The best video games of 2020

While 2020 has been a garbage dump for most of the world, business was booming in the video game industry. Production was hampered by people working from home, but sales increased and the games were as good as ever. For anyone looking for distraction during the holiday season, here is a summary of the best titles this year.

Hades: A “roguelike” adventure set in the Greek underworld, Hades mixes Diablo’s hack-and-slash game with that “one try” addiction to Spelunky or The Binding of Isaac. Every time you die, you have to start all over again – but you’ll always feel like you’re accomplishing something, and the story will keep you connected no matter how much you play.

Final Fantasy VII Remake: This PlayStation 4 reimagining of the 1997 seminal dystopian role-playing game Final Fantasy VII is not just a modern approach to a classic. It’s a rumor of what it really means to remake a piece of art.

Call of the Sea: It’s 1934. You’re Nora Everhart on an expedition to an island off the coast of Tahiti in search of your missing husband, Harry. What you find is a mix of Myst adventure games and the works of horror fiction writer HP Lovecraft – elaborate puzzles and a great story.

Demon souls: Set in a ruined world, full of death and decay, the great exclusivity of the PlayStation 5, a remake of the title of the same name from 2009, is not for the faint of heart. Like other games from beloved developer FromSoftware Inc., this is one of the most challenging experiences you can have sitting in front of a TV. But if you are persistent, it can be one of the most satisfying.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Every new game in Ubisoft Entertainment SA’s Assassin’s Creed series continues to improve. This time, we head to the ninth century for a Viking hunt through Norway and England, full of raids, treasures and enchanting mysteries.

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout: Fortnite meets Mario Party. Play as one of the sixty jelly-bean creatures that compete for dominance in a series of elaborate mini-games. The results are fun, chaotic and captivating.

Paper Mario: The King of Origami: Nintendo Co. has traditionally used the Paper Mario series to experiment with a strange and crazy game. The King of Origami is no exception, with a strange ring-based combat system and dialogue that never stopped making me smile.

Bugsnax: These creatures are partly bug and partly snack. There’s Fryder, a spider made of french fries; Pineantula, or pineapple tarantula; Spuddy, a baked potato crab and so on. Your task in this game is to photograph them, watch their movements, figure out how to catch them and enjoy a whimsical story with a surprisingly deep cast of characters. Bugsnax is especially great for playing with children.

Or the will of the tricksters: One of the most beautiful games of the year, this 2D platformer is haunting and enchanting. Play as a tutor named Ori in a world full of sprite creatures that vaguely resemble European folklore. Ori’s movement has an ease that never ages – it’s a blast to double jump, slide and zip around these beautiful landscapes.

Jackbox Party 7 package: This year there were no dinners or party groups, but at least Jackbox. Rather than venture out and risk spreading or catching illness, my wife and I spent most of the 2020 weekends on Facetime with friends, laughing through games like Quiplash, a joke game, and one one of the most remarkable Jackbox. Here we hope to be able to do it again soon.

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