EOY Video Game Lists - 2020

letmeintomyzone · Post by **letmeintomyzone** » Tue Dec 01, 2020 6:36 pm

https://time.com/5912417/best-video-games-2020/

10. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2
9. Fall Guys
8. Microsoft Flight Simulator
7. Call of Duty: Warzone
6. Ori and the Will of Wisps
5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
4. Among Us
3. The Last of Us: Part 2
2. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
1. Hades

BleuPanda · Post by **BleuPanda** » Tue Dec 01, 2020 6:39 pm

Good to see Hades top that list; I placed it at #21 of all-time on my personal list. Truly a magnificent game.

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 4:19 am

I haven't played that many new games in 2020. Among Us is technically 2 years old but wasn't well known until this year, but I played a lot of that with my friends and it's really fun watching streams of that.

Most of the games I'm still playing now are games from 2017-2019. I have Trails of Cold Steel IV, Brigandine: Runesria and 13 Stentinels but haven't played them yet.

Arsalan · Post by **Arsalan** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 7:41 am

Among us has the potential to be one of the greatest video games of all time! Such a fantastic murder mystery game. It's both fun and full of tension(in a good way) that makes it great.

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 5:54 pm

Are there enough players on this forum to get a game together?

It's so much fun when you have a good group but you can't find a good group on the public servers.

Holden · Post by **Holden** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 6:34 pm

Jirin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 02, 2020 5:54 pm Are there enough players on this forum to get a game together?

It's so much fun when you have a good group but you can't find a good group on the public servers.

I would certainly love to play an Among Us session
We could make it weekly even if there’s enough interest

Arsalan · Post by **Arsalan** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 7:50 pm

Jirin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 02, 2020 5:54 pm Are there enough players on this forum to get a game together?

It's so much fun when you have a good group but you can't find a good group on the public servers.

I'm in.

styrofoamboots · Post by **styrofoamboots** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 8:00 pm

Jirin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 02, 2020 5:54 pm Are there enough players on this forum to get a game together?

It's so much fun when you have a good group but you can't find a good group on the public servers.

I'm in... probably

Holden · Post by **Holden** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 8:23 pm

Cool cool we wanna set up a time? What works?

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 8:33 pm

American Eastern Time (GMT -500), I'm generally free on evenings and weekends except Wednesdays, Tuesdays after 9, and some Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings.

Nassim · Post by **Nassim** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 8:46 pm

Never played it but I guess I could try.

Hades is my game of the year, clearly, no competition !

Arsalan · Post by **Arsalan** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:29 pm

(GMT +3:30), I am free on Wednesday evenings and Thursdays.

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:31 pm

What kind of game is Hades?

I think if you're only free Wednesdays and Thursdays it's going to be a problem that we're eight time zones apart, unless you stay up really late. I could easily play Saturday morning and that'd be afternoon or evening for Europeans.

BleuPanda · Post by **BleuPanda** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:41 pm

Jirin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:31 pm What kind of game is Hades?

I think if you're only free Wednesdays and Thursdays it's going to be a problem that we're eight time zones apart, unless you stay up really late. I could easily play Saturday morning and that'd be afternoon or evening for Europeans.

It's a rogue-like from the creators of Bastion with similar gameplay if I remember correctly (haven't played Bastion since it came out). In addition to some of the best gameplay in the genre, it finds a way to tell one grand story throughout where the constant dying is incorporated into the narrative. So where most roguelikes come off as repeating the same short journey over and over, Hades feels more like an epic. This is mainly supported by the starting area, where a dozen characters have slowly evolving stories that progress each time you return. I've played for several dozen hours and, despite finishing the main quest, it feels like there's so much more to find.

So, strong gameplay with a compelling loop built around a great cast of characters. It's the roguelike genre perfected.

Arsalan · Post by **Arsalan** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:58 pm

Jirin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:31 pm What kind of game is Hades?

I think if you're only free Wednesdays and Thursdays it's going to be a problem that we're eight time zones apart, unless you stay up really late. I could easily play Saturday morning and that'd be afternoon or evening for Europeans.

I can't come on Saturday but I am free a week from Saturday.

prosecutorgodot · Post by **prosecutorgodot** » Thu Dec 03, 2020 12:29 am

Lol I'd watch you guys play it if you streamed it.

styrofoamboots · Post by **styrofoamboots** » Thu Dec 03, 2020 1:46 am

Arsalan wrote: ↑Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:58 pm
Jirin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:31 pm What kind of game is Hades?

I think if you're only free Wednesdays and Thursdays it's going to be a problem that we're eight time zones apart, unless you stay up really late. I could easily play Saturday morning and that'd be afternoon or evening for Europeans.
I can't come on Saturday but I am free a week from Saturday.

That would work for me, but we should definitely get a group of 6 or more for best results

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Thu Dec 03, 2020 3:15 am

If we can't get over 6 just with us I might be able to recruit from some other boards if that's okay with you guys.

letmeintomyzone · Post by **letmeintomyzone** » Thu Dec 03, 2020 4:56 pm

https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/bes ... es-of-2020

10. Microsoft Flight Simulator
9. Spelunky 2
8. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2
7. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
6. The Pathless
5. Umurangi Generation'
4. Astro's Playroom
3. Kentucky Route Zero Act V
2. If Found
1. Hades

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Fri Dec 04, 2020 2:46 am

Hypothetically. If this Saturday morning EST I created an Among Us room and posted the room code here and two of the other message boards I go to, would anyone come?

whuntva · Post by **whuntva** » Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:03 am

I'd be up for Among Us. I've never played, but it doesn't seem too hard.

Alas, I work Saturday mornings, but afternoons would be fine.

styrofoamboots · Post by **styrofoamboots** » Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:10 am

This Saturday, I could probably do 11-1 EST

Arsalan · Post by **Arsalan** » Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:50 pm

Jirin wrote: ↑Fri Dec 04, 2020 2:46 am Hypothetically. If this Saturday morning EST I created an Among Us room and posted the room code here and two of the other message boards I go to, would anyone come?

How about creating a discord channel?

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:11 pm

I’ll do that when I get home, do you see this being done on a Discord voice channel or on the game’s chat? I’m not sure about people’s different level of comfort about chat with strangers.

Arsalan · Post by **Arsalan** » Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:21 pm

Jirin wrote: ↑Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:11 pm I’ll do that when I get home, do you see this being done on a Discord voice channel or on the game’s chat? I’m not sure about people’s different level of comfort about chat with strangers.

I suggested Discord because of its voice channel.

FrankLotion · Post by **FrankLotion** » Fri Dec 04, 2020 9:28 pm

I’ve never played Among Us but it looks fun, I may be able to join tomorrow if you all do that. I’m GMT -800 (Oregon) but I can be flexible on any time that works for y’all.

Where’s the room code you were referring to Jirin? I’m for whatever reason unable to find it.

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:29 pm

The room code is generated when I create the room. Is 11AM US Eastern time too early for you?

FrankLotion · Post by **FrankLotion** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:44 am

Jirin wrote: ↑Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:29 pm The room code is generated when I create the room. Is 11AM US Eastern time too early for you?

No that works! I need to start getting up earlier anyways

FrankLotion · Post by **FrankLotion** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 2:16 pm

FrankLotion wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:44 am
Jirin wrote: ↑Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:29 pm The room code is generated when I create the room. Is 11AM US Eastern time too early for you?
No that works! I need to start getting up earlier anyways

On second thought it seems that I’m getting called in for a project this morning so I guess I won’t be joining after all, sorry about that.

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 4:25 pm

Looks like we don't have enough people, but just for sake of checking, how many people would play now?

Nassim · Post by **Nassim** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 2:27 pm

I would be eager to try, if it's day time in Europe during the weekend I should have opportunities this week.

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 9:05 pm

I was thinking as a bored thought experiment how you would go about organizing an Among Us tournament. It made me think about what’s probably the game’s biggest flaw. If everyone was playing optimally the crewmates would never split up enough for anyone to die and they’d slowly win on task completion.

When you’re playing for fun with friends it’s no problem because everyone splits up out of a shared desire for the game not to suck. But if there was ever a real competition you’d have to fix that. You’d have to have anti-clustering rules in place. Like, no groups of more than 2 in the same room unless everyone is either doing a task or fixing a crisis. Either that or you’d need to put time pressure on task completion to force them to split up.

