Normally, I’d summarize this paragraph by saying there were highs and lows that happened but this past year has been anything but normal. As a group, we actually did a lot of incredible things together despite the challenges. We hosted a fun panel at PAX East, put together an indie showcase during a time without E3, and even helped out a charity stream. I think it speaks volumes and how positive outcomes were achieved in a year where it was hard to find. For that 2020 will always be memorable but one that I’d like to quickly leave behind. But for now, let’s continue to help and support one another, I think we all could use it right now.
Honorable Mentions: Final Fantasy VII Remake, Tell Me Why, Marvels Avengers, Spider-Man: Miles Morales
6. Mafia: Definitive Edition
I never played the original Mafia (2002) but I played the other two. Mafia 2 is still my favorite, 3 not so much. In a year filled with god knows what, I picked up Mafia: Definitive Edition with no expectations and beat the entire game in a weekend. It was an enjoyable gangster game from start to finish. If you’re looking for one of those, Mafia: DE is definitely the one to play.
Best Moment: I now know why everyone hates that race mission.
5. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
Crash is my favorite childhood franchise for that dopamine, nostalgia rush and I was excited to see the Toys for Bob team go forward with a new entry after Naughty Dog’s Warped/Crash 3. Huh? You mean there were more Crash games after that? My memory is a little hazy… Anyway, remember Crash!? Don’t worry it’s just as hard as the original games but you can die as much as you want without penalty this time. Thank you for that pity checkpoint box Activision. Oh and **** the Cortex levels.
Best Moment: When Crash goes into space, terrorizes an alien planet, and briefly explores the metaverse woah, woah, WOAH!
4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The release of Animal Crossing and the lockdown made this “build an island simulator game” a great escape from the reality of 2020. While I only played Animal Crossing during March and April, I got to connect with faraway friends virtually by visiting their islands, exchanging gifts, buying STALKS, and fishing. I’m usually not into these types of games but I think in the state of things in 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons felt a little more meaningful for my gaming adventures.
Best Moment: Giving Blathers a panic attack over a bunch of spiders and bugs.
3. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
As the hot summer thing came and went, Fall Guys became that routine play before work, during lunch, evening session since it was so easy to jump in and play a round or two. I even managed to get a crown or two! There’s something to be said about a bunch of jelly beans competing in an MXC style game show that I enjoyed very much. You can be nice or you can be jerks. I chose the latter. Now I know why folks enjoy those battle royale video games. Don’t fret, you won’t catch me in Warzone or Fortnite anytime soon.
Best Moment: Brian and I pushing unsuspecting jelly beans off the ledge in the fruit mini-game.
2. Ghost of Tsushima
From the opening title scene, Ghost of Tsushima captures the whole samurai era of feudal Japan well and it turns out they are the real jerks of the game. Yeah, that’s right. Here’s looking at you Johnny Silverhand. For an open-world game, it is actually quite minimalistic and I think that works to its favor. Nothing felt overwhelming or impossible. The island of Tsushima is meant to be explored at your own pace and there was a peaceful flow in between the moments where you are just slaughtering Mongols in the game. I liked Ghosts so much it was my first game that I platinum’d. Ever. That makes me one of the cool kids now.
Best Moment: That grandma side quest as it hit all the right emotional notes. And the straw hat duels. *cue the orchestra!*
1. Yakuza: Like a Dragon
It feels like after six games (and various spin-offs) that the Yakuza series would hit its peak and start declining. And then comes Yakuza: Like a Dragon. A game that serves as the handoff to a new protagonist, Ichiban, and also a departure for the series to turn-based combat resembling something like a Dragon Qu—. For all the changes, this is probably the best Yakuza video game I’ve played to date. The whole Japanese melodrama balanced with an absurdist level of side quest writing is probably at its best here. From navigating Japanese politics to serving up piping hot kimchi to solve citizens’ problems, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is both heartwarming while never shying away from its weird, silly, and comical antics. And that’s why it’s my personal Game of the Year. ICHI!!
Best Moment: Your party members are a bunch of middle aged people with actual jobs and summons are ordinary people you call on your cell phone. NANCY!!
