This is the second part of my post for best PC games of 2017, focusing on original games. While not always exclusive for PC, these are games that can be enjoyed in a decent gaming PC.
These games are listed in order of their release date and not in any particular order of ranking.
Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods is a single-player adventure video game for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, and PlayStation 4. It is developed by Infinite Fall, a studio founded by game designer Alec Holowka, and animator/illustrator Scott Benson. It is an exploration game focused primarily on story in which players control a cat named Mae, who recently dropped out of college and has returned to her hometown to find unexpected change. It was released for PC on February 21, 2017 on Steam.
[ A game dealing with lots of controversial issues, this indie gem is a soothing experience. ]
Nier: Automata
Nier: Automata is an open-world action role-playing video game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix for PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows. Nier: Automata is a sequel to the 2010 video game Nier, a spin-off of the Drakengard series. Set in the midst of a proxy war between machines created by otherworldly invaders and the remnants of humanity, the story follows the battles of a combat android, her companion, and a fugitive prototype. Gameplay combines role-playing elements with action-based combat and mixed genre gameplay similar to that of Nier.Upon release, Nier: Automata was given highly positive reviews, with critics praising the game's narrative, characterization, music design, combat system and usage of different gameplay genres. Criticism was leveled at the game's technical problems. The game released worldwide on Steam for PC in March 17, 2017.
[ One of the best RPG's of 2017. I have this for PS4, but the PC port should be just as good. A very fun experience with interesting setting, lovable protagonists and amazing storytelling. ]
Tekken 7
Tekken 7 is a fighting game developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game is the ninth installment in the Tekken series, and the first to make use of the Unreal Engine. Set shortly after the events of Tekken 6, the plot focuses on the fights between martial artist Heihachi Mishima and his son, Kazuya. Across the series it is revealed the reasons why Heihachi tried to kill Kazuya when he was only a child as well as what happened to Kazuya's mother. Besides the main story, Tekken 7 introduces new elements for the fighting system such as the Rage and the Power Crush to increase the characters' powers. Tekken 7 had a limited arcade release in Japan in March 2015. An updated arcade version, Tekken 7: Fated Retribution, was released in Japan in July 2016, and features expanded content including new stages, costumes, items and characters. The same version was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in June 2, 2017.
[ While the PS4 version might be the best way to experience this one too, I have tried the PC version and its just as awesome. Being a fan of fighting games I can not help but enter this into my list. Tekken 7 is the epitome of 3D fighting games and the various unexpected DLC characters just adds that much more to this wonderful game. ]
Pyre
Pyre is an action role-playing sports video game developed by Supergiant Games for Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS and PlayStation 4. The game takes place in a high fantasy setting. The player controls a character who has been exiled from society and quickly meets three other exiles. The three exiles discover that the player-character is literate and invites them to join their party, nicknaming them the Reader. The Reader aids the exiles and other exiles met during the course of the game in their travels through the land of purgatory as they look to cleanse their souls via defeating other exiles. The story is told through on-screen narrative passages that include a hyperlink-type system used by the player-character to explore the story further. In addition to guiding the exiles during "Rites" which resemble a sports game, the Reader must determine how to help support or improve the party, by performing activities such as scavenging for supplies, learning more of the world's lore, or mentoring the exiles to improve their abilities. It was released on July 25, 2017.
[ Latest entry by Supergiant Games is yet another unique experience. These guys really know how to create original stuff. ]
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, or simply Hellblade, is a cinematic dark fantasy/psychological horror action-adventure video game developed and published by Ninja Theory, Described by Ninja Theory as an "independent AAA game", it was developed by a team of approximately twenty developers led by the game's writer and director Tameem Antoniades, who had previously directed Kung Fu Chaos and DmC: Devil May Cry, with additional writing by Dr. Elizabeth Ashman Rowe, a university lecturer specialized in Scandinavian culture. Inspired by Norse mythology and Celtic culture, Hellblade follows Senua (played by actress Melina Juergens), a Pict warrior who must make her way to Helheim by defeating otherworldly entities and facing their challenges, in order to rescue the soul of her dead lover from the goddess Hela. It was released worldwide independently on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4 on August 8, 2017.
