Top 10 Best Video Games of 2015

When it comes to video games, 2015 was a massive year full of unforgettable titles that had gamers glued to their screens. From epic open-world adventures to quirky indie hits, this was a year that delivered something for every type of player.

Take a look at the list, cast your vote for the ones you think should be at the top, and maybe discover a few new favorites along the way. These aren't just the blockbusters that dominated the headlines. There's a good mix of sleeper hits and titles that may have flown under your radar.

1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

   

   This game is absolutely incredible! The developers obviously put an immense amount of effort into creating such a deep and rich world for the player. The story is an emotional journey that's not all about killing monsters, but also about the relationships and bonds you form along your journey to save the world.

   The combat allows for many variations that the player can choose from. Whether you choose to use alchemy or magic to destroy your foes, or you prefer the classic silver sword (heck, why not all three?!). Speaking of abilities, the developers also did an incredible job to not only make all the abilities given to you useful throughout the entire game, but they also ensure that they are balanced so that the player can choose any battle tactics they desire and they will work.

   During and after the story, there are so many kingdoms, forests, castles, dungeons, oceans, caves, towers, and other hidden gems to explore in this vast game. Whether you choose to search for treasures, take up monster contracts, or simply go on an adventure or play some card games, there's something for everyone to enjoy in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt!

2. Fallout 4

   

   Fallout 3 was not impressive, so I was initially skeptical about Fallout 4. However, my friends introduced me to it and convinced me to try it. Honestly, that was one of the greatest choices I ever made.

   I'm in love with Skyrim, and playing Fallout 4, which felt like an even better version, was like a dream come true for me. In most games, the storyline might become boring, but in this game, the storyline is exciting, and there are side missions available if you want a change. The developers put loads of detail into it, so the mediocre graphics do not detract from the game's beautiful landscapes.

   Anyone who does not appreciate this game should reconsider, as I think it is the best game of 2015.

3. Batman: Arkham Knight

   

   Voted for Super Mario Maker because it's better, you plebs.

   The non-canon Arkhamverse might just be the best thing that's ever happened to Batman (besides the abomination that was Origins). Arkham Asylum and Arkham City could probably sit comfortably on a best-of-all-time list, with Arkham City possibly being my favorite game of all time.

   Arkham Knight, the final installment, is a bizarre one. The first one rated M, the first one with the Batmobile, and yet the first that has some issues. It's an amazing game. The story's awesome, the dialogue is priceless, Batman's fear hallucinations are ingenious, and the Batmobile is awesome and overpowered in ways that don't make gliding irrelevant.

   However, I do have my gripes. The Arkham Knight is a badass, but his identity was just so... copout. It would be awesome if it was a new villain or something, but he isn't. And also, the tank battles are kind of overdone. You spend more time blowing up automated tanks and helicopters than actually fighting, and while that may sound fun, it gets tedious when it's 40-on-1, or when they bring in the Cobra drones.

   Overall, this game is amazing. 9/10. However, its extreme ambition caused there to be some missteps.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

   

   I had a hard time deciding between this game and Undertale, but I have to give the award of the best game of 2015 to this game. I love the way the gameplay mechanics worked together and the organic nature of the open-ended missions. They allowed us to create our own memorable experiences without being punished for deviating from stealth.

   The only downside is the overarching storyline lacks focus. However, this is truly a gameplay marvel, rewarding intelligence and creativity in a way few games do.

   This is not just my favorite game of 2015, but of all time. You are the game. The game revolves around you and the choices you make as the boss. The freedom, the leveling up, the unexpected twists or mystic turns that might unfold, and your ability to customize so much of yourself and your armory are phenomenal. I was so used to the odd shooter where you just killed off any enemy in sight.

   My decisions totally changed when I learned that you can be a hero and spare their lives, then fulton them to your base where they become your soldiers. The perfect game in terms of graphics, design, story - oh my God, the story - and characters. Just perfect.

5. Super Mario Maker

   

   After nearly a decade of Super Mario side scrollers being way too easy with the New Super Mario Bros. games, Mario Maker is the side-scrolling Mario game I have been waiting for my whole life. It brings the most challenging levels to ever grace a Mario game and features the gameplay of some of the franchise's greatest titles.

   I hope Nintendo sees that most of these fan-created levels are insanely difficult and realizes that it is what is needed to bring new life to the series. If anything, they better increase the difficulty on the next Mario side scroller because, by the time it comes out for the NX, Mario Maker will have already turned us into pros.

6. Bloodborne

   

   How is Fallout 4 above this? Fallout 4 was good, but dumbed down and kind of boring at times. I was NEVER bored in Bloodborne! You're always on your toes, trying to defeat your foes without dying and losing 40,000 blood echoes. The DLC was great with new weapons, areas, and story. The lore is fascinating and engaging! This game had the best bosses from any game all year, along with Undertale!

   There aren't a ton of weapons, but the ones that are there are unique, useful, and none of them are useless! They all have their strengths and weaknesses and are better than Skyrim's 'Do I choose that slow 20 damage axe or this quick 60 damage sword with fire magic' (I do really like Skyrim by the way).

   It's the best PS4 exclusive and my favorite game of all time! GOTY!

7. Mortal Kombat X

   

   Best game of 2015? Maybe. Maybe not. But I voted for it just because of how great the graphics are! The characters' eyes look rather funny, but on the whole, the graphics for this game are superb. The redesigns on Kitana, Scorpion, and Mileena are good too.

   Mortal Kombat 9 was great, but this one is even better! Seriously, it has much smarter reasons for fights, great graphics, and a compelling story. All characters are interesting, even the new ones.

   It really improved the fighting from Mortal Kombat 9. The action is faster, and the X-Rays and Fatalities are shockingly amazing.

8. Undertale

   

   Though I can't endorse the fandom or the hype, Undertale itself is definitely worth a play. The gameplay is challenging, yet oddly compelling. The characters are all interesting (not necessarily likable), and the game is fun.

   It's a trope-filled RPG, full of so much ridiculousness and frustration, that it doesn't pretend to be anything else. I wouldn't call it Game of the Year, but it is so unique that it deserves a spot on the list. The elements of the story are absolutely amazing, and the MERCY system makes the game more lovable.

   You can't take Undertale seriously, yet it has an element of seriousness about it. It's a good time and unique enough to deserve a vote.

9. Call of Duty: Black Ops III

   

   Wow, it seems some people voted this game down and criticized it and its fans simply to appear cool. Two weeks into this game, and I can say it has offered the most content in a Call of Duty game ever. It's also a really fun and enjoyable experience.

   In my opinion, the story is the weakest out of all the Black Ops entries, but it is still very enjoyable. I wouldn't call it "the most ambitious Call of Duty campaign ever." Zombies mode is epic, the new mode, Free Run, is fresh and exciting, and the Multiplayer is phenomenal. There's so much variety and so much to do, and the maps are pretty good too.

   Overall, a really fun game.

10. Just Cause 3

    

    A severely underrated game.

    This game will tie "Game of the Year" with Fallout 4.

    One of the best open-world games ever made. It favors freedom, creativity, and epic action-packed gameplay with explosions. You will never be bored of this game with all the things to do in this fictional open world based on taking down military dictatorships in beautiful, exotic countries.

    How can you not love a game whose only purpose is to be a fun game? You can go in guns blazing and destroy everything, or you can try to be subtle (good luck with that).

    It is a very fun sandbox that unlocks each thing at the right pace so you don't get bored. Also, it has Weeping Angels in one area.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Fate/Grand Order

    Even though this list is old and the NA version technically released in 2017, I'll give my thoughts on FGO since it originally released in 2015.

    There are a lot of mobile games based on anime franchises that are free-to-play and/or are usually gacha games. To be fair, a lot of them are great games to play on the go and are worthwhile. However, there's just something about Fate/Grand Order that sets it apart from other Japanese mobile games, aside from stuff like Granblue Fantasy and similar titles.

