As 2019 comes to a close, DualShockers and our staff are reflecting on this year’s batch of games and what were their personal highlights within the last year. Unlikethe official Game of the Year 2019 awards for DualShockers, there are little-to-no-rules on our individual Top 10 posts. For instance, any game — not just 2019 releases — can be considered.
2019 has had some great releases in gaming, especially withFire Emblem: Three Housesbeing one of them. Now that I think about it, this list isn’t needed; I should just listFire Emblemten times.
But with that said, here are my top 10 games of 2019. Just a note for my list: the games are in no particular order.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
One word to describe this game is amazing, from the gameplay to the voice acting. I haven’t loved aFire Emblemgame sinceAwakening, but now that’s changed because I loveThree Housesjust a bit more. The story alone makes this game great, but the characters and the bonds you create make this game phenomenal.
Check outDualShockers‘ review forFire Emblem: Three Houses.
Devil May Cry 5
I’m a trueDMCstan, so it’s no surprise this game is on my list. There’s a special place in my heart forDMC5because I get to see some of my favorite characters back in action. Let’s all agree that theDMCseries has always been amazing, andDevil May Cry 5is the icing on the cake.
Check outDualShockers' review forDevil May Cry 5.
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition
Even though this game came out in 2018, the Nintendo Switch version came out in September of this year. New features were added that weren’t in the PlayStation 4 release, and that makes the game even sweeter. I thought no game could replace my love forDragon Quest VIII, but it’s been knocked to number 2 now since the release ofDragon Quest XI.
Check outDualShockers' review forDragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition.
Resident Evil 2
Rarely do I play video games that put me in a position that will scare me and make my hands sweat to the point where my controller is constantly slipping out of my hands.Resident Evil 2was too hard to pass up after the remake was released, giving me memories of watching my brother play the original as a kid. I did a lot of backseat gaming telling him which hallway to go down, even though I had no idea what was around every corner.
Check outDualShockers' review forResident Evil 2.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Who doesn’t love Luigi? Also, who doesn’t love Luigi roaming around a mansion vacuuming up ghosts? It’s fun to watch in a cute, almostResident Evilway; the only difference is that there are no zombies or guns.Luigi’s Mansion 3gave me a fun break this year after constantly grinding and strategizing when playing RPGs, and that alone deserves a spot in my top 10.
Check outDualShockers' review forLuigi’s Mansion 3.
Astral Chain
I love a good hack-and-slash game. I love it even more when there is a clever combat system and futuristic elements involved.Astral Chaingave meXenosagavibes, and that alone made me feel nostalgic while diving into this new experience, and I had a blast playing it.
Check outDualShockers' review forAstral Chain.
Sayonara Wild Hearts
This game is beautiful.Sayonara Wild Heartskept me guessing and allowed me to havea hypnotic experiencethat I didn’t think was possible to have within a game.Sayonara Wild Heartsalso proves you don’t need a ton of bells and whistles to make a good video game.
Check outDualShockers' review forSayonara Wild Hearts.
The Outer Worlds
A first-person shooter/RPG style gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to genre, andThe Outer Worldsdelivered on both perfectly. The combat was fun, and the thing I liked the most about this game was that it gave me aBioShockfeel.The Outer Worldsleaves it up to you on how you want to play through this game, and that was chef’s kiss perfection.
Check outDualShockers' review forThe Outer Worlds.
Katana Zero
I haven’t played a lot of indie games this year, don’t hate me. But one indie game I did play wasKatana Zero. This game was FUN. I had to write that in all caps to express how awesome this game is. If you die, the game tells you “No that won’t work,” then you restart that section to find another solution. Seriously! How clever is that?!Katana Zerodeserves a sequel, and I won’t accept anything less.
Check outDualShockers' review forKatana Zero.
Kingdom Hearts III
Finally, my last game on the list, mainly because it took over a decade to be released.Kingdom Hearts 3still deserves a spot on my top 10 because it’sKingdom Hearts. WhileKingdom Hearts IIis still my favorite in the series, I had fun playing this title, and it had some memorable moments and worlds.Kingdom Hearts IIIended on a cliffhanger eye roll, so that means in 20 years we’ll get another game, fingers crossed.
Check outDualShockers' review forKingdom Hearts III.
Check out the rest of theDualShockersstaff Top 10 lists and our official Game of the Year Awards:
December 23:DualShockersGame of the Year Awards 2019
December 25:Lou Contaldi, Editor-in-Chief//Logan Moore, Managing Editor
December 26:Tomas Franzese, News Editor//Ryan Meitzler, Features Editor
December 27:Mike Long, Community Manager//Scott White, Staff Writer
December 28:Chris Compendio, Contributor//Mario Rivera, Video Manager//Kris Cornelisse, Staff Writer
December 29:Scott Meaney, Community Director//Allisa James, Senior Staff Writer//Ben Bayliss, Senior Staff Writer
December 30:Cameron Hawkins, Staff Writer//David Gill, Senior Staff Writer//Portia Lightfoot, Contributor
December 31:Iyane Agossah, Senior Staff Writer//Michael Ruiz, Senior Staff Writer//Rachael Fiddis, Contributor
January 1:Ricky Frech, Senior Staff Writer//Tanner Pierce, Staff Writer//Laddie Simco, Staff Writer
