2019 still ain’t over, but in its first half, there has been pretty highly anticipated releases of video games that we wanted to highlight in this article. Most of the video games released in this year (so far) come from smaller independent developers. But let us tell you this, their budget counterparts might not be big, but their ability to challenge our minds upstages our expectations. Let’s not forget the big games like Super Mario Maker 2 and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Take a look at which other games we included in our list of the best games of 2019 so far.
1. Tetris 99
The iconic puzzle got its new and improved version this year. We can say that Tetris 99 is a battle royale-esque competitive multiplayer game. We think that Tetris is just perfect the way it is, but this new addition to the game where you can add trash lines to the players you are competing against, and they can do the same to you, adds to the adrenaline and emulous elements of the game.
2. Devil May Cry 5
Devil May Cry 5 follows a trio of warriors with demonic powers: Dante, Nero, and a new protagonist named V, as they try to stop the Demon King Urizen from destroying the human world. Each character has their way of fighting and becoming stronger, and you can use either of them in different missions. The game is balanced to both newcomers and returning games, so it doesn’t matter if you haven’t played Devil May Cry 4, or any other before. The game is full of objects like blood fountains, detachable weapon arms, bike swords, murded hats, and also romantic poetry, and all that will add up to the amazing experience and stimulating your brain.
3. Kids
If you have ever played Plug & Play, then you will know what to expect from this art game in manners of how awesome it could be. Just like previously mentioned one, Kids is also designed by Swiss duo Michael Frei and Mario von Rickenbach. Zooming in on aspects of the human experience is visible with the use of minimalist and telling design here. The game isn’t long, on average it takes about 15-30 minutes for a player to finish it, but it is extremely satisfying.
4. My Friend Pedro
This game allows players to traverse numerous themed levels by killing enemies in creative ways. Building your kill count and finding different ways to use the surrounding environment to do it is what this game is all about. Sounds like a typical killing game, but it contains a dose of weirdness, starting with the story in which a floating, talking banana Pedro sends you on a mission of vengeance. The games allow you to slow time, kick objects or enemies, split their aim between targets and dodge bullets by spinning.
5. Baba Is You
Baba Is You is a puzzle video game that is different from other puzzle games because of the manipulation of rules, which are represented by titles with words written on them. The titular character Baba is controlled by a player, that uses this manipulation to reach a specified goal. Here are some of the rules and their meanings: “Baba Is You” means you control Baba, “Flag Is Win” means you need to touch the flag to win, “Wall Is Stop” means you can’t walk through walls, and “Rock Is Push” means you can push rocks. It is up to the player to grab movable word tiles and linking operators and to manipulate them to create or modify rules, or to say to arrange statements to their advantage. This puzzle game is on another level and it will test your brain in new ways.
6. Cadence of Hyrule
Music, characters, and settings from The Legend of Zelda series and the rhythm-based gameplay of Crypt of the NecroDancer are all combined into this indie rhythm roguelike video game Cadence of Hyrule. Composer Danny Baranowsky remixed and reimagined songs for the game. The player chooses to play as either Link or Princess Zelda the majority of the game. Venturing across the overworld and competing for certain quests can be interrupted by enemies in an area, and then the player needs to move and attack in time to the music. Extra rewards and bonus multipliers are gained for maintaining the beat.
7. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
As we already said, 2019 isn’t over, but Sekiro might be the most challenging game in this year. Like many games, this one takes place in fictional areas, but it is interesting that some areas are inspired by real-world buildings and locations in Japan. The story follows a shinobi, known as Wolf, while he is seeking revenge on a samurai clan who attacked him and kidnapped his lord. This game is all about patience and figuring out how enemies work, where players have to be tactical and smart instead of bloodthirsty.
8. Life Is Strange 2
In this game the player takes control of Sean Diaz, who is on the run from the police with his younger brother Daniel. The choices the player makes will affect Daniel’s behaviors and will lead to different branches in the storyline. Life Is Strange 2 doesn’t feel like a sequel of the first Life Is Strange, it is more like a spiritual successor. In the series of trials and tragedies, police brutality, xenophobia and such, two brothers will learn what family means and how it feels to be on your own.
9. Super Mario Maker 2
Super Mario is one of the most loveable and most famous games in the world. This sequel to the first game has added great options such as creating your own Mario levels, playing through levels created by others, skipping the whole Maker aspect and play through the story mode with over 100 levels, and much more. Each level is set with a time limit, style and theme.
10. Resident Evil 2
This game is a remake of the 1998 game with the same title, and the player controls police officer Leon S. Kennedy who is trying to escape the Raccoon City during a zombie apocalypse. The effects of the disaster are visible everywhere. The streets are filled with the undead, and the police station has been torn apart. Grave danger and unseen terror are the things Leon is facing. Trying to escape the disaster has never seemed harder.
