Here is our Top 10 Xbox One games that we reviewed in 2020. The games aren’t in any specific order but we save our absolute favorites for the top 3 of the list. We tried to cover as many genres as possible, so there is something for everyone on this list. But of course, there will be some overlap in the genre because some games are just that great. Also, we didn’t include rereleases of games that added DLCs, that originally came out before 2020 to keep it fair. If you want to know more about the games featured in this list, please read our fully fletched review by clicking the title link.
Number 10: Tell Me Why
Tell Me Why is the latest narrative adventure game from DONTNOD Entertainment, the studio behind the beloved franchise, Life Is Strange. In this intimate mystery, twins Tyler and Alyson Ronan use their special bond to unravel the memories of their loving but troubled childhood in beautiful small-town Alaska. Use the twins’ supernatural bond to relive and explore their conflicting childhood memories. Build relationships and solve mysteries through the eyes of compelling and realistic characters. Influence the relationship between Tyler and Alyson with choices that will determine their future. Explore locations, solve puzzles, and learn more about the twins, all set in beautiful, highly detailed small-town Alaska in stunning 4K and HDR.
Number 9: Planet Coaster: Console Edition
Unlike many other PC to console ports, this Console Edition of Planet Coaster is created from the ground up, always with the controller in mind. This results in easy to navigate menus and full control over your virtual park, enabling you to do whatever you want to do, and there’s a lot to see and do here! If you’re new to Planet Coaster, you’ll want to start with the Career Mode. This offers the perfect starting point for your new adventure as it will teach you everything you need to know in order to successfully run your park. As you might have guessed, there’s more than just the creation of insane rollercoasters. As a true leader of the park, you’ll need to learn and master a lot. Ranging from controlling your budget to making sure the park is clean and the visitors are happy.
Once you’re done in the Career Mode, you can let your imagination run wild in the Sandbox Mode. Here you’ll get a blank canvas and the ability to create the park of your dreams. If a piece doesn’t exist, you can make everything from scratch! Instead of trying to create my own rides and food stands, I used the blueprints. Blueprints are available from either the base blueprints or from the Frontier Workshop, where you’ll find creations of other players, this gives you easy access to a plethora of objects. Spending time creating the park of your dreams is extremely addictive and fun.
Number 8: DOOM Eternal
Hell’s armies have invaded Earth. Become the Slayer in an epic single-player campaign to conquer demons across dimensions and stop the final destruction of humanity. Experience the ultimate combination of speed and power in DOOM Eternal – the next leap in push-forward, first-person combat. Discover the Slayer’s origins and his enduring mission to RAZE HELL. Obliterate more demons than ever before, each with unique attacks and abilities. Fan-favorite classics such as the Pain Elemental, Archvile, and Arachnotron make their return, while a horde of totally-new demons joins the roster including the DOOM Hunter, Marauder, and the Gladiator. Rip apart your favorite demons to the core with DOOM Eternal’s “destructible demons” system and take your power fantasy to new levels. There are so many aspects to unlock, from better weapons that can be made even better through the means of upgrades. The suit can be made even better, prioritizing health, ammo or armor.
Number 7: Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking grunt faces 18-years of prison after taking the fall for a crime he didn’t commit. Never losing faith, he loyally serves his time and returns to society to discover that no one was waiting for him on the outside, and his clan has been destroyed by the man he respected most. Ichiban sets out to discover the truth behind his family’s betrayal and take his life back. He will be drawn into a conflict brewing beneath the surface in Yokohama and must rise to become the hero be never expected to be.
For those not familiar with the Yakuza series. Yakuza is a true action RPG in a modern-day Japanese setting, instead of the typical fantasy or sci-fi RPGs. Yakuza has some absolutely silly moments in it that have you laugh out loud for sure. The story is also a key component of Yakuza. Besides this, it is filled with tons of mini-games and side-quests, ranging from rhythm games to fighting, Yakuza: Like a Dragon has it all!
