GOTY 2020

Thanks to Game Pass, I've played more games this year than ever before. Not all of them were 2020 games, but these were the ones from the year of all years that stood out to me.

*** 11-99: Game Pass:

Microsoft's service was the really GOTY in 2020. A wonderful service, at a competitive price. I played 60-70 games this year because of it (not all to completion). It helped me try a whole bunch of things I wouldn't normally, and limited my spending (especially on Steam) to almost $0. ( I finally bought the expansions to Jurassic World: Evolution because that game is amazing enough for me to buy DLC, which I never normally do.)

List items

• 

  1. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2

  The perfect remake. Blew away the Robomoto nonsense of a few years ago, and brought THPS back to where it should be. THPS 2 is in my Top 3 of all time, and this hit the nostalgia, it played and looked "as you remember it", the challenge system was great, and everything just worked.

  BONUS POINTS for not adding Micro Transactions post launch. Has Activision turned a moral corner - I doubt it, but here's hoping.

• 

  2. Doom Eternal

  After completing, but not particularly enjoying Doom 2016 (I intend to give it another go in 2021), Doom Eternal was a huge improvement for me. The combat arenas were well crafted, the shooting never felt repetitive, the story was goofy, and the platforming was surprisingly enjoyable. Hoping the expansions come to Game Pass next year.

• 

  3. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

  The top three are light years ahead of anything else I played with a 2020 release. Ori is wonderful. It's beautiful, it's challenging, but rewarding. It has a moving narrative, and most of all is a blast to play. Tight controls and a rare game where I went for and got the 100% completion.

• 

  4. FIFA 21

  I feel that Fifa 21 is a huge improvement over 20. It plays much closer to 'real' football and I enjoyed it enough to buy it despite Fifa 20 being included in Game Pass. The next gen update looks great.

• 

  5. Watch Dogs: Legion

  I bought this to have something next-gen (ish) to play on my Series S. It's my first Watch Dogs, and not too bad at all. My first Ray Tracing game, and I loved the city and how alive it felt. Solid gameplay and a serviceable story without being a classic.

• 

  6. Microsoft Flight Simulator

  A stunning game, beautiful, and the global map made it special. Flying around famous and personal locations was a really joy.

• 

  7. Destiny 2

  Annual inclusion of Destiny / Destiny 2. Beyond Light was a good update and played it with my buddy across the world - his first Destiny experience (Thank you, Game Pass). For that alone it deserves the No. 7 spot.

• 

  8. Streets of Rage 4

  Really enjoyed co-oping this with my wife (not much of a video game fan). I learned that she enjoys 2D beat em' ups, and I remembered how much I adore Streets of Rage.

• 

  9. Fall Guys

  I fell off of Fall Guys, but it's a game that I enjoyed my somewhat brief time with. Great concept

• 

  10. Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

  The only game on this list I have not played. But for sheer innovation, and for the only game of the year that made we want a Switch, it takes the No. 10 spot above some games I actually played.