Game of the Year 2017: Simon's Personal Picks

As is becoming an annual tradition here at Push Square Towers, we’ve corralled our core group of staff writers and prodded them until they’ve told us what their favourite five games of the year are. With such a strong assortment to select from, added force was required in some instances. We threatened Simon with Polybius on PlayStation VR if he didn't determine his top five.

Fifth Choice: Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

Naughty Dog has done it again and to be honest I'm not surprised. The studio has such a great track record and I have to say I absolutely adore playing through its creations. The Lost Legacy is a best bits Uncharted that gathers all of its greatest ideas and mechanics and forms a game that is arguably the best in the series; Uncharted 2 is still my favourite but only just. To change the protagonist in such a beloved series and still create a GotY contender shows just how special this game truly is. 

Fourth Choice: Forma.8

This atmospheric, Metroidvania, exploration game stole all my free time earlier this year, with a calm and peaceful setting that really relaxes you into a false sense of safety and a mysterious world that requires you to work everything out. The visuals, music, and lack of hand holding really make this adventure shine. I enjoyed every moment of figuring out how this strange world worked and the many ways to progress through it. I also decided to return to tidy up all of it's collectibles.

Third Choice: Statik

By far my favourite VR experience this year. Statik is a puzzle game which reminds me of both Portal and The Witness combined. You are a test subject whose hands get locked into puzzle boxes that require solving in order to break free. With a rather irritating overseer (GLaDOS' twin perhaps?) narrating your whole endeavour to escape, and cleverly designed environmental puzzles that keep your brain ticking throughout, it's an outstanding VR experience that made me want to stay in it's world forever.

Second Choice: The Sexy Brutale

The Sexy Brutale, a murder mystery set inside a mansion within a Groundhog Day-style repeating 12 hour period, was a surprise hit for me this year. I received the title to review for Push Square not knowing much about it, but after just a few minutes I couldn't put it down until I had not only completed the game but also scooped up it's shiny Platinum trophy. You are tasked with investigating and preventing murders that you witness by sneaking around, rewinding time to review events and solve puzzles.The game's perfect presentation in clear, crisp visuals and catchy, upbeat music create a wonderfully atmospheric setting which complement the mysterious story rather beautifully.

First Choice: Horizon: Zero Dawn

This was by far the game I put the most time into this year; rolling around in the grass with Aloy for more than 40 hours will never be forgotten. The sheer quality and scale of Horizon: Zero Dawn is at the next level in comparison to many titles this year. Every element of the game felt an absolute joy to play: the combat was fast but fluid, the quests were varied and enjoyable, the story was mysterious and intriguing, the list goes on. Also to release a DLC pack, The Frozen Wilds, for Horizon: Zero Dawn in the same year that adds a good 15 hours of rolling around in the snow with Aloy is just outstanding. If you haven't spent some of your precious free time with Aloy yet, I'd suggest you start righting your wrongs immediately. 

Do you want to roll around in the hay with Simon's favourites? Try not to continue the innuendo in the comments section below.