finally join each other regardless of level. However I had trouble when doing bosses as while I used to solo most bosses with minimal to no effort with my Templar, I suddenly found myself being squashed, I tinkered with my build and while I figured out how to do it, I still noticed that the scaling may be a little wonky for open-world bosses. I felt that the Crown Crates (Loot Boxes) are not really something I want in the games I play as these tend to be cash-grab content regardless what the content may be and the game does not really need this type of content now as this may lead to more future RNG content in the future.
Pokemon GO (iOS, Android)
I get it, most people (including me) would like to be the very best like no one ever was so when Niantic launched there Pokemon-themed Augmented-Reality game, I pretty much rode that train well… until it came, it took me 3 days just to get bored with it, due the low frequency of random encounters being pretty low where I lived, the lack of PokeStops were pretty disappointing too as I had to save Pokeballs and at one point, had to rely on buying from the in-game store. The combat is limited to gym battles and even that was pretty unsatisfying as it was more of a “Press this button” simulator, there isn’t any form of trading at all as well, so good luck having to encounter the available creatures that you have yet to capture. Most disappointing for me was the lack of combat on wild encounters as well which eventually literally made me stop playing this nonsense.
Super Mario Run (iOS)
I applaud Nintendo into finally stepping into the mobile business with a reasonable title, while the game itself isn’t entirely new, the familiarity I had with Mario made me want to try it out… until I completed World 1-3 and realized everything is locked behind a paywall, can’t progress until you pay. The game is definitely worth a try however I honestly didn’t feel that I need to fork out PHP 499 just to enjoy what their current content has.
Guild Wars 2 (PC)
Last year, I praised ArenaNet due to the successful release of their first expansion “Heart of Thorns” due to the massive additions and content they have put in the game, however, as I played the game casually this year, nothing ever really stuck with me, coming from a game that has no real direction on which path you may push as they focus on both PVE and PVP elements through different game modes. I felt like I was doing nothing whilst doing some meta-events, nothing can stop my mind from thinking that I am just here to grind until I get burned out and stop, only to return the next day doing the same thing over again and while this has been what most MMORPGs have at endgame, I felt like I am not progressing enough to get that shiny new weapon/armor set which in turn, made the game lose its appeal to me this year, however who knows? Rumors of a new expansion are looming over the horizon and the community is still growing as ever. Just promise to spend a lot of time to do what you want/need in this game so you won’t have the same experience as I did.
Batman: Arkham Knight (PS4)
The final game in Rockstar’s Batman: Arkham released on June 23, 2016, I however bought the game months after that and whilst I had evaded the PC’s porting issues, I never really took the idea of driving the Batmobile as something that should have been “forced” in the games many challenges/levels. It doesn’t feel realistic that Batman would need to spend/waste time like pulling/charging wires and going on Riddler’s trippy obstacle courses. Add more disappointment to comic book aficionados or people who read about Batman as to the identity and motivations of the titular Arkham Knight as well. While the combat of the series has been a highlight for the franchise, it does not redeem this game from what could have been a pretty decent plot twist.
Adventure Quest 3D (PC, iOS, Android)
This game has implemented a cross-platform play which is pretty awesome for an MMO, however I do not recommend the game itself as it feels pretty sluggish even for a game on Open Beta. There is a pretty weird difficulty spike and since it is “Free-to-Play” expect that some features will get locked out like the Guardian class. Once again, the game is in Open Beta/ Early Access so there may still be a small glimmer of hope.
Watch Dogs 2 (PS4)
After the letdown that was Watch Dogs 1, we finally got a sequel that has the potential to redeem the series, a better open-world setting and the superb interactions that the AI does. Ubisoft managed to replicate a pretty good virtual San Francisco, made every mechanic better and have eliminated the need to “Unlock Towers” just to access all the areas however with such a short story, a very small number of sidequests and no random encounters (except for Multiplayer), the map does feel wasted. The characters fall into the cliche hacker-hipster category with “Wench” being the only one memorable to the mask and his “BFF” status with protagonist Marcus, if only Ubisoft managed to sink in a few more hours just to add content then I would have probably put this on the opposite side of the list.
