Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
We have a large number of players on the team here at Android Authority, and this year has been interesting for games. Not only did it see the launch of the long-awaited PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles, but it also left us with a little more time at home to enjoy them (for better or worse).
To end the year, we have compiled a list of our favorite video games released (or relaunched) in 2020 on all platforms. They run a range of free-to-play mobile games, exclusive to console and remakes of classic titles. Note that they are not in a specific order. Entries simply represent a single game chosen by each team member.
As this year was a little difficult with delays, we also included some games that we hope to see at the end of next year. Come on!
More games: PS5 vs Xbox Series X – which next-generation game console should you buy?
Impact Genshin (PC / PS4 / Mobile)
We start the list with this multiplatform launch by the Chinese developer miHoYo, chosen by you. Released on mobile, PC and PS4 in late September, Genshin Impact was an instant success worldwide, and for good reason. The action-adventure game was widely publicized before launch. It is extremely rare for a game to deliver on its promise so completely, especially when it is free.
Read too:The best free games to play on any platform
Genshin Impact drew criticism last year for its apparent similarities to Breath of the Wild, but the result is more than capable of supporting itself. Sure, it shares some exploration and resistance systems for climbing, but it also has a unique cast of characters and elemental reactions that add a new layer of complexity to combat. For sure, you will have to put up with a gacha system to unlock the rarest and most powerful characters. However, you can also end all content with free characters.
At launch, the game featured two huge areas to explore, with a third added in December. Another complete area will be launched in early 2021. Ultimately, this is one of the best and most refined free-to-play experiences you can find, mobile or not.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)
The next is the choice of Tristan Rayner: Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The instant classic (or not so casual) Nintendo Switch casual game was released in March this year. Frequent updates have kept you updated throughout the seasons.
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Recruit new villagers, plant flowers, create new furniture, help your island or just relax on the beach. New Horizons is a simple game, but there is always something to do!
It is also a totally healthy experience, perfect for players of all types and ages. Although it was Tristan’s choice, he writes that it also “gave my girlfriend and her friends a lot of joy during the pandemic!”
Resident Evil 3 (PC / PS4 / Xbox One)
We left the healthy world of New Horizons behind for the truly terrible of Resident Evil 3. I’ll let C. Scott Brown explain why this 2020 remake is his favorite choice in his own words:
I am a patient player, so I must admit that I played only three video games from 2020: Resident Evil 3, Paper Mario: The Origami King and The Last of Us: Part II. I have a few others on my list (Doom Eternal and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, for sure), but I won’t reach them until 2021.
I am choosing RE3 as my first choice because the game only disappointed me for one reason: it is very short. However, Origami King and TLOU2 looked very long (especially TLOU2), and I realized that I preferred a very short game over a very long one. So RE3 is the winner. Don’t listen to the Gamers ™ criticism online – it’s an amazing game that does exactly what was planned and does it well.
Wingman Project (PC)
Hadlee Simons selected the independent flight simulator for PC, Project Wingman, as her favorite for 2020. The Australian game was funded by a Kickstarter campaign a few years ago and was finally released on December 1st.
I supported this game in 2018 and it finally came out this month! For the uninitiated, it is essentially an Ace Combat clone. So expect a flying action game that generally leans towards arcade style, albeit with real-world aircraft. Anyway, between the familiar gameplay, the satisfying explosions and the focus on the single player, he scored many items. Project Wingman even has a roguelike Conquest mode for those who want a little more fun for a player.
In a complete violation of the voting protocol (he was scolded accordingly), Hadlee also chose Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PC, which has slowly added more Halo titles since it came to Steam in late 2019. There is nothing to relive the magic of Halo with the help of a mouse and keyboard.
Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)
Our app expert, Joe Hindy, chose Final Fantasy VII Remake as his game of the year in 2020. Unlike many others on the list, it was released on PS4 in March, so the world had a lot of time (maybe a lot of time) to spend with him throughout the year.
Read too:The best PS4 games you can buy: From Bloodborne to Uncharted 4
The game couldn’t have come at a better time for Joe. He writes:
It brought a wave of nostalgia in a year where comfort was appreciated. Furthermore, the game didn’t have many bugs, and there were improvements made to the original that were very good.
