Best Multiplayer Game of 2016
Winner: Overwatch
Honorable Mentions: Battlefield 1, Titanfall, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Destiny: Rise of Iron
Multiplayer gaming is bigger than its ever been, with not just the annual franchises like Call of Duty, but also plenty of newcomers. While it was in beta for what seemed like forever, Overwatch finally released earlier this year and provided something the gaming industry desperately needed. In typical Blizzard fashion, Overwatch is built around a cast of charming characters that each provide a completely different game experience. The team-based element is at the core of the game, with the most fun experiences coming when playing with a group of players that you know and will chat with. Even in random matchmaking though, Overwatch is a blast to play as well. Without question, Overwatch offers some of the most joyous and fine tuned gameplay for a multiplayer game in many years, and Blizzard keeps adding new characters to the game for free that will keep the train rolling into 2017.
Best Indie Game of 2016
Winner: The Witness
Honorable Mentions: Enter The Gungeon, Inside, Darkest Dungeon, Hyper Light Drifter
The Witness is puzzle gaming designed to perfection. The game is the long awaited follow-up from Jonathan Blow, the creator of Braid. It shares few similarities with that seminal game, but you can see the same design philosophy at work. The game can simply be described as “an island full of 2D puzzles”, but it is so much more than that. Each puzzle teaches the player something new, something that they will then use to solve more puzzles. This is often done using such subtle, yet genius clues and environmental elements that the whole game feels alive in a totally unique way. All of that knowledge adds up and eventually you’re solving things that seemed like gibberish only moments ago. The gorgeous art style only adds to the experience, resulting in the best indie game of 2016.