The Division (PC)
I hated shooters usually because of the community and the usual “first-person view”, the game had a third-person camera view so at least I had something to look forward to. However while the game was still good graphics wise despite the controversial downgrade Ubisoft usually does with its games, this game had me questioning the design itself, from a very empty “open-world”, repetitive side-quests (honestly, you can literally expect whats going to happen as the quests are marked on whether what activity they were going to be), the hacker-infested Dark Zone and the weird difficulty they implemented when the first end game dungeon (Falcon Lost (?)) was released, I never finished that dungeon and I most likely never will, I wanted to love this game but at the end of the day, I just knew that I would be feeling the same thing that I have in other MMOs, the feeling of being stuck in progression. While there were many improvements after I stopped playing, I just could not get myself to go back anymore.
THE GOOD
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen (PC)
While I had bought the original copy for my PS3 back then, I bought the game again due to the expansion, from hiring your friend or some stranger’s “Pawn” as your party member, you can assemble a well rounded party or one that specializes in nuking everything. The combat is pretty awesome as well, I have yet to see a game in which you can grab a Chimera’s balls and stab it repeatedly. The addition of the Dark Arisen content in both quality of life and the added zone is well worth the wait, I do feel disappointed as Capcom doesn’t seem to have any plans to invest more in a direct-sequel for the title.
NBA 2K17 (PS4)
Another year, another uncontested title as the team at 2K Sports continues to monopolize the basketball simulation genre, with its only competitor (NBA Live 17) opting to release their product at March 2017(?) solidifying the throne that 2K has on the sport. While there has been some issues as to how slim and “lanky” the models may be, there is simply no other way to compare this title with. Add the necessary improvements in over-all presentation, authentic stadium noises up to the crowds. Even with the weird patches they address to balance myPark, myCareer and myTeam modes and the ever so subtle cash-grab convenience of “VC”, there is simply nothing challenging the franchise right now as it continues to drain buckets and manage to dominate the defense.
Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls (PS4)
Last time I remember Diablo, was way back when computer shops were still the norm to access all games and I still have no money to either get my own internet subscription or buy a reasonable PC or console, so when Diablo 3 launched, I have always been concerned at how it would fare. While I didn’t get to play at launch, it was worth waiting for the “Ultimate Evil” edition for the console as I found that using the controller was far more comfortable than using the keyboard and mouse, I liked the nostalgia that it brought and the improvements they put after their mediocre launch. With the only issue of ever connecting to multiplayer due to my ISP, I managed to still enjoy the experience regardless of whether I managed to play with someone or have an AI Companion, the graphics and fluidity of the game contributed to the over-all cleanliness that Blizzard does to its intellectual properties.
The Secret World (PC)
Possibly the MMORPG that I played with the clunkiest combat system I have ever experienced has managed to climb to my good-side this year, after not logging in for a lengthy period of time, I have missed a ton of updates and since there was a special sale that included everything that I missed, I got to it again and while the difficulty spikes may have disappeared (not too sure yet though), but the game seriously feels more easier to catch up on to as well. With only gear score to measure your character’s over-all strength as there are no levels and from hundreds of skills to choose from, there are literally multiple ways to tackle challenges. However the main highlight of this game are the quests, based from real world conspiracies, myths and legends, this game does not follow the “Kill 10 Rats and talk to me” formula but instead challenges the player to solve puzzles and find answers based on real world information.
Dragon Age: Inquisition + Season Pass (PS4)
By some divine miracle around October, my ISP suddenly got “jacked” and I managed to download all that I could afford so I snagged this (torn between this and The Witcher 3’s Season Pass), I loved the experience, a great story with pretty amusing characters. Game play that allows me to either plan it using the Tactical Camera or through a third-person perspective and I do feel that it slightly simulates an MMO experience to some extent. I loved the graphics as well and even with dips in my frame rate, I still enjoyed the whole game.
