One sure-fire way to ensure that you only purchase the best games is to look at game awards. The releases with the most Game of the Year (GOTY) awards are certain to be amazing games you’ll want to play.
Fortunately, we’ve gathered all of the games that received the most commendations from 2019 in one place. Hopefully, these will help you decide which titles you need to check out.
Untitled Goose Game
Won: D.I.C.E. Award
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Untitled Goose Game was a surprise hit in 2019. Indie studio House House released the game to little fanfare but it quickly became a viral sensation. This was in large part due to its quirky premise, which involved putting players in charge of an annoying goose.
At its heart, it is a puzzle game that forces players to use stealth, quick wit, and cunning. The ultimate goal is to just cause as much mayhem in a charming English village as possible. This can involve stealing items from the inhabitants, locking them away inside buildings, or just breaking their belongings.
Full of humor and a distinct lack of violence, Untitled Goose Game is a fun game for players of all ages to enjoy.
The Outer Worlds
Won: Destructoid, New York Game Awards
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Obsidian Entertainment has a reputation for creating brilliant RPGs. They have worked on franchises such as Fallout, Knights of the Old Republic, and Pillars of Eternity. The latest effort from the studio is The Outer Worlds, a futuristic sci-fi role-playing set on distant planets. Essentially, it takes the Fallout formula and blasts it into space.
The end result is a game that is actually far superior to the most recent Fallout games. The Outer Worlds is an RPG that is full of compelling characters, interesting companions, and intriguing worlds to explore. Although relatively short, it is packed with replay value thanks to the different ways you can approach every scenario.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Won: The Game Awards, Easy Allies, and GameSpot
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
You could easily make a case for FromSoftware being one of the most influential developers of the last decade. When they released Dark Souls, it saw a huge shift in how players perceived difficult games. Players loved the game and its sequels because of the incredible challenge it offered and the mysterious worlds to explore. So, when FromSoftware announced Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, fans were understandably excited.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice did not disappoint them. Switching to a historic Japanese setting, the game features a more fluid and faster-paced combat system. Of course, the traditional tough-as-nails gameplay was still present but the action is more refined than ever.
Resident Evil 2
Won: Golden Joystick Awards, Empire, and Hardcore Gamer
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The current generation of consoles has seen publishers and developers release a slurry of remakes. Hundreds of classic games have been revived with updated graphics and new features. However, when Capcom came to bring back their survival horror game from 1998, they went the extra mile.
The 2019 edition of Resident Evil 2 not only features upgraded looks and performance, but the developers reworked the gameplay completely. The action is no longer set on rails, with the player able to navigate around the world from a third-person perspective. This significantly improves the movement and shooting, giving users more control. Fortunately, the studio left everything else untouched so that this remake remains faithful to the exceptional original.
Disco Elysium
Won: USgamer, OnlySP, Slant Magazine, and PC Gamer
Platform: PC
Inspired by classic RPGs from BioWare, Disco Elysium is a role-playing game where the players control a detective. The main aim of the game is to solve a murder case, battling against various personal problems and obstacles in your way.
Unlike many other RPGs, though, Disco Elysium shuns combat. Rather, it puts the emphasis entirely on conversations and skill checks. This creates a deep narrative told through dialogue with the inhabitants of the rich fictional world. There is a huge degree of freedom and choice in the game that few others have ever successfully managed to pull off. This results in an expertly-written story that you just have to experience.
Outer Wilds
Won: Edge, Giant Bomb, Polygon, The Guardian, and Eurogamer
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Not to be confused with the similarly named The Outer Worlds, Outer Wilds is an action-adventure game. Taking inspiration from games like Majora’s Mask, it features a repeating time mechanic, forcing players to relive the same moments. You take on the role of an astronaut trapped on a planet about to explode in a supernova. With just 22 minutes until death, the aim is to experiment and learn information that will help you survive longer in each cycle. This tense gameplay loop is accompanied by an emotional and personal narrative, making it a must-play title.
Control
Won: Ars Technica, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Game Informer, GamesRadar+, and IGN
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The work of Remedy Entertainment, Control is an action-adventure game that received critical acclaim. Players take control of a woman called Jesse who must explore a mysterious building filled with supernatural phenomena. As you search for her missing brother, you delve deep into the Oldest House. What makes the game stand out is a special weapon that has mystical powers. You can upgrade it with a dedicated skill tree to perform all kinds of impressive feats. Combined with stylish graphics and a great plot, Control ends up being one of the best and most innovative games of the last few years.
What do you think is the best game of the year? Sound off in the comments below!
Category: Articles
