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.
For me, 2019 really felt like the year of there being a wealth of too many great games to play and just not enough time to get to them all. Even in the last couple of weeks leading up to the release of our Game of the Year Awards and our individual staff lists, Istillhave a massive pile of games from this year that I want to get through. Especially considering the fact that the first few months of 2020 are already stacked with tons of incredible games on the horizon, this is kind of a problem.
But nonetheless, 2019 proved to be a great year in games and honestly, this was probably the most difficult Top 10 list that I’ve had to put together in quite some time. Of course, with the necessities of keeping this to 10 games, there are always going to be some great games that get left on the sidelines, so I’d at least like to give some honorable mentions out.Metro Exodusespecially is one that just missed my list as a bold evolution of a series I enjoy (please play it!), andAstral Chaineasily proved to be one of PlatinumGames' best titles of the generation.
There are still plenty of games that I just haven’t had the chance to play yet but are on my radar to dig into in 2020, namelySekiro: Shadows Die Twice,The Outer Worlds,Outer Wilds(yes, that other “Outer” game),Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, andGears 5. Hopefully in the new year, a few of these might just make my Top 10 list in 2020, if it isn’t already dominated by the likes ofCyberpunk 2077and so many other games coming soon.
But anyway, with all of that out of the way, here were my favorite games of 2019:
10. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
I had only ever played a brief amount of the originalLink’s Awakeningwhen it was first out on the Game Boy, but even within the first 10-15 minutes that I spent playing this year’s Switch remake, it already felt like fond memories of it were coming back to me over 20 years later. As a longtime fan of theZeldaseries–and especially coming off recent entries I loved likeA Link Between WorldsandBreath of the Wild–Link’s Awakeningfor me just scratched that itch of a lovable 2D adventure with Link that I could get lost in.
LikeResident Evil 2before it (which is also on my list),The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakeningstrikes a near perfect balance of honoring a classic entry in a classic series, but with plenty of modern touches (and an adorable visual style) to make it feel fresh. Aside from giving me the chance to finally revisit aZeldagame that I had sorely been missing out on playing previously,Link’s Awakeningis in its own right a wonderfully inventive game that harkens back to the classic entries of the series, but presented in a way that feels like it’s just being discovered for the first time.
Check outDualShockers' review forThe Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.
9. Ape Out
I might just be a sucker for snappy jazz music, butApe Outcame out earlier this year and has stuck with me ever since. Sure, there’s the fact that the game is just manic fun involving a killer ape on the loose, but how can you not forget a game like this when it looks and sounds so stylish?
Taking several elements that I love fromHotline Miami,Ape Outtakes its simple but chaotic premise and jazzes it up (literally and metaphorically) with an incredible visual and aural presentation. Having the music and visuals blend so seamlessly with the ape-fueled chaos that you are causing only made me admire the game more, and whether you wind up playing through it on Switch or PC, this is one ape escape that can’t be missed.
Check outDualShockers' review forApe Out.
8. Life is Strange 2
Compared to its predecessor, discussion and conversation aroundLife is Strange 2has, strangely, seemed a little muted. Whether that’s because of the game’s sporadic release schedule or not, over the course of the last yearLife is Strange 2has evolved in ways that I admired even more than the series' first season.
The story of Sean and Daniel Diaz and their trek across America to find a new life with family in Mexico not only gave us a heartfelt depiction of a brotherly bond, but also explored new ground narratively that most other games shy away from. Over the course of its five episodes,Life is Strange 2delved into politics and contemporary issues of today that games hardly ever get the chance to explore, while also looking at maturity and love, family issues, and heritage, especially from the viewpoints of its protagonists.
Episodic storytelling is hardly a new experience in games, butLife is Strange 2found a way to give it a deeper, more engaging meaning.
Check outDualShockers' review forLife is Strange 2: Episode 1.
7. Untitled Goose Game
Oh, that damn goose. That damn, lovable goose.Untitled Goose Game, by design, is a simple game, but even with the few hours that I spent with the game on Switch, I had a smile on my face the entire time that I was playing it.
Is it the deepest game? No, not at all. Is there much of a challenge? Hardly. But all in all,Untitled Goose Gameis one of the funniest and most charming games that I played all year, and it’s truly the type of game that I would encourage anyone–gamers or non-gamers alike–to give it a try and become a chaotic goose for a day.
Check outDualShockers' review forUntitled Goose Game.
6. Luigi’s Mansion 3
Well, okay;Untitled Goose Gameis one of the most charming games that I’ve played recently, but so isLuigi’s Mansion 3. Maybe even more so.
Luigi’s always been in the shadow of his red-suited brother, but withLuigi’s Mansion 3, he finally has a game that can stand alongside some of Mario’s best adventures.Luigi’s Mansion 3not only shines as a brilliant and funny adventure starring everyone’s favorite lanky, awkward brother, but also shines as one of the best Switch exclusives of the year. That’s saying something considering the fact that this year has been an absolute banger for the Switch with other games likeFire Emblem: Three Houses,Astral Chain, and more.
