10) Little Nightmares – Metacritic Score: 81 (Average)
Little Nightmares is a dark platformer that tells the tale of Six’s escape from a mysterious world, with puzzles focusing on the environment and the corrupted souls that inhabit it. The game is beautiful and creepy, with a unique atmosphere that makes each and every puzzle even more intense. Creeping past the grotesque creatures towards the next puzzle creates a feeling of terror, and rather than making you jump after turning every corner, it can make your skin tingle with uncertainty.
However, some critics say that the puzzles are far too easy, which removes some of the tension. In a genre dominated by Limbo and Inside, Little Nightmares’ tone and inventive setting makes is stand out. You can check out our review here.
9)Â The Sexy Brutale – Metacritic Score: 82 (Average)
The Sexy Brutale is a puzzle adventure game that tasks players with exploring a mansion that’s stuck in a constant time loop as its inhabitants are killed off. You already know who the killer is, but you still need to stop every murder by using the clues found in the intricately designed environment to solve puzzles.
The distinctive art style and excellent music make The Sexy Brutale feel like a classic adventure game and the plot is intriguing until the excellent ending. The puzzles come from exploring the world of The Sexy Brutale and they are unique, complex and challenging throughout. Some critics say that the gameplay lacks depth since the game is no longer than eight hours, but most say that the positives far outweigh any negatives.
8)Â Cities: Skylines – Xbox One Edition – Metacritic Score: 83
City construction sims are not something that we often get on consoles. Cities: Skylines was excellent on PC, especially after some technical issues were resolved, but you can now build your dream city from the comfort of your sofa. Critics have some issues with it, including some technical hitches that have come across from the PC version and some missing content. Despite these niggles, most say that it is comfortably the best construction sim available on consoles.
The game is relaxing, even without the ability to fast-forward time that was in the PC version, and the controls and menu have been adapted excellently for the Xbox One controller. It is a game that you’ll find hard to put down, as was the case with the PC version, but you may want to stick with the original format for the best overall experience.
7)Â Planescape: Torment – Enhanced Edition (PC) – Metacritic Score: 84
Originally released for PC in late 1999, Planescape: Torment is an RPG that tells the story of The Nameless One, who travels through the dark fantasy city of Sigil to reclaim the memories of his previous lives. The game is part of the Dungeons and Dragons Multiverse and is focused on narrative rather than deep combat. You explore the world alongside bizarre companions, solving puzzles and learning about your character along the way.
The Enhanced Edition makes enough improvements, without any of them being game-changing, that make it worthwhile playing and the definitive version of this classic RPG. You will be overwhelmed by quests and other things to do and enthralled by the story at the same time. Planescape: Torment – Enhanced Edition is a great way to honor a wonderful role playing game.
6) Puyo Puyo Tetris – Metacritic Score: 84 (Average)
The two juggernaut puzzle games have combined to create one the best games in the genre so far this year. The two distinct puzzle styles combine to form a fast-paced, competitive game like no other, that is perfect for parties and for on-the-go gaming on the Nintendo Switch. There is a ton of content for you to get to grips with here, too. The adventure mode features ten acts, each seeing appearances from characters from the two franchises. There is also local play that allows up to four players to test their skills against each other, as well as single-player arcade play and online modes.
Critics say that Puyo Puyo Tetris is beautifully presented, packed with content, and perfect for Switch owners both young and old. Some say that balancing problems can be an issue but it isn’t a widespread complaint. You can read our review here.
5) Enter the Gungeon (Xbox One) – Metacritic Score: 85
Enter the Gungeon, the rogue-like dungeon crawler originally came to PC and PlayStation 4 last year, but it finally made its way to Microsoft’s console this month. With the focus being on guns and firefights, Enter the Gungeon is fast-paced, frenetic, and challenging and has been compared to games like The Binding of Isaac and Nuclear Throne.
Critics have said that the Xbox One version is just as beautiful as you’d expect and that the gameplay is enticing from beginning to end. Since the concept is simple and easy to learn, Enter the Gungeon is a great place for gamers that are new to the genre to jump in, and the challenge and deep combat makes it equally as perfect for rogue-like veterans. The only criticism comes from critics that feel that the game is far better as a top-down shooter than it is a rouge-like.
4) Bayonetta (PC) – Metacritic Score: 90
Most people already know that Bayonetta is a fantastic game since it originally released on last generation consoles seven years ago. Now, the masterpiece has finally made its way to PC and it’s the definitive way to play it. The graphics have been updated to a smooth 60fps and 4k resolution so you can now see every little detail you may have missed in 2010.
Bayonetta is one of the best action games of the past decade and the gameplay is bettered only by its own sequel that we’ll also hopefully see come to PC in the future. The story of a gun-wielding witch with powers beyond anyone’s comprehension is just as over the top as the action itself and it’s worth playing whether it’s your first or fourth time playing it. Masterpieces stay masterpieces, even as they age.
3) What Remains of Edith Finch – Metacritic Score: 90 (Average)
What Remains of Edith Finch is a perfect example of the unique ways that video games can tell stories. Giant Sparrow’s latest title sees Edith return home, where her family lived for over a century, to learn how her loved ones passed away, each of them in very unlucky ways. Each death is portrayed through a short allegory which are all woven together by the beautifully written commentary from Edith. The tales are told in incredibly unique ways, including an old-school horror comic, a day-dream that slowly takes over the screen, and through a camera on a hunting trip. The tone is more of acceptance and love than it is of death and sadness.
What Remains of Edith Finch perfectly captures the joy of storytelling and confirms that Giant Sparrow are experts when it comes to crafting unique pieces of narrative. The game has faced some criticisms due to its short, two-hour length, or from those that didn’t enjoy the story as a whole. Check out what we thought of What Remains of Edith Finch here.
2) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Metacritic Score: 93
Mario Kart 8 was great on Wii U, but the console’s issues and the lack of a serviceable battle mode held the game back from being one of the best in the series. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, however, is comfortably up there with the best Mario racers. The game looks beautiful on both the handheld and on your TV via the dock, the huge amount of DLC adds a lot of extra value to the game, and the reworked battle mode adds something that even seasoned Mario Kart 8 fans will find refreshing.
There are 48 courses, 42 characters, eight battle arenas, five different battle modes, and the always extensive local and online multiplayer features. While some may shake their head at paying full price for what is essentially a port of a three-year-old game, critics insist that there is more than enough content to justify any Switch owner picking the game up. You can read our full thoughts on the game in our review here.
1)Persona 5 – Metacritic Score: 93
Critics have overwhelmingly regarded Persona 5 as the best game of April 2017, with every one of the 81 reviews on Metacritic being positive, putting it up there with the best games of the year. After moving to a new school in Tokyo, your protagonist joins a band of heroes called the ‘Phantom Thieves’ as they try to rid their world of people with distasteful desires. During your time in the game, you’ll form deep relationships with classmates and locals and spend time improving your chances of overcoming the shadows in each palace.
Critics have hailed Persona 5Â as one of the best JRPGs of all time – one that is accessible, expansive, stylish, and enjoyable, making it a masterpiece of the genre. From the combat to the social interactions, every aspect of Persona 5 is presented perfectly. While some critics, including Twinfinite’s own reviewer, say that the core message is weak at times, it is undoubtedly a wonderful experience. You can read our review here.
Published: May 3, 2017 11:55 am