Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Sayonara Wild Hearts
Octavius404
It's a breakup game, which I don't feel I have played before. I certainly played it at an appropriate time but it's also nice rhythm game that doesn't ask for any rhythmic skill. Go play it or at least keep it in mind, in case you know...
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
BattleTech
a bird
finally, the big lads can throw a punch
Fiyenyaa
The big robots game. I prefer Adeptus Titanicus for the tabletop but whatchagonnado. This one is still ace and has lots of progression which I am a large fan of.
nat
BattleTech got really flippin' good in 2019? Enough to finally make me finish a career.
Dota 2
Zoetrope
DOTA is a mess and so you are you. But that's okay you and 4 other humans are going to hate each other and maybe even work together.
It's still here because under all the terribleness; there is a long sequence of beguiling actions awaiting mastery.
Hollow Knight
Octavius404
A metroidvannia game that really nails the feelings of isolation and being an outsider while still managing to have a nice array of characters. The exploration is majestic, darting through new terrain looking for a bench to take a moment's respite.
Total War: Three Kingdoms
Fangz
The first time the historical character-led strategy subgenre has really gotten through to me. Really lets you be a magnificent bastard like Cao Cao.
ThomasWestergaard
It's a great🎮 ca have created a❤️map that leave you open for the titular⚔️ armies are led by heroes in a extend 🧱🧻✂system your❤️general might🍃and take your soldiers with him because you are a🍆and didn't make him minister of agriculture also🕵️work now
Wilmot's Warehouse
Hannez
You know how you always store a folding rule in a toolbox on the second shelf in the small closet? But then 2 months ago, you moved it to another place, and now you can’t find it. Every choice you do makes this game harder or easier. It’s always on you.
Devil May Cry 5
Dynamic Calories
DMCV is about excess. Nero is all about bluster and last minute manipulation of gauntlets, ad Dante is you dancing your fingers across the pad like a pro, stitching together word slashes, gun shots, and deliciously perfect royal guard parries.
Eastshade
Bollox
Amazing rambling simulator with authentic painting cheat codes.
mrwonko
Pretty much exactly what I expected it to be. I love the idea of making the player a painter to encourage wandering and actually paying attention to the environment, which we often don't. Wasn't surprised to find Oblivion modders involved.
The Witcher 3
Fiyenyaa
Toss a coin to the lad - The Witcher 3 continues to be a game I come back to, spend dozens of hours in, then drift away from again only to know I'll be drawn back in later. A right proper epic that feels nice and warm and comfortable. Thanks Daddy Geralt!
AMID EVIL
shoggothic
A game that dares to ask the great question: what if a sword was also a gun?
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Borderlands 3
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers
Kaytza
A masterclass in giving a voiceless player avatar character, as they're pinged to a place that has accepted its inevitable end and their heroic reputation is known only by now-stranded companions. A man from The Bill voices the heck out of the antagonist.
MaxPoetic (She/Her)
The highest rated final fantasy game in a decade and it's an expansion to a once failed MMO. It's well good, raids are great and story is fantastic. Square have over 4 months worth of my life in game time and they can keep it god bless Yoshi P.
Beat Saber
tjhowse
Best cardio 2019.
Prey
Hades
NinjaOx
Imagine the combat systems of Bastion and Transistor polished to a fine sheen, complemented by fun powers and roguelike progression, finished with the narrative (and soundtrack!) we've come to expect from Supergiant games. Also: best dog in video games.
Oxygen Not Included
Zoetrope
Devise the perfect colony and watch as it deteriorates, running out of water, running out of air, pipes resembling spaghetti and say "This was going to be so beautiful", then start again and then again.
Gorgeous, whimsical and satisfyingly difficult.
Satisfactory
Avagad
Enjoy creating the perfect factory without being held back by the lack of a third dimension.
Sunless Skies
Simo517L
While the train can be a bit difficult to control, the stories on the different islands are great and the atmosphere is superb.
