Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Resident Evil basically invented the survival horror genre, but over the years it mutated into just another mindless zombie shooter. Taking the series back to its roots, Resident Evil 7 is not just the best Resident Evilgame in years (or maybe ever), it's one of the best horror games, period.
Players take control of everyman Ethan Winters, who winds up trapped in a derelict plantation house in Louisiana. There, you're stalked by the deranged Baker family, who are as relentless as they are immortal. Fighting back only slows them down long enough for you to run and hide, which is a great way to ramp up the terror factor and make you feel utterly powerless. The cower-in-a-corner gameplay calls to mind indie horror darlings like Outlast and Amnesia, and it's awesome to see that get the big-budget treatment.
To sweeten the deal, the game got a bumper crop of DLC, including two new story chapters released just last week. And if you're feeling particularly brave, the PS4 version is playable in PlayStation VR.
Horizon Zero Dawn
In an age when publishers shy away from new IPs and sequels dominate, it was nice to see a game released that bucked that trend and proved an immediate success. And rightfully so – Horizon Zero Dawn delivered addictive gameplay wrapped up in an engrossing story that followed the adventures of an interesting protagonist. Set in a future post-apocalyptic world populated with robot dinosaurs, the core gameplay of taking down these varied techno beasts never got old, while the story holds your interest throughout, thanks in large part to a lead character that is actually likeable.
A simple crafting system and logical leveling system also contributed to proceedings, and let's not forget the visuals, which were fantastic. The game just looked beautiful on screen, so much so it's one of the few games I've actually bothered playing around with the impressive photo mode that made it easy to create stunning screenshots. All in all, this PS4 exclusive was easily one of the best games of the year on any platform. We've already seen the release of the Frozen Wilds DLC and the game's success will probably spawn a string of sequels.
The fourth entry in the Mass Effect franchise is a bit of a mixed bag. There's no doubt it was a little disappointing and didn't quite manage to reach the high bar set by the original trilogy, but it's probably worth sticking out on the strength of the characters you meet and worlds you explore.
Picking up 600 years after the last game, Andromeda places the player in charge of an initiative to find a new home for the human race – as well as the Asari, Turians and other species from the series. But the planets of the Andromeda galaxy aren't as habitable as scans suggested, and the locals don't really appreciate being invaded by aliens from the Milky Way.
Sure, the game has its problems. It's loaded with bugs and animation issues, the side quests get a bit dull and repetitive, the story isn't as emotionally engaging and your choices don't seem to matter as much as in the originals. But the huge, gorgeous planets are a pleasure to explore, the combat has been polished to perfection and you'll inevitably get really attached to your ragtag crew.
