Beat The Best Games Of The Year With The Gameranx Guides Of 2016

2016 crushed it in the games department. There are so many amazing games, it’s almost impossible for any mentally-stable individual to play every single one. Lucky for you, we’re kind of insane here at Gameranx, and my goal to cover every great game went into high gear with guides galore.

To commemorate the world’s favorites, I’m here to provide a comprehensive list of guides, collectible locations, secret strategies, and everything else walkthrough-related for all those games my peers deemed “best” (or at least notable) in 2016. In total, I’ve completed over 500 guides in my tenure at Gameranx. That’s a lot, so let’s separate the wheat from the chaff — here are all the games we covered more-than-comprehensively, with some games getting a dozen plus articles to feed the community’s need.

This isn’t a list — it’s a compendium of everything worth revisiting. When you finally catch up with your 2016 backlog and look for secrets, unlockables, and other awesome stuff, try browsing through some of the cool articles below.

Game Guides of 2016:

[Skip to the content you want — Press CTRL+F and Search for the title.]

Battleborn
Fallout 4 — Add-ons
Uncharted 4
DOOM (2016)
Witcher 3 — Add-ons
Kirby: Planet Robobot
LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Pokemon GO
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3
No Man’s Sky
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided / Deus Ex GO
Destiny: Rise of Iron
Battlefield 1
Gears of War 4
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare / Modern Warfare Remastered
Titanfall 2
Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel
Dishonored 2
Pokemon Sun / Moon
Final Fantasy XV
Dead Rising 4

Battleborn [5/3/2016]

In the end, Battleborn couldn’t compare to Overwatch — nothing could get in the way of Blizzard’s juggernaut hero shooter, but Battleborn still put out a valiant effort (for a few months) and our coverage proved to be a surprising hit. … all thanks to free stuff. You can still claim some of that free stuff if you’ve got a copy.

Fallout 4 [11/10/2015]

This 2015 juggernaut marched into 2016 with multiple DLC add-ons and extras. There’s no need to argue to the merits of this open-world RPG — everyone already did that last year, but now that the Season Pass is complete and we’ve had a chance to explore Nuka-World, Far Harbor, and construct a vault of our very own, we can confidently say that Fallout 4 deserves a spot on the list.

Mods & Updates:

Far Harbor DLC:

Contraptions DLC

Vault-Tec DLC

Nuka-World DLC

Uncharted 4 [5/11/2016]

Nathan Drake returns with all the quips and fast-paced 3rd person action fans expect from Naughty Dog’s seminal series, only this time we get an infusion of somber coming-of-middle-age exploits as Drake (and pals) cope with their role in a vastly different, post-Last of Us gaming landscape. Naturally, Uncharted 4 is huge success on every front. The most dynamic and exciting adventure of the series breathes an extra whiff of maturity into Nathan Drake.

DOOM (2016) [5/13/2016]

DOOM took everyone by surprise. The reveal blew people away, but it left most of us skeptical. The final product assuaged all worries, and DOOM (2016) has forged ahead, claiming Game Of The Year awards from multiple outlets in 2016. This game is the real deal — a fun, explosive and violent FPS. The singleplayer campaign is robust, filled with exploration and demon-murdering delights.

Witcher 3 [5/19/2015]

Another 2015 game makes the list — but Blood and Wine is an easy addition. This huge expansion adds a new ending, a new area to explore. Basically, it’s even more of what makes Witcher 3 amazing. Colorful characters, an interesting story, and tons of quests to take in a sprawling world filled with mystery. Blood and Wine, the last add-on for Witcher 3, beats out plenty of rivals as one of the best RPGs of 2016.

Blood and Wine DLC:

Kirby: Planet Robobot [6/10/2016]

One of my personal favorites and an incredibly cute addition to the Kirby lexicon, Planet Robobot features giant robots and series-best level design. The boss battles are bigger, the stakes are higher, and everything is even more exciting. Exploring every level and unlocking those bonus hard difficulty modes is a dream thanks to tight controls and simple (but fun!) puzzles and secrets anyone can handle. Easily one of the best 3DS adventures available in 2016.

LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens [6/28/2016]

Star Wars is kind of a big deal, and the LEGO games are always popular with kids — mix the two together means instant success, right? LEGO The Force Awakens didn’t fall asleep at the steering wheel for this entry. Instead of doing the same old thing, the heroes of The Force Awakens jump from one activity to the next. You’ll take on flying vehicle sequence, sliding action rides, on-rails space battles, and third-person shooting sequences between solving puzzles and swapping minifigs. If you’re getting tired of LEGO adventures, The Force Awakens is a breathe of fresh, LEGO brick air.

Pokemon GO [7/6/2016]

For a few solid weeks, nothing could beat the excitement surrounding Pokemon GO. The first big augmented-reality Pokemon app for iOS and Android, Pokemon GO allowed everyone to become a real-world Pokemon trainer. While the execution hasn’t been ideal, and fans are dropping off in droves, we can all look back to that fleeting summer when Pokemon GO was everywhere; when an app brought people out of their basements and into the sunlight.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 [10/6/15]

Another game from 2015 makes the list specifically for Zombies. The oddball survival mode is a big hit with a very specific, very hardcore audience. Whenever a new Zombies map drops, streamers come out of the woodwork to hunt down the latest ridiculously convoluted, almost-impossible to solve Easter egg. In honor of their efforts, here are all the guides for Black Ops 3 and its many, many DLC packs released in the year of 2016.

