Hello, Gematsu community! Community mod Zero here again. We closed the polls for our most anticipated games of 2017 vote a few weeks ago. I know many of you have been excited to see the results. It takes time to put all of this together, so thanks for being patient.

I should note that we started our most anticipated game voting in January, which means that we had some games make the top 10 that are currently out right now. Of course, we’re not excluding those. This is a community vote, which means we are sticking with the games you voted for! Last year some of you requested we briefly mention the games that narrowly missed the cut, so I did that this year. Following the same layout I used last year, I’ve shared some of my thoughts about each game in the pages to follow, as well as quotes handpicked from the community.

Let’s get started!

Honorable Mentions

Coming in just short of the top 10 most anticipated games of 2017 are two games I’m sure everyone is excited about.

12. Mass Effect: Andromeda (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Mass Effect: Andromeda represents a new chapter for the series. It is set in the Andromeda galaxy and puts players in control of either Sarah or Scott Ryder, siblings who both appear in the story regardless of who you choose. While fans have plenty to be excited for with all of the new additions to the game, elements from the original trilogy will carry over as well. We won’t have to wait much longer to see how it all pans out. Mass Effect: Andromeda launches for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on March 21 in North America and March 24 in Europe.

Here’s what our readers are saying:

King Shesh: “Mass Effect is a series about forming bonds with your teammates. The connection between your avatar and them is one of the strongest in gaming. I’m super excited to see what kind of amazing adventures I will go on with this new crew, and how our relationships will develop.”

“Mass Effect is a series about forming bonds with your teammates. The connection between your avatar and them is one of the strongest in gaming. I’m super excited to see what kind of amazing adventures I will go on with this new crew, and how our relationships will develop.” Evil Ascendant (Community Mod): “As much as I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for the next entry of Mass Effect, there is one element of the upcoming game which I am looking forward to the most: multiplayer. Yes, I know. ‘Not the story? Not the characters?’ Even to this day, the cooperative multiplayer of Mass Effect 3 remains my favorite online experience. I made some great friends on Mass Effect 3 and enjoyed testing myself with the Solo Gold / Platinum challenges. I’m greatly looking forward to seeing how the multiplayer has evolved in Andromeda!”

11. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (PS4)

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is more than a simple remaster. For westerners, it’s the updated PlayStation 2 release we never received. It includes a reconstructed battle design and revamped job system, visual and sound improvements, and other features like a 100 consecutive battle Trial Mode and Speed Mode. Enhancements aside, I’m just excited to return to the world of Ivalice once again. I’ve missed the leading man, the princess driven by loss, the mysterious Vera, and the disgraced knight. What’s that? Oh, right. There is a whiny little guy who wants to be a sky pirate, too. Our return to the world of Final Fantasy XII begins once again on July 11 in North America and Europe when Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age launches for PlayStation 4.

Here’s what our readers are saying:

Musta_san: “I was very happy when they announced the remastered version, because I didn’t play enough of the first one. In fact, I rushed to the end without doing any of the hunts or side quests. I intend to play this one in full, I’m aiming for 100% completion!”

“I was very happy when they announced the remastered version, because I didn’t play enough of the first one. In fact, I rushed to the end without doing any of the hunts or side quests. I intend to play this one in full, I’m aiming for 100% completion!” Kobracon:”As someone who did not enjoy the original release of Final Fantasy XII, I am excited about the additions and changes to the game. I want to give it a second chance and hopefully see why so many people revere Final Fantasy XII.”

Top 10 Most Anticipated Titles of 2017

Now, onto the top 10 most anticipated titles of 2017…

10. Gravity Rush 2 (PS4)

Our first game on the list that has already released, many of you have been enjoying Gravity Rush 2 for a while now! It received more votes than a number of big titles to make the top 10, which says a lot about the excitement surrounding this game. I think Gravity Rush is a very interesting series, so let’s hope we see more from this franchise in the future.

Here’s what our readers are saying:

Zen: “I never expected to see a properly funded, full-fledged sequel to my favorite Vita game that actually took advantage of a home console’s power. The world looks vivid and incredibly detailed, Kat’s powers interact with the environment in interesting ways and Raven seems to be a great addition to the cast. Everything I’ve seen of it so far makes me excited to play it and that’s why it’s on my list.”

“I never expected to see a properly funded, full-fledged sequel to my favorite Vita game that actually took advantage of a home console’s power. The world looks vivid and incredibly detailed, Kat’s powers interact with the environment in interesting ways and Raven seems to be a great addition to the cast. Everything I’ve seen of it so far makes me excited to play it and that’s why it’s on my list.” Evil Ascendant (Community Mod): “I’ve played literally hundreds of games, some of which stood out to me more then others for whatever reason. Sometimes it was the story, other times it was the audio, visuals or the characters. Heck, even a single moment or music track in some cases. But even more rarely does a game achieve all of the above points for me… however, Gravity Rush 2 pulled all of that off in an explosion of style! An absolutely delightful experience from start to finish which is accompanied by an amazing soundtrack, a vast and beautiful looking world filled with side quests and characters that each have a story behind them. And perhaps most importantly, for me at least, a perfect ending. Gravity Rush stands out for being a truly unique entity and may one day be looked back upon as something of a cult classic from this generation of games.”

9. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch)

When we decided to delay our most anticipated vote for the Switch event, surprise game announcements like this were exactly what we hoped for. I was surprised to see Xenoblade Chronicles 2 announced at the event, but what was even more surprising was 2017 release window. I figured the team at Monolith Soft was working on a new game, but to see it so far along was refreshing and unexpected. I can’t wait to explore this new world when it launches for Switch later this year.

Here’s what our readers are saying:

Cocteau: “Xenoblade Chronicles was one of the best Japanese RPGs of its generation, Xenoblade Chronicles X was easily one of the best of 2015, so it’s only natural for me to be excited about the next entry. The reveal showed off new art direction, characters, and most importantly the grand scope that the franchise is known for.”

“Xenoblade Chronicles was one of the best Japanese RPGs of its generation, Xenoblade Chronicles X was easily one of the best of 2015, so it’s only natural for me to be excited about the next entry. The reveal showed off new art direction, characters, and most importantly the grand scope that the franchise is known for.” HentaRobot: “I really loved the first game. It has great soundtrack, fun side quests and a beautiful world to explore. If Xenoblade 2 can emulate the strengths of the first Xenoblade game, then this will be the biggest factor for me to consider buying a Switch once the game comes out.”

8. Tales of Berseria (PS4, PC)

The next game on the list is another that has already been released. I’ve been excited for Tales of Berseria since it was first revealed in 2015. With a darker setting, including a main character driven to do anything to achieve her goals, this looks like the Tales of game I’d been waiting to play since Tales of Vesperia. I’ve heard some great things from our community about the game. I’m looking forward to playing it this year as I try to make my way through my dreaded backlog.

Here’s what our readers are saying:

Esura: “What I love about Tales of Berseria is how much it improved from it’s predecessor when it comes to the overall narrative and the development of it’s varied cast of characters. This game takes some big departures from the usual narrative themes in previous Tales of games while remaining familiar and adding much needed details to the lore of Tales of Zestiria. The enhancements made to the battle system also makes for a better overall experience that feels fresh but not too far removed from what defined the series gameplay.”

“What I love about Tales of Berseria is how much it improved from it’s predecessor when it comes to the overall narrative and the development of it’s varied cast of characters. This game takes some big departures from the usual narrative themes in previous Tales of games while remaining familiar and adding much needed details to the lore of Tales of Zestiria. The enhancements made to the battle system also makes for a better overall experience that feels fresh but not too far removed from what defined the series gameplay.” General Hades: “Tales of Berseria improves what Tales of Zestiria tries to do with its gameplay. The combat is smooth and responsive, its easy to get into, but deep enough that it will take you a while to master. The cast are varied enough to keep you engaged. From the serious and cold Velvet to the mischievous Magilou, its fun to see them interact with the world and each other. The theme of the game is also a far cry of what the series is widely known for. There’s no world savior with a noble intention here, only a girl trying to get back what she’s lost. All of this for me, makes it really easy to love the game. Personally I think this is one of the best Tales game in years.”

7. Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (PS4, PS Vita)

The Hope’s Peak Academy story has come to an end, but the Danganronpa series continues with Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, an all new entry in the series with new characters, a new setting, and a new story. Monokuma returns, of course, to mastermind the killing game, but this time rather than argue the whole truth during class trials, you can also use lies to defeat opponents. The Danganronpa series has been well received so far—people tend to like the idea of students killing each other—so we have high hopes that Danganronpa V3 will continue that quality when it launches for PlayStation 4 and PS Vita later this year.

Here’s what our readers are saying:

:B(ZGF): “I’m pretty excited for Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony because it’s going for the direction of truth or lie, and it always keeps its tradition that’s well known in the series: stylish art style, quirky but appealing character design and personality, wacky but suspenseful story, variety gameplay (depends), etc. Also, because it teaches us that it’s dangerous to love one character when he/she could be the next victim/suspect.”

“I’m pretty excited for Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony because it’s going for the direction of truth or lie, and it always keeps its tradition that’s well known in the series: stylish art style, quirky but appealing character design and personality, wacky but suspenseful story, variety gameplay (depends), etc. Also, because it teaches us that it’s dangerous to love one character when he/she could be the next victim/suspect.” Cocteau : “It’s been awhile since we’ve had a mainline entry in the franchise. Danganronpa 2 improved on everything that the original did. So I’m expecting major improvements to gameplay and story with V3 as well.”

