Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
We employ a large number of gamers here Android authority, and this year has been an interesting year for games. Not only did it see the release of the highly anticipated PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles, but it also left us a little more time at home to enjoy them (for better or for worse).
To wrap up the year, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite video games released (or re-released) in 2020 across all platforms. They offer a range of free-to-play mobile games to exclusive consoles to remakes of classic titles. Note that they are in no particular order. Entries simply represent one game chosen by each member of staff.
As this year was a failure with delays, we also added a few games that we look forward to at the end of next year. Let’s get started!
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Genshin Impact (PC / PS4 / Mobile)
We kick off the list with this multi-platform release from Chinese developer miHoYo, handpicked by you. Released on mobile, PC and PS4 in late September, Genshin Impact was an instant hit around the world, and with good reason. The action-adventure game was heavily hyped before release. It’s extremely rare for a game to live up to its promise so fully, especially when it’s free to play.
Also read:The best free to play games on every platform
Genshin Impact was criticized last year for its apparent similarities to Breath of the Wild, but the result is more than capable of standing on its own. Sure, it shares a number of exploration and stamina systems for climbing, but it also has a unique cast of characters and elemental reactions that add a new layer of complexity to combat. Granted, you will have to put up with a gacha system to unlock the rarest and most powerful characters. However, you can also finish all content with free characters.
At release, the game featured two massive areas to explore, with a third added in December. At the beginning of 2021 there will be another complete area. Ultimately, this is one of the best and most polished free-to-play experiences you can find, mobile or not.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)
Next up is Tristan Rayner’s pick: Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The instant classic casual (or not-so-casual) Nintendo Switch game came out in March of this year. Regular updates have kept it fresh during the seasonal changes.
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Recruit new villagers, plant flowers, create new furniture, landscape your island, or just relax on the beach. New Horizons is a simple game, but there is always something to do!
It’s also a completely healthy experience that’s perfect for gamers of all types and ages. Although it was Tristan’s choice, he writes that it also “brought a lot of joy to my friend and her friends during the pandemic!”
Resident Evil 3 (PC / PS4 / Xbox One)
We’re leaving the healthy world of New Horizons behind for the truly awful world of Resident Evil 3. I’ll let C. Scott Brown explain why this 2020 remake is, in his own words, his top pick:
I’m a patient gamer, so I have to admit that I’ve only played three video games for 2020: Resident Evil 3, Paper Mario: The Origami King, and The Last of Us: Part II. I have a few more on my list (Doom Eternal and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity for sure), but I won’t be joining them until 2021.
I’m choosing RE3 as my best pick, just because the game disappointed me for one reason only: it’s too short. However, both Origami King and TLOU2 felt way too long (especially TLOU2), and I realized I’d rather have a game too short than too long. So RE3 is the winner. Don’t listen to Gamers ™ anti-aircraft guns online – it’s a great game that does exactly what it intended and does it well.
Project Wingman (PC)
Hadlee Simons chose the indie arcade PC flight simulator Project Wingman as his favorite for 2020. The Aussie game was funded by a Kickstarter campaign a few years ago and finally released on December 1. Here’s what he had to say about it:
I supported this game in 2018 and it finally launched this month! For the uninitiated, it is essentially an Ace Combat clone. So expect a flight action game that generally leans towards the arcade style, albeit with real planes. Either way, between the familiar gameplay, satisfying explosions, and single-player focus, it ticked a lot of boxes. Project Wingman even has a roguelike Conquest mode in tow for those who want a little more single player fun.
In a complete violation of poll protocol (he’s been reprimanded accordingly), Hadlee also chose Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PC, which has been slowly adding more Halo titles since hitting Steam in late 2019. Nothing beats reliving the Halo magic with the help of a mouse and keyboard.
Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)
Our resident app expert Joe Hindy named Final Fantasy VII Remake his 2020 game of the year. Unlike many others on the list, it came out on the PS4 in March, so the world has had plenty of time (maybe too much time) to spend all year round with it.
Also read: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 is writing:
It brought a wave of nostalgia in a year when comfort was appreciated. In addition, the game didn’t have many bugs and there were improvements from the original that turned out to be very good.
