It’s feast and famine here on my top everything list for 2017. Last years list was a smorgasbord, with options left and right for every category (except for sport). This year, we have two categories overflowing with choice, and two that are as empty as a tramps bank account.
Nonetheless, we wouldn’t be sticking to the rules unless we committed everything to the annals of history. And where would we be without sweet, sweet rules?
Nonetheless, we wouldn’t be sticking to the rules unless we committed everything to the annals of history. And where would we be without sweet, sweet rules?
Music
Music usually comes later on in this list, but it hasn’t been a banner year. An inspection of my Spotify showed I didn’t add a single song from this year until November. Not a great start, but two songs did finally come across my radar.
Sport
There was nothing good happening in sport in 2017. West Bromwich Albion are in a tailspin, and I stopped watching wrestling after WrestleMania 33, after undoubtedly the worst two year of my wrestling watching career. So let me distract you with THIS KINDA SORTA WRESTLING RELATED THING!
TV
Superhero shows were a very mixed bag in 2017. Arrow and Flash both stumbled again, doubling down on their problems from the previous year. The decision to have Oliver Queen essentially admit he enjoyed killing people was a cat that could never be put back in the bag, and the current series is spinning its wheels with its dullest set-up to date. Flash meanwhile continued to play with time with a really dour “Iris is going to die” storyline, which annoyed fans to such an extent that they went 180 with the current series, making it all-out wacky and adding a truly awful Plastic Man by way of Steve Stifler.
Marvel wasn’t without missteps either, two of which are so bad they have to wait. The Defenders was . . .fine? I’ll be honest I’ve completely forgot about most of the major plot points, which doesn’t usually mean the series was a hit. Agents of Shield however continued to be the most consistent superhero show on traditional TV. The three part split of the series was a risk, but the show balanced Ghost Rider, Life Model Decoys and “What If . . .” really well.
Elsewhere, I (finally) discovered both The Americans and Peaky Blinders, both of which are great. American Gods was barmy, equal parts fascinating and alienating, best summed up as “I don’t know what happened, but I think I liked it”. Sherlock came and went (bet you forgot it happened in January didn’t you?). And GLOW just didn’t quite capture my imagination like I had hoped, not funny or genuine enough to land its great setup.
The Worst TV Show of 2017 - Iron Fist
No doubt about it, Inhumans is the worst TV show of the year. However, as I abandoned it at the first ad break of the second episode, I can’t in good conscience put it on this list. So it’s over to the other Marvel show beginning with “I” that was dead on arrival. Nothing works on this show - the action is dull (IN THE KUNG FU SHOW!!), the characters are paint by numbers, and it teases a dragon all season and does not deliver.
Couple that with Danny Rand easily being the worst lead character Marvel have ever put forward in the MCU, and it's easy to see why this was street ahead of anything else this year. And yet there is still a sequel in the works. Who’s that for?
Couple that with Danny Rand easily being the worst lead character Marvel have ever put forward in the MCU, and it's easy to see why this was street ahead of anything else this year. And yet there is still a sequel in the works. Who’s that for?
The Best TV Shows of 2017
3 - Stranger Things 2
I was worried Stranger Things had blown its load in season one, doomed to failure in its second outing. And while it certainly is a lesser beast, Stranger Things’ second season is still fantastic. It doesn’t have the mystery angle to rely on, so instead it focuses on character, which just so happened to be Seasons 1 secret strong point too. The kid actors have all got better, the new characters fit so naturally it's like they were always here, and save for THAT episode, it may have even taken away the silver medal.
2 - Game Of Thrones, Season 7
With renewed impetus thanks to the end finally being in sight, Game of Thrones delivered strongly again. Season 7 dropped a few hallmarks of the series - namely quieter character scenes and drawn out pacing - in favour of delivering on the much anticipated action. We’ve waited a long time for some cohesion in this show, and basically every episode plays out like a dream match of characters, so all the sacrifices made are worthwhile.
1 - The Punisher
The last minute smash and grab! Coming in just under the wire, Punisher exceeded expectation in a big way. We’ve all been burned by Frank Castle before, and the pitfalls were obvious. Too light on character and the action become empty spectacle. Too restrained and the series would miss out on the core reasons why the character has endured for 40 years. Thankfully, it could not have struck the balance better.