Titanfall 2
Spad
The best FPS campaign.
Age of Wonders: Planetfall
Guerric Haché
A sprawling science-fantasy romp across alien maps, with varied and interesting faction design, solid tactical battles, and a respectable attempt at space operatic and planetary romance worldbuilding.
Ape Out
idbrii
Simple concept, incredible style, impressive variety between each disc, great finale and denouement.
Death Stranding
Factorio
Kane
A bottomless, deadly tarpit for minds like mine, Factorio is a towering achievement in the life-ruining timesink genre, with design as intricate as the megabases its players compulsively build over countless hours and sleepless nights. Maximally addictive.
tjhowse
Literally ate me.
Fortnite
ChocoCookies
I hate this game, and yet like crack it’s so very moreish - I just keep coming back. The ‘mini game’ - hitting that little circle with the hammer is just so much fun. I’ve got more hours with this game this year than any other, so game of the year right?
Halo: Reach
Super
Masterful. Arguably one of the best shooters ever made. Superb gunplay. Great setting, even with the more drab colour palette of the planet Reach. Brilliant combat arenas. Infinite fun that brings people together.
ISLANDERS
Zoetrope
The powerful joy about the decision that this collection of houses and gardens is ready for a temple.
It is ready to become a place. An organic growth, a rag tag collection of combos. The polis will expand as will your score, but nothing lasts for ever.
Tom Clancy's The Division 2
Ascension
Takuna
I didn't play many games this year so I guess this one gets a spot. I will never unhear the wails of the Sordid Asp though, so it did leave an impression. (Ok, I admit it, I did have fun even though NinjaOx cheats.)
Astral Chain
Spad
The lovechild of Bayonetta and a police procedural, featuring thermoptic toilet paper.
Blasphemous
Bloodborne
Hannez
Better Lovecraft than Lovecraft. Don’t @ me.
Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer
Odward Frenry
Not a player of rhythm games, I never expected that exploring each new section of the original NecroDancer would keep an enraptured grin plastered on my face. This spiritual sequel with a Legend of Zelda theme absolutely brought back that constant smile.
Crusader Kings II
Zoetrope
"I'm sorry we went to war, but I'm one holy site away from reforming my faith into a matriarchal warlord death religion so I can march on Rome. You want in?"
The Sims a la Paradox, write large and medieval.
Cultist Simulator
tjhowse
As any student of Histories knows, the Mansus has no walls. My house does, though.
Eliza
Frostpunk
God of War
ChocoCookies
Only game I’ve played off my PC this year other than Pokemon. Really beautiful game, keeps you hooked throughout, great gameplay and story. A must play single player adventure.
Heat Signature
Hypnospace Outlaw
shoggothic
I'm not sure I really recall what the internet was in the late '90's, but Hypnospace is a beautiful rendering of our collective fuzzy memories of it. A strange and beautiful peek into the past.
The Chowder Man lives!
Into the Breach
Magic: The Gathering Arena
Mindustry
Kane
I never enjoyed a tower defence game until this. With its Factorio-esque production chain building, Mindustry is a TD game with no downtime—always more belt to lay and factory to build—and its simple art style belies surprisingly fun and dynamic animation.
Mordhau
No Man's Sky
mrwonko
Already GOTY before the latest patches.
Pathologic 2
Jammy
A game about slowly failing to save people and watching stuff get worse. Games are fun.
Planet Zoo
Pokémon Sword and Shield
MaxPoetic (She/Her)
Snom good
Odward Frenry
A strong evolution of the franchise for a new system. The expansion on the idea of regional forms leads to constant wonder and awe exploring Galar. The addition of max raids gives a fantastic way to spend time with friends... if you can connect.
Sea of Thieves
Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm
Stardew Valley
Fiyenyaa
Genuinely partially responsible for me not revising for a bookkeeping exam as much as I should have. "I'll just play one more day, mum!" oh no it's now tomorrow.
