Games I Really Liked 2010-2019
Many people have done âbest ofâ lists for the end of the decade. I honestly forgot to post this last month because who uses tumbltown anymore? Where do people even blog in 2020?! Livejournal? Wordpress?
Stardew Valley (PC, 2016) - This game was everything I wanted the new Harvest Moon games to be and more. Jabs at capitalism, 16 bit graphics, and a heartfelt callback to a series I loved as a teen weeaboo captured my heart.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS, 2012) - The 3DS had so many gems over its lifetime, but this one was my obsession in 2012-13. My then-partner and I joined a secret facebook group for friend code sharing and stalk market values. AC couldâve easily ruined my life but it was worth it.
Heavy Rain (PS3, 2010) - Pressing X to Jason brought me many hours of entertainment. This game is far from perfect, but the amount of joy I felt when playing this with Joe was worth the $59.99 I paid for it. (We also thoroughly enjoyed 2015âs Until Dawn, but I felt that Heavy Rain had more likeable characters and a more interesting storyline.)
Red Dead Redemption (PS3, 2010) - I never paid cowboys or the old west much attention until this game came out and holy shit was I missing out. This game is incredible.  I went back and played it when RDR2 was released and it still holds up well.
Skyrim (PS3, 2011) - This was the first Elder Scrolls game I played and wow, what a treat. I played this game until my PS3 save file glitched out and I had to take a break from it. I restarted the game a couple of years ago on PC, which is the choice platform for this one. Great journey, 10/10.
Night in the Woods (PC, 2017) - Never has a game reminded me more of myself. I loved every sad moment of this little game.  Itâs worth everyoneâs time to pick this one up. Gonna give honourable mention to both Oxenfree (2016) and Gone Home (2013), as they made me feel sad in a similar way, but NITW was definitely my favourite of the three.
Fantasy Life (3DS, 2014) - Keven and I were obsessed with this little gem. There are so many options for crafting, fighting, and foraging. Iâm still impressed with this game 5+ years later and sincerely hope we see other games like this for the Switch.
Rayman Origins (PS3, 2011) - I played the Rayman Legends (2013) demo at PAXâ12 on the WiiU and my Waif and I were like âholy shit this game is amazing.â I played through Origins, which I got for a bargain.  These games are incredible.  The multiplayer is also great if you have friends.
Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS, 2013) - Ocarina of Time is still my favourite Zelda; it helped me overcome my video gaming frustrations as a kid. Link Between Worlds is a very close second and I imagine if Iâd grown up with Link to the Past instead of Ocarina and Majora, this would be my number one Zelda. (No offense to Breath of the Wild - itâs a beautiful game.  Itâs just too much for me at this point.  Yes, I know, Iâm wrong.)
Mario Odyssey (Switch, 2017) - I fell in love with Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii back in 2007. It was a great call back to Mario 64, which was the first 3D game I ever played. So nostalgia plays a huge part in why this one is here.  That being said, the soundtrack is great, the controls feel awesome, and who doesnât love a Mario? (3D World was also a great title, but I think I was more infatuated with Odyssey if I had to pick one.)
Big honourable mention to The Sims 4 (2014), which is ultimately the weakest edition of The Sims, but I still play it religiously like a goddamn drug addict. (Sims 2 for life, son.)
Another honourable mention to Pokemon Go (2016), which is barely a game and more of a pedometer that reminds me to go outside. This is important.  Thanks, Pogo.
The systems listed are not necessarily exclusive; theyâre just how I played the games. I realize that Skyrim is on everything.