The Best Games of 2017

By: Max Cannon

2017 finally feels like the year that this console generation really hit its stride. Regardless of which genre in gaming you're into, you were bound to find some sort of game to get its hooks into you through the year. With everything finally coming to a conclusion, here are our 3 favorite games of 2017.

3. Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn may be the biggest surprise from PlayStation this generation. While Guerilla Games kicked things off on the PS4 with Killzone Shadow Fall, it was a far cry from where their potential would truly take them. With Uncharted level visuals, an impressive combat system for an RPG, and surprising story that opens the universe for future games. Read below to see what we thought of the game during our initial review, which even included a game breaking bug at the time.

Horizon Zero Dawn - Story Trailer | PS4

"I love Horizon Zero Dawn. It's probably the best RPG I've ever played, as crazily hyperbolic that sounds. When I play games like Skyim, Fallout, or The Witcher, I love the freedom and depth of the world but the gameplay often holds them back with boring combat and dated controls. Horizon bucks the trend that an RPG will control poorly and injects life into the genre.

So I'm going to continue to shower this game with praise and encourage every gamer to give it a try while I keep jumping for that handhold.

Why?

Because Horizon Zero Dawn is just that good."

Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the best reasons to buy a PlayStation 4.Courtesy of PlayStation

2. Super Mario Odyssey

Mario games have always been about pure fun but gamers have become critical of the series for running out of new tricks, Nintendo responded by taking gaming's most famous mascot out of his comfort zone and into new and unfamiliar worlds (and even bodies.) While modern games lean even harder into a cinematic style, Super Mario Odyssey knows exactly what it is: a video game. Check out the final thoughts from our review below.

Super Mario Odyssey Trailer - Nintendo Switch

"Super Mario Odyssey consistently delivers an exciting, well-designed, and colorful adventure that anyone can enjoy. If you've never gotten a chance to play a Mario game before you'd love it just as much as an experienced veteran of gaming's most important character."

My favorite picture and a sneak peek at New Donk City.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

When the year started out and the Switch released in early March with a new Zelda game alongside it I was unable to review the new game because I didn't have Nintendo's new console. Well once I got my hands on that bad boy I felt the need to sneak Breath of the Wild into every conversation I was having about great games. Hyrule is at once barren and still full of life because of Nintendo's delicate touch to the game's art style and Link's actions leave a definite mark on the world giving the player a true feeling of leaving an impact. Read on to see what I had to say when I first played the new Zelda back in March.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Official Game Trailer - Nintendo E3 2016

"In a world of awesome open world games and fantastic multiplayer adventures, Nintendo reminds us why The Legend of Zelda is part of the pantheon of excellence. It may have taken 6 years between this game and the last but I'll gladly wait another 6 for a game of this caliber."

With both Zelda and Mario, the Nintendo Switch is off to a great start.Courtesy of Nintendo

Have Your Say!

With such a fantastic year in the books, there are a lot of games to choose from as the best of 2017. Which games were your favorites? Did we leave anything out? Comment below and share your favorite games!