7. Little Nightmares
Everyone loves an underdog story and that is how I view Little Nightmares. This game came out of nowhere and managed to capture everybody’s imagination who played it. Granted, the studio behind the game already has a fantastic reputation, so it’s not like it didn’t have serious potential going in. That said, Tarsier Studios, responsible for Little Big Planet 3 and Tearaway, outdid themselves and took a drastic departure from their previous efforts. The result is a brilliant and spooky experience that inevitably leaves a mark on anyone who experiences it. It looks and plays a lot like the indie gem ‘Inside’ but on its own Little Nightmares is an experience for those who enjoy puzzle platformers.
6. Yakuza 0
Going in, we knew the next installment in the Yakuza series would be good, but we didn’t expect it to be this good. Yakuza 0 is a game that not only returning fans can enjoy but newcomers can jump right in and not feel lost at all. With such a dynamic and interactive interface, Yakuza 0 will keep you coming back for more and even catch you off guard when you least expect. It’s a game everyone should experience or at least tryout. It’s our top game from the past month, hands down.
5. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Okay I get it. Sure this is yet another Mario Kart game. Haven’t we seen enough of them already? That is absolutely true but Mario Kart 8’s timing is absolutely perfect as the Switch needed another home run hitter to go along with Breath of the Wild. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the greatest multiplayer experiences Nintendo has produced in a long time and that says something. With stunning graphics, all previous DLC included as well as bonus characters, and the return of the Battle mode, this is a party game for any occasion. It is really a no-brainer purchase for Switch owners as it’s fantastic family fun for all ages. Is there anything incredibly innovative or new here? No, but what you get will have to smiling over and over again.
4. NieR: Automata
NieR: Automata is yet another game that delivered in more than one. As such, we cannot recommend NieR: Automata enough. The PlayStation 4 has been on an unbelievable roll so far in 2017 and much of that success is due to great exclusives like Nier. You know your game has hit the big time when you already have nude mods surfacing in the wild… In all seriousness, NieR is an interesting meld of open RPG, twitch action, platformer, and bullet hell shooter. With so many great games released so far this year it’s easy to forget about this gem. Don’t let this be you and give this game a shot.