The perfect Resident Evil game doesn't exist. The series, among the most consequential in gaming, has shifted its focus so often, a "Resident Evil fan" could be many things. One player's definition of a perfect Resident Evil game is another's mark of where the series went astray. Like the Zelda or Mario series, Resident Evil is due some credit for innovating and becoming an industry leader, even if it eventually began to borrow from its action-adventure peers. Still, there are plenty of ideas that persist through each game.

It's all fun and games until you have to pick the Game of the Year. Looking back, this year certainly had its share of contenders for the top spot in our annual video game list. From new gaming IPs such as "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" to older stalwarts making a return to form like "Resident Evil 2," there was no shortage of games worthy of the crown. Like every year, however, we have to pick one title as the best of the best. Then again, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't recognize all of the other great games that came out, either.

"Death Stranding" earned the most nominations in the Game Awards, which will be given out Dec. 12 in Los Angeles. The new game from famed designer Hideo Kojima ("Metal Gear Solid") collected nine nominations, including Game of the Year, Best Action/Adventure Game, Best Game Direction, Best Art Direction and Best Score. Actors Norman Reedus and Mads Mikkelsen, who portray Sam Porter Bridges and Cliff, respectively, in the PlayStation 4 game, earned nominations for Best Performance. They were joined by Ashly Burch as Parvati Holcomb in "The Outer Worlds," Courtney Hope as Jesse Faden in "Control," Laura Bailey as Kait Diaz in "Gears 5" and Matthew Porretta as Dr. Casper Darling in "Control." Considered the Oscars of the video game industry, the Game Awards began in 2014, established by longtime video game journalist Geoff Keighley.

The stretch of summer between E3 and the holiday season is a hard time to be a video game fan. The industry tantalized us with all the wonderful games it's making, but the problem is that most of those new and amazing-sounding games won't come out until at least November. But that just means you've got plenty of time to catch up on all the amazing video games 2019 has already gifted us. Here are the best video games of 2019 so far, including a few that may have slipped under your radar. Come for the incredible visuals, stay for the profound and moving story.