Cubed Issue #9, Free Edition | Page 12

TOP 10 GAMES OF THE YEAR SO FAR CHAZWICK CLECKLEY 10 The best part about writing Top 10 lists is the immediate response readers give as they adamantly disagree with us about which games made the cut. Such passionate responses are, in this writer’s eyes, the whole point of Top 10 lists. They help to spark a conversation and get us talking about what really makes a great game, in addition to whether or not the current games we are playing are delivering the experiences we want. So far, 2016 has delivered some amazing titles, as well as some grand disappointments we’d all rather forget. But here at Cubed Gamers we love to look on the bright side of things, so here are our Top 10 games of the year thus far. Oh, and please feel free to strongly disagree. 10. Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens Delightfully simplistic and authentic, Lego Star Wars is as detailed as it is adorable. TT Games gave us a wonderfully silly yet accurate re-imagining of the epic tale that spans across galaxies. Though overly simple in some places, it’s huge roster of characters and ability to retell the story of The Force Awakens in such an endearing way make it a must play for anyone who loves the Lego Game series or Star Wars. created a culture within itself. Frustratingly wonderful, Pokémon Go is a must for anyone looking to shed a few pounds and catch em all. with a virus and shut off to the rest of the world. As a part of an elite division, you help towards the effort of rehabilitating the dying city. With some tweaks after launch, The Division is a great third person shooter with enough depth to hold your interest and a very competitive multiplayer mode that rewards you for being skilled. 8. Far Cry Primal 9. PokÉmon Go Okay, I know you're sick of hearing about this game so we will leave out the part about all the server issues. And the bit about Niantic getting rid of the only way to even track Pokémon. And that we still have no date for trading or battling. Or that we don’t know when any legendary Pokémon will be released. Phew. That’s a lot of omissions. However, we will mention how amazing this game has been for all of us who have loved Pokémon since the days of old. Not only has it taken social media by storm, causing it to trend for nearly an entire two weeks, but it has also immediately Unique and beautiful, Far Cry Primal did a wonderful job of taking us back in time in the most visceral and fantastical of ways. The Far Cry series has been known for bringing us some intense experiences in the past, and Far Cry Primal may be one of the most intense yet. With the ancient ability to basically Vulcan mind meld with prehistoric animals, you use their help to take on rival tribes and gain awesome abilities that help you survive the hostile environment. As always, Far Cry delivers a wonderful and rich narrative that holds up a very well executed title. 7. The Division Released in March, Tom Clancy’s The Division is a fun and addicting experience. New York is plagued 6. Ratchet and Clank Originally one of the most popular games to ever be released on the PS2, this re-mastered version of the classic title Ratchet and Clank pays homage in the best of ways to its predecessor. Though the film that came alongside the game wasn’t received well by audiences, the game got a wonderful reception from the community as whole. Just as amazingly snarky, silly, and fun as its classic counterpart, Ratchet and Clank has kept the formula in place that made it a winner from the start. 5. Doom Doom is a masterpiece. Fast paced and unequivocally fun, Doom does its famous predecessor justice. Though very different from the original, the new iteration of Doom still holds onto the core elements that make the franchise so notable. Gory and messy, it is visually stunning and gives you such a great feeling of being completely awesome as you go from one intense kill to the next. 4. Dark Souls III Known now as one of the most punishing and d i f f i c u l t