2017 has been a special year for video games. It witnessed the return of such important series as The Legend of Zelda, saw factory line franchises like Call of Duty return to their roots, and even bore witness to the arrival of some impressive new properties.

Of course, the year was not without its troubles. One look at the most anticipated games of 2017 paints a picture of delayed releases and disappointing launches for some of the most-wanted games, while troublesome and predatory business practices such as the ongoing gaming loot box problem has hampered the success of titles such as Star Wars: Battlefront II. It's definitely been a year of ups and downs.

Thankfully, the best moments of 2017 are some of the greatest in gaming history, with the year seeing the release of some of the most engaging and breathtaking video games ever created. Without further ado, here is a rundown of the best games of 2017.

30. What Remains of Edith Finch

What Remains of Edith Finch

The idea of the 'walking simulator' is one that has been much maligned over the years, with titles within the subgenre putting a heavy emphasis on storytelling through the gradual unveiling of a larger narrative with a lower focus on active participation. What Remains of Edith Finch, however, builds upon this framework with a much more engaging method of gameplay, with the player feeling much more like a part of the story as a whole.

On top of that, What Remains of Edith Finch tells a heartbreaking and deep story of a family seemingly cursed with tragedy. It's one of the best video game narratives of the year, and developer Giant Sparrow has earned the accolades the game has received. It's not for everyone, but those after something thought-provoking will find what they need with What Remains of Edith Finch.

29. Life is Strange: Before the Storm

Life is Strange: Before the Storm

The original Life is Strange was something of a powerhouse of storytelling, utilizing its episodic nature to tell a twisting tale of time manipulation and fate. It ended up being a smash hit, winning a huge number of fans and gaining plenty of award nominations and victories.

As such, there was a strong level of interest in prequel Life is Strange: Before the Storm, with questions asked over whether new developer Deck Nine could recreate the original's tone. Thankfully, Before the Storm, although not perfect, manages to build upon the first game well, providing a rare prequel that manages to subtly enhance the original story told.

28. Dishonored: Death of the Outsider

Dishonored: Death of the Outsider

The steampunk world of the Dishonored series has gained many fans since the original game's release, and the franchise reached new heights with 2016's Dishonored 2. However, the story of the sequel did not end there, with a standalone follow-up called Dishonored: Death of the Outsider releasing this year.

Death of the Outsider is not quite a fully-fledged game in its own right, building heavily upon the previous year's release, but it manages to deliver even more of that phenomenal stealth gameplay. Acting as a strong epilogue to the Dishonored story as a whole, it's a game that fans of the franchise would be fools to miss.

Middle-earth: Shadow of War

27. Middle-earth: Shadow of War

Middle-earth: Shadow of War may play it fast and loose with Tolkien's Middle-earth lore, but it's still a very impressive follow-up to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. With the original game's nemesis system now well established, Shadow of War is able to stretch its legs, developing an updated version of the system alongside game-wide improvements.

The title certainly has its issues, with an overall weaker story and the inexplicable addition of loot box microtransactions that has received plenty of criticism. However, overall it's still an excellent game for players who want more of that blend of Assassin's Creed and Lord of the Rings.

26. Metroid: Samus Returns

Metroid: Samus Returns

Metroid: Samus Returns finally addresses one of the injustices of the Metroid franchise: that its second instalment remained a mystery to many players. Metroid 2: Return of Samus released for the Game Boy, but never quite received the same longstanding acclaim as the original game or follow-up Super Metroid.

Samus Returns, however, pushes Metroid 2 into the modern age, updating the game into 2.5D for the 3DS and bringing with it a ton of new features. What's more, it's a great return for the franchise as a whole, suggesting there's still a bright future for Metroid and the upcoming Metroid Prime 4.

25. Sniper Elite 4

Sniper Elite 4

Sniper Elite has been one of the most quietly effective franchises in the video game landscape, starting life as an initially niche stealth shooter and growing with each and every release. Although there have been criticisms leveled against exactly how well the different gameplay modes gel together, Sniper Elite 4 has managed to link the various play styles better than any other game in the series.

