It might have been a bad year, but the video game industry still gave us some great games to pass the time. Below is some of our picks for the best games of 2020 as well as a a few reasons why they stand out.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Have you ever been addicted to drugs? No? Well, neither have I but I imagine that Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons is like drugs. I’m completely addicted to the game. This life simulator has people going out of their way to make new friends and connect on their Switch.
The Last of Us 2
The game looks stunning. The textures of the seasons seem real and we see more of the world from the first game. The battle scenes are tense., The crafting system is a huge upgrade and the characters feel real. We laugh, cry and cringe as they interact. The dialogue never seems scripted. Much like how The Walking Dead became less about the zombies and more about the humans, The Last of Us 2 shows that while we hope mankind would come together after a crisis, sometimes that just is not possible.
The Ghost of Tsushima
Taking on the type of scope would be challenging for any studio. The game has a very distinct style that hearkens back to samurai films of the past, especially Akira Kurosawa. This is not a run and gun type of game. You have to plan out how you are going to fight. There is a choice you must make and it has all to do with honor. A samurai does not sneak attack, they will face their enemy head on.
Phasmophobia
The overall goal is get in, investigate, and get out. Also, it’s probably a good idea if you try not to die. You can play alone if you want and if you are brave enough. Personally, I don’t want to deal with that type of panic attack. As the team progresses into a professional level, more buildings become available like an insane asylum and who wouldn’t want to go there?
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
Magic, bows, and the occasional soup ladle can be used to fight your enemies while making your way along. Weapons however, can be upgraded as well as abilities added. Players can either join the Avengers style group set-up and play through the story, or choose to do the side quests which will result in more loot and the ability to upgrade your stuff. Overall the game can be enjoyed for at least 15 hours.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
The game looks great. This is not a new paint job on the old stages. Things have changed in 2020. The mall from the original now looks as if it has closed down. The Hanger looks like a skater’s heaven, with nods to the other games in the series. Tony and his crew look different as well. The choice was made to show the skaters as they are now. They may look older, but they can still skate. It shows that even when time marches on, the things we love are still available to us.
Spiritfarer
Stella, our main character takes after the Greek mythology of the River Styx where she uses her boat to transport people to the afterlife. During this time she builds strong bonds with the characters she meets and continues to provide comfortable conditions too. Spiritfarer is a resource management but sometimes the small things don’t make the game feel like there is a lot to manage.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
The first challenge qualifies around 33 to 43 of 60 players. Then the numbers dwindle from there until you are anywhere from a group of 8 to even 4. These numbers vary depending on server issues, if people disconnect and when people die in a challenge. For those that make it to the last round, you get the title of being awesome but you level your character for new outfits through Kudos Coins. You can buy these but they are for cosmetic changes, not speed ups or anything that might give you an edge.
World of Horror
In a small town in Japan, strange things are starting to happen. A new ramen shop opens and people become obsessed with the strange meat. A neighbor develops an unusually interest in eels. A classmate goes missing after talking about a strange women with large scissors stalking him. You have to investigate these mysteries as they might lead you to a bigger one. A lighthouse on the shore might hold the answer, but it might also be the home of an Elder God.
The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners
Saints and Sinner pulls you into the world from the very beginning. The city looks destroyed, with water logged streets and the feeling that the zombies are not the only thing decaying. Sometimes the best option is to keep your head down and let whatever threat play itself out. Other times, you are forced to fight with whatever you happen to have on you. The combat is so satisfying you might want to seek out danger. The feeling of swinging an ax or a familiar bat with nails in it feels good. There are guns as well, but they have their problem. You have to manually reload. You might be cool when you are alone, but try and reload as an wave is coming. Front load, pump and shoot. You might catch your hands trembling like I did.