Scott’s Personal Top 10 Games of 2019
Another year of gaming has come and gone. While 2019 didn’t blow me away quite like the previous year did, I still felt spoiled with quality games all year. Typically near the end of a console generation, games are weaker (generally speaking). Developers are putting together the next massive titles for next collection of consoles, which usually makes the final push for titles lower quality. Not this year.
It’s taken me weeks of personal deliberation, but I’ve finally narrowed down my top ten personal favorites over the last twelve months. Mind you, this is a list from the short list of games I was able to experience myself. I’m only one man, and as much as I’d like to, I can’t play (or complete) every game that releases. As a general rule, games only made my list if I actually completed them. There’s one exception on my list, but it was simply too good to not include it.
I’d like to start with a few honorable mentions. These are titles that I couldn’t add to my final list because I either didn’t finish them, or there simply wasn’t room. Let’s get started.
Honorable Mentions
The first game that I was bummed to not include was Apex Legends. I’m not much a multiplayer guy, but Respawn and EA managed to draw me into a Battle Royale game better than any other. I usually play games for narratives, which is probably why this one didn’t make the final cut, but it was just so much fun to play. The formula worked and helped me play with our community almost as much as another game on my list. This is one of the few titles that I could easily jump back into and still have a good time.
Gears 5 was a gorgeous game that made me feel right at home in the Gears universe. Although I didn’t even touch the multiplayer, the campaign was a fun ride, and it’s a game that shouldn’t be missed by any fan of the series.
My last two honorable mentions are just that, because I didn’t get to finish, either. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the first two episodes of Vader Immortal on Oculus Quest, I haven’t made the time to complete the finale. It may be a short experience in terms of its story, but it’s a fantastic entry to the world of Star Wars. It also made me feel like a Jedi in the way Beat Saber came very close. On top of that, it includes an incredibly fund dojo mode where you fight swarms of training droids for hours of entertainment. If you have the means, I highly recommend it.
Lastly, The Outer Worlds is a title that scratched my Fallout itch in a way that I genuinely appreciated. Sure, it’s probably bite-sized by comparison to Bethesda’s titles, but that’s not a bad thing. Obsidian pulled off a great RPG experience without quite the same amount of commitment. They even delivered a healthy dose of humor that worked shockingly well.
Now that my honorable mentions are out of the way, let’s get to the meat and potatoes of my list. I give you my top ten personal favorites of 2019.
#10 – Pistol Whip
Beat Saber was one of my best experiences of last year, and I didn’t think anything would top it. Thankfully, I was able to check out Cloudhead Games‘ incredible Pistol Whip, which surpassed my expectations. This VR games puts you in an on-rails shooting gallery set to music. While that may seem like a simple concept, it’s anything but. The key to high scores lies in shooting your opponents in beat to song blasting in your ear while physically dodging bullets. This symphony of action can only be described as the best John Wick. It’s an absolute blast to play, and it’s an even better workout than slashing boxes with dual light sabers. Pistol Whip might be the only must-own VR experience I played this year.
#9 – Creature in the Well
I had an opportunity to preview Creature in the Well from Flight School Studio at this year’s E3, and I couldn’t wait to play the full game. It lived up to my expectations as a game that fans of pinball and dungeon-crawlers would love. It’s the most original idea I had the pleasure of experiencing in 2019, and I desperately want a sequel. Check out my full written review to find out why this is one of the year’s best hidden gems.
#8 – Katana Zero
I almost didn’t even play Katana Zero from Askiisoft, but thankfully one of our listeners highly recommended it to me. Don’t let the pixelated graphics dissuade you from playing this incredible title on the Switch. It successfully marries arcade gameplay with a rich narrative that surprised me all the way to its finale.
In Katana Zero, you play as an assassin who is incredibly adept with a katana blade. Each level consists of a single screen with enemies to clear out before reaching the next stage. The twist here is that you’re dead after one hit, so there’s just as much strategy involved as twitch reflexes. Your respawn ability actually has a story-related explanation, which is rare to see. You also get to see a replay of your mayhem at the end of each level a la Super Meat Boy. Mix all that together with a highly entertaining 80’s aesthetic and soundtrack, and you’ve got the makings of a game that more people need to play. Do yourself a favor and don’t skip this one.
#7 – Resident Evil 2
Spoiler alert: this is the second remake to grace my list. Yes, Capcom‘s Resident Evil 2 tells practically the same story and setting of the original, but this is far more than a fresh coat of paint. Leon Kennedy’s visit to Raccoon City is vastly different from his first time back on the original PlayStation. The controls are built from the ground up, the police station is a completely different map, and the puzzle structure is more intricate.
Resident Evil 2 sets the gold standard for remaking a game that scratches the nostalgia itch while offering a fresh experience at the same time. On top of that, the game is stunning when it comes to visuals and reminded me of why I played through the original so many times as a kid. Resident Evil 3 can’t come fast enough, and I wouldn’t be nearly as excited for the sequel if this game hadn’t succeeded on so many levels.