World of Warcraft: Legion (PC)
The team at Blizzard had to make up for due to the drought that came with of Warlords of Draenor, and their new Legion expansion was one hell of a ride, while I was not lucky enough to even land a legendary item, I still had a very enjoyable experience as they managed to make open world questing enjoyable, at least for me, as I could track all of them at once and be rewarded with items that I could actually use and not spare change (tracking via an AddOn). With my issues with this game being either “Anti-Lore” or the design itself as I have issues picking any other race besides a Human Male being the only thing that bothers me too much at this point of the game.
Overwatch (PC)
I do not like first person shooters, I do not like MOBAs, but hell I do love this game, Blizzard’s first new IP in a long time and while I do feel that the game literally does not offer a lot in terms of the innovation department, it does however have tons of fun-factor whether you play alone or with your friends. Composing a proper team whichever game mode you play does feel rewarding and even in defeat, I get motivated to try my best in the next round. Over-all Overwatch, has revived my interest in the genre.
Final Fantaxy XIV (PC)
While I don’t really appreciate the grinding process, the lack of some “should-be-implemented” quality of life changes, I just can’t seem to shake my infatuation with Final Fantasy XIV due to the very rare kind of experience it has, I don’t know if this is present to other servers as well as I do play on Tonberry, but the community is just so damn helpful, I have encountered either little to no toxicity at all as if everyone is just slowly pacing and there is no rush to reach endgame. While the Seasonal Events of 2016 may either be a bit bland due to the lack of “proper” rewards or just time consuming altogether, the game still has a pretty good core mechanic. With its new expansion, “Stormblood” revealed and a whole batch of content coming in 2017, Square Enix’s team just knows how to make their players happy. I only wish that there would be something to do to get those high-end items besides running a dungeon with a permanent group at end game.
Final Fantasy XV (PS4)
Mixed reactions over here, sure its got multiple plot holes, lack of monster variations as most of the enemies are pretty much re-skins of each other, “that” dragging chapter, somewhat lack of difficulty and a huge drought of both main-game and post-game content, but really, the hype I rode and the time I waited just to play this game has been such satisfying that I could look past that. This was the first game that I bought a Season Pass and got a hardback collector’s edition guide at a much cheaper price, I never like buying guides just for any game, up to this point, this may be my third one (1st hardback though, I also have standard ones for Dragon Age: Inquisition and World of Warcraft). While I can agree that the game could have spent more time just to fix its content issues, I still have fun every time I boot up the game and even while I’m slowly wasting time by grinding AP, I am satisfied with the combat system that they implemented.
As I said, 2016 has been very polarizing as I have been both disappointed and ecstatic, but with a new year comes a new set of games to play with and so far the list I have, does seem more promising than not, however time will only tell whether they provide the entertainment I crave or just become a plain dust magnet on the shelf just waiting to be sold.
2017 Wishlist:
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Persona 5
- Final Fantasy XV’s Season Pass
- Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood
- Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
- Mass Effect: Andromeda
- Bloodborne or Dark Souls 3
- Uncharted 4
- The Last of Us
- Probably trying to score a Nintendo Switch
- Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands
- Ubisoft’s upcoming Assassin’s Creed Game
- Horizon: Zero Dawn
- Stop riding too many hype trains and lessen “Day One” purchases
- Continue to hope that one day Globe will finally give us a wired DSL service
- Continue to hope that people would stop comparing Consoles and PC as we are all gamers.
5 Comments
I was going to say the witcher 3 but i remember its a 2015 game that looks and feels better than “some” of 2016 game.
emphasized some coz triggered persons might attack me
Yeah same here, while their DLC’s should have deserved a special mention, I didn’t buy them due to my ISP choking me with a 5gb per day allowance.
i don’t have issues with globe (hopefully it will continue that way)… Downloaded witcher 3 and it’s DLC’s for almost a day (my area is 3G only max speed is 7Mbps-10Mbps burst)… no issues sa capping… gamit kong plan is globe anti bill shock… 999-1500 php max lang ang babayaran for a month… 3 months na ako sa subscription and in a month more that 100GB of data ang nagagamit ko di naman bumababa ang speed pwera kung maulan..
Cool, care to share how I can get the same plan? I need it badly so I can get some of my games (Dami kong digital games na naredeem but can’t get them due to this stupid 5g per day limit).
double post.