The year is finally coming to end (not apocalyptic-style) as we close the doors on what has been quite an insane year. Depending on which spectrum you’re looking at, thank God the year is ending and 2018 couldn’t have come any sooner.
On the gaming front, 2017 has been one of the most successful yet controversial years and boy, do we have reason to celebrate this year. Although deeper sadden that a few issues were like a wet “blanket” this year like the EA microtransactions debacle or the most recent Net Neutrality law that was recently repelled in the US (yep, this could have an impact on our fellow American brothers and sisters).
But since we’re looking back on the year that is 2017, we cannot help but celebrate the success of gaming and take another look (before the year ends) on the top Xbox titles that were a stand-out, took plenty of risks and have done things we have never seen before.
So, without further hesitation, here are our Top 10 titles for 2017 as voted by you, the XBPSA community. A few titles are joined for some of our top spots, but it’s not about the quantity but the high quality of gaming titles produced and launched this year, we have to celebrate them all.
10. F1 2017
Kicking off our list is the racing title from British developer Codemasters (Colin McRae series, Micro Machines), F1 2017.
Based on the 2017 Formula One season, the game is the ninth installment in the Formula One gaming series which sees a return of the classic F1 vehicles, an immersive campaign mode and a new Championship mode.
F1 2017 also saw improvements to its multiplayer matchmaking as players can keep track of their stats with the new online stats feature and new multiplayer session types which allow players the option to race the modern F1 cars or the classic F1 cars. With the plethora of race formats and new game modes, this sprouted the franchise’s first-ever esports series which debuted in August this year.
It’s safe to say that Formula One has finally cracked the code and venturing into the realm of esports, in which it contributed to a very successful year for the racing genre.
9. Fortnite
One of gaming’s most entertaining titles this year, Epic Games’ battle royale title, Fortnite has continued to build momentum despite the Game Preview release of its direct competitor, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.
It’s safe to say that we, at XBPSA, have covered plenty of news surrounding these two titles with a bit of trash talking on both ends. However, thanks to the success of Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode, the game reached out to over 20 million players. Forget the legal wars Epic Games has found themselves in, the allure of the game’s Battle Royale mode has created endless laughable moments and intense takedowns that has wanting to play more.
But what makes Fortnite an enjoyable game to play compared to PUBG, DayZ and H1Z1 is that it provides a fresh take on the genre without being too overly complicated. And the game’s survival and fort-building mechanics definitely sets it apart from other battle royale titles as it doesn’t quite take itself too seriously.
And we don’t mind the zombies either…
9. Call of Duty: WWII
Sledgehammer announced that a multiplayer beta will be coming to PC at the end of September. Source: Twitter/@dailyexpress
A more recent release, Activision and Sledgehammer have found the right recipe for success for the latest CoD entry, Call of Duty: WWII.
Returning to its World War roots, CoD: WWII gives players a fresh perspective on the events of WWII redesigned for a modern gaming experience. On D-Day, you and your squadron land in Normandy, France as you go to war, engage with enemies across Europe in one of history’s colossal wars to date. As players immerse themselves in the gruesome battle, learn of the unbreakable bond among men as you fight to liberate countries from dictatorship, a fight for freedom across the game’s several modes including its online multiplayer mode.
Engage with friends and fellow CoD community in the fast-paced multiplayer or co-operative modes, CoD: WWII is the next level shooter experience with unexpected twists and heart-pounding moments.
9. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
The highly anticipated sequel to the 2014’s Wolfenstein: The New Order and winner of Best Action Game at this year’s Game Awards, BJ Blazkowicz returns to the battlefield only this time, same enemy, different country.
Following the events in The New Order, the game sees BJ in a coma as a result of injuries sustained in Deathshead’s fortress in which the Kreisau Circle rescues him before blowing up the fortress. A old foe, Frau Engel, is on the hunt for BJ and his allies which sets up the game’s ever enticing narrative.
As BJ and The Resistance aim to liberate America from the Nazi stranglehold, BJ must ultimately face his biggest enemies and fears while protecting his family and friends from the Nazis while making new alliances in the benefit of overthrowing the Nazi occupation of America.
Sounds like a good Friday night to me…
8. FIFA 18
Considered the top sporting game in the world, FIFA 18 goes beyond simulation game, blurring the lines between real and virtual worlds.
As “The world’s game” EA brings to the players the world’s best footballs across six continents, the magic of the football stadiums and the atmosphere that brings to life the love and passion for football. With a new crossing controls which give players control on how to want to ball to sail into the box, this will create memorable goals and provide a better striking and ball heading.
FIFA 18 also introduces the Real Player Motion Technology, which is a new animation system and a first time in the game’s franchise. This gives the players their own personality which on the pitch, feels like you’re watching them live.
FIFA 18 sets a major precedent not just in sports simulation games but in gaming, general. And while it has outclassed its competitor, PES 2018, FIFA 18 runs its competition into the pitch.
6. ARK: Survival Evolved
Sharing the 6th spot with Destiny 2 is the action survival game ARK: Survival Evolved which pushes the envelope of what it means to live in the wild.
Using the power of Unreal Engine 4, players learn to coexist in a world where dinosaurs ruled the planet and where starting off small could lead to bigger things. By establishing a home base, start a fire and create weapons to increase their survival chances in the Ark. As players progress, they can tame dinosaurs which they can utilise their abilities and command orders from offensive to defensive tasks.
With nine biomes and plenty of ecosystems to explore, there’s plwnty to do in the world of Ark and while it does require plenty of your time and patience, like most sandbox titles, ARK: Survival Evolved proves that the world, indeed, is your oyster.
6. Destiny 2
As Destiny 2’s first expansion launching in December, we do have some unanswered questions: who is Osiris and why is he banished? Source: Twitter/@verge
One of two spots having joint games sharing, Destiny 2 expands on the success of its predecessor in a multiplayer environment.
As one of the last remaining Guardians, you have been tasked to fight against a tyrant who has captured your home and taken your power away as the fate of humanity hinges on you.
What Bungie has developed is a compelling storytelling, intense single-player action and a diverse and competitive multiplayer gameplay merged into an expansive open world online. With an arsenal of powerful weapons at your disposal, new combat skills to acquire and competitive game modes, explore the open worlds of the solar system as you reunited humanity’s heroes in order to defeat Ghaul and the Red Legion.
Bungie continues its reputation to be one of the top studios for FPS titles, Destiny 2 has made plenty of improvement from its first release as its narrative and gameplay mechanics makes it easy for one to hey involved it, it does however have some oaaies to resolve which we hope it will be on 2018.
5. Cuphead
The studio behind the indie platformer had revealed that the game had passed one million game sales two weeks since it launched. Source: Twitter/@gamespot
Having gone double platinum this past week, the run and gun game, Cuphead, from StudioMDHR brought all the nostalgia and plenty of entertainment (memes and GIFs included).
Inspired by 1930s cartoons, the studio created Cuphead and its world with hand-drawn animation, watercolour backgrounds and sweet jazzy tunes set to the magical world. As Cuphead, explore your way around new worlds, collect new weapons, learn new movesets and discover Cuphead’s hidden secrets while fighting a series of bosses in the quest to repay your debt with the devil.
Unleashed by the Unity Engine, Cuphead has tested many players with its increasingly difficult boss fights and gameplay challenges (an American tech journalist struggled in the game’s first 30 minutes) but despite the game’s tough challenges, Cuphead is deemed as one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences and it has a Game Award to bag.
4. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands will finally get the PvP mode promised back in March as Ghost War will be available for open beta starting Sept. 21. Source: Ghost Recon/online
Explore the wildlands of Central America in the tactical shooter from Ubisoft, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands.
With a massive open world to boost, Wildlands brings players to the gritty jungles of Bolivia a part of a tactical team, the legendary elite Special Ops The Ghosts, tasked to destabilise and shut down the alliance between the influential drug cartel, Santa Blanca, and the Bolivian government. By creating chaos through violence, players are tasked to tackle the cartel through a series of missions by choosing which missions they wish to accept, giving us total freedom. There are consequences to the choices made which could produce new opportunities or new treats.
Engage, infiltrate and manipulate is your mission.
3. Injustice 2
Voted the Best Fighting Game at this year’s Game Awards, Injustice 2 took on the mistakes learned from Injustice: Gods Among Us and gave us one of the best fighting titles this year.
From the folks at NetherRealm Studios (Mortal Kombat franchise), this fighting ensembled game puts the power in the hands of us, the players, by building and powering up our favourite characters from the DC Universe. By controlling how our characters look and develop throughout the game modes, we get rewarded with fresh gear with every match win which not only defines how the characters look but also by how they fight.
With an incredible narrative to boost and a massive roster of Heroes and Villains from the DC Universe and crossovers from the MK Universe, Injustice 2 delivers one of the best titles in terms of narrative, in-game content and gameplay mechanics, hands down…
2. Forza Motorsport 7
The 1966 Chevrolet Corvette The Fate of the Furious Edition is one of 10 cars to feature in the Fate of the Furious Car Pack. Source: Forza Motorsport.net/online
The latest entry in the Forza series was a groundbreaking entry for Turn 10 Studios by becoming the “premiere title for 4K gaming experience“.
Released on October 3, 2017, Forza Motorsport 7 has high expectations to live up going back as far as E3 2016 and did they deliver. Living by the motto of being the most complete automotive simulating game, players experience both the beauty and the dangers of competitive racing.
Booting over 700 vehicles, an array of racing conditions and having the largest race tracks for a racing title, players got to put their skills to the test in the ultimate racing experience.
While Forza Motorsport 7 has done a fantastic job of addressing the problems from the previous entry, it cranks up the visuals and the excitement in a way, we’re just can’t get enough of it.
Beautiful yet addictive…
1. Assassin’s Creed Origins
In a recent video, developer Ubisoft outlined the content for the upcoming expansion of Assassin’s Creed Origins. Source: Twitter/@venturebeat
Ubisoft found the spark needed to resurge the Assassin’s Creed franchise to life and guess what? It worked…
The result is a breathtaking, visually stunning and narrative striking found in the latest entry in the franchise, Assassin’s Creed Origins. Set during the era of the Ancient Egyptian civilization, players retrace the roots of The Brotherhood through the eyes of the protagonist, .
Deeply entrenched in historical events and mythology, players have to do battle not just with the elements but with the legends, creatures, and Gods that rule this fertile and prosperous land. Explore the ancient tombs, ascend the Great Pyramids in an experience quite second to none.
With stunning locations and deadly enemies, Origins is everything and more we could ever want from an Assassin’s Creed title and rightfully deserves oir number one spot.
Which title/s has been your absolute favourite to play this year? And which title/s have you yet to play? Let us know in the comments section below or follow Xbox Players SA on Facebook and Twitter.
