2019 has certainly been a year, and while it’s had its ups and downs, I’d like to think it’s been a pretty strong one for games — in part because the expected crop of sequels, franchise entries, and long-anticipated debuts fell surprisingly flat, clearing the field for new and unusual titles to have time in the spotlight.
HIGH Excellent writing, dialogue, and visuals.
LOW Superfluous combat, hard-to-read UI.
WTF Please give the man in the moon mascot head a hug.
HIGH Affecting dialog and top-flight world-building.
LOW Rough edges can undermine the narrative impact.
WTF Put on your seatbelt, lady!
HIGH A brilliant concept and a charming aesthetic.
LOW Not much in the way of “traditional” puzzles.
WTF Not sure how to feel about organizing things as entertainment
HIGH Expanded scope leans into building communities than structures.
LOW Combat’s worse, new focus may not satisfy involved builders.
WTF DQB2 feels like a spoiler minefield for 1987’s Dragon Quest 2.
HIGH Refined systems, upgraded graphics, and the same sense of speed.
LOW Perfunctory multiplayer and poorer performance on Switch.
WTF What future Fate games will be colonized by Fate/Grand Order?
HIGH A brilliant sci-fi story backed by high-quality visuals…
LOW …at times undermined by minor technical quibbles
WTF This looks good, but I do miss the old art style.
HIGH A beautiful pixel-art style covering a fascinating topic…
LOW …with mechanics that drain the topic of all life.
WTF I kind of wish this was a screensaver instead.
HIGH Solid writing and intricate ensemble plotting
LOW Fiddly controls for something that could be played on a Kindle…
WTF They made a great adventure game out of meme-worthy stock photos!
HIGH A wild and wacky anime-tinged adventure awaits….
LOW …If you can put up with the constant padding and awkward-as-heck structure
WTF Of all things, why a Punch Line game in 2018?
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