Gorod Krovi Zombies Map DLC

Revelations Zombies Map DLC

No Man’s Sky [8/9/2016]

Okay, maybe we’re stretching the definition of “best” / “greatest” — but there’s no denying that No Man’s Sky was noteworthy. A massive project with out-of-control hype, it landed with an ugly thud. Post-release, we’ve seen updates that include base building mechanics, but it’s still a far cry from what fans (and reviewers) were hoping for. If you picked up No Man’s Sky on sale, here are a couple guides to help get you started.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided / Deus Ex GO [8/23/16]

The sequel to Human Revolution, Mankind Divided is a shorter, leaner and meaner Deus Ex adventure. It doesn’t rock the boat, instead improved the mechanics (and graphics fidelity) while nervously inching closer and closer to the coveted original Deus Ex timeline. One day we’ll make it, but this awesome FPS belongs on the list. It released alongside a companion app called Deus Ex GO, which is actually a fun little puzzle game in its own right.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Deus Ex GO

Destiny: Rise of Iron [9/20/2016]

Destiny enters Year 3 in 2016, and it’s still going strong. The latest update includes plenty of features fans have been clamoring for, including a deeper post-game experience, and even tougher raids that only the most skilled teams can conquer. This year includes some true high-points — the raid being my personal favorite — but the new missions are a strong addition. Basically, its more Destiny. That’s all it takes to get included in the compendium.

Rise of Iron

Holiday Events

Battlefield 1 [10/21/16]

Where Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare reached for the stars, Battlefield 1 dropped down into the muck of World War 1. Returning to its historical roots, Battlefield 1 is a gritty, violent return to form for the increasingly bombastic franchise. This is the best Battlefield in years, with a smooth launch and plenty of explosive action, utilizing a new pallet of weaponry most gamers have never experienced before. Get a load of the history in the latest Battlefield with our articles covering the real-life weapons and locations found in Battlefield 1.

Gears of War 4 [10/11/2016]

Gears of War 4 steps into the future, following a new team of Gears as they battle both threats new and familiar. After a long dormancy, it’s kind of nice to return to the Gears of War world, one that isn’t completely ravaged by monsters. There’s almost a hint of hope in this entry, even when you’re busy chainsawing ugly monstrosities that pop out of slimy egg sacs.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare / Modern Warfare Remastered [11/4/2016]

Living in the shadow of the new-and-improved Battlefield 1, Infinite Warfare still managed to impress with its creative scenarios and unusually strong singleplayer component, even if the multiplayer was basically the same as last year’s model — which also made it onto this 2016 list — but the Call of Duty name is so inescapable, there’s no getting out of this game’s orbit. If anything, at least it brought us an impressive remake of the classic Modern Warfare.

Infinite Warfare

Zombies In Spaceland

Modern Warfare Remastered

Titanfall 2 [10/28/2016]

The little shooter that could, Titanfall 2 is another surprising FPS that landed right smack dab between Battlefield 1 and Infinite Warfare. Don’t let this fleet-of-foot parkour and mech shooter slip by unnoticed. With it’s sharp design, great movement, and exhilarating gameplay both online and offline, this sequel is everything we wanted from Titanfall 1. Play it ASAP — if anything, just to experience your bot buddy BT giving you a thumbs up.

Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel [10/25/2016]

Ashes of Ariandel is everything we want from Dark Souls — creepy, oddly beautiful locations to explore, terrifying new enemies, and heart-stopping battles against incredibly tough bosses. Throw in some new magic, new armor, and a handful of weapons and this DLC belongs on our compendium of noteworthy games in 2016.

Dishonored 2 [11/11/2016]

Instead of reinventing the wheel, Dishonored 2 is all about more — more powers, more characters, and more interesting levels. Dishonored 2 is a masterclass in unique level design, with each new area adding something new and special to the formula. One level sends your chosen hero into the depths of an ever-changing clockwork mansion, while another traps you in time, allowing you to swap between the past and present. For always adding surprises, Dishonored 2 earns its place in the compendium.

Pokemon Sun / Moon [11/18/2016]

Pokemon Sun / Moon did the impossible. It made a core Pokemon adventure feel new again. Set in the Alola Region, a string of islands patterned after Hawaii, you’ll accept “Island Challenges” instead of defeating gyms, all while unraveling a plot that’s more integral than any mainline Pokemon. Totem Pokemon add extra challenge and the alien Ultra Beasts bring an element of mystery that we haven’t experienced since first finding Mewtwo.

Final Fantasy XV [11/29/2016]

After ten years of development, Final Fantasy XV is finally here. It’s a big, bombastic adventure that really surprised everyone with it’s big heart. The relationship between the four main protagonists is what drives the story. It’s an open-world RPG, and the game is jam-packed with features that only become truly apparent in the end-game. There’s a lot to love about Final Fantasy XV — it’s a leaner Final Fantasy that’s still endlessly complicated. It’s a refreshing return, and we can only hope it won’t be another ten years for the sequel to come out.

Dead Rising 4 [12/6/2016]

Capcom is making a gradual comeback, and Dead Rising 4 arrives with Christmas spirit aplenty to jolly up our lives in 2016. This sequel brings back fun for the zombie apocalypse, providing resident hero and photojournalist Frank West with too many crazy weapon combos to count. What sets the game apart is the humor on display — this isn’t meant to be taken seriously, and wise-cracking Frank helps bring levity to the 2016 holiday season.

There were so many amazing games in 2016 we couldn’t cover them all. I’d love to include more from every conceivable genre. Is there a massive omission that was deserving of more guide content on Gameranx? Let us know in the comments section!