Video games have never been bigger. What’s going on in there? We’ll look at the best – and wildest – of 2015.

A press still from the new video game, "Call of Duty: Black Ops 3." It was developed by Treyarch and released Nov. 6, 2015. (Courtesy Treyarch Games)

We humans love our diversions, our immersions, our escapes and inspirations. We celebrate them in movies and in books, in music. And for many these days, in video games. We are a long, long way from "Pong" and "Donkey Kong." Games are deep and vast, with plots and personalities designed to engulf you. Take you away. Maybe solo. More often these days, in a world of players. Teaming up. Throwing down. Journeying. This hour On Point, from “Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time,” to “Halo 5” and “Splatoon,” we’re looking at the best video games of 2015.

-- Tom Ashbrook

Guests

Susan Arendt, managing editor of GamesRadar+, a review, gameplay tips and buying advisory site for gamers. (@SusanArendt)

Danny O'Dwyer, host and producer of video content for Gamespot, a gaming news and review site. (@dannyodwyer)

Ken Levine, video game developer and designer. Creator of the BioShock series and founder, Irrational Games. (@IGLevine)

From Tom’s Reading List

The Guardian: How do I start playing video games? A beginner's guide — "The medium has matured hugely over the last five years, and there is a vast range of experiences available, from big blockbusting open-world adventures about marauding gangsters, to teeny, highly personal indie games about coming out. Games are respected enough for Bafta to accept them into its remit, enough for Moma to put a range of titles into its permanent collection, and enough for major art spaces like the Barbican and the Grand Palais museum in Paris to run exhibitions."

Gamespot: THE BEST GAMES OF 2015 — "GameSpot's countdown of the year's 25 best games starts tomorrow, beginning from 25 and going all the way down to number one (and our Game of the Year). In a year packed with outstanding game experiences, trust us when we say that culling the list down to only 25 inclusions was a tough task."

GamesRadar+: The best games of 2015 (so far) -- "This time, 11 months ago, 2015 looked like it was destined to be overrun by remakes and rereleases. Now, as the year comes to a close, we're up to our ears in rich open-world experiences and more great games than our wallets can stand. The speeding hype trains for Star Wars Battlefront and Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 finally arrived at the station, while Game of Thrones and Bloodborne: The Old Hunters infused oodles of fresh content into existing games. In a few short weeks, you'll be reading all about our Game of the Year list - but for now, let's start a little simpler and dig into our picks for Game of the Month (which will probably come as no surprise)."

Danny's List

Rocket League

StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void

Star Wars Battlefront

Super Mario Maker

Splatoon

Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time

Halo 5 Guardians

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3

Rock Band 4

Susan's List

Metal Gear Solid 5

The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt

Bloodborne

Fallout 4

Rise of the Tomb Raider

Super Mario Maker

Rocket League

Batman: Arkham Knight

Until Dawn

Splatoon