Some games just get their hooks in you like no other—whether that’s the “one more match” pull or an addictive mission loop. These are the games that had us hooked for a big part of 2019 (or all of it).
The following Top 5 list was compiled by Dylan Blight, Ashley Hobley and Ciaran Marchant.
5) Grindstone
Capybara Games — iOS
What makes Grindstone so enjoyable is the thrill of pulling off a huge combo. The game uses familiar match-four mechanics but opens them up so that clearing the entire board of enemies around you is possible. I’ve spent five or more minutes plotting a single move just to watch an on-screen avalanche of attacks—that is what keeps me coming back again and again.
There’s a ridiculous number of levels and a light RPG layer that lets you unlock and swap armour, skills and weapons to suit a given level or playstyle. A colourful art style, great music and SFX, plus a steadily growing variety of enemy types and challenges make Grindstone dangerously easy to lose hours to—and easy to return to, level after level.
— Dylan Blight
4) Teamfight Tactics
Riot Games — PC
I sunk more time into this auto-battler than I expected—and often longer than I intended. The randomness of the character drops is what pulled me back, round after round. Each match taught me something about the champion synergies I tried and why I did well or (more often) poorly. Sure, I had preferred comps, but the RNG forces you to experiment, which in turn makes you better equipped for whatever the shop offers next time.
The carousel drafting rounds set it apart and give you a sense of control and hope if you’re behind. The hook—set your board, then watch the fight play out—tickles a very specific part of my brain and had me queuing up match after match.
— Ashley Hobley
3) Borderlands 3
Gearbox Software — PS4, PC, Xbox One
Bright lights, big numbers, and wild characters—Las Vegas lures people into casinos with that combo, but Vegas could learn a thing or two from Borderlands 3.
With not only the wastes of Pandora to explore but also the wider galaxy, Borderlands 3 draws you into its loop: explore a bit more, farm that boss one more time, maybe take a spin on one of Moxxi’s casino machines.
How? Guns. Guns with bright colours and big numbers. It’s pure joy to inspect a fresh drop—and even better to unleash it. And for most of the game, there’s always something better on the horizon. That promise keeps you booting the game and picking up the controller.
— Ciaran Marchant
2) Apex Legends
Respawn Entertainment — PS4, Xbox One, PC
One more drop! Those were the words millions of players found themselves saying when Apex Legends exploded in early 2019. Battle-royale veterans and newcomers alike flocked to master its roster and roam its varied map. There was always one more thing to chase: a skin, a stat, getting your squad’s banners on the champion screen—proof you were the apex of the BR heap.
Because each Legend meaningfully changes how you play, every match feels fresh. And just as the loop starts to settle, Respawn shakes it up with map changes—or something other BRs couldn’t match at the time: a brand-new character.
— Ciaran Marchant
1) Tetris 99
Nintendo — Nintendo Switch
It almost feels like cheating to put one of gaming’s all-time time-sinks at #1—but Tetris is just that good, and Tetris 99 makes it even more competitive.
Released at the start of the year as a free download for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, Tetris 99 quickly became a time sink as I chased that first victory. You’re playing against 98 others; while there’s some know-how involved in targeting attackers or badges, ultimately it comes down to being good at Tetris.
No other 2019 game had me insta-queuing for “just one more” quite like Tetris 99.
— Dylan Blight