: “It’s been awhile since we’ve had a mainline entry in the franchise. Danganronpa 2 improved on everything that the original did. So I’m expecting major improvements to gameplay and story with V3 as well.” donkey6: “It’s the sequel to an amazing series. After the last two underwhelming experiences (the anime and Ultra Despair Girls Resident Evil-style spin off) I really missed the class killing trials. I have high hopes that V3 will exceed Danganronpa 1 and 2.”

6. Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom (PS4, PC)

One of the big surprise announcements during the PlayStation Experience 2015 keynote was Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom. I’d like to quote Akihiro Hino, CEO of Level-5 and general director of the Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom here.

“Our love for Ni no Kuni inspired us to create a sequel, so we did. I can say that the sequel is a huge improvement to the first. We’re taking on a lot more challenges than before, so we can bring new features to fruition. The sequel fulfills the ambitions we had after the first game’s completion. You can expect deeper stories, rich in dramatic sequences you wouldn’t have expected from the first game. The story is about a young boy’s journey to become King, through which he experiences many hardships, making both friends and enemies along the way. He’ll receive help and provide even more, all contributing to his growth as a person and as a King. We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished in this story.”

Sign me up! This quote explains why I’m excited for the sequel and can’t wait to play it when it launches for PlayStation 4 and PC later this year.

Here’s what our readers are saying:

Bebop: “I feel like it’s basically a Dark Cloud successor with the towns, beautiful environments and they actually improved the combat opposed to ignoring the fans and doing the same thing over again, lol.”

“I feel like it’s basically a Dark Cloud successor with the towns, beautiful environments and they actually improved the combat opposed to ignoring the fans and doing the same thing over again, lol.” shogunknight: “A beautiful tale I cant wait to immerse myself in, the art style is catchy, it makes me feel like am watching an anime movie.”

“A beautiful tale I cant wait to immerse myself in, the art style is catchy, it makes me feel like am watching an anime movie.” karmacoma: “The first game was a delight. I love me some Ghibli, I love me some Level-5. Can’t wait.”

“The first game was a delight. I love me some Ghibli, I love me some Level-5. Can’t wait.” Musta_San: “The first one was something unique and special the world was so beautiful yet the story was interesting. Raising your creatures was fun. I liked the world map it reminded me of the golden age of JRPGs. I Cant wait to play the new game it looks very promising.”

5. Nioh (PS4)

What an interesting project Nioh has turned out to be. I selected this game has one of my most anticipated last year. If you remember, I touched on how it was announced back in 2004! It’s been in some form of development for ages, but what’s interesting is that it did so pretty silently. When people discussed forever delayed games, it didn’t get mentioned nearly as much. When you think about that today, it’s pretty amazing the game wasn’t cancelled. It looks like the wait was worth it, as Nioh released a few days ago to stellar reviews all around.

Here’s what our readers are saying:

Zen: “Nioh immediately became a game I was watching out for after playing the Alpha demo to completion. The idea of a Souls-like set in the Sengoku era is ridiculously appealing, and the implementation of some of my favourite Japanese demons (or Oni) from their folklore was just icing on the cake. After confirming the gameplay was indeed very fun and a far cry from being a Dark Souls clone, there was no way I could ignore Nioh.”

“Nioh immediately became a game I was watching out for after playing the Alpha demo to completion. The idea of a Souls-like set in the Sengoku era is ridiculously appealing, and the implementation of some of my favourite Japanese demons (or Oni) from their folklore was just icing on the cake. After confirming the gameplay was indeed very fun and a far cry from being a Dark Souls clone, there was no way I could ignore Nioh.” z_merquise: “Many will compare Nioh to Demon’s / Dark Souls and Bloodborne but I’m really glad that it only borrowed some of the mechanics in those games and Nioh still stands on its own as an action game and not a ‘Souls-like’ clone. And besides, playing the beta reminds me more of Onimusha, which is one of the awesome IPs that Capcom (maybe) forgottten. Playing the beta made just solidified my decision for day one purchase. But I love how Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja further address the issue of the beta and improved it in the second beta. Nioh, for me, had a bit of the fast-paced action with the likes Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden and Metal Gear Rising and also a bit of the more methodical combat of Onimusha and Demon’s / Dark Souls.”

“Many will compare Nioh to Demon’s / Dark Souls and Bloodborne but I’m really glad that it only borrowed some of the mechanics in those games and Nioh still stands on its own as an action game and not a ‘Souls-like’ clone. And besides, playing the beta reminds me more of Onimusha, which is one of the awesome IPs that Capcom (maybe) forgottten. Playing the beta made just solidified my decision for day one purchase. But I love how Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja further address the issue of the beta and improved it in the second beta. Nioh, for me, had a bit of the fast-paced action with the likes Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden and Metal Gear Rising and also a bit of the more methodical combat of Onimusha and Demon’s / Dark Souls.” shogunknight: “Ever since I tried the beta I was engrossed in Nioh, maybe its my love for Dark Souls and Bloodborne, but I didn’t see it as a copy, I saw it as a different slice of the souls like gameplay with a dash of a different setting. I like what am seeing / playing, and I’m confident that Koei Tecmo has delivered on this interesting title.”