Stellaris
Kane
Stellaris wasn't the Crusader Kings In Space game that I wanted, but as of its current version, it has agreeably crunchy micro and the best colony management in the space. The narrative events system is also laudable, and distinguishes it from its cousins.
Subnautica
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Octavius404
A key player in the Donkey Kong extended universe. I honestly don't know what to say here, either you like seeing Snake dropkick Pac-man or you don't.
Telling Lies
ChocoCookies
Sat and played through this with my wife, didn’t enjoy it quite as much as Her Story, but still a fun story and you feel like you’re really discovering it for yourself.
Tetris 99
Y2Ken
Yo, they reinvented Tetris. Again. Tetris 99 starts out gently and quickly descends into the most intense Battle Royale experience around. Inspired me to finally learn how to really, really play Tetris. Ask me anything about Tucks, T-spins, and DT Cannons.
Total War: Warhammer 2
What the Golf?
Yakuza 0
CJKinni
An incredible gateway into the Yakuza games. Mahjong for days.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Anodyne 2: Return to Dust
Space Station 13
Session
CJKinni
A new skateboarding game? Yes please. It's early access, but it's good enough to waste hours skating around the city. (Not to mention all the user-created levels.) A great opportunity to get out there and make your own digital skate part.
Earth Defense Force 5
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game
Escape from Tarkov
Fiyenyaa
I like realistic guns and I cannot lie. you other shooters can't deny. when a scav walks in with an itty bitty-
ok this bit is stupid but I love inventory tetris and bullets and containers
Katana Zero
Exapunks
IFcoltransG
This is the next in the Zachtronics lineage, polished and given some character. I considered putting Opus Magnum here, but EXAPUNKS creates more interesting challenges by limiting the ability to store data drastically. You have to consider your algorithms.
Hearts of Iron IV
Jammy
The best single-player game that lets you hate your teammates just like online.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
Prey: Mooncrash
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III
Kaytza
A 6th/8th part of a book masquerading as a 3rd, it's the collision of three arcs of plot trains whilst you're riding one as a sword-boi-protagonist-turned-dorky-teacher. Also rather disapproving of classism, capitalism, PMCs, and authoritarianism.
The Binding of Isaac
Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition
Simo517L
To nobody's surprise, this acclaimed game is actually pretty good. Not only is the story really good and the themes are explored in great ways it also the game where you can talk a surprising amount of people to death. 5 morte out of 5.
Warframe
Spad
Free-to-play space-ninja bio-mech loot-shooter skateboarding spaceship-combat fishing rpg animal-conservation game.
Street Fighter V Arcade Edition
Teamboring
Elton John sings: "It's the circle, and it moves us all". Actually he often screams this at me, getting uncomfortably close to my face, as his fingers clack a half-circle input on the d-pad causing Ken to tatsu into my character's face.
iRacing
The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective Game
Golf Story
Dark Souls: Remastered
Detroit: Become Human
DUSK
Rocket League
a bird
I actually want to git gud
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries
a bird
piloting a mech has never felt better, just a shame about the rest of the game
Dead End Job
Train Valley 2
Starsector
10 Beautiful Postcards
JUMPGRID
Gundam Breaker 3
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
Dungeons and Dragons Online
Deadly Premonition
Bollox
A detective story with heart and a stomach.
Path of Exile
Opus Magnum
Sky Rogue
Overcooked 2
ChocoCookies
Absolutely brilliant! Especially in co-op with people you know (wife and brother in law). It doesn’t matter how many times you tell them they’re on chopping, they still try and serve!
Death Road to Canada
ChocoCookies
Played this because of the podcast, listening to reviews and explanations. Such a fun game in couch co-op and once you get the recipe it’s Definately possible to complete.
What Remains of Edith Finch
Journey
Thirty Flights of Loving
Nidhogg 2
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games
Super Mario Maker 2
CJKinni
Super Mario Maker 2 offers players the opportunity to play a variety of fun, funny, challenging, and impossible levels too try. My favs are 20 second speed runs, where you master a difficult (but not impossible) 20 second course, with no margin for error.
Basketball
CJKinni
Take two baskets, put them up high
. Then get a ball. Throw the ball into the baskets. I don't have one great basketball game, but I've come to realize it's a top game - both digitally and physically.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Artifact
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Gears 5
A Tale in the Desert
Csirke
A nice and ancient crafting MMO, which is still going, and has some really unique systems. I'm not usually one to fall into MMOs, but this has managed to take up several months of my life.
Hyper Light Drifter
Devotion
To The Moon
GRIS
Her Story
Wargroove
Void Bastards
Minit
Heave Ho
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Valfaris
Tekken 7
Space Engineers
Rime
Fangz
It's really pretty, okay? There's a section where it's raining at night, and the slick shine of the dark rocks in the moonlight is just Perfect.
Raft
Rebel Galaxy Outlaw
Dirt Rally 2.0
Monster Prom
Guerric Haché
An odd premise, "competitive dating sim," turned into a fun and mostly funny experience with distinctive dialog systems, cohesive characters, and a surprising amount of both depth and approachability.
Mulaka
Guerric Haché
A lovely and fresh experience built to communicate the mythology of the Tarahumara people of Mexico, which does so in an immersive and diegetic way that bypasses the overly didactic approaches of edutainment. Love the low-poly art style as well.
Book of Demons
Guerric Haché
A very good example of a demake, taking Diablo and reducing it down to a simpler experience that nevertheless captures all the fun and feeling of the original, with some new ideas and some modern design improvements for customizing the experience.
Can Androids Pray
DEADBOLT
IFcoltransG
DEADBOLT is Gunpoint plus Mark of the Ninja. You make plans, woosh through vents, and shoot people several times in the back. Or they spot you first. For a stealth game fan, what's not to love? It even has an endearingly grim modern fantasy setting.
Objects in Space
IFcoltransG
This game has been abandoned in an incomplete bug-ridden state, yet I had a blast. A space sandbox that supports so many playstyles in an open world is irresistible. That is, 'til you hit the end of the customisation options. Heck, only three ship classes‽
Subsurface Circular
IFcoltransG
An elegant puzzle narrative game. It fits a lot into its dialogue system, and a lot more into the characters that use it. 2019 was my second playthrough, and it remained great, if short. It's parsecs ahead of its spiritual sequel "Quarantine Circular".
Imperator: Rome
Jammy
I played as Etruria and conquered Rome. Thank you game for letting me live out this fantasy. Honestly the game is a bit bland, but I gotta represent my boar bois.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
Superliminal
Mass Effect 2
Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales
Dragon Age II
Audica
Phantom Doctrine
Project Hospital
Kane
It's probably the best management sim of this millennium, but that's only part of it. Take control of a patient's diagnosis yourself, and it becomes one of the best investigation games ever made. No game has better realised Holmesian deduction than this.
KeeperRL
Valkyria Chronicles 4
Kaytza
Not-World War II given a gorgeously painterly brush, whilst also reminding you wars suck in-between lighthearted banter. Basically the anime of Band of Brothers, but takes always unexpected swerves into Bad Town. And a squaddie has the power "Team Dad".
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Teamfight Tactics
Remnant: From the Ashes
Heart of the Woods
The Elder Scrolls Online
malkav11
More than any of the offline Elder Scrolls games, ESO is the one I keep coming back to. It's got an astonishing amount and caliber of writing for an MMO, and a much more comprehensive piece of Tamriel than available elsewhere. And the stabbing is better.
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
malkav11
A remarkably satisfying melding of exploration, survival, difficult narrative decision making and remarkably versatile card-chaining conflict mechanics. Add excellent twists on Arthurian myth and it's a boardgame experience like no other before it.
The Legend of Bum-bo
Dragon Quest XI
MaxPoetic (She/Her)
There have been 11 of these mainline games that's how you know it's good. Also the NPCs all talk in British dialects that are all typed out exactly how they sound and it's got a really good sense of humour.
Get Switch version if ye can.
Mega Man Battle Network 5
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard
Bright Memory
Ikaruga
Quake
Islanders
The Witness
mrwonko
The perfect first impression. Now I just need to play the rest. 🙈
Overcooked
mrwonko
Lovely local coop chaos.
Splatoon 2
nat
I finally got a Switch last year. Jet Squid Radio is the only thing I play anymore. I have become octopus.
Throw Cubes into Brick Towers To Collapse Them
nat
I've plugged dozens of hours into this daft physics toy since writing about it. It's just delightful. A lovely time-killer.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Marvel Puzzle Quest
Grand Theft Auto Online
Unrailed!
Stationeers
The Red Strings Club
Chris Thursten's Photoshopped Face
Wildermyth
Celeste
Transport Fever 2
The Talos Principle
SUPERHOT VR
A Bewitching Revolution
Anodyne
Simo517L
A pretty fun Zelda like, with aesthetic drawn from the Gameboy era. Just with a bit more color and better writing.
Shovel Knight: King of Cards
Super
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, as a compilation, is my ALL-TIME favourite game. ALL. TIME. This is a wonderful capstone and probably the grandest of them yet. It's brimming with content. Not as tight as the others due to its grand scope, it's still a joy.
Yakuza Kiwami
Super
It's better than the original which isn't saying much. It's one of the poorest-paced Yakuza stories and the mechanics are iffy, but it's still Yakuza, and that's cool. If you are interested, start with Y0, coming from a veteran. Best intro to Yakuza.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Super
Gorgeous remake of a classic game; prerendered graphics aren't dead! Also note superb voicework that didn't exist in the original!
DARK SOULS: Prepare To Die Edition
Takuna
I have a problem and I don't want to get better. It's still the best game ever and I love doing new, thematic playthroughs with friends.
Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin
Takuna
Yes, my problems extend to the other Souls games too, and I don't know if I'll ever stop playing them. This one's better than people give it credit for!
Spider-Man
Teamboring
Full disclosure: Spider-man is a good friend of mine, so this review may have some bias. That said, he's a very cool guy. Jump good, swing good, and makes a mean pork dumpling.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Teamboring
In 2020 the new Animal Crossing is released. This is the death of my town Clemency. It's bitter-sweet, to say goodbye to friends, and a town. I mean they'll still be there but they'll not be new. To stop being sad I'll destroy my cartridge. Never look back
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labryinth
Dwarf Fortress
Europa Universalis IV
ThomasWestergaard
Europa Universalis IV were in 2019 once again my most played game it have been that every year since release in 2013 it really is a masterwork of a strategy game and has only gotten more interesting over time
Cities: Skylines
ThomasWestergaard
Cities Skylines is seemingly a game about roads n economy but for me is it a game about downloading hundreds of different power lines, road markings, foliage, soviet era apartment blocks, Japanese vending machines then choke the cpu of my personal computer
Anno 1800
Warhammer: Vermintide 2
Borderlands 2
Judgment
West of Loathing
Dissembler
velleic
A chance find on Steam. Panel-flipping puzzles with very satisfying clicks as everything snaps into place. Relaxed enough to let you learn as you play, complex enough to have Those Levels you just can't crack and become obsessed with defeating.
Metro Exodus
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Yoku's Island Express
GreedFall
Parkitect
Zoetrope
I'm coming for you RCT, I'm modern, more sophisticated but still isometric. Design rides with scenery with ease in a game that strikes a balance between the Planet Coasters and the OG RCT.
Great use of the steam workshop too.
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus