This year was very important in gaming history. Not only did the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 release, but a lot of great games came out as well. While many suffered from the tragedies they faced, they could rely on gaming to cheer them up a bit. There was something for everyone, which served as a great distraction from reality.
Though not every game becomes incredibly popular and gains a huge fanbase, there are some games that were highly well received. While many of these titles were released on the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, Xbox gamers were able to play these ten awesome games.
10 DIRT 5 (83)
DIRT 5 is Codemasters' newest racing game and it has a lot to offer. The campaign focuses on a driver who wants to beat Bruno Durand, his rival, and impress Alex "AJ" Janicek, his idol. There are brand new tracks and weather conditions for players to race on. They can also race against their friends in both local and online multiplayer, making it fun for all racing fans. The game is also available on the Xbox One's successor, the Xbox Series X, as well as both the previous and current PlayStation consoles.
9 Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time (83)
It took years for fans to receive a proper fourth Crash Bandicoot game but after the release of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, it was about time to revisit the series. Players were able to control Crash, Coco, Neo Cortex, Tawna, and Dingodile. In this installment, the Bandicoots need to obtain masks, which change the gameplay and allow players to do things they never could in the previous titles. There are also different skins that players can unlock and unique challenges to play in N. Verted mode, making the wait for this game worth it.
8 Resident Evil 3 (84)
Similar to how Resident Evil 2 had a remake last year, Resident Evil 3 received similar treatment back in April. While many players enjoyed the gameplay and visuals, they were disappointed by the lack of story compared to the original.
However, this installment also allowed gamers to play online with Resident Evil: Resistance. Until Resident Evil 8: Village releases, fans can enjoy playing this title along with the rest of the franchise.
7 Wasteland 3 (84)
Wasteland 3 is a turn-based RPG set in Colorado after an apocalypse. After meeting The Patriarch, two Arizona Ranger Team November members try to get his help. Players can team up with each other as they make decisions that change the story, including how the game ends. As a result, fans have a reason to replay the game multiple times. They can also either control two characters created by inXile Entertainment or customize their own playable characters, giving them even more of an incentive to revisit this experience.
6 Desperados III (85)
It had been over ten years since a Desperados game came out and it did not disappoint. Serving as a prequel to the series, this title explores the beginning of John Cooper's story. However, the story also focuses on other characters, including Kate O'Hara, Doc McCoy, Hector Mendoza, and Isabelle Moreau. As it takes place before the other games, this is now considered the best title to introduce newcomers that want to experience the series.
5 Huntdown (87)
Huntdown may have released this year but actually gives off a lot of arcade vibes and gives old school gamers nostalgia. Players control a group of bounty hunters, either by themselves or through multiplayer. Anna Conda, John Sawyer, and Mow Man each have their own weapons as they battle against the Hoodlum Dolls, the Misconducts, the Heatseekers, and the No. 1 Suspects. This 16-bit shooter instantly became a favorite among retro fans.
4 DOOM Eternal (88)
Serving as a sequel to 2016's Doom, this game continues the Doom Slayer's battle against Hell. Like the rest of the series, this game focuses on aggressive FPS combat, allowing players to annihilate demons without mercy.
This game also focuses more on story compared to the other titles by including cutscenes. As for multiplayer, there is a new mode known as Battlemode in which two players control demons against another player who uses Doom Slayers. The winner is determined by who wins more within five rounds.
3 Ori And The Will Of The Wisps (90)
After the success of Ori and the Blind Forest, Moon Studios began working on the sequel to the platform Metrovania. The game follows Ori on a new adventure set right after the last, as the spirit looks for Ku, a baby owl. Besides the main story, players can also enjoy the Spirit Trials the game offers. Spirit Trials allow players to try to race through a level and beat other players' fastest times. Like the first title, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is considered one of the best games published by Xbox Game Studios.
2 Yakuza: Like A Dragon (90)
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the newest installment in the Yakuza series. The game follows, Ichiban Kasuga, a new character, rather than Kazuma Kiryu. Ichiban spent eighteen years in prison after agreeing to being falsely accused of murder. When he is released, he discovers that the world he once knew has changed and goes on a journey to find out what happened to everyone that he knew. While most of the series is a beat 'em up, this title is an RPG.
1 F1 2020 (91)
DIRT 5 isn't the only successful game that Codemasters worked on this year. Unlike previous installments in the F1 series, there is no story mode in this title. However, players can finally create their own teams that have a driver, a sponsor, an engineer supplier, and a teammate. The game also includes brand new circuits, Hanoi Circuit and Circuit Zandvoort, as well as multiple modes such as Time Trial, Grand Prix, and Championships. Gamers can also play with friends as the split screen makes its return.