Number 6: Crash Bandicoot 4 It’s About Time
The devious villains Neo Cortex and dr. N. Tropy have finally escaped their interdimensional prison, leaving an evil scientist sized hole in the universe. Now they’ve got their eyes set on not only simply conquering this dimension, but all dimensions, and it’s up to crash and coco to save the day. N. Sanity beach is where crash’s adventure first started, and where it begins in Crash 4. But there have definitely been changes since players first saw Sanity beach all those years ago, and throughout Crash 4 you’ll notice changes to gameplay and even the art style. Crash Bandicoot is 3D platformer and is part of the all-time platforming classics and such as Super Mario, Sonic, Kirby, and Donkey Kong. Crash Bandicoot is known for its insanely hard difficulty. Endless lives however do make up for this, as well as the abundance in save points. You’ll get frustrated from time to time, but that makes it the more satisfying once you completed the level.
Number 5: Ori and the Will of the Wisps
From the creators of Ori and the Blind Forest comes the highly-anticipated sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Embark on an all-new adventure in a vast and exotic world where you’ll encounter towering enemies and challenging puzzles on your quest to discover Ori’s true destiny.
For those not familiar with Ori and the Blind Forest, Ori is an action-platformer, also known as Metroidvania. These types of games may normally not have the best storytelling, but Ori and the Will of the Wisps is definitely an exception to that rule. Both Ori games feature breathtaking visuals and soundtracks and run as smooth as butter. If you want to know more about the best (action-)platformer of the year, please read our fully fletched review.
Number 4: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Our story kicks off in Norway, the mother of Vikings. It’s the land where you, Eivor grew up and became a true leader amongst the Vikings. Your life wasn’t always easy, losing your parents in a brutal raid, only to be attacked by wolves moments later… It’s not the best way to grow up as a young Viking child. Your clan respects you and sees you as one of the most essential Vikings of the Raven Clan, as you fought your way through life, guided by Odin himself. Although Norway taught you everything you know and cherish today, it’s time to leave the safe embrace of your mother and venture to unknown lands. It’s time to set sail for England. England must become your new home. You arrive to build a new settlement for your clan, in the hope it will prosper and will one day be known throughout the entire Kingdom. As you’ll quickly learn, Vikings want to rule the lands of England by overthrowing its leaders and replacing them with leaders they can trust. Just like the more recent Assassin’s Creed games, you’re vulnerable to damage and you won’t be able to take out hordes of enemies on your own. In order to survive, you’ll need to time your attacks and defenses precisely right and you’ll need to count on the skills of your allies on the battlefield.
Number 3: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a direct remake of the original two Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games. This remake did a fantastic job of rebuilding every famed level meticulously from the ground up. In each level in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, you need to complete 10 goals. These goals range from scoring a set amount of points to smashing boxes, performing a certain trick over a gap, and of course collecting the famed secret tape. The original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater only had 5 goals per level which means, Vicarious Visions added 5 more in this remade. These extra goals fit in seamlessly. Another addition to the original gameplay is the ability to manual in the first game – something only added with the second game originally. Not only the levels look beautifully smooth… The gameplay is extremely smooth. The updated animation for each trick looks so awesome.
Number 2: Immortals Fenyx Rising
The story begins with Fenyx, who suddenly awakens on an unknown island. Guided by an old prophecy about an unknown hero of Olympos and the strange mythical presence of Hermes, Fenyx goes on the adventure of a lifetime. It’s up to Fenyx to bring back his friends and get rid off the evil that is Typhon. You’re exploring a vast open-world filled with secrets. From your godly powers and the flying and climbing to traverse the lands are really fun. In order to get better gear, Fenyx has to clear the Vaults of Tartaros. In the Vaults you are challenged with a variety of puzzles. Each puzzle leading to items needed to upgrade your skills etc. The combat is extremely fast-paced and rewarding as it’s a joy to take down small groups of enemies using your divine powers. Combining your mythical wings with legendary weapons to take down even the biggest of enemies really gets your adrenaline rushing. Immortals Fenyx Rising is a great adventure that certainly resembles Breath of the Wild but manages to put its own stamp on the genre.
Number 1: Watch Dogs: Legion
Watch Dogs: Legion has always presented itself as a massive project and I can only say it delivered on its promise. Watch Dogs: Legion is an amazing game with such great depths and the story just keeps you entertained from start to finish. On top of that, it also delivered us one of the best open-worlds that we even encountered in a game filled with missions and characters who all put their own stamp on your story. It’s an unseen project and it certainly deserves our number one spot, especially when you’re able to play it on one of the newer consoles. You’ll be blown away!
