2017 Community Game of the Year - Results on the front page!!

Eleima wrote:

In a nutshell, if you started playing a game in the tail end of 2016, but played the bulk of it in 2017 and didn't put it on your list in 2016, it's fine, yes you can put that game on your 2017 list.

There, I summarized in one sentence, how does that work? :D

Yeah, that sounds like a smart idea, Eleima.

I just picked up UnReal World and honestly don't see myself putting much time into over the next couple weeks between the holidays and travel.

However I dig it. Like a LOT. But I get the feeling that I won't be able to unpack its mysteries until after New Year.

Ultimately I have no idea where I'll be with URW 12 months from now, but it is nice to have the option to include it on my list next year if I feel so inclined.

Keep a spreadsheet or a document for 2018 GOTY potentials, and maybe add it to your list next year.

I thought everyone did that! :p

Well I sure do. o/

And yet, I'm still still struggling with my 19 games... (and yes, only one of those is a Mass Effect game)

Eleima wrote:

Well I sure do. o/

And yet, I'm still still struggling with my 19 games... (and yes, only one of those is a Mass Effect game)

The other is the sexy Kaidan Alenko mod for Skyrim. Potato, potahto.

Ermahgosh, where? Where?

Ok, I think I have order, reorder, organized, and rethought my list enough, so here it is:

The list!

Spoiler:

IMAGE(https://imgur.com/osd6Brv.jpg)
(Oculus, PSVR, VIVE)
While I heard good things about SUPERHOT, I never did get around to playing it. However I jumped on the VR version when I bought my PSVR this year, and I am glad I did. While it offers manyh of the features that other VR games that allow you to use both hands, there is something amazing about main feature of SUPERHOT, that time only moves when you do, which allows you to strategize more and make fewer snap reaction, that makes the experience all the more amazing.

IMAGE(https://imgur.com/RQc1adP.jpg)
(PS4, PC in 2018)
An action RPG about a group of players in an MMO racing to complete the game first against other players who are using underhanded methods and hacks to get ahead. Although it would mainly appeal to players who are already a fan of the franchise, the basic mechanics of the game were a sound foundation. While I wish they would have included more characters as playable (they appear in the game was NPCs), all but four of the characters felt included in the story and had their own skill sets that made them feel unique (the other four were clones who seemed to be included simply because they had created great characters designs for them). It’s a bit on the short side, however I throughly enjoyed my time in the game industry’s parody’s MMO parody. Oh, and it also parodies...

IMAGE(https://imgur.com/uDnhbkh.jpg)
(PS3, PS4, Vita)
An action RPG about a group of players in an MMO racing to complete the game first against other players who are using underhanded methods and hacks to get ahead. Although it would mainly appeal to players who are already a fan of the franchise, the basic mechanics of the game were a sound foundation. Deja Vu. Lost Song may have featured more characters than 4 Goddesses Online, but their move sets were far from distinct. Only a couple characters had unique skills and most of the large cast was included simply for fan service with only peripheral attachment to the story and no personal side quests to explore. Still, it had flying. Combat while flying needed some work, but I really enjoyed just flying around the maps.

IMAGE(https://imgur.com/Ph8LmXm.jpg)
(Oculus, PSVR, VIVE)
By far one of the best puzzle games I’ve played in a while. Throwing you into a spy thriller, surrounded by death traps with multiple ways to solve many of the puzzles, the game is all the more incredible for it’s VR presentation. I played the heck out of this game, exploring different approaches to some of the puzzles and completing the optional objectives, a few of which I have yet to puzzle out. I highly recommend it to anyone with a VR rig.

IMAGE(https://imgur.com/3cJDtpG.jpg)
(iOS)
One of the most innovate puzzle games I’ve played. The developer went all out using every feature of the iPhone that an app has access to. Besides the obvious mic, camera, and gyroscope, Blackbox also has had me make use of the phone’s GPS, notification center, app switcher, and more. I’ve stubbornly refused to use clues, so I still have a few to puzzle out after eight months, and new puzzles have been added periodically. A great brain teaser.

