Not Just a Tabletop Gamer — My Five-Year Video Game Roundup

I always love curling up with a nice video game over the holidays, so I thought I would share my absolute favorites that were released in the last five years. Most of these are also currently part of the Winter Steam Sale, so don't miss the chance to pick them up at a discount!

In no particular order...

Image via Steam

Chants of Sennaar A beautifully executed language-learning game inspired by the story of the Tower of Babel. It builds on its own early-game principles in a way that felt uniquely satisfying. Play this if you like:

• Languages

• Contextual deduction

• Decoding puzzles

Image via Steam

The Forgotten City A first-person narrative-driven mystery adventure that combines a clever time loop mechanic with an engaging story that can result in multiple endings. I was impressed with how many of my gripes with time loops were resolved, resulting in much smoother gameplay. Play this if you like:

• Exploration

• Narrative discovery

• Character interaction

Image via Steam

Blue Prince An absolutely brilliant and incredibly addictive room drafting game. It combines puzzles with rogue-like drafting mechanics (i.e. you start fresh every run and learn more information as you go) and draws you into an unexpectedly expansive story world. Play this if you like:

• A deep dive into a puzzle game

• Tons of content and secrets to uncover

Image via Steam

NORCO A dialogue-focused point-and-click adventure that takes place in a surreal and distorted version of Louisiana. I really enjoyed this one for the story, which is told from multiple viewpoints, as well as the strange world the designers created. Play this if you like:

• Narrative-driven gameplay

• Funky/surreal worldbuilding

  
  

Image via Steam

Pentiment A comic-book-like role-playing game with quests, personality, and surprising depth. I enjoyed playing as a Medieval scribe in the Bavarian Alps, solving mysteries, and navigating the political landscape of the time. Play this if you like:

• Exploration

• Narrative-driven gameplay

• Mystery-solving
  

Image via Steam

The Case of the Golden Idol and it's sequel, The Rise of the Golden Idol Both excellent deduction scenario mystery games with a story that dives deep into history and use of a fictional artifact. The creators leveraged their signature fill-in-the-blank-style answer mechanic to include a wide variety of strange and entertaining situations. Play this if you like:

• Point-and-click style deductive mysteries

• Exploring bizarre scenarios
  

Image via Nintendo Store

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom An infinitely impressive sandbox that builds on the incredible world of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Not only is the gameplay gorgeous and the map expansive, but the advanced use of physics lends itself to a multitude of unique puzzles that demand not just logic but also player creativity. Plus, you can build all sorts of contraptions just for fun if you want. Play this if you like:

• Exploration and open-world gameplay

• Sandbox-style building

• Solving object manipulation puzzles

• A little combat (or at least don't mind it)
  

Image via Steam

Viewfinder A mind-bending game of perspective puzzles that use in-game photography as the main means of transforming an element. It's similar to other games I've written about, such as Maquette and Superliminal, but something about this game really tickled my puzzle bone. Play this if you like:

• Puzzles that play with perspective

• Solutions that make you think outside the box

Image via Steam

It Takes Two A cooperative puzzle platformer in which you play as a couple with some marital problems... only now you've been turned into dolls. The gameplay is exciting, joyful, and creative—there was so much more to this game than we initially expected. The cooperation throughout feels meaningful, and the platforming is surprisingly satisfying (as well as very forgiving for those who aren't great with a controller.) Play this if you like:

• Solving puzzles cooperatively

• Whimsical environments

• Some action sequences (or at least don't mind them)

Image via Steam

Balatro

A rogue-lite deck-builder that can keep you going for hours, even if you've never played a single poker game in real life. The more you play, the more cards you unlock, adding variety and bringing you new challenges to overcome. It doesn't take long before you start creating powerful synergies, making gameplay both exciting and highly addictive. Play this if you like:

• Deck-builders

• Rogue-lites

• A fun mobile game to pass the time

Image via Steam

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes A surreal point-and-click adventure that takes place in an old European manor. It is mysterious and bizarre, but full of puzzles and secrets to discover. The best way I can describe it is if David Lynch made a puzzle game. Play this if you like:

• Exploration

• Puzzle-solving

• A spooky and surreal atmosphere

  
  

Image via Steam

Death Howl

This game just came out, so I haven't even finished playing it yet, but I already know it belongs on this list. It is an open-world deck-builder in a gorgeously rendered environment. The gameplay is challenging and engaging, as each area of the game map contains its own flavor of cards, enemies, special skills, and play styles. Play this if you like:

• Deck-builders

• Thinky strategy games

• Feasting your eyes upon beautiful color palettes

  
  

How many of these have you played, and which one was your favorite? Are there any gems I completely missed?