Top Video Games of 2017

2017 has been one of the best years in gaming in quite some time. It marked the return to form for Nintendo with the launch of there successful on there new game system the Nintendo Switch and a great game line up for the new console. We also saw the release of many great games in both from both AAA and indie game developers. While there are many great games that came out this year, only ten can reign as the best of the best.

This wasn’t an easy list for me to make this year. I played a lot of great games and each one is great in their own right. I had a long time trying to decide not only which games that I played made the list, but also where they placed on the said list.

I should mention that this list is strictly my own personal opinion and are based on games that I’ve played. So if a game didn’t make the list it’s due to me not having a connection to the game or haven’t gotten around to playing it (forewarning Horizon Zero Dawn isn’t on the list, I have it just been busy catching up playing other games.) With that being said, here are my personal top Ten Games of 2017.

10. Doki Doki Literature Club

Doki Doki Literature Club was a game that provides a gaming experience that I truly was not expecting to have. To talk much about this game would ruin what makes it so unique and memorable in the first place. Many who have played this game will agree with me that the best way to experience this game is going in not knowing anything about it. Thankfully the game is free to download and isn’t long to play. So all I’m gonna say is do yourself a favor and play this game if you haven’t. It’s free after all.

9. Metroid Samus Returns

Nintendo surprised us this year when they announced not one but two Metroid games at this year’s past E3 but that one of them would be out in a few months. It’s amazing that this game was kept under wraps for as long as it was being made. It was great to have a genuine Metroid experience again and the fact that it made one of the weakest entries in the series into a fun and memorable game made this a game worth checking out.

8. Destiny 2

I played quite a bit of the first game despite its many shortcomings. I didn’t go into this game expecting it to blow me away, but surprisingly it kinda did. Destiny 2 fixes just about every major issue that was presented in the last game thanks to it’s greater focus on story and world building. Gameplay has also be refined to the point where it’s just downright great to play. There is plenty to do in this game and it was a pleasant surprise for me this past year.

7. The Evil Within 2

I enjoyed the original and was very much surprised that this game was made. The Evil Within 2 takes everything that worked about the first game and introduces some great new elements. With a sequel that focuses more on an open world survival horror experience, it was always a tense and enjoyable ride going through this game. Thanks to a more focused and character-driven narrative to help drive the game and fill it with tons of intense enemy encounters and you have a horror game that was a blast.

6. Sonic Mania

How did this happen? I never thought that I would see the day where we would see an honestly good Sonic game (that was quickly undone by Sonic Forces a few months after it’s release). Sonic reminds us why we fell in love with the blue speedster in the first place. Thanks to the great remix of classic levels from the series past and great new levels with new great ideas for the series. Add in a great soundtrack and the fact that this game was made with love by fans shows that Sonic still has a respectable place in this day in age.

5. Nier: Automata

I see Nier: Automata as a flawed masterpiece. A game chocked full of ideas and concepts that are well presented to the player as the game goes along. Nier showcases how the narrative could be told in the only unique manner that only video games can provide. With memorable character designs, a unique narrative, fast based combat, and a stunning soundtrack that helps sell the game designers vision. While a bit of a slow burn at times, the games very memorable moments make up for some of the games weird design choices.

4. Cuphead

There was no shortage of fun and unique indie titles in 2017. But the true stand out of the year was no doubt Cuphead. Thanks to the games great attention to detail in its art design. Cuphead makes one feel like they are playing a cartoon from the 1930’s. It’s also a game that is brutal to play but is also very rewarding. This isn’t a hard game where the deaths are cheap when you die it’s your fault for not paying attention to what’s going on. It’s trial and error gameplay is rewarding to play. Throw in a series of fun designs in the enemies you face and you got what is truly one of the year’s best.

3. Super Mario Odyssey

Magical is not a phrase I use often when talking about one’s experience when playing a game. But Mario’s latest adventure is truly that. From the moment you first capture and take over a frog and navigate the world as such, you know you’re in for a fun time. Each world is a blast to play and is so full of things to discover there is rarely a dull moment in this game. Thanks to the always great controls help you in your quest it’s always fun to see how you can find new ways to explore. Throw in a huge amount of memorable moments and you got a great game that truly earns the title of being of the year’s top best.

2. Persona 5

Persona 5 provided me with the escape that I needed with a game that was stylish, massive, and chock full of in-game activities. The game’s 100 Hour length never feels boring thanks to the games great narrative and fully realized characters that get fleshed out as the game goes on. Also featuring the series best dungeons, the best variation of its combat system and one of the year’s best soundtracks. I was totally content as I saw the credits rolled after my long and highly enjoyable playthrough.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

From the moment I saw the Great Plateau unveiled to me as I left the cave to begin my journey, I knew I was in for a treat. Legend of Zelda to me is what I want out of Open world games, a sense of wonder and adventure and this game pulls that off over and over again. This was a game where it was fun to share moments and secrets with others since there was always something new to find. Add in a great combat system that adds in some much-needed challenge to the series, you have a game that has a world that I always want to return to. Thus why this game was truly this years best.

So there you have it, my personal picks of the Top 10 games of 2017. Like I mentioned earlier there were many games I didn’t get to play so if there was a game missing then let me know in the comments below. Also, I want to hear what your guys pick for best games of 2017 were? It was a great year for gaming and it’s fun to go back and share our many great gaming experiences.

And if your curious about any of these games, you can see some gameplay for them on the gaming channel I run called IdiotBox Games where we have played some of these games on the channel.