A decade later, the Hardcore Gamer editors' 2015 personal favorites remain fascinating time capsules of creativity. Unlike official awards, these picks reflected individual passion—games that resonated deeply, whether blockbusters or indie gems. They celebrated titles that pushed boundaries, embraced nostalgia, or simply delivered unforgettable joy, proving that greatness often lies in personal connection rather than consensus.

🌈 10. Read Only Memories

(PC | Cyberpunk Adventure)

Inspired by Snatcher, this neon-soaked adventure transported players to Neo-San Francisco, blending murder mystery with AI ethics debates. Editors adored Turing, the sapient typewriter-like robot—gaming’s second-most adorable 2015 sidekick—and praised its witty writing and multiple endings. Like a retro-futuristic kaleidoscope, it shattered conventions while championing diversity.

🌀 9. Circa Infinity

(PC | Mind-Bending Platformer)

Kenny Sun’s hypnotic platformer used just three colors to create visual LSD. Editors called it "a feast for the eyes and guts," where jumping into concentric circles felt like diving through a psychedelic whirlpool. Its boss battles? As unexpectedly intense as a sudden hailstorm during a picnic.

🤡 8. Dropsy

(Multiplatform | Hug-Centric Adventure)

Playing as a toothless, misunderstood clown seeking redemption through hugs, Dropsy was 2015’s ultimate feel-good experience. Editors likened its open-world exploration to "wandering through a Bob Ross painting." Its cassette-tape soundtrack and hand-drawn art made kindness gameplay mechanics shine—a warm blanket woven from pure serotonin.

🏹 7. Rise of the Tomb Raider

(Xbox | Action-Adventure)

Lara’s Siberian expedition improved everything from the 2013 reboot: larger tombs, smoother combat, and visuals where "ice gleamed like shattered diamonds." Though its story wobbled between emotional depth and clichés, editors agreed scaling frozen ruins felt like geological parkour.

✨ 6. Ori and the Blind Forest

(Xbox/PC | Metroidvania)

Hailed as "2015’s most visually stunning game," Ori blended challenging platforming with Studio Ghibli-esque storytelling. Editors described its emotional beats as "a velvet hammer to the heart," and its exploration as navigating a living watercolor painting.

🔪 5. Until Dawn

(PS4 | Interactive Horror)

This love letter to slasher films let players orchestrate teen survival via butterfly-effect choices. Editors relished its tense QTEs and twisty plot, noting it "set a new benchmark for narrative adventures." Surviving felt like balancing on a fraying tightrope over a shark tank.

🔫 4. Axiom Verge

(Multiplatform | Metroid-like)

Thomas Happ’s solo-dev passion project revived NES-era exploration with glitch weapons and massive bosses. Editors championed its "retro-inspired genius," calling it a time machine welded from pure 8-bit adrenaline.

🦑 3. Splatoon

(Wii U | Shooter)

Nintendo’s ink-based shooter was a genre revolution, proving family-friendly could mean fiercely innovative. Editors adored its Shibuya-inspired maps and addictive turf wars, declaring it "the shot in the arm gaming needed."

🤖 2. Tales from the Borderlands

(Multiplatform | Narrative Adventure)

Telltale transformed Borderlands’ chaos into a hilarious, heartfelt adventure. Gortys, the 2015’s #1 adorable robot, stole scenes alongside sharp writing. Editors called it "Telltale’s magnum opus"—a space-western opera scored with sarcasm and explosions.

💀 1. Undertale

(PC | Genre-Defying RPG)

Toby Fox’s masterpiece blended bullet-hell combat, fourth-wall shattering, and emotional gut-punches. Its pacifist/genocide mechanics created unparalleled player accountability. Editors refused to spoil it but agreed: Experiencing Undertale felt like discovering a sentient, tear-stained diary that hugs back.

💬 People Also Ask

• Why focus on personal favorites? As one editor noted, "Awards reflect consensus, but passion picks reveal soul."

• Did any 2015 indie games age poorly? Surprisingly few—Axiom Verge and Undertale remain cult classics.

• Which game’s soundtrack still resonates? Ori’s orchestral beauty and Splatoon’s squid-pop are frequently streamed even now.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions