So there’s this certain comparison we’ve heard about opinions and how everybody has one. We here at COG have plenty of opinions and, like any good opinion, we want to share them! We want to shout them from the rooftops so all of the internet can tell us our opinions are wrong and give us their very own opinions! All kidding aside, we compiled a list of our favourite games so far this year for you to look at. Perhaps you’ve passed over some of these or perhaps you’ve played every one of them. I’m sure everyone can look over our choices and see that we didn’t include some great games that others may have included but again, you know how opinions work! Have a look at our faves for the first half of 2015 and why not tell us how wrong we are by telling us what you loved so far in the comments below?
Mortal Kombat X
Check the official review here!
If any series is known for its legacy of violence, gore and over-the-top ways in which to murder people it’s Mortal Kombat. A series that has managed to fight its way back out of near obscurity to sit high atop the pile of great fighting games, the team at Netherrealm didn’t hold anything back with the latest entry Mortal Kombat X. Blood spewing fatalities, skull crushing x-ray attacks and a great roster of new and old characters are only a few of the things that help MKX stand out from its competition. A deep system that includes style variations for each fighter keeps it fresh and depending on the style an opponent uses it keeps you on your toes. You don’t just have to know how to defend against Scorpion, you have to know how to defend all three of his variations. As complex as it is, it’s still fun to just pick up and play as a button masher too (well, within reason of course). Fast paced, gorgeous (in a darkly disturbing sort of way) and destined to take the e-sports circuit by storm this is a game no fighter fan should pass up.
Bloodborne
Check the official review here!
From Software has developed a certain reputation amongst gamers. This reputation has earned them respect and a pretty rabid fan base too. Not wanting to let anyone down they came hard when they dropped Bloodborne down on the PS4. Punishing, rage-quit inducing and practically perfect in every way this is a game that not only tests your patience and skills but leaves you awestruck in the process. Your journey into Yharnam will feature dark, but stunning set pieces and epic battles that feel just a tad faster than what you may be used to with the Dark Souls series. It will impress you with its audio and now that they’ve patched it you can do it with less load times than ever before! It goes without saying that Bloodborne may not be for everyone but if you can handle the challenge without busting your DualShock into pieces then you definitely need to give it a spin.
Batman: Arkham Knight
Check the official review here!
Calling it the best super hero game of all time might be up in the air for many readers but our reviewer called it just that. Best super hero game of all time or not, the fact remains Batman: Arkham Knight is a stellar experience. Developer Rocksteady has once again managed to give fans a memorable Batman game we will be talking about for years to come. Controversial storyline, failed PC launch and Batmobile issues aside, Batman: Arkham Knight is hands-down one of the best games of the year. It is one (console owners at least) can purchase with confidence and feel like they got their money’s worth. It is a worthy purchase for characters and storyline alone. Wipe the dust off your Batsuit because you’ll want to throw it on one last time.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Check the official review here!
Very rarely does a sequel absolutely blow away its predecessors. In the instance of Witcher 3, that’s easily the case. This is not to say the previous Witcher games were subpar; that isn’t it at all. Rather Witcher 3 was just such an amazing, immersive experience that took the previous games in the series and upped the ante. It is a superb AAA RPG experience in every sense of the word. Featuring some of the best story telling we have seen so far this year and an unforgettable, dynamic and vast open world, Witcher 3 stands as a must own for not only fans of the franchise but those looking for rich experience they can soak 100+ hours into. As with any massive game glitches, and bugs surface but it doesn’t even put a dark cloud over what is quite easily one of the best games of the first half of the year.
Ori and the Blind Forest
Check the official review here!
2D side scrolling shooters are still quite popular nowadays, but most are presented in an 8 or 16-bit style. Developer Moon Studios bucked the trend and released a game for the Xbox One (and PC) that kicked some serious ass with Ori and the Blind Forest. With a heart-wrenching story to set the mood, this “Metroidvania” game not only had a great narrative, but gameplay, visuals and sound too. The game has an RPG element in the form of a skill tree that allows you to gain and power up abilities that become key for your gameplay experience. The unique and original artwork is beautiful, looking like hand painted art in motion and the accompanying soundtrack, played by a full orchestra, is fantastic. If you haven’t had the chance to experience Ori and the Blind Forest yet, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
Splatoon
Check the official review here!
Nintendo’s Wii U has had quite the struggle since its launch, but there have been some great games. Splatoon, a new IP from the Big ‘N” is not the traditional AAA title fans have come to expect. It’s fun but it also takes Nintendo out of its comfort zone. Splatoon is a competitive shooter with Nintendo’s standard friendly twist, as here you shoot ink at your foes. What caught us off-guard here at COG was despite some online hiccups in the gameplay department (hello, online communication please) the game is just plain old fun. It’s a fresh and new experience that, as our reviewer writes, “…makes too much sense” and is something that, surprisingly, we haven’t seen done before. From the online competitive aspect, the surprisingly relevant single player mode, to the fun, bright and very “wet looking” art style, the game manages to do a lot of things right amongst the few ‘speed-bumps’ it hit along the way. At the end of the day Splatoon stands out in a genre that is dominated by the likes of COD, Destiny, Battlefield, DOOM, and so many others.
