This year was a tremendous success for action games, from the joy of balloon-kidnapping soldiers in Metal Gear Solid V or facing down the inconceivable monsters of Bloodborne. With our general Best Games of 2015 Awards available now, we now focus in on the action games of 2015 to recognize the best in the genre.
Best Story: Batman: Arkham Knight
Rocksteady closed out its Arkham trilogy with a strong story filled with twists, cameos, and some dark surprises. The solid main storyline – that a mysterious new foe named the Akrham Knight has seized Gotham – isn’t even the main reason we dug Batman’s latest tale. Early into the game Batman puts his personal health on the line to save the city, and the side effects include an unexpected and delightful cameo that weaves into the entire tale in surprising and affective ways.
Best Setting: Bloodborne
From Software’s challenging games are filled with sprawling, deadly locales that feel oppressive the moment you step foot in them. Bloodborne’s Lovecraftian nightmare takes the feeling of dread and hopeless to new heights, with slain beasts affixed to burning crosses or gigantic cosmic horrors looming above a hopeless city. Bloodborne is this year’s definitive masterwork in action game world building. Nobody will blame you if you accidentally get an axe to the back while admiring the view.
Best Handheld: Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
Capcom’s Monster Hunter series is wildly successful in Japan, but it’s more of an acquired taste in the West. This year’s edition of the game finally hooked us with a more gradual introduction to the game, better options for supporting co-op play, and welcome support of the New 3DS XL’s additional c-stick to control the camera. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is packed with nearly 100 giant beasts to defeat and dozens of hours of entertainment for intrepid beast slayers.
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