Dustin's Poorly Written Top 10 Games of 2019

2019 was a weird year for me and games. I played a lot of really great games this year but I also bounced off of them earlier on and quite a bit. I also had a more difficult time trying to order this list. Not because each game had an impact on me in a particular way. Because what I had played felt more or less the same as games I have already played. Some of the stuff on this list I haven't finished, one game in particular is definitely out of left field. But despite what I've written here I did enjoy everything I have played this year, and I can't wait to see what next year brings.

Honorable Mentions

• Apex Legends
• Devil May Cry 5
• Mortal Kombat 11
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
• Pokemon: Sword

10. Fortnite Chapter 2

I know it’s cool to hate in the popular thing, but for the past few years every time I’ve played Fortnite I’ve had a good time. I have spent most of my time in the Battle Royal mode, as I’m sure most players have. The changes they have made with every season have seen mixed results from players. My favorite changes they made came with the introduction of Chapter 2, which simplified the game back to when it launched, with a few additions.

9. Kingdom Hearts III

Kingdom Hearts III is a really good PlayStation 2 game that just happened to come out on the PlayStation 4 in 2019. While its game play is stuck in 2004, and its story is completely incomprehensible without playing the 800 spin-offs or watching a few YouTube videos, had a good time with this game. I’m glad I could see some kind of conclusion to this series even after 17 years.

8. Borderlands 3

This was the first game I bought when I moved into my new house. It was the thing I needed after I came home after work, to keep my mind off things. Of course, I turned off the dialogue and just played the game and had a really relaxing time.

7. Cadence of Hyrule - Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda

What’s to say about this game. It’s a Zelda game with a mix of Crypt of the NecroDancer gameplay mechanics and music remixes. And it rules because of it.

6. What the Golf?

What the Golf is a delightful, weird game that masks itself as a mini golf like game then it completely subverts your expectations by using the same gameplay mechanics and change how you interact with the world. One moment you’re playing golf, next you’re playing a 2D platformer, later it turns into the game Superhot. This is a game that always kept me on my toes and made me laugh out loud more than anything else this year.

5. Gears 5

Despite the over the top violence that Gears is most known for, the series had a lot of heart, and Gears 5 has both in strides. Gears does a fantastic job making you fall in love with its characters, yes even Baird, and that’s why this game sits on my list.

4. Death Stranding

Oh boy, this game. I have not finished Death Stranding as of this writing, I don’t know if I ever will. But I do enjoy and appreciate the heck out of it. That’s right, I enjoy the game where you play a delivery boy. Its writing isn’t subtle, the systems are obtuse, but there’s just something zen about taking a giant backpack of packages and delivering them. It’s kinda wild that I enjoy a game with that game play loop.

3. Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel

Here's the wild card! Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition is a Game Boy Advance game that was released in 2003, that I just happened to reconnect with. It's just the card game in its original form from 2003. I reconnected with this game after I moved into my new house. I think it has something to do with making a huge change in my adult life using this video game based on a children's card game based on a Japanese anime to reconnect with the 11 to 14 year old me, and because it's a fun card game.

2. Super Mario Maker 2

I love the first Mario Maker, so it's really no surprise that I like the second. It's a bit of a tighter experience, the new items and backgrounds are super well implemented. At the end of the day, it's more Mario Maker, and that's always a good thing.

1. STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order

Respawn Entertainment, is not known for making third person action games, but in their first attempt they NAILED IT. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an amazing playing, well designed, well told Star Wars adventure. From the moment you start swinging your Lightsaber you feel like a Jedi, and as you progress and learn more skills you feel even more like one. While it's story is pretty standard Star Wars fair it's well told, acted, and kept me guessing on what was going to happen next.