Now Loading: Best Game of 2017 and Your GoTY 2017 Pick So Far

With half of the year already done, we now have just a few months left before the fall gaming season barrage begins, and the end-of-year awards are decided. In this week’s edition of Now Loading, the PlayStation LifeStyle staff picks out which PlayStation game is our pick for best game of 2017 so far.

Bear in mind that this doesn’t mean the game mentioned will be the site’s Game of the Year 2017, but you can bet that they’ll at least be part of the nominees and considered. And as one can expect, the game has to be released in the first two quarters of 2017, and of course, can be played on PlayStation platforms.

Without further ado, here are the staff’s picks for our mid-year Game of the Year 2017 pick.

What’s your top game of 2017 so far? It can’t be more than one; but just the game that if you had to crown one as the best of the year so far, that’d be it. Same as before, let’s get this discussion going! And remember, people, taste is subjective, so there’s really no wrong answer here.

Got a suggestion for our next Now Loading? Let us know via email or leave a comment below and we might just feature it next week!

Now Loading is a recurring staff-driven feature where PlayStation LifeStyle discusses anything video game-related under the sun (yes, even non-Sony platforms).

Essential Reading:

Now Loading...What's Your Pick for GoTY 2017 So Far?

Now Loading...What's Your Pick for GoTY 2017 So Far?
Tyler Treese

In a year filled with great games, NieR: Automata easily rests above the pack. It's a brilliant title that uses the medium of gaming to its fullest.
Cameron Teague

Persona 5 easily, though I did really enjoy NieR.
Zarmena Khan

This is SO tough but I'm going to have to go with Horizon Zero Dawn followed very, very closely by Yakuza 0. Persona 5 is a very solid game too, only slightly edged out by Yakuza because I preferred the story in that one and Persona got a tad repetitive towards the end. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to play NieR: Automata yet but I think it's safe to say that the first six months of 2017 have seen some outstanding releases.
Stephen Bitto

Horizon Zero Dawn for me but NieR: Automata is a close, close second!
Paulmichael Contreras

Horizon Zero Dawn. Still need to 100% that game, one of the few games that has me feeling like I need to see everything that it has to offer.
Alex Co

Definitely Horizon Zero Dawn for me. Not only is it a new IP, but who'd have ever guessed Guerrilla could pull this off? It's so good that I wouldn't be surprised if we don't hear about Killzone for a long time.

It's open world, but it doesn't force you to do open world stuff. Story is fine, gameplay is kind of unique that it doesn't have you using guns, and robo-dinosaurs! Man, I can't believe no one capitalized on it like Guerrilla has!

As someone who doesn't like open-world games, it's a testament to Guerrilla's amazing game design, audio and video presentation, and just overall feel of the Horizon Zero Dawn that it has me hooked.

Chalk Horizon up as a stable franchise added to Sony's impressive first-party line up.
Chandler Wood

It has to be Persona 5. That game is so incredibly well put together. It's got a panache and style that few games can match, with a 100 hour playtime that barely slows down at all throughout.
Michael Briers

Purely because I've yet to start Persona 5, I'll give this one to Horizon Zero Dawn with Resident Evil 7 coming in at a very, very close second.
Heath Hindman

Overall GotY so far? Zelda.

If we're sticking to PlayStation? Nier was among my favorites of the last gen, so I *think* I should be picking Automata, but have to confess it's still on the shelf for now. That said, hey, I get to cheat because NA just got Yakuza 0. I'll pick that!
Mack

What a year for PlayStation! Big exclusives hitting hard at such a crucial time is great to see!

For me, Horizon Zero Dawn and Persona 5 are pretty evenly matched, but for very different reasons. At this time, I'm leaning towards the latter as my choice for Game of The Year. I rarely invest a hundred hours into a single-player game, and yet Persona 5 drove me to keep on playing. It never felt like a drag, either. I was thoroughly entertained and intrigued the entire time. (Also, best girl Makoto > Aloy.)

I'm about to play Nier, so that could shake things up even further...