The review aggregator, Metacritic, has recently published its list of the best games to be released in 2020 across multiple platforms.
Metacritic is a useful shorthand for a quick look at the best games because of the way it averages several reviews to reach an average score, according to the general critical opinion.
The downside with Metacritic is that these scores often lack specific context and critical arguments meant to support these scores.
Metacritic ranks 13 best games since 2020 with a score above 90
Despite the unique challenges to 2020, last year a healthy handful of strong games were released. These games ranged from robust storytelling and storytelling experiences to games built on unique systems and instant gameplay. There is no one way to make a good game, something that will only become apparent when you look at how different the highest scores in 2020 are.
A Metacritic list of the best games was determined by average critical scores. Metacritic offers no argument or reason behind why a game scored as it did, and for that, readers need to look at the individual critical reviews.
The top 13 games that have averaged scores over 90 on Metacritic are:
Of this list, the best game for 2020 overall is Persona 5 Royal with an impressive score of 95. One thing to note is that Metacritic’s list for the best games was limited to being include those with seven or more reviews.
A breakdown of the best games of 2020
These 13 best games can provide some insight into some of the broadest trends in gaming. It should be noted that of the 13 different games that scored 90 or higher, only one was the original possession (Hades). All other titles on the list are either series, reprints or rewrites of some previous titles.
This shows the continuation of the trend for game developers to be risk averse, but it also shows how difficult it can be to get a particular concept, not to mention gamers who catching it.
In games, as in movies, tried and tested ideas, along with license recognition, help gamers buy that product. Gamers tend to have far less criticism regarding sequences and replays because the metrics used to judge them are different.
Replays and sequences are usually judged by the titles they have previously had in mind, and that can color what players consider good. If Demon’s Souls had been released, just for players to find out it was Super Mario Odyssey, the game would have been considered much worse. That’s not because Super Mario Odyssey is a bad title, but just because it doesn’t fit what players expect in terms of what a Demon’s Souls game should be.
From a development standpoint, it’s easier to sequence or redo, because they know more clearly how their game will be judged, but an original title can be dangerous. When an original title is released, the developer can only gauge whether the game is judged on its visual style, narration, characters, gameplay, balance, or anything else like that.
So it’s easy to see how skins often get a better view of achieving critical and public reputation. Despite this, players and developers should not be too shy about trying out some original titles now or in the future.
Published 09 January 2021, 00:25 IST