Looking back from the lofty vantage point of 2026, it's clear that 2017 was a total game-changer, a year that punched us right in the feels and left us grinning like fools. It was a year where beloved franchises took wild new turns, brilliant games delivered unique mic-drop moments, and surprise hits caught us with our pants down in the best ways possible! Spoiler alert, folks—we're diving deep into the moments that made 2017 legendary. If you haven't played these classics yet, what are you even doing with your life? For everyone else, let's take a trip down memory lane and relive the epicness.
Horizon Zero Dawn: David vs. Goliath, Robot-Dino Edition
Horizon Zero Dawn did a lot of things well, but its combo of stealth and action was where it truly shined, brighter than a freshly polished Focus. The game starts you off fighting robot-dinos barely bigger than Aloy, but soon you're staring down foes that make you feel like an ant at a picnic. The real chef's kiss moment? Slowly chipping away at a mechanical beast the size of a McMansion. Watching these metal monstrosities come undone from Aloy's precise attacks was so gratifying, you almost started to feel bad for them. Almost. And when that towering Thunderjaw finally bit the dust and crashed to the ground with an earth-shaking thud? Pure, unadulterated satisfaction. You just wanted to chase that dragon again and again.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Freedom Awaits
Since its E3 demo, the Great Plateau in Breath of the Wild cemented itself as the perfect tutorial sandbox. It was hard to believe we'd only seen 1% of the game, with freedom literally waiting at the bottom of some steep cliffs. Finally getting off that plateau was a momentous occasion. By the time we got the Paraglider, we had every tool needed to explore Hyrule. That first glide down into the kingdom was magical. It was the first of many times we'd ask, "Can I go there? Can I really do that?" and the game would just wink and say, "Yes, my dude." It set the tone for an adventure where the rules were yours to break.
Nier: Automata's Bonkers Opening Act
Nier: Automata was brilliantly bonkers and wanted you to know it from the jump. The opening 20 minutes alone were a whirlwind:
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A frantic top-down shooter segment.
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A fast-paced platforming section.
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A thrilling action sequence where you battle a giant killer buzzsaw with just a sword and your flying robot pal, Pod.
It was enough to leave you breathless and muttering, "What the heck am I playing?" But miraculously, it all felt natural. Nier will forever be remembered for having one of the most exciting and unique tutorials in gaming history. It was a bold statement of intent.
PUBG: The Elusive Chicken Dinner
Your hands were definitely shaking by the time you hit the top ten in a PUBG match. But actually pulling off a solo win—securing that glorious Chicken Dinner—was a gaming experience like no other. You start off a total noob, but after countless hours, that first win is a feeling second to none. As the circle closes in, you stop thinking about victory and just focus on the moment. Every move has a purpose; every shot has to count. The tension is palpable, and when you're the last one standing? Absolute, pants-wetting exhilaration. It was your moment, earned through blood, sweat, and pixelated tears.
Persona 5: The First Change of Heart
Persona 5 got you invested early by introducing a first villain, Kamoshida, with deep personal ties to your party. Ann and Ryuji's history with him made him the perfect first target for the Phantom Thieves. Completing his Palace and facing him in a surreal, action-packed showdown was a taste of things to come. His subsequent "change of heart"—a public, tearful confession of his crimes—was one of the game's most profound moments. Kamoshida was just the beginning, but he was a target none of the Thieves would soon forget. It set the stage for a wild ride of taking down the corrupt adults of Tokyo.
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice - A Run from Darkness
Within its somber journey of psychosis and self-discovery, Hellblade created one of the most frantically tense moments of the year. Pushing toward answers, Senua must literally outrun her demons, pursued through pitch-black tunnels by a lethal beast held at bay only by light. The panic was real as you sprinted through claustrophobic passages toward the dim safety of the next torch. This panic-inducing maze culminated in a battle where you had to listen intently to the darkness to evade the beast's deadly lunges. It was a masterclass in using audio and visual design to create sheer, white-knuckle terror.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy - A Tranquil Elephant Ride
In a game full of non-stop action, the elephant scene in The Lost Legacy was a beautifully crafted, tranquil moment that came out of nowhere. It arrived when Chloe and Nadine's relationship was strained, right after Nadine discovers Chloe's history with the Drake brothers. Suddenly, amidst the chaos, the two were riding atop a massive elephant through a gorgeous landscape. This quiet interlude led to some welcome character development for Chloe and helped the ladies bond. It was a weird but amazing reminder that even in blockbuster action games, sometimes the best moments are the quiet ones.
