Fire Emblem has never been stronger on 3DS. Awakening was a huge game to follow up on and Nintendo did it with this three-part trilogy. The large epic scale that Fates create as well as the refined tactical combat, animation, art, characters, and customization helped create the strongest package this year for the 3DS. The games below offered great experiences in all these departments, but Fates did it all in one package.

Fire Emblem: Fates Revelation/Birthright/Conquest

My favorite game composer, Jeremy Soule, may have had only a bit part in the one song, but the score is fantastic nonetheless and brings back the feeling of Morrowind through and through. With sweeping scores for both exploration and combat, TESO continues the trend of The Elder Scrolls having some of the best video game soundtracks ever written.

Runner-Ups

Pokemon Sun/Moon

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Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

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Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past

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Monster Hunter Generations

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