Yearly best-seller lists don’t tell the whole story about what new video games are the highest quality releases. The masses of people investing money into these new titles are indicative of players’ trends towards the most popular and widely-advertised games on the market currently. As it stands, this year’s list is a good indicator of the trends people are leaning towards in video gaming.
Here are the six highest-selling video games of this year so far:
BOUNS: Resident Evil 7 Biohazard
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release: January 24, 2017
Resident Evil 7 sprung back onto the scene as the newest addition to the Resident Evil franchise, and did they ever come back in style. After listening to their fans for constructive feedback about a new release, the new survival horror game brought us less jump-scares and more tense, blood-curdling horror. Capcom returned to its roots and redefined what this horror series stood by in releases such as Resident Evil 4 to make this an absolutely breathtaking game.
Right now, the game is available for $45.00 on the PlayStation 4.
5. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Developer: Infinity Ward
Publisher: Activision
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release Date: November 4, 2016
The Call of Duty series returned late last year with another installment to the world-famous series with Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. This one, however, wasn’t very well-received among fans. The accumulated Steam reviews ended up giving an overall rating of “mostly negative.” For many, the game felt like a rehash of previous games that offered very little in terms of a new game design, a different plot or any interesting outstanding multiplayer features.
Bundled with this was another addition of problems: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered. Until its standalone release tomorrow, the new perspective of an old game was a driving and sole motivation for many to buy the game, showing just how little Activision cares about its fan base’s needs.
You can buy the game now for $29.99.
4. FIFA 17
Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: EA Sports
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Release: September 27, 2016
FIFA 17 brought new features into the game by offering a new intelligence system, new ways to attack, a physical player overhaul and a host of different features. With FIFA 17 going on sale in expectation of the next installment, sports games usually go on sale, which attracts the players who waited for the sale before purchasing.
The title is available for purchase for $39.99.
3. Horizon Zero Dawn
Developer: Guerrilla Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platform: PlayStation 4
Release Date: February 28, 2017
This open world RPG takes a unique and engaging spin on the world of the expansive games in the shoes of Aloy, a hunter and archer residing in a world overrun by robots. The concept is risky in theory because it adds so much depth and different features to the game, but the end result was one of the best games of this year. Horizon Zero Dawn is available for $39.99.
2. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Ghost Recon Wildlands
Developer: Ubisoft Paris
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release Date: March 7, 2017
This one surprised me because I knew just how mediocre the reviews for this game was. I’d only get this if I were a hardcore Tom Clancy series fan, but I’m not. Gameplay footage is suitable enough for me. The expansive world and absolute autonomy of the game resembles Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain too much for me to hop on board with this too much, though. I can’t see very many unique advantages this game has over that title since the game’s hallmark features are also evident in that game, too.
If you were interested in picking this expansive title up, it’s available for $44.35.
1. Grand Theft Auto V
Developer: Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Release Date: September 17, 2013
This fantastic game’s been in the eyes of gamers for several years now. If you haven’t heard of Grand Theft Auto V, I’d question how well you understand gaming culture. This game has consistently been a top-selling blockbuster hit year-after-year due to its hugely-successful modding base, its expansive online experience, and its deep story mode. You can buy this legendary game for $43.69.
