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It’s been a big year for video games with high-profile launches including Destiny 2, Halo Wars 2 and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, not to mention the launch of the Nintendo Switch. And while there are some big titles on the horizon for 2018, including Far Cry 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, for now we’re taking a nostalgic wander through the pick of the bunch from this year. Read on for our definitive rundown of the best video games of 2017.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The key launch title for the Nintendo Switch, the latest Zelda instalment follows the usual pointy-eared protagonist Link who has woken from a century-long slumber only to find himself having to protect the kingdom of Hyrule from total destruction. This action adventure is beautifully designed and considered by many to be the greatest game of all time.
Halo Wars 2
Halo Wars 2
This real-time strategy (RTS) game) for PC and Xbox is the long-awaited sequel to 2009’s Halo Wars and sees the return of the human crew of the Spirit of Fire warship who must battle aliens known as the Banished. As you’d expect, this sci-fi military caper is packed with fast-paced action with incredible animation.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn
Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth far in the future where machines have evolved into giant mechanical animals, this open-world RPG is the second-best selling PS4 game so far and revolves around an outcast hunter called Aloy who is on a quest to uncover the secrets of her past. Perfect for those that like to spend hours exploring exquisitely rendered landscapes.
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Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Capcom’s latest survival horror game is the eleventh full title in the Resident Evil franchise and the very first to take the form of a first-person shooter. It follows a man’s search for his missing wife in a creepy derelict plantation. Probably one of the scariest games you’ll ever play.
Prey
Prey
Players in this science fiction horror will find themselves up against a horde of angry aliens while trapped aboard space station Talos 1. It’s not one for the faint-hearted as it’s crammed full of jumps and scares and while some patience is needed, the inventive gameplay makes it all worthwhile.
Injustice 2
Injustice 2
One of the best one-on-one fighting games in years, Injustice 2 enables players to fight as heroes and villains from the DC universe, including Batman, Harley Quinn and the Joker. They’ll also find a few guest appearances including Raiden from Mortal Kombat. And the introduction of an RPG element is the perfect finishing move.
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Splatoon 2
Splatoon 2
Developed for the Nintendo Switch, this third-person shooter sees tiny humanoids called Inklings using coloured ink to attack their rivals in what is essentially a massive neon paintball match. For anyone with a Switch, this nonsensical but inexplicably fun multiplayer game is an absolute must-have.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Built for the PS4, this action adventure game is a spin-off from the Uncharted series and so doesn’t feature the usual treasure hunter Nathan Drake. Instead, you get fortune hunter Chloe and ex-mercenary Nadine who are on the hunt for a priceless artefact in India. Jaw-dropping visuals and great gameplay make it a worthy addition to the Uncharted world.
Mario Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
Mario Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
A bizarre mashup of Nintendo’s Mario and Ubisoft’s Rabbids franchise, this absurd Nintendo Switch game sees the the plucky plumber trying to save the day after the Rabbids (ridiculously daft rabbits) accidentally transport themselves into Mushroom Kingdom after messing with a piece of equipment that merges them with anything they come into contact with. Preposterously fun.
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Destiny 2
Destiny 2
Players must protect the last safe city on Earth from a villainous alien by regaining the protective energy that the galactic warlord has stolen in this first-person shooter. Well known as one of the most rewarding multiplayer games around, this action-packed space caper is definitely one you can’t ignore.
Assassin’s Creed: Origins
Assassins Creed: Origins
The Assassin’s Creed saga is back on form with this adventure set in ancient Egypt. This time the assassin is warrior Bayek who is tasked with protecting Egypt’s ruler in a world that mixes historical events and characters such as Cleopatra, with a huge dose of artistic license. Truly incredible visuals complete the package.
Super Mario: Odyssey
Super Mario: Odyssey
Already being praised as one of the best games in the Japanese games firm’s long-running series, this Nintendo Switch title gives new life to familiar Mario gameplay with a next-gen 3D rendering. Thankfully this is one game that lived up to all our expectations, and then some.
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Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
The eight chapter in the Wolfenstein series, this first-person shooter is set in a alternate 1961 in the U.S. following the fictional victory of the Third Reich in World War II, and follows army veteran William Joseph "B.J." Blazkowicz’s fight agains the Nazis. The not-so-subtle social commentary combined with fast-paced action make this a truly great sequel.