The most recent games aren’t always the best games of the year however, they’re the ones that stand out most. They’re the ones you’ll keep talking about and playing long after they’re released whether for their captivating stories, enveloping atmospheres, or their utterly unrelenting gameplay.

XCOM 2 is a superior sequel to its predecessor. It offers a new perspective and a revamped battle system that allows experienced players to attain an unending level of difficulty. It’s one of the few games to their website be both kid-friendly and mature while still being a fun game with a savvy approach that doesn’t impede its innate fun factor.

Brutal Legend, the first game not developed by Squaresoft that uses Unreal Engine 4, proves that old school action can still be extremely powerful. The game is filled with nostalgia from every crevice, and has an aesthetic that blends the ugly beauty of PS1 classics and the dazzling splendor of modern action games.

Despite some of the most tedious grinding in the genre, Spec Ops: The Line is a great shooter that’s more focused on the story than before. It’s also the most interesting entry in the series to date, with an intriguing sci-fi setting as well as an antagonist that is both relatable but difficult to relate to.

Final Fantasy XIV is back in the good books of its fans despite the absence of content. It follows a period of lows following Warlords of Draenor. The game’s revival is attributed to a renewed focus on storytelling, and the commitment of the team behind the game to keep improving the base experience through a variety of extensions that make it one of the few MMO subscriptions that you’ll be able to keep.