The Best Games of December 2017
Honorable Mention: Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Read the Review!
Senior Editor Hayes Madsen: The Nintendo Switch has had an impressive first year to say the least, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was a great way to close things out. This pseudo-sequel takes place in the world of Alrest, where humanity lives on the backs of massive titans that roam the world. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 matches both the scope and scale of the previous two games, while making improvements to the overall flow and presentation.
Combat is a bit more streamlined visually, but manages to be every bit as complex with your characters taking the role of Drivers, who can each equip up to three different Blades, or support characters. This complexity carries over to the multiple different systems within the game, like the economy and Dev Level of each area, or the way you need different levels of skills to explore the world and find secrets. The new anime art style works well, and the world of Alrest has some absolutely stunning locations, matched by one of the best soundtracks in all of 2017.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is an incredibly ambitious game, with a cast of characters that manage to be both charming and memorable. In a year already packed with great titles on the Switch, this one deserves a special mention.
