CGR's Games of the Decade - Wild Card

What makes a game stand out against its peers? Honestly? Often it's because if how it resonates with the person more than how it may compare in a by the numbers game.

Continuing on our two week gush fest to celebrate Chalgyr's Game Room's 10th anniversary, here are our Wild Cards because nine other categories clearly weren't enough to get in our Games of the Decade!

Thank you so much and we'll see you all again next year!

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

This was one of those titles that impacted video games in so many ways, from memes to covers of songs from the soundtrack and so much more. The first time seeing a massive dragon swooping in was an adrenaline rush of a moment. There was a ton of content - both official and also through the Modding community. Oh, and my review of this game stands as our 3rd most read article at Chalgyr's Game Room, with over 30,000 unique views.

Mortal Kombat

Here's the thing - this series was basically dead before it re-released back in 2011. A series of sub-par games over the prior years had pretty much killed the interest of loyal fans such as myself before Mortal Kombat reinvented itself for a new generation. This was not the same pixelized arcade game I grew up playing at my local 7-11, and it was better for it. Tons of content, fantastic visuals and perhaps best of all, fluid combat that did away with the stiffness of its predecessors, Mortal Kombat has gone on to spawn some direct and (in the Injustice series) spiritual successors and is now alive and well. 

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

I enjoyed Breath of the Wild quite a bit, even if I didn't necessarily think it was a perfect masterpiece when it first released. That being said, a lot of people did, and it proved to be the perfect title for moving loads of Nintendo Switches when they were released together. Not many games truly move consoles - but this one did.

Mary Skelter: Nightmares

Mark Skelter, even after the sequel, is one of my all-time favorite Dungeon Crawlers and it deserved a spot on this list. Wizardry first-person dungeon crawlers date back almost to the dawn of video gaming so doing new and unique things is rare when it's a style that's been done to death. Kudos to FatBot Games for Vaporum that turned the style into real-time while keeping in tune with what makes the style the style, but Compile Heart turned it into a full-blown JRPG with parts being real-time and loads of interactive scary features both inside and out of battle with characters going berserk at the worst of times if you were careful. This? This was a fairy tale for the books with its very dark and bloody tale.

Gears of War 4

Since first picking up my COG tags with Louis in my friend's living room before a poker night, I enjoyed the series but even as much as I did, it was always good, not great short of Gears 3's Horde Mode. Once Gears moved from Epic to The Coalition, the story behind the bloody gameplay just got better, the characters got deeper, and the newer Horde Mode was amazing. Now? Now I just need to get around to finishing Gears 5's campaign and starting its horde mode with my friends once they are all free at the same time. Oh, the joys of adult life.

Tales Across Time

Josh? You know how to make a game. Coming from Critical Games, Tales Across Time is a small title clocking in at 4-6 hours that I still keep coming back to on my list of Indie titles done well. Three separate but intertwined stories later, all I wanted was more.

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty

You would likely be hard to find a "best of" list for RTS games that did not include the biggest fish in the ocean, the StarCraft franchise. While Blizzard may have fallen out of favor in recent years ("do you guys not have phones?"), one thing is certain and that thing is the success of their properties. While many of us are itching for a 4th WarCraft RTS title, StarCraft II more than fits the bill for our RTS needs. Meticulously balanced, amazingly acted, excellently written, and possessing of Blizzard's trademark design language, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty brought one of esports most competitive titles into the 21st century with a bang. From its variable Viking aircraft to a hulking juggernaut, Thor, the Terran-based campaign continues the story of everyone's favorite Space Marshall, Jim Raynor, and his struggles with the aftermath of his on-again/off-again crush, Sarah Kerrigan while mixing in a heavy dose of revenge against the Terran Confederacy. The introductory campaign to a three-part series, Wings of Liberty expanded upon an already-beloved universe but catapulted itself into the spotlight with its focus on competitive esports (where it remains a backbone of the industry). StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is not only one of the most successful RTS games on the market, but proof that single-player games could still maintain market dominance in a time when MMOs were all the rage. Plus, it reaffirmed that Blizzard is the go-to studio for all things Real-Time Strategy.

Company of Heroes 2

Entering the foray near the end of what I like to call the "Burn Out Period" for World War II game titles, Company of Heroes 2 took the world by storm by following up to 2006's utterly fantastic Company of Heroes. Building upon their incredible wealth of knowledge, SEGA and Relic Entertainment delivered a knock-out hit to the longstanding juggernauts in the RTS genre by shipping a visceral, bloody, and dynamically stunning experience through its storied campaign and its heroic companions. Full of moments of sacrifice, tension, loss, and no small amount of fun in its war-torn villages and battered fields, Company of Heroes 2 is the mature older brother to all of its RTS brethren, showing that the genre is more than simply min-maxing your resource allocation and turret placement. Of all the RTS titles out there, the Company of Heroes franchise feels far more about the troops than the commander and that ideal is exemplified in the 2013 sequel.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion

Stardock's Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion is an interesting beast; one part 4X, one part Grand Strategy, one part RTS. Genre-blending and brutally difficult at times, Sins of a Solar Empire is about expansion and destruction; manage your commercial dominance, scout a vast, meticulously detailed universe, and crush your enemies with military might, all in real-time. Adding to the wonderful and hectic gameplay is a mod-friendly integration that will add dozens, nay hundreds of hours worth of gameplay. From the innumerable Star Wars and Star Trek mods to Sins of the Prophets, a Halo total conversion mod, to other popular franchises like Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, or even Mass Effect; Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion can do it all and that is the founding reason that it has been a mainstay in real-time strategy games for nigh on ten years with no end in sight.

Cities Skylines

Paradox Interactive is a company that seems to have my number, because they publish games that are strategy, 4x, and city builders. Of course, the first wildcard entry for me is Cities: Skylines. It is infinitely better than other titles of its kind like Sim City, the developers allow mods for the game, and continually add new content to the game through DLCs. I have most of the DLCs to this game like Industries, Natural Disasters, and Mass Transit. Each DLC comes with new buildings, a new mechanic, and often scenarios are released. With the use of mods, players can create any kind of city they wish, like a European style with left-handed driving as an example. I've have dumped a ton of time in this game and enjoy every DLC that has been released (with the exception of Concerts. That was a bit of a disappointment because we only received two extra buildings, no scenarios, and not much else added. But, I love that I have a concert venue, so there is that.) Overall, it is one of my favorite city management games that keeps bringing me back. Also, I've managed to get a bunch of other people hooked on the game too, so yeah!

