Gaming wise this was a good year for them. There’s been a lot of good stuff, but ever since like July it’s been a non-stop feeling of good games coming out. It’s nice.
This is the short version of my end of year list, this one (1) will include my favourites of my favourites, some were included in the other, longer, list and some aren’t.
I’m not putting these games against each other for the sake of “does this game have a better story”, “does it have better mechanics’ ‘ or anything like that. Because obviously a lot of games just aren’t comparable in that sense, these are just games I really liked because they really resonated with me and made my year more bearable.
9. Fights in Tight Spaces
When a game reminds you of another game that you found to be one (1) of the best games you’ve played, yet doesn’t make you want to play that game you know it’s great.
Fights in Tight Spaces gives me a lot of what I loved about Into the Breach. Manipulate your enemies into attacking each other, put them into the prime position for an instant kill.
One (1) of the best deck-builders out there right, up there beside Slay the Spire and Griftlands.
8. Hitman 3
Hitman at its best ever. Hitman 3 is the end of the new trilogy and whilst the trilogy hasn’t changed all that much when it comes to how you play them it just shows how strong that core is.
Go to some of the best locations the series has to offer and if you own the others you can play them all inside Hitman 3. It’s all three (3) games in one (1) package. The best package. Hitman 3 started the year off strong and has still kept a place in my mind since.
It’s also getting added to VR in January, so it will definitely still be something I’m going to play.
7. Gnosia
Gnosia was a very comforting game for this year. Its structure and gameplay loop made it the perfect game to play on my switch whilst lying in bed.
The ability to alter what types of roles people can have, how many characters are in each game. You can change it so it fits what mood you’re in at the time. It’s a really nice change of pace to other games that rely on multiplayer to decide what type of experience you have.
6. Dorfromantik
Another relaxing game. This time a city-builder where you place tiles on what I can best describe as a board.
You’re given a random assortment of tiles to place, some of them will start little quests where you place more of the same close together. Doing this will earn you more score and also give you more tiles to place.
It’s still in early access and getting better. There’s a more relaxed mode now that lets you build until you’re satisfied. It’s really nice.
5. Mundaun
Incredible horror game that will have you pushing towards the mountain peak to find answers.
Get your pitchfork and fight, mainly hide, against creatures that will unsettle you. Read pages to improve your skills, find coffee ingredients to make some and then increase your health. Feel a real sense of place and progress as you find yourself in a world that will draw you in each minute you continue playing.
4. Cruelty Squad
Steal organs and sell them on the stock market.
Cruelty Squad changed the way I view art and mainly my own. It was really empowering in a way to see a game include visuals that would be considered so ugly be talked about with reverence by the developer. It wasn’t a game ugly because it was quirky, it’s just as pretty as any other game that would be praised for its graphics. To see that type of confidence made me experiment just that bit more with my own art and changed how I view others.
Cruelty Squad is absurd in a lot of ways, but damn looking at the world today it’s looking less and less absurd.
3. Valheim/ Gunfire Reborn
I think both of these games are incredible on their own. Valheim is an amazing game to just explore and roleplay in. Gunfire Reborn is a superb rogue-lite game that just feels so good to play.
The reason I’ve put these games together is that what they gave me was the same and that was giving me the opportunity to spend them with my partner. There’s no doubt that my partner has made this year all the more bearable. Getting to spend so many hours through these games with them when I couldn’t be with them in person has been a joy that other games haven’t been able to give me.
Exploring different islands and just talking about our experiences in Valheim. Crafting a boat and sailing to them because they were in a rough situation.
Playing multiple runs of Gunfire together, talking about synergy and sharing items with each other. Pushing ourselves to go that little bit further, the nightmare difficulty is no joke.
That time I got to spend with them in these games has made them unforgettable and I’m truly happy that I got to experience them with someone I love so deeply.
2. Nix Umbra
As many have said before, the fear of the unknown is powerful and shit has that never been as clear here.
Nix Umbra changes each time you play, you have no idea of what you’ll run into each time you start it up. Walk through a forest starting off with your dagger that will light the way. Be surrounded by the darkness that will swallow your mind whole if you think about it for too long, you’ll never know what may crawl out from that darkness.
1. Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts 1 is a great game, I finished just before 2 came out. It’s that PS2 era game that still holds in ways, maybe not the meat circus or its approach to mental health. However, 2 is just miles beyond what that game was.
Psychonaut 2 is pure, it shows a lot of sides to the human mind. It’s about boundaries, family and identity. So much of it is so heartwarming, it’s hard not to tear up in its most vulnerable moments. It shows a team that has matured since the first one (1) and a more diverse team.
It’s an incredible platformer, it is ever-changing right till the end. Yeah the combat might not be that good but this isn’t about what is perfect because no game is ever going to be perfect. But emotionally this game is perfect to me, it reminds me so much of what I love about playing games.