[ A game which doesn't seem much on the first glance, actually has a lot to offer. A truly remarkable emotional storytelling makes this one of the games to check out from '17. ]
Divinity: Original Sin II
Divinity: Original Sin II is a role-playing video game developed and published by Larian Studios for Microsoft Windows. The sequel to 2014's Divinity: Original Sin.As with Divinity: Original Sin, players can play fully solo with only one character in their party, or with up to three others. Several pre-made characters with backstories are available to the player. Players are also able to create a custom character, and choose their stats, race, gender, and origin story at the start of the game. They can recruit up to three companions to assist them although mods in the Steam Workshop exist which increase the maximum number of party companions. A skill crafting system allows players to mix and change their skills. The game also features a competitive multiplayer mode, where players are divided into two different teams and fight against each other in an arena map. It was released worldwide on 14 September 2017.
[ Some say this is one of the best RPG of all time! While I may not agree totally, this is one of the best games of this year and certainly the best PC exclusive on this list. This retains what the original did right and adds so much more complexity. ]
Cuphead
Cuphead is a run and gun indie video game developed and published by StudioMDHR. As the title character Cuphead, along with his brother, Mugman, one or two players fight a series of bosses in order to repay a debt to the devil. The game was heavily inspired by the rubber hose style of animation used in cartoons of the 1930s, such as the work of studios Fleischer and Walt Disney Animation, seeking to emulate their subversive and surrealist qualities. Cuphead was released on Microsoft Windows and Xbox One on September 29, 2017.
[ While I may have missed this one when I initially made my list for September, I knew I was gonna love this when I first saw this game. This will make you nostalgic if you grew up on old cartoons like me, game-play is enjoyable too. ]
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is an action-adventure first-person shooter video game developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game is the eighth main entry in the Wolfenstein series and the sequel to 2014's Wolfenstein: The New Order, set in alternate history 1961 America following the Nazi victory of the Second World War. The story follows war veteran William "B.J." Blazkowicz and his efforts to fight against the Nazi regime in the United States. The game is played from a first-person perspective and most of its levels are navigated on foot. The story is arranged in chapters, which players complete in order to progress. A morality choice in the prologue alters the game's entire storyline; some characters and small plot points are replaced throughout the timelines. The game features a variety of weapons, most of which can be dual wielded. A cover system is also present. Continuing from The New Order, the development team aimed to characterize Blazkowicz for players to adopt his personality. It was released on 27 October 2017 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and is scheduled for release in 2018 for Nintendo Switch.
[ Might be the best first-person shooter of last year. Not PC exclusive, but the PC version does well in maintaining the chaos and the atmosphere. ]
Assassin's Creed Origins
Assassin's Creed Origins is an action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the tenth major installment in the Assassin's Creed series and the successor to 2015's Assassin's Creed Syndicate. The game is set in Egypt during the Ptolemaic period (48 BC) and recounts the secret fictional history of real-world events. The story explores the origins of the centuries-long conflict between the Brotherhood of Assassins, who fight for peace by promoting liberty, and The Order of the Ancients—forerunners to the Templar Order—who desire peace through the forced imposition of order. It was released worldwide for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on October 27, 2017.
[ A setting that is very promising to say the latest. And this latest entry into the 'Assassin's Creed Franchise' does provide on the other aspects as expected of it. ]
Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Middle-earth: Shadow of War is an action role-playing video game developed by Monolith Productions and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. It is the sequel to 2014's Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Shadow of War continues the previous game's narrative, which is based on J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium and set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Like its predecessor, the game also takes heavy inspiration from director Peter Jackson's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings film adaptations. The player continues the story of the ranger Talion and the spirit of the elf lord Celebrimbor, who shares Talion's body, as they forge a new Ring of Power to amass an army to fight against Sauron. The game builds upon the "Nemesis System" introduced in Shadow of Mordor, allowing Talion to gain followers from several races of Middle-earth, including Uruks and Ologs, and plan out complex strategies using these to complete missions. It was released worldwide for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on October 10, 2017.
[ You know I love anything to do with middle-earth. This is the sequel of 'Shadow of Mordor' and does everything that game did and better. A game which will cater to any fan of fantasy setting. ]
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) is a multiplayer online battle royale game developed and published by PUBG Corporation, a subsidiary of publisher Bluehole. The game is based on previous mods that were created by Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene for other games using the film Battle Royale for inspiration, and expanded into a standalone game under Greene's creative direction. In the game, up to one hundred players parachute onto an island and scavenge for weapons and equipment to kill others while avoiding getting killed themselves. The available safe area of the game's map decreases in size over time, directing surviving players into tighter areas to force encounters. The last player or team standing wins the round. The game was released for Microsoft Windows via Steam's early access beta program in March 2017, with a full release on December 20, 2017.
