After being selected for one of the quotes by Shinobi last year how could I not return to do this again!
1. Persona 5 : This moved straight to number one for me this year when that
very excellent first gameplay trailer was released. I'm finding it so hard to just get across how excited I am for this game. It looks simply outstanding and a massive step forward in all aspects for the already awesome series. An epic personable story with an assortment of different gameplays (big shout out for turn based battles!), this game is looking so good it actually could become one of my favorite games of all time. Plus it has an awesome kitty.
2. The Last Guardian : At first I wasn't sure where this would place on my list but after starting to read the so far excellent book,
Shadow of the Colossus by Nick Suttner, where he explores the impact of that seminal game I knew this had to go high. Many have been waiting and believing in this game for so long now it's hard to imagine how it could ever live up to the hype. I then just remember the sheer achievement that was SotC and it makes me believe. Plus it has an awesome kitty... thing.
3. Final Fantasy XV : I couldn't believe my eyes when Episode Duscae loaded up on my PS4 with a rather lovely piano version of Somnus playing in the background. While it was still WIP it was a great taste of what's to come. But it didn't light me on fire (RIP ATB\CTB). However seeing the team employ the same strategy as the FFXI: ARR team (Based Yoshi-P) where they communicate often and are asking for feedback I'm just excited to see what the end result will be. I love Final Fantasy very much and it's been too long since I had that experience again. I hope this delivers just that. Plus it has an awesome wolf in armor.
4. Dark Souls 3 : Bloodborne is my Game of the Year for 2015. I loved it from start to finish, Miyazaki just refined and honed his despair driving formula to nigh perfection. The design of that world alone was stunning and this looks to continue with DSIII. I don't know how From is able to deliver all of these games to a high standard in such a short time span but after just completing The Old Hunters I'm hungry for more death.
5. Mass Effect: Andromeda : Mass Effect was the first WRPG that I played that finally clicked for me. A JRPG guy at heart, ME2 finally broke through my barrier and I couldn't get enough of it;s story, gameplay and (most importantly) it's amazing characters. While I didn't like the ending for 3 it doesn't sully my excitement for Andromeda. Actually it's been quite a while now my excitement is rather high.
6. Firewatch : I was going to stop at 5 but then I saw this in one of the lists and just had to add it. I adore this kind of story based exploration type game (big shout out to Everybody's Gone to the Rapture) and everything I've seen just make's this look so engrossing (and funny!). I know I'll just get lost in this intimate game and looking forward to the weekend I'll carve out for it.
Honorable Mentions:
Zelda U : I was goin to add this but it's been so long since we saw anything of actual substance. I also expect it to come out on NX at launch so there's still a lot to come for this game. Either way I'll be there day one, the art style alone has me.
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom : This one is still so new but my goodness did I love the first game. This was the utter highlight of PSX for me. It's not confirmed for 2016 so can't go on the list but I'm very excited.
Gravity Rush 2 : I punched the air when this was announced. I wasn't sure if my favorite Vita game would ever get a sequel and to see it come back it's just simply magic. It's gravity based gameplay it's just so fun as well as it's story. I'm definitely getting the remaster and then will sit very quietly until it's deserved sequel appears. It's also not confirmed for 2016 so can't go on the list but I can't wait. Plus... it has a very awesome kitty
