2020 might have gone horribly stagnant for some people but the games industry hasn’t been lying around watching Netflix and eating snacks. This year has brought some amazing games that have as always been pushing the genre of fun. A quick look at some of the top games in August alone tells you just how far games developers have come, and that’s just for one month of the year.
This selection of games isn’t just limited to one or two consoles either. The whole landscape of gaming is in great shape. The PS4 and Xbox’s of this world will always hog the limelight as they’re the two biggest consoles. Still, the emergence of handheld gaming has taken the world by storm, be it mobile phone creations like fantasy adventure in Dragon Champions or Nintendo Switch classics like Legend of Zelda or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. PC gaming has had a resurgence too, with numerous hit titles in recent times. Overall, it’s clear to see just far gaming has come in a relatively short space of time.
New releases have already captured the hearts and minds of the gaming community this year, so we thought we’d go through a handful of the best releases in 2020 so far.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout – PC, PS4
If you have ever seen classic shows like Total Wipeout or Ninja Warrior, then you’ll probably buy into Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. Similar in style to the aforementioned shows, except featuring plump little fall guys instead of human beings, the game features a variety of mini-games which will keep you entertained for hours on end. It’s great fun.
Final Fantasy VII Remake – PS4
The Final Fantasy franchise has a humongous and loyal following, which is why this recreation that then develops its own unique story has been such a hit. Final Fantasy VII Remake offers its usual memorable storyline full of twists, alongside its beautifully complex combat and its non-stop action. Simply brilliant.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch
A game where you build up a community, live in it with your anthropomorphic animal friends, and have fun along the way, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been keeping people entertained already this year. You can even share your progress on social media and join what is a friendly and large community, too.
Hades – Nintendo Switch, PC
Hades came out of nowhere this year to sweep ‘Game of the Year 2020’ and they’re not wrong. This rougelike action RPG is full of depth, character, excellent voice acting and of course musical numbers. But all this is only secondary to the amazing, fluid gameplay of this dungeon crawler. defy the Gods as you hacka nd slash you way out of the Underworld in Hades.
Dreams – PS4
A highly unusual game, Dreams will allow the creative, level-builders among us to really let loose. The game asks players what they want to see in the game; then from there, it is turned into a reality as you tackle various puzzles, adventure games, and even tackle gaming genres such as shooters or platformers. Dreams can essentially be whatever you want it to be.
Good Job! – Nintendo Switch
Playing as a bosses kid who is told to work his way up through the business if he wants to get to the top, Good Job! offers plenty of fun as you complete various tasks badly, be it by destroying various objects or plugging in a projector horribly.
Murder By Numbers – Nintendo Switch, PC
Nonograms – which are basically puzzles where a blank grid is notated with clues so you can determine whether to colour or leave the cells blank – are incredibly fun games for many people. Admittedly Murder By Numbers isn’t for everyone, but it has been a hit this year so far as it focusses around nonograms while you play a detective trying to solve a murder. It’s cheesy in parts too, but if you’re looking for good, honest fun then you might have found it.
The Last of Us Part II – PS4
The follow up to one of the best games of the last decade is The Last of Us Part II. Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closure. What are the repercussions of her actions?