[ Another one that I had missed initially, this online battle royale took PC gaming by storm. While not for casual gamers, this one is quite fun after you get the hang of it. ]
These games are listed in order of their release date and not in any particular order of ranking.
Night in the Woods is a single-player adventure video game for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, and PlayStation 4. It is developed by Infinite Fall, a studio founded by game designer Alec Holowka, and animator/illustrator Scott Benson. It is an exploration game focused primarily on story in which players control a cat named Mae, who recently dropped out of college and has returned to her hometown to find unexpected change. It was released for PC on February 21, 2017 on Steam.
[ A game dealing with lots of controversial issues, this indie gem is a soothing experience. ]
Nier: Automata is an open-world action role-playing video game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix for PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows. Nier: Automata is a sequel to the 2010 video game Nier, a spin-off of the Drakengard series. Set in the midst of a proxy war between machines created by otherworldly invaders and the remnants of humanity, the story follows the battles of a combat android, her companion, and a fugitive prototype. Gameplay combines role-playing elements with action-based combat and mixed genre gameplay similar to that of Nier.Upon release, Nier: Automata was given highly positive reviews, with critics praising the game's narrative, characterization, music design, combat system and usage of different gameplay genres. Criticism was leveled at the game's technical problems. The game released worldwide on Steam for PC in March 17, 2017.
[ One of the best RPG's of 2017. I have this for PS4, but the PC port should be just as good. A very fun experience with interesting setting, lovable protagonists and amazing storytelling. ]
Tekken 7 is a fighting game developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game is the ninth installment in the Tekken series, and the first to make use of the Unreal Engine. Set shortly after the events of Tekken 6, the plot focuses on the fights between martial artist Heihachi Mishima and his son, Kazuya. Across the series it is revealed the reasons why Heihachi tried to kill Kazuya when he was only a child as well as what happened to Kazuya's mother. Besides the main story, Tekken 7 introduces new elements for the fighting system such as the Rage and the Power Crush to increase the characters' powers. Tekken 7 had a limited arcade release in Japan in March 2015. An updated arcade version, Tekken 7: Fated Retribution, was released in Japan in July 2016, and features expanded content including new stages, costumes, items and characters. The same version was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in June 2, 2017.
[ While the PS4 version might be the best way to experience this one too, I have tried the PC version and its just as awesome. Being a fan of fighting games I can not help but enter this into my list. Tekken 7 is the epitome of 3D fighting games and the various unexpected DLC characters just adds that much more to this wonderful game. ]
Pyre is an action role-playing sports video game developed by Supergiant Games for Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS and PlayStation 4. The game takes place in a high fantasy setting. The player controls a character who has been exiled from society and quickly meets three other exiles. The three exiles discover that the player-character is literate and invites them to join their party, nicknaming them the Reader. The Reader aids the exiles and other exiles met during the course of the game in their travels through the land of purgatory as they look to cleanse their souls via defeating other exiles. The story is told through on-screen narrative passages that include a hyperlink-type system used by the player-character to explore the story further. In addition to guiding the exiles during "Rites" which resemble a sports game, the Reader must determine how to help support or improve the party, by performing activities such as scavenging for supplies, learning more of the world's lore, or mentoring the exiles to improve their abilities. It was released on July 25, 2017.
[ Latest entry by Supergiant Games is yet another unique experience. These guys really know how to create original stuff. ]
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, or simply Hellblade, is a cinematic dark fantasy/psychological horror action-adventure video game developed and published by Ninja Theory, Described by Ninja Theory as an "independent AAA game", it was developed by a team of approximately twenty developers led by the game's writer and director Tameem Antoniades, who had previously directed Kung Fu Chaos and DmC: Devil May Cry, with additional writing by Dr. Elizabeth Ashman Rowe, a university lecturer specialized in Scandinavian culture. Inspired by Norse mythology and Celtic culture, Hellblade follows Senua (played by actress Melina Juergens), a Pict warrior who must make her way to Helheim by defeating otherworldly entities and facing their challenges, in order to rescue the soul of her dead lover from the goddess Hela. It was released worldwide independently on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4 on August 8, 2017.
