WCNC Staff 2016 Game of the Year Awards Part 1

Each year, our staff like to present you with our picks for the greatest games to be released in the past year.  2016 has come and gone, so this year each of our contributors are going to discuss their choices for game of the year.  First up are Rory and Frankie, enjoy!

Rory's Second Annual Way Too Late Game of the Year Awards 2016

2016 was a hell of a year for everyone, and I was no exception. Between a rapidly changing political landscape, moving across the country for the second time in two years, and personal relationship struggles, it was a good year to be able to escape reality by jumping into a game. And while I haven't got around to playing some of my most anticipated titles of 2016, Dishonored 2 being the big one, it's time for my second annual game of the year awards. 

Honorable Mention: 
Persona 4 Golden

If this was just a list of my favorite games I played this year regardless of release date, Persona 4 would take the top spot. The gameplay, while very simple and easy, is fun and addictive.  But, the real star of this game is the cast of characters and a story that keeps you locked in from beginning to end.

3. Firewatch

While there isn't much in the way of gameplay, Firewatch nails the feeling of just getting lost in nature. Most of the game is you working a summer in the 1980s for a state wilderness park, doing your normal day to day duties. The games tension and mystery ramp up in the later half of the story but it's really the “lost in the woods” feeling that makes this game special. 

2. Dark Souls 3

I'm a well known fan of FromSoftware's series of difficult games (Bloodborne having placed #1 on this list last year) and 2016's entry Dark Souls 3 is no different. While it's not quite as original as Bloodborne, or grabs the same special feeling that the original Dark Souls had, Dark Souls 3 is the best in the series when it comes to gameplay and polish. This is clearly a development team who has mastered their combat and difficultly scale over their last four games and this is the payoff. The combat is the smoothest it's ever been, and some of the bosses are insanely difficult (I'm looking at you, Nameless King). If this is truly the last game in the series, Dark Souls 3 is a hell of a send off.

1. Overwatch

I'll be honest, I'm not really a big fan of competitive multiplayer games. Outside of Gears of War I've never found a series that pulled me in enough to play the multiplayer for more than a few hours. Then Overwatch was released, and nothing was ever the same. Since its release in May, I have poured well over 150 hours into Overwatch and there's no sign of slowing down. Blizzard is constantly making tweaks to all of the characters to keep the game fresh and to give all of the characters a chance to shine. Two new characters, Sombra and Ana, have also been introduced to the already large cast, along with 3 new maps, and more new additions are already promised to be in the pipeline. Blizzard has also thrown four holiday events to renew interest ranging from the Olympics, to Halloween, to Christmas, and now a Chinese New Year event. Each event brings new skins and other cosmetic items to keep you playing for just one more game. Overwatch has dominated my last 8 months of gaming and I think it's going to stay that way for a long time

Frankie

2016 may have been a pretty crappy year overall, but it was a pretty strong year for gamers everywhere. From titles in development for over a decade, brand new IPS, and AAA games that shake up the tried and true formula, I'd say there is a good bit to choose from as far as Game of the Year goes. Alas, this is yours truly, Franswa's list, so I'll be giving you my top games of 2016.  

3. Pokemon Sun/Moon  

Even though I have only played Sun and haven't beaten it quite yet, I have to give a spot to this long standing RPG series. The first and last true Pokémon I played before Sun was Emerald.  After pouring so many hours into it, I felt I got the gist of what the series had to offer me. Pokémon X/Y definitely enticed me with the new 3D graphics, but it still was just a bit short of pulling me back in. However, Sun and Moon made a very clever move by shaking up the standard formula, while not changing the core gameplay and objective. The new Hawaiian styled setting of the Alola region, Alola forms of original Pokémon, new Pokémon species, and the switch to island champions instead of gym leaders was the perfect mix of new and old to convince me to step back into their world and become the very best, like no one ever was. Within the span of a week I already poured twenty-four hours into this title. That satisfying feeling of building you're Pokémon up, catching new ones, growing with them, watching them evolve, and conquering new challenges together, as a team, was extremely gratifying. For that, I give Pokémon Sun and Moon my number three spot.  

