In addition to the Game of the Year awards voted by staff, each of our writers has created their own personal lists, covering the top five PlayStation 5 and PS4 titles of 2020. Today, it’s the turn of video producer Liam Richardson.
Confession time – I haven’t played a single game in Dreams yet. I know, pretty embarrassing, right? The point is, dreams are best when I treat them like an obscure second-hand shop, which I discovered in a bad little ally, hidden by the beaten path. What interesting trinkets will I discover today? Ah, a game where Kermit the Frog has a machine gun! Oh, a Sonic game where all the enemies are the Sister of Kingdom Hearts! Dreams do not only encourage players to express their creativity; he embraces them to savor the absurd. For this reason alone, it is one of my favorite experiences of the year.
Oof, Streets of Rage 4 is a bit of a winner, isn’t it? Not only is it a faithful (and canonical) sequel to the original Mega Drive trilogy, but it also successfully reinvents it for the modern era. The 16-bit sprites are replaced with wonderful hand-drawn illustrations, giving new life to the returning characters and newcomers to the series. Its soundtrack, composed by several artists, is a treatment with synthetic waves that is based on the songs found in the three original titles. And the gameplay? Well, that’s where the real magic is. First and foremost, a few new mechanics lead to one of the most satisfying combat systems of its kind. Maybe it took 26 years to get there, but believe me, it was worth the wait.
Is Astro’s Playroom the best console package from Wii Sports? It’s definitely up there, but maybe not for the reasons you’d expect. You see, the Playroom is Super Smash Bros. from Sony, a celebration of the brand in a way that the company has never managed to retire before. Sure, the PS3 had a literal Smash Bros. clone in the form of the PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, but it lacked something that Astro’s Playroom has in abundance. Heart. This is a love letter, so adorable that it has a realistic 3D photo model of the PSP’s GPS attachment as a collection. Nothing made me smile as much as Astro’s Playroom in 2020. A shining gem in the PlayStation crown.
Activision has recently been a winner in terms of remasters, but none have been treated as carefully as this year’s excellent Tony Hawk collection. As much as a celebration of the series as a whole, as much as it is a remake of the two original games, THPS1 + 2 incorporates features from later titles (such as the essential comeback) to create perhaps the best skateboarding ever created. The bird man has returned, broski, and is more radiant than ever. Here we hope that Activision capitalizes on the enormous success of this launch with a real sequel as soon as possible.
Tsushima’s ghost is at its best when its katanas are safely covered. When the roars of the invading Mongols are replaced instead of the soothing song of birds, boiling streams and the gentle whisper of a guiding wind. In a year as difficult as 2020, the ability of games to cope with escape has never been more welcome. Of all the digital worlds I’ve visited, none have been as enjoyable as the Japanese island of Tsushima. Riding through golden forests, lush fields of blooming flowers and along the coastal cliffs is an almost meditative experience, the vibrant art direction of the game resulting in stunning views, unlike anything else on PS4. Do yourself a favor. Take a trip to Tsushima and experience its beauty. You will not regret.
What do you think about the first 5 PS5, PS4 games of Video Liam? Film your answer in the comments below.