2019 was a strange year for me. As has been the case for the past 5 or so years, I just don't have as much time to play games anymore (works has been very busy), and I got sick the second half of the year in a way that prevented me from being about to play games, but regardless of all that, I found some great games that I really enjoyed. Here's my list.
#9
One of my most anticipated games of all time - I loved the first two. The second being one of my all-time favorite games and may be my favorite on-line gaming experiences ever. Although I did enjoy Borderland’s return in the third main-line installment, I just didn’t have the same experience that I was hoping for. I did get a chance to play the game with friends, and although it was fine most of the time, audio bugs hampered the experience so much that I just couldn’t enjoy it… Then I got sick - not the game’s fault at all, but it was the kind of sickness that meant that I couldn’t play, and my friends moved on and finished the game themselves. By the time I could play again, I tried to play online with them again, but they were so overpowered that it wasn’t fun for anyone. I tried to level up by myself, but the bullet sponge bosses proved impossible to beat by myself. I begrudgingly put the game down and haven’t gone back since…
#8
When I think of Valfaris, I have a smile on my face. It's just a ton of stupid, yet challenging fun.
I’m not a huge shooter player – although I do like the genre, the days of playing Contra-likes are mostly in my past. However, I saw someone on Twitter give Valfaris a recommend and on a whim, I decided to try it out. I wasn’t disappointed. It’s totally rad. From the gritty, pixelated graphics/art style, to the heavy metal aesthetic, to the sharp, shooter gameplay, this game is a hidden gem and something that more fans of the shooter genre should give a chance.
#7
Ah, another remake of a beloved classic, reborn in 2019… Seems to be a theme this year. I played the original in 8th grade. I beat it on the original Gameboy (not the Gameboy Color version). I beat it several times, and I loved it. The original is on my all-time favorite list. This was one of my most anticipated games of 2019 and I’m happy to say that it didn’t disappoint. Many fond memories of the original returned as I played through the remake. I liked the art direction and additions, and very much appreciated the improvements to controls, menus, and other aspects that have prevented me from going back and revisiting the original all these years. Although it didn’t completely overwhelm me or make me want to hurry and place it on my all-time favorite list, I still enjoyed my time revisiting Link’s dream.
#6
I spent more time in 2017 watching PUBG streams on Youtube than I did playing any single game that entire year. I wanted to play it so badly that I could taste it. I imaged me and my friends (imaginary of course because I don’t have any friends that play PUBG) strategizing and cooperating in a perfect synchronized fashion that we survive until the end game and partake of that chicken dinner. However, alas, I’m not crazy enough to put down that kind of money for a gaming computer, I don’t have any friends that have interest in playing PUBG, and I’m really not that good at competitive shooters… However, despite all that, I’ve still reserved a desire to try a battle royal game over the past few years and when I heard that Apex Legends was free, good, and most importantly, on the console, I decided I’d give it a spin. Although I never played it with friends (I was never able to convince anyone to join me), I played it non-stop for several weekends after it first came out. I found that at least a few times a day I would fall into a group of like-minded fellows that felt like friends and it allowed me to experience that desired cooperation. I even won a few rounds with these groups, and I wasn’t always the weakest link on the team. I feel that I got to experience the feelings and emotions of what the online streamers of battle royal games speak of.
In the end, work got busy, other games came out, I didn’t have time to play any more, and I haven’t gone back. However, each time I meet someone that I know has a PS4 (friends, cousins, nephews, anyone), I tell them all to pick up Apex Legends - it’s free for God’s sake, but I haven’t been able to convince anyone yet. There's a very good battle royal game on PS4 now, and I can’t get anyone to join me to play it…… Maybe it’s me…… lol
#5
Fallout New Vegas is one of my all-time favorite games. I knew I wanted to play this game as soon as I heard that it was Obsidian returning to that formula, but putting the game in a better setting (in my opinion): outer space. I wasn’t disappointed. The Outer Worlds is a great game. Other than the absence of a seemingly random and vast open world – which I did miss – The Outer Worlds has everything that a fan of New Vegas would want. It has interesting and complicated narratives and dialogue, serviceable shooting and action gameplay mechanics, and unique, picturesque environments and worlds. Although I was ready for the game to be over by the end, I really enjoyed my time with the Outer Worlds. If you enjoyed New Vegas, you owe it to yourself to play this gem.
