hitman - amazing good level design. sapienza is an all time top 10 video game level. the mastery + challenges systems do a good job of encouraging getting good at the game. AI is predictable and manipulable yet random enough to keep things interesting

forza horizon 3 - one of the best racing games of all time. arcadey and accessible for new players and enough scalability for veterans. driving feels fantastic. tons of content. gorgeous

guilty gear xrd: revelator - i had the most fun learning new systems and controls this year in revelator partially due to the fantastic training mode. fun to play and easy on the eyes

dark souls 3 - victory lap + fan service but it's still from software. the game is exquisitely designed from both a gameplay and art perspective. some of the best level design in the series (cathedral of the deep, catacombs of carthus, and ithryll are spectacular). huge variety in character builds due to the wealth of equipment and spells

civilization vi - moving closer to being a board game did a lot for the depth of civ and that's not easy to do. having to consider where to place your city buildings and wonders on the map adds another layer that feels natural. comes very close to feeling like a civ game with an expansion