How do you write an intro to something about 2020? The virtual space feels more important to me than ever right now, as it is a space of comfortable dissociation. Reality is bad, so to me there is no shame in escapism. Just remember to come back! All I hope is that a game, a song, or a friend, brought comfort to you during a difficult year. Here are some games I enjoyed playing in this strange year. They are ranked by where they are in my heart perhaps not the most time spent or the ones I found the “best”. I have included games that I played this year but did not necessarily come out in 2020. I hope that makes sense!
Honorable Mentions: Hades–I have played so much, but it’s frankly on a lot of lists, and I pretty much have exactly the same things to say as everyone else. Additionally, Resident Evil 2 Re: Make, but I am so scared of that game that I can barely get through it, so I do not think it is fair to include it here.
10. Animal Crossing
I debated even putting this on here at all because at this point I am basically in a bad relationship with Animal Crossing. I actually went back and put it at the bottom of the ranking before handing this over to Six and Jen. I put days, weeks of my life into this game. I spent… months really sculpting and designing my town from the ground up. The thing is, while I did this all for my enjoyment, after the first 50 hours or so, everything became a chore. This game needs UI and quality of life updates like no game I have ever loved. Animal Crossing has outgrown its humble menus of the past, and the game suffers greatly for it. If you’re a super casual player this probably wasn’t an issue, but if you’re anything slightly more than that, it is a pain.
9. Tetris Effect
Tetris has always been a game for me to zone out to. I can distinctly remember when I first went into a “trance” playing the Wii version of Tetris and thinking it was a remarkable thing. There are very few games that can take me into this headspace, and Tetris by far is the easiest to achieve this state. Tetris Effect amplifies the headier elements of Tetris into a neatly packed punch. The music and game feel both add to the meditative experience. That is, of course, until the difficulty spikes and I am quickly scrambling to place pieces as fast as I can see them.
8. Story of the Seasons Friends of Mineral Town
This game surprised me because as a child I remember not really liking the Gameboy Advance version of this game, but then again maybe I just didn’t like the Gameboy Advance. It was fun revisiting a game I had previously disliked but now enjoy more as an adult. It’s a bit basic in some ways, but that I think is to be expected on some level from an older game. There’s a reason why this one has stood the test of time more so than contemporary versions of the IP. Oh also, QUEER RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGE FINALLY! It’s been a long time coming, it’s a small (large?) thing that has always bothered me, so let’s hope it’s permanent.
7. Everybody’s Golf
Everybody’s Golf is jank as hell and dated, but despite all that, it is a delightful video game. Golf MMO? Yes please. It’s not that exactly, but the MMO RPG and golf combo I think works here. I had so much fun careening my golf cart into the water at 60 mph. Open world golf courses are a super fun idea that I hope golf games do in the future; it was so silly doing donuts around my friends as they tried to get eagles without being restricted by turn taking.
6. Clubhouse Games
I am a big fan of tabletop boardgames so 2020 was a bit depressing on the boardgame side of things. Clubhouse games filled that void for me early on in the pandemic. I learned Mahjong and got extremely good at President all while hanging out with my friends I couldn’t see in real life. Clubhouse games is the perfect Switch game and I sincerely hope more games collections come out like it in the future.
5. Sakuna of Rice and Ruin
If you’re a farming game or a simulation fan this game is not to be missed. Sakuna is a perfect laid back adventure. The rice farming is engaging and in depth. The platforming and combat is fun and rewarding. You get at least two shibas and a cat? What’s better than that? This game was made by two people! I can’t believe it. Some things feel a bit unbalanced like the combat scaling (it gets pretty easy) as well as the rice planting can be rage inducing, but for an indie game? It’s a truly remarkable feat this was made by such a tiny team. I really think this game deserves more credit and love.
4. Rune Factory 4
I played the original Rune Factory on DS as a kid and hated it, having only vague memories but that turned me off of the series until now. I have no idea what possessed me to pick up Rune Factory 4, but I’m glad I did. Rune Factory 4’s systems blow other farming, crafting, and livestock games out of the water. The ease of doing things in this game compared to others added a level of enjoyment that I did not experience in other farming games I played this year. There is a lot more dialogue and story in Rune Factory than other similar simulation games and they do a fairly good job! There’s a bit of what I’d like to call “Anime Bullshit” in the game (why do some marriage candidates look so young?) which I hate and I think put me off from it in the first place. Luckily you can avoid most of it. I wish it wasn’t in it or it would be perfect!
3. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2
If you grant me one wish… try to learn Puyo! I’ve come to love the Puyo side of Puyo Puyo Tetris over time. It’s a quite satisfying puzzle game. I feel like I “get” puzzle games suddenly. Now I play them for hours rather than one round. The thing about Puyo Puyo is that it has a whole universe of characters to go with it. Somehow it is delightful to sit through the most garbage storyline in the Adventure mode because of the ensemble cast. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 has new characters, expansion packs, and a battle gaiden mode among many other things that keep it fresh for players. What else do you need?
2. Pajama Sam: There’s No Need to Hide When It’s Dark Outside
The title says it all, for me, though it’s ok to hide a bit too, I think. This game is a childhood favorite of mine. I always play this game when I’m sad, so naturally I ended up playing through it a few times in 2020. Sam is a delightful person who never passes judgement on anyone. He tries to do the right thing and keeps his head up when things aren’t going right. The humor and worlds in the Pajama Sam series bring me so much joy even after all these years. Definitely did not play this one the most but it always feels like going home when I crack open that game. Sometimes you just need a hug from your chosen digital family.
1. Moon RPG
Moon is so my shit it hurts. Everything down to the walk cycle sound effects, Moon: RPG is a delight from front to back. Make no mistake, this is not exactly an RPG; I think it is more in the Point and Click family. Moon is the moody performance art kid of point and clicks who only listens to noise music. The monsters you rescue models’ are made from claymation. The soundtrack is amazing and sometimes unsettling. The story on its own could have birthed an Undertale like fandom, and I guess in a way it did. Moon was the blueprint for “genre bending emotional art games”. There are definitely critiques to be made about some of the racist character design and just how this game does not cater to the player at all.This game is old, and it feels old. For example, the only fast travel in-game is to three areas and it’s only one way. Despite this, I think Moon is a very special game, and for the right, patient person it is definitely an all timer.
