The last year has been a bit of an odd one for me when it comes to gaming. Throughout the year I played just over 100 games, but most of that time was spent finishing off older titles. I'm writing this so late because I still have a list of games from 2019 that I'm keen to try, but I have to pull the plug at some point and go with what I know.
Anyone reading this might notice some obvious omissions like Disco Elysium, Void Bastards, and Blasphemous. Along with other 2019 releases, I never had the time to really dive into some of these games, so unfortunately they won't get a look in for this GOTY post.
Of course, the games that I did play are listed at the bottom of this post, and I'm glad I was able to some brilliant ones throughout the year. Interestingly, many of my favourites were Epic Store exclusives on PC, so I hope that more people will pick them up when they eventually reach other storefronts in the future.
As always, the following are simply my own opinions based on the games that I was able to play up to the point of writing. For more details on certain games, check the list at the end of the post which also includes links to previous posts for games I've already written about!
Control
I had the hardest time deciding on my GOTY this year, much harder than any previous years at least. There were so many quality games released that I eventually had to go with the one that provided the most well-polished and complete experience, and that game is Remedy Entertainment's masterpiece: Control.
I could not fault this game at all when I wrote about it, and I still can't to this day. This is game is a culmination of everything Remedy has learned since they released Max Payne so many years ago. All the flaws and issues that came with Quantum Break have been improved and ironed out, while that signature Remedy game-feel has been retained and refined for the better.
However, what I love most about Control is the balance between gameplay action mechanics and deep storytelling and lore. This is the kind of game that is satisfying for players who just want to run around shooting things and getting in to situations, while also being a real treasure for those that want to slow down and soak in the creative lore and world building.
Oh my, what masterful world building it is. Control's story is all the better thanks to some original design and writing along the way. The environment is as much a part of the story as the characters fighting within. This is the kind of video game story that could translate well to other mediums like movies or books, although I hope that it always gets to stay as a game, as this is where it belongs and is at its best.
So even though the competition was extremely fierce this year for the number one GOTY spot; there's no denying that Control ended up being the most compelling and satisfying game I played all year. This is definitely a standout experience and will stand at the current peak of Remedy's catalogue. I can't wait to see what they come up with next.
Sayonara Wild Hearts
Speaking of perfection, Sayonara Wild Hearts may well be the closest thing to perfection released in the rhythm game genre for a long time. The main element that held it back from taking the top spot was its natural limitations that come from being the kind of game that doesn't have a lot of scope, but it doesn't actually need it either.
Every level in Sayonara Wild Hearts is a unique form of audio interpretation that oozes with creativity and expression. It's rare for a rhythm game to surprise me at every turn, but it's even rarer for a rhythm game to build a cohesive narrative along the way.
This is a game that goes beyond any expectations and shows us all what's possible when you spend the time to polish every surface and push every idea to its creative limit. Playing Sayonara Wild Hearts is like being lifted from your seat and carried away to a land of beauty and inspiration.
If you have even a passing interest in rhythm games and want to see something that's truly original and creative, you need to play Sayonara Wild Hearts.
Outer Wilds
Clearly I enjoy diving into creative and surreal experiences in games, and Outer Wilds has all of that in spades. The premise is simple: your solar system is going to blow up in 20 minutes, but you keep resetting like Groundhog Day so it's up to you to explore and find out what exactly is going on.
This is one of those games that didn't receive nearly enough attention when it was released, as it may be one of the most original and unique games that came out in 2019. For a little indie title that came about with very little fanfare, I went into Outer Wilds without any expectations, only to have my head blown wide open with the scope and limitless creativity that's gone into the game's design and gameplay.
There are abandoned space stations to explore, flooded moons with dangerous weather, black and white holes that teleport you long distances. Everything is focused around an ancient race of beings who have left behind clues and notations for you to find and decipher.
However, the real appeal of Outer Wilds is the diversity and creativity of its world. Each planet and moon that you visit in the solar system has its own physics and anomalous behaviour. Some even have mine-bending quantum level transitions that will really twist your brain in ways you've never seen before in a video game.
Suffice to say, this is one hell of a game and should be in everyone's library without question.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
These are games that I spent some time considering and weighing up against each other for the best games of 2019. Basically I couldn't write this post without at least pointing out the following titles, as each of them came incredibly close to the top spots.
In order of release:
A Plague Tale: Innocence
Not only is this one of the best looking games of the year, but it manages to create some unique and original gameplay moments along the way. You’re given the grim task of struggling to survive with your little brother during a plague-ridden inquisition, while your behaviour influences him emotionally and your characters react to their seriously depressing environment in realistic ways. This is one hell of a beautiful game that also tells a harrowing story and pulls the player into its world without apology.
Observation
Ever wanted to be the AI on a space station and mess with its inhabitants? Well this might be the game with you, although the story is less about messing with people and saving them instead. The presentation of gameplay in Observation are some of the most compelling I've encountered this year, and the mysterious story pays off in a proper science fiction dose of surrealism and creativity. It might not be "fun" to play this tense thriller, but it's certainly a wild ride and well worth your time.
The Church In The Darkness
I don’t think this was a very well-known release of 2019, but it's certainly one of the most interesting games I played last year. Your goal is to infiltrate a cult and uncover information about your son who has been lost and no doubt brain-washed into the group. Each run of this completely original rogue-lite game can end in many different ways. You can be captured and killed, or just detained until you manage to escape. Maybe you ingratiate yourself among the cultists and help them so they will return the favour. There are a lot of ways to approach this unique little game, and it's a real blast finding all the options available to you.
Blacksad: Under The Skin
I confess that I knew nothing about the Blacksad universe before playing this game, but apparently there are comics and previous lore that the game is based on. All the more credit to the game then for presenting me with an interesting and engaging noir detective mystery to solve. I love a good point-and-click adventure game and Blacksad ended up being a fascinating ride from start to finish. Once again I was hooked on the original story and characters that gave the entire adventure something to keep coming back to. It might look like a furry game, but it's so much more than that and should be a shoe in for any fan of the genre.
THE LIST
As usual, let's finish with a big list of the games released in 2019 that I actually played. I mentioned it at the top, but there are some obvious titles missing like Disco Elysium, but unfortunately there's no avoiding it when you're just one person playing whatever games they have time for.
Also, while I'm pretty sure that I've included everything I've played, I might have missed something. It's hard to find a comprehensive list online of every game released each year, so some of them might get lost in the pile.
If you've read any previous GOTY posts then this is much the same. I've included the platform I played each game on, and if I've written a post about a game the title will link there if you'd like to find out more.
Catherine Classic (Win)
Apex Legends (PS4)
Space Engineers (Win)
Trials Rising (PS4)
Baba Is You (Win)
Outward (Win)
Feather (2019) (Win)
Coloring Game (2019) (Win)
A Plague Tale: Innocence (Win)
Rage 2 (Win)
American Fugitive (PC)
Dauntless (Win + PS4)
Observation (Win)
Plasticity (Win)
KIDS (2019) (Win)
Outer Wilds (Win)
Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night (XBO)
Tiny Room Stories: Town Mystery (Droid)
Gloomhaven (Win)
A Short Hike (Win)
The Church In The Darkness (Win)
Control (PS4)
Sayonara Wild Hearts (PS4)
Blacksad: Under The Skin (Win)
Untitled Goose Game (Win)
Neo Cab (Win)
Flotsam (Win)
Pilgrims (2019) (Win)
Lonely Mountains: Downhill (Win)
The Outer Worlds (XBO)
Arrog (Win)
Death Stranding (PS4)
Operator (2019) (Win)
Life Is Strange 2 (XBO)