2. Dark Souls III 

 

I would have never guessed this would be a series I would come to love so much.  However, Bloodborne changed that real quick, and Dark Souls III made it 100% official. I called Dark Souls III the crescendo to a fantastic series, and that is a statement I standby. Dark Souls III took all the best aspects of the original Souls series, while incorporating new mechanics and a faster pace from Bloodborne.  Blending them together for a perfect concotion of challenge, exploration, customizability, and a truly special experience. Dark Souls III has been called by many the hardest Souls game currently and I can see why. Not only are the bosses (for the most part) truly a test of skill and wit, but the journey through each area to face them are a trial in and of themselves. No part of this game is a walk in the park, but you will constantly find yourself traversing every inch of this dark and daunting realm, discovering every secret, finding every treasure, and uncovering every bit of lore you can. This is the magic of the Souls series, and it truly hits every high point with this incredible title.  

Honorable Mention. Pyschonauts 

 

I got this title when it became available to download on ps4.  After all the hype one of our talented writers Rory Snyder put behind it I felt it was finally time to put it to the test. Pyschonauts is a brilliant platformer with fantastic levels, clever mechanics, and despite being a ps2 game, has aged incredibly well. Playing as the main protagonist Rasputin, you are at a summer camp for mentally gifted kids with psychic powers. The story not only has way more going for it than just being a summer camp with wacky psychic shenanigans going on.  There is a lot of humor here, mostly of the adult variety. I'm really glad I experienced it when I did because a far younger me would have missed 80% of the jokes. Every character is oozing with personality from your goofy friend Dogen, the paranoid milkman Boyd Cooper, the strict Coach Oleander, The annoying bully Bobby Zilch (uuuuuugh) and many many more that make you want to go and fulfill every interaction with them you can. Each level takes place inside of another characters mind as well, which allows the developers to really show you the personality and issues of each of the characters they have created.  Leading to many beautiful and interesting experiences. From a warzone, to a disco dance party, to a city where you are essentially Godzilla, to a boardgame, every aspect of Pyschonauts is crafted with extreme creativity and care, and is a must play for any fan of 3D platformers.  

1. Overwatch  

Could it be any other? The brand new IP from the ashes of Project Titan, and heavy hitter Blizzard Entertainment, Overwatch is a masterpiece among multiplayer shooters. The incredible characters, weaponry, map design, game modes, and cosmetic unlockables will keep you and your friends playing for hours upon hours. Every game whether it's competitive, quick play, or one of the many arcade modes, are always different and changing because of the extensive cast. With a cast of twenty-three characters, each with their own play styles, weapons, and abilities, will always keep you on your toes, and constantly trying to adapt to the enemy teams composition and strategy. The best part of Overwatch is it isn't just limited to players who are good at shooters, the player with the greatest situational awareness, shot caller, or playmaker are just as valuable as the player who is the best shot. No matter what your skill level or play style is, there is a character here for you, and that is the greatest strength of Overwatch. It is incredibly accessible and new player friendly, while also having a deep meta game that can be uncovered for new strategies and higher level play. And it is for that reason I have to give Overwatch my number one spot, and my personal pick for Game of the Year. 

-Franswa

Rory and Frankie Review Overwatch

For this review we though it would be fun to try something kind of different.  First Rory gives his take on the game as a Blizzard noob, followed by Frankie who is a Blizzard fanboy.  How will their opinions differ?  You have to read to find out.    

Rory

I've been playing video games since I could pick up a controller. I started on the NES and the giant grey and purple Gameboy, moved onto the N64, had a PS2 and an Xbox, then moved to the 360 and now finally the PS4, plus I've owned pretty much every handheld that Nintendo has ever made. Through all this time Blizzard (which has gone through a few name changes during it's existence) has been making critically acclaimed games and I had not played a single one. It's not like I haven't been exposed to their work, seeing as two of my best friends are enormous Blizzard fanatics (I'm looking at you Frankie and CJ), I have seen many sessions of Wow, Diablo, and even a few rounds of Heroes of the Storm take place. Blizzard has historically been a PC based developer, a gaming platform I've always been lacking. But now with Diablo 3 Reaper of Souls and Overwatch out on consoles, I can jump into the fray. And jump in I have.

After playing a little bit of Diablo 3 earlier this year but not being extremely hooked by it, I went into Overwatch with high but tempered expectations. The beta washed all my doubts away and made these past couple weeks unbearable. Luckily, a busy work schedule has kept me occupied, but now the game is out and it's clear that the wait was worth it. 

 
Overwatch takes place in the not so distant future. A future where A.I. called omnics began a war with humanity that pushed the world to the brink of devastation. Overwatch, a special task force of powerful heroes, was commissioned to put an end to the omnic war and keep the peace afterward. The war was ended but eventually infighting and corruption tore Overwatch apart and the group disbanded. While the game doesn't have a single player campaign, the rich backstories of the world and characters keep Overwatch from feeling as hollow as most multiplayer only games like Titanfall and Evolve. To dive deeper into the lore Blizzard has been releasing animated shorts and web comics to fill in some of the blank spaces in the character's pasts. I highly recommend looking into these as it attaches you to characters you wouldn't expect and gives the game an even more personal feel. 

 
Each character handles so different from the next even if they reside in the same class group. For example Hanzo and Widowmaker are the 2 snipers in the game but they are vastly different in play style. Widowmaker is very much the typical sniper, preferring to hang out far away from the fight picking off enemies with her powerful sniper rifle. Hanzo on the other hand is better at medium range, weaving in and out of cover to take people out with his bow and arrow and setting up massive group kills with his deadly dragonstrike ultimate. No matter what character you play as you're bound to have a blast, win or lose.
For a game with this many characters it's impressive that it feels so balanced right from the start. There do not seem to be any characters that are just terrible, or flipside, any that are downright overpowered. Yes, the much maligned Bastion can be a real pain in the butt, especially when the other team is using two of them on the defend matches, but the community clearly has caught on to stopping his insanely powerful turret mode and therefore seems to be much less of a threat because of it. Also Zenyatta could use a tiny health buff but these are minor problems that can be patched later. The game runs incredibly well, even on console. I've never seen the framerate dip even in the heaviest of battles. Everyone has always told me about the polish Blizzard games but now seeing it first-hand, color me impressed.

 
I knew I would like Overwatch but I wasn't prepared for just how much I love it. It reminds me of my love for Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare. Colorful characters with different and interesting powers duking it out for supremacy in interesting places. The drab environments and characters of Call of Duty/Battlefield have just never really appealed to me, and outside of Gears of War I have never really invested heavily into online shooters. But Overwatch is a breath of fresh air that is bringing me back into the world of competitive multiplayer, a world I thought I mostly left behind on my 360. Just when I thought I was out, Blizzard managed to pull me back in. 
-Rory
.... but seriously go buy/play Overwatch right now. There's a talking gorilla scientist who loves peanut butter. What more do you want?

Frankie

Blizzard is easily my favorite game developer, and with a track record of quality games over the span of 20+ years they have definitely earned the praise. From the fantastic space RTS that is Starcraft, to the horrific dungeon crawling of Diablo, to the mystical quests through the World of Warcraft, Blizzard has proved to be a true juggernaut in the gaming industry. They have sustained a incredible following because of these titles, and even threw in some new additions such as the online TCG Hearthstone, and the MOBA esque Hero Brawler Heroes of the Storm, but these are just new games based on the pre-existing universes Blizzard has already invested so much in, until now. Overwatch is not only Blizzards first new IP in over 17 years, it is also the creation from the ashes of the trashed MMO Project Titan, and boy does it prove they made the right call. Overwatch is a six on six FPS team arena shooter (they call it a hero shooter) that not only embodies all the personality and polish Blizzard is known for. Overwatch achieves something that every developer should always strive for above all else, it is an incredibly fun experience that will have you loving every second you spend with it, win or lose.   

