Overlooked games of 2019
Resident Evil 2, Apex Legends, Devil May Cry 5 and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice have been the source of most of the fanfare in gaming for 2019. But these weren't the only great games to release this year, and most certainly not the only AAA games. So, let's take a look at the other stellar titles which came out this year and see for ourselves whether these games were justifiably overlooked or just fell victim to poor marketing and release dates.
Metro Exodus
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Price: $49.99 (Epic Games)
Release Date: February 15, 2019
Metro Exodus was the much awaited sequel to Metro: Last Light and Metro 2033. Exodus is set in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Russia. It's a first-person shooter with elements of stealth and survival. The level design is varied - a mix between linear and sandbox style levels. Although Metro Exodus's eerie atmosphere blends well with its survival elements, a lot of players have complained that the game doesn't deliver in terms of quantity of content, at its $50, sometimes $60 price point.
Kingdom Hearts III
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Price: $41.99 (PlayStation Store)
Release Date: January 25, 2019
Kingdom Hearts is the weird Disney and Square Enix crossover franchise that became a fan favourite during the mid 2000s. And while the much awaited Kingdom Hearts III was received well by long-time fans, it slipped under the mainstream radar. It's a great sequel which stayed true to the elements which made the original games such a delight - the story, the varied tools you have in your battle arsenal and the characters. Kingdom Hearts III is worth picking up, even if it's your first KH title.
The Walking Dead: The Final Season Episode 3: Broken Toys
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Price: $19.99 (PlayStation Store)
Release Date: January 15, 2019
Telltale Games officially shutdown in 2018 but not before they released The Final Season of The Walking Dead. The penultimate episode, Episode 3: Broken Toys released in January of this year. If you're a long time fan of the series, then it's imperative that you check out the finale of The Walking Dead series. The formula has stayed virtually the same for the Telltale story games but The Walking Dead has produced some of the most heart-felt bonds and characters in gaming and is definitely worth picking up.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Price: $29.99 (PlayStation Store)
Release Date: February 21, 2019
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is the magnum opus of visual novel games and it follows the story of Phoenix Wright in his pursuit of justice. The Capcom title is full of whimsical characters and the game is based around the legal battles Wright has to face throughout his adventures. This trilogy has been pretty much left alone by the masses but, at $30, it's a great bargain, considering how you get three games in one. Not to mention that the game's are fully remastered.
World War Z
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Price: $34.99 (Epic Games)
Release Date: April 16, 2019
World War Z is a great Left for Dead multiplayer style game. It's easy to get into with three other players for some four player action. It's biggest drawback has been its typical zombie apocalypse setting and there is very little variation to the missions. But it's still a great zombie clean-up game one you can soak hours into. The campaign is short but compelling. If you were a fan of the original Left for Dead games, then World War Z is a must buy.
Katana Zero
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Macintosh operating systems
Price: $14.99 (Steam)
Release Date: April 18, 2019
Katana Zero's unique presentation and mechanics fail to make up for the short experience. But it's been the best received indie game of 2019 and for good reason. The time manipulation mechanic is a great addition to this 2D action platformer game. It controls really well and the game is fast and fluid. But the game is punishingly difficult at times - the player character has no health bar and dies in one hit. Katana Zero was well received by critiques and fans alike but has failed to receive mainstream success.