One of the biggest accomplishments for a game developer is to make a compelling game world that players just never want to leave. Sometimes thoseworlds are open and free to explore, sometimes they’re divided into missions to challenge one at a time, but no matter what, as long as they’re fun to play, gamers will flock to any game.
Nailing down the best areas, levels, and missions in the video games that released in 2019 is no easy feat. However, only one level can truly rise up from each of this years best titles to come out as one of the best of the year.
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While there will be plenty of honorable mentions to come among with some of the choices that made it into the list, there were a couple accomplishments that at least deserved a small shout-out. For one, from a game that didn’t release this year,Splatoon 2’s most recent Shifty Station during Splatfest was easily one of the best in the history of the event, thanks mostly to Pearl affecting gameplay during matches. Another great level from a much more okay game would be Cathedral of the Sacred Blood fromCode Veinthat has some of the most beautiful architecture and intricate design in the entire game, even if it comes after theworst hinted puzzlein the game.
With that out of the way, it’s about time to start looking at some of the levels that went above and beyond in 2019.
A Mysterious Disturbance (Destiny 2: Shadowkeep)
The kickoff to thenewShadowkeepcampaignthat launched in October of this year started the expansion off with a bang. The missionA Mysterious Disturbancewas the very first time thatDestiny 2brought players back to the moon ever since the series left it behind back in the originalDestiny.
Not only didA Mysterious Disturbanceset off theepic loot hunt that isShadowkeep, it also saw the return of one of the best enemies from the original game. When the Nightmare of Crota appears at the end of the long fight, health bar completely unaffected by the player’s puny bullets, or grenades, or rockets, it was like a terrifying return to a darker time inDestiny’s history.
Ashina Castle (Sekiro)
It seems as though it’s impossible to make a list of amazing achievements in gaming without mentioning 2019’s Game of the Year,Sekiro. And of all the locales within From Software’s latest title, Ashina Castle is easily the best, not just because it’s one of the first areas that sets the pace of the game, but because of the way it changes throughout the game.
As the player progresses through the game, this castle becomes somewhat of a hub to come speak to Lord Kuro, and every time they return, something has always changed to make traversal even more of a challenge. Additionally, some of the best boss fights in the game are challenged here, includingOwland Genichiro.
Ashtray Maze (Control)
Controlis filled with confusing puzzles that utilize the surreal aesthetic and convoluted nature of the Oldest House to challenge players in an interesting and unique way. Of all the areas inControl, none quite make use of the nature of the strange world or offers a better puzzle than the Ashtray Maze.
In addition to housing one of the most challenging puzzles inControl, the Ashtray Maze also boasts a classic characteristic of Metroidvania titles, where progress is blocked until a specific item or ability is found. So, players still banging their heads against the seemingly impossible puzzle may want to seek out some advice from a friendly janitor.
Athenas (Borderlands 3)
Borderlands 3is the first main series game to take the Vault Hunters off Pandora for once and explore a number of different planets and new locales. Plenty of worlds stand out for their own reasons, like Nekrotafeyo and Eden-6, but none quite match up with the homeworld of everyone’s favorite (and least favorite) Siren, Athenas.
Athenas is one of few locations that is limited to being a single hallway as opposed to an open map with multiple branching paths, which in most games would be a hindrance. What makes the hallway that is Athenas work so well forBorderlands 3is that the never ending onslaught of combat and some of the most intnese encounters in the game as Maliwan sends outCaptain Trauntand his Heavies to really test the player’s skill.
The Caribbean (Kingdom Hearts 3)
The opposite of Athenas inBorderlands 3, The Caribbean inKingdom Hearts 3is the most open world in the game, with dozens of islands to explore and treasures to discover. As with many of the games in this list, there are some honorable mentions in the way of theToy Storythemed Toy Box andBig Hero Six’s San Fransokyo.
Both theship combatand the full range of exploration is something entirely new toKingdom Hearts, and while it wasn’t implemented perfectly, The Caribbean is a huge step forward for the series. On top of the mechanical improvements in this world, the new graphics engine fromKingdom Hearts 3makes sailing over the open seas one of the most beautiful sights in the history of the series.
Dirtier Little Secrets (Gears of War 5)
Taking place at the end of Act 2,Dirtier Little Secretsstands out even against some of the best areas withinGears 5’s epic storyline. One massive standout in this mission is the Cryo Cannon, a gigantic weapon that gives players the ability to freeze swarms of enemies to death, which comes in handy for the boss fight that caps of the whole second Act.
Even without being able to play around with the Cryo Cannon, the final boss of the mission,The Matriarch, makes for an incredible cap on this section of the game. The massive creature stands as an impressive test of the player’s skill, with a touch of creativity thanks to the Cryo Cannon.
Virgil (Devil May Cry 5)
The 19th mission inDevil May Cry 5is less of a single mission and more of an extended boss fight. However, this one on one slugfest with one of the fan favorite villains of the series,Virgil, is almost epic enough to end the game on, butDMC 5just keeps chugging on, delivering epic fight after epic fight, all the way through.
This isn’t the first time that players have had to face off against Dante’s brother Virgil in the series, as he was also the primary antagonist of the majority ofDMC 3. However, this new fight is one of the best duels in the series, pushing the new game’s updated combat to its limit as Virgil darts around the arena and delivers crushing blows to unprepared players.
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Going Dark (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare)
The newCall of Duty: Modern Warfarehas been praisedsince its release for bringing theCall of Dutyfranchise back where it belongs and away from the grappling hooking, wall running, flashy gadget using attempt at copyingTitanfall 2. One of the best examples of this in the came pain comes from the missionGoing Dark, where players have to travel the three separate locations under the cover of night, using night-vision goggles to see through the dark.
At its core,Going Darkis a stealth mission, and one of the most intense to come out of gaming in 2019. A similar mission inModern Warfarecontinues to use the night-vision mechanic, and even then, the creeping movement through the pitch black world always manages to raise the hairs on the back of the player’s neck.
Guiding Lands (Monster Hunter World: Iceborne)
The Guiding Lands is almost like a reward for beating the campaign ofMonster Hunter World: Iceborne, offering players a chance to hunt on extended expeditions in a landscape that covers every previous environment found in the game. The strange, multi-environmental nature of the Guiding Lands has also made it the perfect place to introduce monsters likeRajang intoIceborne.
Additionally, asIcebornehas continued to receive Free Title Updates, the Guiding Lands has been slowly growing, adding a volcanic region, as well as a Tundra that came along with theStygian Zinogre. This new land also checks off another item on the list for veteranMonster Hunterfans, by adding more challenging monsters and dropping Guiding Lands exclusive loot.
Inside (Sayonara Wild Hearts)
One of the longer songs withinSayonara Wild Hearts,Insidetakes the player on a crazy journey as they have a rhythmic battle against a blond haired girl with a killer scythe. Although, one of the most interesting parts of this mission comes from the inverted pipe that is formed via the blond girl’s vomit after the player first gets a hit on her.
As is the case with every level of the indie darling that isSayonara Wild Hearts, the visuals ofInsideare absolutely stunning, sending a barrage of lights and sound at the players. This level is the peak of theNeon Heartbeat Dreamthat isSayonara Wild Hearts.