Sniper Elite 4 blends long-range sniping with up close and personal stealth incredibly well, all built around a number of expansive, multi-layered maps that offer plenty of options for would-be assassins. All in all, Sniper Elite 4 is a game that shouldn't be overlooked.

Splatoon 2

24. Splatoon 2

The original Splatoon was a fantastic change of pace from Nintendo, with one flaw: it was stuck on the ailing Wii U. Thankfully, Splatoon 2 can have much more of an impact thanks to its home on the massively successful Nintendo Switch.

Rather than just rehash the original game on new hardware, however, Splatoon 2 has plenty of improvements on the original game to keep players occupied. The addition of a deep single player mode acts as a great way for new players to get to grips with the mechanics, while Salmon Run is a wonderful addition to the main game.

23. Divinity: Original Sin 2

Divinity: Original Sin 2

The Divinity: Original Sin games are some of the great triumphs of the crowdfunding model. Built around mechanics that traditional AAA gaming has shied away from, the tactical, slow-burning RPG gameplay has left plenty of players hooked.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 improves upon the first game across the board, with a brilliant fantasy story, great strategic RPG gameplay, and some hugely impressive locations to explore. Fully deserving of all the success that has come its way.

22. Call of Duty: WWII

Call of Duty: WWII

Much was made of the release of Call of Duty: WWII, with Sledgehammer Games finally bringing the Call of Duty franchise back to its Second World War roots. From a commercial perspective, the game has been a smash hit, selling twice as much as the previous game during the first few weeks of its release.

However, those sales don't just relate to hype, with Call of Duty: WWII sitting pretty as one of the best games that the series has seen in years. Not only did the campaign pack a serious punch, but the game's War mode is perhaps the best innovation that Call of Duty has seen in some time.

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

21. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

Although it's hard to think of an Uncharted game as much of a gamble, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy acted as something of a departure for the action adventure series. Not only is the game more of an expansion than a full standalone release, but it moved away from the charisma of Nathan Drake, which more than did its part in propelling the franchise to stardom in the first place.

That said, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is a great success. The duo of Chloe and Nadine offers up great chemistry, while the game's slightly larger maps gives a decent level of variety on the game's linear narrative structure. More than anything, it proves that there's still life in the Uncharted franchise yet.

20. Injustice 2

Injustice 2

The original Injustice: Gods Among Us was a great concept well-executed: a brutal fighting game from the creators of Mortal Kombat starring characters from the DC Comics universe. Injustice 2 ups the ante with a great lineup of fighters and the same vicious combat as before, which proves more than enough to make the title the best fighting game of the year.

Something that's definitely helped matters is the steady increase in playable characters, to keep players interested across the months. After all, who can't find joy in sending Batman up against the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

19. The Evil Within 2

The Evil Within 2

2017 proved to be another great year for horror games, and The Evil Within 2 is a fantastic example of that. The first game had plenty of fans but had something of a mixed reception, and thankfully the sequel is a vast improvement on the original.

The Evil Within 2 is a survival horror game brought to the modern day, with chilling set pieces and some of the most gruesome monsters and villains seen in this generation. Throw in a mind-bending story and it's easy to see why The Evil Within 2 has had such an impact.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole

18. South Park: The Fractured but Whole

South Park has had a fractious relationship with video games over the years, but the last two releases based on the animated comedy have been excellent. South Park: The Fractured but Whole is perhaps the best South Park game yet, blending tactical RPG gameplay with a typically irreverent South Park story seamlessly.

The best part of South Park: The Fractured but Whole, however, is the way in which Trey Parker and Matt Stone take a piercing look at the world of super heroes. Those who are suffering a little from hero fatigue are going to find plenty to laugh at here, particularly with some suitably acerbic send-ups of the super hero movie business model.

17. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

It's been one heck of a year for everyone's favorite former plumber. The launch of the Nintendo Switch has given Mario plenty of chances to maintain his place at the top of gaming, and Mario Kat 8 Deluxe is a prime example of this.

Initially released on the Wii U, Mario Kart 8 was a hugely impressive feat and one of the best entries in the franchise. The Deluxe edition brings improvements all round, beefing up the original game and its DLC content with an improved Battle mode and plenty of other upgrades for players to sink their teeth into.

