If there's one thing sports games did well in 2015 it's that they mostly got it right on the field/pitch/ice/insert other playing surface here. It's hard to argue many (if any) sports games really went backwards this year in the gameplay department, and that's something that probably should not be taken for granted at this point. That being said, this improvement may also be a byproduct of developers getting a hang of the new consoles, so the hope is this is just the start of another renaissance in sports games as developers hit their stride and continue to push forward in 2016. Now let's get to the winners for Best Gameplay of 2015.

3. Rocket League

To me, nothing sums up what gameplay should be all about in a sports game more than Rocket League. It is a poster child for what all sports games should strive to be about: The controls are only as complex as they need to be, with every button used serving a purpose. The game is inviting yet incredibly deep. The pace of the game allows you to get in and out in five minutes and make you feel like you got a full experience, yet it's just as fun to sit back and play for hours at a time. The game allows for moments of brilliance and technical skill, and yet a well polished team can take down just about any individual star. In short, it's my personal choice for best gameplay, and it's a reader's choice for best gameplay of 2015.

2. MLB 15 The Show

Quality and consistency have come to define The Show franchise. It's a series that will take chances with its gameplay when the timing feels right, but the developers are also not afraid to leave something as is even if it means you can't say something is "all-new" in the game. In other words, if it's not broke don't fix it. Looking beyond everything great about the game, the batter/pitcher duel is what should be the most important aspect in any baseball game, and as always, these showdowns are what The Show franchise does incredibly well. In fact, I still don't think the developers get enough credit for batter/pitcher duels because again, think about it, you're only using your wits and focusing on timing. This isn't some team sport where there are insane amounts of variables at play at all times that constantly change what you're looking at. Instead, this is more like a fighting game except you don't even move. It's mental chess mixed with a side of timing. And yet the developers make this one portion of the game so enjoyable that people play the game for months on end. All in all, it was another great year for The Show and it's the reader's choice runner-up for best gameplay of 2015.

1. NBA 2K16

Perhaps what makes the gameplay in NBA 2K so special is that in some ways it rejects even the notion of being welcoming to new users. And what I mean to say is that gameplay may not be the reason a new user sticks around at first. What might keep people around instead are the graphics, or the create-a-player aspects or just the "hype" from friends saying "you got to play this game." But then you pull off that one magical crossover and signature slam, see some awesome celebration and that's somehow all you need. The game is still daunting and hard -- even frustrating -- but that sliver of brilliance is what keeps you churning. The series is constantly trying to push forward by implementing or tweaking mechanics, and while at times that can be confusing due to year-to-year changes in controls or mechanics being drastically changed year over year, the end result is still usually a great game that feels unique each season. Finally, what I would say is when you match up with another person who is looking to play the game in a more "sim" style like you, no sports game comes as close to mimicking the ebb and flow of the real-life sport quite like NBA 2K. For this reason and more, the Reader's Choice for Best Gameplay of 2015 is NBA 2K16.
 

NBA 2K16



The staff had the same three games at the top of their power rankings. Again, while I had Rocket League atop my personal rankings, it's hard to argue with any of these games taking home the championship. NBA 2K16 is a game that is enriching both offline and online, which should not be overlooked. And while we seek out a more "sim" style here, this is a game that can be played in a variety of ways, which is one reason the appeal of the title seems to transcend the sports genre. All in all, gameplay is one area where this year's crop of sports game really shined, and NBA 2K16 led the charge and wins the Staff's Choice for Best Gameplay of 2015.