Even if the game is technicallyLuigi’s Hotel 3,Luigi’s Mansion 3is still a stellar, spooky sequel that will have you smiling all the way through, even if is mostly at Luigi’s expense.
Check outDualShockers' review forLuigi’s Mansion 3.
5. Resident Evil 2
Despite being a longtimeResident Evilfan–arguably one of my favorites–I’ve had a blindspot in the series by never having gotten the chance to playResident Evil 2or3. Thankfully, in 2019 I was able to finally correct at least one of those problems by playing through the stellarResident Evil 2remake, and we won’t have to wait too much longer until it’sResident Evil 3’s time to shinenext spring.
While I hadn’t played through the original iteration of the game,Resident Evil 2was still an outstanding horror experience made even scarier by its modern tweaks and refinements. Constantly being pursued by Mr. X not only gave us one of the most terrifying game experiences of the year, but alsomade for some fantastic memes. But more than that,Resident Evil 2perfectly blended the series' classic elements of survival horror with the innovations of its modern entries, making me even more excited to see what is to come from the franchise in the years ahead.
Check outDualShockers' review forResident Evil 2.
4. Sayonara Wild Hearts
I played through all ofSayonara Wild Heartsin one sitting on the Switch earlier this year, and it’s safe to say that this game, as the kids say,slaps. Part interactive music video and part rhythm game,Sayonara Wild Heartsis an entirely sensory experience that few other games in could match in 2019.
Dripping with style and easily the best game soundtrack of 2019,Sayonara Wild Heartsis flashy and vibrant for days, but doesn’t let that overwhelm substance. At the heart of its stunning visuals and design, it also manages to craft a brief but impactful story of overcoming heartbreak and discovering your true inner abilities.
From the game’s stunning opening moments, to its wonderful surprise reveal at the end, to its soundtrack that I still listen to on a regular basis,Sayonara Wild Heartsis a game that I just haven’t been able to get out of my head just yet.
Check outDualShockers' review forSayonara Wild Hearts.
3. Devil May Cry 5
As a longtime fan of theDevil May Cryseries–and someone that thoroughly enjoyed Ninja Theory’s take withDmC–it just felt so damn good to have Dante and the crew back.Devil May Cry 5was easily one of the games that I was most looking forward to playing in 2019, and it fully delivered on everything that I could have hoped for as a fan and then some.
Aside from finally returning to the series' mainline story after a decade sinceDMC4,Devil May Cry 5came roaring back not only with a kickass story (and incredible soundtrack), but also delivered arguably the series' best gameplay and combat sinceDMC3. The series' stylish action has never looked, well, more stylish, and the amount of ability and input combinations that players have at their disposal inDMC5is enough to rival nearly any fighting game.
From the introduction of wonderful characters like Nico and V, to a more badass Nero, and finally to Hot Dad Dante,Devil May Cry 5moonwalked its way into my heart this year, and I can only hope that we’ll see them all kick some demon ass again sooner rather than later.
Check outDualShockers' review forDevil May Cry 5.
2. Control
Admittedly,Controlis the only game on my list that I have not entirely played through to completion, as I’m currently around halfway through the game. It’s been at the top of my backlog for months now, and though I’m just now starting to dig deeper and work my way to the end,Controlhas already, well, taken control of my thoughts and emotions since I started playing it.
Much like Remedy’s past games, you may easily point to many of the influences thatControlblends together, from the obvious references to works likeTwin Peaksto the more subtle inspirations behind it. But even without that,Controlbuilds what is easily Remedy’s most defined and well-realized world to date, with the Oldest House serving as an intriguing setting with endless mysteries and secrets to discover.
Combined with Jesse’s powerful abilities and a roster of memorable characters–especially this year’s MVP, Casper Darling–Controlis easily the game that I can’t wait to finish the most during my Christmas break and to really discover just what the Oldest House is really hiding.
Check outDualShockers' review forControl.
1. Death Stranding
During the discussions for our Game of the Year Awards, whenDeath Strandingcame up I explained that there are almost as many reasons (if not more) to debate against the game being GOTY than being for it.Death Strandingis, in a lot of ways, incredibly messy and convoluted. It drags significantly in many places story and gameplay-wise, it saves most of its best story moments for the very beginning and end, and its gameplay can feel finicky and not quite put together completely.
But for all of its faults,Death Strandingis still one of the most impactful game experiences that I’ve had all year. As much as I came into the game expecting the typical amount of Kojima Weirdness, I was also taken away by the story’s surprising thoughtfulness and emotion. The game’s themes of connection and working together was elevated by its online elements that seamlessly integrated “multiplayer” into the experience, and understanding the ways in which this world worked kept me invested throughout the dozens of hours that I spent withDeath Stranding.
For all its convolution and exaggeration,Death Strandingalso managed to be deep and meditative, and was ultimately the game of 2019 that I just couldn’t stop thinking about after I played it. Like its protagonist Sam Porter Bridges,Death Strandingis always on the risk of toppling over, burdened by the layers of gameplay and story it stacks on top of each other. And yet, the game also manages to keep it together from falling apart entirely, in a profound, surprising, and beautiful way.
Check outDualShockers' review forDeath Stranding.
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
