Game of the Year Awards 2020
2020 was not a normal year. The global pandemic upended many people’s lives and made us change how we live day to day. The world of gaming had issues too and not just with delays: E3 was canceled for the first time since it began in 1995.
Amid the chaos, Microsoft and Sony somehow managed to release their new consoles. Microsoft took a different approach with their Xbox Series X|S models in an effort to ease the transition between generations. Sony had a more traditional generation leap with the PlayStation 5. The good news is that both consoles have substantial backwards compatibility options, which is awesome when there are many great titles on the older systems. The bad news is that supply has been very limited, making for a frustrating experience trying to get your hands on the hardware. PC enthusiasts faced similar supply issues, with powerful new video cards from NVidia and AMD.
As many people were forced into lockdown, gamers craved freedom. Ubisoft offered escapism with many open-world games, like Watch Dogs: Legions, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, and Immortals Fenyx Rising. Those on PlayStation gold a hold of Ghost of Tsushima, The Pathless, and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. With so many places closed with the pandemic, some were even craving the opportunity to just get out and drive, so F1 2020, WRC 9, DIRT 5, and Project Cars 3 gave people the chance to spin out.
Being able to explore the world was important for mental health. Microsoft Flight Simulator let players glide across the entire Earth, with real-time weather, in a year where air travel was reduced considerably. Beyond Blue allowed gamers to dive into and explore the ocean. And getting back to nature was a key part of Animal Crossing: New Horizons as people got to make an island their own.
With a lack of activities, certain gamers craved mental stimulus. Strategy titles like Crusader Kings 3 and Desperados 3 provided the depth and planning to keep fans focused. Puzzle titles, like Manifold Garden, Relicta, and Creaks, offered enough challenge to keep minds occupied in a difficult year. Other games took a different approach with their mental stimulus. Cyberpunk 2077 had players dealing with a digital construct and Twin Mirror had them taking advice from an imaginary friend.
The year was also a chance for people to improve themselves. Roguelike games including Hades, Superhot: Mind Control Delete, and West of Dead kept players coming back for more, improving with each iteration. And metroidvania titles such as Carrion and Ori and the Will of the Wisps granted access to more and more areas as players found or unlocked new abilities.
And who couldn’t forgive players for wanting to blow off some steam this year? There were plenty of games that provided hordes of targets and big weapons, like Doom Eternal, Serious Sam 4, Star Wars: Squadrons, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. When stealth failed in The Last of Us Part II, the combat featured some of the most brutal violence in any game to date – the perfect antidote to a tricky year.
2020 was challenging, but it also made it clear that we are lucky to have video games as one hobby that can help us navigate a pandemic: it lets us explore, challenges our minds, helps us improve, and gives us back control. Join us over the next few pages as we reveal which experiences stood out from the pack in our 2020 Game of the Year Awards.
Cyberpunk 2077 “Although the biochip is slowly killing V, you can wander about doing odd jobs; the ticking time-bomb only ticks during the main story. The side quests should be undertaken because they feature some of the most interesting quest chains. There are many substantial interactions that build layers of narrative. You can work alongside a cop to explore a hidden nightclub and then track a serial killer’s victim by diving into a braindance memory. Or the candidate for mayor wants to know if the old mayor’s death was an accident, but his memory issues prove more enticing. And these stories are just the tip of the iceberg in a city that has so many good characters.” – Ben Thomas
Runners-up: The Last of Us Part II, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Paradise Killer
Hades “The game looks fantastic. If you’ve played any of Supergiant’s other titles, you won’t be surprised. The gang’s all back together for the same look, style, and sound that the studio is so well known for. The playful, colorful, yet striking character design meshes seamlessly with the pantheon of Greek gods, almost as if artist Jen Zee was made to take on the challenge.” – Josh Hinke
Runners-up: Ghost of Tsushima, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, The Last of Us Part II
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) “As you fly over the terrain, you’ll get to experience some amazing views, all decently accurately represented using real satellite imagery and data. From the largest cities like New York, to the smallest towns and villages, you’ll find the world at your fingertips. The lighting and clouds are amazing to look at as well, as you soar in and out of the mist, the light rays peeking through, illuminating your dashboard, and casting a shadow of your plane on the distant ground below. At its highest settings and high above the terrain, the game is quite beautiful to look at.” – Alex V
Runners-up: The Last of Us Part II, Ghost of Tsushima, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Cyberpunk 2077 “Cyberpunk 2077 uses a mix of real-world artists and a custom soundtrack to produce some awesome backing music. On the radio stations, artists like Grimes, Ratboy, Gazelle Twin, and Refused blend together Electronic, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Reggae genres to create an industrial and aggressive style. These songs are paired with custom pumping tracks that kick into gear during heavy action, directed by Marcin Przybylowicz. It all produces a distinctive soundscape that reflects the dark personality of Night City.” – Ben Thomas
Runners-up: Doom Eternal, Paradise Killer, Hades
The Last of Us Part II “As a first-party exclusive title, and one that focuses on a cinematic approach, there’s no questioning the game’s presentation prowess. The Last of Us Part II features great audio design – with good voice acting, great sound effects and environmental sounds that add to the strong atmosphere. From the haunting Clickers to the rustling of the collapsing world, every nook and cranny holds potential danger, and the audioscape manages to constantly keep players on the edge of tension.” – Alex V
Runners-up: Star Wars: Squadrons, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Doom Eternal
The Last of Us Part II “The sequel still features cinematic action, atmospheric environments, memorable characters and unflinching violence. You’ll spend a ton of time maneuvering your way around dark and dangerous buildings, open outdoor areas, and tight spaces. The second half of the story in particular has a few grueling encounters that are quite memorable, thanks to tight corridors and a plethora of enemies.” – Alex V
Runners-up: Cyberpunk 2077, Resident Evil 3 (2020), Ghost of Tsushima
The Last of Us Part II “The audio design is strong, with good voice acting. Between Ashley Johnson, Laura Bailey, Troy Baker, and Jeffrey Pierce, both the returning cast and newcomers deliver a high quality of performance that is expected from a cinematic game such as this.” – Alex V
Runners-up: Cyberpunk 2077, Ghost of Tsushima, Hades
Ellie (The Last of Us Part II) “One day, as Ellie returns from a regular patrol, she learns of trouble. Joel – a man who’s had to sacrifice, but also hurt a lot of people – hasn’t been seen for hours. The events that follow set Ellie on a path of vengeance, and take her to Seattle, where most of the game takes place. It’s in these collapsed buildings, caved-in concrete streets, all overgrown with vegetation and crawling with threats, that she must satisfy her craving for retribution.” – Alex V
Runners-up: V (Cyberpunk 2077), Tyler (Tell Me Why), Jill (Resident Evil 3 2020)
The Awards continue on the next page!
