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2016 Sports Game of the Year: Best Solo/Career Mode

 

Solo/Career modes have really entered into an era of flourishing in sports gaming. MyCAREER from NBA 2K really changed how developers approach this mode on a widespread level by introducing narrative to this part of the sports gaming genre a few years back. While other games had done the narrative idea before, none had quite the success than NBA 2K was able to achieve.

This year, FIFA 17 jumped into the fray with their new mode, 'The Journey'. Other games such as MLB The Show 16, stuck with a more tried and true formula of building up characters and having you create your own narrative to play within.

Be sure to watch the video above and subscribe to us on YouTube and click below to see the results of this year's reader vote.

Best Solo/Career Mode

  1. NBA 2K17’s MyCAREER (41.76%)
  2. MLB The Show 16’s Road to the Show (20.88%)
  3. FIFA 17’s The Journey (17.58%)

What sticks out to you is how much NBA 2K's MyCAREER dominated this category, winning it by 21% of the vote. There were some major complaints about the mode around launch, and many feel its obtrusive implementation into the rest of the game holds the mode back -- but when push comes to shove, the narrative and cinematics the 2K team has created is unrivaled in our genre.

In second place was MLB The Show's Road to the Show. This year, RTTS really introduced some new concepts in how your character is built and some faster ways to move through games (like being able to play whole series without leaving the game). These all added to an experience OS'ers really enjoyed.

FIFA 17's The Journey lands in third amongst vote getters -- with EA's rookie effort at narrative in FIFA seeming to connect with several fans. The Journey was actually played extremely well which is a good sign the mode will be back for a future attempt next year.

What do you think about the winners of the Best Solo/Career Mode category? Do you agree? Sound off in the comments!


Member Comments
# 1 KTBFFH @ 01/04/17 06:35 PM
I'm somewhat surprised by The Journey's third place finish. Understandably it was up against two juggernauts in the genre. Although I wonder about the reception rate considering FIFA in general seems to have a lower adoption rate amongst OS members as opposed to the other two games. Not to say there's anything wrong with that, just an observation. Nevertheless a good showing all around by each game.
 
# 2 Lovesports @ 01/04/17 09:52 PM
NBA 2K hands down. Good job OS readers
 
# 3 Retropyro @ 01/05/17 12:51 AM
Wow, MyCareer has become an unmitigated mess. Don't understand how it could be considered the best. I'll take RTTS any day.
 
# 4 BSchwartz07 @ 01/05/17 08:34 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by KTBFFH
I'm somewhat surprised by The Journey's third place finish. Understandably it was up against two juggernauts in the genre. Although I wonder about the reception rate considering FIFA in general seems to have a lower adoption rate amongst OS members as opposed to the other two games. Not to say there's anything wrong with that, just an observation. Nevertheless a good showing all around by each game.
I actually almost picked up FIFA just to try the new career mode, but when I found out that you are forced to play with their created character, and that it just ends after one season I was turned off and opted not to go for it. I don't see how it could compete with NBA2K or The Show without the ability to create and edit your player, and multiple seasons.
 
# 5 wisdom less13 @ 01/05/17 09:14 AM
I really only create guys to play team based modes online. I just wold like games to keep online separate from offline. 2K for example, I can't stand grinding for badges. If I could take my guy online, and earn them I'd be down with that. I voted RTTS because it seems more of an organic rise. Just my two cents. I'm all about franchise modes anyway...
 

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