Cypher

Cypher is a puzzle game that most people haven't actually heard of. In fact, if you google the game, it will be stuffed in between the movie content. Anyways, Cypher is a puzzle game focused on code-breaking aka cryptography. It is also a really hard game if players aren't familiar with different styles of creating and breaking codes. Each puzzle gives only one hint to its solution and often that isn't enough. The best help that players get in this game is through the fact that the earlier rooms will have a title and a description of the kinds of puzzles that are present. For example, one room is substitution, which is one of the most basic ways to break a code. It simply requires players to substitute a letter for another, often finding a keyword, to figure out the message. On days where I'm really upset and need to focus on something quite difficult, I end up playing Cypher, because I don't know all the different ways to break codes. It is definitely my runner up game in the wildcard category, and yes, I'm insane because of it. But there is true satisfaction once you figure out the solution.

You Don't Know Jack

Sometime in the 90's a game was released called You Don't Know Jack. It was a quirky trivia party game that I used to play with my best friend. We spent countless hours 'screwing each other' out of money and answering crazy irrelevant/nonsensical questions. It's the sort of game that I really took a liking to, that very few people had played (at least that I knew, at the time). Much later, the Jackbox Party Pack released with You Don't Know Jack and let me tell you because I was used to Schmitty's voice, I recognized it immediately. I needed this game in my life again. It's still quirky and likely doesn't make sense to many people, but it's a trivia game that I love to this day. Do yourselves a favor and get a party pack with YDKJ (I also recommend Quiplash and Trivia Murder Party because they are fun as hell). Just trust me. They are fun and can be played with viewers on Twitch!

Mass Effect 3

This game isn’t on this list for the story or the color-coded ending. Rather it’s here because I broke 4 toes playing this game. No seriously, me and a group of friends were playing online, we were mid-round, and I had to go to the bathroom. Not willing to AFK my buddies, I stuck through it. Upon completing the round, I took off to the lavatory, skidded on the carpet, and bashed my foot off the door frame. Cue me having four broken toes 2 days before a major mid-term. It hurt, it sucked, I was right back playing again the following week. It’s now become a running gag amongst my buddies to say “too many praetorians” whenever a horde of any enemy type starts getting ridiculous.

Criminal Girls

This game is also on my “guilty pleasure” list alongside Moero Chronicle. What Criminal Girls brings to the table though is a battle system where your party members are making the choice and you have to pick one to listen to. The game was a little difficult, especially the last boss, but I really did love playing this game. Also, the callouts for the some of the special attacks in battle are great. Your party members don’t tell you skill names, they just say a phrase and you need to remember what they’re associated with. The callout “Everyone go Brrr” was my favorite, and I’ll admit I lost it at that.

Professor Layton

I love me some puzzles, and Prof. Layton is all about the puzzles. They were almost all reasonable, and there were a ton, so I was a happy camper. While I barely remember anything to do with the storyline, I can state for sure that I enjoyed the plethora of puzzles and minigames that they offered.

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CGR's Games of the Decade - Other (Simulation, Roguelike, Visual Novel, etc...)

What makes a game stand out against its peers? Honestly? Often it's because if how it resonates with the person more than how it may compare in a by the numbers game.

Continuing on our two week gush fest to celebrate Chalgyr's Game Room's 10th anniversary, here are other types of experiences that may not exactly fit neatly into other categories.

Super Mario Maker

Look, the Wii U had a pretty rough reception, but there were a handful of games that stood out on the platform. Perhaps none made better use of the touchscreen technology, however, than Super Mario Maker, which blended platform action and creative world-building beautifully. I have spent oodles of hours with game-maker software in the past, but without a doubt, this was the smoothest console game maker made to date. Considering the massive community that evolved around this game to lend its incredible life after its release, I think it is safe to say that this was one of the most unique and compelling game offerings of the last decade.

Sega Genesis Classics

This doesn't fit in a singular box, because it is a compilation of some of my favorite games of all time. There was a Sonic collection back on the prior generation of consoles, and there were a couple of things about that collection I liked just a smidge better than this one, but by and large, this 2018 release did many things better. More than 50 games to choose from, a wide variety of formats and some great quality of life additions make this a must-have for Genesis fans such as myself.

Guitar Hero: Metallica

Just barely making the cut as a 2009 game, Guitar Hero: Metallica was (along with Guitar Hero III and Aerosmith) among my favorites in the oversaturated series. Worth noting due to the huge, if brief, popularity spike Guitar Hero (and to a lesser extent, Rock Band) had on the video game rhythm genre. Metallica took one of my favorite bands and allowed me to play along with their music. Unfortunately, the period after this release saw the downfall of the Guitar Hero series as well.

Danganrompa 1-2 Reload

How... does one even describe this? Battle Royal meets a visual novel / murder mystery? Other than being bat shit crazy, Danganrompa plays host to the excellent dialog, great narrative gameplay, who done it jury trials and a crazy assed bipolar bear who would kill everyone just because they decided to test him. Having played 1-2 and Ultra Despair Girls (2.5), the only thing left is to finally go into Danganrompa 3 and see if it holds up to the first as I wonder if all the surprises have been let out of the bag.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles

I have never relaxed so much to a game like I have to Yonder. Zero combat, just exploration and side quests on a relaxing island, this is a cute little adventure that everyone should experience as the only emotions short of awwwww are the feeling of zen as you explore and solve the mystery of the island that you have found yourself on.

Stardew Valley

Harvest Moon farming? Check. Dungeon Crawler? Check. Animal Crossing friendships? Check. Stardew Valley for a 16-bit inspired and looking adventure had it all and it was so easy to lose hours upon hours to it even before the updates and the inclusion of multiplayer. How you decide to run your farm and go about your days? That's entirely up to you!

City Skylines

With the colossal mistake that was SimCity (2013) there was a void left in the city-building world of gaming; enter simulation/strategy super juggernaut Paradox Interactive with 2015's highly anticipated Cities: Skylines. It was literally everything aspiring city planners the world over wanted, plus some. Harnessing their longstanding history in strategy and its penchant for detail, Paradox brought to the masses an incredibly deep, highly sophisticated, easy to pick up, city-building simulation that anyone of any skill level can play … And you can have curved roads! With Cities: Skylines enjoying nearly 5 years of excellence, a number of excellent expansions, and a dedicated modding community, Paradox broke additional boundaries by bringing an excellent port of it to consoles in early 2019 where it continues to enjoy a rabid fanbase. From the tallest of towers to the lowest of water pipes and from the largest airport to the smallest bus stop, Cities: Skylines delivers on every level for both fans of the genre and newcomers alike.

