Kurt of Cambridge's Best Games of 2019

 

As other, brighter folks have pointed out, 2019 seems a key transitional year for the games industry as all hands prepare for the next (maybe last?) console generation. Questions abound about the future, about the culture in and around the medium, and about the responsibilities those in power must face.

Let us turn, then, to the titles I felt stood strongest (in my own experience) during this past year. These works not only impressed and endeared themselves to me, they illustrated the thankless labour and dedication of people in the industry who - let's not beat around the bush - deserve far better.

5) Blazing Chrome

Is it shameless in building itself upon the foundational gameplay and sci-fi action imagery of the Contra games? Yes. Does that make it any less of an impressive rendition of that same style of run-and-gun action? Not one bit.

Blazing Chrome starts off with absurd excess and never really lets up, thoroughly basking in over-the-top frenzied gunfights against robotic and extraterrestrial insect foes. Its aesthetic, pacing, level structure and order, even its musical choices feel ripped straight from the SNES days. That it’s also sufficiently challenging – possibly to an overwhelming degree – just adds to the sheer authenticity of its homage.

It’s certainly not going to be to everyone’s liking; as is the case with the sorts of late-80s action games Blazing Chrome so clearly emulates, the difficulty curve is daunting even on the easiest setting. But in a year where an official Contra follow-up came and went with barely a second glance, this stands strong as a viable alternative. And that last level’s a thing of beauty. 

4) The Walking Dead: The Final Season(...’s backhalf, since the first half came out last year)

There’s so much to discuss about that which befell Telltale Games – the mismanagement, the crunch culture, the abrupt shutdown and (it would seem, unlawful) firing of its staff, even the matter of its possible revival under new masters. Going into the remaining two episodes of The Walking Dead’s last season with all of that looming, it makes for a complicated critique if one seeks to be thorough and considerate of all involved, which I do.

As it stands, the third and fourth episodes of The Final Season are near-perfect encapsulations of what made Telltale’s team and their approach so endearing in the first place. Quiet moments of humanity and friendship in the face of societal breakdown, heartrending turns into tragic and gruesome territory – it’s strong narrative work. A fine end to Clementine and company’s tale, even after all the strife in- and out-of-fiction.

3) The Outer Worlds

Taking the open-world design and slyly critical tone of Fallout: New Vegas would already have been a savvy decision. Using that same design approach for a new intellectual property, one that focuses on a far-future pop-art rendition of unchecked capitalist and colonialist rhetoric, would be downright inspired.

That Obsidian did all of that and then layered in a multitude of harsh yet provocative moral quandaries, brilliant companion quests with concern for nuance and personal growth, and a character progression system that lets players go wild with roleplaying opportunities is out-and-out astounding. The Outer World shows up to play, it doesn't fuck around with themes and ideas lightly, and it's exquisite from start to finish.

2) Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Koji Igarashi went and made the Symphony of the Night successor he evidently wanted to make for ages. He did that. Technical issues aside, Bloodstained delivers on a very particular, and considered mix of eccentric flourishes and explorative side-scroller action that’s hard not to at least admire in its earnestness.

The monsters vary in shape and nature of threat yet continually stand as remarkably grotesque design. The setting’s a wonderful throwback to the likes of Dracula’s Castle, a multi-level maze of passages and escalating challenges that rewards curiosity like nobody’s business. The character building’s deceptively deep, the side-quests charming in their focus on altruism and supporting local denizens.

Peeling back the layers of this great title, seeing what Iga and his team brought to the table, was a sincere honour and privilege. 

1) Devil May Cry V

Not even the bizarre, ultimately pointless inclusion of microtransactions could undermine this beautiful, twisted work of action game design. That's a hell of a feat, even for a series whose batting average ain't half-bad to begin with.

Devil May Cry V looks magnificent with its warped and cruelly-devastated cityscapes, its demonic flesh tunnels and legions of strange hostile beings. It delivers on variety in its combat, in the distinctiveness of its three leads, in the unexpected depth of its equipment and ability upgrade trees. It's fast and enthralling and utterly committed to a brand of eccentric dark rock energy I don't think I've seen in ages.

Capcom had a really good 2019, and for me Devil May Cry V was the best illustration of this. Ain't much more to be said.