Innovation takes many forms in the tech sector. There are business dashboards that parse data in a visual form and cars that drive themselves and can find parking spots for you. Yet, some of the most brilliant innovations take place in video games because they typically involve gameplay that’s never been seen before, graphics that look ultra-realistic, and a team of software developers that put it all together. Starting this year, I’m ranking the most innovative games of the year and adding a kudos to the development team.

1. Ori and the Blind Forest (Xbox One)

The idea of a game transporting you to another world is a bit trite, but that’s what Ori and the Blind Forest accomplishes — partly because of the otherworldly hand-drawn art, the atmospheric music, and the ridiculously challenging gameplay (which requires focus and timing, especially on some of the later levels where you have to jump and hide almost perfectly — and there’s no auto-save). It’s the best platformer of the year, thanks to a well-choreographed story.

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