2016 Gaming Year - Good or a bit stale?

[GazzaGarratt 11,037]

The drought of decent AAA games made me think if this year has been a decent one or not.

The social aspect of games has definitely increased and we are seeing across the board further ongoing support to games. Increased patches, fixes and enhancements alike which are helping t fine tune our existing game base.

However, the amount of AAA games this year just hasn't been enough in my opinion. That's not all a bad thing, it makes you then have a wider range of games to play because there isn't that significant pull from one stand out game. But the fact that when AAAs have come out, they have been vastly underwhelming, for example No Man's Sky - Great concept, poorly executed. The Division - great concept, poorly executed (see the theme). There's a bunch of nearly games that just tried to jump too high too quickly rather than consolidate and enhance the great concepts they have.

To finish on a couple of positives, other part that 2016 has suffered from is delays (that's not positive!). Yeah, I think this is great news for 2017. Developers are realising you can't just code lazy shit anymore cos you just get shit out. They have seen some of the light that my other positive note to make has.

Bang for your buck - The Witcher. I haven't played it but is plain to see and hear from everyone that played it and what was in the bundle that content matters. That doesn't mean we're going to get some great games off the shelf, it is more likely to come in drops (DLC) but the idea of developers creating great solid gameplay and healthy content drops is the way forward.

TLDR

2016 - A little weak at the knees.

2017 - A great promise awaits.

[J4MES OX4D 10,025]

2016 has been a bit disappointing and we did see some long periods of nothingness but there's been a few highlights including Dark Souls III, Doom, Overwatch, Uncharted 4, Deus Ex Mankind Divided, Forza Horizon 3, FIFA 17, Gears of War 4 and finishing strongly with Battlefield 1, Civilization VI, Planet Coaster, Dishonored 2 and Skyrim Remastered. Jury is out on Watch Dogs 2, Titanfall 2 and Infinite Warfare/Modern Warfare Remastered but there should be something there for everyone to finish the year. 

The Division, Quantum Break and No Man's Sky will all go down as huge disappointments that failed to live up to expectation and will act as a reality check to people getting too hyped up or carried away on the so callled hype train. 

2017 has some promise especially early on and hopefully that will stretch to the rest of the year. Also looking forward to seeing more of games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Wasteland 3. 

[The3rdWalker 1,271]

January

• Amplitude (PS4) – January 5
• Hardware: Rivals (PS4) – January 5
• Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – January 12
• The Banner Saga (PS4, Xbox One) – January 12
• Gone Home (PS4, Xbox One) – January 12 (only release in the US – the European version has been delayed)
• Resident Evil 0 HD Remaster, and Resident Evil Origins Collection (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One – January 19
• Darkest Dungeon (PC) – January 19
• The Deadly Tower of Monsters (PC) – January 19
• A Boy and His Blob (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – January 19
• Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak (PC) – January 20
• Mario and Luigi Paper Jam (3DS) – January 22
• The Witness (PC, PS4) – January 26
• Lego Marvel’s Avengers (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – January 26
• Final Fantasy Explorers (3DS) – January 26
• Slain (PC) – January 27
• Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – January 29
• Bombshell (PC) – January 29
• This War of Mine: The Little Ones (PS4, Xbox One) – January 29
• Rise of the Tomb Raider (PC) – January 28

February

• Cobalt (PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360) – February 2
• Not a Hero (PS4) – February 2
• Crypt of the Necro Dancer (PS4, Vita) – February 2
• Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – February 5
• XCOM 2 (PC) – February 5
• Dying Light: The Following Expansion & Enhanced Edition (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – February 9
• Firewatch (PC, PS4) – February 9
• Arslan The Warriors of Legend (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – February 9
• Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: Russia & trilogy pack (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – February 9
• Unravel (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – February 9
• Gravity Rush Remastered (PS4) – February 9
• Earth Defense Force 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair (PS4) – February 12
• The Ship: Remasted (PC) – February 15
• Street Fighter 5 (PC, PS4) – February 16
• Layers of Fear (PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360) – February 16
• The Escapists: The Walking Dead (PS4) – February 16
• Tron Run/r (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – February 16
• Rainbow Moon (PS4) – February 16
• Pillars of Eternity: The White March expansion – Part 2 (PC) – February 16
• Rocket League (Xbox One) – February 17
• Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc (PC) – February 18
• Fire Emblem: Fates (3DS) – February 19
• Far Cry Primal (PS4, Xbox One) – February 23
• Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – February 23
• The Walking Dead: Michonne (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – February 23
• Hitman Go: Definitive Edition (PC, PS4, PS Vita) – February 23
• Disgaea (PC) – February 24
• The Flame in the Flood (PC, Xbox One) – February 24
• Superhot (PC) – February 25
• Bravely Second: End Layer (3DS) – February 26 (EU)
• Soul Axiom (PC) – February 29

March

• Far Cry Primal (PC) – March 1
• Mortal Kombat XL (PS4, Xbox One) – March 1
• Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (PC) – March 1
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (Wii U) – March 4
• The Division (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – March 8
• Kholat (PS4) – March 8
• The Guest (PC) – March 10
• Deathsmiles (PC) – March 10
• Hitman – Episode 1 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – March 11
• Samurai Warriors 4 Empires (PS4) – March 11
• Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition (PC, Xbox One) – March 11
• WWE 2K16 (PC) – March 11
• EA Sports UFC 2 (PS4, Xbox One) – March 15
• Salt and Sanctuary (PS4, Vita) – March 15
• Need for Speed (PC) – March 15
• Pokken Tournament (Wii U) – March 18
• Paragon (PC Early Access) – March 18
• Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (3DS) – March 18
• Fallout 4: Automatron DLC – (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – March 22
• Republique (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – March 22
• Day of the Tentacle Remastered (PC, PS4, PSVita) – March 22
• Samorost 3 (PC) – March 24
• Trackmania Turbo (PS4) – March 25
• Adrift (PC) – March 28
• MLB The Show 16 (PS3, PS4) – March 29
• Killer Instinct: Season 3 (Xbox One, Windows 10) – March 29
• Resident Evil 6 re-release (PS4, Xbox One) – March 29
• Minecraft: Story Mode – Episode 5 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – March 29
• Hyrule Warriors Legends (3DS) – March 25
• The Descendant – Episode 1 (PC) – March 25
• Nights of Azure (PS4) – March 29
• MXGP 2 The Official Motocross Videogame (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – March 31
• Hyper Light Drifter (PC) – March 31

April

• Quantum Break (Xbox One) – April 5
• Enter the Gungeon (PC, PS4) – April 5
• Dirt Rally (PS4, Xbox One) – April 5
• Dark Souls 3 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – April 12
• Destiny Spring Update (PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – April 12
• Ratchet & Clank (PS4) – April 12
• Fallout 4: Wasteland Workshop DLC – (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – April 12
• Bravely Second: End Layer (3DS) – April 15 (US)
• The Banner Saga 2 (PC) – April 19
• Battlefleet Gothic: Armada (PC) – April 21
• Star Fox Zero (Wii U) – April 22
• Star Fox Guard (Wii U) – April 22
• Dungeons 2 (PS4) – April 22
• Hitman – Episode 2 Sapienza (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – April 26
• Alienation (PS4) – April 26
• Lost Reavers (Wii U) – April 28
• Yo-Kai Watch (3DS) – April 29 Europe
• Time Machine VR (PC) – April
• Pixel Privateers (PC) – Quarter 1

