As someone who likes odd games, 2019 was a good year. I actually struggled to put together a list of my top 5, there was such a bounty. I even cheated and added an Honorable Mention for one of this year’s AAA sweethearts. (Sorry Austin!)
Cliff Empire
I enjoy city builders, and this one has an interesting premise and minimal graphics style that makes playing really enjoyable. The mechanics are as you would expect for a city builder, but the look and feel of the city as you progress is very pleasing. It is simple and futuristic. In a weird way, it also gives me hope that we may survive global warming? Haha?
Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard
Ridiculously adorable, much like the first game The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective Game. Naming convention aside (I would really laugh if the third one was a completely different naming convention), it’s a sweet mystery with lots of heart. A very wholesome game, safe for kids and adults with a sense of humour. It is very short, so keep that in mind. Worth it, though!
Jenny LeClue – Detectivu
I’ve been waiting for Jenny LeClue to drop for ages. I supported it on Kickstarter and have had a keen eye on it since. The graphic style is gorgeous, the gameplay is fun. I love the hunt for stickers – I actually spent time decorating the front of my journal when I found a new cool sticker. The story had me up and down, and the idea of the story’s writer being right there alongside you is awesome. I actually worried for him! This one could be safe for kids if they do okay with horror themes.
Control
I am in love with this game. The setting feels Twin Peaks-esque, and somehow still in the late 80s, early 90s. The wood panelling, the VHS-style videos, the creepy kids’ shows. The theming alone around the game is amazing, and then you get into the story itself. I devoured every conversation, every memo. I love this universe, it really scratches that mystery itch for me. I love feeling like there’s so much out there for my character to eventually explore. The only minor issues I had were mastering boss fights and the occasional tracking back over well-trodden ground. I genuinely didn’t want it to end.
Disco Elysium
Amazing. I never thought I’d be keen on another washed-up grizzled detective story again, it’s such an old story. Disco Elysium is so well done, that I hardly noticed the trope framework it rested on. It cropped up from time to time, but it felt very natural. The skill system was interesting if a bit hard to master. The story itself is stellar. The choice is – no matter if you choose to be a good person or a terrible person – one of the more interesting things in the game. It showed how recklessly easy it is to fall into ideas or ideals if you don’t pay attention. It’s very obvious that your character internalising ideas means you open up other dialogue options – but also you treat people differently. It feels like the end result of a thought experiment. The world and environment are interesting but feel less vibrant than the story happening within them. It feels less like the world is living, and more like the characters are forcing it to live – which also kept me moving through the game. Graphically, it’s a gorgeous off-beat style that is reminiscent of a moving painting. A truly unique experience.
Honorable Mention: STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order
This isn’t a weird game, but it was a lot of fun. I didn’t go in expecting much other than a Star Wars-skinned Uncharted game. While that is pretty much what I got, it was still a fun experience. There are a few things I wasn’t quite keen on throughout the game – some story elements, some issues with climbing, the area map design – but overall it’s still a pretty good game. Plenty of fun, padded out by lore collection and aesthetic items.
