Editor’s Choice: Jake's Top 10 Games of 2015

Meanwhile, The CW's Arrowverse crossover this year had perhaps the most consistency of any of the network's crossover events. In previous years it's been abundantly clear which larger series each section of the crossovers have belonged to, for better or worse - though usually for worse. This year, however, Crisis on Earth-X had the most consistency in tone and story across the board of all four of The CW's DC series. Certainly, there was still some differentiation in tone between Supergirl and Arrow on night one, and it was clear which episode was Legend of Tomorrow's since the remainder of the team suddenly appea Arthas and Nova should never really end up in a battle together as far as Blizzard lore is concerned, but Heroes of the Storm allows players to live out that "who would win in a fight?" fantasy over and over in an addicting <a href="http://www.annunciogratis.net/author/stepaniegor">MOBA Game Builds</a> format. This trailer does a stellar job of showing just how fun things can get when you relax and don't think too m Dota 2 is free to play with no exceptions. The only items you can purchase are purely cosmetic. This makes it so everyone can have an equal experience with the entire game without paying one dime. If you want, however, you can purchase things such as outfits, environmental effects, announcer packs, HUD skins, loadings screens and couriers (an animal in Dota 2 that will bring you your items after purchasing them). You can purchase a battlepoint booster, which will increase the rate at which you level up for a certain amount of time. However, your level has no effect on the game. Dota 2 isn't stingy with these either, as it gives you a random cosmetic item every time you level up. Because The CW typically airs its crossovers at the end of November, Crisis on Earth-X debuted only 10 days after Warner Bros. and DC Films' premiered their own massive team-up event with Justice League . While the reviews for Justice League were undoubtedly an improvement upon previous DC Films entries Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad - and the film topped the domestic box office in its opening weekend and performed well overseas - the dominant narrative has been that it didn't quite meet expectations. Certainly, the movie has its fans, and redeeming qualities, but Justice League wasn't as big of a success - critically, financially, or with fans - as many were hop This benefits the player and Valve equally, because Valve offers players items they genuinely want to buy, not have to buy or be left behind. Valve makes money, Dota 2 players look pretty. But Dota 2 players who haven't spent any money can still stomp into the ground players who have a cosmetic set for every hero. Moving away from League of Legends (since that debate is a particularly stomach-turning can of worms), consider Plants vs. Zombies 2. PopCap was sold to Electronic Arts after the first game, and EA moved the sequel to an all-mobile platform that's free to play, but it's the wrong kind of free to play. It's the kind with micro-transactions that offer a better gaming experience. No list of Blizzard cinematics would be complete without mention of the original World of Warcraft reveal trailer. In many ways, this is the trailer that kicked off the modern era of Blizzard gaming. The reveal trailer takes players back to Azeroth after Warcraft 3 and offers a brand-new perspective on the Warcraft setting. Aside from Trolls, just about every race and class get some love in this trai Longtime World of Warcraft fans know that the Hearthstone was originally an item found in Blizzard's still popular MMO long before it was used as the title of a standalone collectible card game. Regardless of which version you prefer, this Hearthstone Throw Pillow Plush is perfect for a quick nap in between gaming sessions or as a back support while playing Hearthstone's upcoming December expansion . The pillow is 46 centimeters tall and made out of premium "Supersoft" plush mater Although some cinematic trailers aren't any kind of indicator of what a game will be like, a few companies have mastered the art of using trailers to capture the tone and mood of an upcoming project. But when n the realm of CG cinematic trailers, nobody does it better than Blizza Funko Pop! has made collectible action figures for just about everything in pop culture, and now the company has brought the heroes from Overwatch to life. This Tracer action figure features her classic skin, complete with orange and white sunglasses. The vinyl collectible stands 3.75" tall and will fit comfortably next to your computer monitor or gaming console. Once you click through to Amazon, scroll down to see the other Overwatch heroes that Funko Pop! has created figures for. "Cute" probably isn't the first word you'd think of when Reaper or Widowmaker come to mind, and yet, somehow, they pull it I admit that Dota 2 has the benefit of an established fan base unmatched by almost any free-to-play game (League of Legends excluded). Not many games have fans who are willing to pay for something that doesn't benefit them in any way. Taking that into account, though, there still is no good excuse for free-to-play micro-transactions that benefit the company more than the player. Honestly, the solution is just to make your game cost money. Remember that? When games cost a flat fee for the entire thing? This was a largely successful model, and the only reason I can see for the shift is pure greed, especially by a company like EA that already has boatloads of money to roll in.