May

• Battleborn (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – May 3
• Superhot (Xbox One) – May 3
• Pocket Card Jockey – (3DS) – May 5
• Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4) – May 10
• The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth (PS4, Xbox One) – May 10
• Final Fantasy 10/10-2 HD Remaster (PC) – May 12
• DOOM (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – May 13
• Disney Art Academy (3DS) – May 13
• Homefront: The Revolution (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – May 17
• Valkyria Chronicles Remastered (PS4) – May 17
• Shadow of the Beast (PS4) – May 17
• Shadwen – (PC, PS4) – May 17
• Fallout 4: Far Harbor DLC – (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – May 19
• Postal Redux (PC) – May 20
• Total War: Warhammer (PC) – May 24
• Overwatch (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – May 24
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – May 24
• Elite Dangerous: The Engineers (PC) – May 26
• The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine expansion (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – May 31
• One Piece: Burning Blood (PS4, Xbox One, Vita) – May 31
• Hitman – Episode 3 Marrakesh (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – May 31
• Oxenfree (PS4) – May 31
• Smite (PS4) – May 31
• Dead Island: Definitive Collection (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – May 31

June

• Hard Reset: Redux (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – June 3
• Dangerous Golf – (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – June 3
• Mirror’s Edge Catalyst (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – June 7
• Minecraft: Story Mode – Episode 6: A Portal to Mystery PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – June 7
• Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir (PS3, PS4, Vita) – June 7
• Kirby: Planet Robobot (3DS) – June 10
• Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – June 10
• Deadlight: Director’s Cut (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – June 21
• Pac-Man 256 – (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – June 21
• Fallout 4 Contraptions Workshop DLC – (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – June 21
• Mighty No. 9 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U) – June 21
• Resident Evil: Umbrella Corps (PC, PS4) – June 21
• Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (Wii U) – June 24
• Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Wii U) – June 24
• The Technomancer (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – June 28
• The Division: DLC 1 Underground (30 days early on Xbox One and PC) – June 28
• LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens (3DS, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – June 28
• Star Ocean 5: Integrity and Faithlessness (PS4) – June 28
• 7 Days to Die (PS4, Xbox One) – June 28
• Resident Evil 5 re-release (PS4, Xbox One) – June 28
• Inside (Xbox One) – June 29

July

• Carmageddon: Max Damage (PS4, Xbox One) – July 5
• Furi (PC, PS4) – July 5
• Hawken (Xbox One, PS4) – July 1, July 8
• The Banner Saga 2 (Xbox One, PS4) – July 1, July 5
• Romance of the Three Kingdoms 13 (PC, PS4) – July 5
• Rocket League: Collector’s Edition retail (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – July 5
• Song of the Deep – (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – July 12
• Necropolis (PC) – July 12
• Fallout Shelter (PC) – July 14
• Monster Hunter Generations – (3DS) – July 15
• Adrift (PS4) – July 15
• Earth Defense Force 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair (PC) – July 18
• Neverwinter (PS4) – July 19
• Kill Strain – (PS4) – July 19 (July 12 for Plus)
• I Am Setsuna (Project Setsuna) – (PC, PS4) – July 19
• Starbound – (PC) – July 22
• Quadrilateral Cowboy (PC) – July 25
• We Happy Few (PC, Xbox One) – Xbox Game Preview and Steam Early Access – July 26
• Fallout 4 Vault-Tec Workshop DLC – (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – July 26
• Headlander – (PC, PS4) – July 26
• Hyper Light Drifter (PS4, Xbox One) – July 26
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 1 and 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – July 26
• Book of Demons (PC, Xbox One) – Steam Early Access July 28
• Pokemon GO – (Mobile) – July
• Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy remaster – (PS4) – delayed from July 18

August

• The Division: DLC 1 Underground (PS4) – August 2
• Abzû (PC, PS4) – August 2
• Batman – The Telltale Series – Episode 1 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – August 2
• Escape from Tarkov alpha – (PC) – August 4
• Little King’s Story (PC) – August 5
• No Man’s Sky (PS4, PC) – August 9/12
• Bound – (PS4) – August 16
• Grow Up (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – August 16
• Hitman – Episode 4 Thailand (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – August 16
• Metroid Prime: Federation Force – (3DS) – August 19
• F1 2016 – (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – August 19
• Obduction (PC) – week of August 22
• Nioh second demo (PS4) – August 23
• Inside (PS4) – August 23
• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – August 23
• Madden NFL 17 – (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – August 23
• The King of Fighters 14 – (PS4) – August 23 NA, 26 EU
• Master of Orion reboot (PC) – August 25
• Assetto Corsa (PS4, Xbox One) – August 26 EU, 30 US
• Attack on Titan: Wings of Freedom (PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Xbox One) – August 26 EU, 30 US
• World of Warcraft: Legion (PC) – August 30
• Verdun – (PS4) – August 30
• Resident Evil 4 re-release (PS4, Xbox One) – August 30
• The Turing Test (PC, Xbox One) – August 30
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – August 30
• Fallout 4 Nuka-World DLC – (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – August 30

