2016 games for cult status

[Igor-Rowan]

Let's do like the Game Awards by pretending December doesn't exist and rank these years' games on a category that isn't best, worst or blandest, but games that have hit the right spots for certain groups of people and will live on as such. These are in no particular order.

5. Furi

Spoiler: This message at the end of Furier mode sums up the game, no spoilers ahead

"You finished the game in its hardest difficulty mode. This means you must like this game, but also that you spent lots of efforts playing it, getting better and better. We want to thank you for that. We designed this game for you, players who would think of it as an instrument and practice until they master it."

That's how this game sees itself, as a love letter to all of those "git gud" games like Dark Souls that have hit the mainstream and I applaud for not only that, but to give us an interesting fighter/bullet hell.

4. ReCore

Now that the horrendous loading times have been patched, this game is recommended if you want a platformer/shooter experience, while the color-matching attacks and the 'pencil eraser, eraser eraser' method of progression may be a little jarring to some, there is fun to be had here, not exactly the Star Wars' Rey meets MM: Fury Road many were expecting, but something good regardless.

3. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE

This ain't no Persona, but it's still an Atlus game and it shows, I was kind of disappointed the Fire Emblem-part of the crossover was lessened in favor of something more original, but it's a great JRPG experience. With all of the Wii U games being ported to the new system, this one really will be missed if it doesn't make the Switch.

2. Hyper Light Drifter

This game was built to be something from the SNES period, which I can totally get behind, I find it really cynical using another game's legacy to promote your product, yet here it is, a game with solid mechanic and an interesting way of storytelling using next to no text.

Honorable mentions: [because of course]

Mother Russia Bleeds: The soundtrack.

Rhythim Heaven Megamix: Another great installment.

R?publique: Night Trap meets Metal Gear, what's not to love?

Shadow of the Beast: Worthy successor of its humble beginnings

1. The Witness

Many of you probably saw this one coming. If you want puzzles, this game got you covered, the puzzles get samey, but in no way easier. And while this game lacks a foundation about why you're solving this puzzles non-stop, like characters, lore or setting, the sheer wish of wanting to keep doing them to solve the many question it raises makes/breaks this game for many.

Since this is about the games that got less hype or coverage it's possible I missed quite a few, share them here.

 

[Smithnikov_v1legacy]

Gonna second Mother Russia Bleeds not just for the Fixions soundtrack, but for it's general style and sleazing up of a fairly straight forward genre of game.

 

[Igor-Rowan]

Gonna second Mother Russia Bleeds not just for the Fixions soundtrack, but for it's general style and sleazing up of a fairly straight forward genre of game.

I know, but to me the soundtrack was the highlight.

 

[sXeth]

Well I'll throw in the unpopular questionable theory that No Mans SKy probably will end up in that bracket.

Its gotten some distance on the release backlash, an update that seems to indicate they're going to improve upon their issues, and the general AAA-mass audience not really clogging up on something that even its fans identify as a niche experience.

I wouldn't say they've necessarily undid their reputation, but there's a drastically more positive response to it currently with their fanbase (and some people dipping in, or back, probably helped by the fact its essentially halved or more in price from used copies and sales nowadays. Which in itself will change levels of expectation).

 

[stroopwafel]

I'll second Hyperlight Drifter. Really impressed how such a small team could make such a fun and genuinely quite complex game(in both level design, gameplay mechanics and artistic direction) with such limited means. Not quite up there with Salt&Sanctuary but definitely one of my favorite indie titles.

 

[The Madman]

Alright, so here's a game I can see retaining a sort of cult following over the years.

It's a cute little game. Kinda like Paper's Please, only less depressing and more character driven. I picked it up when I noticed it on sale because I like the premise and the reviews were solid, and although I wouldn't nominate it for GOTY or anything it was unique and entertaining enough that I can easily see popping up in conversations for years to come.

 

[SquidVicious]

I've been enjoying a game that came out recently called Beholder. It kind of plays like a blend of Papers, Please and This War of Mine. The general gist is you are a building manager for an apartment building in not-Russia and you must spy on your tenants by installing cameras in their apartments and breaking in when they aren't there to create profiles of their behaviors. I haven't gotten very far because I'm trying to play it as a good character which is challenging because of the "missions" the game gives you. For example, an early one has you having to evict a tenant who previously helped you out by giving your son books he needed for college. The good way is to go through a lengthy process in which you help him and his wife escape to a less shitty country, which takes time and resources, or you could just plant drugs or blue jeans in his apartment when he's not there and call the cops on him. It does have some control issues and can be a little too planned out, but its art style is unique and the ways you can solve problems seem pretty well thought out.

I also played through INSIDE last weekend and quite enjoyed that. I got it on sale for $14.99 which I think is a good price for the game's length. It had some really stunning backgrounds and well designed puzzles that didn't leave me stuck for too long. The ending was kind of a mind-fuck but I don't think it really detracted from the experience and its stayed with me for over a week now as I try and figure out what the game was about.

 

[Igor-Rowan]

Snip

OH MY, I completely forgot about that one. I remember watching people play it and became really interested, but I think I became interested in something else:

Those two came out around the same time as BTA, but as a fan of Law and Order, my attention instantly shifted, Beat Cops is a pixelart Papers Please-style game where a cop delivers tickets, but becomes part of something bigger and This is the Police is a real-time resource management game (a somewhat repetitive one) where it gives you control of a police force tasked with calls and emergencies. I've sunk so much time on them I overlooked everything else, much like yours I wouldn't give them GOTY nominations, but they are still worth checking out.

 

[Blood Brain Barrier]

Goetia. A cult game about... Cults! Seriously, this is a top notch title. Amazing story full of twists and turns, great gothic visual style and great atmosphere.