 

Now for a little backstory, Overwatch is set in a fictional futuristic Earth where there was a global catastrophe called the Omnic Crisis. A.I. beings that were created to serve eventually rebelled, creating hostile omnics and triggering a full-scale war. Overwatch was created to restore order and maintain peace in the midst of the worn torn world, but eventually Overwatch would be torn apart from the outside, and inside. The world then blames Overwatch for everything that had happened and is outlawed, causing the family of heroes to go their separate ways, and try to find a new path. The game takes place after the official disbanding of Overwatch, and after the gorilla scientist Winston re-establishes it. Even though there is no traditional campaign the game is still rich with backstory, history, lore, secrets, and much much more. Each level even has easter eggs pertaining to Blizzards other titles, such as a murloc in a flying saucer on Hanamura, or Heroes of the Storm fighting games in that same levels arcade spawn zone. One thing Blizzard does so well is putting everything they have into whatever project they undertake, the finesse and polish on Overwatch is spectacular.  From the breath taking cell shaded visuals, to the wonderful soundtrack, and even the little nuances of each character, you can't help but smile during every second of it. Overwatch even has a website you can go to read up and discover the finely crafted lore behind their shooter, causing it to be much more then just a Team Fortress 2 clone. Each character isn't just a class, but a hero completely different then any other on the roster, in both play style and design. For example the poster child Tracer has the ability to teleport short distances and rewind herself placing her ammunition, position, and health back to where it was just a few moments earlier. Now at first glance this may just seem like an ability, but by diving into her backstory you find out she was a test pilot for a project called the "Slipstream", a time traveling fighter that malfunctioned and caused her to be lost in time. Unable to stay in present time for more then a few moments, Winston created a device that not only allowed her to stay anchored in present time, but control her own time flow, allowing her to jump forward and move backwards through time. This is what makes this game so impressive, just a simple ability becomes so much more interesting just because of the lore Blizzard has created for the character, and everyone gets the same treatment. 

You can truly feel the love Blizzard has put into creating this world, they want you to care about the people in it, they want you to care about the world, they don't want to shove another generic shooter at you, slap a $60 price tag on it, and call it the best thing around, they want to prove to you it is. Even the characters will interact with each other while on the same team, such as Zenyatta saying how happy he is to be fighting alongside his pupil Genji, Tracer challenging Lucio to a race, or even Reaper throwing some mean spirited words towards Mercy. Overwatch even has several comics and animated shorts that allow you to learn more about each character that once again proves Blizzard is committed to making this a living-breathing world.   Even though Blizzard has put so much into the lore of Overwatch, that doesn't mean they slacked on the gameplay.  Quite the opposite, this is easily one of the most balanced and polished shooters I have ever played. Each of the twenty-one characters is placed under one of four roles, offense, defense, tank, and support, and has strengths and weaknesses that can be countered, or used to counter another. For example my personal favorite Reaper has twin shotguns that devastate anyone unfortunate enough to be in close quarters with you, and with Wraith mode making him invincible but unable to perform any actions other then moving and Shadow Step, a long range teleport with a slow start-up and end time, he is a great at flanking and eating up tanks, and his ultimate Death Blossom can wipeout an entire team if you can ambush them. However he struggles against characters like Pharah, who can fly high into the sky and rain rockets of death down on the enemy, or Widowmaker, a sniper who can grapple up to hard to reach places and pick off unsuspecting targets. Even characters in the same role are vastly different, such as Zenyatta and Symmetra. Zenyatta is a omnic monk who can place a healing orb on an ally to passively heal them, or a discord orb on an enemy to boost damage on them by 50%.  Couple that with his high damage projectiles he's basically a healing sniper. However Symmetra doesn't heal at all, she instead places a shield on her allies and uses her Ultimate which is a teleporter, to allow her allies to absorb a bit more damage and get back into the fight quickly, and with sentry turrets that be placed virtually anywhere along with her high damage weapon she completely lock down an area basically by herself. The uniqueness of each and every character means regardless of skill level and playstyle, there is a Hero that will suite you perfectly. That doesn't mean you will main any one of them, this game is about strategy, and part of strategy is adapting, and with the ability to switch character mid match during any respawn, causes a giant rock, paper, scissors match between the two teams. Communication and team composition is key here, as it will determine whether you snatch victory, or fall into the arms of defeat. Each character not only counters others, but compliments them as well.  Mercy is a great match-up with Pharah because she is the only one that can follow her into the sky to heal and boost her damage, causing the devastating Pharah to become and even bigger threat then normal.  Another example is Reinhardt and Bastion, by holding Reinhardts shield right in front of Bastion while he is in turret form allows him to chew through the enemy team with little threat of taking any type of damage at all. 

The other intriguing thing about Overwatch is that not only is every game mode objective based (that's right COD fans, no Team Deathmatch), but each map is catered to a specific mode.  So, Hanamura will always be two point control, and Ilios will always be domination, making each map feel tailored fit perfectly to each mode. Every map is designed thoughtfully to help you find multiple ways to an objective without the fear of getting lost, also meaning you need to take the time to know every nook and cranny of the area. Knowing where every health pack, choke point, and entry/exit point is crucial for offense and defense.  Because knowing where you can ambush, or be ambushed can greatly change the flow of the game. I do wish however that there were more game modes, or at least different versions of each map was made for each other mode, I would love to escort a payload through the beautiful setting of Ilios, or play domination on King's Row, but despite this I still have zero issue playing for hours on end. Maining a character is something that does not exist in Overwatch, and if you think you do this, you aren't playing it right. As I've stated before Overwatch is a constant rock, paper, scissors match with the enemy team, and you have to be familiar with each and every character to fight them. If you are playing Hanzo and are constantly being killed by a Genji player, switching to the cowboy McCree who can flash bang and triggers his secondary fire "Fan the Hammer" to fire all six shots quickly can stop him right in his tracks. On the surface it may seem like just another shooter, but once you start to really analyze and learn each and every hero, it reveals a whole new depth that proves this is a truly deep and complex multiplayer game filled with endless possibilities of strategy and tactics.

Overwatch even has a training mode where you can practice against dummies to hone your skills with a character you aren't very good with but want to learn, and even weekly brawls that reset every week that range from reduced cool downs on all abilities and ultimates, to only being able to choose from a limited pool of heroes or role. Overwatch even has a progression system that you accumulate xp for each match you play.  Every level you acquire unlocks a loot box with random vanity items that range from voice lines, player icons, and sprays, to color swaps for each hero all the way to legendary skins that can make Reaper a Mariachi, or Junkrat look like a Juggalo. You can even earn in game currency from each loot box and duplicates to purchase the vanity items that you want. The option to purchase loot boxes via micro-transactions is also possible, so you can stock up to increase your chances to get even more sweet loots.   

 Blizzard has once again proven that they have the ability to take a formula that has been done time and time again and make it truly special and unique. When you play Overwatch you won't be thinking, "oh this is just like Team Fortress 2" or "this is just like Plants Vs. Zombies Garden Warfare".  You'll be thinking about how much fun you're having playing with all your friends, in each adrenaline-inducing match. Overwatch is not only a finely crafted FPS, but also it is just flat out fun.  I promise if you pick it up, you'll be smiling from ear to ear in no time. So what are you waiting for? It's time to get in the fight, because the world can use more Heroes, and trust me, you fit the bill.

