And now we’re back with our final collection of awesome games that graced the Xbox One in 2016.
Gears of War 4
The Locust problem may have been eradicated in the world of Gears of War, but a new underground threat has sprung up. Gears of War 4 places you into the COG armor of three new characters who attempt to save their loved ones from that very same threat. J.D. Fenix, Delmont Walker and Kait Diaz are our new counterparts during a violent crusade against the Swarm and the mechanical security forces who were originally meant to protect them. The Coalition refined the cover-based gunplay the series is known for and added plenty of fun new firearms to experiment with. Horde Mode is even deeper than past iterations of the co-op mode, the competitive multiplayer stays intact and braving vicious windstorms makes Gears of War 4 an even bigger adrenaline rush than its predecessors.
Battlefield 1
EA Dice made the right move when they decided to stick a “1” next to its standout FPS franchise. Instead of taking it further into the future of military warfare, Battlefield 1 took it all the way back to the huge scale battles of World War I. Fans knew just how impressive the multiplayer components of this shooter would be before they got their mitts on it, but no one knew just how strong the single-player campaign turned out to be. Battlefield 1 delivered WWI through the viewpoint of different soldiers and let players play out their excursions around the world. 64-players could still navigate huge maps and engage in squad-based battles, of course. The spacious maps, incredibly fun Conquest Mode and varied character classes made Battlefield 1 stand out in a year full of great 1st-person shooters.
Titanfall 2
Taken from Game Review: Titanfall 2 comes out during a very crowded FPS season, but make sure you don’t pass it up just because you’re too deep into the latest Battlefield and Call of Duty entries. Respawn has done an incredible job at including one of the more fun single-player campaigns produced in recent years. And its multiplayer feature set throws a lot at everyone, which means there’s way more life in this sequel over its predecessor. New Titans, weapons, gear and the same flexible maneuvers your Pilot employs all combine to make Titanfall 2 one of the best 1st-person shooters of 2016.
Dishonored 2
Taken from Game Review: Dishonored 2 excels in every area that made the 1st game so remarkable. Each of the stages you explore within Karnaca are wondrous locales teeming with meaningful activity and beautiful scenery. Corvo/Emily’s otherworldly ability suite feels empowering and makes you feel like a true menace. Most of the fun produced by this sequel comes from exploring every nook and cranny of a level while choosing the more/less violent method for your main objective. The game’s tale of deception, revenge and redemption is all the more involving thanks to the interesting personalities you encounter. The only letdown that comes to mind is the fact that some of the game’s cooler mechanics are only relegated to a single stage. But don’t let that nitpick deter you from Arkane Studios’ latest triumph.
Final Fantasy XV
Taken from Game Review: Lastly, although this strays so far from the usual Final Fantasy formula, there are still plenty of elements that longtime fans will recognize, and things that just give it that feel. Most (if not all) of the monsters will be familiar to series veterans, including the Archons. There’s Chocobo riding, naturally, and Moogles even make a small appearance (if only as decoy plushies). You’ll hear clips of familiar music, such as the victory theme when your experience tallies each night (or when Prompto randomly sings it after battles). And of course, there’s the spiky-haired, brooding protagonist.