Elite Dangerous

Frontier Development's Elite: Dangerous is a unique beast; the sequel to a 30-year old franchise, Elite began development in the early 2010s, say widespread "Early Access" in 2014 and full release a year or so later, all to critical acclaim. Working with experts at the European Space Agency and NASA, Frontier developed and released a to scale model of our Galaxy with hundreds of billions of planets to scan, nebulae to explore, and black holes to see. Along the way, we received the ability to land on planets in our SRVs, fight in open PVP for control of the Bubble, and chase the intimately dark history of the Elite universe and the longstanding Thargoid threat. Years later with development updates are pouring in and the fandom no less feverish for content, Elite: Dangerous is a force to be reckoned with in the space-faring simulation genre and will be THE title that all new titles in the genre are compared to.

Forza Horizon 2

I have been a longstanding fan of the racing genre; from the original Cruisin' USA and Top Gear games to Need For Speed: Underground, to more simulator focused Asetto Corseca and Gran Turismo, so when Turn 10 studios, of the Forza Motorsports fame, dropped a wholly different type of racing game in 2012 with Forza Horizon, I was hooked. While the first was fun, 2014's Forza Horizon 2 was spectacular. With better framerates, gorgeous graphics, more detailed vehicles, and a wholly more natural "arcade racer," open-world racer Forza Horizon 2 was an instant favorite. Blistering speeds through fields, tight city corners, or through the valleys and vistas brought a marriage of speed and beauty that few racers can match. Being a fan of automobiles that I am, I would find myself toiling away to find the next great Barn Find or spend countless hours just … designing my car; from tweaking its performance to slapping on a new paint job, this baby can do it all. 

Antichamber

The best game I've ever played took me a really long time to get through. It is called Antichamber and my god did it break my brain for a long while. Antichamber is the sort of game where many people have played it and not everyone found certain rooms on the map (which, by the way, isn't exactly a linear map.) There are puzzles that require you to walk backwards or look away from something in order to get into other rooms. And throughout the game, players are seeking different gun upgrades that allow for other types of manipulation of matter. While I loved this game in its entirety, the only thing that I would caution players on is the brightness of the game. My eyes do not like all-white spaces, and at the time I wasn't using f.lux or gunners or anything like that. Anyways, it is top on my list for walking simulator/escher-like games.

The Witness

Another walking simulator style of puzzle game on my list is none other than The Witness. Unlike many players of this game, I actually made sense of the game. It is abstract and relies on players to learn puzzle solutions from 'learning boards' and observation. Much like with Antichamber, the game requires players to carefully observe their environment to complete various puzzles like the trees or the shadow puzzles. It is also a game that has a couple of different endings. One of those endings reveals a cut scene of Jonathon Blow getting up from his couch. I'm not going to go into details about that cut scene, and will only say that it made perfect sense to me - despite the fact that Jonathon Blow mentioned something about the game not having a greater purpose and that players read too much into the game. Moreover, it may be a small detail but in one of the movie theater rooms was a clip from a TV show that I used to watch when I was younger. The moment the guy appeared on the screen and started talking, I was immediately enthralled. I knew this man. Anyways, The Witness is a game that is truly interesting for puzzle nerds and people that enjoy abstract concepts, so it is obviously on my list as a runner up.

Return of Obra Dinn

My second runner up game, which is also a puzzle game, is the Return of Obra Dinn. Not only was I fascinated by the art style, but I loved the idea of seeing a few seconds of events that occurred right before a person died in order to solve what happened. Everyone on the ship is dead, and your objective is to look at the people around, listen to the hints given in a flashback, and put the pieces together regarding who is who. It's a unique game where players cannot get their clues from other characters because everyone is dead. Obra Dinn requires observation and detective skills to find out the truth about what happened, and I absolutely love it. Obra Dinn is such a unique game that it has to go on my list of all-time favorite games of the decade.

Crypt of the Necrodancer

Came for the music, stayed for the music, was pleased with the gameplay, might be the best description I can offer here. If you’ve been living under a rock, Crypt of the Necrodancer is an awesome Rhythm game with a soundtrack that you’d buy in a heartbeat, smooth rhythm-based gameplay, and a roguelike dungeon spawning that makes each delve into the crypt a little different from the last. You can bop to the beating of your undead heart either alone or with a friend, and I had so much fun playing this, despite my awful skill level.

Magika 2

This…thing, was a free game on PSPlus a while back. I and my roommate picked it up. It was the longest 4 hours we ever spent. I believe we walked away from this game looking at each other and saying, quite literally “what the heck did we just do”, and to this day I still can’t answer that question. In a game where you die to your friends more often than the enemies, and being called “bathrobed ones” at every turn, I don’t know what I expected from Magika 2, but nothing could have prepared me for what I experienced.

Rock of Ages 2

Tower defense meets bowling with the art and comedy stylings of Monty Python. That’s what Rock of Ages 2 is, and yes that’s a confusing concept to get your head around. With co-op modes available on consoles other than the switch, rock of ages 2 is the weirdest, kookiest, yet most adorably entertaining game I’ve probably ever played that I can’t rightly put in any category at all. The previous 2 entries can be thrown into “rhythm” and “adventure” technically, but this? I don’t even know. What I do know is that it was more fun than it had any right to be.

Danganronpa

*friend come over* "Hey, ever heard of this game? No? Well, if you like anime tropes, murder and puzzle-solving then you'll love this game." LORD OF THE FLIES... I really loved this game. The fact that I gotta find a murderer, in a sealed school, full of ultimately talented students via death trials... hot!

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future

Ok, so, let's make a long story short... a friend told me to play this series. God bless that friend. The Layton series is one of my go-to brain teasers. I love solving puzzles, it scratches the perfect itch. However, out of the many titles, this series has produced my all-time favorite is the 3rd game. Unwound Future just took everything the 1st and 2nd game had and made the perfect, saddest, funniest sandwich I have ever tasted. Thanks, Level 5!

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CGR's Games of the Decade - Indie

What makes a game stand out against its peers? Honestly? Often it's because if how it resonates with the person more than how it may compare in a by the numbers game.

Continuing on our two week gush fest to celebrate Chalgyr's Game Room's 10th anniversary, here are our top Indie titles. Not all greatness needs millions in budgets!

Limbo

There are so many possibilities here, and I bounced back and forth between quite a few titles, but at the end of the day, there was always something about Limbo that just stuck with me. The stark visual style was certainly a huge factor in it, but the ambiguous story leaves so much to the imagination as well. Some of the puzzles were cleverer than others, but it is not all that often a game stick with me after I put down the controller - but Limbo certainly did.

Journey

Look, I know Journey wasn't for everyone, but as I said in my review, I found this one to be a breathtaking experience. It took a little getting used to right at first, but in the end, it was absolutely worth the investment. Developer Tricky Pixels knocked this one out of the park.