    For one thing, it's a mobile game based on the Fate series. But there's a lot more to this than FGO just being based on a franchise that originally started as a visual novel. Sure, the game itself seems like a typical gacha game that basically just screams UNLIMITED WAIFU WORKS and can seem a bit rocky at the beginning in terms of plot. However, when things get better later on, they GET BETTER.

    FGO in its later chapters arguably has some of the best storylines I've ever seen in a mobile game. In addition, the Nasuverse truly has loads and loads of Servants waiting to be summoned and answer to you as their Master. Not to mention, the production value is surprisingly good right now, and it's only getting better over time as each new chapter is released and animation updates continue to be applied.

    The sprites, the animations, the card art, the OST, the abundant and versatile voice cast - pretty much everything is amazing. I can only have more anticipation as the NA server tries to catch up with the JA server as fast as possible.

12. ?

    Environmental Station Alpha

    It's a gorgeous Metroidvania and one of the best games I've ever played.

    I hate the post-game, though.

The Contenders

13. Life Is Strange

    

    It may not have been graphically the best or had the most exciting action sequences, but no game since The Last of Us has left such an impact on me and millions of other players. The music is among the best I've ever heard in a game. The plot twists and compelling characters that you form a relationship with become actual friends to you.

    It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it taught me a life lesson not to take things for granted because I don't have a rewind button. I need to make everything count. Yes, it's only a game, but it will change you and your view on how games are made forever.

    Do you want to cry? We've got that. Do you want one of the best indie soundtracks and scores ever heard in a video game? We've got that. Are you looking for a compelling story that twists and turns in every direction? We've got that.

    Do you want so much character development that nearly every character isn't just an "everyman" or "Mary Sue"? We've got that too. Are you searching for some of the prettiest graphics of the year? We have that. How about some of the most depressing scenes in video game history? You bet your sweet ass we've got that. There has never been anything else like this.

14. Halo 5: Guardians

    

    This game hangs at the border of Call of Duty and Halo. I was thoroughly disappointed by the amount of new material that brought the game further away from the general concept of Halo and more towards a game about the weapons in the game, and how cool the players can make them. That aside, I thought it was a decent game. I appreciate the game bringing back the infected game mode and the almost identical armors from Halo Reach. The Emile's Regards assassination was a nice nostalgic touch.

    My biggest complaint for this game is: Where is the split screen? This should be a basic part of any Halo game. What's the fun of playing the game at your friend's house if only one of you can play? Not everyone has an Xbox One.

15. Star Wars Battlefront

    

    I agree with the person below me on the graphics and sound design: they were phenomenal. I enjoyed the iconic dogfights, blasters, and all the characters. However, looking at it purely from the perspective of how it fared as a game, I don't find it spectacular.

    It's great for giving fans something to relate to the movies, but as a game, the lack of single-player content and repetitiveness makes it something that would just be taken out of the case every once in a while. It's not a game that would keep me entertained for a long duration of time.

    I have played the Battlefront games since I was 4. I started off with the first one, featuring maps like Bespin, and the time when the engineer class had an arc caster. Then the second one came, offering better mechanics, improved graphics, new classes, and even adding two more game modes: Campaign and Galactic Conquest.

    And then, we got to number three... the best game of 2015. Battle of Jakku. Amazing, and that's just a DLC for FREE. Nothing else to explain about this game.

16. Rocket League

    

    Awesome! Really innovative, with a great formula for replayability.

    Difficulty: 7/10. I liked the level of difficulty to master it, but it's too hard to get into.

    Graphics: 9/10. I really like the animation style for some reason.

    Soundtrack: 9/10. Cool lobby music and sound effects. However, there's no in-game music.

    Replayability/lasting appeal: 10/10. Really addictive. Rounds are 5 minutes unless there's a forfeit or overtime, and you'll want to play lots and lots of rounds to try and improve.

    Gameplay: 10/10. So original, with a great set of modes, and just really well-designed.

    Overall rating: 9.5. Pros: Original, well-designed modes, compelling you to play lots and lots of rather long rounds to improve. The appeal remains the same in your 1st round and your 50th, takes the right amount of time to master, cool sound and lobby music, great animation style.

