The best video games of 2020

While 2020 was a garbage dump for most of the world, business in the video game industry was thriving. Production was stunted by people working from home, but sales skyrocketed and games were as good as ever. For anyone looking for a holiday distraction, here’s a rundown of this year’s best titles.

Hades: A “roguelike” adventure set in the Greek underworld, Hades blends the hack-and-slash gameplay of Diablo with that “one more try” addictive thrill of Spelunky or The Binding of Isaac. Every time you die you have to start over from the beginning, but it will always feel like you are achieving something, and the story will keep you hooked no matter how long you play.

Final Fantasy VII Remake: This PlayStation 4 version of the groundbreaking 1997 dystopian role-playing game Final Fantasy VII isn’t just a modern take on a classic. It is a reflection on what it actually means to recreate a work of art.

Call of the Sea: It’s 1934. You’re Nora Everhart, on an expedition to an island off Tahiti, looking for your missing husband, Harry. What you find is a mix of adventure game Myst and the work of horror fiction writer HP Lovecraft – extensive puzzles and a great story.

Demon’s Souls: Set in a devastated world of death and decay, the PlayStation 5’s grand exclusivity, a remake of the 2009 title of the same name, is not for the faint of heart. Like other games from the much loved developer FromSoftware Inc., this is one of the most challenging experiences you can have in front of a TV. But if you’re persistent, it can also be one of the most satisfying.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Every new game in Ubisoft Entertainment SA’s Assassin’s Creed series just keeps getting better. This time we’re going to the 9th century for a Viking romp through Norway and England, full of raids, treasures and delightful mysteries.

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout: Fortnite meets Mario Party. You play as one of sixty jelly bean-like creatures vying 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 his Paper Mario series to experiment with weird and crazy gameplay. The Origami King is no exception, with a strange ring-based combat system and dialogue that never stopped me from smiling.

Bugsnax: These bugs are part beetle and part snack. There is Fryder, a spider made from French fries; Pineantula, a pineapple tarantula; Spuddy, a baked potato crab and so on. Your job in this game is to photograph them, track their movements, figure out how to catch them, and enjoy a whimsical story with a surprisingly deep cast of characters. Bugsnax is especially great for playing with children.

Ori and the likes of the wisps: This 2D platformer is one of the most beautiful games of the year and exciting and delightful. You play as a guardian named Ori in a world full of feisty creatures vaguely reminiscent of European folklore. Ori’s movement has a lightness that never gets old – it’s fantastic to double jump, slide and zip through these beautiful landscapes.

Jackbox Party Pack 7: There were no group dinners or cocktail parties this year, but at least there was Jackbox. Rather than go out and risk spreading or catching disease, my wife and I spent most of the weekends in 2020 with friends laughing at games like Quiplash, a joke prompt- game and one of Jackbox’s highlights. I hope we can do it again in person soon.

This article originally appeared in Bloomberg’s Daily Technology Newsletter. Register here.