To the Moon

This is not the highest scoring game I reviewed, and basically having begun life as an RPG Maker project, not the most impressive of visual productions either. Heck, this was a short - probably too short - game also. So how in the world does it wind up in a compilation like this? Because the moving music and touching storyline took a fascinating approach to some difficult topics and gave To the Moon a sort of mental stickiness not often found in AAA productions, let alone indie titles like this.

Picking a number one indie title was anything but easy as there have been loads of amazing titles in the past ten years. So what it really came down to, what stuck out the most? What have I gone back to repeatedly?

Cross Code

The top of my list and my #1 goes to Radical Fish Game's CrossCode. Bringing me damn near .Hack magic at the end of a decade was something that had been on my list and wow was it ever done well. I'm not an MMO person but I like the simulation of it and CrossCode's world felt alive and lived in with all of the character sprites running around. Add in some metroidvania elements and action adventure platforming and it's definitely at the top of its class.

Ara Fell

Here is another title that I just loved and would absolutely flat out buy a switch version if it ever came to the consoles. Made in an older RPG Maker, Stegosoft made magic with this adventure adding in loads of elements never seen in the style much less in an RPG Maker! Custom just about everything, what has stuck with me are the environmental effects and how you can explore it by crawling through openings and climbing through other openings which are all animated and not just fade to black transitions.

Portal Knights

There no denying my love for Dragon Quest Builders, and Dragon Quest Builders 2 was even better. Before the sequel though, Keen Games made an open worlded with multiple world RPG Simulator that could be played in single and multiplayer. With different classes for the RPG elements and then get crafting possibilities, the hours and the combinations were endless. With constant updates still going on, this should be on everyone's list. Now like Bloodborne I just need a few trophies for a platinum.

The Gardens Between

A couple of years back I came across a game called The Gardens Between, which I ended up reviewing for our site. Players follow two boys through puzzles that can be solved by temporarily shifting time. It is a quirky puzzle game that actually tells a story while players progress, although, that fact isn't readily apparent at first. The Gardens Between is a game I fell in love with, through its storytelling without words and its unique presentation of puzzles. It is a sweet game that I am glad I had the opportunity to play and well worth the couple hours of time to play through it (depending on how good your puzzle-solving skills are). Thus, it is my indie game of the decade.

Shovel Knight

God, I love the music in this game. I always get so pumped up when I start a new level and the music there, encouraging me. Then I walk into boss fight and the music ramp up to a whole new level. I also appreciate the simple art style that seem to take me back to my days of Ghouls & Ghost.

Brothers: A Tale of two Sons

The cover stood out as 'different' when I pulled it from the shelf. Plain yet, compelling. I was shocked to find out that you're require to move both characters with both analogs. Its tripped me out at first, but it was a new mechanic that I enjoyed and it pushes me to finish the game.

Undertale

My original thought on this game when it first surface the internet was 'An RPG Minecraft? That can't be good..." Boy, did I jump the gun. The game is anything BUT THAT! Not only is the scriptwriting genius, but the fighting was waaaaay out of left field. HEY GUY! LET'S MAKE THIS A BULLET-HELL STYLE COMBAT! ALSO... the music dope.

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CGR's Games of the Decade - Strategy

What makes a game stand out against its peers? Honestly? Often it's because if how it resonates with the person more than how it may compare in a by the numbers game.

Continuing on our two week gush fest to celebrate Chalgyr's Game Room's 10th anniversary, here are what we each thought reigned supreme from turned based to real time tactics!

Fire Emblem: Awakening

I enjoy all kinds of strategy games, though the turn-based with RPG elements definitely tend to hook me in more successfully. I had been playing Fire Emblem for years. It had a very niche following that appreciated the hardcore difficulty, anime-style visuals and interesting characters. However, something happened with Fire Emblem: Awakening. It was made more accessible and it was given a bit more fanfare by Nintendo than in the past. What followed was a game that catered to multiple audiences, providing what is still to this day arguably my favorite 3DS title.

Sid Meier's Civilization V

The second Civ ate up oodles of my time years ago when I was first introduced to it. For some reason, the next couple of games never quite tickled my brain in quite the same way. Then came the fifth installment, and I happily sunk tons of hours into the series again. For me, the magic had been recaptured.

Halo Wars

Proof that strategy games (and RTS games no less!) could not only be made and played on a console - but that they could be incredibly well done as well. Until this time, just about everyone said that a proper RTS required a keyboard and mouse, but Ensemble Studios proved otherwise with Halo Wars

Disgaea 4

I said it in my Switch Review, didn't I? Disgaea 4 is my strategy game if the decade. Refined turned squad-based tactics on a square grid with some of the craziest things you'll ever see dood. Making fun of vampires, werewolves humans and exploding penguins in a political coup, this remains at the top of my favorite Nippon Ichi Software titles!

Valkyria Chronicles 4

Sega, thank you. Valkyria Chronicles was one of my favorite PS3 titles and remained one of my favorite squad-based tactics title. Moving one unit at a time from a static map, you zoom into the action where everything is real-time and everyone is shooting at you as you. Only refined through the versions, Valkyria Chronicles 4 was stellar in its storytelling. It was stellar in its combat. And it was stellar for bringing the series back to today and bringing it back in force!

The Banner Saga

Stoic Studio, I have to thank you for an amazing summer of gaming last year when I restarted the first Banner Saga and played right through into the conclusion. Epic storytelling. Amazing combat. Wonderful characters and I don't know how many tears I shed as people I loved died and there was nothing I could do about it. Thank you so much for this amazing trilogy.

Stellaris

I am honestly not sure where to begin with Stellaris… It comes from a 4x/Grand Strategy development studio with one of the most incredible pedigrees on the planet; with titles like Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, Crusader Kings, and Majesty under its belt, veritable juggernaut Paradox Interactive entered the hard science fiction strategy game foray in 2016 with Stellaris and it took the genre by storm. From the gorgeous graphics to the deep political mechanics, everything about Stellaris is as close to flawless as a game can get. Though it has historically dominated the genre, Paradox outshone even its own brightest lights when it shipped Stellaris, cementing it as THE strategy game developer to beat. 

Set on a galactic scale, Stellaris is about establishing superiority over your enemies and allies through subversion or military might; hundreds of systems, each with their own unique planets and orbital bodies are ripe for the taking, and with one of a few dozen customizable races, the choice is up to you on how to take it all for yourself. Add to it the slew of immense expansion packs (both free and paid), and you will rarely come close to playing the same game twice. Add to the expansive title and its official DLC the fact that Paradox is extraordinarily Mod-friendly and you will easily find yourself putting thousands of hours into your galactic domination. Few titles have the staying power that a Paradox title has, and Stellaris is the strongest of them all. 