“Ever since I tried the beta I was engrossed in Nioh, maybe its my love for Dark Souls and Bloodborne, but I didn’t see it as a copy, I saw it as a different slice of the souls like gameplay with a dash of a different setting. I like what am seeing / playing, and I’m confident that Koei Tecmo has delivered on this interesting title.” Cocteau: “It keeps getting compared to Souls games but the gameplay in Nioh has much more depth than them. The different stances, various weapons, and armor customization keep the gameplay from ever becoming stale. The art direction for the world and enemies is amazing, it’s like something right out of a comic. Most importantly, Nioh features an actual story with cinematic direction and interesting characters that keep you coming back for something more than just its gameplay.”

4. Horizon: Zero Dawn (PS4)

While it just missed the top 10 last year, Horizon Zero Dawn jumped all the way to fourth place this year. While some of the other games on the top 10 most anticipated titles list also fell short last year, the big jump in regards to votes is impressive to me. I think it shows that Guerrilla Games has done a good job keeping people interested and excited in the game, especially our community. I’ve been waiting for an open world game where I can fight giant robotic monsters for what seems like forever, which is just one of the reasons I’m excited to play this game. The wait is almost over, as Horizon: Zero Dawn launches worldwide for PlayStation 4 on February 28.

Here’s what our readers are saying:

bloodiOS: “For five to six years following the release of Killzone 3, much of Guerrilla Games’ efforts, innovation, and creativity have been poured into this game. Horizon: Zero Dawn is simply the most ambitious title, both in its scale and from a technical perspective, Guerilla Games has worked on to date. The leap in technology I see here reminds me of the leap from the original Killzone to Killzone 2, once again proving that when you give them enough time to explore their potentials, Guerrilla Games can accomplish amazing feats.”

“For five to six years following the release of Killzone 3, much of Guerrilla Games’ efforts, innovation, and creativity have been poured into this game. Horizon: Zero Dawn is simply the most ambitious title, both in its scale and from a technical perspective, Guerilla Games has worked on to date. The leap in technology I see here reminds me of the leap from the original Killzone to Killzone 2, once again proving that when you give them enough time to explore their potentials, Guerrilla Games can accomplish amazing feats.” someguy: “The game looked great since day one, and it’s only been getting better. The setting is different, gameplay looks amazing, it’s technically amazing and beautiful. I just hope it’s not another AAA bluff which will disappear once you really get your hands on it. But it looks promising!”

“The game looked great since day one, and it’s only been getting better. The setting is different, gameplay looks amazing, it’s technically amazing and beautiful. I just hope it’s not another AAA bluff which will disappear once you really get your hands on it. But it looks promising!” Hatsukai: ” I’ve been trying to keep away from trailers and gameplay videos of this so as to play the game with the least amount of info possible. Still, what I’ve checked out looks great and I’m really digging the main character. I think it has the potential to be a very memorable game.”

” I’ve been trying to keep away from trailers and gameplay videos of this so as to play the game with the least amount of info possible. Still, what I’ve checked out looks great and I’m really digging the main character. I think it has the potential to be a very memorable game.” SorbiK: “Horizon: Zero Dawn. I love the design of the main protagonist and the world kinda gives off a NieR-meets-Monster Hunter vibe. There’s a lot of reasons to be cautious about it but it looks like a ton of work went into creating its world and that makes me really want to explore it.”

“Horizon: Zero Dawn. I love the design of the main protagonist and the world kinda gives off a NieR-meets-Monster Hunter vibe. There’s a lot of reasons to be cautious about it but it looks like a ton of work went into creating its world and that makes me really want to explore it.” Rychy: “Using a bow and arrow to take down robotic dinosaurs … how are you not in?”

3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch, Wii U)

I’m so excited for Breath of the Wild that I don’t even know where to start. I could talk about that amazing trailer they showed at the Switch event forever, but it’s not just the amazing trailer that has me excited for this game. The art style, the combat, the music, the huge open world of Hyrule to explore—it all looks terrific. I think the main thing for me is how the series is breaking away from the traditional linear path, opening up the world to players and letting them explore it however they like. That’s not to say there isn’t a big story here. While they have done a good job keeping a lot of the story shrouded in mystery, the amazing Switch event trailer showed us plenty of familiar characters. It also revealed more about Zelda, including hints about her importance in the story. Breath of the Wild looks to be something completely new for Nintendo—the size and scope of the world, the visual style, the unique combat. This is a vastly different Hyrule than we are used to. They didn’t play it safe here, they decided to take chances and mix up the formula, and that’s something I’ve been waiting for as a fan of the Zelda series for years.

