Yes, I know it’s normally “Games Of The Year”.
But look…I’m the worst. I played way too much Fortnite in 2019. YES, the Fornite. This was mostly due to having a group of friends I could play the title with frequently, who were based all over the world. If this isn’t what multiplayer was made for, then I don’t know what is. And it just so happened to be Fortnite hitting the spot for us all.
So Fortnite would take out a category potentially. Or two.
Thanks to PlayStation though, I now have some BIG DATA about what and how I played this year. And along with Fortnite, it was other old titles and some new ones. Yes, Game Of The Year might be about titles released that year, but in this time where games are a service, many of us are probably drawn into a few of the older games. And with older games also offered free monthly, well…what is a game of the year any more?
But there is one.
And more!
If you wanted a deeper dive from me on the STANDARD type of awards, then you can check out my Morning Download session here, that celebrated all things gaming. As for me, you know I’m about to be a bit nonsensical and sensible.
GAME OF THE YEAR | Death Stranding
I hoped to return to do a review after the conclusion of my impressions of Death Stranding. Maybe this will be it now. Once I got over my fears of the game’s sheer size, I was wholeheartedly invested.
As in, 72 hours, 29 minutes and 14 seconds invested.
This was my completion time for the story alone. I have a few trophies to finish to get Platinum, which I plan to do, but it…is an incredible amount of time to give to a single-player game.
And it was absolutely worth it.
Part of my anxiety was in the side-quests, but they’re not so much side-quests as they are ways to make the game-world better. Every time you reconnect this broken America, something good happens. And this becomes even more prevalent as you help other players.
Your burden is not your own.
And this drives you to do more and more to retie these strands. I adore that.
While many won’t enjoy Kojima’s heavy exposition, I was completely sold on this world of Death Stranding he created. I’d love to see more, but I also know the title could be left resolved as is.
The incredible graphics provided by Decima which allows us to immerse ourselves in the outstanding cast and story, along with the beautiful audio tracks which fill the sometimes lonely world, has produced a gaming experience for me which I won’t forget any time soon.
Easily standing atop 2019 as my Game Of The Year, Norman Reedus and a Fetus is an outstanding game that you must play and push through. Find the experience Kojima wants you to have amidst the clunky controls and torturous introduction. Because when you do…you’ll see the sun set.
Platinum Of The Year | Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order
What’s this category about then? Well it turns out EA and Respawn’s Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order was the only game I managed to Platinum last year!
I don’t really do Platinums. If you guys see how I feel about any sort of game being monumental, then I simply book it out of there. But then there are titles which simply make it a breeze for you to get through. And Jedi Fallen Order was this.
So congrats Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order! You were the only game I committed the trophy hunt too!
The “WHY” Award | Fortnite Battle Royale
YES. Even I can question my own sanity when I somehow spent 436 hours on this game. While the majority was spent playing it with mates, I know there were definitely A LOT of times I spent playing it by myself.
AND THE MONEY!
Oh I won’t talk about the money, but this game is definitely the one which has the most…monetary investment(?) behind it. There’s no regrets for this. I understand the methods of how they got me to do so, and I’ve enjoyed the reactions for every paid thing I’ve had in game.
But maybe enough is enough?
It certainly feels like this within the community at the moment. And I tell you what…I’ve been enjoying playing other games for once.
The “HUH” Award | The Division 2
I really did enjoy my time with The Division 2. The “HUH” is more around the fact it came in as my second most popular game this year!
Clocking in at 114 hours, I didn’t even know I gave it so much time. In retrospect I did actually finish the storyline unlike the first game, and definitely did a lot more grinding with some other friends who were playing the title at the time. And the Stronghold mechanics which would change the world were really exciting to experience!
So take your award Ubisoft! You’ve earned it for taking out such a coveted position in my life.
So that’s my Game(s) Of The Year.
A fun enough way to present the 768 hours of gameplay I put in to my PlayStation this year. This was across 240 days, with 741 of those hours spent locally, and 27 online. I don’t understand how it works with all my Fortnite nonsense, but there you go. With a longest gaming streak of 8 hours (WORK!), I was at least smart enough to find my prime time of play on Saturday nights, like a smart adult.
2020 is going to be massive. According to my PlayStation Wrap-Up, this is what I have to look forward to:
The Last Of Us Part II leads the way, cause hot-damn I cannot wait for it, and it’s safe to say Final Fantasy VII Remake follows it strongly. And yes, these titles may have all experienced delays, but this just means we’re getting them at their best!
If that’s the case, then they’ve already started competing for my love and wow; Let me get the sheets ready.
