The holiday season is here, which means it’s time to open up your wallet and buy some awesome presents for your friends and loved ones. We at PlayStation LifeStyle know that it can be difficult to shop for a gamer, which is why we’re here to take out all of the guesswork. We’ve prepared a guide filled with the best games of 2016, that any gamer would be happy to have.
We’ve got categories for various genres, so there should be something for every type of gamer below. Also featured are expansions to some of last year’s best games, and some gaming accessories to help take your game sessions to the next level. We’ve also included links to PlayStation LifeStyle’s review of each title listed, that way you can do some further research if a game tickles your fancy.
Check out our 2016 Holiday gift guide so you can be informed while finishing up your holiday shopping!
Few games offer instant gratification like an action game. Pressing a button to send an enemy flying with a punch is satisfying, and all of these games will leave an action fan with a smile on their face. We’ve got a wide array of action games ranging from fighting titles to some of the biggest games of the year!
Check out the next page to see the best RPGs!
2016 Gift Guide Action
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Attack on Titan
In our review, we said "Attack on Titan is an excellent example of a passion project made right. It’s not a simple cash grab, but created with care for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. It captures the precise feelings I get watching the anime without sacrificing anything for the interactive or visual experience, from the terror of the Titans to the rush of zipping through the air inches away from certain death. While it could have had a more robust RPG system and and a much cleaner HUD, these aren’t big enough issues to detract from the titan amount of fun that Attack on Titan is, each and every nape I cut."
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BlazBlue: Central Fiction
In our review, we said "BlazBlue: Central Fiction is a strong note for the series to go out on, if it really does end here. It’s the ultimate package due to the fighting systems being more interesting than ever, and there being over 30 characters to play as. There are a few disappointments such as the lack of English voice acting, but that’s not enough to mar what is otherwise a great game. All fighting game fans should give Arc System Works’ latest a go."
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Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR-
In our review, we said "Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- will hopefully help usher in a new era of fighting games. One where new players are encouraged to learn what makes the genre special, and feel invited. It’s training tools raise the bar at which other fighters are measured to, and it’s a real triumph in that regard. Whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer, there’s a lot to learn here."
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The King of Fighters XIV
In our review, we said "The King of Fighters XIV is a fully featured fighting game. It still feels like its classic predecessors, but it has been updated in some important areas to feel like a modern take. Its roster is both a celebration of the series that also signifies that this is a new step forward. I’m excited to see KoF back in the spotlight, and I hope to see SNK continue building on this great installment."
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Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
In our review, we said "Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 should feel like a love letter to longtime fans, who will adore the enormous roster of 61 characters and breathtakingly beautiful visuals. On the other hand, the game shouldn’t be counted out for newcomers, either; while they might not enjoy the hackneyed shonen story elements or lack of tutorials, they’ll almost assuredly get a kick out of the hyperactive and highly variable fighting style. CyberConnect2 President Hiroshi Matsuyama said he wanted the game to be built with a long life in mind, and if you’re into this brand of no-holds-barred insanity, that’s exactly what you’ll get out of it."
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Ratchet & Clank
In our review, we said "My hope is that the success of both this game and the movie will show a renewed interest in Ratchet & Clank and prompt Insomniac to do more with the series. Though I could have used a little bit more story between the two lead characters, Insomniac have proven once again that they can make very polished games that are visually cutting edge, and give players plenty of ways to play and have fun. I knew that I was looking forward to revisiting Ratchet and Clank’s origins, but I didn’t know how much I’d really missed Ratchet & Clank until I got the opportunity to play it all over again for the first time, and this brand new experience is every bit as good as I remember it being 14 years ago."
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Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration
In our review, we said "If I wanted to, I could nitpick the little things about Rise of the Tomb Raider. There’s the way Lara’s hair on the front of her head seems to defy gravity, either by way of the strongest hairspray ever or invisible bobby pins. There’s the lackluster and nonexistent water effects in a game filled with water. And can somebody tell me how it is that the glowstick she hangs on her back hip can somehow bathe her face in an orange glow despite being behind her? I could nitpick, but I won’t. Those small things do nothing to diminish the quantity and quality present in Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and while the story doesn’t exactly pop, as a PS4 player, I’m happy to welcome Lara home."
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Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
In our review, we said "A good series should end on a high note. Naughty Dog could beat the series into perpetuity, but they chose to close this chapter of their story at a high point and allow themselves and players to move on. In some ways it feels like I’m playing Uncharted for the first time again, living that sense of incredulity and adventure as we join Nathan Drake and his charming half-tuck for one final adventure rooted in love and sacrifice. It’s a bittersweet feeling, but they’ve gone all in to make sure that A Thief’s End is the Uncharted finale that the fans deserve."
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Watch Dogs 2
In our review, we said "While I still think that the best from Watch Dogs is still to come, Watch Dogs 2 is a solid step up from its predecessor. Getting to be a hacker is phenomenal fun, but the game tends to stumble when it becomes a sub-par third-person shooter. If you’re willing to put up with a story that doesn’t always jive with the light-hearted feel of its characters, then you’ll experience one of the most interesting open-world games in years."
