2016 Game of the Year

So, this list isn’t a list of my favorite games that released in 2016… this is a list of my favorite games I played this year. Some are old games that I just finally got around to, some are new games.

Want to know who won in other years? Here’s the 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, and 2013 lists.

2016 is THE YEAR OF DOWNLOADABLES!

Every single game on my list this year is one I downloaded. I suppose this will be pretty much the same, going forward, but it’s still crazy. I love buying physical copies of games, but some, notably ones with collectables, I usually want on my system without any disk or cartridge to worry about. 

 

So, without further ado, my 2016 list of favorite plays (in no particular order):

Fallout 4: Nuka World

I love Bethesda. When I wrote this list of DLC improvements I wanted for Fallout 4, I was surprised how many of them I actually got. Build-your-own robots, concrete and glass workshop parts, ways to initiate attacks on your settlements, more pets, mannequins, and even a new radio station… and so much more that I wanted!

But Nuka World was way more than that. It was everything I could have ever dreamed. It is 100% the best DLC ever in a Fallout game, and in fact in almost any game ever. This was probably my number 2 GOTY. Nuka World surprised me with working roller coasters, fun Mickey Mouse inspired characters, functioning games, and a million other happy-go-lucky things draped in Fallout’s sense of something’s wrong-style.

Pokémon Y

When Pokémon Go first came out, I was without a phone (well, a phone powerful enough to play any games—I had an older iPhone model). So, I missed out on the craze as it unfolded… so I bought Y for 3DS and played through it. Pokémon is fun, at its core. I’ve missed out on so many generations, simply because I became disinterested, but this one hit the spot for me during the Go phenomena. I enjoyed it.

Fallout Shelter

When I finally got a phone, this was the first game I downloaded. I love Fallout. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT, and so this was a no brainer. My vault, 444, is at about 150 dwellers currently, and I still play every day. I’m hoping that there’s more DLC soon, and I blogged about my ideas for new high-level rooms they could add. This game feels like the original Fallout in some ways, especially during missions. I could see them expanding Shelter into a full out AAA game if they wanted. Allow for the building of settlements, etc. Better missions.

Witcher 3 DLC

Two huge DLC expansions came out and I played the heck out of them. The first one, Heart of Stone, was possibly the best mission in all of Witcher 3. The second one, Blood and Wine, I like less but it’s still great. I have yet to beat the second one, but I’m taking my time because I want to get all the trophies and end up with 100% on my list for the game.

Journey

What a weird game. I won’t spoil anything, but it’s very much worth playing. I replayed a few levels, but I don’t think it really needs much replaying. The game sticks with you. There’s something very special about it. I got it for free on PS+, which was awesome. Great game!

Honorable mentions: (still just games I played in 2015, not necessarily released)

No Man’s Sky – There is a lot to enjoy about this game, even if they did not deliver everything they promised. It’s like the Alpha build of Minecraft… if they had marketed it as such this game would be crazy popular. TIPS

Pokémon Go – I like catching Pokémon at the mall. This game is a fun toy, and ‘member berries make the nostalgia come out while catching the first 150.

Minecraft – I kicked up my server early this year and had fun with the old Otherside gang. Although my server is down again, you never know when it will come back for another round…

Super Mario Maker – Building levels was fun, but I wish they would have had better DLC. Costumes are stupid.
Batman: Arkham Knight’s DLC – I platinum’d this game, and I don’t want to say how long it took to unlock the Brutality 101 trophy. Review here!

LittleBIGPlanet 3 – I picked up and played through ¼ of this game when I got bored. It’s fun, but lacks the charm of the original.
Tuber Simulator – this game has that mobile-addition quality. It was fun during Halloween to get the seasonal stuff.

Simpsons: Tapped Out – What a sweet little gem. I still play this every day, and seeing the huge cast of the Simpsons and rebuilding my own Springfield is a great time.

Plants Vs. Zombies/PvZ Heroes – With my new phone, I had to play PvZ games. I replayed the original on my PS3 this year, and then the new games on my phone. Heroes surprised me with a fun card game.

The Oxyborb Blog Game Of The Year for 2016

Rocket League

I first played this game on a Gamestop demo unit, and I knew right there I would go home and buy this. The gameplay core is SOOO fun. It’s car soccer, and you get jetboosters to fly around and make crazy jumps. I’m now a veteran in rank, and I have to say that I’m pretty friggin good at RL.

I picked this as my GOTY because through every other game I’ve played this year, every month that went by, I always came back to play around round of Rocket League. Finished with Witcher 3 DLC? Play some RL. Beat Nuka World? Play some RL. Have a crappy day at work and need to get it off my mind? Play RL. Rocket League is always the right game. Always fun.

I have to give the developer credit:  They’ve been adding paid and FREE DLC like crazy all year. They even think to change up the music in the title screen to make you feel energized. Rocket League is an awesome game and it is by far my favorite game of 2016.  More thoughts about RL from me can be found here!

 

So, I guess that’s it for 2016. Thanks for a great year on my blog! Let me know what you think in the comments, in fact, tell me what your personal GOTY was!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!
UNRAVELSPACE UNRAVELTIME