The best video games of 2020

Although 2020 was a trash fire for most of the world, business was booming in the video game industry. Production was hampered by people working at home, but sales soared and games were as good as ever. For those looking for distraction during the holidays, 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 gameplay with that addictive “just one more try” feeling from Spelunky or The Binding of Isaac. Every time you die, you have to start all over again – but it will always seem like you are accomplishing something, and the story will keep you hooked, no matter how long you play.

Final Fantasy VII Remake: This PlayStation 4 reimagination of the 1997 dystopian RPG Final Fantasy VII is not just a modern version of a classic. It is a reflection on what it really means to remake a work of art.

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

Demon’s Souls: Set in a ruined world full of death and decay, the PlayStation 5 grand exclusive, a remake of the 2009 title of the same name, 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 set. But if you are persistent, it can also be one of the most satisfying.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Every new game in the Assassin’s Creed series from Ubisoft Entertainment SA just keeps getting better. This time, we are going into the 9th century for a Viking prank across Norway and England, full of invasions, treasures and delicious mysteries.

Fall Guys: Final knockout: Fortnite meets Mario Party. You play as one of sixty jelly-like creatures competing for dominance in a series of elaborate mini-games. The results are fun, chaotic and addictive.

Paper Mario: The Origami King: Nintendo Co. traditionally uses its Paper Mario series to experiment with weird and crazy gameplay. The Origami King is no exception, with a strange ring-based battle system and dialogues that never stopped making me smile.

Bugsnax: These creatures are part bug and part snack. There is Fryder, a spider made from chips; Pineantula, a pineapple tarantula; Spuddy, a baked potato crab and so on. Your job in this game is to photograph them, track their movements, find out how to capture them and enjoy a whimsical story featuring a surprisingly deep cast of characters. Bugsnax is particularly great for playing with children.

Ori and the will of the Wisps: One of the most beautiful games of the year, this 2D platform game is scary and charming. You play as a guardian named Ori in a world full of lively creatures that vaguely resemble European folklore. There is a lightness to Ori’s movement that never grows old – it’s amazing to jump twice, slide and glide through these beautiful landscapes.

Jackbox Party Pack 7: There were no group dinners or cocktails this year, but at least there was Jackbox. Instead of venturing out and taking the risk of spreading or catching diseases, my wife and I spent most of the weekends in 2020 at FaceTime with friends, laughing at games like Quiplash, a game of jokes and one of the highlights of the Jackbox . We hope that we can do this in person soon.

This article was originally published in Bloomberg’s daily technology bulletin. Sign here.