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Post by Xeogred on Nov 29, 2020 6:43:13 GMT -5
December is approaching, so we're nearing the end of this insane 2020. Gaming wise it had a few standout titles for me. 1. FF7R is simply my favorite game this entire gen, alongside Nier Automata, Resident Evil 2 REmake, and From Software's newer titles. The new combat system is incredible, the characterization was perfection, the insane production values and seeing Midgar upgraded blew my mind.
2. Nioh 2 is the game that kept on giving for me this year, as in something that I sunk 100+ hours into straight. You don't play Nioh 2 for the story/characters, but it is an absolute feast of incredible gameplay/combat with high difficulty. 3. Ghost of Tsushima, Sony's own Breath of the Wild. I have my nitpicks on modern open world games at this point, but Tsushima was a joy that got better the more I played. 4. Resident Evil 3 REmake... while some elements of the original are missed, I still had a blast with this one and enjoyed the updated redux. 5. Doom Eternal flips the table out from under the 2016 reboot and feels like another soft reboot, so it's got its own personality and style with the combat. A very frantic, tough as nails, fun experience.
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Honorable Mentions and runner ups, including titles not released in 2020:
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider - much better than I expected. Rise is still probably my favorite of the modern TR trilogy, but I loved this one too. - Hard Corps: Uprising - really awesome and overlooked Contra game, probably because it's a PSN (XBL?) only release. But don't skip it! - Streets of Rage 4 - not as memorable as the Genesis classics, but still freaking fun and I'd love for more. - The Messenger - way better than I thought it'd be! One of my newer Neo Retro favorites. - GunLord X - Turrican 4, nuff' said. - Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time - alongside some 3D Mario replays, this is the best platformer I played in 2020.
- Super Mario 3D Land - an awesome prelude to the ever so incredible 3D World. Land still has its own set of unique levels and ideas, so it's worth playing as well!
If Cyberpunk 2077 does make its December release, I'm optimistically assuming it will rank very high for me and maybe beat some of these out!
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Post by Ex on Nov 29, 2020 11:51:44 GMT -5
I'm interested in someday playing all of your top picks Xeogred, especially Ghost of Tsushima. The stuff in your honorable mentions, well I don't think I'll ever care that Streets of Rage 4 or Crash Bandicoot 4 exists, but the other games are probably worth playing. I know Super Mario 3D Land is, as I've actually beaten that one. I'm all for Cyberpunk 2077. Me being the cheapskate curmudgeon retro enthusiast that I am, I haven't beaten a single 2020 release this year. Looking at what I have finished this year, the newest release was Fallout: New Vegas - Ultimate Edition. I guess you could technically say it's a 2012 release, because even though the original New Vegas released in 2010, the Ultimate Edition released two years later. So in that regard, Fallout: New Vegas - Ultimate Edition was easily my top modern game beaten for 2020.
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Post by Xeogred on Nov 29, 2020 12:25:37 GMT -5
Yeah, I keep three lists going for myself since I tend to keep up by the year and play some new releases. A list of favorite retro games, then current year releases, and modern games that I catch up on.
That said, it's interesting looking over my stuff for 2017-2019. I think this was both a slower year for current gaming (understandable with new systems this year), but also a slower year for me with gaming in general. I still play 10x more than your average person I'm sure, but yeah looking over my 2020 lists and favorites doesn't seem as heavy as some of the previous years.
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Post by Ex on Nov 29, 2020 12:30:19 GMT -5
I understand. 2020 was a lean year for my own video gaming relatively speaking. Mainly because this year my personal life had a lot going on, which all demanded my attention and energy, beyond normal levels. I don't mean it was all negative stuff, just stressful time consuming stuff. For some reason, whenever I'm feeling stressed, have lots of anxiety, or am plain-aught tired, I just don't feel like playing video games at all. And there was a lot of that malaise this year. Hopefully next year will be more amenable to my nerves, and I can get back into the groove of hardcore gaming consistently. Trust me, there's no shortage of games in my library that I'd like to deep dive into for long periods of time.
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Post by Xeogred on Nov 29, 2020 12:37:47 GMT -5
That's probably a big part of it for me this year too. One of the worst years ever for me.
I love videogames though. It's a little cliche' but they seriously helped power me through a lot of this year and were some of the happiest moments I had in these strange times. +1 to videogames again keeping me sane. I also wouldn't say that I aimlessly play videogames or use them to hide from reality. Opposite of that actually, I have so much love and value for this hobby that I highly respect it as well... as in if I'm feeling stressed and can't focus, I'm not going to half haphazardly try and play a game without really giving it attention. So I like to be in a good spot when I'm ready for some gaming. Thankfully it takes a LOT to beat me down to point of not wanting to engage in games, but yeah it happened, a few times this year for sure.
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Post by anayo on Nov 29, 2020 12:47:28 GMT -5
I also liked Ion Fury and Blood: Death Wish but not as much as Dusk. I also liked Mario 3D All Stars but I guess on HRG we're considering that to be a retro game. It isn't lost on me that the only modern games I like are all retro.
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Post by Sarge on Nov 29, 2020 16:17:42 GMT -5
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Post by Xeogred on Nov 29, 2020 16:28:55 GMT -5
Sarge , I don't recall you once talking about Control!? Unless my memory is getting fuzzy now too! Glad you like it though. I think character wise I still might say I liked Alan Wake more, but gameplay wise Control was better. I'm not sure how hard I'd recommend the DLC's though. I hit those up this summer and it was cool to jump back into that world for more, but it didn't really feel like they did a lot plot/gameplay wise. I guess for a comparison you'd understand, it was like Messenger's Picnic Panic. Can't complain about more content, but it won't blow you mind or anything.
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Post by Sarge on Nov 29, 2020 16:30:27 GMT -5
Maybe I did? Could have sworn I at least said something about it!
I do agree, the vibe and characterization were cooler in Alan Wake, but the moment-to-moment gameplay was better in Control.
EDIT: Huh, I really didn't talk much about it. Not even a post in the beaten thread, just a little back and forth in the "now playing".
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Post by Xeogred on Nov 29, 2020 16:35:19 GMT -5
It's too bad Remedy doesn't still own the Max Payne IP. Would love to see him crossover and meet Jesse and Alan, haha. But yeah, it'll be cool to see how this Remedy-verse expands from here.
Related to the topic and current "New Finds" discussion, I'm sure that Yakuka (7) Like a Dragon would make my list here for the year. It looks and sounds incredible, I just don't think I'm in the mood for a 50+ hour RPG right now. I'm kind of saving that energy for Cyberpunk 2077.
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