With all due respect to 2019 and its lineup of must-play games, the best video games of 2020 are shaping up to be some of the most exciting offerings in recent years. So we’ve started a guide to the titles you absolutely need to play next year.
As Sony and Microsoft eye the next generation of video game consoles, and Google prepares to launch its Stadia platform, studios everywhere are preparing to give this generation its swansong while crafting the future of the industry. The result will be a year full of compelling new experiences, jaw-dropping remakes, long-awaited sequels, and a few games that defy classification.
You may be wondering where games like The Last of Us Part 2, Ghost of Tsushima, and Metroid Prime 4 are on our list. While it’s certainly possible (maybe even likely) that some of these games will be released in 2020, for the moment, we are only including games which have been granted a 2020 release window or release date. Rest assured that we will be updating this list as more games are confirmed.
For now, here are 20 games you need to play in 2020…
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
March 2 | Nintendo | Switch
We were as surprised, and disappointed, as many were to learn that Animal Crossing: New Horizons wasn’t going to be released in 2019, but it seems that Nintendo needed a little more time to get it right. The good news is that it looks like Nintendo is on the right track with this highly anticipated instalment. It’s been a while since we last got a proper new Animal Crossing game for consoles, and the scope and ambition of New Horizons should make it worth the considerable wait.
Chivalry 2
Date TBA | Torn Banner Studios | PC
The original Chivalry is one of the most surprising games of the last decade. Few titles have attempted to do multiplayer medieval combat on a large scale, and none of them before Chivalry did it as well.
Chivalry 2 looks to pick up where the brilliant original left off by offering the kind of large battles that have previously been limited to film and television. If you’re looking for a multiplayer Game Of Thrones or Braveheart simulator, then the bloody and big Chivalry 2 is your game.
Cyberpunk 2077
April 16 | CD Projekt Red | XBO, PS4, PC
It’s no stretch to call Cyberpunk 2077 one of the most anticipated games in years, and that was true before anyone knew Keanu Reeves was going to be in the game. Developed by the team responsible for The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077 is poised to be one of the largest, deepest, and most intense RPG experiences we’ve ever played. Expectations may be high, but Cyberpunk 2077 has what it takes to meet them.
Destroy All Humans! Remake
Date TBA | Black Forest Studios | XBO, PS4, PC
For years, Destroy All Humans! has been referred to as a cult classic. While the game’s unique premise (you’re an alien sent to destroy humanity amid ’50s Americana) is part of the reason for its cult status, the sad truth is that not enough people really gave Destroy All Humans! a chance following its release. That may soon change, though, as Destroy All Humans! Remake looks to retain much of what made the original so brilliant while upgrading the game just enough to accommodate some necessary improvements.
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot
TBA | CyberConnect2 | XBO, PS4, PC
Not long ago, we would have been cautious to blindly recommend a Dragon Ball Z game, but the success of Dragon Ball FighterZ may have kickstarted a new era of high-quality Dragon Ball adaptations.
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot certainly looks to be just that. Published by Bandai Namco and developed by the team behind the Naruto Shippuden series, Kakarot certainly has the pedigree needed to be an exceptional Action-RPG experience.
Dying Light 2
Date TBA | Techland Publishing | XBO, PS4, PC
The original Dying Light was quite the surprise. At a time when zombie game fatigue was in full effect, Dying Light revived the concept with its parkour gameplay, large levels, and a surprisingly solid story.
Well, Dying Light 2 could surpass the original game in every way. Dying Light 2 is bigger and better in all the usual sequel ways, but it’s the story written by RPG veteran Chris Avellone and its world-changing consequences that really has us intrigued to see what this sequel has in store.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
March 3 | Square Enix | PS4
Fans have been waiting years to get a remake of Final Fantasy 7 and expectations for the game couldn’t be higher. Rather than bow to the pressure, though, Square Enix has embraced the idea of completely re-imagining one of the greatest JRPGs of all-time, creating a full-length version of just a small section of the original. While the results will almost certainly be divisive, everything we’ve seen of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake thus far suggests it’s going to be an ambitious and epic experience that may just prove to be worthy of the wait.
Gods And Monsters
February 25 | Ubisoft | PS4, XBO, Nintendo Switch, PC
One of the more pleasant surprises of E3 2019 was the reveal of the next game from the makers of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Gods and Monsters.
This Zelda-like aesthetic reminds many of Breath of the Wild, but there are reasons to have faith that this won’t be a carbon copy. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey was one of that series’ most fascinating games in years, but it was dragged down a bit by the conventions of the franchise. We can’t wait to see what Ubisoft will do with an entirely new world to play in.
Halo Infinite
‘Holiday 2020’ | 343 Industries | Xbox Scarlett
Well, well, well. As if Halo Infinite wasn’t already one of the biggest upcoming games in the world, anticipation for the title has only grown following the announcement that it will be a launch title for Xbox Scarlett (which is launching in the holiday season at the end of 2020).