It is kind of a game design problem if one side needs to willingly make strategic errors for the other side to have a chance.

BleuPanda · Post by **BleuPanda** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 9:12 pm

There are a lot of 'board' games that do similar things to Among Us that I think logistically work better; but it's a fun replacement while I'm unable to have board game nights in person (especially since these games usually require a large gathering).

As far as organizing things like this go, I've considered bringing up the idea of a general AMF discord server and maybe it's time to actually create something like that?

Mulholland · Post by **Mulholland** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 7:01 pm

Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-ga ... ames-2020/

GOTY - Hades

Finalists: Animal Crossing: New Horizons, The Last of Us Part II, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ghost of Tsushima, Streets of Rage 4, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Call of Duty: Warzone, Half-Life: Alyx, Final Fantasy VII Remake

HONORABLE MENTIONS: If Found..., Among Us, Kentucky Route Zero, Umurangi Generation, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

----

Interesting to see Among Us there given it's a game that took off this year rather than being of the year.

letmeintomyzone · Post by **letmeintomyzone** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 10:09 pm

https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/ ... es-of-2020

10. There is No Game: Wrong Dimension
9. Paradise Killer
8. Receiver 2
7. Desperados III
6. FF7 Remake
5. Tales from Off Peak City Vol. 1
4. The Last of Us: Part 2
3. Umurangi Generation
2. Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition
1. Hades

Nassim · Post by **Nassim** » Wed Dec 09, 2020 1:58 pm

That's a sweep for Hades so far ! Hope that continues !

Nassim · Post by **Nassim** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 7:38 am

Nassim wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 1:58 pm That's a sweep for Hades so far ! Hope that continues !

I originaly wrote "it will continue, except maybe for stuff like the Game Awards that will vote for a big studio", I should have stuck with that !

letmeintomyzone · Post by **letmeintomyzone** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:42 pm

https://www.vulture.com/article/best-vi ... -2020.html

10. Blaseball
9. Star Wars: Squadron
8. Yakuza: Like a Dragon
7. I Am Dead
6. Spiritfarer
5. Moon
4. Kentucky Route Zero
3. Final Fantasy VII Remake
2. Hades
1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

letmeintomyzone · Post by **letmeintomyzone** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 12:40 am

https://mashable.com/article/2020-best-video-games/

10. Genshin Impact
9. Bugsnax
8. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
7. Demon Souls, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2
6. Kentucky Route Zero
5. If Found
4. Ori and the Will of Wisps
3. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
2. Ghost of Tsushima
1. Hades

https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/14/2216 ... c-series-x

10. Among Us
9. Blaseball
8. Crusader Kings 3
7. Half-LIfe: Alyx
6. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
5. Kentucky Route Zero
4. Final Fantasy VII Remake
3. Microsoft Flight Simulator
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
1. Hades

letmeintomyzone · Post by **letmeintomyzone** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 8:19 pm

https://www.smh.com.au/technology/video ... 56n5y.html (unranked)

Ghost of Tsushima
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Demon's Souls
Spelunky 2
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Ori and the Will of Wisps
Gears Tactics
Doom Eternal
The Last of Us: Part II

letmeintomyzone · Post by **letmeintomyzone** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 12:51 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQsHNqh_v-4

10. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2
9. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
8. Final Fantasy VII Remake
7. Demon's Souls
6. The Last of Us: Part II
5. Half-Life: Alyx
4. Ghost of Tsushima
3. Hades
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
1. Cyberpunk 2077

BleuPanda · Post by **BleuPanda** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 6:17 pm

letmeintomyzone wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 12:51 am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQsHNqh_v-4

10. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2
9. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
8. Final Fantasy VII Remake
7. Demon's Souls
6. The Last of Us: Part II
5. Half-Life: Alyx
4. Ghost of Tsushima
3. Hades
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
1. Cyberpunk 2077

This feels like a list that wanted to make sure Cyberpunk actually came out but was then probably thrown together immediately after, right before the instant backlash. I wonder if they would still make this choice if they waited a week or two; has there been a messier release in the game industry? The lengths CDPR went to cover up the issues with the console versions should not be rewarded - and I feel like a lot of this could have been avoided if they just cancelled the previous gen versions and admitted the consoles weren't up to snuff.

Like, I'm sure it's great in the optimum form, but when so many people have been sold the game in a broken mess without warning, it feels wrong to call it Game of the Year, at least not without heavily emphasizing this choice being based on playing on a high-end PC.

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:35 pm

I wish people weren’t using FFVII Remake as their only JRPG nod.

Yeah, they brought back the nostalgic characters and city with beautiful graphics and more detail.

They also shamelessly padded five hours into over 30 by having needlessly long walks from one place to another in which every five minutes there’s a contrived melodramatic cliffhanger moment and did barely more than a mediocre job converting the combat to real time.

It’s at best a good but flawed game that gets credit for everyone’s good memories of playing its 23 year old counterpart when they were kids.

Also I started playing Mario 35. Most addictive game I’ve played in years and certainly helps that 30 years of experience and muscle memory transfers to it. Hopefully they change their minds about taking it down in March. And I wish they’d update their level selection algorithm so you’re not just doing 1-1 over and over. Maybe skill tiering so more experienced players don’t end up playing with fifteen six year olds who die in 30 seconds.

BleuPanda · Post by **BleuPanda** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 4:23 pm

Jirin wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:35 pm I wish people weren’t using FFVII Remake as their only JRPG nod.

Yeah, they brought back the nostalgic characters and city with beautiful graphics and more detail.

They also shamelessly padded five hours into over 30 by having needlessly long walks from one place to another in which every five minutes there’s a contrived melodramatic cliffhanger moment and did barely more than a mediocre job converting the combat to real time.

It’s at best a good but flawed game that gets credit for everyone’s good memories of playing its 23 year old counterpart when they were kids.

Big agreement on this; it's so exhausting to play through. I'll never understand people accepting these half-assed attempts at action gameplay when turn-based combat is still perfectly fine. It's a glorified fanfic when this is one of the rare times where I feel a legit 1:1 remake would have been warranted. Going through Midgar with modern technology is a mesmerizing visual experience, but this game feels like proof that the original game was well-paced. Yet there are people who take this endless narrative bloat as a good thing and I'll never understand - a good writer should be cutting the excess, not allowing it to swamp the main plot. And it's terrifying to think how long this full project will take if they continue at this rate.

Really, I feel like a lot of this year has been defined by disappointing follow-ups. FF7R, The Last of Us 2, and Doom Eternal feel so slight compared to their predecessors, yet they're still dominating a lot of awards. Like, I still think the latter two are great, but they're both over 100 spots lower than The Last of Us and Doom 2016 for me.

Jirin · Post by **Jirin** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:48 pm

Honestly there’s so much precedent for good ARPG combat they could have easily made it much more fun. I would have preferred turn based but I accept that’s only popular in a small niche now. If they had made it more like Tales, Ys, Last Story, etc it would have been perfectly fine.

Instead, they made you select all special attacks from a menu instead of letting you hotkey them which defeats the purpose of making it real time. They made the camera first person so you have tunnel vision and constantly get blindsided, and they built it around doing like four damage per hit if you don’t meet obtuse stagger conditions. And they added aerial combat but no jump button so you kind of awkwardly hang in midair slashing air with no control over where you end up.

You want to make it an action RPG, at least use the blueprints from the hundred other companies who pulled it off as a starting point instead of reinventing the wheel.

Nassim · Post by **Nassim** » Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:51 pm

Jamesdarin wrote: ↑Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:43 am Sadly, I haven't played any of these games, but Lost Ark, which I'm about to release, seems like a lot of fun, I'm going to give it a shot

Good to see you're going to give your own game a shot, very nice of you !

annakena · Post by **annakena** » Mon Nov 11, 2024 2:39 am

letmeintomyzone wrote: ↑Tue Dec 01, 2020 6:36 pm https://time.com/5912417/best-video-games-2020/ iq test free online

10. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2
9. Fall Guys
8. Microsoft Flight Simulator
7. Call of Duty: Warzone
6. Ori and the Will of Wisps
5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
4. Among Us
3. The Last of Us: Part 2
2. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
1. Hades

Great list! I loved playing Hades and Animal Crossing: New Horizons this year. Can't believe how popular Among Us became! What were your favorite moments from these games?