    Cons: Too difficult to get into, graphics and sound were slightly less than perfect, no in-game music (not a huge flaw).

17. Assassin's Creed Syndicate

    

    Even though Assassin's Creed has changed a lot, I still love this one. I've been playing Assassin's Creed since the second one was released, and this one is way better.

    Mostly, I love the atmosphere. London is such a beautiful city, and in the game, it's portrayed perfectly. You can find the most popular historical buildings and figures who lived in London in the 19th century, like Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral, Charles Darwin, Queen Victoria, and Alexander Graham Bell.

    The shooting mechanics are way better than in Unity. The designers really did great work here.

    Switching between Jacob and Evie is also really interesting.

    Syndicate deserves to be in the top 3!

18. Splatoon

    

    Uh... How the heck is Call of Duty, of all things, higher than Splatoon? I know people hate it when someone says this, but guess what? Call of Duty is the same thing over and over again. People say, "No, there are new guns and maps!" when Ubisoft (or Activision, I can't remember) could just release that stuff as DLC. Improved Zombies mode? That could be patched or updated. New mode? That should be DLC.

    My brother is a huge Call of Duty fan, but he admits that one of the newer ones he purchased was just Black Ops with a jetpack. Splatoon? It's a unique shooter. Heck, you don't even have to shoot. Use a roller, inkbrush, octobrush! And while you can kill, your main focus is inking everything. There's even competitive Ranked Battles, map and gun DLC, (cough Call of Duty cough) campaign, local multiplayer, and not only do you buy weapons, but you can also get clothes, hats, and shoes. And they actually do something. They give you special abilities instead of just looking cool.

    Point is, Splatoon rocks. It is definitely top 5 material.

19. Dragon Ball Xenoverse

    

    Pretty solid fighter. It has a ton of abilities. You can customize your own character, and there's a pretty good twist to the story.

    There are a few problems, though:

    - Almost every boss has super armor, which makes them immune to stagger and take less damage. I wouldn't mind this with insanely powerful beings like Beerus or Broly, but the super armor is a little ridiculous.

    - There are quite a few difficulty spikes and canyons.

    - Super Saiyans are absolutely overpowered.

    This game needs to be higher! After over a decade of attempts, Xenoverse perfectly encapsulates what it would be like to play as a Dragon Ball Z fighter in a game. Plus, the original story and villain is a fresh change from just rehashing the same story as the show. I pre-ordered the sequel on pure faith because of how good this game was.

20. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

    

    This game isn't flawless by any means, but it deserves better than being ranked #22. It's an innovative breath of fresh air in the FPS realm, which is currently dominated by the likes of Call of Duty and Battlefield.

    It's also worth mentioning that it's continuously improving as the months go by. More operators and content are being added (for free!), bugs are continuously being fixed, and the overall playing community is steadily growing. Ninety percent of video games can't say that after 8+ months since their release date.

    My personal favorite FPS of all time now. It's bugged to hell, but it's so intense, so fun, so gripping. It may not be the best looking, and it may not work right all the time, but it's a good change of pace from the bore fest of Call of Duty and Battlefield. Not to mention free DLC.

21. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D

    

    In my opinion, Majora's Mask was the best game I had growing up. I can't tell you how much I loved it. I had always loved creepy things, and it sure made my day many times. The storyline was phenomenal, and no matter how many times I played it, I still kept a keen interest in it.

    Then comes the BEN Drowned story to go along... Long story short, we the people want more Legend of Zelda like this.

    This game is a masterpiece. It was the game that got me into one of the best game series of all time, The Legend of Zelda. With great gameplay elements, an amazing story, and the highest-pitched scream in gaming history, it well deserves to be in the top ten.

22. Until Dawn

    

    I loved this game so much. I've been playing it for almost 2 years. It drives me crazy how good it is. Although, let's be honest, it's not as popular as Life Is Strange, but it's still worth so much, and it could be popular if people wouldn't overlook it. It makes you sad to see how much time, care, and effort the people and actors put into it. It took 2 years to make the game. Life is Strange is a beautiful game, but Until Dawn took a lot more time and care.

