Samuel Willetts' Top Five Games of 2020 | Winter Spectacular 2020

I did not expect 2020 to be the year that I fell in love, once again, with video games. I had begun noticing, these past couple of years, that I was finding it harder and harder to either be excited for or flat-out enjoy newer releases, particularly from the mainstream developers/publishers. However, there’s nothing like a global pandemic that affords you greater amounts of free time to shift your focus.

This year, thanks to that free time, I’ve been able to knock out some heavy hitters in my backlog and to approach games with greater positive energy, no longer being rundown by tedious commutes. That said, it hasn’t all been roses, but some of the video games here really did help to make me feel less alone this year.

To everyone reading this list, I hope it finds you well. If it doesn’t, please reach out to someone. I hope that my words below might at least encourage you to discover a video game you might not have otherwise considered that may just bring you that same comfort it did me. Stay safe.

It can be a tough time of year, don’t be alone.

Honourable Mentions

So, before we kick this list off proper, I just wanted to give a few shoutouts to some titles that didn’t quite make the cut.

• Bugsnax - One of the most surprising games I’ve played all year. It really is more than meets the eye with this one, particularly in terms of its characters and narrative.

• Doom Eternal - An improvement on Doom (2016) in just about every way. 

• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales - A great continuation and remix of the entertaining formula established in Marvel’s Spider-Man for PS4.

5. Call of Duty: Warzone

Call of Duty: Warzone arrived at the perfect time for me. It released just shy of a week before the United Kingdom underwent its first national lockdown, in response to COVID-19, and my friends and I were looking for a game to play during our downtime while we worked from home. And as I alluded to, Warzone was a perfect fit.

I’ve held a keen interest in seeing how the battle-royale genre has evolved ever since Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds blew up in popularity, having now subsequently spent over 500 hours playing PUBG. However, I’ve found myself largely wanting by the likes of Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty’s previous attempt at a battle royale in the form of Black Ops IV’s ‘Blackout’ mode. I think there are a few reasons that Warzone has managed to hold my interest longer than all the others previously mentioned.

Wow this Warzone thing is neat. Have they ever thought of making like a non-battle-royale Call of Duty, with like a campaign, hot button issues and, I don’t, like one Kit Harrington caliber actor in each installment?

Firstly, Warzone’s shooting mechanics, to me, feel the most satisfying to play, bar PUBG, in the battle royale space. This shouldn’t surprise anyone as the Call of Duty machine that Activision Blizzard have created, particularly when manned by Infinity Ward, has practically survived on the satisfaction that its competitive multiplayer shooting mechanics for years now. I was, initially, concerned with how well these mechanics would translate to a huge map, particularly when compared to Call of Duty’s standard multiplayer maps, but these concerns were largely unfounded in the end. The only issue that I’ve encountered, and this is more a subjective problem than anything, is the prevalence of snipers atop skyscrapers. This isn’t an issue in itself, but I feel that Warzone has some way to go to addressing the number of, if any, viable options that players have to counter this one dominant strategy.

I also really enjoy how Warzone tackles death. It unabashedly takes inspiration from Apex Legends respawn system, which requires one of your teammates to reach a respawn point in order to bring you back into combat. However, the game goes a step further and offers recently deceased players a chance at redemption, through a 1v1 gunfight, with another player, in a gulag. The two sides of this, the unbelievable frustration at having lost and the bliss at clutching a win, transform what would otherwise be an extremely passive, and at its worst boring, experience of waiting.

The only real issue I have with Warzone is its price point. It’s free, yes, technically. However, the numerous microtransactions for cosmetic items, their cost, and the number of times the game pushes said microtransactions is gross. Still, business practices aside, Warzone is a great iteration on the ever-evolving battle royale genre and it’ll be interesting to see how it continues to evolve further as the new Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War takes over from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

4. Risk of Rain 2

I have spent many fond hours playing the original Risk of Rain, both by myself and with friends, revelling in its wonderful art style, its, at times, ridiculous difficulty, and its, frankly, ridiculously brilliant soundtrack by Chris Christodoulou. So, when Risk of Rain 2 was made available via Early Access, last year, I was psyched to see what developer Hopoo Games had envisioned for the sequel.

Risk of Rain 2, now released from Early Access, is the best kind of sequel: one that smartly builds on the foundations laid down by its predecessor, in a manner that paradoxically offers both familiarity and entirely new experiences.

Dungeon crawling, shooting fellas and a twangy guitar. How could you not love this game?

The shift from 2D to 3D, inarguably, is the most immediately appreciable difference between the two games and it’s a revelatory difference at that. The tension in being surrounded by enemies, as you frantically dodge their attacks and retaliate with your own, is an altogether different challenge in a three-dimensional space. However, with new challenges comes new tactical options. While enemies are now able to swarm you from all angles, you can now respond to their swarming with your own increased manoeuvrability, with a notable emphasis on verticality being present in Risk of Rain 2’s level design. If a compelling gameplay experience, shaped by the transition from 2D to 3D wasn’t enough, then perhaps the wonderfully varied and colourful art design that pops all the more within the extra dimension should be the cherry on top.

The rogue-lite mechanics of the original game translate just as well in the sequel, as do the abilities of the various returning, and new, classes available to you. Personally, I found the Artificer to be my favourite, whether sharing loot with friends in a multiplayer game or becoming massively overpowered with a boatload of stacked items, their skillset fulfilled my want to be an all-powerful sci-fi wizard.

Both Risk of Rain 2 and its predecessor are great games worthy of your time. However, as much as I dearly love the original, Risk of Rain’s use of IP addresses and ports is both archaic and a pain to get setup. Thankfully, however, Risk of Rain 2 ditches that for a more modern approach and incorporates Valve’s Steamworks and console matchmaking to manage its multiplayer. For that reason alone, if you are someone coming into the Risk of Rain series for the first time, check out Risk of Rain 2 first and foremost. You’re in for a great time.

3. Astro’s Playroom

One of the problems of having a new console, during its launch period, is that there will be very few, if any, games in the console’s launch lineup that really demonstrate what the new system is capable of. Not every game can be Mario 64 or Wii Sports after all. Astro’s Playroom, however, has not only been the best technical showcase for the PS5’s new DualSense controller but it’s also an unrelentingly charming platformer.

Snake? Snake?! SNAAAAAAKE!

I’ve seen numerous reviews for the game that state, ‘Astro’s Playroom is the first game you should play on your PS5,’ and I completely agree. For one, the game comes pre-installed on every PS5 system, so it’s ready to play from the moment you boot up the console, making it an excellent time killer while you wait for any other games you’ve purchased to download if nothing else. 

To describe it as such though sells Astro’s Playroom extremely short. It wastes no time in getting you acquainted with the features of the PS5’s DualSense controller, through a series of quick and entertaining tutorials, before dropping you into a wonderfully presented world wherein the game continues to demonstrate the controller’s and the console’s functionality in varied and fun ways. And that’s the real joy here, much as Astro’s Playroom is a tech demo, it is designed in a way that never feels like the demonstration is getting in the way of the game being fun.

While Astro’s Playroom doesn’t offer much in the way of challenge or attempt to rewrite the platforming playbook. It does, however, offer a solid platforming experience, enhanced by the DualSense’s adaptive triggers and haptic feedback coupled with a great aesthetic and bucket loads of nostalgic charm. The adaptive triggers are put to great use in emulating the tension of a coiled spring, in one section of the game, and walking across different surfaces all feel as though they have their own unique texture thanks to the way the haptic feedback responds to them. 

Speaking more to its charm, it is clear that a large amount of time and love has gone into designing Astro, his fellow bots, and the world in which they inhabit. I’m primarily a PC gamer but the decadent amount of PlayStation easter eggs and callbacks that fill Astro’s Playroom weren’t lost on me. It all felt like a real celebration of the brand and its iconic games and is easily the greatest highlight of the game outside of the ease with which it acclimates you to the DualSense’s features.

Astro’s Playroom was not only my first PS5 platinum trophy but my first PlayStation platinum trophy full stop. I cannot stress enough how much of a surprise this game was in how much joy it elicited in me and my partner who watched me play it. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on a PS5, whether it's this Christmas or the far-flung future, play Astro’s Playroom before anything else.

2. Demon’s Souls

I’ve been a fan of the Soulsborne series since Dark Souls was released on PC, back in 2012. I’ve gone on to play every game in the series since then but have longed for the opportunity to delve into the series roots, with Demon’s Souls. Not only did I get that chance, this year, but it’s also the reason I bought a PS5 on release. Suffice to say, I don’t regret my purchase in the slightest.

It’s a good thing this game looks so great. Really takes the sting out of being smeared on the pavement by a dragon for the 50th time.

With Demon’s Souls, Bluepoint Games adds yet another title to their portfolio that acts as a shining example of how remakes should be developed. Like their previous title, the PS4 remake of Shadow of the Colossus, the original codebase has been ported and has, largely, been left untouched. I think this shows a distinct level of respect for the tactile feel of the original game, which is especially important in the case of Demon’s Souls given how particular Soulsborne fans are about every minute detail.

I said largely untouched because Bluepoint has made some changes that differentiate their remake from the original PS3 title and I would argue that all of these changes are for the better. A change that I noticed right away was that rolling is now omnidirectional, rather than the four-axis rolling that was present in the original game. This makes those all-important dodges in Demon’s Souls feel more versatile and levels the playing field just that little bit more between the player and the world at large. However, the most transformative change is the 60 FPS Performance Mode. The original game ran with a 30 FPS target which it, more often than not, failed to hit. Not only does the Performance Mode address this issue but there’s simply no returning to 30 FPS after sampling the delightful 60 FPS mode.

The biggest difference between the original game and this remake is, understandably, in its art design. The difference between the graphical capabilities of the PS3 and PS5 are stark and Bluepoint have done a wonderful job in giving Boletaria a much-deserved makeover. I’ve never really bothered with photo modes in most games but Demon’s Souls practically compelled me to make use of its own photo mode. Striking vistas, nightmarish horrors, and ruins that instil melancholia, they’re all here and they all look beautiful in their own way.

Where Bluepoint’s Demon’s Souls falls in my personal ranking of the Soulsborne FromSoftware titles remains to be seen as I continue to grind through it. If you’re a veteran of Soulsborne games, or Demon’s Souls specifically, I believe that this remake warrants another dangerous stroll through Boleteria. If you’re new to these kinds of games, however, I’d still argue that Demon’s Souls is worth checking out, especially with PS5 titles being so few and far between right now. Either way, Demon’s Souls is just bloody, bloody good.

1. Hades

Welcome to hell. Or as must of us have been calling it 2020.

If you’d said to me, at the beginning of 2020, that Hades would be my game of the year… I’d have had a hard time believing you. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been a fan of Greg Kasavin and all the other folks at Supergiant Games for many years now. However, I’d never really clicked with rogue-likes in any substantial way before. That is, until now.

Not to be hyperbolic but... Hades is basically a perfect game. It’s very hard to know where to start in describing its qualities but I guess I’ll start at the thing that pulled me in the most: the narrative. The way that Supergiant Games have managed to weave the rogue-like genre trope of starting new runs over and over into one of the core driving forces of Hades’ story is simply amazing. Not only do I feel compelled to go on another tear through the underworld because of how fun it is but also because of the natural compulsion of the game’s narrative. And, wow, what a narrative. Whether you’re an expert on Greek mythology, or (like me) know just enough to get you by, every single character that you encounter feels distinct and fully realised. Yes, even Theseus.

However, as I alluded to earlier, the drive to further Hades narrative is greatly supported by just how fun the game itself is. Moving from room to room, one level of the underworld to the next, has a fantastic rhythm of tension and release. The tension in slaughtering countless varying shades, each with their own distinct look and moveset, and overcoming seemingly impossible odds never gets old. However, it is the release that really distinguishes Hades, as you engage in conversation with numerous Greek gods, they offer you boons that bolster your move set in interesting and, again, varied ways. Then there’s Zagreus’ armory of weapons which also offer unique playstyles. There’s just so many systems of customisation and options open to the player to really make each run feel distinct or for them to focus on particular build types.

While I may have elaborated more on the other titles in this list, a large part of me is compelled to stop here on Hades. I hope the previous paragraphs have given you some idea of just how good this game is but, like most media, my words will only give you a glimpse into just how special this game really is. If you can buy it now, do so, on whatever platform you choose, and if you need to save up for a while I can only promise that it will be worth the wait. I cannot wait to see what Supergiant comes up with next.