Top 10 Best Video Games of the Year (2017)

Top 10 Best Video Games of 2017

It’s been a great year for games. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Best Video Games of 2017.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the very best that 2017 had to offer - and trust us, there was plenty to choose from. These are the games that we’ll be keeping on our shelves because we’ll still be playing them well into the new year.

#10: “Resident Evil 7: Biohazard” (2017)

Let’s face it, this game had everything going against it. Fans haven’t been too thrilled with the Resident Evil franchise thanks to the lack of scares in RE6. They were also pretty skeptical about the look of RE7. First person? A crazy country bunkin’ family instead of zombies? But the game proved to be a contender for one of the most frightening experiences of the year, and Resident Evil returned to its survival horror roots with good gameplay, creepy environments, and a dinner scene that we’ll never forget. Go tell Aunt Rhody that RE fans are satisfied.

#9: “Cuphead” (2017)

Sometimes, you run into a game that’s so charming that you can immediately tell that it’ll be an instant classic. You can feel the love that went into every frame, from the traditional animation that takes us back to the 30s, to the catchy beats that light up that rip roarin’ soundtrack. You can also feel the sheer sadistic nature of the developers EVERY. TIME. YOU. DIE! But like most punishing games, there’s a real sense of triumph when you finally win the day, and you find yourself enjoying the misadventures of a cup and a mug... give or take a few retries.

#8: “Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus” (2017)

Talk about some interesting timing for this release. Wolfenstein II picks up where the last game left off and continues the “what if” story where Nazis won WWII. William “B.J” Blazkowicz returns and has admittedly seen better days, but that doesn’t stop him from getting some pretty sweet guns and doing what the Wolfenstein series does best: gunning down every Nazi on screen. It’s an almost cathartic entry into the FPS genre, with the occasional crazy story moments, and plenty of fast-paced action that’ll keep you on your toes. It’s exactly what you want out of a video game sequel: it’s bigger, better, and just downright fun.

#7: “Horizon: Zero Dawn” (2017)

When we got our first glimpse of the hodge-podge of nature and technology that makes up this new IP, we knew it was going to be something great. Set in the 31st century, our world has been taken over by machines, but instead of looking like the nightmarish futures where killer robots have decimated the land, the world is a beautiful landscape of plants and wildlife as mankind has returned to its primitive roots. Combined with a compelling story, memorable characters, and creatures that’ll make your jaw drop, this is a definite must-have for your PS4.

#6: “NieR: Automata” (2017)

If you’re looking to find some deeper meaning of life within your hack and slash games, this is definitely the game for you. Think of it as that one beautifully stylized anime series that doesn’t look like much at first glance, but three episodes in you’re a giant ball of feels as the lead android slashes her way through the world. Taking place after NieR’s fourth ending, the story involves a war between the remnants of humanity and a machine army and features a balance of incredible gameplay, memorable characters, and an engaging story you’ll still be trying to decipher well after the credits roll. It’s an incredibly rewarding gameplay experience.

#5: “Divinity: Original Sin 2” (2017)

There are roleplaying games, and then there’s Divinity: Original Sin 2 because... phew, what a game! Taking place centuries after the first game, Sorcerers have been branded as criminals, which, of course, means that your character is a Sorcerer. Once you create your character, you set off on an ever-expanding journey full of sidequests, intriguing characters, remarkable lands, harrowing battles, and enough branching pathways that you’ll probably replay the game until they announce the third game, and even then, there’ll still be room for one to discover new things.

#4: “Super Mario Odyssey” (2017)

Mario games tend to be the titles you can always depend on. The plot is basic, but the gameplay is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. This game takes all of that and ups it tenfold. It introduces a new gameplay mechanic that’ll make you think outside the box -- or, in this case, the cap. It brings us new worlds that are full of collectibles that’ll keep you exploring the beautifully crafted world. It’s everything you’d want from a new Mario game for a new Nintendo console.

#3: “Persona 5” (2017)

When you’re wrongfully imprisoned and forced to live out your days in a new town, the best course of action is to head into weird palaces, hop on a creepy subway, become a swanky thief, and steal hearts with a cat -- sorry, not a cat. The Persona series strikes again and has taken the hearts of JRPG fans the world over, but this particular entry really stands out with its art style, music, and the sheer amount of things you can do in the game... assuming your cat doesn’t force you to go to bed. Damnit Morgana, we’re Phantom Thieves now, we can stay up late if we want!

#2: “PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds” (2017)

This game has no right to be as addictive as it is. In fact, its flaws should probably keep it off this list. The bugs. The loot crates. The fact that it’s still in Alpha and only has one map. But it manages to do the one thing that video games are supposed to do: be a hell of a good time. Up to 100 players fight in a battle royale after they parachute down to the map, causing a mad dash to find enough equipment to stay alive and take out adversaries. It’s fast-paced, it’s strategic, and it’s the most played game on Steam to date.

Before we get to our number one pick, here are some honorable mentions:

“Destiny 2” (2017)

“Injustice 2” (2017)

“Nioh” (2017)

“Sonic Mania” (2017)

“Total War: Warhammer II” (2017)

#1: “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” (2017)

Open. World. Zelda. There, entry over, don’t forget to like and subscribe! All right, we know the Zelda franchise has had its fair share of big and epic games, but none have ever been THIS HUGE and this stunning to look at. The gameplay is out of this world and you have to think about every move you make, whether it’s combing through a puzzle-filled temple, deciding what spices to use for your food, or even deciding what clothes to wear on your journey. This game is an absolute masterpiece, and it’s definitely one of the most definitive Zelda titles in the franchise.