The Best Games Of 2016 – Jared’s Picks - Enemy Slime

The Best Games Of 2016 – Jared’s Picks

I actually had a pretty good time...

Editorial

I don’t think 2016 was as terrible as everyone else will make it out to be. Well not for games at least. While a lot of editors on the site had trouble even reaching five titles I actually wound up having to sacrifice a few choices. Maybe I just got luckier with the games assigned to me? Maybe I’m just easier to please. Let’s go with that one…

Titanfall 2 (PC, PS4, XB1)

Gather round children and let me tell you of a time long ago, where the First Person Shooter still had some balls. Yes it’s true, there was actually a time where your gunplay was not permeated by obnoxious breaks behind cover. Instead you ran free, as the wind, gunning down anyone in sight as you zipped around levels at top speeds. The only way to ensure failure? Standing still.

Both Titanfall 2 and Doom feature some of the best FPS campaigns I’ve seen in years but for my money Titanfall 2’s keen sense of variety gives it a leg up on the competition. The game’s movement mechanics are damn near perfect and will have you wall-running and double jumping your way through the maps at high speeds, blasting anybody who gets in your way. The campaign also loves to throw new mechanics at you with every mission, keeping things remarkably fresh and never letting any one element overstay its welcome. Despite some initial scares from the public tech tests even the game’s multiplayer component turned out nicely, something that Doom is definitely not able to say for itself.

SUPERHOT (PC, XB1)

While Titanfall 2 and Doom were busy making compelling games by dredging up old FPS mechanics we also have SUPERHOT which introduces an entirely new one. In SUPERHOT time only moves when you’re moving, meaning you are able to effortlessly dodge enemy fire, disarm opponents, and blow them away with their own weapons. It’s impossible to not feel like a badass while playing this game, especially when, at the end of each level you’re shown a full speed replay of your assault.

The game’s campaign is short but there’s plenty of other modes, challenges, and easter eggs to find within the package. SUPERHOT is definitely a game still worth checking out if you somehow missed it.

Inside (PC, PS4, XB1)

Inside has to be one of the most tightly designed games I’ve ever played. You play as a young boy navigating a mysterious (and super fucked up) world. The game’s puzzles are meticulously designed to make you think but never leave you stuck for any longer than necessary. Similarly you’ll often outrun or hide from pursuers, oftentimes narrowly escaping by the skin of your teeth.

It’s a short experience, but a fun and haunting one. And that ending, oh god that ending… I don’t want to ruin anything, let’s just say that if you haven’t checked out Inside yet, you should get on it ASAP.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4)

As an unabashed Naughty Dog fan it’s probably not a surprise to see Uncharted making my list this year. I’ve adored every entry in the series to date and the fourth (and final) one is no exception.

The game is gorgeous, surely pushing the PS4 as near to its technical limits as possible. The writing is top-notch, the characters are charming as ever, and the action is as cinematic and exciting as its ever been in the series. Above all else it’s a somewhat heartfelt send-off for one of my favorite characters in video games and if you were ever a fan of the series it’s definitely worth checking out.

Tumblestone (PC, PS4, XB1, Wii U)

I’m a sucker for a good puzzle game, and we’re not exactly inundated with those nowadays so Tumblestone was a welcome gift this past year. The game uses a standard match three concept where you’re pulling colored blocks from a stack. It’s not a wholly original concept but there is an impressive number of mutations and modifiers that the developers apply to it. The game’s story mode is enormous, spanning 11 different worlds, with each one introducing a new brain teasing mechanic.

If you’re into puzzle titles Tumblestone is guaranteed to keep you busy for a very long time.