10. Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)
Final Fantasy 7 Remake is a love letter to the original game. With likeable characters, engaging gameplay, and clever twists and turns, FF7R does everything that it needs to. An over-reliance on pre-existing knowledge of FF7 may make it a tough introduction for new players. The strong writing and excellent gameplay should carry newcomers over the finish line, even if they're confused by things by the end. The ending might be a little controversial, but the rest of the game sets up such a strong base that I can't wait for Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2.
9. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers players a plethora of things to do at a very measured pace. The slow build does well to lull players into a cadence and get them used to some of the basics before going full bore — while still managing to be a relaxing jaunt. Solo play is near-perfect with the new additions that make this feel different from previous outings, while multiplayer is a treat even if some of the methods can feel slightly archaic. Ultimately, this is the kind of long-term game you want to get addicted to because it has a wealth of things to discover and do.
8. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout (PS4/PC)
Fall Guys is basically another battle royale game. That should be enough to make you roll your eyes, but the fact that it isn't a shooter is enough to catch your attention. This is essentially a large multiplayer version of Takeshi's Castle that's easy to get into, with every one of the events being as silly as they are straightforward. With free seasons and a low skill ceiling compared to its contemporaries, this is a game you can jump into at any time and feel like you haven't lost a step.
7. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales (PS5/PS4)
My favorite part of playing the game was probably its tone and feel. "Into the Spider-Verse" is probably one of my favorite movies of all time, and Insomniac has managed to capture that essence and put it into game form. There's a rhythm, musicality and spirit here that not only gave me the occasional chill but also made me smile — a lot. My only real gripe about Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is that I wish there were more of it. Miles and the rest of his circle are absolutely capable of being compelling enough to carry a game for twice the length. I just like this kid, and I think a lot of other people will, too.
I'm not going to say that Half-Life: Alyx is the reason to get a VR headset, as that would be a disservice to the entertaining gameplay experiences that have been done well within VR. Rather, I will say that Half-Life: Alyx is perhaps the first VR game that gets close to making the player feel like they are a tangible part of the world. It represents some of the absolute best that VR technology can offer right now, and I would point to this particular game for anyone who wants to decide for themselves if VR is "worth it." This title couldn't have been done any other way; Alyx is a masterful addition to anyone's VR game library.
5. The Last of Us Part II (PS4)
The Last of Us: Part II, for both its triumphs and flaws, is a body of work that should be required playing for anyone who wants to have an opinion on video games as art. It made me laugh, cry, yell in panic, curse in anger and connect with aspects of humanity in different ways. It will take you places where you don't want to go but leave you, ultimately, different than when it found you. I'm not sure there's a higher calling for a game.
4. Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Switch/XOne/PC)
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is bigger and more polished than the original title. It changes just enough and introduces great new mechanics and characters to truly feel like a completely separate game while being unmistakably Ori at the core. Will of the Wisps stands as tall as its predecessor as a beautiful action-platformer that everyone should try.
Ghost of Tsushima brought me epic joy, which is a special thing to find in the bottomless library of experiences out there. I'm deliberately leaving out the description of a moment in the game during the second act that is probably one of the dopest sequences I've ever seen. I don't want to spoil it. I'd rather you see it for yourself, either by playing or seeing it on the internet later. When the credits rolled after the final scene, I felt like I was in a movie theater and ready to applaud. I got to binge-watch and play the samurai story of my dreams. For anyone else who's ever picked up a long, empty wrapping-paper tube, held it with two hands a few inches apart, and swung it like a samurai, I have good news: We found it. We've got our game.
2. Doom Eternal (Switch/PS5/PS4/XSX/XOne/PC)
After 20+ hours played, there's still plenty left for me to chew on in Doom Eternal, and I'm hungry for more. I'll probably dabble in Battlemode from time to time to rack up some experience and check off weekly challenges, but it's the single-player where this game truly shines. I'm currently working my way through one of the Master levels on nightmare difficulty, and every death has that "just one more turn" feel to it. I know how the enemies work. I know which weapons to use. I know when to use them. It's just a matter of putting it all together and executing (pun intended). Doom Eternal is a hellishly frantic shooter that puts me closer to heart attack levels than I care to admit — and I love every second of it.
Hades is Supergiant's best game yet, and that is high praise. While it lacks some of the emotional punch of Bastion, that is basically the only area where it lags behind. The characters are likeable, the gameplay is phenomenally fun, the soundtrack is amazing, and the entire game is a joy. Even if you're not a fan of roguelikes, it's worth giving Hades a shot because it is the embodiment of a roguelike done right. It's easily one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch, and it's a solid port. Hades is a must-play and easily one of the best games of the year.
Editor's Note: Don't miss our prior Top Games of 2020 coverage: