Do We Still Need E3?

2016 is looking like a bad year for the Electronic Entertainment Expo. Four companies have decided they're out this year. EA led the charge, saying it would have an alternative, concurrent fan event in Los Angeles. Activision is only going to have meetings to see the new Call of Duty and won't have a booth. Disney's going to focus on future fan events, so it's out. Wargaming decided E3 doesn't fit with its free-to-play plans. That's four big companies that are all bailing, either pulling out completely or drastically cutting back their plans.

To give some perspective, EA and Activision typically have the biggest booths at E3, taking up a lot of space in the LA Convention Center's South Hall. Disney and Wargaming don't have the biggest booths, but they're also substantial presences. Without them there, the biggest presenters in that area are Ubisoft, Konami, Warner Bros., and Square Enix. Think of it as half of that part of E3 gone. But really, it makes sense and may not be that bad.

It isn't like the companies are denying early coverage. They're shifting focus. It's something that's been building. In the last few years, video game developers and publishers' presence at fan events have been growing. Things like comic cons have seen major attention. The New York and San Diego Comic Cons especially have strong support from game companies. It lets them directly reach buyers and build hype in a way E3 doesn't.

These events have been so successful that other companies have prepped their own personal events. The EA Play event is hardly the first instance of a company doing its own thing for people who enjoy their games. Sony's held two PlayStation Experiences so far. Each one's been a success. People flew in from across the country for the 2014 and 2015 PSXes. They'll surely do so for the ensuing shows. Disney even has its D23 fan events, which are offering more and more gaming-related announcements for followers. More efficient methods are being found.

Which means that E3's purpose can change. It should be an event where journalists can investigate games and industry professionals can do business. All of these flashy booths and fanfare distracted from that. By changing to focus on private meetings where people can interact with actual developers and publishers instead of representatives hired for the event. It can become a more educational and business-like experience.

Perhaps we've come to a point where E3 is outdated. The industry has grown so much over the last 20 years. It may be better to divide up promotional endeavors. Have fan events held by the companies for people, as well as booths at major fan conventions, to hype up games for a general audience. Turn E3 into a more professional place of business, where more in-depth investigation can occur. It'll allow for more comprehensive coverage and a better way for everyone to connect with their favorite games.

8 Things Gamers Lie About While Playing Videogames 1

4. “I CAN BEAT ANYONE”

I have come across this phrase a countless number of times in my life. We all have or have had that friend who says “I can beat anyone in Call of Duty or Halo or FIFA.” To be honest I am also guilty of the same because I think no one can beat me in FIFA and it’s a fact.

5. “I AM REALLY BAD AT THIS GAME”

On the contrary to the players who says “I can beat anyone” there are also players who says “I am really bad at this game”. We have seen a lot of such players in multiplayer games, who despite being a pro acts as if they hadn’t played the game before at all.

At the end of the day they would be the ones with the most number of kills. Silly, isn’t it? I don’t understand why people tell such lies, maybe such comments make the other players put off their guards and take them casually. This gives them a window to hit them hard and win.

6. “I WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CHAMP IF I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO PLAY”

There is an another set of gamers (or liars) who can be heard saying that they could even beat the “esports” champion if they had enough time to play. Most of them stress the fact that they do a real job, hence they can’t give enough time to gaming. What a stupid excuse to make.

7. UNPLUGGING YOUNGER SIBLING’S CONTROLLER

I have to admit that even I am guilty of of this. There were numerous occasions when I let my younger brother play with a controller which was not even plugged to the console.

The main reason behind it was that I didn’t want anyone to bother me while playing my favorite game. Now, if you’re judging me I should let you know that it’s not only me who have done this as there are a lot of gamers who do this to their siblings.

8. TOO EASY

We all have that one friend who replies “that’s too easy” when you ask them about a game. Be it Dark Souls or any tough game it will still be easy for them. Maybe they think making such comments will make them look cool or feel like the best gamer in the world. Only GOD knows that actual reason behind such comments.

If you think we missed out on any other gamer lies please feel free to share them on the comments below.