Jon Bernthal could not have been better cast. The supporting cast knock it out the park too. The story has a surprising amount of depth and subtlety, taking a pretty well considered look at PTSD in its many forms. It’s not airtight, but considering how ham-fisted this topic could have been dealt with it’s a relief it’s as good as it is. And don’t worry - Punisher is just a violent as your inner angst ridden 14 year old wants it to be.
Jon Bernthal could not have been better cast. The supporting cast knock it out the park too. The story has a surprising amount of depth and subtlety, taking a pretty well considered look at PTSD in its many forms. It’s not airtight, but considering how ham-fisted this topic could have been dealt with it’s a relief it’s as good as it is. And don’t worry - Punisher is just a violent as your inner angst ridden 14 year old wants it to be.
Video Games
2017 will go down as quite the history maker in video games. 2016 was a very damp squib, but this year saw the overwhelmingly successful launch of the first true portable home console in the Switch (ending Nintendo’s few years in the wilderness), and the first true opening salvo for VR games. I’m still very much of the opinion that it is a best a novelty for the hardcore only, or at worst a passing fad, but the good news is the VR experiment didn’t tank the industry. Success!
Perhaps most significantly however, we had the video game equivalent of “Killing in the Name for Christmas No. 1”. EA seemed to be setting up to roll out Star Wars Battlefront II without a second thought, dismissing the criticism that had arisen from the beta over the loot box, “pay-to-win” system it was implementing online. But then all of a sudden, the internet did that rarest of things - got its act together, and acted as one en mass. Reddit became a 24/7 rendition of “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, and EA had no choice but to make drastic last minute changes just so someone, somewhere would consider buying the game. Its an important milestone, and one that hopefully has last ramifications.
Perhaps most significantly however, we had the video game equivalent of “Killing in the Name for Christmas No. 1”. EA seemed to be setting up to roll out Star Wars Battlefront II without a second thought, dismissing the criticism that had arisen from the beta over the loot box, “pay-to-win” system it was implementing online. But then all of a sudden, the internet did that rarest of things - got its act together, and acted as one en mass. Reddit became a 24/7 rendition of “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, and EA had no choice but to make drastic last minute changes just so someone, somewhere would consider buying the game. Its an important milestone, and one that hopefully has last ramifications.
The game itself? It’s OK. The story is fine. And I’m told the gameplay online is actually pretty good. Shame the game’s quality is about the 8th most important thing about it in the grand scheme of things!
This was the best thing in gaming this year, however I can’t hand out awards for standing up to the man in this category, as Reddit is not a “video” “game” (and if it was it would be awful 99% of the time). I’ve not quite got round to everything on the wishlist, much like how Uncharted 4 had to wait until January this year to get a look in, so excuse the lack of Gutteridge dead-certs like LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 and Metroid: Samus Returns from this list.
This was the best thing in gaming this year, however I can’t hand out awards for standing up to the man in this category, as Reddit is not a “video” “game” (and if it was it would be awful 99% of the time). I’ve not quite got round to everything on the wishlist, much like how Uncharted 4 had to wait until January this year to get a look in, so excuse the lack of Gutteridge dead-certs like LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 and Metroid: Samus Returns from this list.
The Worst Video Game of 2017 - Tekken 7
Tekken died this year. Yeah Battlefront II was a toxic environment, but at least they did some good stuff in the game. Meanwhile the Tekken franchise basically let out the death rattle and coughed up about as unimaginative a franchise entry as it is possible to fathom. Yeah the mechanics are solid but they have been since the PS2, it’s not a crutch any more.
It is unforgivable that the first full Tekken game in 10 YEARS is so devoid of anything features. Team battle GONE. Want a story mode for your favourite character? Forget it GONE. Want to play as Anna, Baek, Julia, Mokujin or Wang? No sorry you get some Ezio Alditoré wannabe, mecha Red Hulk and Ms. Boobs Sunglasses Esq..
I’ll sum it up like this. Lei Wulong, beloved stalwart since Tekken 3 on the PS1, is out. And this . . . thing is in.
