This year has been packed full of solid to stellar video games.  From extremely fun multiplayer games to solo open world games to the usual action sequels to revived classics, the best part is that we had a very nice balance of all different genres.  To preface my top 5, I want to mention that I absolutely don’t have time to play everything that comes out.  Not even close.  The big ones that folks seem to be talking positively about that I didn’t get a chance to play would be Bloodborne, Super Mario Maker, and Batman Arkham Knight.  But of the fair share that I DID get to experience over the past 12 months, here are my favs:

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Halo 5, Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, Fifa 16

#5 NBA 2K16

It’s easy to shy away from very specific and focused genres, especially when comparing them to the overall big picture of games.  But man, this series just keeps getting better and better.  EA’s Live is probably never going to catch up at this point.  2K16 is the ultimate basketball sim, full of different modes, full of gorgeous graphics, and full of fun (if you like basketball).

#4 Metal Gear Solid 5 Phantom Pain

I’ll admit I haven’t actually completed this puppy yet, but it surely won’t change my opinion about everything I have experienced with it so far.
An awesome stealth-action game (and the best in the series) with very smooth controls and very sharp graphics, MGS5 also requires a lot of smart thinking.

#3 Fallout 4

It may not always look the best.  It may have its fair share of wonky bugs.  It may feel a bit too familiar to anyone who played Fallout 3.  But what this game offers up is more of the addictive shooting, looting, upgrading, etc. formula that fans of the series all love.  VATS is still fun, weapon and armor modding are a nice addition, and settlement building, while optional, gives you just more of that “RPG-ness.”  Part of these rankings are determined by how many hours I’ve spent in each of these worlds, and this one is still climbing that ladder.

#2 The Witcher 3

Certainly my most anticipated title of the past year,  I spent the few weeks prior to its release playing through the Witcher 2 from start to finish, in order to get caught up on the story.  While that game was fun, W3 is ten times better, in just about every way possible.  It wins for best story, best world, and combat is very rewarding.  This would make the #1 spot, had it not been for a surprising little underdog that seemed to come out of nowhere…

#1 Rocket League

Earlier I mentioned that I base these rankings partially on how much time I’ve spent with each of them.  Well Rocket League, by far, sucked the most hours out of me in 2015.  I’ve already written about this game a while back too, but ever since it was released (for free!) back in July, I still have trouble taking a step back from it.  What it lacks in substance, it makes up for in style and mechanics.  It just doesn’t get old.  It may not be for everyone, but everyone should at least give it a try (at least 3-4 matches).  That feeling when you score your first goal on some cocky troll online, and then watch as the ball explodes once it crosses the goal line, is a feeling of pure bliss.  If you asked me what game I had the most FUN playing this year, whether it be alone or with a bunch of strangers online, the answer would no doubt be Rocket League.