LOGNET’s Best Reviewed Games of 2020
2020 was a tumultuous year for video games to say the least. Despite so many lives being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, video games provided a much-needed escapism. At the same time, the industry reached the end of one console generation and leaped into another. In the midst of it all, truly astounding titles released this year.
From Doom Eternal to Yakuza: Like A Dragon, the LordsofGaming.net crew continued to publish high-quality reviews throughout 2020. Starting in August, LordsofGaming.net accomplished an incredible milestone: having our reviews published on OpenCritic. Our rating for Iron Harvest was included in the game’s accolades trailer as well!
In regards to video games, 2020 has proved the industry has only scrapped the surface of greatness. With so many varied and epic experiences, it is exciting to look back on what made this year phenomenal for gamers. See below for the LordsofGaming.net’s top-rated games of 2020, which includes any title rated 9 out of 10 and above, see below*:
Dreams
Written by: Nicholas Downie
Dreams is truly one of a kind experience. This is Media Molecules’ most ambitious game, bar none. With almost eight years of passion and hard work put into this game, it clearly shows. The depth of creation found within the game cannot be found anywhere else in the console space. No matter your passion, to create or your passion to play, Dreams has a little bit of something for everyone.
Score – 9.3/10
Ori And The Will Of The Wisps
Written by: Jared Eden
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a beautiful platformer that is candy to the eyes. The colorful visual style along with an emotionally charged story and music make this one of the best titles to come out this generation. This is a proper sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest.
Score – 9.5/10
Doom Eternal
Written by: Nicholas Downie
Doom Eternal is one of the best FPS games in the past decade. Meaningful upgrades, beautiful and creative worlds with an endless sandbox of demons to kill. Whether you are a fan of the franchise or if this is your first Doom game. Doom Eternal is an absolute masterclass of first-person shooter game design and is an early contender for game of the year.
Score – 9.2/10
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Written by: Hector Ramirez II
Here’s the short and sweet: Final Fantasy VII Remake is Square Enix’s best singleplayer game in years. Is it perfect? No, absolutely not. However, the game we got out of the box is them in their prime. This is a game made from extremely talented developers with a lot of love and care for the original game.
Score – 9.8/10
Streets of Rage 4
Written by: Jerko Cilas
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.
Score – 9.3/10
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
Written by: Hector Ramirez II
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is a relic of the waning age of JRPGs. It tells a lengthy story of heroes that take on more than they bargained for in a genuinely interesting setting. The battle system is still fun to engage in even if the future-seeing element can be a bit obnoxious. Its imagination and refinements can’t escape some of its oddities, but the game is worthy of your time and money. Adding to the fact that you can take it with you anywhere, the game is a must-have for Switch owners.
Score – 9/10
The Last of Us Part II
Written by: Nicholas Downie
It [The Last of Us Part II] is a truly polarizing game, that took many risks that I never thought Naughty Dog would take. It’s ambitious in the way it tells its story. It focuses on the circle of violence and revenge, and the emotional effects it can have on people. It is one of the best games I have played this generation, with smooth gameplay and stealth mechanics that Naughty Dog deserves a congratulatory round of applause for.
Score – 9/10
Ghost of Tsushima
Written by: Jared Eden
This is a foundational beginning of a new franchise going forward that I would love to see supported in an immense way. This is the most fun I’ve had in an open world in a very long time. Ghost of Tsushima is easily worth every dollar spent. Aside from a somewhat short story, there is very little to pick apart about the game. Its landscape is a living beauty that is masked by death. Ghost of Tsushima is not an experience to be missed.
Score – 9/10
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
Written by: Jared Eden
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is the next big step in simulation technology and gaming. What Asobo Studios has achieved is nothing short of incredible. Anyone can pick up this game and learn to fly a plane, at least a fictional one. It will take some practice and studying, and some settings adjustments, but no one is held back.
Score – 10/10
Mortal Shell
Written by: Jared Eden
Overall, Mortal Shell is not a title to be missed. If you are not a Dark Souls fan but still interested, just know this is probably the easiest entry into these types of games. The passion of a small indie team creating something that so heavily fits into a Souls universe is something special.
Score – 9/10
PGA Tour 2K21
Written by: Jesse Gregoire
We started this review by saying that PGA Tour 2K21 is an evolution of the series’ Golf Club antecedents, and it’s true. It’s better in every way: licensed players, brands and courses; better customization; better gameplay and modes. There is no revolution here, but this feels like the culmination of all the efforts of HB Studios and 2K. They’ve created the ultimate golf game for the ultimate golf fans
Score – 9/10
Iron Harvest
Written by: Nicholas Downie
Iron Harvest is one of the best RTS games that has come out in recent memory. Whether you prefer a single-player focused experience or looking to go to war with your friends. Iron Harvest will deliver and then some. It is one of the best games released on PC in 2020.
Score – 9.3/10
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
Written by: Eugene Schaffmeir
Overall, the game is a complete modern-day experience of both original Tony Hawk games. Aided by remarkable visual improvements, multiplayer, and a park creator. Plus nearly all of the music you know and love is back. All with the feel of one of the greatest games ever made.
Score – 9.1/10
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Written by: Hector Ramirez II
Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a completely character-driven game that knocks it out of the park and some. Miles, his family and friends, his neighborhood – all are standout parts of this personal coming-of-age story that triumphs the original game. Take into account the rich Hispanic and Harlem culture seen throughout, and you have something truly unique.
Score – 9.5/10
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Written by: Nicholas Downie
While the JRPG formula is one that has been practiced and tried for decades, Yakuza: Like A Dragon breathes a breath of fresh air into the genre. With its compelling story, action-focused gameplay, and a world packed to the brim with character. This is undeniably one of the best games I have played in 2020.
Score – 9.1/10
*Editor’s Note: The writing staff at LordsofGaming.net were not able to publish a review for every major game of 2020. Check out our 2020 Golden Lance Awards to see which games we have played, but not reviewed, receive recognition for their qualities.
