Alright, no fanfare. Here we go!

Mobile Game Award: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius

I haven’t really been a mobile gamer in the past, but this one is fun! I started playing because I wanted to stomp around as Leo and Ramza. But the more I play the more I become interested in the game’s original characters. Just not the main characters. They’re all terrible. The gameplay is solid and the rewards are addictive. I don’t know that I’d recommend the game to anyone, as there’s been so much exclusive gear that’s likely to never return. Even still, a game I’ve sank as much time in as this one is worth mentioning.

Addictive Achievement Award: Risk of Rain

A pretty simple rogue-like, but with hordes of enemies to fight off and interesting differences in the playable characters. But what kept me coming back (other than playing with a friend) were the achievements. They struck that difficult balance between challenging and attainable. And as a result, I stuck it out and got them all! This is how achievements should be. A system to guide you to play a game in different ways, not just something really easy or really hard.

Awesome Mechanic Award: Black Desert Online

There’s plenty worth mentioning with this one. Action-based fighting with combos, true mounted combat, fishing, collecting, crafting, property owning, decorating, town-to-town trading; with all the PvE content the world PvP kinda seems out-of-place. But it’s the Knowledge and Contribution systems that I feel really stand apart. All the different things you do yield knowledge, which gives you access to world lore and dialog with NPCs. They in turn give you special missions, sell valuable items, or even more knowledge to use elsewhere. Contribution can be earned from most quests and with it you can attain property/items. But you never lose Contribution. If you decide to return whatever you got with it, you get the points back! These are both outstanding concepts and I hope to see them elsewhere!

Exceeded High Expectations Award: XCOM 2

I have some issues here and there with XCOM 2, mostly with mechanics that were removed for one reason or another from the previous title. But it all pales in comparison to what this game has to offer. The core game is fantastic and the DLC adds exciting new encounters. The events of the story offer context and weight to your decisions. But above all, the mod support the developers provided has led to some of the coolest player-created content I’ve ever seen. You can make the game easier, harder, or even fundamentally alter how the game is played!

Best in Show Award: Earth Defense Force 4.1

The graphics aren’t the best and the higher difficulties can be downright unfair, but EDF 4.1 is a thing to be experienced. The scale and power of the invaders you fight can be truly awe-inspiring. The first time you face a Mothership, a Quadruped Fortress, an Erginus, an Argo, an Earth Eater; everything about how these encounters are staged is designed to remind you after each major victory just how outmatched you are. Sprinkle four playable classes with online multiplayer, tons of weapons and enemies to face across huge maps, and some campy dialog that slowly matures and gains traction as the situation worsens, and you have one of the best games ever crafted. Well, as long as you don’t have arachnophobia.

Last One Out Award: Portal Knights

I only had time to play this for three hours before the year ended, but I liked what I saw. Minecraft with a greater focus on adventuring than building and mining (but those are both still there). Tech trees, character growth, classes, a lock-on system with a dodge roll. The combat itself feels very minimalistic, but that also makes it very easy to learn. There is a lot of promise here, especially for a game still in beta.