(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
Best Video Games for 2020 - Metacritic
The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20201117165117/https://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/all/filtered

Game Releases by Score

Persona 5 Royal 1.

Persona 5 Royal

Platform: PlayStation 4
March 31, 2020
Prepare for an all-new RPG experience in Persona 5 Royal based in the universe of the award-winning series, Persona! Don the mask of Joker and join the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. Break free from the chains of modern society and stage grand heists to infiltrate the minds of the corrupt and make them change their ways! Persona 5 Royal is packed with new characters, confidants, story depth, new locations to explore, and a new grappling hook mechanic for stealthy access to new areas. With a new semester at Shujin Academy, get ready to strengthen your abilities in the metaverse and in your daily life. Persona 5 Royal presents a unique visual style and award nominated composer Shoji Meguro returns with an all-new soundtrack. Explore Tokyo, unlock new Personas, customize your own personal Thieves Den, discover a never-before-seen story arc, cutscenes, alternate endings, and more! Even for the most seasoned Phantom Thieves among us, Persona 5 Royal is a new challenge to defy conventions, discover the power within, and fight for justice. Wear the mask. Reveal your truth.
Metascore:
95
User Score:
8.2
The Last of Us Part II 2.

The Last of Us Part II

Platform: PlayStation 4
June 19, 2020
Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closure. As she hunts those responsible one by one, she is confronted with the devastating physical and emotional repercussions of her actions.
Metascore:
93
User Score:
5.7
Hades 3.

Hades

Platform: Switch
September 17, 2020
Defy the god of the dead as you hack and slash out of the Underworld in this rogue-like dungeon crawler from the creators of Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre. Hades is a god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler that combines the best aspects of Supergiant's critically acclaimed titles, including the fast-paced action of Bastion, the rich atmosphere and depth of Transistor, and the character-driven storytelling of Pyre. BATTLE OUT OF HELL As the immortal Prince of the Underworld, you'll wield the powers and mythic weapons of Olympus to break free from the clutches of the god of the dead himself, while growing stronger and unraveling more of the story with each unique escape attempt. UNLEASH THE FURY OF OLYMPUS The Olympians have your back! Meet Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, and many more, and choose from their dozens of powerful Boons that enhance your abilities. There are thousands of viable character builds to discover as you go. BEFRIEND GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERS A fully-voiced cast of colorful, larger-than-life characters is waiting to meet you! Grow your relationships with them, and experience thousands of unique story events as you learn about what's really at stake for this big, dysfunctional family. BUILT FOR REPLAYABILITY New surprises await each time you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld, whose guardian bosses will remember you. Use the powerful Mirror of Night to grow permanently stronger, and give yourself a leg up the next time you run away from home. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE Permanent upgrades mean you don't have to be a god yourself to experience the exciting combat and gripping story. Though, if you happen to be one, crank up the challenge and get ready for some white-knuckle action that will put your well-practiced skills to the test. SIGNATURE SUPERGIANT STYLE The rich, atmospheric presentation and unique melding of gameplay and narrative that's been core to Supergiant's games is here in full force: spectacular hand-painted environments and a blood-pumping original score bring the Underworld to life.
Metascore:
93
User Score:
9.1
Half-Life: Alyx 4.

Half-Life: Alyx

Platform: PC
March 23, 2020
Half-Life: Alyx is Valve's VR return to the Half-Life series. It's the story of an impossible fight against a vicious alien race known as the Combine, set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2. Playing as Alyx Vance, you are humanity's only chance for survival. The Combine's control of the planet since the Black Mesa incident has only strengthened as they corral the remaining population in cities. Among them are some of Earth's greatest scientists: you and your father, Dr. Eli Vance. As founders of a fledgling resistance, you've continued your clandestine scientific activityperforming critical research, and building invaluable tools for the few humans brave enough to defy the Combine. Every day, you learn more about your enemy, and every day you work toward finding a weakness. ABOUT GAMEPLAY IN VR: Valve's return to the Half-Life universe that started it all was built from the ground up for virtual reality. VR was built to enable the gameplay that sits at the heart of Half-Life. Immerse yourself in deep environmental interactions, puzzle solving, world exploration, and visceral combat. Lean to aim around a broken wall and under a Barnacle to make an impossible shot. Rummage through shelves to find a healing syringe and some shotgun shells. Manipulate tools to hack alien interfaces. Toss a bottle through a window to distract an enemy. Rip a Headcrab off your face and throw it at a Combine soldier. Extra content for Index owners Customers who have purchased Valve Index hardware by the end of 2019 will have access to unique bonuses starting early next year: * Explore environments from Half-Life: Alyx in your SteamVR Home space * Alternate gun skins to embellish Alyx's arsenal * Special Half-Life: Alyx-themed content for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2 Community-built environments * A set of Source 2 tools for building new environments will ship with the game, enabling any player to build and contribute new environments for the community to enjoy. Hammer, Valve's level authoring tool, has been updated with all of the game's virtual reality gameplay tools and components.
Metascore:
93
User Score:
9.1
Ori and the Will of the Wisps 5.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Platform: Switch
September 17, 2020
From the creators of Ori and the Blind Forest comes the highly-anticipated sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Embark on an all-new adventure in a vast and exotic world where you’ll encounter towering enemies and challenging puzzles on your quest to discover Ori’s true destiny. Immerse yourself in a hand-crafted narrative experience with deeply emotional storytelling, strikingly beautiful environments, and a stunning soundtrack. Master new skills to guide Ori through a journey of untold danger using newly acquired spirit weapons, spells, and attacks. Utilize an all-new shard system to power-up Ori’s newfound abilities. Face larger-than-life bosses and seek help from an expansive cast of new characters who will help you uncover Ori’s mysterious fate. Race to the top of the leaderboards in the all-new Spirit Trials mode where players dash, burrow, grapple, and leap to high scores in unique speed-run challenges throughout the game.
Metascore:
93
User Score:
9.0
Hades 6.

Hades

Platform: PC
September 17, 2020
Defy the god of death as you hack and slash your way out of the Underworld in this rogue-like dungeon crawler from the creators of Bastion and Transistor.
Metascore:
92
User Score:
9.0
Demon's Souls 7.

Demon's Souls

Platform: PlayStation 5
November 12, 2020
From PlayStation Studios and Bluepoint Games comes a remake of the PlayStation classic, Demon’s Souls. Entirely rebuilt from the ground up and masterfully enhanced, this remake introduces the horrors of a fog-laden, dark fantasy land to a whole new generation of gamers. Those who’ve faced its trials and tribulations before, can once again challenge the darkness in stunning visual quality and incredible performance. In his quest for power, the 12th King of Boletaria, King Allant channelled the ancient Soul Arts, awakening a demon from the dawn of time itself, The Old One. With the summoning of The Old One, a colorless fog swept across the land, unleashing nightmarish creatures that hungered for human souls. Those whose souls were stripped from them, lost their minds – left only with the desire to attack the sane that remained. Now, Boletaria is cut off from the outside world, and the knights who dare penetrate the deep fog to free the land from its plight, are never seen again. As a lone warrior who has braved the baneful fog, you must face the hardest of challenges to earn the title “Slayer of Demons” and send The Old One back to its slumber.
Metascore:
92
User Score:
8.9
Microsoft Flight Simulator 8.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Platform: PC
August 18, 2020
From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and accurate aircraft in the next generation of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Test your piloting skills against the challenges of night flying, real-time atmospheric simulation and live weather in a dynamic and living world.
Metascore:
91
User Score:
7.2
Crusader Kings III 9.

Crusader Kings III

Platform: PC
September 1, 2020
Paradox Development Studio brings you the sequel to one of the most popular strategy games ever made. Crusader Kings III is the heir to a long legacy of historical grand strategy experiences and arrives with a host of new ways to ensure the success of your royal house.
Metascore:
91
User Score:
8.4
F1 2020 10.

F1 2020

Platform: Xbox One
July 10, 2020
For the first time, players can create their own F1® team by creating a driver, then choosing a sponsor, an engine supplier, hiring a teammate and competing as the 11th team on the grid. Build facilities, develop the team over time and drive to the top. Customise your 10-year career mode, with a choice of F2™ Championship introduction options and season lengths to allow for a more exciting, multiple season, career. The addition of split-screen racing, a new steering assist and a more accessible race experience means that you can enjoy the game with friends, no matter what your skill level. F1® 2020 features all the official teams, drivers and 22 circuits, including two new races: Hanoi Circuit and Circuit Zandvoort. Online connection required to download the final teams’ 2020 cars (as applicable) and F2™ 2020 season content.
Metascore:
91
User Score:
7.2
Spelunky 2 11.

