Let’s not beat around the bush here, 2015 had some stellar games in it. And a lot of those games involved you punching, kicking or shooting your way out of trouble, or otherwise just flat out running away from it. The action genre creeps into some many titles, but there are a few that embody this in the core of their gameplay. And we were definitely spoiled for choice.
But just like the last bullet in the chamber, there’s one in particular that stole someone’s breath away. Even if we exhaled again shortly afterwards. This year’s category might have favoured refinement over innovation, but our winner embodies everything that is good about making a great sequel. And the award for best Action Game of 2015 goes to…
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Forget about the controversy surrounding its timed release and focus on what’s important. When it comes down to it, Rise of the Tomb Raider isn’t just an excellent sequel that builds on everything the already great reboot established. It’s a hallmark in action games, elevating the series past a bar it hasn’t even come close to in the past.
It’s a fine mix of explosive set-pieces and more quiet exploration, which is controlled to perfection using excellent pacing and enticing side activities. Lara has also never looked better, with Crystal Dynamics truly coming to grips with the Xbox One and creating an experience that not only looks spectacular, but runs pretty damn well too.
It’s the runaway winner in a year filled with tough competition, and that’s no easy task. But it’s one Lara proudly stood up to in the face of hesitation, and that’s why she takes home the Lazygamer gold.
Honourable Mentions
The year started with a truly great action game and kept the momentum going, and there really was some stiff competition for Rise of the Tomb Raider by the time it launched last month. Here are some of the games that didn’t quite make the cut, but that you should keep your attention squarely focused on anyway.
- Dying Light
- Just Cause 3
- Batman: Arkham Knight
- Transformers Devastation
Keep your eyes peeled for the rest of our awards throughout today and tomorrow.
Last Updated: December 14, 2015
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 14, 2015 at 11:34
I still want to get Dying Light…
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:36
Good game.
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:44
2017 for $5
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:44
I bought it this year for R230 already 😀
Praise GabeN
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 14, 2015 at 11:47
I loaded Steam with R300, may the Christmas specials be forever in my favour
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:52
Steam without PayPal hasn’t been the same for me anymore 🙁
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:35
A timed exclusive (that effective said fu to half it’s loyal fans) and a game that was broken on one of the released platforms? No. These games don’t deserve to be on any lists.
HairyEwok
December 14, 2015 at 11:40
Witcher 3 should be in that list since Geralt gets a lot of action if you know what I mean bow chika bow wow
Pieter Kruger
December 14, 2015 at 11:43
They’re keeping Witcher 3 for overall GOTY!????
miaau
December 14, 2015 at 11:41
Do not agree. They looked at the game-play on the platform where it worked and then assigned awards based on that.
Um. Wait. What?
Ok, seriously, these awards should be based solely on gameplay of the games, how they made the player feel while playing and after. And from everything I have read, Tomb Raider hit that spot hard.
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:41
Well, Tomb Raider made me feel nothing, since I couldn’t play it. And so too Arkham Knight.
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:42
You know what hit hardest, when they announced it as timed exclusive.
miaau
December 14, 2015 at 12:23
true, true. But the award criteria did not include that, just gameplay and feels
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 12:32
So they say…
miaau
December 14, 2015 at 12:40
well, technically, so I say, cause they have not fully explained the criteria…..
So….. maybe they just put all the games they reckoned were cool in a hat, threw the hat away and picked something by throwing darts at random colours, each colour for a game.
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:41
Tomb Raider winning is like when Wheels24 gave Porsche car of the year. It’s may be deserving but not everyone has access to it.
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:43
I just don’t like supporting something that doesn’t care about its fans. Maybe I’m too old fashioned.
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:43
Ditto, let’s be old together…. wait what?
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:44
Yes!
But in a “drink whiskey and smoke cigars” type of way.
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:44
I can take up smoking, how hard can it be?
Ottokie
December 14, 2015 at 11:44
xD
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:45
Oh, we have to light the cigars too?
That’s a game changer.
Ottokie
December 14, 2015 at 11:45
Get those rock candy sticks that look like cigars
RinceThis
December 14, 2015 at 11:51
You’re old all right tehehe
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:52
At least I’m not going gr… no wait, scratch that.
RinceThis
December 14, 2015 at 11:55
lol
Pieter Kruger
December 14, 2015 at 11:50
Then they should just stop giving out these awards all together. Millions and millions of people don’t have access to any cars at all……OR games…..OR movies……
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:50
Or food or water or sanitation. So what?
RinceThis
December 14, 2015 at 11:51
lulz
Pieter Kruger
December 14, 2015 at 11:55
“not everyone has access to it”……so what?
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:55
yet…
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:56
So next year we’re all getting Porsches!?
Best year ever!
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:56
Glorified Beetles. Clarkson said so. It must be true
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:57
Clarkson is an idiot.
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:59
Entertaining idiot
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 12:00
I honestly don’t like that show much at all. Prefer stuff like /Drive on YouTube (because I’m a new age kid yo ;P)
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 12:02
I liked the challenges they did.
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 12:07
The celeb lap times were interesting sometimes and some of their travelling episode specials were cool when you got to see interesting things in other countries.
Pieter Kruger
December 14, 2015 at 12:28
Ori wasn’t available to everyone either….
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 12:32
It was before the end of 2015
Pieter Kruger
December 14, 2015 at 12:53
Not to Playstation owners….
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 13:04
That’s fine
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 14, 2015 at 11:49
Nothing wrong with TR being on the list or chosen, might be a stupid business decision for Square that could come back to haunt them when it releases on the other platforms, but it’s still a very good game.
Batman:AK can GITFS though. A multi-platform game that’s broken beyond repair on one platform doesn’t deserve a damn thing.
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:50
TR sure as hell doesn’t win the popularity vote.
RinceThis
December 14, 2015 at 11:50
Nope.
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:50
It may be a good game (I don’t know), but I don’t want to support this idea that it’s okay to just exclude your old fans.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 14, 2015 at 11:52
You’ll get over it. ;P
I quite liked Gears of War.
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:53
I will, but I’ll get TR when it’s R100 or R80. No more.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 14, 2015 at 11:54
PC gaming. 😀
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:55
#winning
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:56
#waiting
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:56
#worthit
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:57
#Batman
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:58
#Benoni (am I still doing this right? I forgot what we were on about 😀 )
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:58
XD
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:58
Actually you’re right. With the rand being what it is I’m sure as hell am going to start limiting my day one purchases. Which means I wait for sales, which means I wait like you people(yes you people) too bad about exclusives
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 11:59
Yea. My day one purchasing days are probably also over now.
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 14, 2015 at 12:00
Finally, you wised up
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 12:01
Now if only you could get there too.
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 14, 2015 at 12:09
Please, I invented the wait for a sale method!
RinceThis
December 14, 2015 at 11:50
Agreed.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
December 14, 2015 at 18:14
THIS!
Pieter Kruger
December 14, 2015 at 11:36
DEFINATELY my next purchase, just as soon as the rand recovers……..????
HairyEwok
December 14, 2015 at 11:38
Everybody sing with me, NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NOT BATMAN!!!!
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 14, 2015 at 11:42
xD
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:39
Wow, no MGS??? I guess Tomb Raider is deserving. Most of us wouldn’t know.
HairyEwok
December 14, 2015 at 11:50
I guess MGS will fall under open world sandbox.
Hammersteyn
December 14, 2015 at 11:51
It’s not an action game?
HairyEwok
December 14, 2015 at 12:01
I guess not, I don’t know anymore honestly, too many genre spoofed into one game. It’s open world, action, shooter, rpg, builder, pet simulator….
The Sten
December 14, 2015 at 11:39
Rottr, Batman and Just Cause pretty much met the expectations they had before its release and Transformers is a pretty niche title.
The only game that took its expectations and surprised the hell out of everybody this year was Dying Light.
Francois Knoetze
December 14, 2015 at 12:08
Thank you!!! Rise of the Tomb Raider is one of the best games I have played this year. Hands down one of my favourite in the series.
oVg
December 14, 2015 at 12:42
Good. Well done Crystal Dynamics and FUCK YOU Microsoft.
Jan Prins
December 14, 2015 at 13:47
I sense much hate…