ABOD's Top 10 Games of 2017

Another year,  another ten must-have games added to the backlog!  Being a father is an always on-call, time consuming, and awesome task we all take pride in having the privilege of doing; but it leaves little time for our favorite past time of gaming.  Between all the extracurricular activities and general life duties, chances are you missed some games this year and that's where ABOD Gaming comes to the rescue.  Here are our picks for the best games of 2017!


10. Resident Evil VII (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR, Xbox One)

The latest entry in the long running and previously disappointing Capcom survival horror franchise is a surprising departure from the other entries in the series, but along with the change comes a much better experience. Gone are the shoot first tactics that plagued the series as of late, and back are the days of Resident Evil’s scare tactics.  Nothing says classic Resident Evil more than being trapped in a house full of horrors, all of which are relentless in trying to kill you. While the first-person game play may scare off some hardcore fans, this is a game well worth the wait and a return to form for Capcom’s original survival horror game.  

 Dad Score:  0 out of 5.  While this game is great, I wouldn't play it around the kids unless you want to be running nightmare duty for the next few years.



9. Splatoon 2 (Switch)

Let’s start with the obvious, this is a sequel to the original Splatoon in every way and if you weren’t a fan of the original, this will do little to change your mind.  If you played the first one and didn’t mind the concept, then you’re in for a treat! The main draw to the Splatoon has been, and continues to be, the online multiplayer, which has been revamped with even better maps and tons of customization options. While the game is as multiplayer focused as ever, it does continue its narrative in a good, but not great single player experience that will keep the little ones pleased if you rather avoid them playing online.   Salmon Run is a great welcome addition to Splatoon and provides a great co-op experience; my one gripe being the limited play-ability due to the odd choice of making it a scheduled affair.  This is the ideal colorful, happy, fun gaming adventure any kid (or dad) with a switch should experience.

Dad Score:  5 out of 5.  This is one of the ideal kid friendly games of the year.  Easy to grasp control scheme, bright engaging maps, and phenomenally fun game play.



8. Cuphead (Xbox One, PC)

Cuphead's jaw-dropping presentation and art style single-handedly make this an experience to behold. Using a brilliant art style reminiscent of that used in the 1930s, Cuphead's characters are immediately pleasing to watch, in all of their hand animated glory; and the beautiful water colored backgrounds are a sight to behold, all accompanied by a perfect musical score to make you think you’re playing to a vintage cartoon. Don’t let the child friendly animation fool you though, this game is extremely difficult and demanding.  You’ll have to rely on your reflexes and old-school pattern recognition to defeat the challenging bosses and remember this is a game of trial and error.  For any one brave enough to step up to the challenge, you’ll be rewarded with a unique and entertaining experience.

Dad Score:  1 out of 5.  While the aesthetics might say otherwise, this game is not actually kid friendly.  The difficulty alone makes it a title you're better off playing solo.  Granted if you don't mind not progressing, the little ones wouldn't mind just jumping and shooting through the maps.



7. Injustice 2 (Xbox One, PS4, PC)

Injustice 2 comes as a major surprise on this list and it owes it all to a phenomenal plot and great storytelling, something very much unexpected from a fighting game, which in turn sets a new standard for fighting games in general. Combine the great storytelling with an extremely enjoyable combat system and a plethora of content and you end up with a must buy for everyone, not just the fighting game enthusiasts.

Dad Score: 4 out of 5.  Nothing says kid friendly like super heroes these days and this game comes packed with a whole lot of them.  The controls are pretty basic and the objectives can't get any easier than kick and punch.

6. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (Switch, Xbox, PS4, PC)

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, at first glance is simply more of the same, but it’s also just more in general; more weapons, more tools, and more Nazis to kill. Sure it would be nice to have more choice in the same way Dishonored gives you, but this is a direct sequel to a great game, albeit a safe sequel. If you played and loved The New Order or The Old Blood, you’re in for a treat. This game is not perfect, but punching a Nazi in the face has never been so fun, and lets be honest, what else do we really need from a game?

Dad Score: 0 out of 5.  Given the content of the game, its best to play this one after you put them to bed. 



5. Assassin’s Creed: Origins (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

If one of your marquee franchises begins to look a little lackluster, it turns out that taking some time off can work wonders. Ubisoft discovered this recently and the result is a terrifically polished experienced, topped off with a brand new quest system, better feeling free-roaming controls, and the best combat the series has seen in a long time. The trip to ancient Egypt is one every gamer should witness; this new experience comes with a rich open world full of tombs to explore,   wildlife to hunt, and some of the best quest the series has ever put together. This is all packaged together with one of the most gorgeous and cinematic environments I have ever experienced in a game; while Assassin’s Creed 2 and Black Flag have a fond place in my heart, this is Bayek’s game now.

Dad Score: 3 out of 5. Depending on their age, the little ones might enjoy playing this for the simple entertainment of the exploration.



4. Super Mario Odyssey (Switch)

 

In this delightfully colorful game we accompany Mario on another adventure to once again stop the evil Bowser's plans for Princess Peach. This time around Mario is given the ability to toss his cap onto any enemy and "possess" them, which earns him their unique capabilities. Whether you’re controlling an enormous mustached T-Rex, swimming freely as a fish, or tackling anything in your path as a football player, this game continues to surprise and delight every step of the way.
 

Dad Score: 5 out of 5.  This game is terrific for the kiddos.  The assisted mode makes it a breeze for them to pick-up and play.  The sights and sounds make this a very cinematic adventure to have with the kiddos.

3. Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch, Wii U)

Open world Zelda. ‘Nuff said. This is a game that allows you the freedom to ignore Ganon along with your mission to save Hyrule and just immerse yourself in a beautifully created sandbox full of puzzle-filled dungeons, smart enemies, and a smorgus board of things to do.  Breath of the Wild does away with the Zelda clichés of old and creates something new, something better.  This was a brilliant, if not potentially foolish, massive risk.  Especially, for a series that could've stayed on cruise control for years to come and simply rehashed its old, albeit successful ways of old; and its payoff is one of the best games that Nintendo has ever created.

Dad Score:  3 out of 5. Yet another title that only really works if they're willing to simple explore that land, otherwise this may prove too difficult.

 2. Divinity: Original Sin 2 (PC)

Divinity: Original Sin 2 has been, for me,  hundreds of hours of pure RPG nirvana; this is a game that will serve up a truly memorable experience from the first few minutes to the final hours. We ideally have a true video game version of a paper and pen, Dungeons and Dragons adventure.  I’m not one to judge a game’s content based simply on quantity, but rather the quality found within the experience, it just so happens that Divinity ha quality in abundance. This entire article could simply be ten reasons on why you should play this game, but its limited availability (current PC exclusive) stops it from being higher on this list.

Dad Score: 0 out of 5.  Not a game you would want to play with the kids, simply because of the RPG elements they may find boring.



1. Horizon Zero Dawn (PS4)

  

Here we have a game that does not piss me off when I’m playing and end up getting ripped to shreds by a giant robotic creature of some sort. Maybe its because I could re-watch its beautifully rendered animation in all its HD glory endlessly; this is just one of the many reasons that Horizon can be credited with creating an impeccable world. Overflowing with brilliant lore, quests, and most importantly, robots, there’s plenty to do in this game. Whether you go hunting for some mechanical animals or exploring the intriguing landscape,  Horizon never makes you question why this is a must-own for anyone with a PS4 and a strong incentive to buy the Pro version of the console.  This is the game to own this year. Buy it. Play it. Love it.

Dad Score:  3 out of 5.  The sheer spectacle of witnessing the giant beast should be more than enough to keep the kiddos entertained, granted, the actual action might be a little be hard for most children.

Written by
Adam R.
aka Kn1ghtmare