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The Video Games We Wish We’d Played In 2019

Mike Diver

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| Last updated 

The Video Games We Wish We’d Played In 2019

Featured Image Credit: ZA/UM, Kojima Productions

We can't play every game. We just can't. No. No. And every year, there's always a handful of games that slip between our cracks, so to speak. Games that we wish we'd found time for, but so far, as another year looms, we've not gotten around to. Here are the video games we, the GAMINGbible team, wish we'd played in 2019. Just one pick for each individual, one personal choice, because we have managed to play most of them, obvs.

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Sayonara Wild Hearts / Credit: Simogo, Annapurna Interactive
Sayonara Wild Hearts / Credit: Simogo, Annapurna Interactive

Julian Benson - Sayonara Wild Hearts
(PS4, Switch, Apple Arcade)

I heard 'The Internet is For Porn' years before seeing Avenue Q, the musical it's from, performed live. It was like only reading half the pages of a book - the musical's songs stood on their own, but when I understood the context of why the characters were singing them, it made it so much more enjoyable. Much like that, I've been listening to Sayonara Wild Hearts soundtrack for months now, and I wish I had the other half of the story.

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I've just not had the time between other reviews and events to actually sit down with it, especially as it was hard to justify the time, in a work capacity, when we already had a review of the game on the site. I'm trying to keep some time free over Christmas to give it a play but I can't guarantee it won't be rescheduled to allow for generous turkey eating.

Death Stranding / Credit: Kojima Productions, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Death Stranding / Credit: Kojima Productions, Sony Interactive Entertainment

Phil Boon - Death Stranding
(PS4)

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Because, why not? Hideo Kojima's latest, Death Stranding is still very much still shrouded in mystery for me, despite being out since early November. There are so many unanswered questions surrounding the point of this game, which my mind can't even begin to comprehend - and this only makes me want to play it more. Unfortunately, the game's release date meant that I missed playing it in in the midst of the hectic October and November. I'll have to catch up in the New Year.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening / Credit: Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening / Credit: Nintendo

James Daly - The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
(Switch)

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When Link's Awakening came out, I decided to be mature and not buy it right away because I already had plenty of games to be getting on with; and it's a remake anyway, so I know the story. Well, maturity blows, because now I'm sitting here in December wishing I'd played through this well-received instalment in one of my favourite series at the same time as my friends. 2019 ruined now, thanks.

Disco Elysium / Credit: ZA/UM
Disco Elysium / Credit: ZA/UM

Mike Diver - Disco Elysium
(PC)

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Having had my eye(s) on this uniquely surreal detective role-player since it was called No Truce With the Furies - it was retitled Disco Elysium in 2018 - I'm absolutely gutted that I've not found time to check it out in 2019, especially given the amazing reception it's received from peers and pals. Or rather, it's less about time, and more about hardware, as ZA/UM's multi-award-nominated game is strictly PC only right now, and I've neither money nor space to invest in such kit. I've heard whispers of forthcoming ports, for platforms I do own, so that's something to be excited about heading into 2020. But right now? Gutted.

John Wick Hex / Credit: Bithell Games, Good Shepherd Entertainment
John Wick Hex / Credit: Bithell Games, Good Shepherd Entertainment

Mark Foster - John Wick Hex
(PC, Mac)

John Wick Hex is a game that immediately grabbed my attention after I was lucky enough to play it at E3 2019. I had zero expectations for it, but was floored by its potential to transport me into the shoes and mind of the baba yaga. The methodical pace to assessing a room for dangers, ranking them and executing your plan down to the very footwork you use is the kind of minutia I love to explore when allowed, and JWH embraced it perfectly. And I'm disappointed I haven't got around to playing more of it, after that E3 taster. I appreciate it perhaps didn't get stellar reviews across the board, but I still feel like I missed out on properly experiencing this uniquely strategic action game.

Disco Elysium / Credit: ZA/UM
Disco Elysium / Credit: ZA/UM

Will McCue - Disco Elysium
(PC)

Unlike many of the reprobates I work with, I do own a gaming PC so I don't really have much of an excuse to having not played Disco Elysium yet. I'm a big fan of RPG games that fully immerse you in a new world, almost as an escape from life. And with this one being described by many outlets as "the best RPG of 2019", I may have missed a trick. Back in 2011, I took pride in my detective skills as Cole Phelps in Rockstar's L.A. Noire, and I'm a sucker for a good murder mystery, so Disco Elysium sounds like a perfect fit for me on paper. I guess it just flew under my radar until I was already knee deep in Modern Warfare. The 20-plus hours it would take to complete Disco Elysium is just too much at the moment... Perhaps I'll jump in over the Christmas period.

Planet Zoo / Credit: Frontier Developments
Planet Zoo / Credit: Frontier Developments

Ewan Moore - Planet Zoo
(PC)

Earlier in the year, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with some of the team behind Planet Zoo. They showed me an early build of the game, and we chatted about its many features and animals. Most importantly though, we discussed the game's focus on education and conservation.

As a big lover of animals, education, and not watching the planet burn in a large heap of trash and disease, I was intrigued. Unfortunately, I still haven't had the chance to dive into Planet Zoo. Crucially, I don't have a gaming PC, and I fear my work laptop would blow up. Even if I could run it, though, I simply don't have the time to let myself be absorbed in the way I know Planet Zoo would absorb me. I just wanna fluff those Red Pandas, man.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare / Credit: Infinity Ward, Activision
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare / Credit: Infinity Ward, Activision

Tom Ryan-Smith - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
(PS4, XBO, PC)

When whispers first arose that the next game in the Call of Duty franchise would be a reboot of Modern Warfare, I let out a solid "EEEEEEE" (I'm a northern boy and make prefer to emote with noises rather than words). This wasn't a high-pitched squee, but rather a deeper-toned noise that in the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire is often followed by the word "grand".

After each trailer and hands-on opportunity I had, it became apparent that Modern Warfare would be instantly added to my collection on release. But just like a competent contestant on The X Factor that everyone expects to be in the final, but gets booted out because "of course, everyone else will be voting for them", Modern Warfare still hasn't set found a home on my console of choice. Pokémon, Gears 5, Control and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order took precedence, and Modern Warfare, sadly, drifted into the background. For now, anyway - I'll probably pick it up over Christmas.

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Keep your eyes peeled for GAMINGbible's games of the year list, coming later in December alongside a raft of other Christmas-y content. What game of 2019 are you super eager to play, but you've not found time for yet? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.


Topics: zelda, Death Stranding, Call of Duty

Mike Diver
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