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) “The 2020 Microsoft Flight Simulator is an impressive technical achievement. The flexible gameplay mechanics allow players of all skills levels to explore and learn. It offers an incredible world to explore – and one that succeeds at feeling truly alive, with its live players, AI planes, airports, time of day, and weather. It’s an incredibly flexible game – from tweaking the controls assists to adjusting how much data you want to stream, and what the weather and time of day looks like when you take off.” – Alex V
Runners-up: Crusader Kings 3, Gears Tactics, LUNA The Shadow Dust
Ghost of Tsushima “Ghost of Tsushima offers a well-designed open world that combines great combat with enticing exploration. The excellent art style brings this unique historical setting to life, and smart design choices help the game overcome its minor flaws. Featuring an authentic setting, exciting combat and great art style, Ghost of Tsushima is a strong exclusive title that brings Sucker Punch back into the spotlight.” – Alex V
Runners-up: The Last of Us Part II, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Final Fantasy VII Remake
Ori and the Will of the Wisps “Stunning visuals and brilliant music is just the first course in Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Musical score is excellent with great emotional connection to the story. With its large world, lavish combat, and a smooth implementation of the metroidvania design, this sequel is a must-play for fans of the original, and highly recommended for everybody else.” – Ben Thomas
Runners-up: Tell Me Why, Call of the Sea, Tetris Effect: Connected
Hades “Hades plays so tightly and paces out the progression of each run so intelligently, it’s an absolute delight. The design of the dungeons, the way the sections of the game change to challenge you in different ways, the way you debate between short-term advantages and long-term goals – it’s a brilliant mix of game design and refined gameplay.” – Josh Hinke
Runners-up: Paradise Killer, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, I Am Dead
Ghost of Tsushima “Although their PS4 title Infamous: Second Son was a launch game many years ago, the developers are now back to close out the console’s lifecycle with a new IP. Ghost of Tsushima is a great title for anyone looking to get immersed in a unique setting, with great combat and a well-designed open world. This ancient era of Japan is absolutely incredible to look at and so easy to become immersed in.” – Alex V
Runners-up: Hades, Star Wars: Squadrons, Tell Me Why
Ori and the Will of the Wisps “The new 2D platformer from Moon Studios does successfully execute the mantra championed by Epic many years ago – “bigger, better, and more badass”. It’s a sequel that takes the original formula and does everything better, from combat to exploring. Compared to the original, the world is certainly larger, the extra combat makes it livelier, and the beautiful varied art and musical score make it more luscious.” – Ben Thomas
Runners-up: Crusader Kings 3, Desperados 3, WRC 9
Manifold Garden “Manifold Garden isn’t kind to the puzzle illiterate. It’s trippy, unforgiving, and its infinitely looping nature leads to a world that feels enormous despite being mostly an illusion. Who would have thought it’d be unnerving teetering on the edge of infinity? The abstract environment adopts the colour you are currently dealing with to help the player a little bit, but besides that, Manifold Garden whisks you away on a mind-boggling puzzle journey that refuses to hold your hand.” – Dylan Blereau
The Last of Us Part II “Because we get two perspectives, the game actually is able to simply re-use the same locations; though that’s not to suggest it’s done for the sake of stretching out the content. The sections of levels are still pretty distinctly split up, featuring entrances and exits beyond which enemies will not pursue. Some sections are free of foes, while others have them spawn in as you progress. But even as you continue on and the levels become linear, there is still often a ton of side buildings and abandoned shop fronts to bash the windows in. Levels are quite sizable and if you want to explore thoroughly, it definitely takes a while; it’s impressive to see the many different ways to traverse an area.” – Alex V
Runners-up: Ghost of Tsushima, Hades, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War “The multiplayer is a flood of hyperactivity. The changes from last year’s slower game are subtle but important. With good foot speed, rapid and generous mantling, the online combat takes on a frantic arcade style. Weapon handling is good across most types and they all feel considerably better after equipping a few attachments. Most of the multiplayer maps feature intricate ground detail and some of their art style is stunning, like the Miami night map. The co-operative zombie mode is enticing with its many activities and good map structure.” – Ben Thomas
Runners-up: Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, Star Wars: Squadrons, Call of Duty Warzone
Ghost of Tsushima “There will be plenty of action, whether it’s in story-mandated encounters or just by roaming the open world, and the combat in the game is quite gratifying. When not dealing with enemies, be it through stealth or combat, players can explore a good sized open world. For each enemy type, Jin has a combat stance that is the most effective. It doesn’t alter your moves or prompts much, but Jin visibly changes his style and attacks, letting you deliver damage to the enemy of a certain type. This adds a dynamic aspect to the combat, as you must often switch stances multiple times in a single battle depending on the enemy you’re facing. It all combines to make for some really enjoyable gameplay.” – Alex V
Runners-up: Doom Eternal, The Last of Us Part II, Hades
Even more award winners on the next page!
