Best video games of 2020 on consoles and PC
This year has been an exciting one for gaming, and players have been spoilt for choice with some legendary titles returning to complement a vast collection of compelling newcomers.
November also saw the successful launch of Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Sony’s PlayStation 5 and although many of the games this year were released on the now previous generation’s Xbox One and PlayStation 4, those fortunate enough to get their hands on a new console will be delighted to hear that they’ll still be able to play these titles on their new consoles thanks to their backwards compatibility features.
That being said, we at the Evening Standard have been fortunate enough to test and review some of this year’s biggest and most popular titles and have put together a list of what we think are the top 10 console games released in 2020.
This list looks to cover a range of genres and given the plethora of strong titles released this year, there are some that have been unfortunate to miss out and are certainly worth playing too.
Ghost of Tsushima
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Ghost of Tsushima offers a compelling and elaborate story that follows the highly respected Samurai Jin Sakai as he resists the Mongol Empire’s invasion of Japan. As the story progresses, Jin is forced to reflect on and reconsider his commitment to traditional Samurai code of honour as it becomes apparent that, despite the respect and prestige associated with it, it is proving prohibitive in his quest to save his uncle and feudal Japan from the Mongol Empire.
The large, open-world map’s design is visually spectacular and its vivid colours give life to the array of castles, temples and villages scattered around the map. As players advance through the story and discover new areas of the map, they will meet characters and open up quests and tales, helping them to learn and develop skills, as well as upgrading armour and weapons. The combat system is incredibly engaging and fighting using the trusty katana sword feels exciting and precise; new sword stances and combat moves that are unlocked through progression saves combat from growing repetitive over time.
Overall, the developers at Sucker Punch have created a game with a truly beautiful open-world map to provide the perfect setting for a campaign that is as fascinating as it is entertaining. Fans of the title will be excited to hear that the PlayStation 4 game is playable on the PlayStation 5 via backwards compatibility and the console’s Game Boost feature means the already visually stunning game will look even better thanks to improved frame rates of 60 fps.
Last of Us Part II
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Set five years after the end of 2013’s first instalment, the Last of Us Part II delivers an expansive and emotionally complex story that follows 19-year-old protagonist Ellie as she fights for survival in post-apocalyptic Seattle. The story is filled with some truly shocking and terrifying moments, but it is the more subtle and understated ones that really bring the story to life. Each character is written with such depth and nuance, which helps bring the player and characters, particularly Ellie, closer together in a way that is rare to find in video games.
The developers at Naughty Dog left no stone unturned in creating a world filled with a variety of environments that provide the perfect backdrop to an emotional story. With the derelict and gloomy high-rise buildings, overgrown streets and ivy-clad houses, the attention to detail is striking, with each room telling its own story through personal items such as notes and posters scattered throughout.
Expectations were high for The Last of Us Part II after the popularity of the first instalment, but the well-written story, refined gameplay and striking visuals have resulted in a game that was well worth the seven year wait and one that should be considered as one of the generation’s best.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla delivers its largest and, perhaps most attractive, entry to the series as it follows the epic journey of Norse Viking warrior Eivor as he travels from Norway to Medieval England with adoptive brother Sigurd in search of glory. The game follows on from previous instalments Assassin’s Creed: Origins and Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey in being a true open-world RPG, enabling players to take in their awe-inspiring surroundings as they travel between objectives on horseback and explore new locations in Viking Longships.
The combat retains a familiar feel to previous entries to the series, but the added ability to dual-wield any two weapons and to change your unique combat style make for an even more satisfying experience. As players advance through the game and discover new areas, they will encounter new opponents with their own unique characteristics, such as the Spearmen and their long spears that dish out significant damage from range. The diversity of enemy types ensures that players remain challenged as they progress through the game.
Tested on the new Xbox Series X console, the level of detail behind the gorgeous map design is amplified by 4K resolution and frame rates of up to 60 fps. The upgraded visuals, in addition to the ridiculously fast loading times provided by the console, make Assassin’s Creed a must buy for anyone looking to see what their new next-gen console can do. That’s not to say it didn’t look great when tested on the Xbox One (and will look on the PS4), where the gripping campaign, eye-catching landscapes and impressive scope deliver an immersive game for players to enjoy, no matter the device.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Spider-Man fans have been blessed with plenty of Peter Parker content over recent years, whether it be through comics, film or 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man game, so the decision to have the story focus on the Miles Morales iteration of Spider-Man provides a fresh take on the franchise, whilst also building on what made the previous instalment so successful.