IMAGE(https://imgur.com/2w9cNeN.jpg)
(PC, PS4/PSVR, XB0)
Not sure I need to say much about this one, the only AAA title on my list. While I love horror games, I’ve never been much for the RE series. Between it’s departure from the usual RE settings and the ability to play the entirety of the game in VR, I took the dive and have been enjoying (terrified of) it since.

IMAGE(https://imgur.com/ARPY1zO.jpg)
(Android, iOS)
Its rather rare for me to enjoy a F2P game, especially one with a stamina mechanic or heavy of gatcha, and Fate/Grand Order has both! Still it has sound, if deceptively simple, game mechanics and is attached to a franchise I already love, so it has managed to pull me in and keep me enjoying it, when it lets me play that is. It isn’t for everyone, but for me, it managed to stand above several other games I’ve played this year.

IMAGE(https://imgur.com/1Fg9aAa.jpg)
(PS4, Vita)
The main PS4 entry in this franchise takes the tried-and-true game-play and tries to shake it up with a more objective based system. The result is a bit mixed. While I appreciate having more objectives to work towards and the song request medleys are great, the new accessory system often leaves my singers inappropriately and/or overdressed for the songs they are performing and it feels like it has increased the grinding to unlock everything.

IMAGE(https://imgur.com/j7pfhS7.jpg)
(PSVR)
Another VR puzzler. This one places you in a laboratory with your hands in a box and puzzles that are given no explaination, you just have to figure them out yourself. It manages to include a varitey of puzzles, with the VR aspect letting you look around for clues, examain the different sides of the box, and occationally aim at something. I might be one I go back to revisit every so often, but once the puzzles are solved there isn’t much reason to go back to it. At least until I can find someone to try the multiplayer levels on (the other players uses the PS4’s phone app).

IMAGE(https://imgur.com/jT5Lpmq.jpg)
(PSVR)
Since this was meant to be a showcase of what the PSVR can do, Sony certainly put work into polishing this mixture of games. While fun, most of them feel like demos for larger games rather than the tech demos they really are. They are fun through, as evidenced by the collection slipping onto my list of games.

Side bar: my list would have looks something simular to this if I hadn't gotten PSVR this year:

Spoiler:

1. Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online
2. Sword Art Online Lost Song
3. Black Box
4. Fate/Grand Order
5. Hatsune Miku Project Diva X
6. Vignettes
7. Sword Art Online Re:Hallow Fragment
8. Ticket to Earth
9. Gems of War
?. ??

Yeah, only 9 games all year, though without VR I probably would have gotten into one or two others.

Short list for Eleima:

Spoiler:

1. Superhot VR
2. Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online
3. Sword Art Online Lost Song
4. I Expect You To Die
5. Blackbox
6. Resident Evil 7
7. Fate/Grand Order
8. Hatsune Miku Project Diva X
9. Statik
10. Playstation VR Worlds

Mantid, your number 2 and 3 commentary got duplicated somewhat?

Bfgp wrote:

Mantid, your number 2 and 3 commentary got duplicated somewhat?

thats_the_joke.jpg

His #2 pick is, in many ways, a parody of his #3 pick.

Also, both just went on my wishlist.

That went over my head. Cute anime girls like Asuna I understand though! Sword Art looks interesting but will probably go on my pile late 2018.

1) Zelda Breath of the Wild (they made a good zelda for once)
2) Divinity Original Sin 2 (a great crpg with rp online coop, good combat, and full controller support)
3) Space Pirate Trainer (VR works if you focus on one core idea)
4) A Hat in Time (the first good 3d platformer since Vexx)
5) Another Metroid 2 Remake (the correct Metroid 2 to play)
6) Subsurface Circular (it is possible to make a good dialogue system)

That's all I got for 2017.

I'm having trouble thinking of much for this list. This year I've spent a lot of time playing old favourites, or games I played a little of but never originally got around to finishing. And the new games I did play were mostly released prior to this year. And I barely even remember what I was doing for the first 6 months of the year. Nevertheless, here's the top 3 games I played for the first time in 2017.

1) Zelda: BOTW
I'm still playing through this. I'm almost at the end and have spent enough time with it that the 'new game smell' has well and truly worn off. There's a few things I didn't like about it, like weapon degredation and the lack of long dungeones, but what's on offer is so good that it more than makes up for it in my eyes. Easily the best game I've played this year. Could say much more, but I'll spare you!

2) Her Story
A fantastic piece of interactive fiction. I didn't realise this was made by Sam Barlow, the writer/designer behind Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, until this year otherwise I'd have probably played it earlier.

3) Wolfenstein: The New Order
Yeah, not the new one. I figured I'd play this first. I'm really enjoying the modern production values/old-school design approach.

Honourable mentions go to River City Ransom Underground, Rebuild 3 and Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles.

1. Breath of the Wild (WiiU)

2. Fortnite: Battle Royale (PC)

3. Expeditions Vikings (PC)

4. Chess Time (Android)

5. Astroneer (PC)

6. Jackbox Party Pack 3 (PC)

Not a lot of games as I've been working on my time spent gaming, see 2017/2018 gaming goals threads. Feels good though.

Danjo Olivaw wrote:

6) Subsurface Circular (it is possible to make a good dialogue system)

Well hello there.

(I swear this thread is gonna bankrupt me.)

Aaron D. wrote:
Danjo Olivaw wrote:

6) Subsurface Circular (it is possible to make a good dialogue system)

Well hello there.

(I swear this thread is gonna bankrupt me.)

I hear ya. Having eclectic tastes can be very dangerous when combined with low sales resistance.

Fortunately, I compensate by being highly contrarian, so the only danger for my wallet is when someone passionately hates a game.

If this site ever ran a “bottom ten” thread, I’d probably have to get a second mortgage.

Glad to see some Expeditions: Viking love on Troubleshot's list. It'll probably be on mine too!

doubtingthomas396 wrote:
Aaron D. wrote:
Danjo Olivaw wrote:

6) Subsurface Circular (it is possible to make a good dialogue system)

Well hello there.

(I swear this thread is gonna bankrupt me.)

I hear ya. Having eclectic tastes can be very dangerous when combined with low sales resistance.

Fortunately, I compensate by being highly contrarian, so the only danger for my wallet is when someone passionately hates a game.

If this site ever ran a “bottom ten” thread, I’d probably have to get a second mortgage.

This thread should happen. We could name it after you. You could be on the front page of the website!

Ooh Rebuild 3... paying for mobile games upfront is foreign to me now but I remember having a good time with the original on PC.

Localgod54 wrote:
doubtingthomas396 wrote:
Aaron D. wrote:
Danjo Olivaw wrote:

6) Subsurface Circular (it is possible to make a good dialogue system)

Well hello there.

(I swear this thread is gonna bankrupt me.)

I hear ya. Having eclectic tastes can be very dangerous when combined with low sales resistance.

Fortunately, I compensate by being highly contrarian, so the only danger for my wallet is when someone passionately hates a game.

If this site ever ran a “bottom ten” thread, I’d probably have to get a second mortgage.

This thread should happen. We could name it after you. You could be on the front page of the website!

If I had the time, I would do it myself, spreadsheet and all.

Sounds more like a job for Clocky, though. I seem to recall some comments about it not being that hard...

Now, I’m off to start writing next year’s TL:DP. I’m doing something completely different, but exactly what is a surprise.

Alright, here's my list. I'm pretty far behind on games due to kids/life and don't get to play much but here's what I got.

1. PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds - I'm very into realistic shooter games (prior military Army MP) and this one just makes it happen for me. The gun and shooting physics are the best I've yet to see in any game. I also love that their isn't a hard set time or points to obtain and that the goal in the end is just surviving. But what is really cool is you can make your goal whatever you want it to be and things are so random you never know what to expect. This game really is my stress killer. Feel like playing hide and seek? You can do that. Feel like Jason in Friday the 13th? You can run around killing people with a machete and a hockey mask. Some may find it overly stressful but in the end, it's all about what you make it. Maybe I'm just more mature now but I could really care less whether I get a "Chicken Dinner" every 10th round or more. Games for me are more about having fun and finding excitement and this game has allowed me many laughs and "oh sh*t I just pee'd a little" moments. The new additions to the test server has really made the game look and feel so much better that I'm extremely excited for the future. In addition to that, the GWJers on twitch that have been playing together make this game my #1 game right now.