16. Assassin's Creed Origins

Assassin's Creed Origins

The Assassin's Creed franchise has suffered from something of a dip in late, starting with the disappointing and glitch-ridden Assassin's Creed Unity. The downfall of the series has hopefully come to an end, thanks to the launch of the breathtaking Assassin's Creed Origins.

Moving the series to ancient Egypt proved to be a masterstroke, giving the franchise a breath of fresh air and some of the most impressive video game vistas of the year. Although the gameplay has not caught up with the visuals, it's still a solid return to form and a step in the right direction.

Destiny 2

15. Destiny 2

The original Destiny was a massively successful game, but it had a number of flaws that needed to be addressed for the sequel. Bungie took some of these on, with Destiny 2 focusing much more on a compelling story this time around alongside moreish gameplay.

Unfortunately, the game's reputation has been marred by some controversy, with Bungie needing to apologize for some deceptive changes behind the scenes. Nonetheless, the game's quality shines through, and hopefully quality improvements will also keep coming for the game like its predecessor.

14. Nioh

Nioh

The Dark Souls games have left an indelible mark on the gaming industry, with a number of developers trying to emulate that same level of challenge and intricate combat mechanics. Some of these games have struggled to make a dent, but Nioh is undoubtedly one of the success stories.

Combining hard-as-nails gameplay with a fluid flourish and a wonderful style of its own, Nioh is a wonderful game for action fans to get to grips with. Just get ready to try and try again.

13. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a marvellous achievement. The game combines psychological horror with vicious combat sections, pushing the player further and further down a path led by an unreliable narrator. The entire game is wrapped up in a world inspired by Norse and Celtic culture, resulting in a unique experience all round.

Beyond the quality of the single player game itself, the risk taken by developer Ninja Theory is one that other developers will be keeping in mind for some time. Forgoing the traditional publisher model in favor of keeping full creative control, Hellblade's development and release is proof that surprises can still crop up in the industry.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

12. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

On paper, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle should not work. Combining the platforming hero with a Rayman spinoff seemed like an odd mix, and it hardly set the pulse racing among gamers when the project was first announced. When the title was then confirmed as an XCOM-style turn-based strategy game, it certainly raised a few eyebrows.

Opinion changed when the game was showcased at E3 2017, and the end result is one of the strangest yet most compelling games released this year. Bringing something truly different to the Nintendo Switch, Mario + Rabbids offers up a great starting place for strategy newcomers and a fun challenge for veteran players alike.

11. Sonic Mania

Sonic Mania

2017 was always going to be a big year for Sonic the Hedgehog and Sega, with the company's mascot seeing the release of two major games. However, the smaller of the two releases, Sonic Mania, proved to be by far the better of the two. And it was made by fans!

Quite simply, Sonic Mania is one of the most fun games released this year. An incredible recreation of the tone of the original 1990s Sonic games, Sonic Mania acts as a best-of from the franchise's past while taking advantage of what modern game development can offer.

10. Persona 5

Persona 5

The brilliance of the Persona series is one of the worst kept secrets in video games, and nowhere is this more true than with Persona 5. Atlus' RPG wowed fans and critics alike when it released back in April, with some claiming that it should be named as one of the best RPGs of all time.

It's hard to argue with that assertion, too. Offering up stunning art design with a unique story, Persona 5 is the kind of game that every RPG fan owes it to themselves to play, even if it doesn't quite fall within their comfort zone.

Prey

9. Prey

Prey is the kind of game that industry experts have predicted is no longer popular. It's a surprise, then, that Arkane Studios' first-person shooter proved such an important part of the rebirth of single player games, feeling like the ideal spiritual successor to the likes of System Shock and BioShock.

The shooter is more than just a simple retread of well-worn themes, though. Much like Bethesda stablemates such as 2016's DOOM, Prey adds some major innovations to the genre, primarily through the use of the unbelievably fun GLOO Cannon and the sense of paranoia created when any inanimate object could be a hidden enemy.

8. Cuphead

Cuphead

In spite of its status as an indie game, Cuphead was one of the most highly anticipated games of the year. Fusing together run-and-gun shooting mechanics with fearsome boss battles, Cuphead is a major challenge to players without ever stooping into cheap tricks or unfair fights, and with plenty of secrets to discover.

