#10: “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2” (2020) Ever since the disasters that were “Tony Hawk: RIDE” and “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5”, it felt like we would never see the franchise return to its former glory. In comes Vicarious Visions with a remake of the first two games, and it blew everything out of the water. Every stage from “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1” and its sequel has been lovingly rebuilt with refined controls, exceptional detail, and tricks from across the entire series. The Create-A-Park feature and support for online multiplayer have had us getting together to show off our sick tricks…or making ourselves look like a jackass.
#9: “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales” (2020) While the PS4 version isn’t as well optimized as the PS5 version, “Miles Morales” offers plenty of thrill on both platforms. It was exciting to jump back into Insomniac’s insanely fun combat system from the previous game, and some of the new mechanics made it even more thrilling. The addition of Venom powers offered a new risk-reward system, forcing players to decide whether to heal or unleash devastating attacks. Invisibility also allowed more flexibility for players who wanted more stealth segments. It may not be a “Spider-Man 2”, but this title was well worth our time.
#8: “Final Fantasy VII Remake” (2020) Given how long this spent in development, it’s hard to believe it finally came out. “Final Fantasy VII” struck the hearts of many with its story, characters, and gameplay, and the remake manages to make it a fully realized experience – although it is only the first act of the original. The visuals are breathtaking, characters have been redesigned in great detail without sacrificing their original look, and the new combat system is a fantastic way to introduce new fans to the series. And let’s not forget the lovely music that took us back to 1997.
#7: “Demon’s Souls” (2020) If you have a PlayStation 5, this is THE game to get on the platform! Not only is it a loving recreation of the 2009 title, it runs in dynamic 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. On top of that, the character customization boasts more options than the original, tons of new weapons and equipment, and a new “Fractured World” mode to challenge our wits in a whole new way. Whether you’re in for a new challenge or are looking to revisit an old gem, “Demon’s Souls” is a must own for PS5 owners.
#6: “The Last of Us: Part II” (2020) This game proved to be divisive, thanks to pacing issues and key elements of the story. A lot of fans were dismayed at the fate of beloved characters, and having to play long sections of the game as antagonist / deuteragonist Abby. However, “The Last of Us: Part II” does do a lot right. The environments are immersive, stealth sections are much more tense, and the combat is unique and much richer – just think back to how getting struck by an arrow disables your Listen Mode. It’s an intense and grim story – one you’ll need to be mentally prepared for. But it’s also a compelling journey with polished and memorable gameplay.
#5: “Half Life: Alyx” (2020) VR may still be a niche corner of the gaming industry and community, but one cannot ignore the technical marvel that is “Half-Life: Alyx”. With highly detailed environments and a frame rate of 60 frames per second, the game raises the bar for VR games. Not only that, it also succeeds in telling another compelling story with its focus on Alyx and what occurred before “Half-Life 2”. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the franchise, or have never even played a “Half-Life” game, you should absolutely pick this up if you have a compatible VR headset.
#10: “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2” (2020)
Ever since the disasters that were “Tony Hawk: RIDE” and “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5”, it felt like we would never see the franchise return to its former glory. In comes Vicarious Visions with a remake of the first two games, and it blew everything out of the water. Every stage from “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1” and its sequel has been lovingly rebuilt with refined controls, exceptional detail, and tricks from across the entire series. The Create-A-Park feature and support for online multiplayer have had us getting together to show off our sick tricks…or making ourselves look like a jackass.
#9: “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales” (2020)
While the PS4 version isn’t as well optimized as the PS5 version, “Miles Morales” offers plenty of thrill on both platforms. It was exciting to jump back into Insomniac’s insanely fun combat system from the previous game, and some of the new mechanics made it even more thrilling. The addition of Venom powers offered a new risk-reward system, forcing players to decide whether to heal or unleash devastating attacks. Invisibility also allowed more flexibility for players who wanted more stealth segments. It may not be a “Spider-Man 2”, but this title was well worth our time.
#8: “Final Fantasy VII Remake” (2020)
Given how long this spent in development, it’s hard to believe it finally came out. “Final Fantasy VII” struck the hearts of many with its story, characters, and gameplay, and the remake manages to make it a fully realized experience – although it is only the first act of the original. The visuals are breathtaking, characters have been redesigned in great detail without sacrificing their original look, and the new combat system is a fantastic way to introduce new fans to the series. And let’s not forget the lovely music that took us back to 1997.