2. ARK: Survival Evolved - Ragnarok - This is a game that has a great base (open end sandbox survival game where you get to tame and ride dinosaurs and other mythic creatures!) but on top of that is expanding daily due to a great modding community. The developers released a dev tool kit that allows the players to create just about anything, making this game fantastic. Want to play a survival game where you can build a zoo and capture pokemon to ride and fill it? Done! I've put over 1,118 hours into this game and just started the new player made Ragnarok map (expansion?) which is absolutely beautiful. I can see myself easily putting in 1,000 more hours. I'd also like to thank Omni of our community for hosting the server that a few GWJ peeps and others have been playing on. Again, it's a great group of people that has also made this game very enjoyable for me.

3. Skyrim Special Edition - so not technically an expansion but I picked up the Special Edition of Skyrim and it has to be on my list. I was very hesitant to pick this up as I've already put a lot of hours into the original but the mods for Special Edition have been picking up and the game just feels so fresh and new that it feels like I'm playing it for the very first time.

4. The Witcher 3 - I love RPG's so finally got picked this up after reading through the Catch-all and wish I had bought it when it first came out. The combat is not as realistic as I'd like and customization is not as cool as Skyrim but the content storyline is the best I've ever seen and the graphics are just fantastic after adding some mods.

5. Overwatch - I don't have many hours into this due to playing too much ARK and PUBG but this is my new most favorite LAN game. We played it last month at our quarterly LAN event and put 9 hours non-stop into it. I know we have a fantastic group of GWJers similar to PUBG so I definitely need to spend more time in this one.

6. Pokemon GO - I'm a collector/competitionist type and need something to do at work on breaks and while running and this game allows my accountant/OCD nature something to do while I'm being active. I also play this with my 9 year old which is quite enjoyable.

That's all I got for my list.

Okay, very cool, great way to start off the week!!! Many thanks to Mantid, Danjo Olivaw, halfwaywrong, troubleshot and Sydhart for your lists!! Votes and points have been tallied.

doubtingthomas396 wrote:

Sounds more like a job for Clocky, though. I seem to recall some comments about it not being that hard... ;)

There's no need to run a thread to find out what the worst games are; I'm pretty sure you already posted your GOTY list.

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/Rds5V5x.gif)

Spoiler:

Greg's list has Farming Simulator on it, so that kinda automatically makes it the Best List of the Year by default.

ClockworkHouse wrote:
doubtingthomas396 wrote:

Sounds more like a job for Clocky, though. I seem to recall some comments about it not being that hard... ;)

There's no need to run a thread to find out what the worst games are; I'm pretty sure you already posted your GOTY list.

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/3vfSOV4h.jpg)

ClockworkHouse wrote:
doubtingthomas396 wrote:

Sounds more like a job for Clocky, though. I seem to recall some comments about it not being that hard... ;)

There's no need to run a thread to find out what the worst games are;

My expectation:

there's a whole thread already dedicated to Final Fantasy.

This is why you can never predict how Clocky's gonna Clock.

I just love you people. Just sayin'. Totally crack me up.

Some savagery in this here thread.

That burnt so bad people are afraid to post their list now!

On another note:

Sydhart wrote:

6. Pokemon GO

I'm glad to find someone still playing it. All my friends an colleagues have long abandoned it.

I still play it as well, from time to time. I think living in a big city helps though.

I work downtown in a good size City with a pokestop and gym right outside my window (I have like 10K gold coins lol). We have a pretty good local community too that uses Discord to organize raids on legendary's and what not so I get a chance to get out of the office and meet new people daily.