Alongside this addictive gameplay, though, Cuphead's other strength is its art style. Drawing on the rubber hose animation of the 1930s, Cuphead is like playing a classic cartoon. If only the game relented long enough for players to sit still and take it all in.

7. NieR: Automata

NieR: Automata

NieR: Automata is a rare thing: a game that makes replaying it a fully worthwhile experience. In part this is down to just how fun it is to play, with PlatinumGames creating a spectacular blend of action and RPG within a stunningly created world.

Beyond that, however, lies the game's story, and the way in which PlatinumGames has expertly gripped on to how video games work as a storytelling art form. Without delving into a spoiler territory, NieR: Automata is a game that justifies being played time and time again.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

6. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

It seems like it's been a while since shooting Nazis has been such a central focus of video games. However, 2017 has given plenty of chances for gamers to take down fascists, from Sniper Elite 4 through to Call of Duty: WWII. However, it's the most outrageous of the bunch that has provided the biggest thrills this year.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is an absolutely fantastic shooter, with publisher Bethesda repeatedly putting faith in the single player FPS to great results in recent years. Wolfenstein II is provocative and bloody, delivering on its promise and more thanks to some of the most memorable gaming moments of the year.

5. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Resident Evil 7 isn't the first time that the Resident Evil series has needed to reinvent itself, but this is perhaps the most radical change that the main series has seen. The game throws out both the survival horror tropes of its roots and the more recent third-person shooter mechanics in favor of a claustrophobic first-person game more reminiscent of modern Western horror games.

The changes work incredibly well, making the player feel truly vulnerable for the first time in the franchise for a while. It takes a lot for a horror game to break into the top trending games of the year, yet the buzz around the game is more than earned, with some of the scariest gaming moments of 2017.

4. PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds

Playerunknown's Battlegrounds

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds was making gaming history long before it left early access at the end of December. The multiplayer shooter has been breaking records left and right, smashing through Steam concurrent user peaks and creating one of the biggest gaming communities around.

The game's popularity is more than understandable, getting to the root of the competitive angle of multiplayer gaming and making good use of the Battle Royale-esque core gameplay. It's a shame that the Xbox One version has had massive problems, putting a dampener on the game's otherwise meteoric rise.

Super Mario Odyssey

3. Super Mario Odyssey

Mario games have always been able to capture a kind of joyous tone that so few other franchises can muster, and Super Mario Odyssey continues this tradition with gusto. In short, Super Mario Odyssey is a child's playbox brought to life, with the player hopping from world to world with imagination aplenty.

Super Mario Odyssey effectively acts as a spiritual successor to Mario 64, with its core gameplay built around secret-finding, and this is a game that players will want to explore. Nintendo's design here is meticulous, with something new to find in seemingly every square inch of the game. A must-have for Switch owners.

2. Horizon: Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn

In a year of extraordinary linear games, one of the most compelling stories of the year is told by the much more open-ended Horizon: Zero Dawn. The story of this Guerrilla Games title creeps up on the player, as they learn about the world and its history as much through the environment and how it operates as the plot-driven missions.

On top of this, Horizon: Zero Dawn is a flawlessly executed open world explore-a-thon, successfully implementing crafting mechanics alongside the thrill of hunting the game's robotic beasts. Lush visuals, almost palpable combat and a truly visceral adventure helps make Horizon: Zero Dawn one of the must-have games of the year, and perhaps the PS4's best exclusive.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Groundbreaking. Immersive. Near-perfect. It's hard not to be entirely captivated by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The return of the Zelda franchise is a triumph in every regard, from its beautiful visuals and character models through to its departure from the traditional structure of a Legend of Zelda game.

As such, the game deserves every game of the year award that it could receive. It's truly a testament to Nintendo that, even after all these years, the company can still come up with such ingenuity. Here's to many more adventures to come.

That brings us to the end of our rundown of the best games of 2017. Given how fantastic 2017 was as a whole, there are bound to be some games that we've missed. If there are any games that you think deserve a mention as the best games of 2017, please let us know in the comments.