These are the 10 best games of 2019, across PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch.

As a result of multiple rigorous deliberations over the past week, we at GameSpot have narrowed down the huge list of impressive 2019 games down to just 10 nominees for our Best Game of 2019. Every nominee listed below is qualified to be our game of the year, but, of course, there can be only one. On December 17, we will unveil which of these very deserving games takes home the honor, but until then, we want to give each of the nominees a moment to shine and hear your thoughts on what we consider to be the most memorable, innovative, and exciting games of the past year.

Our Best of 2019 award isn't all we have prepared for the end of the year--far from it! In the lead up to our big reveal, we are also looking back at platforms and weighing in on the likes of Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, and try as we might, the very broad landscape of PC gaming. We are also reflecting on the trends that defined games in 2019. Subscriptions and services took off, politics and games clashed in a more pronounced fashion than usual, and perhaps more than anything, the big players in the industry paved the way for 2020, a year that is sure to be full of excitement around the new console launches from Sony and Microsoft.

To find all of our current and upcoming content, check out our Best Games of 2019 hub, and be sure to check back every day for new content looking back on one of the most enjoyable years in gaming, as well as glimpses into the future. 2020 is almost upon us, and the flow of games isn't slowing down anytime soon.

On to the nominees!

Editor's note: the following list is ordered by release date.

Resident Evil 2

"Resident Evil 2 is not only a stellar remake of the original, but it's also simply a strong horror game that delivers anxiety-inducing and grotesque situations, topping some of the series' finest entries. But above all, the remake is an impressive game for the fact that it goes all-in on the pure survival horror experience, confidently embracing its horrifying tone and rarely letting up until the story's conclusion. Though Resident Evil 2 has its roots firmly in the past, it reworks the familiar horrors into something that feels brand new and all its own." -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor

Read our full Resident Evil 2 Review

Apex Legends

"Apex Legends is a mix of smart shooter ideas that makes for a competitive, team-based game that gets at all the best parts of battle royale while addressing a lot of the weaknesses. Respawn's intense focus on team play makes Apex more than just a worthy addition to the genre; it's an indicator of where battle royale should go in the future." -- Phil Hornshaw, Editor

Read our full Apex Legends Review

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

"The orchestration of intense one-on-one boss encounters that truly test your mettle, and slower-paced stealth sections that let you take on battles at your own pace, is masterful. More so than in previous games, From Software has honed in on the inherent tension found in the challenging nature of its games, and uses it to incredible effect. Sekiro marries the developer's unique brand of gameplay with stealth action to deliver an experience that is as challenging as it is gratifying." -- Tamoor Hussain, Global News Editor

Read our full Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Review

A Plague Tale: Innocence

"Despite the unremitting horrors of Innocence’s beginnings, the game occasionally lets in a faint glimpse of hope. One of my favorite moments is when Amicia spots another wildflower in a lone trek across the city, nestled among the decay of the rats’ revolting nests. Without her brother around, she picks it up, and places it gingerly in her own hair--a personal reminder to keep trudging on amidst the hardships, and a testament to her growing strength and tenacity. Despite flashes of predictability, moments like these will bring a lump to your throat, as it did mine." -- Khee Hoon Chan, Freelance Reviewer

Read our full A Plague Tale: Innocence Review

Outer Wilds

"Outer Wilds’ deeply captivating narrative and plentiful mysteries push you further into exploring its richly varied and stunning solar system. The time loop you’re trapped in lets you craft bite-sized expeditions that all end up telling their own stories, irrespective of whether you make a monumental discovery or simply encounter a playful interaction. Having a tool to neatly document your discoveries helps you slowly piece together a tale filled with charming writing, and one that presents its own open-ended questions that add emotional heft to the numerous exchanges you parse through during your travels. By letting you chart your own course and piece together its mystery at your own pace, Outer Wilds makes each of its expeditions feel incredibly personal and absolutely unmissable." -- Alessandro Barbosa, Freelance Reviewer

Read our full Outer Wilds Review

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

"When all was said and done, all I could think about was starting another playthrough. I was curious about the mysteries left unsolved, of course, but I also hoped to undo my mistakes. There were characters I didn't talk to enough, students I didn't recruit, and far more effective ways to train my units. A second playthrough treads familiar ground in the beginning, but after learning and growing so much in the first, it feels fresh, too. That speaks to Three Houses' mechanical complexity and depth as well as the connections it fosters with its characters--and whether you're managing inventories or battlefields, it's the kind of game that's hard to put down, even when it's over." -- Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor

Read our full Fire Emblem: Three Houses Review

Control

"It's not often that a game invades my thoughts the way Control has. I'm at the point where I want to consume every last thing it has to offer. And if I'm honest, it also makes me want to go back and replay Remedy's past games, too. Sure, it's a faulty metroidvania in some respects, but there are so many exceptional qualities afoot that Control handily deflects any momentary ire. I can't wait to take part in discussions about the game, to see what others have figured out, and to better understand where it all fits into Jesse's story." -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor

Read our full Control Review

Disco Elysium

"Disco Elysium is a mad, sprawling detective story where the real case you've got to crack isn't who killed the man strung up on a tree in the middle of town--though that in itself, replete with dozens of unexpected yet intertwined mysteries and wild excursions into the ridiculous, is engrossing enough to sustain the game. Rather, it’s an investigation of ideas, of the way we think, of power and privilege, and of how all of us are shaped, with varying degrees of autonomy, by the society we find ourselves in." -- David Wildgoose, Freelance Reviewer

Read our full Disco Elysium Review

The Outer Worlds

"I finished The Outer Worlds wanting more, eager to jump back into the world to see extra things. It's not a short game, but it's one packed with such a steady stream of wonderful characters to meet, interesting places to explore, and meaningful, multi-layered quests to solve, that it didn't feel like there was any room to get tired of it. I wanted to rewind the clock and do everything in a completely different way. The Outer Worlds is consistently compelling throughout, and it's a superb example of how to promote traditional RPG sensibilities in a sharp, modern experience." -- Edmond Tran, Senior Content Producer

Read our full The Outer Worlds Review

Death Stranding

"Death Stranding is a hard game to absorb. There are many intertwining threads to its plot, and silly names, corny moments, and heavy exposition belie an otherwise very simple message. That comes through much more clearly in the game's more mundane moments, when you find a desperately-needed ladder left behind by another player or receive a letter from an NPC thanking you for your efforts. It's positive without ignoring pain; in fact, it argues in both its story and its gameplay that adversity itself is what makes things worth doing and life worth living. It's a game that requires patience, compassion, and love, and it's also one we really need right now." -- Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor

Read our full Death Stranding Review