Hades (PC / Switch)
Hades was a favorite of many of us in Android Authority, but the first to choose was our Sound faces colleague Sam Moore. The rogue-lite action game also topped the list in many publications on the web, and with good reason. It’s hard to find fault with the last release of Supergiant Games, but I’ll let Sam fix it from here:
Everything from writing to music and art is in place. The gameplay strikes the right balance between being complex and accessible. It was easy to lose almost 100 hours (in just a few weeks) playing this game.
Persona 5 Royal (PS4)
The Persona series is a household name for Japanese RPG fans. The relaunch of Persona 5 in 2020 caught the attention of our Oliver Cragg. Here’s what he had to say about it:
Atlus’ expanded re-release of one of the best RPGs of all time added new gameplay tweaks, memorable characters, new music and a whole new semester to spend with the Ghost Thieves. Somehow, the best game of 2017 (yes, better than Breath of the Wild) got even better in 2020. Despite having plunged a long time into the original version, it was a comforting joy to spend more than 100 hours with Joker and company . in Tokyo and the Metaverse.
Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross (Mobile)
The only pure mobile title on our list of the best video games of 2020 was chosen by resident drone expert Jonathan Feist. I’ll let you speak:
I installed 7DS on a whim, a recommendation from the Play Store. The first half hour of the game impressed me a lot, with decently seamless transitions between story scenes and gameplay. I was very impressed with the interactive scenes. This game is very lively.
It was after that that I learned that the game is based on an anime. Seven Deadly Sins borrows several scenes from the show and apparently follows the same storyline. I think this may be a disadvantage for an anime fan, but it’s all new to me.
A few months later, I am enjoying the constant flow of new content, the diversity of characters and the long history that I may never end with my level of casual play. Make no mistake, however, this is a gacha game. I have no ambition to accompany Beeg 🐳 whales. The store is full of $ 40 and $ 80 packages. No thanks!
Tony Hawk professional skater 1 + 2 (PC / PS4 / Xbox One)
News editor and sk8r ox Jimmy Westenberg took a trip to the past, choosing the relaunched package of Tony Hawk’s first two Pro Skater games. A true return to form, it was released on PC, PS4 and Xbox One in September. Includes all the great levels and skaters you remember. The games still retain most of the iconic soundtrack. Here’s what Jimmy had to say:
After some of Tony Hawk’s absurd games in recent years, it’s so refreshing to get back to basics with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. The graphics are great, the challenges are fun and I love the mix of new and old skaters.
Games we expect in 2021
Many games were delayed this year. 2021 will therefore have an abundant crop of excellent titles. Here is a quick list of what to expect:
- Bomb Rush Cyberfunk – If you grew up with the stylish skating movements of the Jet Set series, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk should be on your radar. We expect it to move to Steam sometime in 2021.
- Bravely Default II – The third installment (don’t ask) of the Bravely RPG series is expected in early 2021. It will maintain what fans love about the game’s mechanics while adding new characters. This should give him the fresh start he needs after the slightly iterative Bravely Second.
- Breath of the Wild sequel – It should come as no surprise that the Breath of the Wild sequel is one of our most anticipated titles of 2021. If it is half the game that BotW was, it will be another defining game for Nintendo’s small console.
- Cyberpunk 2077 – This one came out technically in 2020, but let’s be honest, it’s still a little undercooked. Patches and updates in 2021 should help Cyberpunk 2077 reach its full potential, especially on high-end consoles.
- Dying Light 2 – Announced at E3 2018, the sequel to Dying Light 2015 is scheduled to come out soon for PC and current / next generation consoles. C. Scott Brown is looking forward to it until 2022. At least if it prevents another 2077 Cyberpunk-style fiasco at launch.
- Far Cry 6 – The sixth big episode of Ubisoft’s open world despot takes place on an island in the Caribbean. The game promises to be bigger than ever. With Giancarlo Esposito (from Breaking Bad) set to portray dictator Antón Castillo, he should allow hours and hours of sick acrobatics and stupid fun.
- Halo Infinite – The launch title for the Xbox Series X par excellence that never was, Halo Infinite remains one of our most anticipated games. The fact that it will be included in the Xbox Game Pass on the first day is just the icing on the cake (which will soon be).
- Overwatch 2 – The continuation of Blizzard’s sports-focused hero shooter will add story missions and new maps. However, it will keep all new PvP content available to those who purchased the first game. It can land in 2021 or later, but it should make a big impact when it does.
- Psychonauts 2 – The 2005 Psychonauts sequel was announced more than five years ago and has taken a long time to arrive. Despite being published by Xbox Game Studios, it will be available on PlayStation consoles as well.
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