2017 was an amazing year in the world of gaming. Here are a few of the biggest action-adventure games the year had to offer. Some of them might have flown under your radar, but are still well worth your time and attention

Horizon Zero Dawn

An action role-playing game released exclusively for the Sony PlayStation 4. The story is set in the 31st century, in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by massive machines that resemble dinosaurs. Humans have returned to living in primitive tribal societies and hunt the machines for parts to utilize in everyday life. You play as Aloy, who was cast out of her tribe at birth. Aloy takes part in a competition to reclaim her place within the tribe. Things take an unexpected turn as cultists, who somehow discovered how to control the machines, attack the tribe. Aloy sets off on an adventure to stop these cultists and to discover the secret origins of this mysterious world.

The game is played from a third-person perspective, as you control Aloy. Players are free to explore an open world, which features a day-night cycle, a dynamic weather system and diverse terrains. Alloy has a variety of weapons and traps to strategically take down the machines in a fight. Scraps can be collected from slain machines to use as tools or to upgrade existing weapons.

This game is a must for anyone who enjoys open world games. Even if you are not familiar with these types of games, I would highly recommend giving it a try for the amazingly unique experience.

Metacritic rating: 89 out of 100
Available on: Playstation 4

Nier Automata

An action role-playing game set in a distant dystopian future of 11945 AD. Most of humanity has been wiped out by invaders from another world, with the survivors of the first conflict fleeing to the Moon. The humans eventually retaliates by sending down combat androids to do battle in their stead. You play as the androids 2B, 9S and A2 in the war to defeat the enemy of humanity. Despite the over-the=top look of the game, it features a very deep story that tries to uncover the ultimate meaning of life, making you contemplate things long after you have finished the game.

Simply saying the game is a hack-and-slash style action game does not do it justice, as it takes styles from across a multitude of game genres, making it a truly memorable experience. The player controls the three androids from a third person perspective in most instances. You do battle by incorporating a combination of melee attacks, shooting and evading. As you progress through the game, you will be able to upgrade your characters to suit your preferred play style.

This game flew under the radar for most people, but was extremely well received by both critics and players. An absolute must for fans of the action genre and people who enjoy a rich, engaging story that makes one think about more than just the action on screen.

Warning: this game is intended for mature audiences. It is not gory, but It delves into some heavy subject matters not suitable for children.

Metacritic rating: 88 out of 100
Available on: Playstation 4 and PC

Super Mario Odyssey

A 3D platform game from Nintendo that requires no introduction. Super Mario has been the poster-child of gaming since 1985 and is still widely popular today. The premise of the game is quite simple: Save princess Peach from the evil Bowser, while traveling through a variety of unique kingdoms. The game has been hailed as one of the best in the series yet, which is saying a lot considering the game’s successful history.

Players take control of Mario throughout the adventure, traveling through fully explorable worlds to complete objectives themed around each specific world and collect items known as power moons, which are needed to fuel Mario’s hat-shaped ship he uses to travel between worlds. Mario has his original set of moves and is able to use his cap to aid him in his journey. When the cap is thrown at certain objects or enemies, Mario can take on some of their abilities such as the ability to jump larger distances or fire at enemies.

This a game is excellent for any age and a must for any Mario fan.

Metacritic rating: 97 out of 100
Available on: Nintendo Switch

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

An action-adventure game and another gaming juggernaut from Nintendo. Players are given very few instructions. Like in the original title, the emphasis here is on exploration and discovery, without any kind of guidance. The story is a classic tale of good versus evil, which will resonate with just about anyone. The story revolves around Link, who aids the princess Zelda in defeating the evil being Ganon. The premise and story have been largely unaltered, which makes it easy for anyone to get into the game without any prior knowledge of the series.

Players take control of Link to save the kingdom of Hyrule. Players are free to explore the open world as they please from the start, making each playthrough unique to the individual. Unlike previous Zelda games, Link has to procure weapons and armour that have limited durability. This adds an extra layer of depth, as forces the player to carefully consider which items to use within a given situation.

The game is a must for Zelda fans and anyone who likes to explore an open world however they please. Expect a lot of exploration and puzzle solving.

This game was declared the game of the year 2017!

Metacritic rating: 97 out of 100
Available on: Nintendo Switch and Wii U

Assassin’s Creed Origins

The tenth entity in the loved series of this action-adventure stealth game. Set in a fictional version of ancient Egypt, during a power struggle between Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, as well as a threat of invasion from the the Romans. You play as a scout named Bayek who stumbles upon secret forces manipulating events from the shadows and together form the first order of assassins.

Players are able to freely explore an open world, having to scale buildings and scout out the area in order to plan how to execute their objective without being detected. The game features a completely overhauled combat system, making encounters feel much more engaging.

The game is a must for the fans of the Assassin’s Creed series. Expect to see a lot of welcomed additions and improvements.

Metacritic rating: 84 out of 100
Available on: PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

A PlayStation 4 exclusive action-adventure game. The game follows the treasure hunter Chloe Frazer in search of the legendary tusk of Ganesh that was lost centuries ago. Chloe teams up with a mercenary called Nadine Ross and together they set off on an adventure to find the lost artifact. During their journey they encounter hostile forces that are also after the item, which they want to use it to incite a civil war in India.

The game is played from a third-person perspective, with platforming game elements. Players are given a variety of tools and weapons to explore the terrain and defeat their enemies. The game’s enemies feature an artificial intelligence system, which reacts to players’ actions. Enemies create their own tactics according to how players interact with them. This makes every play through feel unique, since enemies are unpredictable.

This game is awesome for fans of the Uncharted series or for anyone who wants to channel their inner Indiana Jones. Expect a rich engaging story with some insane action sequences.

Metacritic rating: 84 out of 100
Available on: PlayStation 4

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War

A sequel to the 2014 critically acclaimed action role-playing video game Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor. The game is loosely based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s books and is set roughly in-between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Players follow the story of a ranger named Tailon, who is possessed by the spirit of the elf lord Celebrimbor. They work together in an attempt to create a new a ring of power to wield in the war against the dark lord Sauron.

Players control Tailon in a fully explorable open world. He is able to scale most surfaces and has some supernatural abilities, thanks to the spirit possessing him. The game once again features the nemesis system; essentially, enemies’ behavior towards players is based on previous interactions. Enemies can be converted to fight for your side in epic battles to conquer hostile strong holds

The game is a must for any fan of the first person games and fans of the Tolkien universe. Expect to see some high fantasy action and deep storytelling within an immersive world

Metacritic rating: 80 out of 100
Available on: PlayStation 4, PC and Xbox One

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