Best of 2015

Most people would limit lists such as these to things that were actually released in 2015, but I'm doing it a bit differently. These are my top 5 of each category that I watched/read/played this year, regardless of when they were actually published.

Books

5: The Long Goodbye (Philip Marlowe #7) by Raymond Chandler

A bit longer and slower than the previous books, I think, and less funny. If I were recommending a Raymond Chandler book I'd pick Farewell, My Lovely, but they're all good.


4: Look Evelyn, Duck Dynasty Wiper Blades. We Should Get Them: A Collection Of New Essays by David Thorne

If you've enjoyed any of David Thorne's other stuff, you should read Look Evelyn. It calls itself a collection of essays but I'd say it's more like a novel, if a slightly unconventional one. Reminded me a lot of Mil Millington, but funnier.


3: The Cipher by Kathe Koja

Not as scary or creepy as it seemed like it wanted to be, but the characters are pretty great.


2: Pen Pal by Francesca Forrest

Reminded me a bit of To Kill a Mockingbird.


1: Near + Far by Cat Rambo

This is the best sort of sci-fi, where the fictional elements (aliens, new technologies, etc.) are integrated so well into the story that you don't need to be told what everything is, you understand perfectly from context, and it all serves the story rather than being mere set dressing. Just really well-written stories about relatable people in scenarios that allow us to understand something interesting about them.

TV Shows

5: Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Scrubs but they're police instead of Doctors. That's really all you need to know about it. If you like Scrubs, watch this.


4: Wicked City

A show about a serial killer and a detective trying to catch him that everyone hates except for me. Honestly, you probably shouldn't even bother giving it a shot, no one likes it.


3: Broad City

A comedy about two women who are generally weird and terrible at life. It's hilarious.


2: Gotham

Batman without Batman (or the Joker). Focuses on Jim Gordon and the Penguin, two maniacs who will do anything, risk anything, to get what they want. In Jim's case, he wants to clean up Gotham and get rid of all the crime and corruption. Penguin wants to rule the city's underworld. They're both awesome. Takes a few episodes to get going, but stick with it.


1: Scream Queens

Horror comedy - that is, it's a comedy that uses the tropes of horror. Really self-aware with some fantastic characters and some of the funniest writing on any show ever.

Video Games

5: Skyrim

I've spent hours on this game, and I'll probably play it some more, so it's a real shame that it's not actually very good. What it is is a huge time sink, second only to The Sims. Still, if you have an absurd amount of free time, this is one way to spend it.

4: Mortal Kombat

All the characters you actually care about from the Mortal Kombat games that weren't shit, updated and awesome. The gameplay is mostly fun, but can be frustratingly difficult at times. So it's Mortal Kombat, basically.

3: Contrast

Fun platformer with a unique mechanic where you can become a shadow in order to reach areas that would be otherwise inaccessible. The story's not much, but the characters are OK and there are very few frustrating puzzles. Very short though.

2: Shadowrun Dragonfall

Cyberpunk RPG with turn-based combat and a cool story. Fixes a lot of the issues from the first game and gives you plenty of options no matter what skills or party members you pick and makes you feel like your decisions actually influence what happens.

1: Gat Out of Hell

Duh. I've said enough about this game already. If you haven't played it you should.

Comics

5: Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson

I've heard it compared to Calvin & Hobbes, but I don't actually like Calvin & Hobbes and do like this, so take that as you will.

4: Bad Machinery by John Allison

Teenage girls solve mysteries and engage in shenanigans. It's pretty funny and has some great characters.

3: Whomp! by Ronnie Filyaw

Big fat nerd is weird and terrible at life. Pretty funny.

2: The Non-Adventures of Wonderella by Justin Pierce

A parody of Wonder Woman and super heroes in general. Usually drunk, often causing more problems than she solves.

1: The Creeps by Jean Floch

This comic isn't even running any more and it's still the best. Some really clever jokes hidden behind a façade of bad taste and juvenile humour.