Total War: Shogun 2

The Total War franchise is long and storied with some utterly spectacular releases and some spectacularly terrible releases. None though, stand the test of time as well as Total War: Shogun 2. Honestly, by way of pure, traditional, 4x games, Shogun 2 is without peer. Meticulously balanced, extraordinarily detailed, stunningly approachable, and possessing some of the most storied moments in my personal gaming experiences, Shogun 2 is perfect. 

Set in feudal Japan during the Sengoku Period (Ashikaga Shogunate, Ōnin War), you take control one of a dozen or so warring clans in a vie for the rule of Japan. Shrewd political tactics, trade dealings, and a mind for military strategy are key factors for victory in Shogun 2 and given the incredible balance between units and political or trade actions in the game, a combination of all three facets of gameplay are necessary not just for victory, but survival. Nearly ten years on and the title has an immense following and dedicated modding community that breathes new life into the game with every new day. Total War: Shogun 2 is the highlight of a storied franchise where the passage of time holds no sway.

Distant Worlds: Universe

So few 4x, Grand Strategy, etc. games have a level of depth while maintaining simplicity the way that Distant Worlds: Universe has managed. Eschewing hyper realistic graphics and fanciful art for a more utilitarian design language, the approach to player-accessible information is stunningly simple yet incredibly deep. Like Stellaris, DW:U sits in a realm that's not truly turn-based while maintaining the deep universe-planning gameplay of more traditional Grand Strategy and 4X titles. To be frank, the format works and works quite well. By focusing on the more simplistic art style there is something of a timeless quality to it; in 5 years, in 10 years, in 30 years, Distant Worlds: Universe will still look and feel nostalgically great while maintaining the deep sophistication and complexity that it is known for, all the while staying true to its approachable and accessible nature.

Battletech

Those of you that read my review of BattleTech know that it became my game of the year when it came out. I love the game because of the different levels of strategy, both the financial and the in-mission strategies, the story, and the customization of the mechs. It is a game that has existed for a very long time and ended up with a bunch of spin-offs like MechWarrior and Mech Commander. The series has dozens of books released in its universe and it continues to live on as a miniature game, book series, video game series, etc.. What can we say? Mech battles are awesome. How could it NOT be number one on my list? I have spent countless hours in this game already and will spend a ton more.

Civilization V

I have enjoyed the Civilization series for many years, and though I can't recall which one I started with, I have always loved turn-based strategy games that give players options to win through military dominance or diplomacy. There are other victory conditions like the tech race, but it just goes to show that the game can be won in multiple ways without forcing people into one type of win condition. Civilization V is also at the top of my list because of Baba Yetu. I'm not going to sugar coat that fact. The music is brilliant and as a theme song, very little tops it for me. But beyond that, I enjoy games that can be played with friends with some casual mayhem, diplomatic strategies, and the ability to be mad at Gandhi (because he's a dick in Civilization. Trust me. He's not to be trifled with.) I also really love the ability to chase after monuments and exploring the land around your initial city. All in all, I love Civilization V and it is my runner up under strategy.

Starcraft 2

If you don’t know about Starcraft, then I’m gonna be really disappointed. I was never very good at micromanaging, or even working out a winning strategy in the original starcraft, so when a buddy of mine told me to get Heart of the Swarm, I was a little skeptical, but still got it anyway. Hoo boy, I was not disappointed. With a lot of updates and upgrades and even a co-op mission mode, Starcraft 2 has to hit this list somewhere, and at the top seems most appropriate. It felt great getting back into the swing of RTS warfare with alien creatures and monstrosities of death with my Ultralisk rush. Mwuhuhuhuhu.

X-Morph Defense

An interesting tower defense style strategy game where instead of the humans defending against aliens, you’re aliens invading the humans. While the basic tower defense aspect is pretty standard, being able to use the ship to shoot down enemies was pretty cool, as was the huge boss fights that throw an interesting spin at the tower defense genre. With the option of a second player joining in for a couch co-op mode, Xenomorph defense makes a great entry for killing some time with a friend, as well as eliminating those squishy human pests.

Fire Emblem: Awakening

This was the first time I ever picked up this series. The only reason, and I kid you not, I bought this game was because I found out you could marry dreamy anime boys AND have their children. SOLD! PLUS, you know, it's actually super fun to take the time and think about your next move carefully or else you could lose your dreamy anime husband, PERMANENTLY.

Dota 2

When I first got my Steam account my brother and a good friend started me off on Dota. That game is structure around how strategic a 5 player group can be. It was extremely tough to master, but with some very patient teammates, and a great sense of humor, it became one of my favorite pastimes.

Fire Emblem: Echoes

Another Fire Emblem? Yes! Since I don't play many Strategy games I gotta double up, but that's ok because Echoes was awesome. I can't choose my husband this time around, but don't worry, the game does a great good at telling this tragic love story. It also introduces a bit of dungeon exploration with lots of sweet little goodies and power-ups if you looked high and low.

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CGR's Games of the Decade - Sports

What makes a game stand out against its peers? Honestly? Often it's because if how it resonates with the person more than how it may compare in a by the numbers game.

Continuing on our two week gush fest to celebrate Chalgyr's Game Room's 10th anniversary, here are loosely except for Nick of what we considered "Sports". Fighting is a sport... right?

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Sure, this is a remake of the Wii U game (which was fantastic in its own right), but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe improved on everything while adding more content. That is really hard to argue with as an end result. I have been playing Mario Kart games since the Nintendo 64 version, and sure - some people might argue if this is a sports game or not. But hey, it's racing - it's just goofy, cartoony violence racing - but it is also competitive and a whole lot of fun. It would have been easy to tuck something a bit more traditional into this space like an NHL or Madden game, but the way those cycle in and out every year hurts their overall impact, where as Mario Kart games continue to rope in new and old players alike for years on end.

NBA 2K16

This long-running series has had a lot more hits than missing, but the 2K16 season stood out for a more polished, broadcast-like presentation and a new, more narrative-heavy approach to Career mode. Even now this more story-focused take on creating and progressing a character is quite popular in sports games.

Rocket League

When I first reviewed Rocket League back in the summer of 2015, I could never have predicted the longevity of this title. Is it racing? Is it soccer? Who cares - because what it is, is fantastic fun that is still popular today.

Mario Kart 8 - Deluxe

Mario Kart, my Mario Kart. You have been my racing love since the first time I loaded you into an SNES. The source of a great many nights with friends or alone in my living room against others online, this brings out the competition in me and the last version in full HD? Is King.

