With established franchises such as FIFA, PES and NBA competing in this category, it says a lot about developer Psynoix that it has managed to push aside the big boys and capture the hearts of the PlayStation community with Rocket League, which has won the Best Sports Game of the Year Award from PSU readers. Well, it didn’t just win, but smashed through the opposition with more than 80% of the vote!
The servers of the physics-based vehicle soccer game have been full to the brim since its launch earlier this year on PS4, with players addicted to its fast and frenetic, tactical and competitive gameplay. Just like most sports’ games, the beauty of Rocket League is that every match you play is different, and though its core concept is simple, the best players have mastered the techniques needed to propel them up the leaderboards.
Gameplay involves controlling rocket-propelled cars around small arenas in an attempt to hit the ball into your opponent’s goal to score points. Boost pads and the ability to fly through the air combine superbly with slick controls and brilliant ball physics to ensure there’s plenty of fun to be had as you smash the ball into the net and destroy other vehicles – destruction derby style.
And if you’re still not convinced, remember, this is a free-to-play game. Rocket League does have optional microtransactions, but it’s all for cosmetic stuff. You can play through numerous playlists online, and enjoy addictive and fast-paced five minute matches without paying a penny. Even if you had to pay for Rocket League though, it would be worth it. Psyonix has, quite simply, created one of the best sports’ games of this generation.
Runner-up – PES 2016
The Pro Evolution Soccer franchise is growing from strength to strength in recent years and is no longer living in the shadow of Electronic Art’s FIFA series. In PES 2016, it’s the game on the pitch that does the talking with improved A.I., a dynamic physics engine and smooth animations and controls ensuring that matches feel fluid, realistic and fun.