Doom Eternal “Most of the actual gameplay, particularly the shooting and the maiming, is great fun. The demons look brutal, including new types like the Marauder — he requires a non-traditional approach more akin to a Dark Souls enemy. In general, the game has more enemy variety and this provides a refreshing starting point. The Slayer’s arsenal is familiar and gradually released into the player’s hands. Many of the returning weapons are better this time around, due to tweaks to secondary fire modes and general balance adjustments. The weapons look good, they sound good, and most importantly, they kill good.” – Ben Thomas
Runners-up: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Star Wars: Squadrons, Serious Sam 4
Ghost of Tsushima “Unlike most action games, Jin’s katana is a weapon of art, and it’s satisfying to see him stop with precision after a swing, perform moves to incapacitate an enemy with little flash, and all substance. The game doesn’t have a big combo system, though you can unlock moves that deliver stronger blows. There is no stamina so you can swing away and dodge as much as needed, which is helpful to keep combat entertaining and free flowing.” – Alex V
Runners-up: The Last of Us Part II, Hades, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
WRC 9 “WRC 9 is a solid racing simulation both on and off the track, and it offers plenty of content to keep gamers busy for hours. Because of excellent vehicle handling and plenty of great courses, it has the raw elements of a great rally game. Plus it has the advantage of a more interesting off-track component with crew management, skill upgrades, and event scheduling. Even the visuals and weather effects are quite nice when they’re used appropriately.” – Ben Thomas
Runners-up: F1 2020
Crusader Kings 3 “It’s a marvel of a video game with so much to manage and so many details going on that it’s easy to get lost in all of the little things. That said, those many numbers and details come together to tell coherent and interesting stories that are easy to re-tell to others – which is the most incredible thing about Crusader Kings. Crusader Kings III is one of the most interesting strategy games you’ll ever play and you owe it to yourself to give it a try.” – Josh Hinke
Runners-up: Desperados 3, Gears Tactics, Total War Saga: Troy
Tell Me Why “Tell Me Why is different. It’s a graphic adventure that strives to remain grounded as it tackles the traumatic history of twins. In a similar style to Life is Strange, and over three lengthy chapters, the twins explore their dark past in a small town to find out what really happened and why.” – Ben Thomas
Runners-up: Call of the Sea, Paradise Killer, The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope
Cyberpunk 2077 “Night City is enormous, detailed, and once the game world is fully opened, overwhelming. From a distance it looks like a real city with huge residential blocks, solar powered arrays, and digital advertising boards as big as skyscrapers. Up close, it is more impressive with alleys crammed with detritus and dilapidated tenements crawling with people struggling to survive. Gigs have a predictable scope but that does not mean their design is redundant. They are all hand-crafted mini-stories. V can complete tasks through enjoyable shooting or rewarding stealth, with many substantial options within each style via quickhacks, cyberware upgrades, and a self-reinforcing skill system.” – Ben Thomas
Runners-up: Final Fantasy VII Remake, Wasteland 3, The Sinking City
Football Manager 2021 “If you’re a fan of football, then this is the best football game out there. While it is not the most visually appealing game on the market, it excels in every other area. There is nothing like managing your team to major domestic and international success. Football Manager 2021 builds on the previous entries in the franchise to create a more polished version of a great game.” – Daniel Nichols
Runners-up: Super Mega Baseball 3, FIFA 21, EA Sports UFC 4
Ori and the Will of the Wisps “Platforming is very pleasing. Ori will spend a lot of time jumping over obstacles and finding high ledges by scurrying up sheer walls. Jump pads provide height, wind tunnels can be navigated with the feather, and momentum can be gained from redirecting projectiles and dashing mid-air. The world size is large and most of the areas are dense with either challenge (creature or environmental) or collectibles. To keep the platforming fresh, Ori will gain access to new abilities in gratifying regularity.” – Ben Thomas
Runners-up: Astro’s Playroom, Crash Bandicoot 4, Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Creaks “Creaks is a different beast than Amanita’s usual experience, but it is an extraordinary puzzle-platformer with great depth. Taking just under six hours to complete, each mechanic is carefully introduced and put to good use in challenges that have a perfect learning curve. Solutions are satisfying because the tricks are subtle. With intricate and twisted world design, and some fantastic music, the entire presentation is up there with the best from the developers.” – Ben Thomas
Runners-up: Murder by Numbers, Manifold Garden, Tetris Effect: Connected
Microsoft Flight Simulator “You’ll learn the necessities of navigation, the key rudders and flaps, and a few terms. Despite being a simulation, the game has a variety of options to tweak the gameplay experience – from assisted landings and automatic comms with the Air Traffic Control, to fully manual taxiing and fuel mixing. In the flight deck, you can look around and use the mouse to interact with the hundreds of knobs and buttons in front of you. But what really makes MSF a startling gaming achievement is the fact that players are offered the chance to fly almost anywhere in the entire world.” – Alex V
Runners-up: WRC 9, Football Manager 2021, F1 2020
You’ve reached the grand finale! Our 2020 Game of the Year is revealed on the next page!
In the late 13th century, the Mongol empire has laid waste to entire nations along their campaign to conquer the East. Tsushima Island is all that stands between mainland Japan and a massive Mongol invasion fleet led by the ruthless and cunning general, Khotun Khan. As the island burns in the wake of the first wave of the Mongol assault, samurai warrior Jin Sakai stands as one of the last surviving members of his clan.
The game takes players to Tsushima Island, off the coast of mainland Japan, in the late 13th century as the island faces an incoming Mongol Empire invasion. Ghost of Tsushima tells a fairly compelling story, that’s solid enough to carry the entire playthrough as the main narrative thread, even as players divide their time with numerous side quests. You’ll meet a few different characters on the journey who join your cause of freeing the island and stopping the invasion before they move on to the main island of Japan.
But by far the most interesting part of the narrative is how it ties into gameplay. As samurai, Jin and his fallen clansmen always held themselves to a code of honor, to tradition, and attacking the enemy in a fair head-on battle. However, as Jin finds himself alone, he must resort to stealth and striking from the shadows. Jin will be conflicted, and criticized by others, for using such methods. From melee stealth takedowns, to using a bow for silent headshots (many foes lack helmets), the stealth tools available to the players are versatile.
There will also be plenty of action, whether it’s in story-mandated encounters or just by roaming the open world, and the combat in the game is quite gratifying. The first thing that stands out is how well animated Jin’s moves are. Unlike most action games, his katana is a weapon of art, and it’s satisfying to see him stop with precision after a swing, perform moves to incapacitate an enemy with little flash, and all substance. It all combines to make for some really enjoyable gameplay, with further variety coming from having to switch combat stances.
The title does a good job of making the world worth exploring, by offering just enough points of interest to keep it interesting, without overwhelming players by putting question marks all over the place. And the game world truly comes alive thanks to the game’s incredible art style. This ancient era of Japan is absolutely incredible to look at and so easy to become immersed in. From the large maple trees to the bamboo forests, with so many leaves swirling in the air, the art is simply impeccable, helped by a breathtaking color palette that spans the island. From bright red and orange leaves swirling in the air to the dark of the night sky, it’s one of the most immersive settings of this console generation.
Ghost of Tsushima is a great title for anyone looking to get immersed in a unique setting, with great combat and a well-designed open world, and it is our 2020 Game of the Year.
Honorable Mentions: The Last of Us Part II, Doom Eternal, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Hades, Crusader Kings 3.
Thanks for joining us for this year’s awards! We look forward to 2021, which will hopefully be happy and healthy for all, with more great games to come!