The best kind of music isn’t licensed music. It is the beautiful work of a composer and many talented musicians that create a symphony that can bring chills down your spine or make a battle more intense. Great original music in games is hard to come by, but this here had quite a few.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

It was a toss-up between Destiny and Dragon Age this year, but I felt Dragon Age hit more at home with me. The theme was more memorable (I find myself humming it several times a day) and the overall ambient music is just more fitting where Destiny only really kicks in during the battles.

Runner-Ups

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor

Alien: Isolation

Transistor

Destiny

Atmosphere doesn’t always mean scary. The best atmosphere in a game sucks you in and makes you believe this world is or can be real. It makes you feel scared, sad, happy, or worried. It gives you chills or butterflies without you even knowing it. These kinds of games are rare and it can be one of the most difficult things to balance out in a game.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor

There were a lot of games with the great atmosphere this year but Mordor takes it home. This is the only game that really nails the Lord of the Rings feel. It’s not always about bright magic and fast-paced fantasy combat. Mordor brings you into the dark depressing cesspool that is caused by the Hand of Sauron and various other entities at play. It shows you the everyday life and struggle of the people of Middle-Earth. The game forgoes the heroes of the books and movies and drags you into the dark nightmare that is Mordor.

Runner-Ups

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Wolfenstein: The New Order

Far Cry 4

The Evil Within

This is the toughest category for a game to win. What makes a good story? Does it have to make sense? Does it have to be long or short? It’s a mix of everything. A good story must be memorable for one and also keep the player interested and talking for months or years after playing.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Runner-Ups

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor

Alien: Isolation

Bayonetta 2

The Evil Within

The best sound design isn’t about the music but more about overall ambiance and sounds and how they impact the player. The sound design also isn’t always about loud explosions or which game can be the loudest. It is usually about diversity and bringing a game to life that no other medium can accomplish.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor

Shadow of Mordor edged over Dragon Age due to the fact that the sound design is so raw and just feels more a little more alive. From the Uruks grunts to the way the sword sings in the air during fights. Birds chirping, animals growling; it just all comes together so beautifully in a way that no other game has this year.

Runner-Ups

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Bayonetta 2

Far Cry 4

Destiny

Artistic graphics don’t always mean they push a system to its limits. The best looking games can some times be the simplest. A 2D side scroller can outshine a DirectX 11 dual-GPU-required PC game any day if the art hits home just right.

Monument Valley

Monument Valley shows just how beautiful a game can be without pushing hardware. Sure it even looks technically beautiful but it’s the unique style and atmosphere that will stick in your mind more than any other game this year.

Runner-Ups

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Bayonetta 2

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor

Bravely Default

Indie games are usually lesser known and get lost under the AAA hype. While indie games get more recognition every year, some just can’t quite make it to the light.

Monument Valley

Monument Valley may only be 10 levels, but they are some of the most memorable levels I have ever played. Being a mix between Journey and Echochrome, Monument Valley really planted a landmark on the mobile market showing that unique games can exist on these platforms.

Runner-Ups

A Story About My Uncle

Transistor

Shovel Knight

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

The best voice acting doesn’t just sound the best but has the most diversity. It’s about the way the voices are used and how they bring characters to life.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age inched out over Shadow of Mordor due to the sheer amount of voice acting in the game and how diverse it is. With several different races, creatures, and the many main and non-main characters, it’s so surprising how well the voice acting turned out and how unique.

Runner-Ups

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Bayonetta 2

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor

Transistor

This category goes to games whose engines push consoles and PC to their limits. Engines and graphics that require new GPU upgrades and make gamers cry as their PC struggle to keep up with the game. Or, for this year, show off the graphical powerhouse that is the Xbox One and PS4.

Far Cry 4

Far Cry 4 looked better than most games thanks to its highly advanced next-gen foliage and amazing draw distances. The grass blowing in the wind, the fantastic lighting effects, and just the overall push for more advanced graphics than any other game this year.

Runner-Ups

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes