It was another mixed year for Microsoft, but some stellar titles still means that the best Xbox One games are well worth looking at.
Best Xbox One Games Of 2017
Torment: Tides of Numenera
This title definitely had a literary quality that made it one of the standout narratives of the gaming year. It is difficult to go over the storyline of Times of Nuemenra, as it is a bit of a plot blower. But if you enjoy the video game medium as an art form then there is no doubt that Tides of Numenera is one of the best Xbox One games of the year.
Prey
This alien shooter is significantly smarter than it may initially appear, resurrecting the single-player title in this genre. Arkane Studios has not exactly produced an original game here, but it is one that delivers a tense atmosphere and rich gaming environment. While the Alien comparisons will inevitably never be too far away, this is still one of the best Xbox One games of the year.
Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap
HD remastering has become big business in the PlayStation 4 / Xbox One generation, and this is yet another example. However, this time we see an old game being published in photo realistic graphical glory. Wonder Boy initially made a splash 30 years ago, and its contemporary update very much captures the spirit of that Sega title. Definitely one for nostalgia fans to checkout, although some will inevitably always prefer the original.
Injustice 2
Injustice 2 is a very neatly paced game that drags gamers into its superhero world skilfully. Notable for its spectacular fighting gameplay, Injustice 2 is definitely one of the most fun experiences on any gaming platform this year. It really feels as if you are participating in a comic book, and there can be little higher praise than that, even if this is a familiar feeling game.
Resident Evil 7
It is absolutely impossible to compile a list of the best Xbox One games of the year without including Resident evil 7. By now the survival-horror genre is almost hackneyed considering the number of titles available, but Resident Evil has always possessed a certain panache.
Gamers reported genuine anxiety and fear while playing Resident Evil 7, and there is no doubt that the developers know how to create a phenomenally tense atmosphere. Of all of the best Xbox One games of the year, this is probably the most universal, for adults at least, appealing to almost everyone that plays it.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Wolfenstein has established itself as a major hitter in the video games marketplace, which is a pretty big achievement for what is essentially a very simple game. There’s nothing remotely original about Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, but it executes the first person shooter about as well as it can possibly be done, without providing the player with too many unnecessary and unwanted options.
The usage of the Nazis in this game is also pleasing and chilling in equal measures. This adds to an atmosphere that is always pushing the story forward, while the gameplay delivers a fluid experience that is pretty much unequalled in the FPS genre today.
Tacoma
Tacoma has a very serious message behind its sci-fi appearance. Examining the exploitation of workers by massive corporations, the game actually makes an interesting contribution to the debate over the future direction of industry. And it looks simply gorgeous, with the futuristic space station at the center of this title one of the most impressively rounded game worlds ever created. There is no doubt that Tacoma belongs in any list of the best Xbox One games of the year.
What Remains of Edith Finch
This idiosyncratically designed and titled game has been one of the most fascinating of the last 12 months, despite some of the flaws that reviewers have noted. Character development and stylistic problems aside, Edith Finch still delivers an intriguing experience, neatly fitting its player interactions into what is a very multi-layered story.
Imagination is as the heart of this title, and that should always be applauded. The game delivers its wide scope with surprising success, and is undoubtedly one of the most charming Xbox games of this or any other year.
Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is one of those monster titles that needs absolutely no introduction. The original Destiny sold like hot cakes, but could be considered rather a mindless blaster. The title was ultimately lacking in depth, and even a bit soulless. Destiny 2 manages to overcome these bugbears of the original title, delivering a far better sketched storyline, with a more convincing array of environments and enemies.
The structure of Destiny 2 now accompanies the action perfectly, meaning that the game is often pulsating in its performance. Gameplay has become more strategic, requiring stronger weapons and armor to be acquired in order to remain competitive. This is a game full of secrets and mystery, and one that rewards the diligent player, as opposed to the runner and gunner.
Cuphead
Of all of the Xbox One games of the year, Cuphead is almost certainly the most ubiquitous. It is almost impossible to make this list without including this unique and brutally hard game, built around the sort of classic boss fights and platform action which essentially laid the foundations for modern video games.
You will certainly be challenged when playing Cuphead, but it is worth putting up with some of the frustration to experience some of the most spectacular presentation ever included in any video game. With an artistic style hankering after the 1930s, and an incredible musical score of big band and ragtime numbers, Cuphead creates an immediate impression, and one that never really goes away.
The gameplay is brutal, but always fair and even-handed, and there is absolutely no doubt that Cuphead is one of the very best Xbox One games of 2017. Indeed, it has topped poll after poll, and should be considered an absolutely essential purchase for all Xbox owners.
