The best of 2015

It’s the last day of the year, and tonight people around the world will celebrate the start of a new year; a fresh beginning for many. But before the year is behind us, I want to take a look at my favourite moments. The very best of 2015.

Please take these with a pinch of salt; they are entirely based on my own personal preference. If there’s something significant missing, there’s every chance I haven’t had a chance to watch or play it. That being said, I’d love to hear what made your list this year.

Best game

Promotional screen from Fallout 4 game, with "OZARIN: The Best of 2015" watermark.

Fallout 4

Without a doubt, Fallout 4 is the best of this year’s titles I’ve played through. I’ve spent countless hours exploring the wasteland, building settlements and stocking up my armoury.

Everything about this game seems tailored to immerse the player in a science fantasy, post-apocalyptic world. The level of detail is incredible, and the gameplay accommodates many ways to play through.

Honourable mentions: Metal Gear Solid V, Super Mario Maker, The Witcher 3, Bloodborne, Life Is Strange

Best indie game

Promotional screen from Rocket League game, with "OZARIN: The Best of 2015" watermark.

Rocket League

A simple, yet engaging competitive online game, and another title which I’ve clocked up a hefty number of hours on this year.

Rocket League is easy to learn, and offers additional challenges as your skill progresses. The experience is such that I can easily jump into a short match and enjoy myself regardless of the outcome. Often luck will play as big a part as skill in the final score, but in any case it’s fun to play.

Honourable mentions: Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture, Undertale, Downwell, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, Captain Forever Remix

Best game soundtrack

Promotional screen from Everybody's Gone to the Rapture game, with "OZARIN: The Best of 2015" watermark.

Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture

Jessica Curry (@jessicacurry2) composed a beautiful soundtrack for The Chinese Room’s Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture.

Set in a fictional English village, the soundtrack directs the narrative as you unfold the mystery surrounding the complete absence of its residents.

It’s fair to say that this soundtrack really makes the game.

Honourable mentions: Fallout 4, Yoshi’s Wooly World, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, Life is Strange, Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward

Best film

Promotional screen from Mad Max: Fury Road film, with "OZARIN: The Best of 2015" watermark.

Mad Max: Fury Road

Fury Road is the fast-paced reboot of the cult Mel Gibson classic.

Everything about this film is loud; the soundtrack, the action – even the colour palette. The apocalyptic environment is believable in its ruthlessness and vast wastelands, and the direction and camera work are amazing throughout.

Honourable mentions: Ant Man, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Empire of Corpses, Crimson Peak, Ex_Machina

Best anime

Promotional screen from The Beautiful Bones anime, with "OZARIN: The Best of 2015" watermark.

Beautiful Bones: Sakurako’s Investigation

A well balanced series released towards the end of the year, Beautiful Bones follows Sakurako-san and Tatewaki-san as they solve grim mysteries and a Holmes and Watson-esque manner.

Whilst this series isn’t as action filed or comedic as One Punch Man, it offers a solid narrative and good character development in the course of its first series.

Honourable mentions: One Punch Man, The Perfect Insider, School Live!, Owarimonogatari, Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works

Most anticipated game of 2016

Promotional screen from Persona 5 game, with "OZARIN: The Best of 2015" watermark.

Persona 5

Persona 5 looks like my dream game if I’m being honest. The unique mix of animation and gameplay, focusing on both action and social aspects in a modern day Japan.

The trailer below features so many different aspects of the game, including a lush environment and interesting character design which I have come to associate with Atlus game titles.

Also looking forward to: Mass Effect: Andromeda, Mirror’s Edge 2, Starr Mazer, Oxenfree, Hyper Light Drifter

And there you go, my best of 2015. What was yours? Are you making any resolutions for 2016?