September

• Mother Russia Bleeds (PC) – September 5
• The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 2 (PS3, PS Vita) – September 6
• The Tomorrow Children – early access (PS4) – September 6
• Awesomenauts Assemble (Xbox One) – September 7
• Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice (3DS) – September 8
• Halo 5: Forge (PC) – September 8
• Steins;Gate (PC) – September 8
• Jotun: Valhalla Edition (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U) – September 9
• The Elder Scrolls Online Gold Edition (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – September 9
• Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness (PS4, Vita) – September 13
• The Witness (Xbox One) – September 13
• Don’t Starve Together (PS4) – September 13
• Bioshock: The Collection (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – September 13
• Dead Rising Triple Pack (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – September 13
• Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – September 13
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 [PES] (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – September 13
• ReCore (PC, Xbox One) – September 13
• Everspace – early access (PC, Xbox One) – September 14
• Divinity: Original Sin 2 – early access (PC) – September 15
• PlayStation 4 Slim – September 15
• Fractured Space (PC) – September 15
• Dragon Quest 7: Fragments of the Forgotten Past (3DS) – September 16
• NBA 2K17 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – September – 16
• Mount & Blade: Warband (PS4, Xbox One) – September 16
• Destiny: Rise of Iron (PS4, Xbox One) – September 20
• Batman – The Telltale Series – Episode 2 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – September 20
• Dear Esther (PS4, Xbox One) – September 20
• H1Z1: King of the Kil (PC) – September 20
• Star Wars Battlefront – Death Star expansion (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – September 20
• Killer Instinct: Definitive (Xbox One) – September 20
• Firewatch (Xbox One) – September 21
• Virginia (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – September 22
• Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade – (PC) – September 23
• Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (3DS) – September 27
• Forza Horizon 3 (PC, Xbox One) – September 27
• Darkest Dungeon – (PS4, Vita) – September 27
• Smash + Grab – early access (PC) – September 27
• Hitman – Episode 5 Colorado (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – September 27
• XCOM 2 (PS4, Xbox One) – September 27
• FIFA 17 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – September 27
• Quantum Break – (Steam, PC retail) – September 29
• Yo-Kai Watch 2 (3DS) – September 30