With Peter Parker on holiday in Europe, the story follows the likeable Miles Morales as he finds his feet and grapples with the responsibility of being New York’s only Spider-Man while Peter is away. The story is engaging and filled not only with epic moments and spectacular fight scenes, but also slower missions and cut scenes that help the player build an affinity towards Miles that grows even further as the story progresses. The variety of side missions, activities and crimes on offer provide players with unique, enjoyable challenges and help flesh out the character, whilst also allowing us to upgrade the Spider-Suit and unlock new powers and combat moves.
Swinging through New York City’s high skyline is as smooth as it is exhilarating. The game’s stunning visuals are augmented on the new PlayStation 5 console with the Performance Mode running the game at 4K resolution and frame rates of up to 60fps. The well-written characters and captivating storyline combined with the ever-addictive swinging and combat mechanics, make this an absolute must have for PlayStation users, be it on PS4 or PS5.
Doom Eternal
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch
2016’s Doom reboot surprised many by emerging as one of the games of the year, raising the expectations of fans and critics alike for its 2020 sequel, Doom Eternal. Fortunately, the game delivers one of the most thrilling first-person shooter games in years and its enjoyable new multiplayer mode, Battlemode, is a vast improvement on Doom’s DeathMatch mode.
The campaign takes place eight months after the events of the previous game and follows The Doom Slayer as he battles against the demonic forces who have overrun the planet and wiped out most of the Earth’s population. The creative map designs and gothic take on Earth’s city surroundings offer a haunting yet vibrant backdrop for the campaign to be played on, complete with a heavy metal theme that sets the pace and tone of the game.
Doom Eternal is played at a faster, more intense pace than its already frantic predecessor, creating a more challenging but also more rewarding game. There are a range of enemies with different abilities coming at you at any given time so consistent, smart movement is key when looking to avoid the barrage of missiles, bullets, fireballs and melee attacks. The scarcity of ammo, armour and healing items forces players to play more economically, calculating their most efficient routes through precise level designs.
Doom Eternal has successfully built on the 2016 reboot, with an action-packed campaign and enhanced multiplayer mode that establishes the franchise in the modern gaming era.
£49.99 for Nintendo Switch | Amazon
Animal Crossing: New Horizon (Nintendo Switch)
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
The Animal Crossing series is synonymous with the Nintendo consoles released over the years. Animal Crossing: New Horizon on the Switch provides the same fun and relaxing freeform experience as previous versions of the game, but with a raft of new customisation options, collectibles and multiplayer modes the cement it as the best of the series to date.
As a customer of Nook Inc.’s Deserted Island Getaway Package, players begin on a desert island with no buildings and just two other villagers. This stripped back start and the wealth of personalisable options give players complete freedom to build up the island in any way they want, as they look to recruit new villagers and earn a better ‘Island Eval’ star rating. The increased tools available to players are what makes this game stand out from its predecessors and crafting, perhaps the biggest new feature change, allows us to build tools, furniture and clothes from materials collected.
Given that the game runs in real time and upgrades made to the island can takes days, it is difficult not to sink substantial time in creating the perfect island or strive to collect a range of bugs, fish and furniture, amongst another things. The enjoyable Multiplayer mode allows friends to view each other’s islands and chat in-game as they show off their new campsite or coffee house.
Players looking for a peaceful escape from 2020’s chaotic reality should look no further than this endearing entry to a franchise that’s now a staple for any Nintendo console owner.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Platform(s): Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an open-world platform game and sequel to 2015’s widely praised Ori and the Blind Forest. It follows Ori on an emotional journey through the fairy tale world of Niwen in search of old friend Ku. The story is filled with soul and builds on what made its predecessor so great with memorable characters, higher stakes and more options than ever.
The map is filled with diverse locations, each brought to life by warm, sharp colours and lively animations to deliver an environment that feels both gentle and magical. The score is beautifully written and is responsive to situations to create an even more entrancing and immersive world. The gameplay has also grown since the 2015 instalment with a range of new combat abilities to add to the new Spirit Shard system, which provides players with passive abilities such as triple jump or wall clinging. The variety of abilities both in and out of combat offer players varied ways to traverse the world or defeat the array of enemies dispersed throughout.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps’ heartfelt story mode, increased scope and charming score come together on a mystical map to produce a game that should be considered one of the best this year, and certainly one of the best of its genre.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 combines two all-time greats in 1999’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and 2000’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 and refines them with modernised visuals, new tricks, a larger skater roster and an updated soundtrack, whilst also staying true to the authentic feel of the originals.
