The Best Game of August 2016

Honorable Mention #1: Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X

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Senior Reviews Editor Zhiqing Wan: Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X is one of the most precise rhythm games in the market right now. Start panicking and mashing buttons, and you’ll end up failing the song requirements, or worse, miss out on unlocking a really cute outfit.

There’s a simple kind of enjoyment to be had from organizing your outfits, your medley of songs for the brilliant events in Project DIVA X, and nailing everything together with the utmost precision in your rhythmic button presses. Rhythm games are a bit of a niche genre in the western market, and Project DIVA X does come with some unnecessary visual novel elements too. But give Miku a chance, and you might just find yourself enamored by the earnestness of these happy-go-lucky virtual idols too.

Honorable Mention #2: No Man’s Sky

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Senior Features Editor Ishmael Romero: No Man’s Sky is not for everybody. It’s a game that is more focused on exploration and discovery than extensive systems of gameplay mechanics and features. There isn’t much to No Man’s Sky other than the idea of exploring an impossibly large universe with the freedom to go as you please. For most that just isn’t enough, but for me that was where Hello Games’ latest release held most of its charm.

There’s something oddly serene about simply floating through space with nothing driving you but your own desire to see what’s next. It’s the lonely road, the one where it’s just you and wherever your ship can take you is where No Man’s Sky shines. Landing on a planet and seeking out artifacts along with odd looking creatures, visiting Space Stations and just watching ships land as you sit there silently, taking on pirates just because they happened to cross your path, these are all things that feed into the sense of you being just a speck in it all.

No Man’s Sky perfectly encapsulates what it means to be one in a sea of infinite beings. Yet, it allows you to find your own brand of significance as you sail through the stars, intent on making your own adventure.

Honorable Mention #3: Madden NFL

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Managing Editor Ed McGlone: This year’s edition of Madden might not be the bravest, but it’s certainly among the most polished we’ve seen in recent years. Last year, EA Tiburon shook things up to freshen up a franchise that was getting more stale with each passing iteration. This year, they started to straighten up all the photos on the wall so to speak, and build on what they accomplished with Madden NFL 16.

All sides of the ball got attention this year. Ball carrying is more involved, the defense is smarter and deeper, and you actually have something to do during field goal attempts and kicks. There’s also a genuine effort to make Madden 17 more of an esport this year. Competitive play has received an overhaul, complete with a more detailed ranking system.

It’s rare that annual sport games go and reinvent the wheel. Developers really just don’t have the time. Instead, what you want as a sport game fan is that the gameplay gets refined and smarter every year, and that new modes/features freshen up the experience. Madden NFL 17 did all that, and did so without messing up or removing anything that worked well last year.

August 2016’s Game of the Month: Attack on Titan

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Senior Features Editor Ishmael Romero: Attack on Titan shouldn’t be as good as it is, not by a long shot. Developers have gotten much better at bringing licensed properties to life, but you can always point out the instances where they tried (and failed) to force an anime/manga/movie/cartoon and video game mechanics to play nice. With Attack on Titan the need for quick traversal akin to Spider-Man’s swinging, horrifically large enemies, and brutal combat were at the forefront of every fan’s wishlist. Omega Force, known for their hit series Dynasty Warriors, had their work cut out for them. How were they going to switch up what has worked wonders for them over the past couple of decades to deliver something truly amazing? The answer, it turns out, was quite simple: they brought the anime to life exactly how it appears on screen.

When you step into the game, you can’t help but feel that you’re really in the Scout Regiment and playing a critical role in the Attack on Titan lore. Moving through trees and over buildings at break-neck speeds is as fun as it sounds, but the added threat of random Titans seeking to snatch you out of the sky for the sole purpose of consuming your body keeps the tension up. Combat is fast-paced and strategic, forcing you to stay aware of your surroundings, keep it moving, and strike with precision all at once. The balance offered by the transitions between mobility and combat are well executed to the point that you forget you’re playing a licensed anime game, which is Attack on Titan’s biggest strength.

It’s not just a really good licensed game either. Attack on Titan is a damn good video game no matter what title or characters you slap onto it. The mechanics are fine-tuned to be fun and challenging, the presentation is beautiful, and there is a ton of content to jump into either alone, or with friends. Even if you aren’t a fan of the source material, you’ll fine something to like about Attack on Titan.

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That does it for our August 2016 Game of the Month round up. Congratulations to Attack on Titan! What were your favorite games this month? Let us know in the comments!