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Well nobody asked (why would they) but I thought I would say my top games of the year. They didn’t all (or even mostly) come out this year but they all brought a lot of enjoyment this year.
Hades - This game is just pure fun. I usually don’t care for roguelikes but with the narrative and amazing combat, this one sold me on it and made me better at games. People have already written books about this one elsewhere. It’s that good. Plus you can pet the dog.
Animal Crossing - This is another game from this year that made a big splash. It was really great in a time when not a lot of great things were happening.
Hollow Knight -This is a more recently played game. I initially bounced off of it pretty hard (due to the fact it is also pretty hard) but it is just so good and rewarding. No game makes you feel as cool when you do well.
Stardew Valley - Another older game I initially bounced off of that brought a lot of joy this year. Turning your farm from nothing into a wonderful, productive place is so fun.
Wintermoor Tactics Club - Part visual novel, part tactics game, this game is so fun. Set in 1981 at a boarding school, your D&D adjacent club must snowball fight for their lives to be the ultimate club and solve a mystery.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake - A classic from my childhood that was remade and really reimagined from the ground up in a super cohesive and engaging way. A wonderful homage that doesn’t feel fan servicey.
Ys 8 Lacrimosa of Dana - Long name, amazing game, maybe my game of the year. The hook of exploring a seemingly deserted (they never really are) island is so pleasing as you and your band of survivors try to make it in a hostile world.
Donut County - Another game that is a few years old but is such a delight. The gameplay rules and the story is really funny. Figuring out the new ways to engage with the world on each level is truly a great experience. Also it’s really short (less than 2 hours)
Fire Emblem 3 Houses - My GOTY last year got played a lot this year too. Still one of my favorites of all time. The expansion was released this year and added some great content.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 - Another I bounced off early but came back to late last year and a lot of this year. A really fun world to explore and maybe the only gacha character system I have ever enjoyed before. I enjoy it more than the first one (blasphemy I know).
Murder By Numbers - I love picross and murder mysteries so of course I would live this combination of the two.