The 2020 remake retains each level from the originals but refreshes them with superior graphics and vibrant colour schemes. Likewise, the soundtrack features the same punk hits that powered the earlier games but has been bolstered with 37 new tracks that all fit seamlessly with the mood.
As is tradition, players are afforded two minutes to take on each level and a range of challenges that include finding hidden video tapes, collecting “S-K-A-T-E” letters and building combo moves to earn the highest points possible. Fortunately for players, this has been made easier by the myriad of new tricks that have been added to the game, allowing players to express themselves in new ways and get creative with combo moves as they push to set a record points total.
The developers at Vicarious Visions have done a fantastic job in creating a game that hits all the same notes as the legendary original versions whilst also somehow improving them, and for that reason Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 +2 must be considered one of the games of the year.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s about time
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
With perhaps the most appropriately named game ever made, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time has finally arrived as the sequel to 1998’s Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped and brings a range of new ideas to supplement the returning cast and features that were so loved from the original trilogy.
The game uses similar map designs and level progression to that of Crash Bandicoot 1 where players travelled to different worlds in different time periods; each of which having their own unique characteristics and play host to several levels. Each map is significantly more detailed than seen in previous games from the series using crisp, bright colours that may be familiar but come together to make this the best-looking game of the series. Play as familiar faces Crash or Coco as arch nemeses N. Trophy and Neo Cortex both return, accompanied by a selection of new enemies, each of which coming with their own unique power to challenge players.
The fun feel of the original trilogy’s gameplay remains but new skills, enemies and challenges have make the game both tougher and more rewarding. There’s also the addition of three new playable characters in Neo Cortex, Dingodile and Tawna and each come with exclusive abilities, such as Neo Cortex’s ray gun that can be used to attack enemies and transform them into objects that can help you navigate the level.
Fans will be delighted that the game has recaptured what made them fall in love with the original trilogy but the new features, characters and abilities mean this game shouldn’t just be considered a trip down memory lane, but instead a modern classic that will hopefully result in the next iteration coming much sooner than the 22 years it took for this one to arrive.
Call of Duty: Warzone
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows
Battle royale games have exploded in popularity over recent years following the success of titles such as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Fortnite and Apex Legends, so it was no surprise to see the Call of Duty franchise enter with its own version of the genre this year. Free-to-play Call of Duty: Warzone has taken the core elements of what has made previous battle royale titles so successful and added its own unique twists with the additions of killstreaks, contracts and customisable loadouts.
Warzone’s map, the fictional city of Verdansk, can host up to 150 players, the largest of the battle royale genre, and is filled with a wide variety of terrains and structures for teams to fight in. Free updates are regularly released to make changes to the map, mix up the weapon pool and add fun limited time modes such as the recent Halloween event, which included a Zombie Royale mode where players respawned as zombies once they were killed. Buy Stations are littered throughout the map and players can use these to buy a range of items. These shops and the new Gulag feature, where eliminated players face off one-on-one to earn redeployment back into the game, are two popular features that are exclusive to Warzone.
The release of Warzone in March was inadvertently simultaneous with the UK’s first lockdown and with players being able to deploy either as a solo or in a squad of up to four players, it provided the perfect space for players to reconnect with friends. The blend of Call of Duty’s addictive gameplay with a battle royale mode that has taken the online multiplayer world by storm recent years has produced one of the most popular and entertaining games of the year.
Free for PS4 | Playstation Store
Verdict
Ghost of Tsushima’s ever-evolving combat mechanics and picturesque take on feudal Japan set it apart from many of its peers, but it is a cinematic storyline filled with action and emotion that cements it as our game of the year.
Of course, the above is not a definitive list and the strength in depth of titles released this year means that some excellent games have missed out. For example, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War features a Zombies mode that is one of the best of the series. The game’s use of the PS5 DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers was (aside from PlayStation 5’s pre-installed Astro’s Playroom) the best of the games tested as you can feel the difference between the fire of a heavy machine gun and that of a lighter submachine gun.
Likewise, the year is not yet over and there may be some late challengers with some big titles due to release this month. The long-awaited Cyperpunk 2077 is due to release December 10 and is expected to be an all-time classic, but unfortunately wasn’t released in time to be tested to be included in this list. There’s likely never been a more exciting time to be a gamer, with the release of two next-generation consoles and a jam-packed catalogue of high-quality games juxtaposing reality to make 2020 a year to remember for the gaming industry.
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