8 Things Gamers Lie About While Playing Videogames

Prepare a list of gamers who have never lied, and it might just be a short list. Almost every gamer has told a fib including even me, the great Vikram the merciful, and I’ve been mashing thumb since the age of seven.

Be it beating a boss, finding a secret tunnel, or blaming your poor connection for a loss, lies have been prevalent in gaming since the early 1800’s.

Let us look at some of such lies which are widely used by gamers.

1. BOASTS ABOUT HAVING A HIGHER K/D RATIO

K/D Ratio means the Kills and Deaths Ratio. K/D ratio is a number which is derived after dividing the total number of kills with the total number of deaths. For example if you get 10 kills in a game and die 5 times your K/D ratio is 2.

K/D ratio is actually a status symbol among the gamers, hence they lie about it all the time. There are lot a gamers who never reveal their K/D ratio to others and lies about having a better ratio than they actually have.

2. BLAMES LAG

This is one of the most common lies that a gamer uses when they lose a multiplayer game. There are a lot of gamers who feel that they can never be beaten unless there is lag. It’s kind of instinctive now for most of us to blame lag despite having a good connection. Maybe you should blame your newb skills, blaming lag salvages some pride despite losing or getting killed.

3. ACCUSING OTHERS OF CHEATING OR HACKING

This lie is prevalent in multiplayer gaming scenarios. Everyone knows that there can always be gamers who have better skills than the others but only a few of them will agree. Anyone who plays better gets called a cheater or hacker or gets accuused of using an exploit to win the match.

If you are a good player, you should have definitely been called a hacker more than a few times.

8 Videogames That Can Totally Ruin Your Social Life 2

THE SIMS

We’ve all played it, we all know it, and at one point in our lives, the majority of us decided it was a good idea to make our sims life better than our own.

I don’t know what makes The Sims so captivating. We are after all just making virtual people and watching them do routine day to day things. They wake up, go to work, come back, eat and sleep. But why is it so damn addictive? Are we subconsciously projecting our own wants, needs and aspirations into our virtual selves? It would explain why we spend so much time controlling them, working on that promotion or chasing down our future wife.

But seriously, do not play this game if you’re happy with your social life. It will be the end of it.

This was our list of 8 video games that will ruin your social life. Have we missed a game that turned you away from your friends? Let us know in the comments section!

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8 Videogames That Can Totally Ruin Your Social Life 1

CALL OF DUTY

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying how easy it is to put hours into CoD without realizing exactly how much time has passed.

Take away the toxic community and fan base, CoD really isn’t as bad as people like to make it out. Sure, it’s never going to be GOTY and for the best part each new game feels like a re-skin of the previous title, but at it’s core, it’s a solid, relatively well balanced shooter. Combine this with great graphics, experimental movement mechanisms and a rewarding score streak system, you have CoD at its best.

Not as casual as CS:GO, but really fun to play nonetheless, you’ll have your parents concerned as you scream at your TV after hitting that sweet 360 no-scope final kill on SnD.

DOTA 2

I’ve never quite understood the hype of games such as Dota, personally since I don’t see the fascination of the genre. But, upon some extensive research, an open mind and input from some fans, I can see why it generates so much hype.

Dota 2 was released in 2013 and still to this day draws new players in, that fact itself speaks volumes about the game. It boasts engaging game play and how wildly deep the game is. According to hardcore fans, you’ll never truly ‘master’ the game. Even at the conclusion of the game, it’s never truly the end. The hours you pile into Dota 2 will never feel wasted as you keep learning new things, regardless of how much you’ve experienced.

Besides the game, the community contributes just as much with fan literature, art and some.. questionable videos. Definitely turn your safe search on while googling Dota.

TEAM FORTRESS 2 

Team Fortress 2 is like all your childhood games wrapped into one solid, by the numbers first person shooter.

It’s relatively basic, you’re offered a set of classes, each have their own strengths and weaknesses, take your pick and get to it, simple as that. With the cartoon like style, dark humor undertones and controlled (or not so much) chaos. What else can you ask for in a game? It’s much more simplistic than that other FPS games today, which is probably why it’s thought of so highly.

