How would you personally define the biggest year in gaming? Are we set for a year like never seen before? Let’s take a look over some of the possibilities.
scores? Is it a year where the gaming industry makes more money than ever before? Is it a year when we get the most games released, whether big or small? How about a year where a lot of great memes follow a game (or several games) release? Well, depending on whom you ask and where their place is in the gaming world, the answers will vary greatly. But I think I can say, pretty confidently, that us as gamers are really after one of two things in the gaming world: great software on good hardware.
We play whatever consoles or PCs because of the software, the games that are available. The hardware is important because it allows us to play the games in the first place but the software truly is king overall. I mean, it may cost more, but what keeps several million people the world over from getting super powerful gaming PCs is the fact that Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony have exclusive games that are only on their consoles. (Well not so much Microsoft anymore….) That’s what it’s all about; the games. The hardware too but mostly the games. So wouldn’t the best year in gaming be represented by an amazing gaming lineup that’s very solid and varied, as well as great hardware releases?
Well I certainly think so, and I don’t think you can get much larger than 2017. Just from a hardware standpoint there is a lot to be excited about. In no particular order we have: Sony – PS4 Pro enhancements. (Sure, the Pro released in 2016, but it’s getting great enhancements in 2017 that truly make it stand out more). Nintendo – The Switch! This console is what the Wii U should have been and let me tell you, from some of the hands on time I’ve gotten, this console is incredible. It wouldn’t replace my PS4 anytime soon or anything, but it was well designed and taking Zelda on the road? Um YES please. Microsoft – Xbox Scorpio comes out. It’ll be the most powerful gaming console ever released, putting even the PS4 Pro out to pasture as far as tech is concerned. It has a lot of ground to gain on Sony’s PS4 (which I doubt it’ll catch) but still, this is a beast of a console that in some ways can stand up to big gaming PCs.
None of that includes tablets, smartphones, and even PCs themselves which are always improving each and every year. And don’t forget the various VR devices out there, from the Google Cardboard to the PS VR, there is a lot in that field to look at right now. Truly the hardware that lets us play games is in full swing in 2017, in ways we’ve never seen before. But that’s not all by any means. Like I said a bit ago in this post, truly software is king, and the king id mighty busy this year as well. We’ve seen some extremely solid games come out and we have a lot, and I mean a LOT, more to look forward to this year.
In no particular order here are some of the games out (and coming) in 2017: Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, Horizon Zero Dawn, Kingdom Hearts 1.5/2.5, Kingdom Hearts 2.8, Sonic Mania, Sonic Forces, Tales of Berseria, Gran Turismo Sport, God of War, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, Super Mario Odyssey, Nier: Automata, Nioh, Super Mario Run (Android version is new this year), Gravity Rush 2, Resident Evil 7, For Honor, Halo Wars 2, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Crash Bandicoot, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Yooka-Laylee, Parappa the Rapper, Outlast 2, Injustice 2, Project Cars 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, and so many more!
When you contemplate the hardware releases and enhancements we’ve seen you realize this is a big year. When you look at the games (and that list hardly touches all that’s coming) that point is totally driven home, for sure. The ways we interact with games is totally changing. Taking a big Zelda game on the road is a huge deal. Being in the world of Resident Evil 7 via PS VR is so incredible and just plain cool. Sonic is going back to his roots in a 2D Genesis like game. Mario is adventuring in a more real world. Link is in the open world. Aloy is a new character for us and she really knocked it out in her first adventure. This is just a massive year in gaming, from a hardware and software standpoint. I’d make the argument that this is the biggest year of gaming in all gaming history! What do you think?