Spelunky 2

Platform: PC
September 29, 2020
Spelunky 2 builds upon the unique, randomized challenges that made the original a roguelike classic, offering a huge adventure designed to satisfy players old and new. Meet the next generation of explorers as they find themselves on the Moon, searching for treasure and missing family.
Metascore:
91
User Score:
7.0
Animal Crossing: New Horizons 12.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Platform: Switch
March 20, 2020
If the hustle and bustle of modern life’s got you down, Tom Nook has a new business venture up his sleeve that he knows you’ll adore: the Nook Inc. Deserted Island Getaway Package. Sure, you’ve crossed paths with colorful characters near and far. Had a grand time as one of the city folk. May’ve even turned over a new leaf and dedicated yourself to public service. But deep down, isn’t there a part of you that longs for…freedom? Then perhaps a long walk on the beach of a deserted island, where a rich wealth of untouched nature awaits, is just what the doctor ordered. Peaceful creativity and charm await as you roll up your sleeves and make your new life whatever you want it to be. Collect resources and craft everything from creature comforts to handy tools. Embrace your green thumb as you interact with flowers and trees in new ways. Set up a homestead where the rules of what goes indoors and out no longer apply. Make friends with new arrivals, enjoy the seasons, pole-vault across rivers as you explore, and more.
Metascore:
90
User Score:
5.5
Yakuza: Like a Dragon 13.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Platform: Xbox One
November 10, 2020
RISE LIKE A DRAGON. Become Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza grunt left on the brink of death by the man he trusted most. Take up your legendary bat and get ready to crack some underworld skulls in dynamic RPG combat set against the backdrop of modern-day Japan.
Metascore:
90
User Score:
8.2
Ori and the Will of the Wisps 14.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Platform: Xbox One
March 11, 2020
The little spirit Ori is no stranger to peril, but when a fateful flight puts the owlet Ku in harm’s way, it will take more than bravery to bring a family back together, heal a broken land, and discover Ori’s true destiny. From the creators of the acclaimed action-platformer Ori and the Blind Forest comes the highly anticipated sequel. Embark on an all-new adventure in a vast world filled with new friends and foes that come to life in stunning, hand-painted artwork. Set to a fully orchestrated original score, Ori and the Will of the Wisps continues the Moon Studios tradition of tightly crafted platforming action and deeply emotional storytelling.
Metascore:
90
User Score:
8.8
Yakuza 0 15.

Yakuza 0

Platform: Xbox One
February 26, 2020
Tokyo 1988. Getting rich is easy, the women are beautiful, and everyone wants in on the action. It's time to become Yakuza. The glitz, glamour, and unbridled decadence of the 80s are back in Yakuza 0! Fight like hell through Tokyo and Osaka with protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and series regular Goro Majima. Play as Kazuma Kiryu and discover how he finds himself in a world of trouble when a simple debt collection goes wrong and his mark winds up murdered. Then, step into the silver-toed shoes of Goro Majima and explore his "normal" life as the proprietor of a cabaret club. Switch between three different fighting styles instantaneously and beat up all manner of goons, thugs, hoodlums, and lowlifes. Take combat up a notch by using environmental objects such as bicycles, sign posts, and car doors for bone-crunching combos and savage take-downs. Fighting is not the only way to kill time in 1988's Japan: from discos and hostess clubs to classic SEGA arcades, there are tons of distractions to pursue in the richly detailed, neon-lit world. Interact with the colourful denizens the red light district: help a budding S&M; dominatrix learn her profession, or ensure a street performer can make it to the bathroom in time there are 100 incredible stories to discover.
Metascore:
90
User Score:
7.9
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition 16.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition

Platform: Switch
May 29, 2020
Join the fight between man and machine in the definitive edition of this critically-acclaimed RPG. Discover the origins of Shulk as he and his companions clash against a seemingly-unstoppable mechanical menace. Wield a future-seeing blade, chain together attacks, and carefully position your party members in strategic, real-time combat as you journey across a massive world. During an attack from the mechanical invaders known as the Mechon, Shulk discovers that he can tap into the full power of a mysterious blade known as the Monado. With the mighty Monado in hand, Shulk sets out to defeat the Mechon once and for all. In addition to the Mechon, you’ll run into wildlife that ranges from docile to deadly. Keep an eye on what attracts monsters’ attention to avoid unwanted conflict…or try your hand at bringing down an ultra-powerful Unique Monster. Upgrade your party as you progress through the adventure by selecting equipment, enhancing weapon skills, and using benefit-granting gems. Put your dependable companions to work by filling the party gauge to trigger a Chain Attack and attack enemies in quick succession.
Metascore:
89
User Score:
8.9
There is no game : Wrong dimension 17.

There is no game : Wrong dimension

Platform: PC
August 6, 2020
There is no game. So don't go messing things up by clicking everywhere. You don’t want to be kicked out of your video game world, do you? Of course not!
Metascore:
89
User Score:
8.8
Dreams 18.

Dreams

Platform: PlayStation 4
February 14, 2020
Dreams is the space you go to where you go to play and experience the dreams of Media Molecule and its community. It’s also a space in which to create your own dreams, whether they’re games, art, films, music or anything in-between and beyond. [Media Molecule]
Metascore:
89
User Score:
8.7
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 19.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2

Platform: PlayStation 4
September 4, 2020
Drop back in with the most iconic skateboarding games ever made. Play Tony Hawk's Pro Skater & Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 in one epic collection, rebuilt from the ground up in incredible HD. All the pro skaters, levels and tricks are back and fully-remastered, plus more.
Metascore:
89
User Score:
8.9
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 20.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2

Platform: PC
September 4, 2020
Drop back in with the most iconic skateboarding games ever made. Play Tony Hawk's Pro Skater & Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 in one epic collection, rebuilt from the ground up in incredible HD. All the pro skaters, levels and tricks are back and fully-remastered, plus more.
Metascore:
88
User Score:
7.3
Ori and the Will of the Wisps 21.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Platform: PC
March 11, 2020
The little spirit Ori is no stranger to peril, but when a fateful flight puts the owlet Ku in harm’s way, it will take more than bravery to bring a family back together, heal a broken land, and discover Ori’s true destiny. From the creators of the acclaimed action-platformer Ori and the Blind Forest comes the highly anticipated sequel. Embark on an all-new adventure in a vast world filled with new friends and foes that come to life in stunning, hand-painted artwork. Set to a fully orchestrated original score, Ori and the Will of the Wisps continues the Moon Studios tradition of tightly crafted platforming action and deeply emotional storytelling.
Metascore:
88
User Score:
8.6
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 22.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2

Platform: Xbox One
September 4, 2020
Drop back in with the most iconic skateboarding games ever made. Play Tony Hawk's Pro Skater & Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 in one epic collection, rebuilt from the ground up in incredible HD. All the pro skaters, levels and tricks are back and fully-remastered, plus more.
Metascore:
88
User Score:
8.2
DOOM Eternal 23.

DOOM Eternal

Platform: Xbox One
March 19, 2020
DOOM Eternal is the direct sequel to 2016's DOOM. Developed by id Software, DOOM Eternal delivers the ultimate combination of speed and power, along with the next leap in push-forward, first-person combat. As the DOOM Slayer, you’ll return to take your vengeance against the forces of Hell. Set to an all-new pulse-pounding soundtrack composed by Mick Gordon, you fight across dimensions as you slay new and classic demons with powerful new weapons and abilities. [Bethesda]
Metascore:
88
User Score:
8.4
Halo: The Master Chief Collection - Halo 3 24.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection - Halo 3

Platform: PC
July 14, 2020
Halo 3 is the third game in the Halo Trilogy and provides the thrilling conclusion to the events begun in "Halo: Combat Evolved." Halo 3 will pick up where "Halo 2" left off. The Master Chief is returning to Earth to finish the fight. The Covenant occupation of Earth has uncovered a massive and ancient object beneath the African sands - an object who's secrets have yet to be revealed. Earth's forces are battered and beaten. The Master Chief's AI companion Cortana is still trapped in the clutches of the Gravemind - a horrifying Flood intelligence, and a civil war is raging in the heart of the Covenant. This is how the world ends...
Metascore:
88
User Score:
7.9
Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition 25.

Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition

Platform: PlayStation 5
November 12, 2020
Devil May Cry is back. The legendary stylish action game is better than ever in the ultimate version of this multi-award winning hit. New features: - New playable character - Dante's brother and arch-rival, Vergil - Legendary Dark Knight mode - an extremely challenging horde mode featuring huge numbers of enemies - Turbo mode - make the game even more intense by playing at 1.2x speed - Ray-tracing support - this next-generation graphics technology brings the already near-photorealistic world of DMC5 to a new level of unparalleled visual splendour - High Frame-Rate mode - experience super-smooth action These new features and modes utilise the power of PlayStation®5 to bring you the craziest, sexiest, most stylish Devil May Cry experience ever.
Metascore:
88
User Score:
8.7
F1 2020 26.

F1 2020

Platform: PC
July 9, 2020
For the first time, players can create their own F1® team by creating a driver, then choosing a sponsor, an engine supplier, hiring a teammate and competing as the 11th team on the grid. Build facilities, develop the team over time and drive to the top. Customise your 10-year career mode, with a choice of F2™ Championship introduction options and season lengths to allow for a more exciting, multiple season, career. The addition of split-screen racing, a new steering assist and a more accessible race experience means that you can enjoy the game with friends, no matter what your skill level. F1® 2020 features all the official teams, drivers and 22 circuits, including two new races: Hanoi Circuit and Circuit Zandvoort. Online connection required to download the final teams’ 2020 cars (as applicable) and F2™ 2020 season content.
Metascore:
88
User Score:
6.5
A Short Hike 27.

A Short Hike

Platform: Switch
August 18, 2020
Follow the marked trails or explore the backcountry as you make your way to the summit. Along the way, meet other hikers, discover hidden treasures, and take in the world around you. Explore the island any way you like. Choose your own path to follow and see where it leads you. You never know what you might stumble into! Hike at your own pace - there's no need to rush to the summit! Take your time fishing along the river banks or swimming by the lakeshore. Collect hidden treasures to reach new heights. Try taking a dive off the mountain peaks to soar above the forests. Chat with the other hikers you meet along your route. You might be able to help each other out! Listen to a lush original soundtrack by Mark Sparling that progresses dynamically as you explore the wilderness.
Metascore:
88
User Score:
8.4
DOOM Eternal 28.

DOOM Eternal

Platform: PC
March 20, 2020
DOOM Eternal is the direct sequel to 2016's DOOM. Developed by id Software, DOOM Eternal delivers the ultimate combination of speed and power, along with the next leap in push-forward, first-person combat. As the DOOM Slayer, you’ll return to take your vengeance against the forces of Hell. Set to an all-new pulse-pounding soundtrack composed by Mick Gordon, you fight across dimensions as you slay new and classic demons with powerful new weapons and abilities. [Bethesda]
Metascore:
88
User Score:
7.7
Pistol Whip 29.

Pistol Whip

Platform: PlayStation 4
July 30, 2020
Pistol Whip is an unstoppable action-rhythm FPS. Journey through a cinematic bullet hell powered by a breakneck soundtrack to become the ultimate action hero legend.
Metascore:
88
User Score:
6.8
Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition 30.

Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition

Platform: PlayStation 4
January 28, 2020
KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO is a magical realist adventure game about a secret highway running through the caves beneath Kentucky, and the mysterious folks who travel it. At twilight in Kentucky, as bird songs give way to the choir of frogs and insects, familiar roads become strange, and it's easy to get lost. Those who are already lost may find their way to a secret highway winding through underground caves. The people who live and work along this highway are themselves a little strange at first, but soon seem familiar: the aging driver making the last delivery for a doomed antique shop; the young woman who fixes obsolete TVs surrounded by ghosts; the child and his giant eagle companion; the robot musicians; the invisible power company lurking everywhere, and the threadbare communities who struggle against its grip.
Metascore:
88
User Score:
6.3
Monster Hunter: World - Iceborne 31.

Monster Hunter: World - Iceborne

Platform: PC
January 9, 2020
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is the highly anticipated massive expansion to Monster Hunter: World, the best-selling Capcom title of all time with more than 12 million units shipped worldwide adding to the series total of more than 53 million units to date. This gargantuan follow-up rivals the gameplay volume from the original release and features a new icy setting, storyline, monsters, gameplay options, and more. The game's all-new story picks up after Monster Hunter: World and whisks hunters away to the newly discovered chilly locale that, once fully explored, becomes the largest region in World so far. The new locale is home to several new and returning monsters ready to challenge hunters throughout their expeditions and raises the stakes with the added higher difficulty Master Rank. Iceborne continues the skill-based progression and robust crafting system found in World and expands that with several new gameplay features that broaden the player's combat repertoire. All this leads to the ultimate hunter test against the mysterious new flagship monster, Velkhana.
Metascore:
87
User Score:
7.8
Final Fantasy VII Remake 32.

Final Fantasy VII Remake

Platform: PlayStation 4
April 10, 2020
Long ago, we looked upon a foreboding sky. The memory of the star that threatened all burns eternal in our hearts. In its wake came an age of silence. Yet with each fond remembrance, we knew those encountered were not forgotten, that some day we would see them again. Perhaps it was no more than wishful thinking. But after the long calm, there are the beginnings of a stir. The reunion at hand may bring joy, it may bring fear, but let us embrace whatever it brings. For they are coming back. At last the promise has been made.
Metascore:
87
User Score:
8.1
Super Mega Baseball 3 33.

Super Mega Baseball 3

Platform: Switch
May 13, 2020
Run up the score in a relaxed slugfest or push the limits of your reflexes in this refined baseball simulator. Super Mega Baseball 3 features an all-new Franchise mode, major graphical enhancements, and on-field additions including pickoffs and situational player traits.
Metascore:
87
User Score:
7.8
Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition 34.

Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition

Platform: Switch
January 28, 2020
Kentucky Route Zero is a magical realist adventure game about a secret highway in the caves beneath Kentucky. An antique furniture delivery man trying to make his small shop's last delivery gets lost along the way and meets a haunted TV repairwoman, a young boy and his giant eagle brother, a pair of robot musicians, and dozens of other characters. Together, they explore the nocturnal highways and country roads of Kentucky, the storied Echo River by ferry, and the mysterious Route Zero, the secret highway that runs through Mammoth Cave.
Metascore:
87
User Score:
7.5
Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition 35.

Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition

Platform: Xbox One
January 28, 2020
KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO is a magical realist adventure game about a secret highway running through the caves beneath Kentucky, and the mysterious folks who travel it. At twilight in Kentucky, as bird songs give way to the choir of frogs and insects, familiar roads become strange, and it's easy to get lost. Those who are already lost may find their way to a secret highway winding through underground caves. The people who live and work along this highway are themselves a little strange at first, but soon seem familiar: the aging driver making the last delivery for a doomed antique shop; the young woman who fixes obsolete TVs surrounded by ghosts; the child and his giant eagle companion; the robot musicians; the invisible power company lurking everywhere, and the threadbare communities who struggle against its grip.
Metascore:
87
User Score:
6.0
DOOM Eternal 36.

DOOM Eternal

Platform: PlayStation 4
March 20, 2020
DOOM Eternal is the direct sequel to 2016's DOOM. Developed by id Software, DOOM Eternal delivers the ultimate combination of speed and power, along with the next leap in push-forward, first-person combat. As the DOOM Slayer, you’ll return to take your vengeance against the forces of Hell. Set to an all-new pulse-pounding soundtrack composed by Mick Gordon, you fight across dimensions as you slay new and classic demons with powerful new weapons and abilities. [Bethesda]
Metascore:
87
User Score:
8.3
Huntdown 37.

Huntdown

Platform: Xbox One
May 12, 2020
Challenge yourselves in this hard-boiled co-op arcade shooter! Run, jump, and take cover in the mayhem-filled streets of the future. Kill the henchmen, take their guns, and Huntdown the leaders! Collect the bounty, level by level, and make a healthy living by making living unhealthy.
Metascore:
87
User Score:
5.4
Legends of Runeterra 38.

Legends of Runeterra

Platform: PC
April 29, 2020
Face off in dynamic, alternating combat full of opportunities to adapt and outplay. Make your move, but be ready to react, because your opponent has a plan of their own. It all comes down to this—can you outwit them and win?
Metascore:
87
User Score:
6.8
Persona 4 Golden 39.

Persona 4 Golden

Platform: PC
June 13, 2020
Inaba—a quiet town in rural Japan sets the scene for budding adolescence in Persona 4 Golden. A coming of age story that sets the protagonist and his friends on a journey kickstarted by a chain of serial murders. Explore meeting kindred spirits, feelings of belonging, and even confronting the darker sides of one’s self. Persona 4 Golden promises meaningful bonds and experiences shared together with friends. With an overall Metacritic score of 93 and a multitude of awards, fan-adored Persona 4 Golden stands as one of the finest RPGs ever made, delivering on enthralling storytelling and quintessential Persona gameplay.
Metascore:
87
User Score:
8.8
Spelunky 2 40.