Mario Tennis Aces

Over the years it's honestly rare that I play a "sports" game. It's not particularly my thing. When Mario Tennis came back out though, it led to a lot of fun matches against my brother and loads of fun in the campaign that unlocks ridiculous stages. Like a lot of Mario titles, it takes the serious and adds in some ridiculous elements to make it fun.

WRC 8

I'm seriously not one for realism in a driving simulator. Hell, I crowned Mario Kart king. That said? I had an absolutely fantastic time with the latest off-road driving in BigBen's WRC8 and the amazing visuals that came along for the ride.

Gran Turismo 5

I generally don't play sports games but Gran Turismo 5 is my all-time favorite in the series. It is the one that takes the cake because I spent more time playing it than many of the others in the series. Gran Turismo 5 was the game where I started to learn things like camber and suspension levels. I learned how to spec out my cars so that it would fit my style of racing, since I take turns from tight to wide and thereby making it extremely hard for me to drive rear-wheel drive cars (except MR. I can kinda drive those). The Gran Turismo series is a racing series that I hold other racing games against because not all games are created equal. I also hold Gran Turismo 5 in the highest regard of the series because it was the first one where I was able to get to the IA license level (albeit with blood, sweat, and tears). One of the features I love about the Gran Turismo series is that players can create their own driving music lists, which strangely does influence my driving abilities. All told, Gran Turismo 5 is one of my favorites.

Rocket League

Rocket League is a game I have been invested in for a couple of years, which is evident in the fact that I am a chat moderator for two RL organizations. It is a game that began playing at least a year after it had come out and I really found enjoyment with it. Rocket League combines my love of cars and soccer in one game which allows you to do all kinds of freestyle tricks. DLC's have been added to the game to let players buy different cars like the Ice Charger (Fast and Furious), Nissan Skyline (You know I rocked this for a long time), Endo (basically a Lambo), and my baby, the McLaren. I don't care what anyone says, this game is highly entertaining with the addition of different maps like dropshot, hoops, and rumble. It has a fairly high skill ceiling but is accessible to all ages. In fact, in my Dreamhack wrap-up articles, I talked about how awesome it was to see the parents of kids cheering for their games. I will always love Rocket League.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Every Smash Bros game in one? Yes, please! Not only was it brilliant, but I was also happy to be able to replay with some of my old fighters. I still get hyped during Nintendo Directs knowing that they're going to reveal the next Smash fighter. It's a great game for parties that'll either bring people together or ruin friendships.

Persona 4 Arena

I'm already a fan of the Persona series so when I heard it was getting a fighter, I skipped on over to the game store and pre-ordered that puppy. I am happy to say that it was worth it. The character models move fluidly during fights which makes combos look flashy and cool, with a strong anime vibe. It's bear-rific!

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CGR's Games of the Decade - Shooters

What makes a game stand out against its peers? Honestly? Often it's because if how it resonates with the person more than how it may compare in a by the numbers game.

Continuing on our two week gush fest to celebrate Chalgyr's Game Room's 10th anniversary, here are what we each considered top of the class from First to Third person Shooters!

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

The game that got me into Call of Duty and really made it such a huge franchise. I still remember playing every night for weeks with my co-workers as soon as we got home and fired it up. For better or for worse, this title had a huge impact on the FPS genre for years to come. Sure, it has not aged particularly well, but the influence this was a title that really helped pave the way for Call of Duty to become the sale behemoth it is today. Also, on a personal level, it was the 2nd game review I ever posted here at CGR.

Dead Space 2

Sure, this could probably fall under adventure or horror, but shooting is the primary mechanic when it comes to the gameplay. Dead Space 2 improves everything I liked about the first game and made it even better. Now if only we can forget about the third entry into the series and get this franchise back to its proper, scary roots and rebooted, I would be a very happy space-camper.

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition

Admittedly, this could be seen as a bit of a cop-out. There's better value to be had with the Master Chief Collection, which brings more titles into the mix while paying homage to the series' past. However, it's hard for me to completely get over the incredibly rocky release that game had, making a different (and terrible) impression on the gaming community back then. However, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition revisits the Xbox 360 original that has spawned some of the best shooters on the market today. I recently picked this back up for the first time in years because of the recent Gears 5 release, and it still works really well today. 

Metro 2033

I can't say that this is really a category that I play a lot of and while there are plenty of other titles that I've played more of, Metro sits at the top of my list for a really good blend of gameplay, story, and horror elements without being a horror title. Set in a post-nuclear Russia, there's an atmospheric horror that comes by never knowing if a monstrous beast is around the corner or if your filters will last long enough to get back down into the metro with its own horrors. Still sticking with me now for how good it was? Metro 2033 is at the top of my list.

BioShock

Speaking of horror like shooters that are not horror, Bioshock is one that I've come back to time and time again for standing out in its class. Steampunked and splicing genes in an underwater city, you kindly help out a certain someone while trying to survive and not being killed by these monstrous dive suited beasts of men.

Far Cry 5

Finally, while there were some rather crazy times with Destiny 2, Borderlands, Vermintide 2, the new Wolfenstein, Gears of War 4 or Halo Reach, my last entry goes to Far Cry 5. Being the first Far Cry I was shocked at how "nuts" it all was and how scary it could actually be since the northern US is basically Canada's backyard. Excellent controls, crazy-ass story going from your typical shooter to a survival, to a Metal Gear Mantis get the hell out of my game! I fell in love with the series right then and there.

Halo: Reach

Bungie is, and has been, a household name since the 90's, though rose to FPS domination in the early 2000's with the original Xbox's "Halo: Combat Evolved." With Halo: CE we were introduced to everyone's favorite tour de force, Sgt. Johnson, along with a hulking brute of a genetically enhanced supersoldier that coined the phrase, "Finish the Fight," Master Chief Petty Officer Sierra-117 "John" (more colloquially called 'Master Chief'), and who is to forget every teenage gamer's artificial intelligence crush, Cortana. Halo: Reach though, breaks from the norm and is easily the crème de la crème of the Halo franchise. Taking place prior to the events of Halo: CE and largely during the events of Eric Nylund's Halo: The Fall of Reach novel, with you donning the armor of Noble Six, the latest addition to Noble Squad. Here you will experience the emotionally raw events that lead up directly to Halo: Combat Evolved. With nearly-perfect gunplay, a brutally emotional and clearly loved story, and some of the most gorgeous set pieces in gaming history, Halo: Reach is Bungie's farewell to the franchise and it shows in every. single. pixel. Halo: Reach is, without a doubt in my mind, the single best first person shooter to ever grace our digital libraries.

