Jeff's Top 5 2020 Games Showcase

2020 has wrapped up (thank the Lords) and with that, I felt the need to post about the best games I've played in 2020. This list isn't filled with games that came out this year (I will try to keep it within the calendar year, but hey, it's my list - not yours), as there are plenty of games from yesteryear that got played for the first time or my playthrough ended during the year.

5. Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Switch)

Fire Emblem has gotten better and better with each installment of the main line titles. And Three Houses is no exception, in fact, it's the best in the franchise hands down. I enjoyed putting more time into it in 2020 (as if 300 total hours wasn't enough). I still need to get the newest DLC that added a fourth story, so who knows... Three Houses could be on my 2021 list as well!

4. Yoshi's Crafted World (Switch)

Just to get this out of the way up front... Crafted World is not better than Yoshi's Woolly World. HOWEVER, it has a much better/stronger ending than the previous title and even a handful of worlds do feel superior. It was great to have this title be a springboard for the return of Just 1 More Let's Play on Twitch. And while the co-op isn't as good as Woolly World either, it's the best way to experience this game. So grab a friend and dive it!

3. Astro's Playroom (PS5)

What. An. Enjoyable. Ride: through PlayStation history. By far one of the best experiences you'll have on PS5 is the packed-in Platformer, Astros Playroom. Whether it's considered bad for being the best - and free - that's a story and question for another day. The thing to focus on, it's packed-in with every PS5 as a special bonus. The platforming is amazing, the attention to detail is stunning, and collecting all the bits of PlayStation history was so much fun!

2. Streets of Rage 4 (PS4)

This is the sequel and return that I've wanted from SoR for over 20 years. SoR4 is the ideal example of what amazing things can be done in the beat 'em up subgenre. Every character, new and old, is wonderfully crafted - and playing couch co-op could not be better.

1. Yakuza: Like A Dragon (PS4)

This is how you make a modern turn-based RPG! Take notice EVERYBODY ELSE! Like A Dragon is beyond amazing and lives knowing it's a game. Ichiban Kasuga is the protagonist that every protagonist should look up to. He's smart, likeable, caring, passionate, doesn't give a f@&$ what someone thinks; he will go beyond the limits to help someone else. Yakuza: Like A Dragon is a TREMENDOUS journey through trials, tribulations, revenge and redemption.

We've been posting the story through our YouTube channel so that everyone can experience this amazingly dorky and exciting mashup of every game style imaginable.

Honorable Mention: