It’s been a year of whiplash. With the US’ tense relationship with other countries, the wildfires in Australia, tornadoes in Nashville and the coronavirus, things can seem pretty bleak. Now that the world has essentially isolated itself for the next two weeks, a lot of events you may have been looking forward to have been cancelled.
There’s a silver lining, though. We may all be on house arrest and it’s the perfect time to log countless hours into a video game and add new ones to your wishlist. 2020 is a year of new titles and long-awaited sequels, so check out the list below for franchises you should catch up on and hopefully, something to look forward to.
- The Last of Us Part II
This is probably the most anticipated game of 2020. Fans have been waiting seven years for news on the fate of Joel and Ellie and Naughty Dog is ready to deliver. It’s been a long time coming, but developers have specifically stated that they want to make Last of Us 2 a sequel worth telling. The game is scheduled for a summer release on May 29 for the PlayStation 4.
2. Half Life: Alyx
We really have been living in an alternate timeline since 2016 because Valve has finally announced “Half Life 3.” Well, kind of.
“Half Life: Alyx” is a prequel, set before the events of “Half Life 2” and while it’s still a PC release, it’s a virtual reality shooter. Valve has marketed Alyx as its “flagship” VR game with gravity gloves replacing the iconic gravity gun.
The game is a PC exclusive, set to release on March 23. That gives you a whole week to sink into this game before classes start!
3. Cyberpunk 2077
CD Projekt Red can delay this game all they want; I’d wait a million years for it. Cyberpunk 2077 has already swept the award circuit, winning best game categories and people’s choice awards at E3, Game Informer, IGN, PC Gamer and Gamesradar+.
It’s got character customization like you’ve never seen before, a complex open world and Keanu Reeves. It’s breathtaking. While delayed back in January, “Cyberpunk 2077” is set to be released September 17.
4. 12 Minutes
If you’re a fan of “What Remains of Edith Finch,” the publisher, Annapurna Interactive, is set to release another time-bending game this year. “12 Minutes” caught my attention with it’s birds-eye-view trailer at E3 2019 and it’s unique twist on replayable games; the character remembers all past loops. The trailer teases possibilities of arrest, death or a cozy night in. The game is scheduled to be released this year on PC and Xbox One and I’m ready to play this again and again and again.
5. Animal Crossing: New Horizon
The Animal Crossing franchise is making its Switch debut this year with console exclusive “Animal Crossing: New Horizon.” The series dominated mobile games in 2016 with the release of “Pocket Camp” and I sunk so many hours into this and I am not ashamed.
One drawback; similar to “Pocket Camp,” “New Horizon” will have the dreaded microtransactions. “Pocket Camp” was a free mobile game where in-game purchases are more appropriate, but the inclusion in a $60 console game has some fans disappointed.
Perfect for your self-isolation, “New Horizon” is available for pre-order and set to launch March 20.
6. Carrion
This is a horror game where you play as the monster. Need I say more? I will anyway. The game is set in some kind of scientific facility where the player is a shapeless red worm-spider monster hellbent on growing stronger, killing scientists and breaking loose. This has just the right amounts of chaotic energy.
However, I’m interested how this will feel as a “reverse horror” experience, as horror games derive their entertainment from fear. Perhaps what’s truly terrifying is the monster inside us all.
Anyway, “Carrion” is set to be released on PC and consoles sometime this year.
7. Ghost of Tsushima
Yet another PS4 exclusive, “Ghost of Tsushima” is an action-adventure game set during the first Mongol invasion of Japan in the 1270s. It’s an open world game where you can fast travel by horse, so like a feudal Red Dead Redemption 2.
The developers have emphasized the attention to detail and their desire to emulate 13th century Japan as much as possible. Any history buff should get a kick out of the setting.
This ancient adventure will be released this summer on June 26.
8. Ghostrunner
Here’s a game to scratch that “Cyberpunk 2077” itch while waiting for it’s inevitable release. “Ghostrunner” is a first person parkour game set in a futuristic world where classes are more divided than ever and everyone has cool neon lights. Textbook cyberpunk aesthetic.
The freerunning and flips and tricks look incredibly fun. The movement is graceful and smooth, set against a beautifully designed set. If nothing else, this game is very pretty.
“Ghostrunner” is set to release sometime this year.
9. Little Nightmares 2
“Little Nightmares” was a horror hit when it came out in 2017 and left fans hungry for more. The sequel is set to release this year with a new protagonist and the return of the last game’s protagonist, Six, as an NPC.
It’s been a minute since a horror game was able to execute such an interesting and nuanced world, and hopefully “Little Nightmares 2” brings more of that storytelling. The game has no specific release date but is slated for 2020.
10. Tell Me Why
A choice-based mystery game featuring twins and LGBTQ+ representation. That both excites and scares me. “Tell Me Why” is from one of my favorite studios, Dontnod, creators of “Life is Strange.”
“Tell Me Why” will follow similar themes to “Life is Strange,” as the story follows a pair of twins who return to their childhood home in Alaska, one of whom is a transgender man, Tyler. He’ll be the first playable transgender character from a major studio and Dontnod has stated they worked with GLAAD to make Tyler feel authentic.
Dontnod nailed the Pacific Northwest setting in “Life is Strange” and it looks like they’re taking their animation one step further. “Tell Me Why” is episodic and set to release all parts over summer 2020 for Xbox One and PC.