I believe I keep putting Rocket League into all my Top 10 end of year lists, but there’s always a reason. Usually, it’s just because it’s a great game to play with strangers, friends, and family alike, but this year the game saw a huge update; one that saw the game go free-to-play along with a complete overhaul of various features. New game modes have entered the fray on a timed basis, and the enjoyable gameplay remains intact throughout.
I continually find myself striving to rank up to Diamond with Platinum 3 being the highest I’ve been able to gain. I enjoy this game year-on-year and with the continued support from its developers, I don’t think that’s going to slow down. I’d love to see more accessibility features implemented to make the game’s interface more appealing to look at, but for now, Rocket League is here to stay for me.
3. Microsoft Flight Simulator
I honestly adored this game when it launched earlier this year. I’m a low-key flight simulator fan, playing games like IL-2 Sturmovik 1946 back in my younger years. Microsoft Flight Simulator was, however, my first trip back into the world of flying games since maybe 2007. And it was incredible. The sheer detail and realism throughout the game was a marvel to witness, and being able to use an Xbox Gamepad rather than a HOTAS felt more casual and enjoyable to control.
I also enjoyed flying alongside a good friend that reviewed the game here at DualShockers, and while the game needs work on being able to clearly see your flying pals, when we eventually managed to fly along the coasts of Hawaii, it was pure bliss. No combat, just flying in real-time over a real world. I do however feel guilty because in order to install Cyberpunk 2077 I felt like I had to uninstall Microsoft Flight Simulator as a precaution. But after remembering I have 2 SSDs, I’ll be jumping back in within the next few weeks.
Check out DualShockers‘ review of Microsoft Flight Simulator.
2. Phasmophobia
This, similarly to Among Us, saw huge success this year. The game launched and its popularity continued to grow. I’m a huge fan of horror games, but Phasmophobia takes horror to weirdly new cooperative heights by introducing voice commands that are used to trigger ghost activity. While hunting a ghost is fun and everything, the atmosphere that builds up around you is mostly of your own making, which I find impressive. Ghosts can throw things, and they can flicker lights, and make noises. But being the one person forced by your team of 3 others to stay in a room alone calling the ghost a series of vulgar words just to get that last piece of evidence needed is a fear that works incredibly well in Phasmophobia.
The developer seems to be working on more content and updating the way the game plays as more players flock to it. But the current levels and ghost hunts have huge replayability due to the different randomized tasks needed and given the unpredictability of a ghost. I’m excited to see where this game goes in the future.
1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched on the heels of a global pandemic and turned out to be the perfect way to keep everyone connected while in lockdown. Following that, personally, the game fell off my radar for a few months after due to having to focus on other game launches and as my personal life started to weigh me down. But since jumping back into it again in late November, I’ve started to feel the game’s magic come back, and for a brief moment, the stresses of reality became less.
I think there’s much that New Horizons doesn’t do well — terraforming, item customization limitations, internet connectivity with others, etc — but there’s no denying that it’s a fantastic game about connecting with others without having to resort to violence. There’s also a small gladness that I can leave the game for 4 months and not have to feel entirely guilty because my island seems to continue to thrive. Weeds don’t populate that much, and if they do they look somewhat aesthetically pleasing, and the villagers seem to be more understanding that you’re a busy person.
Check out DualShockers‘ review of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Check out the rest of the DualShockers staff Top 10 lists and our official Game of the Year Awards nominees:
December 23: Lou Contaldi (General Manager) // Ben Bayliss (Features Editor)
December 24: Grant Huff (Senior Staff Writer) // Camilo Olmedo (Associate Staff Writer)
December 25: Kris Cornelisse (Staff Writer) // Ricky Frech (Reviews Editor) // Ryan Meitzler (Editor-in-Chief)
December 26: Michael Ruiz (Contributor) // Mehrdad Khayyat (Senior Staff Writer)
December 27: Sam Woods (SEO Editor) // Peter Szpytek (Video Editor)
December 28: Scott White (Video Editor) // Justin Kucharski (Associate Staff Writer)
December 29: David Gill (Staff Writer) // Allisa James (Senior Staff Writer)
December 30: Rachael Fiddis (News & Culture Editor) // Cameron Hawkins (Staff Writer) // Charlie Wacholz (Staff Writer)
December 31: Iyane Agossah (Managing Editor) // Otto Kratky (Executive Editor) // Mario Rivera (Video Manager)
January 4: Game of the Year Awards 2020 Official Winners Revealed