Spelunky 2

Platform: PlayStation 4
September 15, 2020
Spelunky 2 builds upon the unique, randomized challenges that made the original a roguelike classic, offering a huge adventure designed to satisfy players old and new. Meet the next generation of explorers as they find themselves on the Moon, searching for treasure and missing family.
Metascore:
87
User Score:
8.1
F1 2020 41.

F1 2020

Platform: PlayStation 4
July 6, 2020
For the first time, players can create their own F1® team by creating a driver, then choosing a sponsor, an engine supplier, hiring a teammate and competing as the 11th team on the grid. Build facilities, develop the team over time and drive to the top. Customise your 10-year career mode, with a choice of F2™ Championship introduction options and season lengths to allow for a more exciting, multiple season, career. The addition of split-screen racing, a new steering assist and a more accessible race experience means that you can enjoy the game with friends, no matter what your skill level. F1® 2020 features all the official teams, drivers and 22 circuits, including two new races: Hanoi Circuit and Circuit Zandvoort. Online connection required to download the final teams’ 2020 cars (as applicable) and F2™ 2020 season content.
Metascore:
86
User Score:
7.5
Death Stranding 42.

Death Stranding

Platform: PC
July 14, 2020
Besieged by death's tide at every turn. Sam Bridges must brave a world utterly transformed by the Death Stranding. Carrying the stranded remnants of the future in his hands, Sam embarks on a journey to reunite the shattered world one step at a time. What is the mystery of the Death Stranding? What will Sam discover on the road ahead? A genre defining gameplay experience holds these answers and more.
Metascore:
86
User Score:
3.3
Panzer Corps 2 43.

Panzer Corps 2

Platform: PC
March 19, 2020
Panzer Corps 2 is the ultimate Second World War strategy game! Enjoy the time-proven gameplay formula which has been appreciated by millions of players over the years, brought to a whole new level of refinement up to the latest technical standards.
Metascore:
86
User Score:
5.9
Cuphead 44.

Cuphead

Platform: PlayStation 4
July 28, 2020
Cuphead is a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles. Inspired by cartoons of the 1930s, the visuals and audio are painstakingly created with the same techniques of the era, i.e. traditional hand drawn cel animation, watercolor backgrounds, and original jazz recordings. Play as Cuphead or Mugman (in single player or local co-op) as you traverse strange worlds, acquire new weapons, learn powerful super moves, and discover hidden secrets while you try and pay your debt back to the devil!
Metascore:
86
User Score:
8.1
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim 45.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Platform: PlayStation 4
September 22, 2020
A departure from the studio's traditional fantasy style, the game takes place in a modern setting punctuated with giant mechs. Although the world may be bleak, Vanillaware's signature artistic shine and gorgeous aesthetics will bring the characters and story of 13 Sentinels to life.
Metascore:
86
User Score:
9.0
Streets of Rage 4 46.

Streets of Rage 4

Platform: Switch
April 30, 2020
Amongst the best beat’em up series ever created, jammin’ ‘90s beats and over the top street beating, the iconic series Streets of Rage comes back with a masterful tribute to and revitalization of the classic action fans adore. The all-time classic Streets of Rage, known as Bare Knuckle (ベア・ナックル Bea Nakkuru) in Japan, is a beat ‘em up series known for this timeless gameplay and electronic dance influenced music. Streets of Rage 4 builds upon the classic trilogy’s gameplay with new mechanics, beautiful hand-drawn visuals and a God tier soundtrack. Team up with iconic and brand-new characters Streets of Rage 4 got its iconic characters back: Axel, Blaze, and Adam teaming up with new brother and sister in arms Floyd Iraia and Cherry Hunter. With some brand-new moves and kickass tracks to take a listen, our heroes are ready to dish out beatdowns to a fledgling group of ill-advised criminals in full force.
Metascore:
86
User Score:
8.4
Desperados III 47.

Desperados III

Platform: PC
June 16, 2020
On his epic journey through 1870s USA and Mexico, John Cooper will have to take responsibility for mistakes that have been made in the past. On his quest for redemption, Cooper joins forces with the runaway bride Kate O'Hara, shady Arthur "Doc" McCoy, the giant trapper Hector and a mysterious lady from New Orleans. They make their way from the mountains of Colorado to the heart of Louisiana, then finally to New Mexico, right back into Cooper's past. You take control of this ragtag band becoming a highly functional group of unlikely heroes and heroines. The leader of his team is Cooper, drifter and gunslinger, who can kill quietly with a knife or take out multiple foes with his revolvers. Strongman Hector carries a giant beartrap and can slay the toughest opponents with his trusty axe. Cold-blooded bounty hunter McCoy likes to be methodical, using lures, knockout gas, poison syringes and a custom long-range pistol. Kate can fool almost any man with the right outfit and kill discretely with her hidden gun. Combine your specialists to overcome tough challenges in many different ways. Plan your moves wisely and execute them perfectly in real-time to sneak past your enemies while remaining undetected.
Metascore:
86
User Score:
8.2
Huntdown 48.

Huntdown

Platform: Switch
May 12, 2020
Challenge yourselves in this hard-boiled co-op arcade shooter! Run, jump, and take cover in the mayhem-filled streets of the future. Kill the henchmen, take their guns, and Huntdown the leaders! Collect the bounty, level by level, and make a healthy living by making living unhealthy.
Metascore:
86
User Score:
8.4
Risk of Rain 2 49.

Risk of Rain 2

Platform: PC
August 11, 2020
The classic multiplayer roguelike, Risk of Rain, returns with an extra dimension and more challenging action. Play solo, or team up with up to three friends to fight your way through hordes of monsters, unlock new loot, and find a way to escape the planet.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
8.1
Heroes of Hammerwatch - Ultimate Edition 50.

Heroes of Hammerwatch - Ultimate Edition

Platform: Switch
July 29, 2020
Action RPG rogue-lite Heroes of Hammerwatch is finally out on Nintendo Switch™ in its most complete form, as this Ultimate Edition comes with all the DLCs. Encounter endless hordes of enemies, traps, puzzles, secrets and tons of loot, as you battle your way through procedurally generated levels to reach the top of the Forsaken Spire. Upgrade to grant your persistent heroes with various enhancements that will further help you in your quest, and even bring them to your friends' game.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
7.3
Deep Rock Galactic 51.

Deep Rock Galactic

Platform: PC
May 13, 2020
Deep Rock Galactic is a 1-4 player co-op FPS featuring badass space Dwarves, 100% destructible environments, procedurally-generated caves, and endless hordes of alien monsters.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
8.0
Wasteland 3 52.

Wasteland 3

Platform: PC
August 28, 2020
In Wasteland 3 you take command of a squad of Desert Rangers, lawmen and women in a post-nuclear world, trying to rebuild society from the ashes. More than a century after the bombs fell, you’re fighting a losing battle to keep your beloved Arizona alive. Then the self-proclaimed Patriarch of Colorado radios, promising aid if you'll do a job he can only entrust to an outsider—rescue his land from the ambitions of his three bloodthirsty children. You’re dispatched on a desperate quest from the scorching deserts to the snowy mountains to start from scratch, building a new base, finding a snow-worthy vehicle, training new recruits, and fighting your way through hostile frozen wastes. All the while, you'll have to decide who to trust in this land torn apart by corruption, intrigue, warring factions, crazed cultists, cutthroat gangs, and bitter sibling rivalries. Build a reputation for yourself by making decisions that will profoundly impact Colorado, its inhabitants and the story you experience. Will you be Colorado’s savior or its worst nightmare? Wasteland 3 is a squad-based RPG from inXile entertainment, featuring challenging tactical turn-based combat and a deep, reactive story full of twists, turns, and brutal ethical decisions that will keep you hooked whether you’re a Wasteland veteran or new to the series. Create a squad of up to six Rangers and customize them with perks and abilities geared to your playstyle. You even get your own battle truck, which you can upgrade into a hardened war beast, bristling with weapons, to help mow down your enemies.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
7.6
Monster Train 53.

Monster Train

Platform: PC
May 21, 2020
Monster Train is a strategic roguelike deck building game with a twist. Set on a train to hell, you’ll use tactical decision making to defend multiple vertical battlegrounds. With real time competitive multiplayer and endless replayability, Monster Train is always on time.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
8.2
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling 54.