Tom Clancy's The Division

Few shooters stick out to me the way that Ubisoft's always-online, drop-in MMO third person shooter, Tom Clancy's The Division does. Set in the aftermath of a virally ravaged New York, The Division is a Tom Clancy experience through-and-though. Featuring dozens of hours that you can play co-op or go solo, wander the streets of an incredibly detailed rendition of New York. Garbage everywhere, Christmas lights, lightly falling snow, stunning fog as it burns off in the morning daylight showing the highrises and skyscrapers of the New York skyline, wild dogs, rats, and birds all over, hostile gangs, turncoat paramilitary groups, and a twisted political story are wrapped up into a bundle that spawned instant nostalgia. There is something eerily terrifying about The Division and a part of it, I think, is that it is a situation that is truly possible, and not only that, but the way that Ubisoft managed to portray humanity in a situation like that, is realistically terrifying. Even with the bullet-sponge bad guys, the story and discoverables within the pseudo-solo campaign are well, well worth the time investment.

Destiny

After Bungie parted ways with the Halo franchise and struck out on their own they brought the full wallet of a new partnership with Activision to bear with Destiny. While I personally despise Destiny and even though it had an extremely rough launch (especially to those of us still hot-and-bothered in the best of ways with Bungie's last outing, Halo: Reach), there is no denying the importance and overall end-product that is Destiny. Singlehandedly redefining shooter-looters, Destiny brought us a uniquely dismal world full of familiar voices like Peter Dinklage and Bill Nighy and slapped them together with some of the best first person shooting mechanics in gaming history. The end result? A litany of awards, a massively successful franchise, and the proof that listening to your community so they can affect change within your game is an extremely powerful and potent path to success. Though it had its warts to start, with community feedback and a lot of work, Bungie turned Destiny around to where it is today; a successful property that will spawn no end of clones. Destiny is the new standard in looter-shooters, and so far few have been able to approach its success and popularity.

Destiny 2

Alright, so I know that some of you might debate whether or not Destiny 2 is considered a shooter, but I consider it to be one. As such, it is the only one in its category that I like and play. In fact, I play it a ton because of the new gear system, Gambit, the difficulty of the Moon, and the sheer amount of awesome people I've met because of it. I often play Destiny 2 to vent, relax, or just to help out my friends or clanmates.

While I once played a futuristic shooter-esque game called Warframe, I have found that Destiny 2 is much less frustrating and oddly doesn't feel as grindy as most games (although yes, I am aware there is a grind in the game, but because I have a lot of people to run with, I actually don't feel it, and that is an achievement!) Destiny 2 makes my list for best shooter of the decade because it's the ONLY one I play, but because it's a fun game, it has amazing and quirky staff (read: Luke Smith for reasons), and it's pretty as heck (I mean, have you seen the Dreaming City?! It's purple AND it's shiny. Fine, fine... Call me girly for this ONE thing. BUT THAT'S IT!) Anyways, I would be remiss if I didn't include it in my list. (Also someone find me a Cayde Funko Pop with a Chicken and ship him to Canada. I need this in my life. EDIT: A friend might have found one. WOO!)

Borderlands

Looter. Shooter. Shlooter? Borderlands was the go-to game for me and my friends back when it first came out. We’d roam into the high-level areas and spend hours trying to clear them out just to say “HA, WE DID IT” and boy did I love it. A shooter RPG with a superb couch co-op and whatever the heck you want to call claptrap, this shooter adventure across an alien planet in order to find the rumored vault was a great experience that my friends and I will still reminisce about and quote. With Borderlands 2 came even come adventures, and now with Borderlands 3 out, you know there goes a chunk of my time, because “I’M THE CONDUCTOR OF THE POOP TRAIN”, and there ain’t no brakes on this ride.

Metroid Prime Trilogy

These games are what I really needed to get back into the Metroid series, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Only lacking a higher position on this list due to the virtue of basically being a re-release, the Metroid Prime trilogy of games are a series I still return to about once a year or so to play through for 100% completion. With a diversion from 2D platformer to 3D shooter, the Prime trilogy really made a strong showing in my gaming experience. Except maybe 2 at times, but hey, it wasn’t that bad.

Resident Evil Degeneration (Mobile?)

Yes, there was a game of the movie. Yes, it was a “mobile” game. No, it wasn’t really the best game in the franchise, but I don’t play many shooters, and the Resident Evil 4 cut-off was a few years before the start of the decade list, unfortunately. The series as a whole has kind of waffled between good, passable, and disappointing, and while I’ve either missed the cut-offs for the list or haven’t played a few in between, hey, at least it isn’t RE6.

Splatoon

Never thought I'd love an online shooter with squid people, but somehow Nintendo made it work. I love how I can play with everyone around the world and never have to worry about someone yelling at me for screwing up or being boot out for poor performance. The matches are short and sweet and it keeps everything fresh with themed tournaments on a constant basis.

Left 4 Dead 2

Mass swarms of zombies? And not just your typical brain dead zombie? Nope! They are fast, deadly and special types. Now THAT would be a zombie apocalypse none of us would survive. However, it does make for a great multiplayer game with your best bros. Probably one of the only games I will INSIST I play on the hardest difficulty.

Overwatch

Why is it I tend to find all the best games after they've been out for a couple of years? Overwatch was just one of those games that didn't interest me... Until my friend passed me her controller and said: "play a round." I played... For 6 hours straight. Ok, so maybe I finally went out of my way to get PlayStation Plus just so I could join in the fun. And fun I continue to have.

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CGR's Games of the Decade - Platformer

What makes a game stand out against its peers? Honestly? Often it's because if how it resonates with the person more than how it may compare in a by the numbers game.

Continuing on our two week gush fest to celebrate Chalgyr's Game Room's 10th anniversary, here are our top Platformers!

Super Mario Odyssey

I could have put down any number of Mario / Nintendo titles here and made a great case for them, so why one that is so new? Sure, it did almost everything right from start to finish, but I've almost come to expect that from a Nintendo platformer. I think what impresses me most is that after all of these years, there are still fresh ideas being injected into this long-running series. 

Guacamelee!

The Metroidvania formula is alive and well in this bright, colorful action / platforming title. This is one of those genres that just has a knack for rubbing me the wrong way at times, but I played this from start to finish and then fired up a second go-round to boot. 

Shovel Knight

This game blended some RPG / roguelike elements into a challenging platforming experience that somehow managed to both feel incredibly fresh while surprisingly retro. Those things should not go together, but they did. Released on pretty much every platform imaginable, Shovel Knight helped remind people what made older, challenging platformers so great - all while still managing to bring some new twists to the adventure.

