GOTY 2019 Redux
At the end of every year, I participate in the video game community tradition of making a list of my 10 favorite games of the year. It's a tradition I greatly enjoy, yet nearly every year that list becomes stale mere months later; I play an overlooked game that should have made it, I revisit a game which affects my thoughts on it, or I simply realize I like or don't like a game as much as I thought I did. Top 10 lists represent thoughts from a snapshot in time, and if it's written (or re-written) months or years later, it likely won't be the exact same.
I've considered writing "Redux" versions of every top 10 list I've created on Giant Bomb, but generally don't think it's worth the time. So why am I revisiting my 2019 top 10 list in particular? There are two big reasons. First, it's the only list (so far) where I included an early access game (Hades). I don't regret that decision, but given that Hades also (rightfully) tops my 2020 list, it does feel weird to have it listed twice. And 2020, where it "officially" released, is its rightful place. Thus, I am disqualifying it from this 2019 redo. Which takes us to my second reason: quite frankly, I played a lot of games from 2019 after 2019 ended. That happens every year to a degree, but this time I also found three games that, had I played them in time, would have made my list. And, well, I selfishly want to recognize them now. Put it together, and my 2019 list has changed more than most.
So then, here is a list of my 10 favorite video games of 2019 from a 2021 perspective. I'll mostly write about the new games on the list, and otherwise only note any new thoughts. My original list still exists, and I still stand by what I wrote there. Thanks for reading!