Here’s what our readers are saying:

Max Owlie: “I love this series, Ocarina of Time was my first childhood love. The last console Zelda game was Skyward Sword, while I loved that game, the world design felt too restricted and the game had way too much hand holding, literally constant pauses to show items or tutorials, dammit Fi leave me alone! Breath of the Wild looks to fix all of that and basically bring the perfect Zelda game design, a new physics engine, a beautiful well designed open world. And the key thing here, you are instantly dropped into the huge world and it’s up to you to explore and find out what happened in the world. No more constant hand holding or story shoved into your face, it just looks like pure fun. Since you instantly start playing in a world full of unknown, that creates an extra sense of mystery, the mystery of the world makes you want to explore and find out the story more than ever before in a Zelda game.”

“I love this series, Ocarina of Time was my first childhood love. The last console Zelda game was Skyward Sword, while I loved that game, the world design felt too restricted and the game had way too much hand holding, literally constant pauses to show items or tutorials, dammit Fi leave me alone! Breath of the Wild looks to fix all of that and basically bring the perfect Zelda game design, a new physics engine, a beautiful well designed open world. And the key thing here, you are instantly dropped into the huge world and it’s up to you to explore and find out what happened in the world. No more constant hand holding or story shoved into your face, it just looks like pure fun. Since you instantly start playing in a world full of unknown, that creates an extra sense of mystery, the mystery of the world makes you want to explore and find out the story more than ever before in a Zelda game.” Keita Tsubasa: “I’m a Nintendo guy since I remember, and Zelda will always have a special place in my heart. I still remember playing Ocarina of Time for the first time, it was the first game that truly amazed me. And they’ve done it again in Breath of the Wild. I can’t wait to explore very nook and cranny of this new Hyrule world, defeat every monster, pick up every collectible, beat every dungeon… I will 100% this game for SURE. And the story seems much more dramatic than before, like we saw on the latest trailer, there’s a crying Zelda and many new characters with reinvented races design.”

“I’m a Nintendo guy since I remember, and Zelda will always have a special place in my heart. I still remember playing Ocarina of Time for the first time, it was the first game that truly amazed me. And they’ve done it again in Breath of the Wild. I can’t wait to explore very nook and cranny of this new Hyrule world, defeat every monster, pick up every collectible, beat every dungeon… I will 100% this game for SURE. And the story seems much more dramatic than before, like we saw on the latest trailer, there’s a crying Zelda and many new characters with reinvented races design.” Kelohmello: “I love me some Zelda. Aonuma has been trying his hardest to redefine what makes a Zelda game for a good number of years now, and Breath of the Wild seems to be the game that marks the full realization of what he envisioned. It blew my mind at E3, and I’m beyond just excited for the possibilities this game offers.”

“I love me some Zelda. Aonuma has been trying his hardest to redefine what makes a Zelda game for a good number of years now, and Breath of the Wild seems to be the game that marks the full realization of what he envisioned. It blew my mind at E3, and I’m beyond just excited for the possibilities this game offers.” TheLastBattalion: “This is almost everything that I have wanted in a Zelda game, the only thing that would have made it better is if you had a party and Zelda would come with you. Eventually, they finally end up together (as canon). Other than that, I love everything else! The trailer was simply amazing.”

“This is almost everything that I have wanted in a Zelda game, the only thing that would have made it better is if you had a party and Zelda would come with you. Eventually, they finally end up together (as canon). Other than that, I love everything else! The trailer was simply amazing.” karmacoma: “Zelda is my everything. I’ve been playing since A Link to the Past on Super Nintendo. If a Zelda is releasing in any given year, it’s automatically at the top of the list for me. I really enjoyed the more RPG-ish elements they brought with Skyward Sword, and it’s great to see them go further down that path with a true open world.”

2. NieR: Automata (PS4, PC)

NieR: Automata is my most anticipated game of 2017. I’m excited for tons of games, but I was blown away by the demo for NieR: Automata,. I was already excited for the game, but had forgotten just how much an amazing demo can do. In an era where we typically get hype trailer after hype trailer, sometimes spoiling the game, or tons of short little clips, it’s refreshing to see a game do less of that and put out a demo for players to try. I think it’s one of the best demos I’ve ever played—and yes I’m still only going on about the demo for this game. PlatinumGames is one of the best action game developers today, and nobody else creates stories and worlds like Yoko Taro does. I feel like I’m selling Taro short here—I’m not sure if we have a more unique and creative game director in this industry. NieR: Automata only moved up one space from last year, but it received over 980 votes! That’s far more than it got last year when it finished in third place! We won’t have to wait long to play it, NieR: Automata is due out for PlayStation 4 in Japan on February 23, in North America on March 7, and in Europe on March 10.

Here’s what our readers are saying:

Zen: “Wow. The fact that this game even exists, let alone that it is any good is a miracle. I played NieR shortly after it released and experienced something that changed the way I looked at video games as a whole. NieR‘s storytelling, use of atypical gameplay mechanics and its analysis of what it means to play the ‘good guy’ had an indescribable impact on how I view games. Despite poor technical aspects, NieR ranks among my favorite games of all time. However, due to its relatively niche appeal and a very lopsided balance of good and bad things, it seemed like a sequel or any follow up was never to be had. Until out of nowhere it was announced that not only was NieR getting another game, but PlatinumGames was doing the gameplay! Yoko Taro’s masterful storytelling and Platinum’s nearly unmatched action gameplay is a match made in heaven. Keiichi Okabe (with MONACA) returning to compose another masterpiece with Emi Evans. Akihiko Yoshida on character design (and boy are the characters gorgeous). A demo that was both fun to play and unmistakably NieR. If there could only be one game I could play this year I would choose this.”

“Wow. The fact that this game even exists, let alone that it is any good is a miracle. I played NieR shortly after it released and experienced something that changed the way I looked at video games as a whole. NieR‘s storytelling, use of atypical gameplay mechanics and its analysis of what it means to play the ‘good guy’ had an indescribable impact on how I view games. Despite poor technical aspects, NieR ranks among my favorite games of all time. However, due to its relatively niche appeal and a very lopsided balance of good and bad things, it seemed like a sequel or any follow up was never to be had. Until out of nowhere it was announced that not only was NieR getting another game, but PlatinumGames was doing the gameplay! Yoko Taro’s masterful storytelling and Platinum’s nearly unmatched action gameplay is a match made in heaven. Keiichi Okabe (with MONACA) returning to compose another masterpiece with Emi Evans. Akihiko Yoshida on character design (and boy are the characters gorgeous). A demo that was both fun to play and unmistakably NieR. If there could only be one game I could play this year I would choose this.” bloodiOS: “Plain and simple here. It’s Yoko Taro for the story, and good or bad, I’ve been wanting more of Taro’s bizarre games since the days of the original Drakengard. And now they have PlatinumGames for the gameplay, I would not be myself if I’m not sold on this game. And given how much fun I have playing with the demo, I feel like I’m definitely making the right choice here.”

“Plain and simple here. It’s Yoko Taro for the story, and good or bad, I’ve been wanting more of Taro’s bizarre games since the days of the original Drakengard. And now they have PlatinumGames for the gameplay, I would not be myself if I’m not sold on this game. And given how much fun I have playing with the demo, I feel like I’m definitely making the right choice here.” BizarreJelly: “Yoko Taro is a man with some f’d up ideas, who has told some f’d up tales over the years. The original NieR however, while still f’d up in its own right – was a beautiful story about a brother/father who would do anything for his sister/daughter. Joined by a motley crew of misfits, it’s one of my all-time favorite games, and now it’s getting a sequel developed by PlatinumGames while still penned by Yoko Taro. I couldn’t be anymore excited.”

“Yoko Taro is a man with some f’d up ideas, who has told some f’d up tales over the years. The original NieR however, while still f’d up in its own right – was a beautiful story about a brother/father who would do anything for his sister/daughter. Joined by a motley crew of misfits, it’s one of my all-time favorite games, and now it’s getting a sequel developed by PlatinumGames while still penned by Yoko Taro. I couldn’t be anymore excited.” karmacoma: “When it was announced that Platinum was developing the sequel, it got my full attention though. And that demo. Wow. The combat is so great, I love the art design (Akihiko Yoshida!), music is fantastic once more. The demo brought it from a game I was fairly interested in to one I’m cautiously hopeful it’ll end up as my favorite game this generation. Just gotta hope the story does the gameplay and music justice.”

“When it was announced that Platinum was developing the sequel, it got my full attention though. And that demo. Wow. The combat is so great, I love the art design (Akihiko Yoshida!), music is fantastic once more. The demo brought it from a game I was fairly interested in to one I’m cautiously hopeful it’ll end up as my favorite game this generation. Just gotta hope the story does the gameplay and music justice.” z_merquise: “Still my most anticipated game for this year. I’m a huge fan of Platinum but a NieR game made by them was totally a game that I never expect to happen but a game that I love to see: a cool, kick-ass action combine with an intriguing story (from the weird and lovable guy Yoko Taro) and beautiful music from Keichi Okabe. I was totally hyped already the moment it was first revealed and I love what I saw in every previews shown. But playing the demo itself just made me more excited. It got what I expect from Platinum, fun gameplay, smooth and responsive controls and awesome spectacle. NieR: Automata is a one-of-a-kind game that I never knew will happen. Oh and 2B. Damn, 2B! She’s so damn pretty. And damn fine!”