Shovel Knight

10/10, would platform again. Shovel Knight just did everything right. It captured the nostalgia of my childhood, it held itself to modern-day gameplay standards, and it was just amazing to listen to. Add in some wacky bosses and an almost Super Mario Bros. 3 world map? The only thing left to say was that I was doubly spoiled by having played it on the Xbox and gotten to face off against Rare's Battletoads.

Shantae Half Genie Hero

This is a series that I was seriously late to. While the lastest Shantae was less Metroidvania and much more platformer, it still held pieces of where the series has come from alongside a good story, excellent character cast, and amazing mechanics. The only thing that I would say other than needing to re-play it all over again is that I need the recently announced sequel!

Guacamelee!

While I may not have reviewed it here, Guacamelee was definitely on my GotY list when it hit. Hell, I still get shivers from just how damned good it was. Platforming wonders meshed with Metroidvania challenges, and this Player 1 was a very happy luchador.

Portal 2

Where would we be without Portal and Portal 2? Well … probably in a corner somewhere praying to the Valve Gods for Half-Life 3. Now, many might call me a heathen, but I didn't actually play Portal 2 until (wait for it) 2018. Shocking, right? Well, I'm kicking myself now for it, because I could have had a whole piles' worth of years' time in game but nope, I'm an idiot and waited nearly a decade after the franchise's debut to really give it a spin. Well, the snarky AI, challenging puzzles, and mind-bending gameplay is well worth every minute spent in game. Excellent voice acting, solid audio, engrossing world … Portal 2 nearly has it all. It is just a shame that we have yet to see a VR implementation of the Portal franchise as it would be an amazing experience (though likely not one for those easily nauseated by rapid perspective changes). Still, few games can dominate the puzzle / platformer field the way that Portal and Portal 2 can; ten plus years on and players are still pouring through it, challenging themselves and others, in Portal. The biggest concern I have is that we will never see a number three … For a franchise that is an instant classic with a fast-pass to the gaming hall of fame, Portal and Portal 2 have staying power that is as timeless as they come.

Little Big Planet 2

I know, right? Little Big Planet 2 beating out the Mario games? I am quite confident that I have lost all credibility with you (assuming you've gotten this far), but hear me out. Mario in the past 10 years was such a departure of the Mario of the 80's and 90's that it was quite difficult for me to really engage with a single notable exception that I mention below. Little Big Planet 2 though? A gorgeous sidescrolling platform adventure that my daughter and I could sit down and play any time, in a world that is far more interesting for its stuffed animal-like appeal, big smiling faces, and gameplay simple enough that an 8 year old could play it while challenging enough that an old curmudgeon like I could still enjoy it. That is an incredibly fine line that is extremely hard to walk, but LBP2 does, and does it well.

New Super Mario Brothers

The Mario Brothers games changed drastically with the N64's Super Mario 64; breaking from the then-norm with the tantalizing Princess and her persnickety plumber friends. Deviating from the sidescrolling excellence that was Super Mario Brothers 3 and Super Mario World, Super Mario 64 changed the franchise … and not in a way that I was all too fond of. 20+ years later and New Super Mario Brothers releases on the Nintendo Wii and it is chalk-full of nostalgia in its sidescrolling antics, bubble-bouncing goodness, and deeply challenging missions. But what made it truly special? Just as it had in the 80's and 90's, the Mario Brothers was a title that put my family back on the couch, together, playing games, together. There are few titles that can truly bring people together, and New Super Mario Brothers is one of them.

Portal 2

I'm generally terrible at Platformers. Truly. But Portal 2 is one of my all-time favorites because the robots are hilarious, Chell is committed to saving the companion cube, and there is a multiplayer component. The puzzles in Portal 2 require players to think differently about movement because of portals. Sometimes they are required to place a portal on the ceiling which makes players loopy at first, but it makes sense quickly enough. I also found that I really enjoyed the characters GLaDOS (whose voice was featured in Pacific Rim - a movie I might not have been interested in if it wasn't for that fact and a couple other reasons...) and Wheatley. The music at the end of both Portal 1 and 2 make me laugh ridiculously, and was the best few hours I've ever spent in a video game for a puzzle platformer. Also, some of the player-created multiplayer maps can surprise you, so there is that. Needless to say, Portal 2 is by far the only puzzle platformer I put on this list.

Iconoclasts

MMM. This game was absolutely great. With solid and interesting platformer mechanics, a small but expressive cast, I bad guy I actually felt bad about beating, and a bunch of collectibles and areas to explore, I absolutely loved Iconoclasts. The character designs were cute, I loved the art style, the music was on point, there really wasn’t much I had to complain about the game. While the last boss may have come out of left field, but I thoroughly loved the time I spent with Iconoclasts. I would definitely recommend adding this to your platformer repertoire.

A Hat in Time

A game touted as invoking a sense of nostalgia without being a cringey faux-retro game? Why yes, yes it is. A Hat in Time is a great platformer in the vein of super Mario sunshine, consisting of a bunch of hub worlds with genre ADD that vary anywhere from the standard super Mario 64 style to open-world platforming to a murder mystery event. A Hat in Time does a wonderful job of invoking that nostalgic feeling without actually being a rehash or overly dependent upon a predecessor. With some great boss fights, a good soundtrack, and a wonderful feeling of gameplay, A Hat in Time definitely deserves a spot on this list, despite the many glitches I encountered while playing and the short length.

Hollow Knight

A 2-D soulsborne done right, Hollow Knight is like if you took a 2D Dark Souls and gave the main character all the maneuverability of Samus from the Metroid games. A tale of bugs (literally) that drew me in way too much, Hollow Knight is a great platformer. With a bunch of DLC and a whole underground kingdom to explore, Hollow Knight will have you bashing your head off the wall labeled “tough bosses” for quite a while, which is what I’ve come to love and hope for in these style games. I can assure you, I’m definitely excited about Silksong.

Forgotten Anne

A special gift of a game I was handed for review that turned out to be a lot of fun. It was different from other platformers I had played up until that point. The characters were unique in design and the story almost felt like I was in a steampunk version of Beauty and the Beast. It was a story that I couldn't put down until I finished it.

Little Nightmares

Walked into the local game shop to find this cute little collectors edition sitting by the window. Having never heard of it, I was intrigued by the tiny little girl in the yellow raincoat. Turns out this game was a lot darker then I though, which was a good thing. It's creepiness kept my curiosity going and fed my need to explore. A short yet sweet little title.

Hollow Knight

Watched a friend play this game and was pleasantly surprised by its design. Sure it choice in colour where gray, black, white and more gray, but it's simple characters and beautiful somber score pieces made the games atmosphere ominous. You can feel the sadness and loneliness as you progress through the massive landscape, but with a large area to explore comes some of the best and challenging boss battles I have ever fought.

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