It is unforgivable that the first full Tekken game in 10 YEARS is so devoid of anything features. Team battle GONE. Want a story mode for your favourite character? Forget it GONE. Want to play as Anna, Baek, Julia, Mokujin or Wang? No sorry you get some Ezio Alditoré wannabe, mecha Red Hulk and Ms. Boobs Sunglasses Esq..
I’ll sum it up like this. Lei Wulong, beloved stalwart since Tekken 3 on the PS1, is out. And this . . . thing is in.
The Best Video Games of 2017
3 - South Park: The Fractured But Whole
I replayed The Stick of Truth shortly before Fractured But Whole, and what Ubisoft gave with one hand they took away with another. On the downside, I think the first game had a better story, and was perhaps slightly funnier. It came into being slightly before the shows turn towards an episodic style, and FBW suffers from having to reference Sodosopa, ShitiPaTown, Memberberrys and more. Plus it really does feel like Canada has been removed for DLC, as does the mall.
Thankfully the positive overshadows the negative. The combat is much improved, thanks to the move from a static turn based game to a grid. There are smart changes in leveling and skill point distribution too. And while not as funny, the story is still exactly what you’d want from Parker and Stone, with virtually every main character in the show given something significant to do.
Thankfully the positive overshadows the negative. The combat is much improved, thanks to the move from a static turn based game to a grid. There are smart changes in leveling and skill point distribution too. And while not as funny, the story is still exactly what you’d want from Parker and Stone, with virtually every main character in the show given something significant to do.
2 - Horizon: Zero Dawn
I said in last year’s preview that I was hopefully Horizon: Zero Dawn would be able to separate itself from the seemingly nonstop barrage of open world games by leaning heavily on its great concept and world design. I’m hear to report it does, and does so much more besides. The combat engine is one of the slickest I’ve ever played, laser focused on giving you all the tools you need quickly when frantically diving around several rampaging machine monsters.
Aloy too is perhaps the best new video game protagonist in years. Instantly likeable, smart and funny, you’re never not 100% on her side. The world design is also leagues ahead of any of its kin. The lore is all-encompassing, with a level of well thought out detail you just don’t see in Triple A games these days. Any other year, this would have stormed to the top spot. Unfortunately, it’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Flawless, amazing and a world beater. But not quite Lionel Messi.
Aloy too is perhaps the best new video game protagonist in years. Instantly likeable, smart and funny, you’re never not 100% on her side. The world design is also leagues ahead of any of its kin. The lore is all-encompassing, with a level of well thought out detail you just don’t see in Triple A games these days. Any other year, this would have stormed to the top spot. Unfortunately, it’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Flawless, amazing and a world beater. But not quite Lionel Messi.
1 - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild
This is the best game ever made. I ummed and ahhed over this when we did the review podcast, but I can now categorically say this is the peak of video gaming. The reason for the confirmation actually came from Horizon: Zero Dawn. When I was traversing with Aloy, I kept wishing I could climb up rock faces like Link can in Breath of the Wild.
And that’s when it struck me - Breath of the Wild has to be the best, as it makes all other game inferior in its wake. Had I never played BotW, I would never have missed the free climbing when playing Horizon. It’s set a bad precedence going forward for all the games that have to follow it (including its own inevitable sequel), but that in no way diminishes its place on top of the mountain.
And that’s when it struck me - Breath of the Wild has to be the best, as it makes all other game inferior in its wake. Had I never played BotW, I would never have missed the free climbing when playing Horizon. It’s set a bad precedence going forward for all the games that have to follow it (including its own inevitable sequel), but that in no way diminishes its place on top of the mountain.
By Darren Gutteridge
@TheGutteridge
Darren is a columnist and a co-host on almost all our podcasts, including PopScorn and Gotta Cast 'Em All. He is a long time blogger, known for his previous website The Gutteridge Log, and his in-depth analysis and explanation of pop culture media.
@TheGutteridge
Darren is a columnist and a co-host on almost all our podcasts, including PopScorn and Gotta Cast 'Em All. He is a long time blogger, known for his previous website The Gutteridge Log, and his in-depth analysis and explanation of pop culture media.