If you’d like to read more about Resident Evil 2, be sure to read Zack’s full review, where he said it should inspire game developers.
#6 – Shovel Knight: King of Cards
What can I say? The Shovel Knight series has been near and dear to my heart since the first game released in 2014. The retro art style, music, and gameplay clicked for me much like many of my favorite games from my childhood did. The final chapter, called King of Cards, put a beautiful bow on the game in a way I didn’t see coming. It also followed the formula of making me re-learn the game’s mechanics, since it plays vastly different than the previous three entries.
King Knight’s character is hilariously pompous, yet he makes you cheer for the villain in a fun way. The game offered the perfect amount of difficulty without every being overly frustrating. I could easily see myself heading back into this title to clean up all the hidden items and unlockables, because it’s just that fun to play. If you love classic platformers, do yourself a favor and jump on board the Shovel Knight Express. Yacht Club Games even offers all four games in a convenient package called The Treasure Trove. You won’t be disappointed.
#5 – Control
I was a bit late to the party when it came to playing Control from Remedy Entertainment. At the insistence of my co-hosts, I felt obligated to finish this game before the end of the year. And boy, am I glad that I did. I’ll admit I was somewhat skeptical about Jesse’s mysterious journey through the Oldest House. Even though the narrative fell a little flat for me by the finale, the ride getting there was one of the most interesting journeys I’ve ever played.
The game’s gunplay and traversal mechanics more than make up for any shortcomings I may have with the story’s ending. Shooting feels incredibly satisfying, flying works better than nearly any game I’ve played, and the Metroidvania formula translates beautifully with this world. It also deservedly won Best Art Direction at the Game Awards this year. It’s truly a work of art that more people need to experience. If you don’t believe me, I have two words for you: “Ashtray Maze”.
To read more about Control, be sure to check out Zack’s review of the game, where he said, “Remedy’s indie sensibilities are on display in every facet of the title.”
#4 – Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Respawn‘s recent entry in the Star Wars universe was easily my most-anticipated game of the year. I’ve long since dreamed of a game that made me feel like a Jedi. This game succeeded in that aspect and then some. It also made me appreciate the “Souls-like” formula for the first time. Everything about this game just clicks from the story, to the Metroidvania gameplay, to the shockingly likable characters. Sure, I had some issues with the map and lack of a fast-travel option, but this is the Star Wars game I’ve been waiting for. I’m already eagerly anticipating the sequel.
To read more about Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, don’t miss Zack’s full written review of the game. He called it, “better than I thought it could be in every conceivable way.”
#3 – The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
The second remake to grace my list should come as no surprise. Link’s Awakening was one of my favorite games from my childhood, and Nintendo managed to make it even better. Unlike Resident Evil 2, this one didn’t change the core formula of the game. The world plays out exactly like it did years ago, but the mechanics, graphics, and music have all been updated. In my eyes, it’s now a perfect game that even newcomers should find accessible. If you’ve ever wanted to understand the magic that is The Legend of Zelda series, then the remake of Link’s Awakening is a great place to start.
Check out my full review of the game to find out why I gave it a perfect score.
#2 – Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
Ubisoft‘s first entry in The Division series never grabbed me. The enemies felt like bullet sponges, and I just couldn’t get into the loot grind like I wanted to. For some reason, the sequel clicked far better for me. The Division 2 was exactly what I wanted out of the original game. It made me want to play online with our community more than any other game this year. I probably put more hours into this title than anything else this year. The grind simply never got old, the set pieces are fun to see, and the weapons/armor upgrades are a ton of fun to collect. It was the game I was thinking about when I wasn’t playing it. Bring on the sequel!
To read more about The Division 2, don’t miss my written review, where I called it, “a tentpole standard for how to make a looter shooter.”
#1 – Children of Morta
At least once a year, a game releases that feels like it were tailor-made for me. This year, it was Children of Morta from Dead Mage and 11 Bit Studios. The screen shot above (or even the trailer) might not look like Game of the Year material to some, but it completely worked for me. Yes, I’m a sucker for rogue-likes, but this one managed to put together an interesting narrative, something sorely lacking in the genre. Children of Morta also forced me to play outside of my comfort zone, something I wish more games would do. Simply put, I adore this game. It’s the one that I constantly thought about and wish I were playing instead of working, writing, or exercising. It keeps on giving in a way that many AAA titles wish they could.
Don’t miss my full written review of Children of Morta, where I called it, “one of the most difficult games for me to put down.”
Hind Sight is 2020
And that will do it for 2019. This year proved to me one of my more difficult years when it came to compiling my list. Not only were there so many quality games to choose from, but also I struggled more with my order. How do you feel about my selections? Any glaring omissions (Death Stranding, perhaps?), in your opinion?
Now that the year is finally completed, I’m looking very forward to 2020. Not only are several high-quality games on the horizon, but we also have a new console generation on the rise. And that’s only what we know about at this point. Who knows what the future holds for gaming. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m ready for the ride. Bring it on.
