Alongside our staff-voted Game of the Year awards, each of our writers have crafted their own personal lists, covering their top five PlayStation 4 titles of 2019. Today, it's the turn of associate editor Stephen Tailby.

Mutazione

5. Mutazione

I've played a lot of smaller games this year, but something about Mutazione struck a chord with me. I think what I really appreciate about this title is the dialogue shared between all the inhabitants of this mutant island. Much of your time is spent chatting with various characters, but the writing is so natural and genuine that you really feel like you get to know everyone by the end. The chilled-out atmosphere helps, too. For me, it's sometimes nice to play something low pressure, and between the anything-goes gardening segments and the laid back but compelling story, this is a highly enjoyable game for a lazy weekend.

Dirt Rally 2.0

4. DiRT Rally 2.0

I'm not normally a big fan of simulation-style racers, but Codemasters has mastered the knife-edge thrill of rally in this niche series. For me, DiRT Rally 2.0 is one of PS4's top racing titles, because the handling is super tight, the sense of speed is mad, and you really get that feeling of being a split second from disaster. That tension is the beating heart of the game, and the satisfaction when you succeed is all the sweeter for it. I understand it's not a game for everyone, but few racers on PS4 can match the gameplay experience found here.

Ace Combat 7

3. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

There's something extremely satisfying about the Ace Combat series, and ultimately I think it's just that it's extremely good at exploding planes. Flying around in Skies Unknown, taking down multiple enemies, and dodging an onslaught of missiles is simply a wonderfully fun gameplay experience. The story is kinda whatever, but you just know you'll feel like a badass at all times as you whip through the clouds turning bogeys into fireballs. Throw in the excellent PSVR missions, and it comfortably flies with the rest of this year's most enjoyable games.

Sekiro Shadows Die Twice

2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

I didn't end up playing too many big budget releases in 2019, but of the ones I did, Sekiro definitely stands out. FromSoftware deviated from the path a little bit with this game, and it's a detour I personally really enjoyed. Combat is intense with its emphasis on parrying and posture, while the varied world is chock full of secrets to find and optional bosses to face. It's very tough, but mastering Sekiro's swordplay is a challenge I've thoroughly enjoyed this year. The intriguing setting and excellent boss fights are just cherries on the top. Now, where's that DLC?

Return Of The Obra Dinn

1. Return of the Obra Dinn

I knew I wanted Return of the Obra Dinn in my top five somewhere, but in the end, there was only one place it could go. No other game this year has been quite as compelling, as rewarding, and as ingenious as this one. I was washed away by this game's tragic mystery; the storytelling, much like the gameplay, leaves you to fill in the blanks as you explore every nook and cranny of the titular ship. Figuring out the fate of 60 people might not sound much fun, but it's honestly the most engrossing time I had with a game in 2019. Much like with The Witness, the only downside is I'll never get to experience it for the first time again.

Do you agree with Stephen's personal Game of the Year picks? Whatever your opinion, feed us your thoughts in the comments section below.