Halo Infinite is positioned as something of a soft reboot of the franchise. It will continue the series’ story but will re-imagine certain concepts a la God Of War. It’s also the first confirmed next-gen title and the most exciting Halo game since Bungie left the franchise.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Date TBA | Traveller’s Tales | XBO, PS4, Nintendo Switch
The LEGO games have been a reliable source for casual fun for quite some time now. They may follow a formula, but it’s a tried-and-tested formula that rarely fails to entertain.
Next year’s The Skywalker Saga will utilize that formula in order to tell the story of all nine main Star Wars films. That makes it an essential piece of entertainment for LEGO and Star Wars fans who want to have the entire Skywalker story available in brick-based form.
Marvel’s Avengers
May 15 | Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal | XBO, PS4, PC, Google Stadia
We’ve waited for years to get a proper Avengers game, and Square Enix’s secret Avengers project hasn’t made the wait any easier. We’ve now seen a proper trailer, which garnered some mixed responses. But our behind-closed-doors look at the actual gameplay left us slightly more hopeful for this Marvel title.
There are plenty of reasons to be excited for this game, as Square Enix is committed to expanding and improving it for years after its release. If Square stays true to its vision, Marvel’s Avengers could prove to be a definitive superhero title.
Minecraft Dungeons
Spring | Mojang | XBO, PS4, PC, Switch
We can’t say that anyone expected the Minecraft team to work on a Minecraft-themed dungeon crawler, but it’s a very nice surprise nonetheless. Dungeons is described as a passion project by the Minecraft team and that much looks clear from the early footage. While simpler than other games in the genre, Dungeons is somewhere in-between Diablo and a LEGO Star Wars game, which might actually be a sweet spot.
Ori And The Will Of The Wisps
February 11 | Moon Studios | XBO, PC
Ori And The Blind Forest surprised just about everyone with its incredible art style, wonderful puzzles and fantastic soundtrack. A true indie darling, the original is more than enough reason to believe that Will Of The Wisps is going to be a special sequel. What we’ve seen of Will Of The Wisps so far suggests that it’s going to be a formidable puzzle-platformer.
Phantasy Star Online 2
Spring | Sega | XBO, PC
Phantasy Star Online 2 has been one of the most popular games in Japan for the last few years, but Sega has never truly made the effort to bring this title to the West. Fortunately, American gamers will finally be able to try the sequel to Phantasy Star Online when it comes to Xbox One and PC next year. Fans of the original game and those looking for a new MMO to lose a few (hundred) hours in will want to keep an eye on this one.
Skull And Bones
TBA | Ubisoft | XBO, PC, PS4
Originally set for a 2019 release date, Skull And Bones was pushed back by the team at Ubisoft in order to ensure they get the game right. What’s remarkable about that delay is that it’s for a game that we really don’t know much about yet.
However, what we do know about Skull And Bones suggests that it may just be, in some ways, the successor to Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag that we’ve been waiting for all these years. At the very least, it should prove to give those who didn’t get enough pirate action from Sea Of Thieves the chance to live their high sea outlaw dreams.
System Shock Remake
TBA | Night Dive Studios | XBO, PC, PS4
The System Shock remake’s road to release has been rockier than most. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, developer Nightdive Studios has encountered several hurdles that threatened to derail the project. Thankfully, the remake looks to be back on track. The original System Shock is one of the most influential sci-fi games ever made and this remake wants to remind modern audiences why it’s a classic.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
March | Paradox Interactive | XBO, PC, PS4
The original Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines is considered to be both one of the greatest vampire games ever made and one of the greatest RPGs for those who value decision making and character building. This long-awaited sequel seeks to continue the original game’s considerable legacy. Highlighted by a much-improved combat system, Bloodlines 2 could reach new heights for the series.
Wasteland 3
March | inXile Entertainment | XBO, PC, PS4
The precursor to the Fallout franchise, Wasteland made a successful return in 2014 as a throwback to the days of isometric RPGs. Widely-acclaimed for its deep RPG mechanics and incredible world, Wasteland 2 fed the need for a role-playing experience with modern sensibilities.
Wasteland 3 features many of the innovations and brilliant mechanics of Wasteland 2 but introduces an expanded emphasis on vehicles as well as a morbid sense of humour that we’ve only previously seen glimpses of in past instalments.
Watch Dogs: Legion
March 6 | Ubisoft | PS4, XBO, PC
The original Watch Dogs was an interesting experiment in open-world design, but it failed to achieve its loftiest goals. The second game fared much better, but it failed to find as large of an audience as it should have.
Watch Dogs: Legion‘s mechanic that lets you play as any NPC in the game world may just prove to be the hook that the second game needed. It may sound like a gimmick, but from what we’ve seen of Legion so far, the game appears to intelligently use this fascinating new way to play.
Witchfire
Date TBA | The Astronauts | PC
Developer The Astronauts certainly showed it knows how to create incredible worlds and engaging stories in its debut hit, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, but that game’s “Walking Simulator” designation left some describing it as “boring.” Well, Witchfire looks anything but boring.
A throwback to pure FPS games like Painkiller, Witchfire is shaping up to be one of the fastest and most furious action titles of 2020. This game may just give the Doom reboot a run for its money as the king of modern action-oriented FPS titles.
Which 2020 game are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments below, if you like…
