Top 10 Games of 2020 From GamesBeat Review Editor Mike Minotti

This was a terrible year, but… did we at least have some good games? I’m not sure escaping to digital fantasy worlds is a healthy way to deal with a society in shambles, but it sure feels good!

This has been one of the strongest years in gaming that I can remember in a long time, and that’s even with Nintendo (probably my favorite game creator) being a bit on the quiet side in 2020. But we have some platformers. Incredible, triple-A experiences and remakes of this year.

Oh, we also have new game consoles. And even though it was only available for a couple of months, the PlayStation 5 was home to some of my favorite games in 2020. Now, let’s get to that list. Here are my 10 favorite games of the year.

10. Streets of Rage 4

I’m the retro writer for GamesBeat, so it’s probably not a huge surprise that you enjoyed Streets of Rage 4. It’s the best fighting game I’ve played since Castle Crashers came out in 2008. Lizardcube does an amazing job with his hand. drawn art, and the game manages to capture that ’90s punk aesthetic that makes the Genesis originals so memorable.

9. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Here’s a game that I didn’t think I’d get into. I was never a big fan of Animal Crossing. I always found the games too relaxed. New Horizons, however, makes the experience feel more like, well, a game. Crafting gives me an incentive to search for materials, and the Nook Miles system encourages me to do additional activities. I just needed the designers to give me a little more direction, and now I understand the simple charm of this series.

Above: I wish my current bedroom was that great.

Image Credit: Mike Minotti

8. Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima follows a formula that I often find hackneyed these days. It is an open world game that is about eliminating the objectives that you see on your map. The experience is so tied to your map that I have come to call them “map games”. And yes, Tsushima is a map game, but it is one of the best. The story is dramatic and features a good variety of likable characters, and the combat features some of the most satisfying swordplay I’ve ever experienced in a game.

7. Tony Hawk’s 1 + 2 pro skater

I love Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Man, I missed this series. Sure, this is just a collection of remakes of the first two games, but they are fantastic updates. Developer Vicarious Visions captured that grunge feel of the originals with modern graphics. This is a perfect remake that does just enough to make the experience “new” without interfering with what made the originals so special and fun.

Above: All the old secrets are back.

Image Credit: Activision

6. Astro game room

My only real problem with Astro’s Playroom is that it is short. It looks like it’s a glorified tech demo. But I could have played this game for another 100 hours without getting bored. It is one of the most charming and beautiful 3D platformer games you will ever see.

I also had some intense competition with GamesBeat PC game editor Jeff Grubb for setting the best time in a speedrun challenge, but I lost and don’t want to talk about it.

5. Spider-Man: Miles Morales

I love Insomniac’s 2018 Spider-Man game. This semi-sequel features the same amazing web-swinging and combat mechanics, but offers a refreshingly new perspective on what it means to be a hero from the serious and likeable Miles Morales. It also allows you to explore Manhattan during the holidays and I love seeing those digital New York Christmas trees.

Above: spider glow.

Image Credit: GamesBeat

4. Crash Bandicoot 4: About Time

It took decades to get a new Crash Bandicoot game that was good. Crash Bandicoot 4 isn’t just a worthy follow-up to the original trilogy. In fact, it’s better than those games. It’s About Time is a challenging and creative 3D platformer experience that will be a huge hit for anyone who likes 3D platforming.

3. Final Fantasy VII Remake

I was always skeptical of Final Fantasy VII Remake. I love this franchise, and Square Enix has been hit or miss when it comes to updating their classic games (never tell me what they’ve done to Final Fantasy VI). Final Fantasy VII Remake, however, is incredible. It subverts expectations in fun and surprising ways, and manages to combine aspects of the original’s turn-based combat with a new real-time system. Combined with top-notch animation and music, Final Fantasy VII Remake offers an experience that fans of the original can enthusiastically endorse.

Above: Mako is falling.

Image Credit: Square Enix

2. Hades

Dead Cells showed me how much fun Roguelikes can be in 2018, but Hades takes the fun that comes with those randomly generated dungeons and enhances the experience with inspiring art and character work. Long after I “beat” Hades, I didn’t want to stop. I literally had to force myself to quit the game.

1. Ori and the will of the Wisps

Ori and the Blind Forest was my game of the year in 2015. Of course, I was looking forward to the sequel, but was still skeptical that I could love it as much as the first game.

I was wrong.

Will of the Wisps is better than Blind Forest in almost every way. Platforms are more complex and satisfying, and combat gets a big boost with weapons, abilities, and enemies that force you to strategize and maximize your time. It also has a wonderful cast of characters that make this world easier to connect with. Will of the Wisps also has one of the best boss fights and finals I’ve seen in any game.

When it comes to everything I love about this medium, Will of the Wisps is a perfect game.

Above: Bosses are the highlight in Ori and the will of the Wisps.

Image Credit: Steam