It is the end of another year, shockingly, and so I thought I would share some of my personal favorites from this year. I did miss a few movies, games, and books that I feel I would have enjoyed, but I did get around to some great ones. As with last year, I thought I would also highlight things that weren’t new this year but were new to me, and added personal accomplishments.
This was a genuinely delightful indie game that allows each player to determine their own experience. While there is a set number of tasks you much complete to reach your end goal (hiking to the top of the mountain), it’s really up to you to decide how to get there. There are lots of great characters, amazing art, and a touching moment that made me tear up. This game is a treat.
Ari Aster’s 2nd movie after Hereditary. This time we follow our characters to Sweden for the mid-summer festival. This movie is troubling, beautiful to look at, well scored and acted, and just a total nightmare. It has stuck with me since I first saw it, and I was blown away.
Another 2nd movie and another great one. Us is a compelling movie with a bit of a challenging idea behind it. Some things didn’t land exactly perfectly, but the movie overall is a solid and impressive experience.
This movie is damn fun. It is a great creature feature that manages to stay away from “intentional b movie” (like Sharknado) and just embraces being a solid flick. It has scares, a good story, and was a great ride from start to finish.
Another indie game this one more heavily focused on the story. I wasn’t super in love with the gameplay, I noted in my review it needed something of a cross between easy and normal, but that aside it is a good one: great characters, fantastic art, and wonderful story.
Season 2 really hit a lot of what season 1 did right. It is a great crime show while also giving people some historical fiction. The interviews with the killers were still amazing, and the focus on the Atlanta Child Killer as a central case was compelling. I still have iffy feelings about the characters overall, but it speaks highly of the rest of the show that, that has not driven me away.
Phoenix Wright Trilogy
Getting the Trilogy on the Xbox was a treat. These are still fantastic games, and I enjoy having a new way to play them.
Blair Witch
This game surprised me. I did not have high expectations, but it swooped in and was a fantastic horror game that did not obsess overly much with the source material. There was enough there to make it feel like Blair Witch but was secure enough to stand on its own.
I am genuinely surprised that I am including this. I have liked the movies I have seen in that Universe but have yet to really love any until this one, which many consider sort of weak. To me, it was a fun and entertaining horror flick.
New to Me
Sushi Striker
This game makes me laugh, and it’s cute as hell. I am glad I finally got a Switch and decided to give this a go.
Lake Mungo is an interesting movie. It is arguably the only actual mockumentary horror film that I have ever seen. It is light on actual scares but heavy on development. It is a sad journey watching this family burdened with death and seeing everything unfold that lead to the person’s end. I highly recommend it.
I wanted to see this movie when it was announced, but damn did it take me a while to get around to it. It is hilarious, it is heartbreaking, it is an incredible movie.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Finally started playing this, and damn do I love it. There is not much I can say; it’s just a great experience.
Stardew Valley
Okay, well, not “new,” but there were a few updates recently, and I did get back into it a lot this year. I don’t know that I will ever stop loving this game. I love the new cut scenes, and features added, and it’s just… such a relaxing and lovely experience.
Old Man’s Journey
A sad but beautiful look at life and what we want. This game has great art and one of the best soundtracks I have ever heard. The story is not unique, dealing with end of life regrets. But it is a story that is worth telling, and they did so in a great way.
Personal Accomplishments
After feeling as though I weren’t getting enough finished with my writing, this was a huge one to me. It made me feel great, I learned a lot about my writing and editing process, and I am ready to keep moving forward.
Finally going to Carlsbad Caverns
Easily one of the best experiences of my life. It was amazing. I want to go back, and I want to explore more.
Restarting my Current WIP
I have discussed this a few times. I was sad that it ever went on the back burner, and I am hopeful this time.
Christmas with my Family
My first year hosting, and it was a delight. I am glad to be in a position to do so, even though I had a lot of help to get there.
What about you? What were some of your favorite things from this year or personal accomplishments?
Megan-E-Zombi 