This was probably the most difficult year in recent memory to try and rank the games I've played. In fact, my top 4 games on this list are essentially tied for first place and it was a real agonizing decision trying to place them in any order.
I thought that I might not enjoy Persona 5 as much as I enjoyed Persona 4, simply because it would be a, "your first is usually your favorite" scenario. I'm happy to say that that wasn't the case. The characters, the story, the setting, and the protagonists relationship to all those things is as entertaining, goofy, heartwarming and just generally lovable as both the other Persona games I've poured hundreds of hours into.
I love Zelda. For the longest time it was the only first party thing that even made me want Nintendo's consoles. I've never really loved Mario, but for whatever reason Zelda has always clicked with me. It's one of the only franchises where just the main soundtrack can make me misty eyed. Breath of the Wild just happens to be one of the best versions of that ever made. It takes a lot of the things that I loved about Zelda, but sets it in one of the best open world sandbox' I've ever been in. The amount of freedom you have in approaching any scenario and the aha moments while just traversing made this one of the best gaming experiences in a long time.
Just... play the game. It doesnt have the best technical visuals, but it has a lot of style. 2B and 9S are some of my favorite characters of the year, and I almost didn't want to finish the game after some heartbreaking stuff that happens after route C. But I pushed through, getting all 5 main endings, and it was some of the most satisfying gameplay and story things I experienced this year.
I didn't know if I was gonna like this game. I've always appreciated how good Killzone games looked visually, but I just didn't like the worlds or gameplay. Those two things are some of my favorite things about Horizon though. I really loved all the characters, and the mystery you were solving was very intriguing. Couple that with some genuinely jaw dropping visuals, and you have the makings of one of my favorite games of the year.
Aside from the original Destiny, Injustice 1 and now 2 are probably the games I've poured the most hours into. Easily my favorite fighting games ever, Injustice 2 improves upon Injustice 1 in every way. It has some of the most jaw dropping facial animation in any game ever, and that's just a crazy thing to say about a fighting game.
I've loved almost every single Assassin's Creed game to date. Even the ones that most people didn't like, such as Unity. But I had some high hopes for this one given that it took a 2 year break. I wasn't disappointed. Bayek is a charming character without being an Ezio rip off, and the world is just gorgeous. It does a lot of what Zelda did this year, with a big open world design, but of course it still has that classic Assassin's Creed style.
This should have been my game of the year. Considering I've played the original Destiny for something near 2000 hours at this point. It could have been great, but a series of bad choices really soured me on a lot of the game. I don't think anything will feel quite as special as year one Destiny, but I'm hoping that Destiny 2 can at least get to a similar level eventually. Give me my Hawkmoon and Last Word back Bungie. Make me feel powerful again.
There's really not much to say about this game. Uncharted is one of my favorite series of all time and this was just more really good, pretty, entertaining Uncharted.
I don't think I've ever had a Mario game in any of my favorite games lists ever. I've always WANTED to like Mario, but there were always things that really annoyed me about them, whether it was the reliance on archaic lives and timers, or just the games being on systems with shitty controllers. But Mario Odyssey is different. It kind of does what Zelda did for me this year in that it sets you free to just explore the worlds and get the moons at your own pace. It also looks gorgeous amd plays silky smooth. Best place as any to really get into Mario I'd reckon.
