Best Male Character: Joel [The Last of Us Part II]
Have you ever heard that losing something usually makes it feel so much more valuable? The story line that Naughty Dog brought seems to be proof of how this can be executed sweetly, which ends up happening to Joel. Even though he ends up dying at the beginning of the story, his character doesn’t necessarily “stop” growing just like that. Through a variety of flashbacks that are so sweetly formulated, you will actually be brought to know Joel more deeply, especially how he struggled desperately to become a “good father” for Ellie, who is now growing up, with the burden of conflict and her own values. Through him, Joel’s personality shone. Through all of her actions, you can understand that she always wants to make Ellie happy in the midst of her limitations. That he did not regret the decision he had made in the first The Last of Us, where he ended up sacrificing the entire human race’s opportunity to survive the Cordyceps plague to protect Ellie. Losing became Joel’s theme as a character in TLOU II, and Naughty Dog managed to execute him so well.
Best PC Exclusive: Microsoft Flight Simulator
It is encouraging to see a game title that can be said to have a niche market, which Microsoft has made as one of the focuses of games to be pushed to the market. Handed over to Asobo as the person in charge, he will also be used as evidence of the potential for cloud-processing that Microsoft had raised in the past. The result? Is an awesome Microsoft Flight Simulator game. Apart from the sensation of flying simulation which is the focus of veteran gamers who are familiar with this franchise, this latest series also uses the latest PC performance to show how detailed the visuals this super dynamic platform can achieve. It also uses internet-based cloud-processing capabilities to make the entire world a “playground” that you can explore, while blending satellite data such as weather and air traffic to bring that sensation of realism to a higher level.
Best Music: Ghost of Tsushima
The raging war, the beautiful island trampled by the invasion of foreign troops, the choice between honor and victory, Ghost of Tsushima is trying to melt so many concepts and themes in the same space, where Jin Sakai is the main “star”. Trying to complete the visualizing atmosphere of the island of Tsushima which is already so beautiful with appropriate music is certainly not an easy job, especially considering that it comes from a western developer who, incidentally, has no historical connection with the theme of this Mongol invasion. However, doubts about the execution of the music offered by Ghost of Tsushima immediately disappeared when Sony introduced for the first time, “The Way of the Ghost” which was formulated by Ilan Eshkeri and Shigeru Umebayashi to accompany your adventure. Played at the right emotional moment, this music manages to make the Ghost of Tsushima experience even more evocative. Sword, blood, honor, and family values are clearly reflected through the flute blowing which sometimes implies mysticism and peace.
Best Strategy: 13 Sentinels – Aegis Rim
Comes with a thick cartoony approach to the design of the world and the characters it carries, Vanillaware’s decision to present a different approach in terms of its strategy gameplay was quite surprising at first. Because unlike mecha-based games that highlight mecha designs when fighting, especially for the variety of attack animations that he can access, it only comes in the form of a map icon that ends up destroying other icons. This approach was disappointing at first, but slowly but surely, it led to our appreciation at the end. A concept like this allows Vanillaware to deliver a massive combat feel which, like many mecha anime out there, sometimes allows you to destroy hundreds of units with just one hit. The need to rotate the roster in each battle also provides its own layer of strategy, especially considering that each unit is divided into various mecha categories, also has their own specialties. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is not a difficult strategy game, but it’s hard not to admit that it has a potential base mechanic that generates a fast, fun, and dramatic gameplay sensation on many occasions.
Best Trailer Announcement for 2021 Release: Horizon Forbidden West
So one of the new Playstation IPs that managed to steal the hearts of gamers a few years ago, confirmation that Aloy’s adventure will continue in 2021 is certainly news that many gamers have welcomed with open arms. The hype is getting higher after Sony positioned the trailer taken directly from the in-game engine as a presentation of how the quality of the details will be handled by Playstation 5.Although confirmation of the Playstation 4 version has surfaced, the first trailer released still builds solid anticipation. . Aloy is finally ready to explore new territory, faced with a conflict that seems more deadly, and face animal robots that he has never encountered before. Horizon Forbidden West seems ready to take us to an adventure that is no less cool than the first series.
Best Female Character: Tifa [Final Fantasy VII Remake]
For dozens of years, even through the various media that have circled the original Final Fantasy VII, we still see Tifa as a pretty fighting woman who exists to be the target of Cloud’s abandonment of love. But with the focus that Square Enix has to offer via Final Fantasy VII Remake, it gets more of a “character” that is slow but sure, making it feel more human. That behind her fists and kicks that are capable of tearing down the world, Tifa is a female character who has limited capacity to maintain her own toughness. Seeing how the fortress of her stubbornness collapsed, as the tears unbearable due to the mental burdens and grief that pervaded their Midgar journey, it was here that the deeper respect for Tifa as a complete character truly shone. VII Remake makes this character richer, cooler, and more alive.