If you’re looking to spend your free time blasting away your opposition and hilariously dancing over their bodies, look no further. Just don’t blame us if you find yourself leaving your house once a month.

LEAGUE OF LEGENDS

It wouldn’t really be a list of addictive games if LoL didn’t make an appearance. It has, after all, one of the most rapidly growing and dedicated fan bases ever.

It’s quite the opposite of most games on the list, where other games have been mellow, this is outright competitive. Each bout, in its own way, is different. You won’t be faced with the same champions, and with LoL being a game where your success relies heavily on your strategies, you will find yourself changing your own tactics often. This makes the game a challenge at the best of times, it constantly forces you out of your own comfort zone and makes you try things you wouldn’t usually do.

Swapping out kills for teamwork, LoL will have you festering in your bedroom trying to find that perfect strategy, if there is one.

8 Videogames That Can Totally Ruin Your Social Life

It’s great having friends, you can catch movies with them, go for drinks or simply just chill out together. It’s been proven having friends is good for your health, but if you intend of having them stick around, you might want to avoid these the next time you plan a gathering. Here’s 8 video games that can ruin your social life if you’re not careful enough.

THE WITCHER 3

Starting off the list, The Witcher 3 was awarded game of the year, which is no easy feat. It only seems fitting for this game to be on the list. For me personally, The Witcher 3 was the first of the franchise that I had the pleasure of diving head first into.

Say goodbye to your friends for at least a fortnight, TW3 is packed with quests, locations, dialogue and colorful characters, all of which will have you glued to your gamer chair (or desired seat) for a while. But it’s not just the content that will have you locked in, the game is beautifully paced. You’ll go from the feeling of making no progress to a plot twist instantly, couple this with the multiple choices (which can effect your story) and emotional attachments.

And I can’t mention the multiple endings, which has proven its effectiveness as I’m on my third play through. TW3 is a beautifully crafted emotional roller coaster of a game that will leave you wanting more (and leg cramp from not moving for six straight hours).

CS:GO 

In a world full of Call of Duty annual releases and the dedicated fans of the Battlefield franchise, what keeps CS:GO a prominent entry to the FPS genre?

It is, simply put, just fun. Where CoD over complicates things with exo suits and perks that transform you from soldier to terminator, CS:GO keeps things simple. Where Battlefield constantly encourages pay to win with god guns available for purchase (it’s always those damn level 140’s), CS:GO keeps all weapons available for everyone. Besides, we all know you’re going to use the AWP regardless.

However what ultimately puts this game on the list is how carefree the game is. Sure you could play it competitively, but it’s much easier and more fun (in my opinion) to just jump in a game with no pressure or expectations, just fun. You should probably make up some excuses for this one.

SKYRIM

I think all the devs at Bethesda consulted in their children when discussing the setting of Skyrim. Of course, I’m not complaining, there is a serious lack of video games that allow you to kill dragons with nothing more than your sword.

Much like another Bethesda RPG: Fallout 3, Skyrim is an open world RPG with a butt-load of quests and a giant, fully traversal world. What defines TES from Fallout however, is the lack of firepower. You’re downgraded to sword and bow which not only makes the majority of combat more challenging, it’s just simply much cooler wielding dual swords rather than a 10mm pistol. For the same reasons, stealth is a greater asset in Skyrim and is much more satisfying.

If Fallout 4 isn’t quite doing it for you, I’d recommend loading an old save file on Skyrim and relive the magic that had you locked in your room.

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Evolve

With giant monsters and teams of players being working together to take down those hulking, player-controlled beasts, the right execution could have made Evolve of one the most popular multiplayer titles of the year. But sadly, it fell well short of the mark.

Not only has the game been called out for bland maps and stale gameplay, but the lack of a playerbase has also proved to be a thorn in its side. Evolve‘s playerbase sank like a lead balloon not long after launch and despite Turtle Rock Studios best efforts things haven’t gotten better.

Godzilla

After 2014’s Godzilla brought the giant prehistoric lizard back into the limelight, many were surprised that the Godzilla video game, which was released on PS4 this year, also managed to let people down.

The biggest gripe people had with Godzilla were the graphics, which some said looked more like they were ripped from the PS3 or even the PS2 era. Moreover, players weren’t fond of the level design or the movement, which, in a game about stomping around as a giant monster that knocks down buildings, is a pretty egregious offense.

Do you agree with this list of big video game disappointments? Which other games failed to live up to the hype? Leave a comment and let us know.

5 Most Disappointing Games of 2015

Although 2015 was a year filled with gaming highs, the year also had a considerable amount of lows too. Game Rant looks at the year’s biggest gaming disappointments.

2015 was a real stand-out year for the games industry, with plenty of high points that impressed and wowed gamers. Not only did Microsoft’s Xbox One go backward compatible, letting people keep playing their Xbox 360 games even if they pack the console away, but highly anticipated sequels like Fallout 4 and Halo 5 also finally released.


However, 2015 had its fair share of disappointments as well, with some games failing to deliver on their promises or even function on a basic level. Here are Game Rant’s choices for the most disappointing games of 2015.

Batman: Arkham Knight on PC

Billed as an explosive conclusion to an incredible trilogy, Batman: Arkham Knight did manage to be just that…but only on PS4 and Xbox One. The PC version of the game was marred by severe technical issues that made the game almost unplayable. In fact, the PC build was so problematic that publisher Warner Bros. Interactive pulled it from sale and began to offer refunds.

Looking past allegations that Warner Bros. knew that Batman: Arkham Knight PC was broken, many were glad to see the game return some months after its initial release date. Sadly, that relaunch wasn’t without problems and it still took several patches to get the game right.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5

After Shred and Ride (two Tony Hawk games that used a plastic skateboard peripheral as a controller) ultimately failed to revolutionize the skating franchise, fans were pleased to hear that a series reboot, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5, was in the works. But pre-release gameplay looked rough, with graphics that looked dated for a current-gen release and gameplay that featured odd quirks.

Those concerns didn’t disappear at launch either when the current-gen version of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 was filled to the brim, almost comically, with bugs and glitches. Needless to say, whatever shot the Tony Hawk franchise had at making a comeback was soon crushed by fan disappointment.

The Order: 1886

While Sony is the first to admit that the PS4’s holiday line-up didn’t look so hot, The Order: 1886 was among a slate of early 2015 games that was to make up for that void. The game’s revisionist Victorian setting may have looked absolutely phenomenal, but many critics and fans agreed that it was all style over substance.

In addition to being criticized for its generic gameplay and shooting, most people pointed to the game’s incredibly short length as its biggest disappointment. In fact, the controversy surrounding the game’s length was so loud that it sparked an industry-wide debate regarding how long all games should be.

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Bioshock

Anyone who’s played Bioshock remembers their first descent into Rapture, where they battle enemies both real and imagined. But rather than just drop players into the underwater city, developer Irrational Games lets players experience the feeling of being lost at sea after a horrific plane crash. Then, they are given a unique opportunity to enter the mysterious world of Rapture, where nothing is as it seems, yet things are done kindly.

The ominous and mystical opening to Bioshock sets the stage for an adventure unlike any other in entertainment. Bioshock is easily among the few games that many wish they could experience again for the first time.

Half-Life 2

Developer Valve dashed many gamers’ hopes and dreams when they failed to produce the third episode to the wildly popular Half-Life 2. The disappointment cuts extra deep when players realize they have yet to see a conclusion to a game with such a brilliant beginning.

In an opening reminiscent of the first game in the series, players start out on a train. However, unlike it’ predecessor, Half-Life 2’s train car doesn’t deposit players at a laboratory, but instead at City 17, where the game’s fast-paced, frightful action takes place. It’s a wonderful day when players “wake up and smell the ashes.”

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

The Top 10 Opening Levels in Video Games 1

Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 wastes no time throwing players into a frenzied panic as they watch the iconic SSV Normandy get torn apart by enemy laser blasts. While a few of the ship’s crew are able to escape, most are killed or lost to space, including our hero, Commander Shepard.

The mission ends with a massive twist that easily leaves many gamers speechless and wondering how the game would progress after the death of the game’s protagonist. Fortunately for players, Mass Effect 2 is a sci-fi game, where state-of-the-art technology is able to bring Shepard back to life and allows him/her to continue his/her mission.

Resident Evil 4

In its opening sequence, Resident Evil 4 is able to instill in players a basic backstory, as well as a deep sense of dread and anticipation. Those who played the previous Resident Evil games know what’s coming, but even for veterans of the franchise, the opening mission is a great welcome back to the world of Resident Evil.

Gamers barely have an opportunity to get their bearings before they’re launched into the game’s world, which is full of mystery, intrigue, and hostiles. It’s definitely a good start to what many consider to be the best game in the series.

Uncharted 2

In the first Uncharted game, players got to know protagonist Nathan Drake and play out his ridiculous adventures. But with a lot of that leg work done, Uncharted 2 launches right in with a death-defying sequence that hooks players for the rest of the journey.

In addition to an impossible situation – that of climbing a busted train as it dangles over the edge of a cliff – Uncharted 2 does more than just push players to hustle. It provides just enough vertigo to conjure up an immersive queasiness.

The Top 10 Opening Levels in Video Games

With the massive competition happening in the video game industry, it’s important for each new title that it provide a solid first impression for gamers. That first impression often comes, in almost all cases, from the game’s opening level, where players either fall in love or lose interest and move on.

Considering the impact opening levels can have on gamers, we polled our writers to see what games they thought have the best start. In our list below, we’ve selected games whose first level impressed us, challenged us, and sparked within us a love for gaming.

Considering the subject matter, there are spoilers ahead.

Super Mario Bros.

It’s quite possible that the opening level in Super Mario Bros. is the most-played in video game history. Even gamers too young to remember the game’s original release have the opportunity to run, jump, and stomp their way through the game’s first level.

Despite its simplicity, the opening level in Super Mario Bros. will be remembered as the one that introduced millions of gamers to the red-clad Italian plumber, and the level that ignited a love for gaming in the hearts of gamers around the world.

The Last of Us

For many PlayStation gamers, The Last of Us was the best game on PlayStation 3, and its current-gen re-release is one of the best so far on PlayStation 4. For the most part, gamers praise the game for its impressive story, which started off with a bang.

From the first few minutes of The Last of Us, players get the feeling something big is going to happen – and they don’t have to wait long for confirmation. At the end of the first level, players witness the death of a key character, which affects the rest of the game’s story and provides players with a heart-wrenching opening.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim kicks things off right, with a dragon. Rather than just have players select the equipment they want and starting them off running around the vast open world, the developers at Bethesda instead throws players right into the action, letting them make character and gear selections as they go along.

With an opening like that, it’s hard to imagine a more impressive start to the next Elder Scrolls game. Of course, they could always just start things off with two dragons, right?

Medal of Honor: Frontline

Nominees Announced for 2012 Canadian Videogame Awards

ARK: Survival Evolved Lawsuit Could Pull Game from Sale

ARK: Survival Evolved developer Studio Wildcard is hit with a lawsuit from Trendy Entertainment that could halt the game’s development and pull it from Steam.

The popular early access title ARK: Survival Evolved could be in major legal trouble. As it turns out, Trendy Entertainment, the studio behind Dungeon Defenders, filed a lawsuit against ARK: Survival Evolved developer Studio Wildcard in December, alleging that Trendy’s former creative director Jeremy Stieglitz has violated the no-compete clause in his contract by secretly working on ARK in a major capacity.

Stieglitz was one of the founders of Trendy, but wanted to depart from the studio after a scandal made headlines in June 2013. Employees from Trendy complained of a poor work environment, citing excessive overtime and sexism. Shortly after this news broke, Stieglitz was removed from the development of Dungeon Defenders 2.

Stieglitz, unhappy with where he stood with Trendy, asked that he be released from his contract or that the company fire several individuals that made him uncomfortable. Eventually, an arrangement was made that saw Stieglitz’s three-year no compete clause reduced to one, and Stieglitz departed from Trendy.

However, according to Trendy’s lawsuit, Stieglitz actively attempted to recruit talent from Trendy to work at the new Studio Wildcard to work on online multiplayer dinosaur survival game ARK: Survival Evolved. Trendy’s lawsuit also accuses Stieglitz of working on ARK in a major creative capacity in secret, therefore violating the no-compete clause in his contract.

Studio Wildcard has not filed briefs in its own defense just yet, but the company’s lawyers have moved that the case be dismissed on the following grounds:

“Trendy’s Complaint reads more like a salacious tabloid story than a short and plain statement of the ultimate facts allegedly showing Trendy’s entitlement to relief, as required by the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. Many of the allegations are disparaging and included simply to be provocative. They are irrelevant, immaterial, impertinent, and scandalous. As such, these allegations should be stricken.”

Having said that, if the case isn’t dismissed by April 27th, ARK: Survival Evolved could be in serious trouble. It is on that day that the court will hear arguments regarding Trendy’s injunction to have development on ARK temporarily halted and the game pulled from Steam until the conflict is resolved. It is unknown at this point if the more popular Xbox One version of ARK will also be pulled from sale.

The lawsuit also doesn’t seem to specify whether or not those that already have the game would be able to continue playing it. However, one has to imagine that the servers would be taken down as well while the lawsuit continues, and especially if Trendy’s lawyers are able to prove that Stieglitz has indeed been working secretly on ARK. How this will impact player progress and ARK‘s PvP spinoff game remains to be seen.

ARK: Survival Evolved has proven to be one of the most popular early access titles to date, with ARK selling over 1 million copies on Steam alone. To have the game’s progress stalled at this stage in development would be devastating for Studio Wildcard, and would make it very unlikely that ARK: Survival Evolved would meet its planned full release date this June.

In the meantime, fans of ARK: Survival Evolved should keep their fingers crossed that the lawsuit isn’t dragged out. The longer it takes for it to be resolved, the longer that the game could potentially be pulled from sale. Unless the case is dismissed by next month, expect Trendy’s suggested injunction to be decided on April 27th.

Gaming’s Greatest Couples 1

James and Mary (Silent Hill 2)

At the beginning of Silent Hill 2, protagonist James receives a letter from his deceased wife Mary, and goes to the haunting town of Silent Hill in search of answers. The love for his wife is so strong that James is willing to brave the monstrosities roaming the streets in his relentless quest to discover the truth behind her death.

While some may view the story of James and Mary as sad, yet sweet, there is a Silent Hill 2 fan theory that states that Mary’s dead body is actually stowed in the trunk of James’ car the entire game. Whether or not this is true is up to interpretation, but there is some compelling evidence in support of the theory, and it makes the relationship between James and Mary come across as macabre and twisted – certainly fitting for a Silent Hill game.

Johnny and River (To the Moon)

To say that the marriage between Johnny and his childhood sweetheart-turned-wife River in To the Moon was complicated would be putting it lightly. The award-winning To the Moon deals with a dying Johnny, as doctors attempt to grant him his wish of an artificial memory of traveling to the moon. In the process, the doctors explore Johnny’s existing memories, allowing players to see Johnny and River’s relationship across many years, which results in one of the more profound and comprehensive depictions of love gaming has to offer.

Link and Zelda (The Legend of Zelda)

Gaming’s Greatest Couples

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Game Rant takes a look at the greatest couples in video game history, from Aerith and Cloud to Mario and Princess Peach.

Over the last few decades, video games have featured arguably some of the most compelling romantic relationships in fictional media. These couples are known for their chemistry, their commitment to one another, and how their relationship has resonated with the gaming community at large.

As the medium has matured, countless video games have featured romantic relationships between characters. However, the 10 featured here stick out in our minds as the most iconic couples in video game history. Join us as we examine what made their relationships so memorable, and be warned that there is potential for spoiler territory here.

Aerith Gainsborough and Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy 7)

The tragic story of Aerith and Cloud in Final Fantasy 7 is so powerful because we never really see the two really act on their emotions. We see the beginnings of their relationship, flirting, and obvious affection, but before Aerith and Cloud are able to really make a move for one another, Sephiroth puts an end to it by stabbing Aerith through the back. This stands as one of the most heartbreaking scenes in all of gaming, and it will be interesting to see if Square Enix allows Aerith to live in the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

Dominic and Maria Santiago (Gears of War)

Speaking of tragic love stories, few are as heartbreaking and disturbing as the story of Dominic and Maria Santiago in Gears of War. Ripped apart due to the brutal war between humans and the Locusts, Dom winds up finding his wife as a horrific shadow of her former self. What he does next is something that no husband should ever have to do. Though we only actually see Maria briefly in the Gears of War series, Dom’s relationship with her permeates throughout the entire franchise, and is one of the defining elements of his character arc.

Elena Fisher and Nathan Drake (Uncharted)

Thanks to a combination of great motion capture work and brilliant voice acting, Elena Fisher and Nathan Drake from the Uncharted series are very believable characters, and so their relationship feels genuine as well. Nathan’s tendency to get himself into dangerous, globe-trotting adventures results in the two often being at odds, but hopefully their story has a happy ending, and Nathan Drake doesn’t die in Uncharted 4 as rumored.

Jackie and Jenny (The Darkness)

Jackie and Jenny’s love in The Darkness has been called “the most authentic instance of romance ever conveyed in a video game”, and it’s hard to argue with that point. The developers do a fantastic job of making players care about Jenny, allowing them to simply sit on the couch and watch To Kill A Mockingbird with her if they so wish. Their relationship is built so well that when Jenny is ripped away from Jackie in the beginning of the game, it feels like a punch to the gut, and leaves both Jackie and the player thirsty for revenge.

The 5 Best Horror Games of 2015 1

In 2015, one of the most recognizable developers of horror games, Capcom, decided to experiment a bit with the genre’s biggest franchise, Resident Evil. This experiment came in the form of Resident Evil: Revelations 2, an episodic adventured that combined elements of classic Resident Evil with the co-op leanings of the more recent franchise entries.

While not without its flaws, Capcom’s experiment seems to have been mostly a success, earning more critical acclaim than Resident Evil 6 at the very least. Critics praised the horrific enemy designs and the returns of fan favorite characters Claire Redfield and Barry Burton, and it would certainly be interesting to see them return for a potential Resident Evil: Revelations 3 down the road.

SOMA

After the success of 2010’s Amnesia: The Dark Descent (itself largely responsible for revitalizing interest in true horror games) developer Frictional Games had a lot to live up to with SOMA. While the game may not have become as popular as Amnesia was in its heyday, SOMA has nevertheless earned critical acclaim due to its haunting atmosphere and emotionally charged narrative. It is perhaps the most genuinely scary game on this list, and definitely a game that fans of the genre shouldn’t pass up.

Until Dawn

Until Dawn suffered from a troubled development cycle, beginning life as a PlayStation Move game for the PS3, until eventually shifting gears and releasing as a PS4 exclusive. Typically this is a red flag, but Until Dawn defied expectations, and managed to become one of 2015’s sleeper hits in the process. Until Dawn released to strong sales and critical success, mostly thanks to its sharp graphics, excellent acting, and twisting, choice-based narrative. Its popularity has led to it already joining the ranks of the other first-party Sony franchises, with a spinoff based on the game due for release next year for the PlayStation VR.

Overall, 2015 was a great year for horror gaming, and hopefully this momentum carries into 2016. Chances seem good that 2016 will be another great year for horror gaming fans, if previously announced titles like the P.T. spiritual successor Allison Road and the asymmetrical multiplayer Friday the 13th game are any indication.

Which 2015 horror games were your favorites? Do you agree or disagree with our selections? Get at us in the comments below and let us know which horror games you enjoyed the most in 2015!