Monday, January 30, 2017

Second Annual Multi-Platformer Awards

Last year, I had the nerve to think my opinion mattered enough that those games I considered the best should be considered "awarded". Well, now I'm back. It certainly hasn't felt like a year, but it certainly has been. In a world forever changed by my face reveal and my overbearing Pokkén Tournament review, it's time for the second annual Multies!

DISCLAIMER: Jax Silverman is a human being who has a crap ton of other things to do. Odds are he'll never even play all the video games he owns until he's 27. Because of this, he hasn't played every game this year nor is his opinion meant as an attack on the opinions of others. In laymen's terms: Leave him alone, he's just a kid who refers to himself in the third person.

Best Game I haven't played: Battlefield 1
It's hard to imagine someone who hasn't played this beast of an FPS unless you're me in which case it's only a little difficult to imagine. But it's true: I haven't played Battlefield 1. I tend to exercise caution when considering new first-person shooters as I've been burned before (not naming names, but I've met some unfriendly GHOSTS). So that's why I haven't been too hasty about checking it out myself, but from what I've heard, it's hitting a lot of the right notes for some people, so it doesn't seem right not to mention it. 

And before you ask, no, I still haven't played Rocket League...

Best Game I Discovered This Year: Fire Emblem: Awakening
If I remember correctly, this time last year, I assumed that I didn't like Fire Emblem whatsoever. Now, after discovering the franchise at its peak (possibly second to Fates, but who's counting), I can honestly say I've never been more wrong. 

Best Wii U exclusive: Pokkén Tournament
Despite being a little overcomplicated compared to what we expected, Pokkén Tournament certainly fulfilled the niche it was meant for, finally allowing long-time fans to play out battles with a little more action than ever before.

Best Remake/Remaster: Doom
It's certainly not a remaster, and most wouldn't exactly consider it a remake, but Doom(2016) definitely retreads the ground of the original Doom. Returning to the fast-paced, "no room for subtlety" gameplay of an era long ago, Doom is a great way to introduce new players to old gameplay and old players to new gameplay. And the multiplayer is...there.

Presenting our next award, we go to our resident Xbox correspondent, Crate-Pusher Jim:

Thanks Jax. If you're looking to get the Xbox One over the PlayStation 4, then you should consider buying Gears of War 4. Gears of War is probably the best exclusive out right now. It has a fun campaign, classic hoard mode and a multiplayer that is the best it has ever been. Plus, all future maps and game modes are 100% free so there is no reason not to buy it. And yes, while the microtransaction system in this game may cause concern, it is purely cosmetic items that can be obtained in loot crates.

Thanks for the insight, Jim.

Character of the Year: Spider-Man
Technically, most of this character's achievements haven't been in gaming this year, but the little bugger (pun intended) has had quite a year. With Captain America: Civil War behind us, and Spider-Man: Homecoming dead ahead, one would imagine Peter Parker wouldn't have time to be swinging onto the PlayStation 4 next year, but one would be dead wrong.

Biggest "Fuck You": Sean Murray
I guess this kind of goes to everyone at Hello Games, but if we're being honest, there isn't a single one of us who would blame the ship instead of the captain. The company is under investigation for false advertisement due to Murray's false statements; the company failed to communicate with their audience when they cried out about the game's issues; and this man did it all with that goofy smile on his face. Fuck you, Sean Murray. Fuck you.

"We Salute You" Award: Nintendo Wii U
With the Nintendo Switch prepped to cannibalize whatever market was left for the Wii U this march, it's about time to start looking back at Nintendo's quirky misstep in the modern market. Despite failing to provide the same value as today's PlayStations and Xboxes, the Wii U brought plenty of great games to the world. Even on its deathbed, it kept producing lovable games for those loyal enough to stick around. We salute you, Wii U. We salute you.

Best PS4 Exclusive: Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Was there ever any doubt that this was the best exclusive Sony had to offer this year? This game is the quintessential Uncharted experience. Years of refining their engine and their story-telling skills has payed off in full to Naughty Dog. 

Most 2017 Hype: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
It's been a long time. It's been a wild ride. But we're almost there. From Zelda Wii U to Zelda NX to Breath of the Wild, we've been following this game from the beginning and now, in the final stretch before our dedication pays off, it's already clear that we're going to love what we get. Unless I jinx it again. Fu-


Game of the Year: Overwatch
In essence, Overwatch is a case study in how to combine the old and the new into something that's far greater than the sum of its parts. I honestly can't believe I ever doubted Overwatch for a second. There's nothing quite like the action-heavy spectacle of running around a room full of good guys, like real super-heroes! Despite its understandable criticisms, Overwatch is the type of game everyone should play and keep playing for a long, long time. Ya know, the world could always use more games like Overwatch...

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go think of more ways to make Crate-Pusher Jim do stuff. He's an intern, so I can do that. And his name isn't really Jim. And come to think of it, I don't even know if he's ever actually pushed any crates. I wonder if I can make interns push crates...

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