E3: Most-Watched Game Videos Of 2017

Variety was not in short supply when it came to gaming videos in 2017. Niantic finally gave Pokemon Go fans what they wanted--namely, robust content updates--even though catching Legendaries was easier said than done. When it came to GameSpot's video reviews, there was the expected mix of critically acclaimed releases and hotly anticipated sequels that were met with disappointment. This year also had its steady stream of trailers from releases that shipped in 2017 to games that don't have a release date in sight. And a crafty April Fools gag made many Breath of the Wild fans wish piloting Guardians was possible. This list, in no particular order, represents a mix of many of GameSpot's most watched videos and the diversity of content that pulled in viewers.

The History of Black Friday

When it comes to $200 high definition TVs, many American consumers were willing to risk their well being while waiting for days on lawn chairs and in tents. Gaming has been a part of Black Friday for a few decades but do you know how this celebration of wanton consumerism originated? Let our history lesson enlighten you.

Mass Effect: Andromeda Review

Mass Effect: Andromeda ranks among one of 2017's biggest disappointments, but why? This video version of Scott Butterworth's review covers the key reasons why this sequel was a letdown. As he put it, "As a Mass Effect game, Andromeda falls well short of the nuanced politics, morality, and storytelling of its predecessors. For me, the series has always been about compelling characters and harrowing choices, so to find such weak writing here is bitterly disappointing."

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Review

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is not only a phenomenal game, but it's also one of the best console launch releases of all time. It pushes the boundaries of open-world while giving the player limitless emergent gameplay opportunities. As reviewer Peter Brown put it, "It's a game that allows you to feel gradually more and more empowered yet simultaneously manages to retain a sense of challenge and mystery--which, together, creates a steady, consistent feeling of gratification throughout the entire experience."

Nintendo Switch Review

2017 was a redemptive year for Nintendo, which centered around the strong launch of its console and a solid helping of superb games throughout the year from Super Mario Odyssey to Golf Story. It's about as solid of a launch as any, thought there's still room for improvement through added online features via firmware updates. Our review covers the hardware's many strengths and its few shortcomings.

Xbox One X Review

Microsoft's answer to the PlayStation 4 Pro is a sleek, black, and hefty upgrade to the original Xbox One with 4K video as one of its major selling points. Another strength is its GPU, making older Xbox One games look and perform better than before. Even more impressive was how select games from older Xbox consoles--such as Ninja Gaiden Black and Mirror's Edge--were enhanced on this $500 powerhouse.

Pokemon Go - Over 80 New Pokemon Trailer

After its mid-2016 launch, it took a while for Pokemon Go developer Niantic to deliver a substantial update to its runaway hit. So naturally, the announcement of over 80 new Pokemon would get fans' attention. One of the studio's advantages is that can dip into two decades worth of pocket monster rosters so it would not be surprising if a similar reveal is in store in 2018.

Even More Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The fact that GameSpot produced multiple Things I Wish I Knew videos for Breath of the Wild illustrated just how rich the game was in moments and places to discover. The editorial and video teams at GameSpot where happy to share any and every emergent gameplay opportunity that resulted from over hundreds of combined hours of playtime. Even month after release, fans are still discovering new things to do.

How To Unlock Cuphead's Secret Modes

Cuphead has proven to be one of the toughest games of 2017 and one of the most demanding run-and-gun shooters of all time. Granted, these secret modes only unlock visual filters, but doing what's necessary to earn these tweaks are their own bragging rights. Let our resident Cuphead expert and video producer, Joey Yee, explain.

Fortnite - Gameplay Trailer

After years in development limbo, Epic's sandbox survival game finally released in 2017 and the studio reminded the gaming public of its existence with a short and sweet E3 trailer. This thorough overview covered the depth and complexity of Fortnite, while also displaying the cartoon-styled charm of its art and characters. Narration by one of the heroes was also an effective touch.

Pokemon Go - Legendary Trailer

The only Pokemon Go news bigger than the reveal of new characters is, naturally, the announcement of the first Legendary Pokemon. By game trailer standards, this reveal was a big production, focusing on the augmented reality aspects of the game, even if it took creative liberties on real time interactions. You really wouldn't want Lugia flying outside your apartment window, would you?

Which Destiny 2 Class Is Right For You

Picking a class is an important decision, especially for a game like Destiny 2, where you can easily spend over 100 hours in Raids and PvP sessions. Even if you know the fundamental differences between tanks, rogues, and mages, it didn't hurt to know how these classes have been adapted to the Destiny universe. Our brief, yet thorough guide on which Guardian is right for you proved helpful to both Destiny veterans and newcomers.

The History of Assassin's Creed

After 10 years and over 10 mainline releases, 2017 was a great time to look back on one of Ubisoft's biggest franchises of all time. This comprehensive 30-minute history lesson by Jean-Luc Seipke effectively illustrates how prolific the series' studios were, releasing more hits than duds. It's only fitting that this retrospective and anniversary came out the same year as Assassin's Creed Origins, which one can argue marks a new stage in the franchise, both in narrative and gameplay.

How To Pilot A Guardian In Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Rather than overhaul the GameSpot.com website with some elaborate April Fools gag, our video team went with a more nuanced approach, by designing this made-up how-to on piloting guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. How did we know this video was a success? When viewers who knew this was an April Fools joke still followed our steps just in case this trick was real.

Beyond Good and Evil 2: First In-Engine Gameplay Demo (Official) E3 2017

Yes, the E3 2017 reveal of Beyond Good & Evil 2 was a highlight of Ubisoft's press conference, but it was disappointing that none of the visuals looked like real-time graphics. Thankfully, Ubisoft had an in-engine gameplay demonstration ready. While we were relieved to see this work-in-progress running in real-time, it's clear the game has a long way to go, and we're hoping for more substantial updates in 2018.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown - E3 2017 Exclusive Trailer

In a year that included Everybody's Golf and Wipeout Omega Collection, series' that began on the original PlayStation made their presence known in 2017. Ace Combat looks to continue this trend in 2018 with Skies Unknown, a multi-platform release that notably includes PlayStation VR. This trailer attests that this seventh mainline installment will continue the franchise's tradition of robust storytelling in its campaign mode.

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