    I'm not begging to have this in the top ten because it doesn't belong there. It hasn't been around long enough. The games that have worked for years and years belong in the top ten. Graphics? Outstanding. Gorgeous. It's actually scary and really captures the horror genre. Life Is Strange is meant to be a click-style game - great choice. Their choices actually change the game - Until Dawn had some trouble with that. Mainly, the game felt the same even when different choices were made. That's the one problem. Other than that, for a low-fame cast (other than Hayden and Jordan (Sam and Matt)) - well done.

23. Dying Light

    

    The storyline is somewhat engaging, and the gameplay is very engaging. However, it gets boring after you finish the main quests. It's not fun to play by yourself, killing zombies to level up for no reason in campaign mode. Moreover, when you blindly queue for online mode, the players that are matched up to you can be at any level and have weapons and damage potential 100 times less or 100 times more than yours.

    It's also hard to ignore the fact that you can ask a higher level for their discarded weapons and use them to one-hit virals.

    Dying Light takes an overused genre and gives it a breath of fresh air. It isn't the typical zombie game where you fend off mass hordes of the undead only to retrieve a random quest item for a random guy. You fight against unique zombies with a variety of customizable weapons while parkouring through the city to help save people you grow to love.

24. Disney Infinity 3.0

    

    I have rarely played this game, but it is quite fun. The sandbox mode is really fun to mess around with, but after a few hours, you begin to feel like you've done all that is worth doing. I began to wish for more action and more storyline. So, I began playing campaign mode and it was so much fun. The world was colorful, the enemies were fun, and the fighting mechanics were simple but enjoyable.

    In my opinion, this is definitely a better Star Wars game than Battlefront. Aside from having more content, I felt this was a true improvement over the previous Disney Infinity games since they kept what was done right in the past and found ways to add to the experience.

    The playset story modes are awesome due to nostalgia and an original plot for "Clone Wars" fans, the gameplay is fun, and the toybox is actually a fun sandbox mode since it appeals to both those who love to create things and those who just want to kick ass. They even managed to make the "Rebels" characters fun to play as to those who are still "Clone Wars" all the way (although, honestly, I've still always enjoyed Sabine).

    This is one of the few toys-to-life games that doesn't feel like a rip-off, giving you the choice of collecting them all or just playing through with the characters in the starter pack (unlike Skylanders Superchargers, which I found not as appealing as the other games in the franchise simply because you need to buy extra figures in order to get past level one). I loved DI 2.0, but I honestly feel this managed to be a noticeable improvement, showing once again that Disney will be beneficial to Star Wars.

    - JohnOfArcades

25. Rise of the Tomb Raider

    

    Many are saying that this is a great game that deserves just as much love as some of these other titles. Crystal Dynamics basically took everything right with the 2013 game and improved upon it. And to top it all off, it looks gorgeous.

    It's such a shame that it will be overshadowed due to timed exclusivity and coinciding with the release of games like Black Ops 3 and Fallout 4. Oh Microsoft, you silly bastards.

    This game is gorgeous. It's an excellent sequel and a great way for Microsoft to make me get an Xbox, because I'm certainly not waiting for it to come out on PS4. It's a shame it was an exclusive, though. It could have garnered a larger fanbase.

26. Minecraft: Story Mode

    

    The story is pretty good, I guess, but it's all pretty obvious what's gonna happen. There never were any plot twists that actually blew my mind or anything. Whatever, though. It's not Minecraft. It's just simply not that. It's more like WatchPick, which is just where you watch some long-as cutscene, listen to some characters, pick an option, and repeat.

    The only problem I have with this game is this: I've only played it on iOS, so I don't know if this is the same for Xbox, but it costs $8 to buy the game, then $10 for the other episodes! Other than that, it isn't really Minecraft. The controls are kind of like Slender Man.

27. Mad Max

    

    I don't hear many people talking about this game, but it's actually really good!

    I've played it, and it's a really good game.

    How is Call of Duty better than this?