Top 5 Games of 2016 (Game of the Decade Countdown)

By: Ryan Ramakrishnan

2016 is sort of the middle of the current console generation. It was a time for some games we had been seeing since the PS4 and Xbox One debuted. It was a year of many notably great sequels and reboots. And 2016 saw some of my favorite games of the generation in a year I didn’t realize was so packed. Sadly however I did also miss some of the best games released then so this list is, in theory, subject to change.

My top 5 games of 2016 are as follows:

5. Mafia III

I never played “Mafia” before going into the 2016 sequel felt like entering a new I.P.. And it turned out to be one of my top games of that year. I loved “Mafia 3.” This was a very interesting game because of the storytelling and writing, as well as the open world of New Bordeaux. I really enjoyed Lincoln Clay. I found his voice acting and writing to be great and the plot revolving around his uprising above the mafia was wonderful. The storytelling and cutscenes made “Mafia 3” feel like a film. I loved that. I can’t say the gameplay was always amazing, as it did veer into repetitiveness after some time. I did however still have a lot of fun fun with it. Most notable was the violent aspect of it. Close-up shotgun kills, head-shots or stabbing or choking enemies out felt satisfying and it made Lincoln show his true colors as a war vet and a badass. I overall understand the flaws in this title but looking back at 2016, I really have fond memories of enjoying this title and hope for more in the world of “Mafia” soon.

4. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

While I didn’t like “Uncharted 4” as much as 3 in some ways, or even 2 (nostalgia is powerful), it was definitely the best game in the franchise. The already great series out of Naughty Dog was at its peak in 2016 with “Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.” The game objectively did everything right and better. Graphics were amazing. Gameplay was refined. Characters were at their best and the story was interesting and heartfelt. And the game was generally speaking, a special experience. “Uncharted 4” made me so happy with its guns, traversal, level design, character development and the narrative's main points. Sam was a great addition, as was Nadine. The brother dynamic of the story in “Uncharted 4” was excellent. And there ending was perfect. It was overall a wonderful sequel and game in general.

3. Ratchet & Clank

I feel that the reboot or remake of “Ratchet & Clank” was way underrated. There aren’t many games on the PlayStation 4, a console I religiously played to this day since 2013, that made me want to get the Platinum trophy enough to actually do it. “Ratchet & Clank” was so much fun to me that I played through it three whole times. The game never got old or tiresome. It felt as fun each and every time and every moment within. “Ratchet & Clank” was a joy to blast through thanks to a multitude of aspects done right in it. Insomniac Games implemented a system of leveling up weapons which gave me even more of an incentive to use each and every one, even though I knew I was going to anyway since they were literally all entertaining. The game oozes charm. The ritual characters and those around them are fun, funny and delightful. The story is sweet and harmless but relatively entertaining to follow to the end. “Ratchet & Clank” has a lot of heart and is endlessly fun. And for those reasons, I stand by this game and think any PS4 owner needs to play it.

2. DOOM

Bethesda's and iD Software’s reboot of the “Doom” series was one of the best first person shooters I have ever played. Though “Titanfall 2” came close to making this list, being a flagship of the genre in recent years, I think that there are few games as fun as “DOOM.” The game was fast-paced, brutal and thrilling at all times. Danger lurked around every corner but I always knew I would be able to destroy that danger in an instant with the admirable guns at my disposal. The gunplay felt great. I had power like no other in “Doom.” And movement in the game was so much fun thanks to its versatility. Gameplay proved to be super smooth, as I dashed around the map shooting down demons and gathering more ammo to rinse and repeat. The gameplay is as fun as it gets in a game like such. “Doom’s” intense action made me feel powerful and it got me very hyped the entire run through its campaign.

1. Watch Dogs 2

Ubisoft failed to impress people in 2014 with “Watch Dogs.” I wasn’t one of those people. I enjoyed it a lot. Fast forward two years and one of my favorite games of the entire decade released. Not only did “Watch Dogs 2” prove to be a personal favorite but it also did everything better than its predecessor. “Watch Dogs 2” is a prime example of how a sequel should be done. Ubisoft Montreal improved everything from the character to the world itself. Marcus Holloway was one of the most entertaining and likable characters I have seen in a while. I loved following his story, even if wasn’t the most intense, compelling or emotional tale. Marcus had a lot of charm and he was fun to take control of. And his allies and enemies weren’t too bad themselves. I found myself very entertained at all times in “Watch Dogs 2.” The open world was breathtaking in its comparison to real life in San Francisco. There was a lot to see and do. Side missions felt fun. Story missions were engaging and memorable. “Watch Dogs 2” let me wear some of the coolest clothes and had so many clothing options to choose from. Cars were awesome to look at, customize colors of and drive. And the world was a fun playground at all times. Marcus had some great guns to shoot and hacking abilities that are way cooler than the last game. It was genuinely a great sequel and “Watch Dogs 2” is easily one of my personal favorite games of all of my gaming life.

And there you have it: my favorite five titles released in 2016? Which games from that year did you enjoy the most? What is your number one game of 2016? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.