While 2020 was a turbulent year in literally every other regard, it did produce some top-notch video games. We were logging more hours than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. It looks like we’re going to keep logging those hours as 2021 begins to roll out. While we wait for new games to go through development, we’ll have to stick with the titles you fell in love with. Here are all the 2020 games you should still be playing in 2021.
The Last of Us 2
Let’s talk about the game that took home almost every award it was nominated for at the 2020 game awards.The Last of Us 2was the long-awaited follow-up to 2013’sThe Last of Us. Players took complete control of Ellie as she embarked on the most epic revenge quest of all time. The single-player zombie survival game secured Game of the Year, Best Action/Adventure, and Best Narrative.
Since its launch, developers have talked about a multiplayer mode coming toThe Last of Us 2. Naughty Dog confirmed that multiplayer would not be a part of the initial release forThe Last of Us 2and would instead arrive sometime in 2021 as either a standalone game or an in-game update. While Naughty Dog hasn’t officially confirmed anything, they’re awfully “hint-hint” about it.
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Call of Duty: Warzone
Call of Duty: Warzoneis quickly coming up on its one-year anniversary. The highly anticipated post-launch release forCall of Duty: Modern Warfaresparked the most famous battle royal game of all time. As it stands,FortniteisWarzone’sonly rival in terms of popularity. We’ll see if COD’s most recent take on battle royal stands the test of time asFortnitehas.
As mentioned,Warzoneis fast approaching its one-year anniversary. With this, players are heavily speculating a new full-scaleWarzonemap to arrive sometime in March. It is believed that the ‘New Map, will be a culmination of all the Fireteam maps inBlack Op’s: Cold Warmaking an 8 by 8 scale play-area. This is considerably larger than the playable area of Verdansk, which is only 6 by 7. Most of the information regarding this ‘new map’ comes fromModern Warzone, one of the more trusted names inWarzoneupdates, news, and leaks.
Call of Duty: Warzoneis free-to-play on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC
Ghost of Tsushima
If theLast of Us 2didn’t exist,Ghost of Tsushimawould have taken home every award at the 2020 Game Awards. This PlayStation exclusive now equals in popularity toMarvel’s: Spider-ManandGod of War. Set in feudal Japan,Ghost of Tsushima’ssmooth combat system and simplistic open-world exploration kept fans entertained for months after its release. The addition of Ghost’s multiplayer mode,Legends, only further solidifiedGhost of Tsushimaas one of 2020’s best games.
Legendswas the only major update/expansion for the otherwise single-player story. October job postings from Sucker Punch hinted at needing developers to either begin work onGhost of Tsushima 2or an Expansion DLC for the base game. With weekly updates toLegends, including new Nightmare missions, fans hope for new weapons, items, and armor to be added to the already thriving game. Perhaps a new raid resides over the 2021 horizon as well?
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
The Assassin’s Creed series is one of the most reputable franchises in gaming history. 2020’sAssassin’s Creed: Valhallatook the game in a more combat-driven direction that long-time fans had not seen before. They controlled Eivor, a merciless Viking, as they quest, raid, and pillage Medieval England. As the highest-rated Assassin’s Creed game of all time, it’s no wonder players will still be exploring their inner Viking well into 2021.
With new secrets still being unlocked every day, the base game is doing well to keep its fans occupied. However, 2021 will see two massive expansions added to Valhalla.Wrath of the Druidswill take players to Ireland and is set to release in the Spring of 2021.The Siege of Pariswill then arrive in the Summer of 2021 as Eivor and her Viking raiders make their way to Medieval France. Both DLCs are part of the paid Season Pass available inAssassin’s Creed: Valhalla.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Call of Duty: WarzoneandAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsplayed their cards right in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic. They both released right at the beginning and quickly became the two most widely popular games of 2020. Animal Crossing had already been an incredibly reputable franchise and further cemented their place in Nintendo history withNew Horizons. Players continue to sink hours upon hours into their islands as they decorate, terraform, and grind for nook miles.
With seasonal events continuing to drop forAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, 2021 should remain a busy year for island-goers. With their entire2021 event calendaralready planned out, players can expect fun-fill holiday-themed events, tournaments, and seasons.
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Fall Guysbattled it out withAmong Usfor the crown of top free-to-play game of 2020. The Mario Party meets Battle Royale game saw a massive surge in popularity during the summer months of 2020. Streamers took advantage of the adorableFall Guyscharacters as they raged at an otherwise humble game. Winning aFall Guyscrown was as satisfying as winning a game ofWarzone.
AlthoughFall Guyshas dipped in popularity, developers asMediatoniccontinue to roll out updates for a still dedicated fan base. In its third season,Fall Guyslooks to continue pumping out new maps and cosmetic items for players to enjoy. Adopting the ‘battle pass’ mechanic was a smart decision as well. Mediatonic has not released anything regarding a theme for season 4. However, the past season’s start and end dates point to a late February/early March release.
Fall Guysis free on PlayStation and PC.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Spider-Man: Miles Moraleswas the PlayStation 5’s big launch title. Arriving on the heels ofMarvel’s: Spiderman, released in 2018,Mile Moralesbreathed a new breath of story and diversity into the Spider-Man universe. With the wide success ofInto the Spider-Verse, which most claim to be the best Spider-Man movie ever made, our web-slinging superhero will be seeing some big things in 2021.
Mile Moraleswill keep players entertained as they explore New York City in search of crime to fight. The game will continue to receive performance updates through 2021. According to Imran Khan, the former chief editor of Game Informer, the big news comes in the form of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2,rumored to release in December of 2021.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
The follow up toLegend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildleft players, well, breathless. Built by the developers of Dynasty Warriors,Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamityis set 100 years before the events ofBreath of the Wildtake place.Age of Calamity is also the technical follow-up to 2014’sHyrule Warriors, which followed a similar format. Players fight waves upon waves of enemies as they play as multiple different characters from the Legend of Zelda universe.
Hyrule Warriorssaw multiple DLC expansions released shortly after the base game. Some were paid, some were free, but all kept players engaged. Fans can expect the same forAge of Calamityas 2021 rolls around, introducing new characters, missions, and events in-game.
