Game of the Year 2019
Yeah, this is late lol. Had my list figured out at the end of last year but want to write it up here just for the future. Kinda a decent year imo, some good stuff but no absolute bangers.
List items
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To keep this short, I spent more time playing STS than any other game this year. This game is a masterpiece and the definition of incredibly balanced game design. I love this game and has been a regular staple of my routine since its switch release.
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Only my second RE game after playing RE4 a few years ago, but I loved this. Really well paced and loved the methodical, puzzle like gameplay trying to figure out the best path with the least resistance.
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Over the past few years, Yakuza has become one of my favorite series, and very happy to see RGG studios expand the universe with Judgment. These games are a masterclass in thoughtful, engaging story telling while at the same time having a lighthearted, hilarious side missions. Can't wait for Yakuza 7.
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Probably the winner of best surprise for me. Dark Souls is my favorite game, and Remnant captured the Dark Souls formula turning it into a fun co-op TPS similar to Gears. Great variety in the weapons and builds and enjoyed playing this mostly with friends but also good solo.
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Wargroove was what I spent a lot of time on my Switch early in the year, being a great tactics game. I was never a big Advanced Wars fan, but love strategy games and this was a great return to form for me and the genre.
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So on the other hand, this was not the strategy game I was looking for (ended up being brain dead easy), but I loved the Persona like social interactions and building up my school. Would like to go back and try another house (did Golden Deer) in the future and would definitely play on a more difficult setting.
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The first battle royale I spent a lot of time with. Respawn just does a great job at having games feel good, and Apex felt good, along with having all of the mechanics feel polished and well tuned.
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Sekiro is awesome, but also I never want to play it again. It is without a doubt the most demanding From game, making you always be alert and reactive. There is no passive options. Last boss was of course a great challenge but felt good beating. Would have liked more character customization but having it be linear choices fit the game.
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So maybe this is cheating (I actually played this early 2020) but I really enjoyed both The Surge 1 and 2 this year. I played The Surge 1 in the Fall and was completely surprised at how good it was. The mechanics made it stand out from the traditional Souls formula, but still felt familiar. I think I like the first one more, but Surge 2 was still very enjoyable.
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Similar to most others who played Outer Worlds, we loved it at first then overtime realized the honeymoon was over and started to see the cracks. I enjoyed it for what it is, a more budget, smaller scale version of Bethesda's games. I am not someone who necessarily needs a huge, open world, so I think the "small" scale is fitting but perhaps could have had more gameplay choices (I haven't played it yet but seems like Disco Elysium fits in this mold, will check that out when that comes to consoles).
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