good games pc 2017

**Table of Contents** * The Defining Landscape of 2017 * The Open-World Revolution: Breath of the Wild and Horizon * The Resurgence of the CRPG: Divinity: Original Sin II * Narrative Depth and Player Agency: Prey and Nier:Automata * Multiplayer Innovation and Cultural Moments: PUBG and Cuphead * The Legacy of a Remarkable Year **The Defining Landscape of 2017** The year 2017 stands as a monumental chapter in the history of PC gaming. It was a period marked not by a single trend, but by a remarkable convergence of artistic ambition, technical refinement, and genre-defining innovation. Developers across the globe delivered experiences that pushed boundaries, reimagined established formulas, and demonstrated the unique strengths of the PC as a platform for deep, immersive, and diverse interactive entertainment. From vast open worlds to meticulously crafted narratives and groundbreaking multiplayer phenomena, the good PC games of 2017 collectively set a new benchmark for quality and creativity, offering players an unprecedented array of worlds to explore and stories to shape. **The Open-World Revolution: Breath of the Wild and Horizon** The open-world genre, often criticized for formulaic design, was fundamentally redefined in 2017. Two titles, while different in execution, shared a philosophy of rewarding curiosity and systemic gameplay. *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*, through emulation and later official release, presented a masterclass in environmental storytelling and emergent gameplay. Its world was not filled with map icons but with genuine discoveries. The physics and chemistry systems allowed for creative problem-solving, making every climb, encounter, and puzzle feel personal and earned. It championed the joy of exploration for its own sake. Conversely, *Horizon Zero Dawn* (which launched on PC later to critical acclaim for its port) presented a more narrative-driven but equally breathtaking open world. Its strength lay in the seamless fusion of a compelling, lore-rich story with exhilarating combat against magnificent mechanical creatures. The world was beautiful and dangerous, encouraging preparation and strategic use of tools. Together, these games demonstrated that open worlds could be more than vast checklists; they could be cohesive, interactive ecosystems that placed trust in the player’s desire to explore and engage on their own terms. **The Resurgence of the CRPG: Divinity: Original Sin II** Larian Studios’ *Divinity: Original Sin II* achieved the extraordinary feat of revitalizing the classic computer role-playing game (CRPG) for a modern audience. It was a game of staggering depth and freedom, built upon a foundation of impeccable turn-based tactical combat and a world that reacted meaningfully to player choices. The game’s systemic design was its crowning glory; elements interacted with stunning logic—water conducted electricity, oil surfaces could be ignited, and conversations could be manipulated with magical persuasion. This created a sandbox of endless strategic possibilities. Beyond its mechanics, the game offered profound narrative flexibility. Players could create custom characters or choose from a roster of deeply written origin characters, each with personal quests that wove into the main narrative. Cooperative play transformed the experience, allowing for alliances, betrayals, and shared storytelling. *Divinity: Original Sin II* proved that complex, hardcore RPG mechanics could achieve mainstream success through sheer quality, setting a new gold standard for the genre and paving the way for a new era of CRPGs. **Narrative Depth and Player Agency: Prey and Nier:Automata** 2017 also excelled in delivering profound, philosophically charged narratives. Arkane Studios’ *Prey* was a brilliant spiritual successor to the immersive sims of old, set aboard the meticulously designed Talos I space station. It empowered players with a vast toolkit of abilities and weapons, but its true genius lay in how every system served its themes of identity, consciousness, and humanity. The environment was a narrative device, told through emails, environmental details, and non-linear exploration, demanding player attention and intelligence. Yoko Taro’s *Nier:Automata* was a genre-defying masterpiece that used the interactive medium of video games to deliver its existential narrative in a way no other art form could. Beginning as a stylish action RPG, it unfolded across multiple playthroughs that radically shifted perspective and gameplay, culminating in one of the most poignant and meta-fictional conclusions in gaming. Its exploration of purpose, consciousness, and cyclical violence was deeply enhanced by its brilliant soundtrack and willingness to break conventional video game rules to serve its story. Both games treated players as active participants in unraveling their complex themes. **Multiplayer Innovation and Cultural Moments: PUBG and Cuphead** The multiplayer landscape was irrevocably changed by *PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)*. While building on earlier mod concepts, it perfected and popularized the battle royale formula. Its tense, high-stakes matches—beginning with a parachute drop onto a large map and culminating in a frantic fight for survival in a shrinking play zone—created unparalleled moments of drama and adrenaline. Its janky, realistic aesthetic became part of its charm, fostering a massive cultural wave that influenced countless games and established battle royale as a dominant genre. In stark contrast, *Cuphead* captured the world’s attention with its flawless execution of a singular artistic vision. Meticulously animated in the style of 1930s rubber hose cartoons, every frame was a hand-drawn work of art. Beneath the gorgeous presentation was an uncompromisingly challenging run-and-gun boss rush game that demanded precision and pattern recognition. Its success was a testament to the power of unique art direction and tight, rewarding gameplay, showing that difficult games could achieve widespread appeal through sheer charm and quality. **The Legacy of a Remarkable Year** The collection of good PC games in 2017 represents a high-water mark for the industry. It was a year where technological advancement, artistic vision, and respect for player intelligence aligned perfectly. These titles did not merely entertain; they challenged conventions, explored mature themes, and trusted players with complexity and freedom. They fostered communities, sparked endless discussions, and left a lasting imprint on game design. The legacy of 2017 is a library of experiences that continue to be revisited and revered, a powerful reminder of the depth, diversity, and transformative potential of PC gaming at its very best. SCO members achieve progress in environmental protection cooperation: official
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