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

Platform: Switch
May 28, 2020
Bug Fables is an adventure RPG following three heroes, Vi, Kabbu, and Leif, as they embark on an epic quest in Bugaria in search of treasure and immortality! The game combines colorful platforming with the heroes' unique abilities as they explore a wide variety of areas in the kingdom. Battles are turn-based and make use of action commands that can enhance attacks.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
8.3
Huntdown 55.

Huntdown

Platform: PC
May 12, 2020
Challenge yourselves in this hard-boiled co-op arcade shooter! Run, jump, and take cover in the mayhem-filled streets of the future. Kill the henchmen, take their guns, and Huntdown the leaders! Collect the bounty, level by level, and make a healthy living by making living unhealthy.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
7.7
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales 56.

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Platform: PlayStation 5
November 12, 2020
The latest adventure in the Spider-Man universe builds on and expand Marvel’s Spider-Man through an all-new story. Players experience the rise of Miles Morales as he masters new powers to become his own Spider-Man. With PS5’s SSD, players can near-instantaneously fast-travel across Marvel’s New York City, or feel the tension of each one of Miles’s web-swings, punches, web shots, and venom blasts with the DualSense wireless controller’s haptic feedback. Highly-detailed character models and enhanced visuals across the game intensify the story of Miles Morales as he faces great, new challenges while learning to be his own Spider-Man.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
7.9
Nioh 2 57.

Nioh 2

Platform: PlayStation 4
March 13, 2020
Master the lethal arts of the samurai as a mysterious half-human, half-supernatural Yokai warrior, in this challenging action RPG sequel. Explore violent Sengoku-era Japan and the deadly Dark Realm, both plagued with grotesque, merciless demons. Unsheathe your deadly weapons and cut down all enemies in your path using a revamped combat system and the ability to transform into a full Yokai to unleash devastating paranormal powers.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
7.9
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 58.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Platform: Xbox Series X
November 10, 2020
Build your own Viking Legend. Become Eivor, a Viking raider raised to be a fearless warrior, and lead your clan from icy desolation in Norway to a new home amid the lush farmlands of ninth-century England. Find your settlement and conquer this hostile land by any means to earn a place in Valhalla. England in the age of the Vikings is a fractured nation of petty lords and warring kingdoms. Beneath the chaos lies a rich and untamed land waiting for a new conqueror. Will it be you? Write Your Viking Saga. Blaze your own path across England with advanced RPG mechanics. Fight brutal battles, lead fiery raids or use strategy and alliances with other leaders to bring victory. Every choice you make in combat and conversation is another step on the path to greatness. Lead Epic Raids. Lead a crew of raiders and launch lightning-fast surprise attacks against Saxon armies and fortresses. Claim the riches of your enemies' lands for your clan and expand your influence far beyond your growing settlement. ENGAGE IN VISCERAL COMBAT. Unleash the ruthless fighting style of a Viking warrior as you dual-wield axes, swords, or even shields against relentless foes. Decapitate opponents in close-quarters combat, riddle them with arrows, or assassinate them with your Hidden Blade. Grow Your Settlement. Your clan's new home grows with your legend. Customise your settlement by building upgradable structures. Unlock new features and quests by constructing a barracks, a blacksmith, a tattoo parlour, and much more. Share Your Custom Raider. Recruit mercenary Vikings designed by other players or create and customise your own to share online. Sit back and reap the rewards when they fight alongside your friends in their game worlds. A Dark Age Open World. Sail across the icy North Sea to discover and conquer the broken kingdoms of England. Immerse yourself in activities like hunting and drinking games or engage in traditional Norse competitions like flyting – or, as it's better known, verbally devastating rivals through the art of the Viking rap battle. [Ubisoft]
Metascore:
85
User Score:
8.2
Bayonetta & Vanquish 59.

Bayonetta & Vanquish

Platform: PlayStation 4
February 18, 2020
Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of two PlatinumGames cult classics with the Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle. Bayonetta: Experience the genesis of the Bayonetta series with the cult classic, original action-adventure game. Vanquish: The hit sci-fi shooter returns. An overpopulated Earth suffocating under limited resources looks to Providence, the solar-powered space colony for support.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
7.9
Two Point Hospital 60.

Two Point Hospital

Platform: Switch
February 25, 2020
Build up a hospital from nothing to a masterpiece as you design the most beautiful - or functional - healthcare operation in the whole of Two Point County. Optimize your hospital design to increase patient (and cash) flow, arranging corridors, rooms and waiting areas to your exact specifications. Expand your hospital to multiple buildings as you look to get as many patients through the door as possible. Place decorative and functional items around your hospital to improve its prestige, lower patient boredom, increase happiness and keep those end of year awards flowing in.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
8.1
Manifold Garden 61.

Manifold Garden

Platform: PC
October 20, 2020
Manifold Garden is a game that reimagines physics and space. Explore a world of beautiful Escher-esque architecture where the laws of physics are different. Geometry repeats infinitely in every direction and falling down leads you back to where you started. Manipulate gravity to change your perspective and see the world in new ways. Master the rules of the universe and restore a barren world with vegetation and life.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
7.9
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time 62.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time

Platform: PlayStation 4
October 2, 2020
The devious villains Neo Cortex and Dr. N. Tropy have finally escaped their interdimensional prison, leaving an evil scientist sized hole in the universe. Now they’ve got their eyes set on not only simply conquering this dimension, but ALL dimensions, and it’s up to Crash and Coco to save the day. N. Sanity Beach is where Crash’s adventure first started, and where it begins in Crash 4. But there have definitely been changes since players first saw N. Sanity Beach all those years ago, and throughout Crash 4 you’ll notice changes to gameplay and even the art style.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
8.3
Yakuza: Like a Dragon 63.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Platform: Xbox Series X
November 10, 2020
Become Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza grunt left on the brink of death by the man he trusted most. Take up your legendary bat and get ready to crack some underworld skulls in dynamic RPG combat set against the backdrop of modern-day Japan.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
7.1
Pikmin 3 Deluxe 64.

Pikmin 3 Deluxe

Platform: Switch
October 30, 2020
No mission is too big for the tiny Pikmin. Touch down on a world of rich adventure with Pikmin 3 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch. Command a capable crop of tiny creatures and explore a hostile planet in this exciting blend of action and strategy. Use each Pikmin type's unique skills to overcome obstacles and open up a diverse world around you. Seek out valuable items, solve puzzles and overcome powerful creatures in a richly detailed world full of surprises. What's new? Whether you've played Pikmin 3 on Wii U or it's your first venture on planet "PNF-404", Pikmin 3 Deluxe comes packed with exciting new modes and features: * 2P co-op: Journey through the main story in two player co-op* on the same console! * New adventures: Go it alone or team up with a friend to take on brand new prologue and epilogue stories starring Pikmin and Pikmin 2 heroes Olimar and Louie! * Quality of life improvements: Expand your exploration with an enhanced lock-on targeting system, enemy balancing changes, multiple difficulty modes, optional hints and more. * Piklopedia: Unlock profile entries for each character and find out their unique perspectives on each creature you discover. Squad up! If you need a break from your plucky adventure, more fun awaits with returning additional modes. Get competitive with another player in Bingo Battle, or complete unique challenges alone or cooperatively in Mission Mode which includes all DLC from the Wii U version!
Metascore:
85
User Score:
8.5
Desperados III 65.

Desperados III

Platform: Xbox One
June 16, 2020
On his epic journey through 1870s USA and Mexico, John Cooper will have to take responsibility for mistakes that have been made in the past. On his quest for redemption, Cooper joins forces with the runaway bride Kate O'Hara, shady Arthur "Doc" McCoy, the giant trapper Hector and a mysterious lady from New Orleans. They make their way from the mountains of Colorado to the heart of Louisiana, then finally to New Mexico, right back into Cooper's past. You take control of this ragtag band becoming a highly functional group of unlikely heroes and heroines. The leader of his team is Cooper, drifter and gunslinger, who can kill quietly with a knife or take out multiple foes with his revolvers. Strongman Hector carries a giant beartrap and can slay the toughest opponents with his trusty axe. Cold-blooded bounty hunter McCoy likes to be methodical, using lures, knockout gas, poison syringes and a custom long-range pistol. Kate can fool almost any man with the right outfit and kill discretely with her hidden gun. Combine your specialists to overcome tough challenges in many different ways. Plan your moves wisely and execute them perfectly in real-time to sneak past your enemies while remaining undetected.
Metascore:
85
User Score:
7.3
Lonely Mountains: Downhill 66.

Lonely Mountains: Downhill

Platform: Switch
May 7, 2020
Just you and your bike — take it on a thrilling ride down an unspoiled mountain landscape. Make your way through thick forests, narrow trails and wild rivers. Race, jump, slide and try not to crash — all the way from the peak to the valley.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
7.3
Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales 67.

Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales

Platform: Switch
January 28, 2020
Thronebreaker is a single player role-playing game set in the world of The Witcher that combines narrative-driven exploration with unique puzzles and card battle mechanics. Crafted by the developers responsible for some of the most iconic moments in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the game spins a truly regal tale of Meve, a war-veteran and queen of two Northern Realms Lyria and Rivia. Facing an imminent Nilfgaardian invasion, Meve is forced to once again enter the warpath and set out on a dark journey of destruction and revenge. KEY FEATURES AN ALL NEW EPIC TALE * Experience an all-new 30-hour Witcher world tale with 20 possible world end-states. * Embark on a grand adventure full of thought-provoking quests. * Influence the state of the world around you by making difficult choices and face their consequences. * Meet a cast of rich, multidimensional characters some of them will join you on your quest, others you'll have to face on the battlefield. TRAVEL TO NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN KINGDOMS * Explore new and mysterious regions of the monster-infested world of The Witcher. * Traverse vast lands and unique locations, all with their distinct theme from vibrant countrysides and war-torn landscapes, to grand castles and snow-capped mountains. * Save villages from hordes of monsters, look for treasures hidden among ancient ruins, scour the land for resources, and more the world of Thronebreaker is teeming with things to do. PREPARE FOR WAR * Develop and customize your very own battle camp. * Train and recruit units, unlock new skills and work on your tactics. * Manage resources you find and trade them with local merchants. * Learn more about your companions and increase their strength in battle. LEAD YOUR ARMY IN EPIC BATTLES * Build an army from characters you meet and interact with during your journey. * Fight in epic story battles and solve unique puzzles and challenges. * Use unique skills and abilities of your army and lead it to victory.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
7.6
If Found... 68.

If Found...

Platform: PC
May 19, 2020
If Found... is an interactive visual novel about going home, coming out and erasing everything.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
6.3
Wasteland 3 69.

Wasteland 3

Platform: Xbox One
August 28, 2020
In Wasteland 3 you take command of a squad of Desert Rangers, lawmen and women in a post-nuclear world, trying to rebuild society from the ashes. More than a century after the bombs fell, you’re fighting a losing battle to keep your beloved Arizona alive. Then the self-proclaimed Patriarch of Colorado radios, promising aid if you'll do a job he can only entrust to an outsider—rescue his land from the ambitions of his three bloodthirsty children. You’re dispatched on a desperate quest from the scorching deserts to the snowy mountains to start from scratch, building a new base, finding a snow-worthy vehicle, training new recruits, and fighting your way through hostile frozen wastes. All the while, you'll have to decide who to trust in this land torn apart by corruption, intrigue, warring factions, crazed cultists, cutthroat gangs, and bitter sibling rivalries. Build a reputation for yourself by making decisions that will profoundly impact Colorado, its inhabitants and the story you experience. Will you be Colorado’s savior or its worst nightmare? Wasteland 3 is a squad-based RPG from inXile entertainment, featuring challenging tactical turn-based combat and a deep, reactive story full of twists, turns, and brutal ethical decisions that will keep you hooked whether you’re a Wasteland veteran or new to the series. Create a squad of up to six Rangers and customize them with perks and abilities geared to your playstyle. You even get your own battle truck, which you can upgrade into a hardened war beast, bristling with weapons, to help mow down your enemies.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
7.7
WHAT THE GOLF? 70.

WHAT THE GOLF?

Platform: Switch
May 21, 2020
The golf game for people who hate golf! A silly physics-based golf parody where every golf course is a new surprising type of golf, some brilliant or hilarious, others so absurd they will make you go: WHAT THE GOLF? Golf a house, a horse or car! Features: - More surprising new golf mechanics than you can imagine - Epic golf boss fights - Made by people who know nothing about golf - First (and hopefully the last) game that let you golf a horse - Will NOT make you a better golf player - Surprises!
Metascore:
84
User Score:
8.2
Horace 71.

Horace

Platform: Switch
October 21, 2020
An tale of a small robot on a big adventure. This title from Paul Helman and Sean Scapelhorn is a classic platformer that tells an emotional and surprisingly rich tale of self-discovery peppered with nostalgic popular culture references that will bring a smile to any gamer who enjoys the 8 and 16 bit era. Made by just two people, Horace offers over 15 hours of exciting platforming and pushes the boundaries of the genre with profound storytelling and quirky and nostalgic pop culture references! A game made by videogame lovers for videogame lovers! • “Horace really could be one of the most charming games of the year.” Eurogamer • “A real contender for Indie Game of the Year.” The Sixth Axis • “A frankly gorgeous-looking pixel art platform adventure game” Kotaku UK • 9/10 ""Might very well be the best platformer of 2019"" Cub3d • “Horace’s heartwarming narrative pushes you through the hardcore gameplay, and the high quality aesthetic and music burns themselves into your brain” Escapist Magazine • 9/10 “Definitely one of the best Indie titles I have played this year” Demon Gaming • 9.5/10 “This is one of the best games of 2019 and one of the best independent games I have ever played” Way too many games • 8.5/10 ""Manages to offer his own personal reading of the platform genre, surprisingly walking the streets of narration"" Multiplayer.it Adventure through hours and hours of varied gameplay, dubbed by many as Indie GOTY 2019! Overcome 2D platforming challenges with a unique twist, unlock new metroidvania inspired robot abilities, enjoy plenty of retro-inspired mini games and reunite Horace with his family.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
6.7
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 72.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Platform: PC
November 10, 2020
Build your own Viking Legend. Become Eivor, a Viking raider raised to be a fearless warrior, and lead your clan from icy desolation in Norway to a new home amid the lush farmlands of ninth-century England. Find your settlement and conquer this hostile land by any means to earn a place in Valhalla. England in the age of the Vikings is a fractured nation of petty lords and warring kingdoms. Beneath the chaos lies a rich and untamed land waiting for a new conqueror. Will it be you? Write Your Viking Saga. Blaze your own path across England with advanced RPG mechanics. Fight brutal battles, lead fiery raids or use strategy and alliances with other leaders to bring victory. Every choice you make in combat and conversation is another step on the path to greatness. Lead Epic Raids. Lead a crew of raiders and launch lightning-fast surprise attacks against Saxon armies and fortresses. Claim the riches of your enemies' lands for your clan and expand your influence far beyond your growing settlement. ENGAGE IN VISCERAL COMBAT. Unleash the ruthless fighting style of a Viking warrior as you dual-wield axes, swords, or even shields against relentless foes. Decapitate opponents in close-quarters combat, riddle them with arrows, or assassinate them with your Hidden Blade. Grow Your Settlement. Your clan's new home grows with your legend. Customise your settlement by building upgradable structures. Unlock new features and quests by constructing a barracks, a blacksmith, a tattoo parlour, and much more. Share Your Custom Raider. Recruit mercenary Vikings designed by other players or create and customise your own to share online. Sit back and reap the rewards when they fight alongside your friends in their game worlds. A Dark Age Open World. Sail across the icy North Sea to discover and conquer the broken kingdoms of England. Immerse yourself in activities like hunting and drinking games or engage in traditional Norse competitions like flyting – or, as it's better known, verbally devastating rivals through the art of the Viking rap battle. [Ubisoft]
Metascore:
84
User Score:
7.7
Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition 73.

Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition

Platform: PC
August 7, 2020
Experience Aloy’s legendary quest to unravel the mysteries of a future Earth ruled by Machines. An outcast from her tribe, the young hunter fights to uncover her past, discover her destiny… and stop a catastrophic threat to the future. Use devastating tactical attacks against your prey and explore a majestic open world in this action RPG.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
5.7
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales 74.

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Platform: PlayStation 4
November 12, 2020
The latest adventure in the Spider-Man universe will build on and expand 'Marvel's Spider-Man' through an all-new story. Players will experience the rise of Miles Morales as he masters new powers to become his own Spider-Man.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
7.7
Streets of Rage 4 75.