Hades (pc / switch)
Hades was a favorite for many of us Android authority, but the first to choose it was ours Sound guys colleague Sam Moore. The rogue-lite action game was also at the top of many publications on the Internet, and with good reason. It’s hard to find bugs in the latest release of Supergiant Games, but I’ll let Sam take over from here:
Everything from the writing to the music to the art is perfect. The gameplay strikes just the right balance between being complex and approachable. It was easy to lose nearly 100 hours (in just a few weeks) playing this game.
Persona 5 Royal (PS4)
The Persona series is a household name for fans of Japanese RPGs. The 2020 re-release of Persona 5 caught the attention of our very own Oliver Cragg. Here’s what he had to say about it:
Atlus’ extensive re-release of one of the best RPGs ever created features new gameplay tweaks, memorable characters, new music and a whole new semester to spend with the Phantom Thieves. Somehow, the best game of 2017 (yes, better than Breath of the Wild) got even better in 2020. Despite far too much time going into the original version, it was a comforting joy to play again. 100+ hours with Joker and co. . 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 handpicked by resident drone expert Jonathan Feist. I let him talk:
I installed 7DS on a whim, a Play Store recommendation. The first half hour of the game impressed me a lot, with fairly seamless transitions between story scenes and gameplay. I was most impressed with the interactive cutscenes. This game is animated VERY well.
It was after that that I learned that the game is based on an anime. Seven Deadly Sins borrows many cutscenes from the show and apparently follows the same storyline. I think that could be a con for a fan of the anime, but it’s all new to me.
A few months later, I enjoy the constant flow of new content, the diversity of characters and the long story that I may never finish with my level of casual play. Make no mistake though, this is a gacha game. I have no ambition to keep up with the Beeg whales 🐳. The store is stocked with $ 40 and $ 80 packs. No thank you!
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 (PC / PS4 / Xbox One)
News editor and sk8r boi Jimmy Westenberg took a journey through memory choosing the re-released bundle of the first two Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games. A true return to form, it came out on PC, PS4 and Xbox One in September. It contains all the great levels and skaters you remember. The games even kept the most iconic soundtrack. Here’s what Jimmy had to say:
After some of the nonsensical Tony Hawk games of the past few 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 look forward to in 2021
This year so many matches were delayed. 2021 will therefore have a huge crop of excellent titles. Here’s a short list of what we’re looking forward to:
- Bomb Rush Cyberfunk – If you’re someone who grew up with the Jet Set series’ stylish skate moves, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk should be on your radar. We expect it to gain momentum sometime in 2021.
- Encourage absenteeism II – The third installment (no questions asked) in the Bravely RPG series is expected in early 2021. It will keep what fans love about the game mechanics while adding new characters. That should give it the fresh start it needs after the somewhat 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’s even half the game that BotW was, it will be another defining game for Nintendo’s small console.
- Cyberpunk 2077 – This one technically came out in 2020, but let’s face it, it’s still a bit undercooked. Patches and updates in 2021 should help Cyberpunk 2077 reach its full potential, especially on the latest generation of consoles.
- Dying light 2 – Announced at E3 2018, the 2015 sequel to Dying Light is coming soon to PC and current / next-gen consoles. C. Scott Brown is excited enough to wait until 2022. At least if that prevents another Cyberpunk 2077-esque fiasco at launch.
- Far Cry 6 The sixth major installment in Ubisoft’s open-world despot battler takes place on an island in the Caribbean. The game promises to be bigger than ever. Now that Giancarlo Esposito (of Breaking Bad) will play the dictator Antón Castillo, it should allow for hours and hours of sick stunts and stupid fun.
- Halo infinite – Halo Infinite, the ultimate Xbox Series X launch title that never was, remains one of our most anticipated games. The fact that it will be included on Xbox Game Pass on day one is just the icing on the (coming soon) cake.
- Overwatch 2 – The sequel to Blizzard’s esports-focused hero shooter adds story missions and new maps. However, all new PvP content will remain available to those who purchased the first game. It could land in 2021 or later, but it should make a big splash if it does.
- Psychonauts 2 – The 2005 sequel to Psychonauts was announced more than five years ago and has been a long time coming. Despite being published by Xbox Game Studios, it will also be available on PlayStation consoles.
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