The year is coming to an end, so let’s taking a look at some of the most noteworthy games that were released in 2020. Of course, I’ve personally played these games, and in my opinion, these titles are absolutely worth checking out. This is especially the case if you have the relevant system – such as the PlayStation exclusives – to play them.
Without further ado, let’s get to the list, starting with the game that I have invested hours of gameplay into.
Genshin Impact
If there’s any game that I can’t get enough of this year, it’s Genshin Impact. Developed by Mihoyo – the same developer behind Honkai Impact – this is a free-to-play gacha game…that doesn’t feel too much like a gacha game. With its incredible storyline, sophisticated gameplay, and a vast, beautiful world to explore, Genshin Impact is much more than just a gacha game.
Of course, it is still inherently a gacha game, so there are some typical gacha pitfalls here. Say you want a specific character or weapon: you’ll have to keep rolling for either one of them using Primogems, the in-game premium currency. Needless to say, it can be frustrating if you fail to get what you’re aiming for.
But even so, the sheer amount of content packed into Genshin Impact makes it an incredibly worthwhile game to invest both time and money into. Just when I was starting to get bored of the game, Mihoyo adds even more content to keep the experience fresh. I also love the fact that Genshin Impact supports cross-platform progression, unless you’re playing on a PS4 or PS5.
The Last of Us Part II
Naughty Dog’s latest title is a devastating, heart-wrenching game that showcases the studio’s masterful storytelling. The Last of Us Part II, despite its divisive story, tells a very engrossing narrative that no other game has managed to accomplish.
Aside from that, The Last of Us Part II also features stunning graphics that pushes the PS4 to its limits. Coupled with the game’s excellent gameplay elements, you’ve got yourself one of the best – if not the best – games of 2020. If you’re a PS4 owner, this is simply a must-play title.
Unless, of course, you haven’t played the first instalment of the game yet. To truly enjoy this sequel, you definitely have to play The Last of Us first.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
If you were lucky enough to get yourself a PS5, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a fantastic launch title. Thanks to the PS5’s much beefier hardware compared to its predecessor, the game can run at 60fps even with ray tracing enabled. The extra frames and improved fidelity make this game an absolutely joy to play through, even as I’m just swinging around the streets of New York.
Granted, at RM209, Miles Morales does not offer a whole lot of content to justify that price tag. But if you’re new to the series, the Ultimate Edition of the game is much easier to recommend, which includes the remastered version of the first game (along with all of the DLCs that were previously released) for only RM299.
Even if you don’t own a PS5 system, you can still play Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales on the PS4. Owning either versions of the game also gives you access to the game on both consoles, so you can actually carry your progress from the PS4 to the PS5 with relative ease.
Ghost of Tsushima
Yes, this is another PlayStation exclusive, but that just goes to show the quality of exclusives on the platform. Ghost of Tsushima is an open-world game set in beautifully rendered feudal Japan, and it’s a stunning samurai adventure with a solid, exciting gameplay.
If you’ve always wanted to play as a samurai in an open-world setting, Ghost of Tsushima is basically that. If being a samurai is not quite your thing, you can even employ “Ghost tactics” that rely on stealth and deception. While the enemy AI is not particularly…intelligent, I still had a ball in this game.
Once you’re done with the single-player story, you can jump into the Legends mode for some online multiplayer fun. You can play with up to three other players in this mode.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Last but definitely not least is one of Nintendo’s biggest games of the year, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I was never interested in the Animal Crossing franchise, but that changed when the government issued a lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Boy, was I glad I had the game then to keep me company in isolation.
The laid-back, calming nature of New Horizons was a much-needed escape from the dreary reality brought on by the (ongoing) pandemic. There’s no real “objective” in the game, aside from shaping my island to how I envision it to be, catching some bugs and fishes to complete the museum, as well as recruiting animal villagers to my island.
To top it off, I could also keep in touch with friends and families by visiting their own islands in Animal Crossing: New Horizons during the lockdown. Even though I haven’t visited my island for quite some time now, I will certainly cherish my time in the game when I needed a distraction. I’m sure it kept a lot of people company during isolation too.
And there you have it: five must-play games of 2020. In a year filled with many challenges of different shapes and sizes, these games make it easier to get through a difficult year for many of us. If you need a good distraction or some stress relief, take a look at either one of these five games – you’ll definitely enjoy yourself.