1. Persona 5 (PS4, PS3)

I’ve been excited for this game for what seems like forever now. Persona 5 released last year in Japan to stellar reviews from critics and users alike. Atlus decided to delay the western release until April 2017 to improve the overall quality of the game. I said before that I didn’t mind delays given that it’s for a good reason. With that said, the wait has been tough. I know a lot of people who imported it and have been singing the game praises. I discussed at length last year why I was so excited to play this game, and all of that still applies this year, but the wait has made me realize that I just want more Persona. I’m ready to max out my social links while making new friends, explore interesting and unique dungeons, build my battle strategies, and get lost in a story that touches on the dark side of society.

Here’s what our readers are saying:

Mr.Teddie: “Not gonna lie, I wasn’t the biggest Persona 4 fan. And after seeing some of the trailers of Persona 5… for the most part, it seems like my problems with the tone have been kind of addressed. It’s still a bit too anime for my liking but it could’ve been far worse, that’s for sure!”

“Not gonna lie, I wasn’t the biggest Persona 4 fan. And after seeing some of the trailers of Persona 5… for the most part, it seems like my problems with the tone have been kind of addressed. It’s still a bit too anime for my liking but it could’ve been far worse, that’s for sure!” ayanami-chan: “A game that continues the marrying of Japanese dungeon crawling with life simulation elements that couples great music, traditional turn based combat, and a plethora of deep systems to develop your character both in statistics and in relationships with other characters.”

“A game that continues the marrying of Japanese dungeon crawling with life simulation elements that couples great music, traditional turn based combat, and a plethora of deep systems to develop your character both in statistics and in relationships with other characters.” Uncle Stoopnixie: “I’m excited that Persona 5 seems to take more from Persona 3 than Persona 5, the story seems slightly more mature and we’re getting Japanese voices for the first time in the franchise.”

“I’m excited that Persona 5 seems to take more from Persona 3 than Persona 5, the story seems slightly more mature and we’re getting Japanese voices for the first time in the franchise.” Cocteau: “It’s been a long wait for the next mainline entry of the almost unanimously beloved RPG series. It oozes style from its premise, music, and even its menu design. If it can deliver a story worth remembering we might have the best Persona yet.”

“It’s been a long wait for the next mainline entry of the almost unanimously beloved RPG series. It oozes style from its premise, music, and even its menu design. If it can deliver a story worth remembering we might have the best Persona yet.” HentaRobot: “It’s Atlus. Personally I have always enjoy their works, and I heard great praise from the importers. I will definitely look forward to the music and character interaction in this game.”

“It’s Atlus. Personally I have always enjoy their works, and I heard great praise from the importers. I will definitely look forward to the music and character interaction in this game.” Max Owlie: “What more can I say, the Persona series, especially Persona 3 and Person 4‘s game design was a breath of fresh air to me, if I ever felt bored with the game industry these were the games to make me fall in love all over again. Persona 5 looks like one of the most stylish games ever with an amazing UI, character designs, etc. I can’t wait.”

“What more can I say, the Persona series, especially Persona 3 and Person 4‘s game design was a breath of fresh air to me, if I ever felt bored with the game industry these were the games to make me fall in love all over again. Persona 5 looks like one of the most stylish games ever with an amazing UI, character designs, etc. I can’t wait.” BizzareJelly: “Who didn’t want to spice up their uneventful school lives by gaining powers and fighting demons on the side with their friends? Persona has granted that wish five times now, and each time has been quite the ride. It’s one of the most stylish looking series’ out there, and this fifth installment oozes more style than ever. It’s almost time to spend another year in another Japanese school, this time I get to join a gang of badass looking Phantom Thieves.”

Staff Selections

Sal’s Picks

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (PS4) – Who would’ve thought a remake would be at the top of my list? The Crash games were a major part of my childhood. The original Crash Bandcioot is the first game I remember playing on PlayStation. While I would have been a lot more excited for an all new Crash game, a remake of the first three to potentially build up steam for a new game is also fine by me. And it looks so good. Rutah bugah!

(PS4) – Who would’ve thought a remake would be at the top of my list? The Crash games were a major part of my childhood. The original Crash Bandcioot is the first game I remember playing on PlayStation. While I would have been a lot more excited for an all new Crash game, a remake of the first three to potentially build up steam for a new game is also fine by me. And it looks so good. Rutah bugah! Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom (PS4, PC) – I’ll admit, I still haven’t played Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. It’s here and on backlog though. Regardless, Ni no Kuni II looks fantastic from what we’ve seen so far. I’m digging the character designs, the boy-becoming-a-king story, the setting, the world map, and the prospect of building my own kingdom. It’s been a long time coming for a major console game from Level-5, so I’m really looking forward to this one.

