2019
On paper, it looks like an impossible task to follow up 2018, as industry-defining games like God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2 raised the bar for what the standard should be.
Despite this, 2019 was, just like the year before it, a hell of an amazing year for video games. From chaotic shooting in Apex Legends to force fun in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order to magical space adventures in the Outer Wilds, just about every release made an impact this year.
On top of that, only two months into the year, the Resident Evil 2 remake blew expectations out of the water, as new and old players alike raved about the title’s puzzles, gameplay, and terrifying antagonist, Mr. X.
Summer was just as hot for 2019, seeing the release of the gothic Metroidvania, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and the Nintendo Switch tactical RPG, Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
When it comes down to the stand out titles for the most recent year though, it’s two brand new IPs that stole the spotlight: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Death Stranding.
Acclaimed for its Souls-bourne combat, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice managed to entice many that had no interest in the genre when it released in mid-2019.
Its captivating world and the unique creatures that coincide with its challenging gameplay are sure to thank for that, as I for one enjoyed a game in the genre for the first time while playing it.
Last but not least is Death Stranding. This is a game that has garnered so much hype, that it didn’t seem possible that it could live up to the expectations set for it.
Yet, for many, not only did it reach those goals, it exceeded them.
Ever-evolving landscapes, supreme voice acting, and overall gameplay innovation are just a few of the things that managed to make Death Stranding one of the most bizarre and fascinating experiences ever created.
As we stated for 2018 though, there was still a surprising amount of “what were they thinking” released in 2019 as well. Among those disappointments are Left Alive, Wolfenstein: Youngblood, and Anthem, another list of games that with reputable names behind their development that just didn’t turn out well.