#4
For those that don’t know me, let it be known that I am a huge fan of the Souls games and Bloodborne. I think they are easily the best action RPGs ever made and some of the most innovative and inspirational games of the past decade (just think of the new genre, Souls-like). Also, I’m an enthusiast in samurai culture. I’ve visited countless samurai castles and museums in Japan, and love to watch samurai movies. So, when I heard about Sekiro, I thought it was a match made in heaven and this was going to be my favorite game of all time. Unfortunately, that’s not what happened. Although I really liked my time with Sekiro, the game had one new aspect to it that kept me from fully enjoying it and being about to finish it (I never finished – I’ve heard that I’ve only made it about a third of the way through). The game didn’t have an “artificial” way to strengthen your character so that players that aren’t very good at the game could still continue to play it as it progressively got harder. What I mean is there isn’t a difficulty setting, or ability to grind for higher levels - some way to make your character over-powered - to help negate the very thing that Sekiro demands from you; self-improvement and vigilance. Sekiro demands precise timing – something that I’m not good at. Sekiro only allows you to gain additional functionality, but not necessarily greater power – something that doesn’t help with, but further requires more precise timing and vigilance in gameplay… I really wanted to play Sekiro. I loved the art, characters, gameplay (other than the parry and precise timing), and I loved the setting. However, Sekiro demands the most from its players and it turned me away just when I thought I was getting somewhere with it…
#3
Yep, I was a backer, and proud of it. Castlevania SOTN is number 4 on my all-time favorite list, and although I’m well aware that Iga didn’t make that game by himself, I was still excited when I heard that he was going to make a spiritual successor. Like many others, I got caught up in the negative feedback that Bloodstained was getting in its lead up to release, and almost didn’t download it at first. However, I don’t think there was really anything else that I was playing at the time so I downloaded and started playing soon after its release anyway. I didn’t regret it. I loved it from nearly the very beginning. Although the controls felt a little weird (floaty) at first, I really dug the atmosphere, the special items, variety of weapons, crazy enemies, and even the new additions; crafting, shards, etc. I poured a lot of hours into it and it’s high on my list of games that I’d like to go back to and try playing through using a different play style. What an impressive achievement. I look forward to whatever Iga does in the future.
#2
The original is on my all-time-favorite list. I played it so much during my first year of college that it affected my grades… When I first heard that they planned to remake it, I had a tepid response. I don’t do well with horror movies and games anymore. In fact, I don’t play them at all anymore because they scare me too easily and it causes me major anxiety. I tried PT, but promptly turned it off after the girl showed up the first time - I threw my controller, momentarily lost all sense, and yelled something that to this day I have no idea what I said… I just can’t play horror games anymore…
However, as we drew closer to RE2 Remake’s release date, I kept hearing more and more good things about it. Eventually it convinced me to buy it and give it a try. I’m so happy that I did. This is the new bar that all other remakes must be measured by. It is a tour de force in how a classic, beloved game should be remade. Capcom stayed true to the spirit of the original, kept fan favorite aspects, but then gutted and improved everything else. The graphics are not just improved; they are some of the best on the PS4. The gameplay wasn’t just improved, it's spot on and precise. The dialogue is still stilted and janky, but somehow feels like a loving homage to the original in a way. Then there’s the quality-of-life improvements; UI, inventory, menus, etc. These are incredible and something that any modern game should adopt. The game pulled me in like very few games have in recent years and kept me until I finished both an A and B playthrough. I highly recommend to anyone, not just fans of the original.
#1
After what I said about my journey to play and enjoy a battle royal, I’m very surprised that my favorite experience with a battle royal was the most unusual one that I’ve ever heard of. Who would have ever thought that Tetris would lend itself to being an excellent battle royal, but it does. And, it doesn’t just take the basic aspects of battle royals. Oh no, it has all the best aspects that make other games in the genre great and incorporates them into the Tetris formula. What I means is, Tetris 99 allows the players to choose how they will attack (several styles and the mixture many or all to further advance the formula), awards aggressive to passive play, requires players to be properly prepared for the end game phase, and has a white-knuckle end game phase that is equal to the best in the genre. Throw in some interesting other modes, co-op play, fan service themes, and other goodies, and you get the most addictive game that I’ve played this year. I can’t put it down. I play it while I’m listening to podcasts, I play it with my wife (who is a master at it), I play it while I’m on the pot, I play it nearly daily… It’s my game of the year for 2019 and that’s saying something from someone that disliked Tetris Effect.
The secret, real winner!
Hmmm, why is this on my list? I played the remaster it to completion on the PS4 in 2018, but I picked it up on the Switch this year and played it to completion again. Not just to the end credits again, but I did everything. FF12 is one of my all-time favorite games (very high on the list) and I’ve beat it twice on PS2, once on PS4, but it wasn’t until the Switch re-release of Zodiac Age that I really did everything; every secret, every boss, every hunt (yep even the last one), everything. I love this game to nearly no end. It’s fun and engaging each time I play it… Please, Square Enix, make a version without Vaan in it. Because he’s meaningless to the game and the story, it really shouldn't take much to remove him. The game would be a masterpiece if you did ;)
