2019 was another huge year for me. I directed GenerOZity 6 within PAX Australia and managed an entire theater for the duration of a weekend as we raised 40,000 AUD for cancer research. Side-project podcast I edit and produce, I Speak Giant was officially sponsored by Wizards of the Coast for 10 episodes with live streams! The distillery that I have been dreaming about and planning for the past 5+ years, Ballmer Peak Distillery had its grand opening and has become wonderful success. Ontop of all that I took over for Will as editor in chief here at MonsterVine. I wouldn’t have been able to do half as much without the support of my teams, friends and family. Enough about me and my year outside of video games, let’s get into the best games I played in 2019.
5. Disco Elysium
I don’t typically like CRPGs or point-and-click adventure games, yet the writing and dynamic storytelling nature of Disco Elysium was so compelling I pushed through to see as much as I can. Relatable, dark and often unsettling, all taking place in one city block.
4. Void Bastards
The comic-book set dressings, with the funny and absurd character traits made Void Bastards my favorite run-based-roguelike-lite of 2019. The classic corridor shooter gameplay with a meta-goal and progression had me saying ‘okay, one more run’ late into many nights.
3. Untitled Goose Game
Never before in a game has a goose been so accurately portrayed. The fluid animation and accurate goose behavior brought back childhood trauma of when I was nearly pulled into a lake by a goose just like the one in Untitled Goose Game. Wreaking havoc on a town, full of goose hating people became a satisfying relaxation of mayhem and destruction,
2. Creature in the Well
Everything about Creature in the Well kept drawing me back in for more. My time dedicated for video games in 2019 was precious, but night after night I kept going back to the well with this one. The wonderful art direction blended well with the mysterious story and challenging pinball inspired action-combat. I unlocked every achievement in this game, and I still go back and play it.
1. Control
Remedy has created something absolutely incredible with Control. The rich depth of world building is unparalleled. I found myself reading every document, listening to every piece of dialog and even just walking around and exploring the detailed environments, wanting to learn more and experience as much of the universe as I could. I have not been as excited for a game to release DLC in a very long time, and Control is a game I can see myself replaying over and over in years to come.
With new consoles, the era of game streaming and new graphical leaps like ray-tracing 2020 is going to be quite an exciting year for video games, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