Destiny 2's Leviathan Raid: The Calus Encounter
The final boss fight against Emperor Calus in Destiny 2's Leviathan raid didn't disappoint. Unlike previous Destiny bosses with obvious mechanics, this encounter had little-to-no visual cues. Communication was key, but facing Calus took it to a new level. The fight split the team into two realities—the Shadow Realm and the Throne Room—with each player seeing something different on their screen. The slightest hiccup meant disaster. Finally piecing it all together and landing that final shot on the golden, hedonistic god-king was a triumph of teamwork and puzzle-solving that felt uniquely epic.
Doki Doki Literature Club: The Game That Deleted Itself
We've been rejected in dating sims before, but never by a game that literally deleted itself. Doki Doki Literature Club was filled with horrifying and touching moments that went far beyond expectations. Monika's meta-awareness and ultimate takeover of the game was mind-blowing. Watching her slowly delete every major character and moment while singing a haunting goodbye left players utterly stunned. "This is for the best, for both of us," she said, in one of the most chilling fourth-wall breaks in gaming. It was a love letter to visual novels that ended with a breakup note written in blood-red code.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War - The First Fortress Assault
Shadow of War finally delivered the incredible scale its predecessor promised. The Nemesis 2.0 system brought more personalized orcs and deeper strategy, but it all came together the first time you assaulted a fortress. Seeing your army assembled outside the gates, with the Overlord hurling threats from his balcony, inspired a sense of awe. Then, Talion would pull his sword, yell "Charge!" and pure chaos would erupt. There were a million ways to attack, but nothing beat the sheer, unadulterated spectacle of your very first fortress siege. It was Tolkien-esque warfare on a grand, personal scale.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus - That Shocking Beheading
BJ Blazkowicz was in bad shape at the start of Wolfenstein II, clinging to life in power-armor. Things went from bad to worse until he was captured by the sadistic Frau Engel and sentenced to death. Games have a history of last-second saves, which is why everyone's jaw hit the floor when Engel publicly beheaded BJ—from a first-person perspective, no less. Watching his head clumsily tumble into a furnace was one of the most shocking displays of power in gaming. It set off a chain of insane events, proving that in this series, no one was safe. It was a brutal, unforgettable holy-crap moment.
Super Mario Odyssey: New Donk City's Festival
Super Mario Odyssey was pure joy, but nothing matched the climactic festival in New Donk City's Metro Kingdom. It was an homage to Mario's roots and a celebration of the entire series. Conducting a band with Mayor Pauline while citizens danced, all set to a triumphant rendition of "Jump Up, Super Star!" was the widest, dumbest, happiest smile you'd have all year. The best part? Even after this peak of enthusiasm, you still had hours of delightful adventure left. It was a perfect moment of pure, uncynical fun.
Call of Duty: WWII - The Derailed Train
In a Call of Duty game where something is always blowing up, the train derailment in the "S.O.E." mission still managed to stand out. It started slow, with the train losing traction. Then your buddy bailed on you (rude, but funny). Once the actual derailment began, it never let up. Just when you thought it was over, more train cars and debris would fly in from off-screen. It was ridiculous, over-the-top, and completely jaw-dropping in that uniquely Call of Duty way. A masterclass in orchestrated chaos.
The Legacy of 2017
Looking back nearly a decade later, these moments aren't just memories; they're landmarks. They defined a year where games weren't afraid to be bold, emotional, shocking, or just plain fun. They set a high bar for storytelling, gameplay innovation, and sheer spectacle. From the quiet bond on an elephant's back to the roar of a fortress siege, from a meta-fictional deletion to a first taste of true open-world freedom, 2017 gave us experiences that resonated long after the credits rolled. It was, without a doubt, a year that truly leveled up the medium. So, what were your favorite moments from this epic year in gaming? Sound off! 🎮✨