Best Action-Adventure: The Last of Us Part II
Survival-horror is a genre with so many titles available on the market. But find someone who actually does this well? A game that doesn’t just offer limited bullets and jump scares here and there? Of course it’s not easy. This action game concept was successfully executed by Naughty Dog with The Last of Us Part II. With limited resources and the weapons that you find, you will also be accompanied by a sensation for weapons that is truly satisfying. There is nothing more “beautiful” than finding traps or concocting bombs you managed to blow the enemy’s body into hundreds of pieces in The Last of Us Part II, or discover how the blood spurted from their heads left an impression and then slowly but surely, poured down from the nearest wall. . The elevation of the battle that feels more personal also comes from efforts to humanize the various factions you face, from giving them names, presenting two perspectives from the two opposing forces that introduce each of them, and making this faction end up having different uniqueness.
Best Platformer: Crash Bandicoot 4 – It’s About Time
Crash Bandicoot has finally made a comeback in the gaming industry. Not in the form of another remake or remaster series, but a new series that will continue the story of Crash Bandicoot as it should be. There is a concern that in the hands of new developers and today’s modern gaming era, the latest series will not be able to capture the same appeal as the past series. However, the results were satisfactory. Crash Bandicoot 4 appears as a platformer game that is not only beautiful, but also difficult and thrilling at the same time. Such a high level of difficulty on offer, that they even had to change the way the “life” worked just to make sure it could be completed. The presence of new masks that offer different strengths adds a layer of level design that even demands your eye-hand coordination to work quickly and effectively, without much room for error. Death is a common sight you’ll find in Crash Bandicoot 4.
Best FPS: DOOM Eternal
Still serving as the devil’s worst nightmare that inhabits hell, Doom Guy returns with not only a wider variety of weapons, but also deadly ones. Regardless of the plot situation that may not feel coherent, DOOM Eternal still contains super satisfying FPS game mechanics like the first series. The presence of several new features such as the Flamethrower for example, now gives you more control to bring up bullets or armor that you really need, instead of just relying on items provided by the level. A wider variety of demons to subdue, including the annoying Marauder, it still appears as a fast, thrilling, and satisfying FPS game at the same time. Although we have to admit, we have not yet been able to determine the final stance for the platforming action which, in many ways, actually feels like it takes away the sensation of its enchanting action.
Best Studio / Developer: Mediatonic
Tens of millions of users at the peak of its popularity, with attention from various angles directed, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is a phenomenon of success that can never be predicted by any gamer. In fact, with what they managed to achieve, especially in the early weeks of release, the developer could actually take advantage of this moment to gain a lot of money. How come? Almost all giant corporations, from gaming to food, are competing to inject their costumes in Fall Guys. But instead of facilitating this for personal gain, they hold an open competition where all the income ends up being transferred to the gaming charity concerned. Positive communication via social media and solid content support after its release, Mediatonic seems to have the right to hold the title as the best developer in 2020.
Our Game of the Year: Final Fantasy VII Remake
Reaching the impossibility, that’s what Square Enix managed to do with Final Fantasy VII Remake. Because basically, this action remake is a nightmare recipe that is almost impossible to execute properly. We’re talking about a game that needs to look more modern, needs to meet the expectations of veteran gamers, needs to offer appeal to newcomer gamers, needs to make sure it still feels like a more solid RPG game, as well as needs to offer something new and different. inside it. If he fails? Not only will it reduce gamers’ trust in Square Enix, but also injure the name Final Fantasy VII which has stuck in the hearts of many gamers as well as “kill” the potential for more old Final Fantasy remake series in the future.
When Final Fantasy VII Remake was released, all doubts vanished. Both veteran gamers and newcomers alike can appreciate what Square Enix has to offer, even with the decision to present only the Midgar area for this first part. Characters now have more opportunities to shine, feel more human, which are now also wrapped in elements and story lines full of mystery that make the second part no longer locked as previously predicted. We never know whether the continuation of Final Fantasy VII Remake will still be fantastic. But for the first series, Square Enix managed to make a super high risk step that provoked a lot of skepticism at the beginning, into a sweet product that was loved and missed. It is an achievement that is not easy.
The above are the best games and gaming elements in 2020 according to the our version. Most of them are selected based on the experience they have successfully offered, both on one platform and across existing platforms.
How about you? Do you agree with our selection above? Feel free to leave comments, opinions, or even games of your own choice that you think are more worthy of being awarded the title of one of the categories above. So, what is your game of the year?
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