Games are always tough to recommend since it has a lot to do with personal preference and what type of games you enjoy playing. But with console prices so low during Black Friday, there’s no doubt that many people made the leap to next generation (PS4/Xbox One) and with the holidays coming up, people want to know what games to sink hours into to escape the drama that this time of year can bring. So I’ve put together my Top 5 list of games to pick up no matter what platform you prefer and what genres you enjoy. This week – PS4/Xbox One!

halo

5) Halo: The Master Chief Collection (Xbox One)

Anyone who’s owned an Xbox since it debuted in 2001 has probably experienced at least one of the games in the Halo franchise. Not only is it considered to be an incredible series that spans over a decade, but Halo is known for redefining
online multiplayer shooters. For the price of one game, The Master Chief Collection contains both single player and multiplayer modes from Halo 1 (the Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition), 2, 3, and 4. The earlier games have updated graphics and maps, and even lets you switch between the new and classic looks. Halo: The Master Chief Collection is worth dozens of hours of campaign and an endless amount of multiplayer madness bound to last you well into 2015.

 

dragon age

 

4) Dragon Age: Inquisition (PS4/Xbox One)

Admittedly, this is a game that I have not been able to experience yet since it just came out and I have a backlog of games I’m currently working on finishing, but I am looking forward to diving into this world. Judging by reviews, this is a game with an expansive open world with an endless amount of quests to pursue. Fans of the Dragon Age series will undoubtedly be eager to get their hands on this latest installment. I’m a huge fan of games that have meaningful choices that impact character development, and Dragon Age seems to incorporate that element into its story. With many reviews citing over 100+ hours of gameplay, including the story and side quests, this will be a great pick up for anyone looking to lose themselves in a new game world.

 

 

 

 destiny

3) Destiny (PS4/Xbox One)

I can’t remember the last time I was so hyped for a game release, and boy, did Destiny not disappoint. From the development team that created the Halo franchise, Destiny promised to be something new. A type of blend between first person shooters and Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG’s). While it may not have been as genre shattering as it was initially touted to be, this game is simply fun as hell. I highly recommend playing this game with a group of friends, especially as you get to the higher levels and raids, which shouldn’t be too hard to do seeing as nearly everyone on my friends list was playing this game at some point. Fans of the Borderland series will be right at home playing Destiny, as it keeps many of the same elements. While the game isn’t particularly challenging per se, and the story and voice acting aren’t the greatest, it nails down the mechanics of a good shooter. Taking down hordes of enemies just feels great, and the addiction of leveling up weapons and armor and going on loot runs will appease any RPG fan. With the first major DLC expansion coming in early December, it’s a great time to get into the struggle to save Earth.

 

 

gta

2) Grand Theft Auto V (PS4/Xbox One)

Grand Theft Auto V was one of the standout games in the last year of the past generation of consoles. With a great story line that arcs across three main protagonists in a incredible, sprawling rendition of Hollywood and the surrounding area, this game packs in more activities than any other game that comes to mind. Outside of the fantastic campaign, you can do everything from skydiving, racing, and jetskiing to hiking, hunting, and playing tennis. Oh, and of course, perform bank heists, take police on wild chases up and down the Pacific coast, and cause mayhem in any way you can possibly imagine. The number of possibilities in this game are remarkably staggering. The high definition remake makes the game even more stunning on PS4 and Xbox One. This updated version also brings first person mode to the game, which adds an entirely new sense of realism to the game. Driving, especially on motorcycles, is exhilarating, and I even caught myself apologizing to cars I barreled my sports car into on the freeway. The online mode of the game allows you to go on missions with friends, but in my opinion, the fun lies in the beautifully created open world, giving you a massive sandbox for you to create some hilarious adventures. With a score of 97 on metacritic, this is truly a game to not overlook, even if you’ve already played it on the last generation of consoles.

 

last of us

1) The Last of Us Remastered (PS4)

Hands down, The Last of Us was my favorite game last year, and probably even last console generation. It would be very difficult for me not to recommend this game to anyone other than those seriously turned off by violent games (there are some really brutal scenes). In a year that saw the release of more than a few games with good storylines, the plot and voice acting in the Last of Us are some of the best I’ve ever encountered in my 20+ years of gaming. I haven’t felt so close and connected to characters since the crew on the Mass Effect series, and joining Joel and Ellie on their journey and seeing their transformation really touched me. This is a game stays with you long after you play it, much like a beloved television show, with some highly memorable scenes. Even if you played the story before, being able to replay it in high definition on the PS4 is well worth the price (especially now that it has been substantially reduced during Black Friday and Cyber Monday). I have a feeling that this game will remain in my Top 5 all time favorite games for a long, long time.

Honorable Mentions

FIFA 15, Madden NFL 15, NBA 2K15, NHL 15 (PS4/Xbox One) – No matter what sport you fancy, chances are, there is a game for it. My particular taste is for soccer, and FIFA 15 did not disappoint. I sink well over 100 hours into the series every year, and with the variety of modes, there is always something to keep me entertained.

Shadow Of Mordor (PS4/Xbox One)  – Finally a great game in the Lord of the Rings universe. A fantastic open world game with an innovative gameplay system created to infiltrate and manipulate the enemy forces. With tons of side quests to complete, this is well worth consideration if you’re looking for a good goblin killing fantasy adventure.

Towerfall (PS4)  – One of my go to games when my friends are over. If you have a bunch of PS4 controllers lying around and friends coming over during the holidays, this indie hit is must have with its frantic, pixelated gameplay. It will have you and your friends jumping and yelling in no time.

Child of Light  (PS4/Xbox One) – The game was a surprise to me. I picked it up on sale when it was released on the Xbox One, and immediately fell in love with the art style and gameplay. Those of you who enjoy turn based combat will surely consider this a worthwhile purchase.

Sunset Overdrive (Xbox One) – The best comparison I can make for Sunset Overdrive is to Dead Rising. With its wacky weapons and the way it doesn’t try to take itself seriously, fans of the Dead Rising series will definitely enjoy Sunset Overdrive.