Zero’s Picks

Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood (PS4, PC) – I like to pick games that didn’t make the top 10 list for my selection. This first one was easy. I could list a number of reasons why I’m excited about the Stormblood expansion for Final Fantasy XIV. I think the story is a big factor for me, this game continues to impress with having a great story in an MMORPG. With Heavensward, players finally got access to Ishgard and unlocked the ability to fly high in the sky’s. In Stormblood, we will finally get to travel to Ala Mhigo, and unlock the ability to swim underwater, which is pretty awesome by itself. The current story line will conclude with the next patch before the expansion comes out. It’s already shaping up to be an epic cliffhanger once again, and now is the time for returning players to come back and catch up! I couldn’t end this without mentioning the new special raid coming in Stormblood, Return to Ivalice! Which is being created by the legendary Yasumi Matsuno! This alone has been incredibly excited for Stormblood. If you want to catch up before then, keep in mind early access is scheduled to begin June 16th.

(PS4, PC) – I like to pick games that didn’t make the top 10 list for my selection. This first one was easy. I could list a number of reasons why I’m excited about the Stormblood expansion for Final Fantasy XIV. I think the story is a big factor for me, this game continues to impress with having a great story in an MMORPG. With Heavensward, players finally got access to Ishgard and unlocked the ability to fly high in the sky’s. In Stormblood, we will finally get to travel to Ala Mhigo, and unlock the ability to swim underwater, which is pretty awesome by itself. The current story line will conclude with the next patch before the expansion comes out. It’s already shaping up to be an epic cliffhanger once again, and now is the time for returning players to come back and catch up! I couldn’t end this without mentioning the new special raid coming in Stormblood, Return to Ivalice! Which is being created by the legendary Yasumi Matsuno! This alone has been incredibly excited for Stormblood. If you want to catch up before then, keep in mind early access is scheduled to begin June 16th. South Park: The Fractured but Whole (PS4, XBO, PC) – I finally got the chance to play the stick of truth last year and loved it. The writing was superb with that South Park humor you either love or hate, but the combat was surprisingly quite good. Hidden underneath all the Nazi jokes, and content that I’m sure still gives the ESRB nightmares, was a fun RPG that was challenging to play. While it featured traditional turned based gameplay, it managed to do so while staying true to the series itself, with hilarious attack names and animations. The Fractured but Whole is building on that, keeping the humor while adding new elements to the combat. This time, the kids are playing a new Super Hero themed game, with the new kid in the middle of it all once again. The power of the new kid’s farts is still a big part of the game, in regards to combat, story, and even the title, lol. I’m already laughing writing about this game, and I can’t wait to laugh while I play it later this year.

Pekola’s Picks

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (3DS) – I love the Fire Emblem franchise and I’m excited at the prospect of being able to play older entries in a new coat of paint. More than just a game, this spells good for the future of the series as a whole.

(3DS) – I love the Fire Emblem franchise and I’m excited at the prospect of being able to play older entries in a new coat of paint. More than just a game, this spells good for the future of the series as a whole. Hollow Knight (Wii U, PC, Mac, Linux) – I stumbled upon this game at random while looking for Switch news. The art direction is superb. I’m not usually into games like these, but I’m ready to start expanding my gaming horizons.

Evil Ascendant’s Picks

Halo Wars 2 (XBO, PC) – I’m a huge fan of the first game, Ensemble Studios delivered an excellent RTS which complimented a controller very well. A new take on the Halo series, Halo Wars gave people the ability to amass armies of their favorite Halo unites from Grunts to Scorpions and decimate their opponent with them. I’ve not been a fan of 343’s approach to the series and have distanced myself from it after Halo 4, but Halo Wars 2 appears to be more in line with classic Halo to me and that has me excited!

Four Goddesses Online: Cyber Dimension Neptune (PS4) – Either you love it or you hate it, it’s a new Neptune title! Parodying Sword Art Online, this new adventure for Neptune and her friends takes them into the world of video games! Well…more then usual. Invited to beta test an upcoming game, Goddess Green Heart of Leanbox, Vert, extends her invitation to the other Goddesses. I’m looking forward to the action-based combat, coupled with the online elements I’m sure it’ll make beating up Dogoo’s even more fun with a couple of friends at my side.

Conclusion

I would like to say thank you to everyone who voted. Also, thank you for being patient. I got hit with some delays while putting this together, but I wanted it to be better than last year. I poured quite a bit of time and effort into it. I’m proud with the results and I’m proud of our community for voting and contributing. This entire thing is all about you, our community members. I promise to keep doing my best with our community projects. One thing is for sure, 2017 looks to be a memorable year for gaming. With so many great games, even if these results don’t match your personal list of anticipated titles, we can all agree there is plenty to be excited about. Thanks for reading.

Here are the results in full: