2015 was an amazing year for video games. With exceptional entries in well respected franchises as well as exciting new titles wowing Kidzworld all year long. But it's now time to name the best of the best! So without further ado, here are Kidzworld's choices for the Best Video Games Of The Year!
For a full list of the nominees, click here.
Best Graphics Of The Year
Batman: Arkham Knight is very good looking at its worst and absolutely jaw dropping at its best. From a distance, Gotham City is detailed, oozing with atmosphere and colors that bleed in and out of each other. Look even closer and the visuals get even more impressive. Pushing the camera up close to Batman's armor reveals texture work so true to life you can almost feel the fiber glass and rubber. Rain slicks the moonlit streets as Batman glides over rooftops, his cape fluttering in the wind. Sparks fly and buildings crumble in the wake of the Batmobile as it drifts around a corner. The cinematic presentation of Batman: Arkham Knight as a whole is second to none.
Best Music & Sound Effects Of The Year
Star Wars Battlefront puts you in the middle of a Star Wars battle like no other video game has ever done before. EA and Dice were able to go into the LucasFilm vaults and actually sample the original sound effects from the Star Wars Trilogy of films and it pays off in spades. Every tie-fighter, speeder bike and thermal grenade sounds absolutely incredible.
Best Multiplayer Game Of The Year
Splatoon is one of the biggest surprises of the year and thanks to new updates from Nintendo, it continues to get better and better over time. Splatoon offers fast paced action with enough depth to satisfy the really competitive players out there while also easing new players into its many unique weapons and gameplay mechanics. Not only is it an absolute blast to play thanks to precise controls and wild level designs but everything about it is charming, from the bright, sharp art direction to the catchy music. Splatoon will keep a smile on your face even when your team is losing.
Best Sports/Racing Game Of The Year
Kidzworld called Forza Motorsport 6 a "triumph" in our glowing game review and we stand by that claim. Beautiful recreations of some of the worlds best race tracks, cars with details so real you smell the leather and audio that puts you right in the seat, 3 inches off the road. If you're serious about your racing games on console there is no better option out there than Turn 10's latest effort, Forza Motorsport 6.
Best Action/Adventure Game Of The Year
Rise Of The Tomb Raider improves on nearly every single aspect of the phenomenal 2013 reboot to deliver the most well rounded and satisfying action-adventure experience of the year. Huge areas to explore, tombs to discover, wildlife to hunt, locals to save and bad guys to be taken down. Not to mention tight, varied gameplay and a really engaging story rife with emotion and great performances There is never not something to do or see in Rise Of The Tomb Raider. Read our full review here.
Best RPG Of The Year
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has set a new precedent for RPGs. With an incredibly rich and expansive story offering multiple endings, told within one of the largest worlds every built for a video game, The WItcher 3 only gets more impressive as you play. Every corner of The Witcher 3's world is peppered with details and what may appear to be a simple fetch quest at first often evolves into a grand and dangerous adventure with a magnificent beast in need of slaying. Be warned, dozens upon dozens of hours will be lost once you begin this epic role playing game.
Best Platformer Game Of The Year
Ori And The Blind Forest is remarkable on so many levels. First and foremost the gameplay is to die for. Seriously, it's so smooth with pixel perfect precision and a difficulty level that will put you to the test without ever becoming frustrating. Wrap that wonderful gameplay up in some truly beautiful visuals with insanely emotive animations and a musical score that will move even the most hardened hearts. Ori And The Blind Forest is not only a great platformer it's a surprisingly moving experience as well. Read our full review here.
Best Nintendo 3DS Exclusive Of The Year
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is the game to buy if you can only buy one game for your 3DS this year. There is well over 100 hours of gameplay to be had thanks to a seemingly never ending assortment of monsters to take down, weapons to craft and armor to adorn. If you're into the loot game, MH4U will be heaven.
Best Xbox One Exclusive Of The Year
Xbox One had a phenomenal year when it came to delivering great exclusive gaming experiences but there can be only one winner. Rise Of The Tomb Raider stood tall among the rest thanks to its highly polished gameplay, moving story with interesting characters and visuals that will leave your jaw on the floor. This is Lara Croft's best adventure yet and shouldn't be missed by fans of the genre.
Best PlayStation 4 Exclusive Of The Year
Blooborne offers the purist and some of the most satisfyingly rewarding gameplay of the year but it is not for the faint of heart. It will break you before you break it. With a bleak and punishing gothic world to explore and terrifying beasts around every corner, Blooborne will keep you on your toes until the final battle... that is, if you're brave enough to make it that far.
Best Wii U Exclusive Of The Year
Splatoon, the best multiplayer experience of the year also happens to be the Wii U's best new exclusive! Wonderfully original gameplay, fantastic environments and charm to spare, Nintendo's take on the competitive multiplayer scene is an incredibly memorable and addicting one that's fun for all ages.
Best Overall Game Of The Year
What hasn't been said about this incredible game already? Rise Of The Tomb Raider has it all. Breathtaking visuals. Fantastic music. Interesting characters in a thought provoking story. And gameplay so fun you'll have to pull yourself away from the controller. It's a complete, well rounded package that will leave you satisfied long after the credits roll.
Kidzworld is happy to honor Rise Of The Tomb Raider as our choice for the Best Video Game Of 2015.
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