Valorant

Free-to-play games are often bad. As we all know, you typically get what you pay for. But Valorant is a free-to-play FPS shooter with all of the polish and addictive gameplay of a AAA title.

The variety of modes gives you a surprisingly-deep experience, and we loved both the gameplay and the graphics.

If you’re an Overwatch fan wanting a bit more variety, you’ll find it with this game.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a game where you truly customize your own experience. If you want the most realistic flight experience you can have outside of flying a real plane, it’s there for you.

But if you just want to play the video game version of “I can see my house from here,” you can do that too.

This would have been a great game in any year. But in a year where many of were trapped at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, this title gave us the best escape from our homes we could have hoped for.

DOOM Eternal

The 2016 DOOM felt like a genuine breath of fresh air. The developers had done the impossible by translating the rip and tear spirit of the original games into a run and gun experience for the modern gamer.

DOOM Eternal made for a very ambitious sequel that deepened the gameplay as well as the mythology of the franchise.

And the multiplayer modes manage to improve on the previous game in almost every way, making this game a real switch hitter.

Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima is the kind of game that blends the fun of action and stealth with the breathtaking beauty of feudal Japan.

Seriously, you’re going to lose track of what your character is supposed to do several times due to the killer graphics and setting.

The unique “Lethal” difficulty will completely change how you play too, and the added multiplayer will bring all of your friends together for a deep dive into Japanese mythology.

It became the rare game that managed to live up to all of its hype (and then some).

Final Fantasy VII remake

The original Final Fantasy VII brought the franchise to a new generation of players. But the gameplay and graphics are also painfully dated (unless you enjoy the Popeye aesthetic).

The Final Fantasy VII remake ironically brings this particular game and its characters to the next generation of players.

It's possibly the best-looking game released on the PlayStation 4, and the breathless gameplay is undeniably intense. Throw in some fun deviations from the original story and you get a really unforgettable game.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

It’s not really an overstatement to say Animal Crossing: New Horizons was a game that brought the world together.

As the COVID-19 global pandemic set in and nobody could really leave the house, this game gave us a new world to discover and new ways to interact.

Much of the hype has died down now, but this game remains very enjoyable. And it is arguably the best title in the entire franchise, which is saying a lot.

Hades

Hades mashed together the classic rogue-like with RPG progression elements and a killer story.

In doing so, it keeps players coming back for that wild combination of scary fights and adorable characters.

This game’s replay value cannot be overstated. Just be warned, this game may give you an irresistible urge to dive into the world of Greek literature.

Half-Life: Alyx

Not everyone has a VR headset. For that matter, not everyone is interested in VR gaming. But for those who are, Half-Life: Alyx is a transformative experience.

The core gameplay and graphics are great and serve as a perfect continuation of the Half-Life story. But the ability to easily make and access mods for the game ensures it has endless replay value.

Simply put, this is the best VR game you can play right now.

Paper Mario: The Origami King

The Paper Mario series is an acquired taste. The weird mix of adventure, action, RPG, and puzzle elements can be overwhelming for fans who just want to stomp Goombas.

But it’s worth diving into this world, and especially with a game as polished as Paper Mario: The Origami King.

This game’s turn-based-combat is weirdly addictive, and the character designs are to die for. And if you want to know more about Mario and his world, this title seriously expands the franchise mythology.

Ultimately, this game may forever redefine how you look at RPGs and RPG gameplay.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

The debate over whether video games can be art or not has been ongoing for decades. But if you have any doubt that the answer is yes, you need to play Ori and the Will of the Wisps.

This sequel upgrades the original 2D graphics to rich and velvety 3D designs. Everything from the characters to background graphics are jaw-dropping, and the gameplay combines exploration, combat, and even chase sequences in a pitch-perfect way.

And speaking of pitch, the soundtrack for this game is absolutely perfect.

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is another game that flourished in part due to the global pandemic.

While it is fun enough on its own, the truth is it made for an amazing multiplayer diversion for gamers that otherwise couldn’t hang with their friends.

Come for the cutesy graphics and stay for the surprisingly robust array of mini games. Even if you normally hate battle royale titles, this one might make you change your mind.

Spelunky 2

The original Spelunky was a real mindblower back in 2008. And in 2020, Spelunky 2 took everything we loved about the original and made it better.

This game combines cutesy graphics, gripping platforming, and an addictive rogue-like design. You’ll have a hard time putting this down anytime soon after you begin playing.

Among Us

It may seem like cheating to count Among Us on this list. After all, it came out back in 2018. But this game didn’t come into its own, or to most gamers’ attention, until 2020.

The game is basically a sci-fi skin for classic games like Mafia or Werewolf, where players must determine who the impostor is before they get killed.

With versions on mobile and PC, this game is awesome fun with a small group of friends hanging out or for long-distance buddies looking for something different in terms of multiplayer gaming.

Crusader Kings 3

Plenty of people play RPGs and strategy games. But the Crusader Kings franchise is on another level and appeals to a different kind of gamer.

And with Crusader Kings 3, Paradox Development Studio was at the top of their game. The graphics are a major step up and gameplay is deliciously complex.

This is the kind of game that can (and will) keep you busy for many years, and it’s worth every minute of playtime.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Spider-Man: Miles Morales game seemed like a no-brainer. Taking the awesome PS4 Spider-Man gameplay and adding Miles Morales is something Spidey fans had been clamoring for.

The game fully delivered on its potential, with open-world exploration that lets you peek into so many corners of the Marvel universe.

Is it too much to hope that we might get an equally-awesome Spider-Gwen game in the next few years?