October

• Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide (PS4, Xbox One) – October 4
• Rocksmith 2014 Edition – Remastered (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – October 4
• Mortal Kombat XL and Kombat Pack 2 (PC) – October 4
• Necropolis (PS4, Xbox One) – October 4
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered campaign for pre-orders (PS4) – October 5
• Mafia 3 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – October 7
• Paper Mario: Color Splash (Wii U) – October 7
• SUDA51’s The Silver Case remaster (PC) – October 7
• 100ft Robot Golf (PS4, PSVR) – October 10
• Gears of War 4 (PC, Xbox One) – October 11
• Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – October 11
• Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration (PS4) – October 11
• WWE 2K17 (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) – October 11
• Sunless Sea: Zubmariner – (PC) – October 11
• Batman: Arkham VR (PSVR) – October 11
• Metal Gear Solid 5: The Definitive Experience (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – October 11
• Dragon Quest Builders (PS4, Vita) – October 11
• Moto Racer 4 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – October 13
• PlayStation VR – October 13
• Star Wars Battlefront: X-Wing VR Mission (PSVR) – October 13
• Driveclub VR (PS VR) – October 13
• Until Dawn: Rush of Blood (PS VR) – October 13
• RIGS: Mechanized Combat League (PS VR) – October 13
• Rez Infinite (PS4, PS VR) – October 13
• Shadow Warrior 2 (PC) – October 13
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare beta (PS4) – October 14
• Serious Sam VR: The Last Hope (PC) Early Access – October 17
• Rock Band Rivals (PS4, Xbox One) – October 18
• Mordheim: City of the Damned (PS4, Xbox One) – October 18
• Eagle Flight (Oculus Rift) – October 18 / December 20 for HTC Vive and PS VR
• Batman: Return to Arkham (PS4, Xbox One) – October 18
• Stellaris – Leviathans expansion (PC) – October 20
• Battlefield 1 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – October 21
• LEGO Harry Potter Collection (PS4) – October 21
• Civilization 6 (PC) – October 21
• Batman – The Telltale Series Episode 3: New World Order (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – October 25
• Dark Souls 3 – Ashes of Ariandel DLC (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – October 25
• World of Final Fantasy (PS4, PSVita) – October 25
• Farming Simulator 2017 (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
• Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – October 25
• Titanfall 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – October 28
• The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – October 28
• Hide and Shriek (PC) – October 31
• Hitman: Episode 6 – Hokkaido (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – October 31

November and December

• Owlboy (PC) – November 1
• Earth’s Dawn (PS4) – November 1
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – November 4
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – November 4
• Football Manager 17 (PC) – November 4
• Robinson: The Journey (PSVR) – November 8
• PlayStation 4 Pro – November 10
• Tyranny (PC) – November 10
• Dishonored 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – November 11
• Nintendo NES Mini – November 11
• Watch Dogs 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – November 15
• Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection (PS4, Xbox One)- November 15
• Road Rage (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – November 15
• Pokemon Sun and Moon (3DS) – November 18
• Killing Floor 2 (PC, PS4) – November 18
• Yesterday Origins (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – November 19
• Morning Men (PC) – November 22
• Final Fantasy 15 (PS4, Xbox One) – November 29
• The Crew: Calling All Units (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – November 29
• The Crew: Ultimate Edition (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – November 29
• Star Trek: Bridge Crew (PSVR, Rift, Vive) – November 29
• Space Hulk: Deathwing (PC) – November
• The Walking Dead: Season 3 A New Frontier (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – November
• Super Mario Maker 3DS (3DS) – December 2
• Steep (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – December 2
• Werewolves Within (HTC Vive, PSVR, Oculus Rift) – December 6
• Dead Rising 4 (PC, Xbox One) – December 6
• The Last Guardian (PS4) – December 6
• The Wild Eight (PC, Xbox One) – December
• Confirmed for 2016 with dates TBA

[GazzaGarratt 11,037]

That list doesn't jump out at me as amazing titles this year. There's some good ones like I said before, but I struggle to pick a really good top 10 out of that list. I think 2017 will blow it out of the park, including the emergence of VR.

Most value for money though has to be Rocket League considering it was free via PS+.

[The3rdWalker 1,271]

1 hour ago, GazzaGarratt said:

Rocket League

I've bought DLC in the game just out of respect for Psyonix and Rocket League. The game is always fun, constantly maintained and just wonderful.

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,452]

On 10/19/2016 at 2:52 PM, PlasticGaming said:

I've bought DLC in the game just out of respect for Psyonix and Rocket League. The game is always fun, constantly maintained and just wonderful.

Can I have some money?  I'm fun, maintained, and wonderful.  

But, seriously, that's cool to support good developers and games, but that also makes me think about how standards are so low now.  A game being fun and well-maintained should be the norm, not the exception.  

[The3rdWalker 1,271]

3 hours ago, BO7H B4RRELS said:

Can I have some money?  I'm fun, maintained, and wonderful.  

But, seriously, that's cool to support good developers and games, but that also makes me think about how standards are so low now.  A game being fun and well-maintained should be the norm, not the exception.  

You'all have to earn it bby. But yes I agree it's stupid how few quality developers there are out there these days.