Video game

Video games: Remade and remastered in 2020 – Loveland Reporter-Herald


When I first started to write about games in 1992, the future of gaming seemed outrageous. Thinking of the industry in 2020 evoked dreams of technological marvels and inconceivable wonders. Now that we’re here, gaming in 2020 is both more and less than I imagined.

Take, for instance, one of my most anticipated games set to be released in the next couple of months: “Final Fantasy VII Remake.”

In 1992, I looked pleadingly toward “Final Fantasy V,” a game that would take seven years to make it to the West when Nintendo passed it over for being “too complicated for Americans.”

Much like today, Japanese RPGs were my jam and I could only hope my favorite series — “Final Fantasy” and “Dragon Warrior” — would still be coming out with new installments 28 years later. Since they are, it’s funny that a remake of a 22-year-old game would be what’s hot.

Such is the strange state of gaming in 2020. Remakes and remastered games will continue to flourish this year, which only makes sense as there are always new gamers to introduce to old games. Not all of them will be two decades old, of course.

“Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore” will be the first big Nintendo Switch release of the year.

The first big Nintendo Switch release of the year (and the subject to my first review, coming soon) is “Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore.” This criminally underplayed JRPG came out at the end of the Wii U’s life. Featuring characters from the “Shin Megami Sensei” and “Fire Emblem” series, it looks like a great way to begin the year.

Other notable remakes coming in the first five months of the year include “Yakuza 5,” “Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD,” “Warcraft III: Reforged,” “Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle,” “Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition,” “Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection,” “Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX,” and “Langrisser 1&2,” “Resident Evil 3” and “Trials of Mana.” Any type of gamer should be able to find something to love in that lineup.

“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” lands on shelves in March for Nintendo Switch and it promises the most expansive experience yet.

That’s not to say there aren’t some great original games coming out. “Darksiders Genesis,” “Doom Eternal,” “Nioh 2” and “Wasteland 3” will provide new installments of some very popular series, undoubtedly pleasing hordes of fans.

There are a couple of even higher-profile sequels as well.

“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” will completely take over the Nintendo Switch when it lands in March. It’s the first appearance of one of Nintendo’s most popular series on its excessively popular Switch, and it promises the most expansive “Animal Crossing” experience yet.

“The Last of Us Part II” will be released as an exclusive for the PS4 in May.

There’s also “The Last of Us Part II.” An exclusive for the PS4 coming in May, the game will continue the story of Elle (now 19) and Joel as they continue to survive a post-apocalyptic nightmare.

Completely original offerings are fewer, but not any less anticipated.

First announced nearly five years ago, “Cyberpunk 2077” will finally hit shelves in April.

“Cyberpunk 2077” — the latest offering from CD Projekt Red, studio behind “The Witcher” series — lands in April. First announced nearly five years ago, “Cyberpunk 2077” promises a massive action/RPG landscape filled with futuristic tech and excitement. Plus, the game features an up-and-coming actor in a starring role who has received some positive buzz lately: Keanu Reeves.

If an expansive, open-world RPG isn’t your jam, just wait until May for “Marvel’s Avengers.” Developed by Crystal Dynamics (the most recent “Tomb Raider” games), the game features an all-original adventure starring Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. While it has taken some heat for not featuring the actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the game not only looks great but features impressive gameplay, at least based on recent demos.

Based on recent demos, “Marvel’s Avengers” (out in May) features impressive gameplay.

Other original new games include, “Iron Man VR,” “Fairy Tale” and “Fast and Furious Crossroads.”

That’s a lot of games for the first five months of the year, but don’t forget, it’s going to get crazier as the year goes on. Sony and Microsoft are both introducing new consoles for the 2020 holiday season — the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, respectively.

Plus, recent rumors suggest a new iteration of the Nintendo Switch is coming sooner rather than later, perhaps the much buzzed about Switch Pro.

No matter how you shake it, gamers have a lot to look forward to in 2020. As always, I will do my best to give you my recommendations for the best games, hardware and more in the months ahead.



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