Episodes 36 & 37

So, life got interesting over the past two weeks and we weren't able to produce an episode.  To make up for it, we released two episodes this week.

First is episode 36.  Here, Panda and myself discuss Sony's VR announcements, their biggest competition, and the sick things you people do with your 3DS.

Episode 36 The Future is Now

In episode 37, we say farewell to a longtime friend of the show.  Rory has decided to leave Arizona behind him but not before taking one last trip to the recording studio.  In this one, Panda, Rory, and myself debate digital versus physical content, if it even matters which console you have anymore, and share a few fond memories.  Until next time buddy, you will be missed.

Episode 37 Rory's Odyssey

-Big O

Firewatch Review With Big O and Rory

Firewatch is one of those rare games to come along that really makes you appreciate all the work that went into it.  From the gorgeous sceneries, to the brilliant dialogue, and even the compelling story, you would be hard pressed to find no enjoyment from this game.  Rory and I both bought this game launch day and have since completed it. I though it would be fun to compare both our thoughts of the game.  We’ll start with Rory’s report and I’ll respond after.

Rory: Firewatch broke my heart.  Once in the first 5 minutes, and once in the last 10.  A tale of loneliness and grieving, Firewatch hits more emotional strings than any game I've played int he last few years.

Exploring the Wyoming forest as a fire lookout, a woman begins talking to you on your walkie-talkie. She runs another fire watchtower across the valley, and you spend the whole summer with only her voice as your only companion. Your character, Henry, and her have an instant chemistry. They have some of the best banter I've experienced in a video game.

They get to know each other on a more personal level as the summer goes on, as mysteries begin to unravel in the woods around you.

The artstyle is beautiful. A minimalist almost cell shaded look makes the vistas look fantasic. Unfortunately the PS4 version of the game runs very poorly. Texture pop-up and frame rate dips are the main culprits, but the game did freeze at one point and forced me to close the app. The game is also very short, being able to be run through in 3-5 hours. That being said, Firewatch uses it's short time wisely and does not feel cheapened by the short run time.

Regardless of those few qualms, Firewatch is a must play for anyone who loves a great story. I had a hard time putting it down to do anything else. Firewatch has found a place in my heart, even if it had to break it to get there.

Big O: I have to agree with Rory about he intro to this game.  It can be heart wrenching.  The biggest comparison I’ve heard is the intro to Up (spoiler for first 5 minutes of Up I guess).  I was playing it with Panda and we actually had a difficult time getting through it.  At the same time, this sequence is vital to understand the mindset that your character is in when he decided to take this job away from anyone.  I didn’t find the ending upsetting, more I felt empty once it was done.  I had just gone on this amazing journey over the past few hours and now it was over. 

I’ll say that the game felt a little short.  I clocked in around 3.5 hours from start to finish.  I’ve been discussing this with some people online and others have been saying it has taken them around 5.  So, I guess that comes down to how you play.  I find this funny because I defiantly didn’t speed through this game.  Truth be told, I got lost a couple times.  I agree with Rory about there being graphical hiccups, but at the same time it was nothing game breaking and I feel these things can easily be patched out later.  I had the game freeze on me once and I’m almost curious if it was the same place where Rory had his.  None of these inconveniences were enough to take me out of the experience.  I was still thoroughly engaged and didn’t want to put the controller down. 

I’ve already mentioned how strong the narrative is, but I find this particularly interesting considering almost the entire story is told between Henry and Delilah.  The game really makes you feel the isolation as the relationship between these two develops.  The two characters share witty quips back and forth.  I grew so dependent on this banter that I actually felt lonely when Delilah wasn’t speaking to me. 

This game is a buy for me, however you should consider the game length when determining whether you wish to spend $20 on the final product.  For some of you, it might be better to wait for it to go on sale sometime over the next year.  Whatever you decide, I highly recommend this journey into the wilderness.