Top 5 Games I Played in 2017

Another year is coming to a close.

With 2017 almost over, I’d like to look back at my favorite games I played this year. As usual, these aren’t necessarily games that came out in 2017 (although they can be), as long as I completed them this year.

Games I haven’t finished yet don’t count for this year, so as much as I’m enjoying Xenoblade Chronicles 2 so far, it won’t appear on this list.

I played a lot of fantastic games this year, so it was pretty difficult to narrow it down to just 5. Before we get into the main list, there is one honorable mention…

Honorable Mention

You might be surprised that Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue only gets an honorable mention, since I was so excited for it and enjoyed every part, but I decided it was too mixed to be among the top five. Dream Drop Distance was great but suffered from pacing and presentation (review), χ Back Cover was quite entertaining but felt incomplete (review), and while 0.2 Birth By Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage was awesome (review), it got me excited for Kingdom Hearts III more than anything else.

Nevertheless, it was definitely an enjoyable collection and an important part of the story leading up to Kingdom Hearts III.

Now, let’s move on to the top 5 games I played in 2017!

5. Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse

I enjoyed Shantae: Risky’s Revenge, but it pales in comparison to Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse (review).

It’s surprising, since 2D platformers aren’t nearly as high on my list as other genres, but this one’s humor, fun, and almost Zelda-like style of gameplay made me pick it over many other games I played this year.

I played Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse on the Wii U, but it’s available for many different systems, so you can pick the one you like the best.

4. Muv-Luv Alternative

After playing/reading Muv-Luv last year, I went into 2017 with Muv-Luv Alternative as one of my most-anticipated games, and I definitely enjoyed my time with it (review).

While I found the conclusion to be a bit abrupt, it’s hard to criticize a visual novel too much when your biggest complaint is that you want to see more of the story. It was an intense, wild ride, and it might have made this list for that moment and its aftermath alone.

I look forward to seeing more from the Muv-Luv universe, and I encourage you to read both Muv-Luv Extra/Unlimited and Alternative if you enjoy visual novels.

3. Finding Paradise

Finding Paradise was another one of my most-anticipated games of the year, since it is the sequel to one of the best games I’ve played, To the Moon.

I just finished Finding Paradise last night, so I haven’t reviewed it yet, and it was wonderful.

Was it as amazing as To the Moon? No, but it’s hard to top something that great. Finding Paradise was an enjoyable experience with some very thought-provoking ideas.

My full review should be ready early next week.

2. Super Mario Odyssey

I wanted the new 3D Mario game from the moment it was first teased, and Super Mario Odyssey was everything I wanted (review).

From its surprises and unexpectedly cool moments, to its wonderful homage to past Mario games, to the sheer fun and delight of playing a new exploration-driven Mario game, Super Mario Odyssey was incredible.

After going through the entire Wii U’s life without a Mario game like this (and even longer if you only count 64 and Sunshine), it was wonderful to get a new one and see that Nintendo hasn’t forgotten this style… or how to make it great. If you love 3D platformers like I do, Super Mario Odyssey is a must.

And that brings us to the final game on this list, my #1 favorite game I played in 2017…

1. Persona 5

Is anyone surprised?

Persona 5 wasn’t on my radar going into 2017, because I’d never played a Persona game before despite loving JRPGs. The glowing praise for this one got me to try it, and Persona 5 turned out to be an incredible turn-based RPG that kept me captivated for hours upon hours (review).

Between the addicting mix of dungeon exploration and daily life, the twists and turns of its long story, and the group of lovable characters I didn’t want to say goodbye to, Persona 5 and its Phantom Thieves certainly stole my heart.

It’s also just so good to see a high-profile JRPG released in modern times with turn-based combat and have it be one of the most well-received games in the genre. With more and more games switching to action combat, I hope this encourages a few more to stick to this style.

Of course, loving Persona 5 so much means I need to check out more Persona games now. I’m looking forward to that a lot, even if my backlog is not.

Conclusion

While I played a ton of great games in 2017, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, Muv-Luv Alternative, Finding Paradise, Super Mario Odyssey, and Persona 5 are at the top of my list, with an honorable mention for Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue (such a wonderful title).

What games did you have the most fun with in 2017?

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