[ A game which doesn't seem much on the first glance, actually has a lot to offer. A truly remarkable emotional storytelling makes this one of the games to check out from '17. ]
Divinity: Original Sin II is a role-playing video game developed and published by Larian Studios for Microsoft Windows. The sequel to 2014's Divinity: Original Sin.As with Divinity: Original Sin, players can play fully solo with only one character in their party, or with up to three others. Several pre-made characters with backstories are available to the player. Players are also able to create a custom character, and choose their stats, race, gender, and origin story at the start of the game. They can recruit up to three companions to assist them although mods in the Steam Workshop exist which increase the maximum number of party companions. A skill crafting system allows players to mix and change their skills. The game also features a competitive multiplayer mode, where players are divided into two different teams and fight against each other in an arena map. It was released worldwide on 14 September 2017.
[ Some say this is one of the best RPG of all time! While I may not agree totally, this is one of the best games of this year and certainly the best PC exclusive on this list. This retains what the original did right and adds so much more complexity. ]
Cuphead is a run and gun indie video game developed and published by StudioMDHR. As the title character Cuphead, along with his brother, Mugman, one or two players fight a series of bosses in order to repay a debt to the devil. The game was heavily inspired by the rubber hose style of animation used in cartoons of the 1930s, such as the work of studios Fleischer and Walt Disney Animation, seeking to emulate their subversive and surrealist qualities. Cuphead was released on Microsoft Windows and Xbox One on September 29, 2017.
[ While I may have missed this one when I initially made my list for September, I knew I was gonna love this when I first saw this game. This will make you nostalgic if you grew up on old cartoons like me, game-play is enjoyable too. ]
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is an action-adventure first-person shooter video game developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game is the eighth main entry in the Wolfenstein series and the sequel to 2014's Wolfenstein: The New Order, set in alternate history 1961 America following the Nazi victory of the Second World War. The story follows war veteran William "B.J." Blazkowicz and his efforts to fight against the Nazi regime in the United States. The game is played from a first-person perspective and most of its levels are navigated on foot. The story is arranged in chapters, which players complete in order to progress. A morality choice in the prologue alters the game's entire storyline; some characters and small plot points are replaced throughout the timelines. The game features a variety of weapons, most of which can be dual wielded. A cover system is also present. Continuing from The New Order, the development team aimed to characterize Blazkowicz for players to adopt his personality. It was released on 27 October 2017 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and is scheduled for release in 2018 for Nintendo Switch.
[ Might be the best first-person shooter of last year. Not PC exclusive, but the PC version does well in maintaining the chaos and the atmosphere. ]
Assassin's Creed Origins is an action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the tenth major installment in the Assassin's Creed series and the successor to 2015's Assassin's Creed Syndicate. The game is set in Egypt during the Ptolemaic period (48 BC) and recounts the secret fictional history of real-world events. The story explores the origins of the centuries-long conflict between the Brotherhood of Assassins, who fight for peace by promoting liberty, and The Order of the Ancients—forerunners to the Templar Order—who desire peace through the forced imposition of order. It was released worldwide for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on October 27, 2017.
[ A setting that is very promising to say the latest. And this latest entry into the 'Assassin's Creed Franchise' does provide on the other aspects as expected of it. ]
Middle-earth: Shadow of War is an action role-playing video game developed by Monolith Productions and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. It is the sequel to 2014's Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Shadow of War continues the previous game's narrative, which is based on J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium and set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Like its predecessor, the game also takes heavy inspiration from director Peter Jackson's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings film adaptations. The player continues the story of the ranger Talion and the spirit of the elf lord Celebrimbor, who shares Talion's body, as they forge a new Ring of Power to amass an army to fight against Sauron. The game builds upon the "Nemesis System" introduced in Shadow of Mordor, allowing Talion to gain followers from several races of Middle-earth, including Uruks and Ologs, and plan out complex strategies using these to complete missions. It was released worldwide for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on October 10, 2017.
[ You know I love anything to do with middle-earth. This is the sequel of 'Shadow of Mordor' and does everything that game did and better. A game which will cater to any fan of fantasy setting. ]
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) is a multiplayer online battle royale game developed and published by PUBG Corporation, a subsidiary of publisher Bluehole. The game is based on previous mods that were created by Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene for other games using the film Battle Royale for inspiration, and expanded into a standalone game under Greene's creative direction. In the game, up to one hundred players parachute onto an island and scavenge for weapons and equipment to kill others while avoiding getting killed themselves. The available safe area of the game's map decreases in size over time, directing surviving players into tighter areas to force encounters. The last player or team standing wins the round. The game was released for Microsoft Windows via Steam's early access beta program in March 2017, with a full release on December 20, 2017.
[ Another one that I had missed initially, this online battle royale took PC gaming by storm. While not for casual gamers, this one is quite fun after you get the hang of it. ]
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