My Top 5 Games of 2020!

An alright year.

 2020 was a relatively solid year for gaming despite all that's happened. From hyped Triple AAA releases to the launch of the next gen consoles, there was always something to get excited for. That said, I haven't played much of this year's releases since most of them were on the new consoles, so this year's list is pretty short one. That's mainly because I've playing old games that I've had on the backlog for a while and I wasn't impressed with much of the games that came out. So having only played like five new releases this year, what are they and which is my Game of the Year? Let's find out!

#5

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo)

Bright and relaxing, New Horizons was the
standout game for the Switch this year.

 Probably the most anticipated Switch game of the year, Animal Crossing: New Horizons continues the simple yet calming simulation gameplay that the series is known for. Following your own adventure as you become one of the few inhabitants of an empty island, it's up to you to bring new life to the place. You'll be pulling out weed, collecting bugs, fishing, saving up for your home, and talking with the inhabitants in an effort to make the island more lively. That and the game's charming visuals and calming soundtrack gives it a lot of character. It's definitely a slow-paced game and those who aren't particularly patient won't find much enjoyment here. For those looking to sink themselves in and making their island the best it can be, then Animal Crossing: New Horizons surely won't disappoint.

#4

Shantae and the Seven Sirens (Wayforward)

A fun, hair-whipping adventure.

 One of the cool moments of the year for me this year was finding out about the Shantae games brought to us from overlooked developer Wayforward. A surprisingly long-running series, I've enjoyed the latest game in the series Shantae and the Seven Sirens, which debuted earlier this year. Filled with an awesome story, likeable characters, and fun gameplay, it was a close favorite of mine in the series after Pirate's Curse. That's also not forgetting about the funny fourth-wall humor and stellar presentation-- which are a series staple-- and you have a solid platformer with neat Metroidvania elements that any fan of the genre can pick up and play.

#3

Doom Eternal (id Software)

Rip and tear until it's done!

 Playing Doom Eternal was one of my favorite memories of the year, as I've been a fan of the 2016 reboot and faced-paced action games. I was hyped up for Doom Eternal ever since its announcement and was glad that it exceeded my expectations. The story's serviceable enough to get you from one place to another, slaying demons and exploring the game's pretty expansive levels that are filled with goodies. Still, there's a hefty amount of lore here if you're invested in the Doom world though to be honest, the challenging and gory gameplay is the star of the game. Coupled with a kick-ass soundtrack and stylish visuals, Doom Eternal is easily the year's best action game.

#2

Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Productions)

The PS4's swan song.

 Ghost of Tsushima was a surprise for me this year. The gripping tale of a samurai warrior who must reclaim his land from Mongol invaders coupled with the vicious sword-based gameplay, made it a standout game of the year contender and a memorable sendoff for the PlayStation 4. Exploring the beautifully created island of Tsuhsima and battling mongols was a lot of fun despite me initially thinking it's just another open-world game. The amount of detail that went into making Tsushima island and the gameplay was outstanding and I couldn't get enough of the game's amazing set-pieces. I loved the game and I'm super excited for the sequel if developer Sucker Punch decides to make one, Ghost of Tsushima is definitely a future classic in my book.

  #1 - Game of the Year 2020

Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix)

Cloud and the gang are back!

 Yep, you know it had to be the remake to one of my favorite games of all-time, Final Fantasy VII. Sure, FFVII Remake is only part one of the experience, but the amount of content present in FFVIIR was enough to make any fan impressed. While the drastic changes to the story and gameplay might disappoint purists, I had no problem with them and found the game to be a fresh new experience despite still tracing its roots to the 1997 classic. I loved seeing Cloud and the Avalanche gang back and the action-RPG gameplay was fun and packed depth thanks to the Materia system and summons. 

 Let's also not forget about Square Enix's tendency to create stunning, beautiful games thanks to a talented team of artists, which the remake's not short of. Even the soundtrack was memorable as it remakes classic tracks and offers new tracks, both of which were a blast to listen. 

 Looking back, it was the most fun I had this year in terms of gaming and I'm optimistic that the follow-up parts will be just as memorable-- I'm just hoping it's not too much of a wait. So yeah, Final Fantasy VII Remake is my 2020 Game of the Year!