Streets of Rage 4

Platform: PC
April 30, 2020
Publisher Dotemu (Wonder Boy, Windjammers 1/2) and developers Lizardcube (Wonder Boy) and Guard Crush Games today revealed Streets of Rage 4, an all-new continuation of SEGA's iconic arcade brawler series known for its radical fights, jammin' '90s beats and dashing sparring gloves and bandanas. Streets of Rage, known as Bare Knuckle (Bea Nakkuru) in Japan, is a trilogy of beat 'em up games developed and published by SEGA in the 1990s. Famously known for its non stop action and electronic dance influenced music - scored by Yuzo Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima - the series has gained the status of cult classic throughout the years. It is considered one of the best beat 'em up series of all time. After many years, Axel and Blaze are finally picking up the fight where they left. Featuring hand-drawn visuals from the team behind 2017's gorgeous Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap remake, Streets of Rage 4 builds upon the classic trilogy's gameplay with new mechanics, a fresh story and a gauntlet of dangerous stages with a serious crime problem. Streets of Rage 4 recalls classic gameplay but it stands as an entirely original arcade-style romp thanks to the expertise of Guard Crush Games and Dotemu. Whether players gang up with a friend or clean up the city solo, Streets of Rage 4 is a skull-bashing, chicken-chomping delight all set to a thumping soundtrack sure to get your blood pumping. Features: * The comeback of the legendary Streets of Rage series. * Beautiful graphics fully hand-drawn animated by the studio behind Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap. * Classic gameplay enhanced with brand new mechanics. * Soundtrack by a wide line-up of world-class musicians. * Braised chicken served on a pristine plate.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
7.9
BioShock: The Collection 76.

BioShock: The Collection

Platform: Switch
May 29, 2020
Return to the cities of Rapture and Columbia and experience the award-winning BioShock franchise like never before, beautifully remastered in 1080p. BioShock: The Collection contains all single-player content from BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite, all single-player add-on content, the Columbias Finest pack, and Directors Commentary: Imagining BioShock, featuring Ken Levine and Shawn Robertson. BioShock is a shooter unlike any you've ever played, loaded with weapons and tactics never seen. You'll have a complete arsenal at your disposal from simple revolvers to grenade launchers and chemical throwers, but you'll also be forced to genetically modify your DNA to create an even more deadly weapon: you. *Museum of Orphaned Concepts *Challenge Rooms BioShock 2 Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the halls of Rapture once again echo with sins of the past. Along the Atlantic coastline, a monster has been snatching little girls and bringing them back to the undersea city of Rapture. Players step into the boots of the most iconic denizen of Rapture, the Big Daddy, as they travel through the decrepit and beautiful fallen city, chasing an unseen foe in search of answers and their own survival. *Minervas Den *Protector Trials BioShock Infinite Bring us the girl, wipe away the debt. The year is 1912. Deep in debt, Booker DeWitt has only one opportunity for a clean slate: rescue Elizabeth, a mysterious girl imprisoned since childhood in the flying city of Columbia. *Clash in the Clouds *Burial at Sea 1&2 *Columbias Finest Pack Features *Remastered in 1080p. *BioShock main game and all single player DLC. *BioShock 2 main game and all single player DLC. *BioShock Infinite main game and all single player DLC. *Directors Commentary: Imagining BioShock, featuring Ken Levine and Shawn Robertson
Metascore:
84
User Score:
8.7
Two Point Hospital 77.

Two Point Hospital

Platform: Xbox One
February 25, 2020
BUILD, CURE and IMPROVE! Design stunning hospitals, decorate them as you like, cure very unusual illnesses and manage troublesome staff as you spread your budding healthcare organization across Two Point County. Design and build your own hospital.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
6.5
Lair of the Clockwork God 78.

Lair of the Clockwork God

Platform: PC
February 21, 2020
A fast-paced Point-and-Click adventure AND an indie platfomer in one! Join adventurer Ben and wannabe indie darling Dan in a race against time to stop all the Apocalypses happening at the same time.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
7.3
Genshin Impact 79.

Genshin Impact

Platform: PC
September 28, 2020
Welcome to the beautiful fantasy world of Teyvat. Step into a huge open-world of adventure and mystery, where heroic quests await. As a traveller from another world, you must find your lost sibling and unravel Teyvat's many secrets. Joined by Paimon, a kind-hearted sprite guide, your mission takes you through beautiful forests, bustling towns, and treacherous dungeons. And while your journey may put you into the path of merciless foes and fiendish puzzles you can count on numerous playable allies to join your custom party of four, harnessing the power of the elements to overcome all obstacles. Key Features: Explore Teyvat however you want Fly across the open-world, swim in a massive sea, climb mountains, and stray off the beaten path. Whether you decide to follow the storyline or just enjoy the gorgeous environment, Teyvat is yours to discover. Add up to four party members Choose who fights by your side, with over 30 characters to meet and create your party witheach possessing different abilities, personalities, and combat styles. Will you pick Jean, the acting grand master of the knights? Or Lisa, a witch harnessing the raw force of lightning? Master the seven elements Control and combine Pyro, Hydro, Electro, Anemo, Dendro, Cryo, and Geo to solve challenging puzzles and unleash powerful attacks. Travel alone or hunt together Charge head-on into battles by yourself, or invite your friends to join the fight against dangerous monsters, and discover the secrets of this vast world together.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
5.3
Spiritfarer 80.

Spiritfarer

Platform: PC
August 18, 2020
A cozy management game about dying. What will you leave behind? Play as Stella, ferrymaster to the deceased, a Spiritfarer. Build a boat to explore the world, then befriend and care for spirits before finally releasing them into the afterlife. A unique, endlessly varied adventure! Farm, mine, fish, harvest, cook, and craft your way across mystical seas. Unwind for hours into cozy and relaxing gameplay. Join the adventure as Daffodil the cat, in two-player cooperative play. Learn how to say goodbye. Experience moving, emotional stories filled with unforgettable moments. Spend relaxing quality time with your spirit passengers, create lasting memories, and, ultimately, learn how to say goodbye to your cherished friends. What will you leave behind?
Metascore:
84
User Score:
7.7
Sega Ages: Fantasy Zone 81.

Sega Ages: Fantasy Zone

Platform: Switch
January 23, 2020
Take command of the spaceship Opa-Opa and blast your way through various fantastical levels as you try to take out all the enemy bases in each stage. Once you've destroyed the bases, you'll have to beat the stage boss in order to move on to the next level. By using your guns and bombs wisely, you'll be able to take down your enemies and explore each of the crazy environments in this side-scroller. You can also buy upgraded weapons for your ship by accessing the shop.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
7.7
Yakuza: Like a Dragon 82.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Platform: PlayStation 4
November 10, 2020
RISE LIKE A DRAGON. Become Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza grunt left on the brink of death by the man he trusted most. Take up your legendary bat and get ready to crack some underworld skulls in dynamic RPG combat set against the backdrop of modern-day Japan.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
7.5
To the Moon 83.

To the Moon

Platform: Switch
January 16, 2020
Dr. Rosalene and Dr. Watts have peculiar jobs: They give people another chance to live, all the way from the very beginning... but only in their patients' heads. Due to the severity of the operation, the new life becomes the last thing the patients remember before drawing their last breath. Thus, the operation is only done to people on their deathbeds, to fulfill what they wish they had done with their lives, but didnt. This particular story follows their attempt to fulfill the dream of an elderly man, Johnny. With each step back in time, a new fragment of Johnny's past is revealed. As the two doctors piece together the puzzled events that spanned a life time, they seek to find out just why the frail old man chose his dying wish to be what it is. And Johnny's last wish is, of course... to go to the moon. * A unique story-driven experience * Innovative mix between adventure game elements and classic RPG aesthetics * Acclaimed original soundtrack that closely ties to the story * An espresso execution with zero filler and no time drains
Metascore:
84
User Score:
8.1
Resident Evil 3 84.

Resident Evil 3

Platform: Xbox One
April 3, 2020
Fight your way to freedom from the brink of despair. A series of strange disappearances have been occurring in the American Midwest within a place called Racoon City. A specialist squad of the police force known as S.T.A.R.S. has been investigating the case, and have determined that the pharmaceutical company Umbrella and their biological weapon, the T-Virus, are behind the incidents though they've lost several members in the process. Jill Valentine and the other surviving S.T.A.R.S. members try to make this truth known, but find that the police department itself is under Umbrella's sway and their reports are rejected out of hand. However, soon reports of a grisly "cannibal virus" begin to surface, and vicious dogs begin roaming the streets. With the viral plague spreading through the town and to her very doorstep, Jill is determined to survive. However, unbeknownst to Jill, an extremely powerful pursuer has already been dispatched to eliminate her.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
6.1
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III 85.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III

Platform: Switch
June 30, 2020
The end of the civil war led to the turning point of a new era for the Erebonian Empire. Centering on Rean Schwarzer as the Ashen Chevalier, the young man who came to be seen as a hero within the country, a new story of young heroes will unfold.
Metascore:
84
User Score:
8.1
Ghost of Tsushima 86.

