Source: Supergiant Games
While 2020 was a garbage dump for most of the world, business was booming in the video game industry. People working from home made production difficult, but sales skyrocketed and games were as good as ever. For anyone who wants to be entertained during the holiday season, here’s a rundown of this year’s best titles.
Hades: A “roguelike” adventure set in the Greek underworld, Hades mixes the pirate game of Diablo with this addictive feeling of “just one more attempt” by Spelunky or The Binding of Isaac. Every time you die, you have to start all over again, but you’ll always feel like you’re accomplishing something and the story will keep you hooked for as long as you play.
Remake of Final Fantasy VII
Source: Square Enix
Remake of Final Fantasy VII: This PlayStation 4 reimagining of the end of the 1997 dystopian role-playing game Final Fantasy VII isn’t just a modern version of a classic. It’s a rumor about what it really means to remake a work of art.
Call of the Sea: It’s 1934. You’re Nora Everhart, on an expedition to an island off Tahiti in search of your missing husband, Harry. What you’ll find is a mix of Myst adventure games and the works of horror fiction writer HP Lovecraft: elaborate puzzles and a great story.
The souls of the devil: Set in a ruined world full of death and decay, the great PlayStation 5 exclusive, a remake of the 2009 eponymous title, is not for the faint of heart. Like other games from beloved developer FromSoftware Inc., this is one of the most challenging experiences you can have in front of a TV. But if you are persistent, it can also be one of the most satisfying.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on Xbox Series X.
Source: Microsoft Corp.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Each new game in Ubisoft Entertainment SA’s Assassin’s Creed series continues to improve. This time, we set off in the ninth century for a Viking voyage through Norway and England, full of attacks, treasures and delicious mysteries.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout: Fortnite meets Mario Party. You play as one of the sixty jelly-like creatures competing for dominance in a series of elaborate minigames. The results are fun, chaotic and addictive.
Paper Mario
Source: Nintendo
Paper Mario: The Origami King: Nintendo Co. has traditionally used his Paper Mario series to experiment with weird and extravagant games. King Origami is no exception, with a strange ring-based battle system and a dialogue that never ceased to make me smile.
Bugsnax: These critters are part of bugs and snacks. There’s Fryder, a spider made with chips; Pineantula, a pineapple tarantula; Spuddy, a baked potato crab, etc. Your job in this game is to photograph them, keep track of their movements, figure out how to catch them, and enjoy a whimsical story starring a surprisingly deep cast of characters. Bugsnax is particularly great for playing with kids.
Ori and the will of the devices: One of the most beautiful games of the year, this 2D platform game is haunting and charming. Play as a guardian named Ori in a world full of sprit creatures vaguely reminiscent of European folklore. Ori’s movement has a lightness that doesn’t get old: it’s a leap to jump, slide and zip through these beautiful landscapes.
Jackbox Party Pack 7: This year there were no group dinners or cocktails, but at least Jackbox. Instead of venturing out and risking spreading or catching illnesses, my wife and I spend most of the 2020 weekends on Facetime with friends, laughing through games like Quiplash, a joke game. jokingly and one of Jackbox’s highlights. Here we hope we can do it again personally soon.
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