This article originally ran under a different banner/website in January of 2019 and is now being here re-uploaded for purposes of convenience and consolidation. Please enjoy.
Happy New Year, my followers!!! With the new year barely in bloom, I would like to sit back for a moment and talk about some of the games from the previous year that I think you should try. Yes, I the Doomsayer, am doing a top five games of 2018. Now my rules for my top five are as follow: number one, the order of the games based on their release date. I believe each game does something different and unique that makes it near impossible to rank them. One doesn’t argue on whether Micheal Jordan is a better athlete than John Elway as both of these athletes were aiming to do different things. My second rule is only games I have reviewed can make it onto my top five list. So you will probably see games uncommon for most other’s top five list. I will also admit some of these games are incredibly flawed, but that might be what drew me to them. I will also admit many console exclusives won’t be on this list; something I might have to remedy in 2019.
The Red Strings Club
What do you get when you mix Blade Runner, bartending, hacking and clay sculpting? You get one of the cleverest games to come out in 2018. Curiosity of developer Deconstructeam and publisher Devolver Digital, The Red Strings Club is easily the best-written game on this list. I probably spent most of the game tilting my head to the side to say uhh. Constantly making you question your views on free will and thought. On top of the incredible dialogue, the puzzles are some of the most innovative I have seen. Never have I been presented a puzzle, only for me to instantly start scheming on the possible paths I could take to solve them. By mixing certain drinks to trigger certain emotions to get various responses, made me feel like a natural Sherlock Holmes. Comparisons to the Baker Street detective continue as I was able to converse the correct answer from my patrons as your mouth will probably drop after your patron spills their secret. If you are a fan of cyberpunk, detective games, or are looking for something unique, take a trip to The Red Strings Club.
Double Kick Heroes
I’ll admit this game is kinda special to me. Not only is this the first game I got to try out at my first PAX event, but it is also the first review I published. The game becomes insanely difficult on higher difficulties and you might find your fingers getting tangled up in knots, it’s a genuine love for metal makes up for its flaws. I probably said it in my review, but it really does feel like a game by metal fans for metal fans. Not just your standard Metallica or Disturbed fan, Headbang Club shows off their deep affection for metal by including multiple different styles. Double KIck Heroes soundtrack includes alternative metal, punk metal, hair metal, industrial metal, and even a Baby Metal inspired track. On top of that, Double Kick Heroes is an excellent example of an early access game done right. Since the last time I reviewed the game, Headbang Club (amazing name by the way) has not only continued adding to the story mode with additional tracks but also added a level editor mode where you can create your own levels and upload them to the community. All I can say is rock on, Double Kick Heroes, rock on.
The Missing: J.J. MacField and the Island of Memories
2017 was a great year for horror with titles like Resident Evil 7, Doki Doki Literature Club, and Evil Within 2. I will admit, they all got me hyped for horror in the coming year. Little did I know, that this year would be a disappointing one for horror games. With Bendy and the Ink Machine highlighting the issues with the episodic formula and Infliction taking more cues from Layers of Fear than PT, I felt all was lost for one of my favorite genres. Luckily, legendary director Swery swoops in to save the year with his puzzle-platformer The Missing: J.J. MacField and the Island of Memories. While the game can be slowed down with cumbersome animations and obtuse puzzles, there is a thick layer of creepiness draped over The Missing. The cryptic messages from Emily and friends, the unsettling sounds made from J.J. being dismembered, and the terrifying Hairshrieker chasing scenes all work to make the eeriest game that I have played in 2018.
Darksiders 3
Now some of you might be confused with this entry to my list. Those who read my review might remember me not being too kind to Darksiders 3. Some might think that Darksiders 3’s nomination is a result of the pool of games I had to choose from not being big enough, but I disagree. As I reflect on my time with Darksiders 3, my frustrations seem to fade away as I recall the sense of accomplishment I felt from taking down the sins. Sure, those minutes wasted on that annoying skeleton who seemed to hit me mid-dodge made me want to punch a hole straight through my monitor, but those minutes seem like nothing but a vague memory as compared to my feats. Downing Wrath on my second attempt, taking Pride on my first attempt; heck, even finishing the game became a big gaming triumph this year. Now I am sure many of you will say that Dark Souls is the superior Souls-like experience or point to Bayonetta and Devil May Cry if I am looking for satisfying dodge mechanics. While I know those are superior games in the 3D adventure genre, I feel like I would have Darksiders 3 to thank for pushing me to try those games. Thank you, Darksiders 3, for opening my eyes to a genre I might not have tried on my own.
Gris
As someone who believes games can tell just as moving of a story as films or television, it brings me nothing but joy to see a publisher like Devolver Digital agree with me. With their publication of the game, Gris, I know have something that I can use to compare to Good Will Hunting or Titanic when someone says games can’t tell heartfelt stories. With nothing but a watercolor art style, orchestral soundtrack, and a very simplistic platforming, Gris paints a beautiful tale of a girl who must tackle her grief and overcome depression. I genuinely cried when completing this game. While I won’t say it is the first time a game had me tearing up, I can’t recall the last game to do so. Gris showcases that games can be more than just battle royales and loot boxes. It shows games can be more than anger and rage. That is something to be experienced and cherished. Keep finding those gems Devolver. The Doomsayer stands with House Struthers.
Hopefully, you found some games you enjoyed in 2018. If not, I sincerely hope you give one of these games a chance in 2019. I look forward to continuing to shout about games aboard my soapbox. Happy New Year everyone.