Ghost of Tsushima

Platform: PlayStation 4
July 17, 2020
The year is 1274. Samurai warriors are the legendary defenders of Japan -- until the fearsome Mongol Empire invades the island of Tsushima, wreaking havoc and conquering the local population. As one of the last surviving samurai, you rise from the ashes to fight back. But, honorable tactics won't lead you to victory. You must move beyond your samurai traditions to forge a new way of fighting -- the way of the Ghost -- as you wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Japan.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
9.2
Bayonetta & Vanquish 87.

Bayonetta & Vanquish

Platform: Xbox One
February 18, 2020
Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of two PlatinumGames cult classics with the Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle. Bayonetta: Experience the genesis of the Bayonetta series with the cult classic, original action-adventure game. Vanquish: The hit sci-fi shooter returns. An overpopulated Earth suffocating under limited resources looks to Providence, the solar-powered space colony for support.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
8.0
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time 88.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time

Platform: Xbox One
October 2, 2020
The devious villains Neo Cortex and Dr. N. Tropy have finally escaped their interdimensional prison, leaving an evil scientist sized hole in the universe. Now they’ve got their eyes set on not only simply conquering this dimension, but ALL dimensions, and it’s up to Crash and Coco to save the day. N. Sanity Beach is where Crash’s adventure first started, and where it begins in Crash 4. But there have definitely been changes since players first saw N. Sanity Beach all those years ago, and throughout Crash 4 you’ll notice changes to gameplay and even the art style.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
8.6
MLB The Show 20 89.

MLB The Show 20

Platform: PlayStation 4
March 13, 2020
Run the table and rake in rewards with brand new mode “Showdown”. A new experience and updates throughout DD make Diamond Dynasty the best version yet.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
6.6
DIRT 5 90.

DIRT 5

Platform: Xbox One
November 3, 2020
Take a trip around the world to and race on over 70+ unique routes across 10 different global locations in stunning environments complete with dynamic weather and time of day. Get behind the wheel of an eclectic and exciting roster of cars. World-renowned voice talents troy baker and nolan north head up the cast of dirt 5's story-driven Career mode. Local split-screen of up to four players on offline modes, including Career, makes dirt 5 the perfect couch multiplayer racing game as you battle for position with your friends. Capture your biggest jumps and best moves with a detailed photo mode, and show your creative flair with dirt's deepest ever livery editor for all cars.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
6.8
Knights and Bikes 91.

Knights and Bikes

Platform: Switch
February 6, 2020
Knights And Bikes is a hand-painted action-adventure for 1 or 2 players, set on a British island in the 1980s. It's a coming-of-age story starring Nessa & Demelza, exploring the coasts of Penfurzy on their trusty bikes, looking for a legendary lost treasure in a Goonies-inspired tale of excitement, danger, fun and friendship. The two new friends, along with their pet-goose and the pickled-head of an undead knight, form the Penfurzy Rebel Bicycle Club, and are ready for anything this adventure throws at them. They pedal into danger to face threats head-on with frisbees, water-balloons, video game controllers and the powerful beats of an amplified boom-box. Along the way they'll stuff their pockets with trinkets and barter for bike upgrades, spurring them onward down the island's country lanes, windswept beaches, deep forests, modern attractions and ancient ruins. Together their friendship will create an adventure as big as their imaginations.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
8.3
Mega Man Zero / ZX Legacy Collection 92.

Mega Man Zero / ZX Legacy Collection

Platform: Switch
February 25, 2020
Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection brings together six classic titles in one game: Mega Man Zero 1, 2, 3, and 4, as well as Mega Man ZX and ZX Advent. In addition to the original games, this package includes an artwork gallery, music player, special filters, and much more. Casual Scenario Mode and a Save-Assist feature are available for those who would like to enjoy the story at their own pace. Players can also try their hand at the new leaderboard-based Z Chaser Mode, an exclusive new mode created just for this set of games.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
8.5
DIRT 5 93.

DIRT 5

Platform: Xbox Series X
November 10, 2020
Let Loose in DIRT 5 - the boldest off-road racing experience ever, with a star-studded Career, four-player split-screen, innovative online modes, livery editor and more. Blaze a trail on global tracks, covering gravel, ice, snow and sand, with cars ranging from rally icons, to trucks, to GT heroes.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
6.6
Creaks 94.

Creaks

Platform: PlayStation 4
July 22, 2020
Just a few minutes into Creaks, you will bump into some strange barking creatures in the mansion’s dark corridors. But are they as dangerous as they seem? Try to get them trapped under a beam of light and take a closer look. You may find out that what felt dangerous is a simple night table. Turning these creatures into ordinary objects is the key gameplay mechanic, along with pulling levers, stepping on pressure plates, and manipulating the environment to outsmart your enemies. [Radim Jurda]
Metascore:
83
User Score:
6.8
Super Mega Baseball 3 95.

Super Mega Baseball 3

Platform: Xbox One
May 13, 2020
Run up the score in a relaxed slugfest or push the limits of your reflexes in this refined baseball simulator. The third entry in the series features an all-new Franchise mode, major graphical enhancements, and on-field additions including pickoffs and situational player traits.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
6.6
Astro's Playroom 96.

Astro's Playroom

Platform: PlayStation 5
November 12, 2020
Astro and his crew lead you on a magical introduction through PS5 in this fun platformer that comes pre-loaded on PS5. Explore four worlds, each based on PS5’s console components. Each area showcases innovative gameplay that taps into the new features of the PS5’s DualSense wireless controller.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
9.5
WRC 9 FIA World Rally Championship 97.

WRC 9 FIA World Rally Championship

Platform: Xbox One
September 4, 2020
The WRC license is back and even better this year with WRC 9. Take part in the Calendar's 3 new rallies and challenge the community with the customisable league system. Then dive into the skin of a co-driver with the astonishing co-op mode.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
5.8
Sega Ages: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 98.

Sega Ages: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Platform: Switch
February 20, 2020
Super Speed! Sonic's back and better than ever. He's a blur in blue! A blaze of action! With his new Super Spin Dash. And a new, fabulous friend, "Tails" the Fox. You won't believe it 'til you see it. And when you play, you won't stop. Super Play! Defy gravity in hair-raising loop-de-loops. Grab Power Sneakers and race like lightning through the mazes. All at break-neck speed! Super Power! Sonic's attitude is can-do. The mad scientist Dr. Robotnik is planning a world takeover. Sonic gets tough in the fight to save his friends and squash Robotnik for good!
Metascore:
83
User Score:
7.7
One Step From Eden 99.

One Step From Eden

Platform: PC
March 26, 2020
Build a powerful deck, cast spells on the fly, battle evolving enemies, find game-changing artifacts, make friends or make enemies, just make it to Eden.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
8.7
Code:Realize - Guardian of Rebirth 100.

Code:Realize - Guardian of Rebirth

Platform: Switch
February 6, 2020
This all happened many, many years ago. The girl searched. Grass withered. The girl searched even harder. Flowers were the next to die. Even so, the girl continued her search. Eventually, the whole land rotted. The girl was a monster -- a lonely monster. This all happened many, many years ago. The poisonous girl who destroyed nature and man alike only sought one thing -- love.
Metascore:
83
User Score:
6.6
Coming Soon
  1. Cyberpunk 2077

  2. Marchen Forest: Mylne and the Forest Gift

    • Release Date: Jan 28, 2021
    • Platform: PC
  3. Cyberpunk 2077

Highs and Lows
Highest of the Month
  1. 92

    Demon's Souls

  2. 90

    Yakuza: Like a Dragon

  3. 89

    Tetris Effect: Connected

    • Release Date: Nov 10, 2020
    • Rating: E
    • User Score: 5.6
    • Platform: XBSX
  4. 88

    Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition

  5. 85

    Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Lowest of the Month
  1. 43

    YesterMorrow

    • Release Date: Nov 5, 2020
    • User Score: tbd
    • Platform: Switch
  2. 50

    Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia

    • Release Date: Nov 3, 2020
    • Rating: E10+
    • User Score: 4.6
    • Platform: Switch
  3. 54

    Bright Memory

    • Release Date: Nov 10, 2020
    • User Score: 3.8
    • Platform: XBSX
  4. 58

    Seven Knights -Time Wanderer-

    • Release Date: Nov 5, 2020
    • Platform: Switch
  5. 60

    Godfall