My top 5 games that I enjoyed in 2015

My top 5 Games that I enjoyed the most in 2015 (doesn't have to have been released in 2015I just have to have started playing it in 2015)

5. Elite: Dangerous (PC)
	Elite Dangerous released in late 2014. I only picked it up midway through 2015 after seeing some gameplay from a friend and noting that I still had some suitable hardware peripherals I could use. It should be noted that this game is best played with a joystick of some kind. I will admit that this game has some fundamental flaws and there are questions as to the amount of content available. There are definite limits on the different ways to progress your character and earn money in game. However, I've had tons of fun essentially going on my own trek through the stars. Theres a lot to do and the game is simply gorgeous. My time has been mostly spent bounty hunting and exploring which gave me a good sense of ship combat, as well as a taste of what its like to trek into the unknown. If you're a fan of spacescapes you'll like this. The Horizons expansion hits soon and will hopefully beef up the content in the game.
4. Guitar Hero Live (Xbox One)
	My enjoyment of this game came as a great surprise to me. As many know I am extremely vocal in my disdain for the current state of Rock Band 4, this game's prime competitor. And while I initially scoffed at the prospect of the new 6-button formula and "GHTV" formula of GHL, after playing it I became hooked. I was reminiscent of my early days with Guitar Hero, where the drive was to get to the next difficulty level and develop some skill within the game. It was like a fresh challenge all over again. My sense of accomplishment as I figured out the new button layout which was fundamentally different from all plastic guitar games to come before it kept me playing. I continue to play it as they release more music into the GHTV rotations.
3. Splatoon (Wii U)
	This was another one that surprised me. Splatoon is a game I was fairly skeptical about. Nintendo's first new IP in a long time was sure to be a flop right? Wrong! Splatoon turned into one of my most played games of the summer. Combining team-based objective multiplayer with many new mechanics for shooting and... inking, Splatoon was a breath of "fresh" air. Nintendo's trickledown approach to release of new content (weapons, gear, maps) suceeded in keeping the game interesting for me and many others. The game is super fun and a "fresh" take on the team based multiplayer shooter.
2. Super Mario Maker (Wii U)
	This is a game that has enabled the infinite play of Mario. Being able to play millions of user created stages as well as create your own stages in various Mario flavors is oh-so appealing. I love classic sidescrolling Mario, and this game tickles that itch and tickles it well. There is plenty here even if all you do is play stages. For the devious creator, there is a wealth of tools for creating even the most evil of Mario stages. Not every user stage is good, but you're guaranteed to not play the same stage twice when playing randomly. There has not been a better entry into the Sidescrolling Mario family.
1. Overwatch (PC)
	Disclaimer: this game isn't out yet. It releases in 2016. I also only had about 72 total real-hours in which to play this game during one of it's Beta Weekends. However, I can safely say that Overwatch is my number 1 game of 2015. Overwatch is Blizzard Entertainment's new Team Objective Based Multiplayer Arena Shooter. Some would compare this game to Team Fortress 2, and they would be right. The game draws heavy inspiration from TF2 in many many ways. However, it differentiates enough to where it feels new. The gameplay is extremely intoxicating. Each "hero" in game has a specific kit and is fitted for a certain role. You have Damage, Tanks, Defenders, and Support types. Each role feels unique and each Hero within each role feels unique. I played the game only for a short time but in that time, I was hooked. The diversity and synergy between heroes that can arise and the very fun and decently balanced objective gameplay has made for a game that I foresee that I play for a very very long time when it releases. Its extremely fun and arguably the best new example of an Objective based Arena Shooter. An absolutely brilliant game that will only get better with continued development by Blizzard.