Top 5 Games of 2015 (Game of the Year Countdown)

By: Ryan Ramakrishnan

There are a few massive titles released in 2015 that just won’t be on my list. This is subjective after all. I do however love the games I will be talking about. I have fond memories of my favorite games ads you do your’s. So here is a list of the game I loved the most from one of the best years for released during the console generation.

My top 5 games of 2015 are as follows:

5. Rise of the Tomb Raider

I previously talked about my adoration for the 2013 reboot of “Tomb Raider.” Its follow-up, formerly an Xbox One exclusive, “Rise of the Tomb Raider” is a very great sequel. It, in many ways, one-ups the predecessor. “Rise of the Tomb Raider” has a culmination of stunning graphics in its cold world, exciting combat, compelling puzzles, world-building and lore and an interesting narrative. I personally remember the game most fondly for its gameplay. Fighting enemies in this title felt amazing. The title offered guns, bows and arrows, melee weapons and more, as the series does, but it all felt even better this time around. “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” most importantly went into a semi-open world but not entirely open. The sandbox style of level design made it very fun to explore and return to previous areas. The adventurer was unforgettable and Lara Croft’s story was great once more.

4. Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate

Despite the fact that “Origins” and “Odyssey” are incredible steps forward, I still have positive feelings for the older titles in the “Assassin's Creed” franchise. One of my favorite, possibly my number one before the most recent titles, is “Syndicate.” I found this to be a very fresh adventure and it was sadly slept on after “Unity” was problematic at the same time gamers got franchise fatigue. I loved the characters above all else. Jacob and Evie Frye were fun and intriguing protagonists. Each of them had their own reasons to be enjoyed. I liked the story of them and their relationship. The Frye twins were some of the best characters in the series and they alone made it a great title. But “Assassin's Creed: Syndicate” also has the honor of having a fresh Victorian Era setting. The world felt lived in and was interesting. Ubisoft once more nailed the realism and historical accuracy and how it combined with the less-than-real concepts. I thought the story was fun to follow, the gameplay was still fun, using cars and different items and weapons to freshen things up a bit, and like I said, the protagonists were great. It was overall a title I’d call underrated.

3. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Now that Hideo Kojima has his own studio and is knee-deep in “Death Stranding,” the series of “Metal Gear” may never see another proper sequel. This is sad but fortunately, 2015’s “Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom, Pain” was an amazing game by all accounts. The story wasn’t incredible but even though the narrative had left something to desire, the gameplay made me forget about that. “Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain” is one of the best games ever made in terms of gameplay. It is genuinely impressive. This game felt so good to play because of the many mechanics and how well-thought out they are. Stealth was at its finest. And going in guns blazing was also very fun and viable. “The Phantom Pain” had a nice variety of guns and other weapons. The gameplay made for osm,e very fun experiments in accomplishing goals. It si super well-designed. And I loved every bit of it. I often compare other open world titles to how this one played. Even with the often shallow locations and problematic story, “Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain” was just so great. And the cinematic moments we did get were epic as expected. Characters who did get light shined on them were unique and interesting, once more, as expected. Kojima and Konami’s final project of “Metal Gear Solid” was definitely a true wonder.

2. Mortal Kombat X

Netherrealm Studios if responsible for five amazing games this decade and I loved all of them. 2015’s “Mortal Kombat X” really stood out that year above many other games. I seriously loved this sequel and spent so much time with the fighter. It might be my favorite of the series. “Mortal Kombat X” was incredibly well-made. The game offered some best-feeling fighting. Gameplay was as refined as server. It had amazing combos, stylish moves unique to every character and disgusting yet awesome fatalities. Using different variations for each member of the rooster allowed me to play differently to my opponent, something that would obviously shape the systems of “Injustice 2” and “Mortal Kombat 11” later. This game had an all-star roster with new and old faces. Netherrealm decided to introduce younger characters who are relatives of classics. They gave us some very different fighters alongside some of the most iconic. And everyone seemed versatile and had the potential to be good. The campaign was very well-done with great cinematics, storytelling, fun moments and decent writing too. It was overall pretty epic in retrospect. I loved everything about “Mortal Kombat X” and never forget how fun the title was.

1. Batman: Arkham Knight

“Batman: Arkham City” is one of my favorite games of the decade and it's honestly hard to decide if I like it or the sequel more. In 2015, what felt like a very long wait finally ended with the release of “Batman: Arkham Knight.” The game had me hooked from the get go. I ended up genujekly enjoying the game more than any released that year or even the year before. “Being Batman felt amazing. The combat and gameplay mechanics were refined and polished now. They are the best here. It felt great to use the many gadgets and fight in the free-flowing combat more than ever before. “Batman: Arkham Knight” looked gorgeous. The graphics really impressed me and still do. Gliding around a bigger and prettier Gotham was a spectacle and the many events going on made it always interesting. I found myself often engrossed in side missions and smaller side events. “Arkham Knight” may have had a story that was predictable but the narrative is still executed really well. Acting is top-tier from Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill of course as the voices of Batman and the Joker. And the dynamic between the characters was super compelling and made it totally okay and even welcoming to see more of the Joker-post death. The game was generally one of the most fun and entertaining of its kind for my taste. And even the Batmobile had its moments.


Did you enjoy the games I listed as much as I did? Or were you a fan of the other big 2015 games instead? Share with me all of your thoughts in the comments below.