We are proud to announce the results of our fourth annual community Game of the Year poll for 2020; with your game of the year, indie game of the year, and best port/remake of 2020.
Running through January 2021, the poll had more games than ever before. As with our staff selection in 2019, the choice is all the more difficult from not just the wide selection of games, but the fact each fit into criteria that would make it unfair to compare against others.
After creating our Indie Game of the Year category last year, we have introduced this to the community poll along with another. Game of the Year is for AAA or otherwise “major” titles, while Indie Game of the Year are for smaller developer teams. Finally, the brand new Best Port/Remake of 2020 are for titles that were enhanced with a new release.
Over 1,700 people voted, and the competition was down to the wire in the Community GOTY 2020 category. While Cyberpunk 2077 had increased by what some would consider a surprising amount over the weeks, and both it and Yakuza: Like a Dragon had a surge of votes at the 11th hour, the IP ranges did not indicate anything suspicious.
Hades deftly won the Community Indie GOTY 2020, though Sense: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story gave a fair shake. No doubt a result of the publisher’s staunch defense of freedom of expression, and denouncing of gaslighting some attempting to spread [1, 2].
The Community Best Port/Remake of 2020 category was close by the poll’s standard. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition won by 47 votes over Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2.
You can find a brief excerpt from the reviews of each of the winners below.
“Even though Like A Dragon is packed with features, it would all be meaningless if it weren’t for its characters and drama. You become more attached to the world, because you’ll care about the characters by getting to know them. Most of them are middle-aged, and the weariness in each of them is palpable. Their age adds a realness to them that is sorely lacking in most JRPGs.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon proves you can make a masterpiece by experimenting with the formula. It is more than just being the best Yakuza game yet, but also one of the best RPGs ever made. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio did their homework, understand what makes a great JRPG, and combined it with their honed craftsmanship of decades of making some of the best crime dramas in video games.”
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is available on Windows PC (via the Microsoft Store, and Steam), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and March 2nd on PlayStation 5. You can find our full review here (we cannot recommend it enough!)
“Hades is Supergiant Games’ magnum opus. The team finally crafted a brilliant gameplay system that can meet Jen Zee’s magnificent art. The constant flow of features and content keeps the game from ever getting stale or complacent. There is never a dull moment, and there is always something new to see.
Hardly anybody knew who Zagreus was, but Hades has created a legend for the figure that is very hard to top. This may become the definitive characterization of the myth for years to come. Now when anyone discusses Greek Gods, this game will certainly almost always be mentioned.
This is easily one of the better games released on Switch in 2020. There is a little something for everybody. Greek myth lore enthusiasts will get a kick out of it. RPG fans will enjoy the character-building mechanics, and even the action will satiate adrenaline junkies.”
Hades is available on Windows PC, Mac (both via the Epic Games Store, and Steam), and Nintendo Switch. You can find our full review here (we highly recommend it!)
“Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys an epic adventure. Fans of the original may be disappointed by how little has changed, but for those who began the series with Xenoblade Chronicles 2, will feel right at home.
This is not the kind of JRPG that lays out its hand upfront. It takes its time introducing concepts and mechanics over a long period of time, teaching the player and keeping things from getting dull. If the combat seems restrictive at first, just keep at it and eventually it does open up with ample room to experiment.
This is the great “hero’s journey” of our time. A journey of self-discovery and finding your place in the world, with a little bit of man’s relationship with technology thrown in. With a robust strategic battle system and one of the most memorable settings in a JRPG, Xenoblade Chronicles on Switch, New 3DS, or Wii; is a game for the ages. If only there were a Xenosaga collection.”
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is available on Nintendo Switch. You can find our full review here (we recommend it!)
You can find the full breakdown of the poll results below.
Niche Gamer Community Poll for GOTY 2020
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon
29% – 500 Votes - Cyberpunk 2077
23% – 405 Votes - Ghost of Tsushima
14% – 238 Votes - Doom Eternal
11% – 190 - Final Fantasy VII Remake
8% – 146 Votes
——————– - 13: Sentinels: Aegis Rim
3% – 58 Votes - Trials of Mana
3% – 55 Votes - Animal Crossing: New Horizons
3% – 54 Votes - Wasteland 3
1% – 24 Votes - Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
1% – 24 Votes
——————– - Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
<1% – 8 Votes - Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. Maxi Boost ON
<1% – 7 Votes - Gears Tactics
<1% – 7 Votes - Windbound
<1% – 6 Votes - Sea of Thieves
<1% – 5 Votes
Niche Gamer Community Poll for Indie GOTY 2020
- Hades
35% – 475 Votes - Sense: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story
15% – 205 Votes - Genshin Impact
13% – 182 Votes - Streets of Rage 4
12% – 160 Votes - Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
6% – 77 Votes
——————– - Deep Rock Galactic
5% – 72 Votes - Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2
5% – 69 Votes - Carrion
4% – 55 Votes - Desperados 3
2% – 33 Votes - Monster Train
1% – 15 Votes
——————– - Cloudpunk
1% – 14 Votes - Shinsekai: Into the Depths
1% – 11 Votes - Kunai
1% – 7 Votes - Lightmatter
<1% – 1 Vote - Lumote
<1% – 1 Vote
Niche Gamer Community Poll for Best Port/Remake of 2020
- Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
24% – 313 Votes - Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2
20% – 266 Votes - Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition
10% – 137 Votes - Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition
9% – 122 Votes - Destroy All Humans
8% – 99 Votes
——————– - Rune Factory 4 Special
7% – 87 Votes - The Wonderful 1010 Remastered
7% – 86 Votes - SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated
6% – 80 Votes - No More Heroes
5% – 71 Votes - Moon: A Remix RPG Adventure
3% – 45 Votes
You can find our staff Game of the Year 2020 here. Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Hades also won our Game of the Year and Indie Game of the Year 2020! However, our Best Port/Remake of 2020 was Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition. Check the article to find out why we loved them all.
Did you vote in our community game of the year poll? If so, what game did you vote for? Are you happy with the outcome? Sound off in the comments below!
