As people isolated themselves from others physically in 2020, online communities and socialization grew proportionally more vibrant. Surprisingly popular new co-op games sprung up seemingly out of nowhere as people sought out places to interact and cooperate in the safety of their own homes. The world of competitive multiplayer also expanded, giving rise to some of the most popular multiplayer games in years. From unassuming Among Us to ambitious Microsoft Flight Simulator, 2020 has been a diverse, exciting year for multiplayer titles.
Since co-op games have their own flavor this ten best list will be focused primarily on competitive multiplayer titles, but some co-op games with a wide variety of modes warrant being included. The year 2020 stoked people’s nostalgia with brand new games that hearken back to classics of the 90s, but also saw the introduction of fresh new ideas in competitive play. Rather than try to rank such diverse games, this list is in alphabetical order.
10 Among Us
Although Among Us was not developed or released in 2020, leaving it out of any list of 2020’s biggest games just seems wrong. The game, originally released for mobile in 2018, exploded in popularity in mid-2020, fueled by content creators and countless players looking for a way to socialize online. The game’s simple premise and ability to run on almost any device allowed for anyone and everyone to play it, while its cutesy looks belie the complex mind games that are possible with such a timeless formula.
9 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons provided a calm and relaxing retreat for countless fans who appreciate the simple joys of a perfectly cute dream island. It also provided a way for friends to spend time together on those lovingly crafted islands with the most robust multiplayer mechanics in any Animal Crossing game to date. The ability to play together in local and split-screen co-op, plus an airport through which friends can visit each-other’s virtual homes and complete tasks together in tandem makes Animal Crossing: New Horizons a perfect way to socialize in a low-stress environment with satisfying rewards for productivity.
8 Call of Duty: Warzone
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare released in 2019 to high acclaim, but its incredibly popular battle royale counterpart Call of Duty: Warzone didn’t release until March of 2020. For many, Warzone became the main draw of the game. Warzone offers a free-to-play battle royale experience with the finely-tuned gunplay, masterfully smooth movement, and addictive unlocks that Infinity Ward created for Modern Warfare. The FPS heavyweights behind Call of Duty took the battle royale blueprint and mastered it, pushing players to keep moving, use teamwork, and stay aggressive – all while improving the genre’s pacing with the Gulag respawn system.
It’s difficult to overstate the success of Call of Duty: Warzone, and it will continue to grow and expand as content from Black Ops: Cold War is also added to the mix. Warzone is now the glue that ties the Modern Warfare and Black Ops franchises together, but it’s no surprise that it has far outstripped both of them in scale and popularity. The battle royale genre was already huge before Warzone, but any new contenders will have a hard time competing with the tactical gameplay and sheer volume of content that Warzone has to offer.
7 Fall Guys
Fall Guys is yet another light game that runs well on almost any system, and its whimsical charm made it one of the best multiplayer experiences of the year. While the lighthearted fun was at first soured by rampant hacking, the game quickly got the support it needed and grew to accommodate its unexpectedly large playerbase. Set in a wipeout-style gameshow, players must navigate obstacle courses, competitive minigames, and parkour challenges to remain as the last man… mascot… thing… standing. Purposefully clunky controls, bright colors, and goofy ragdoll physics all combine to make Fall Guys a nonstop stream of hilarious antics with a perfect balance of skill and luck needed to win.
6 Ghost of Tsushima: Legends
Ghost of Tsushima is one of the most beautiful games released on last generation consoles, and it was considered one of the best single-player games of the year. The lengthy solo campaign, focused on story and open-world exploration, left most players completely satisfied. Furthermore, no one would have expected multiplayer from a game like Ghost of Tsushima, but nonetheless its developers delivered. Ghost of Tsushima: Legends provides co-op missions, survival mode, and crushingly difficult raids in a supernatural setting that is totally different from the tone of the base game. Not only is Ghost of Tsushima one of the most fun multiplayer experiences of the year, it was also one of the most surprising.
5 Microsoft Flight Simulator
For a pure-realism simulation game to garner the popularity that Microsoft Flight Simulator achieved, it has to be something truly special. Typical sims rarely reach beyond their dedicated niche audience, but MSFS was a massive phenomenon. It’s hardly an overstatement to say that it is one of the most beautiful and most ambitious games in recent memory, with the entire earth in all its beauty portrayed in heretofore unimaginable realism. With just enough concessions for more casual players and all the challenge of real-world flight, the world of MSFS is a joy to explore.
All that exploration is made better by online play. While pilot-copilot co-op is still eagerly awaited, the open skies of Flight Simulator allow players from all over the world to fly in formation over landmarks or just stumble across another anonymous traveler who happens to be leaving the same airport at the same time. With no set competition or concrete objectives, players are free to create their own goals and organically journey side by side or briefly cross paths like ships in the night.
4 Star Wars: Squadrons
Gently soaring side by side with a stranger in Flight Simulator is all well and good, but for those looking for more of a rush with their flying, Star Wars: Squadrons allows players to blow each other into space dust with lasers in action packed white-knuckle matches. Seen by many as a triumphant return of the nostalgic X-Wing Vs. Tie-Fighter space dogfighting formula, there is no competitive multiplayer experience quite like Star Wars: Squadrons on the market right now. With crisp controls that can make anyone feel like a dogfighting ace and complex objectives that reward good team play, Squadrons is a competitive shooter with maps, movement, and atmosphere unlike any other. After fans begged for more content, EA has relented and released more ships as well, raising hopes that the game will continue to live on with developer support.
3 Temtem
Some may have at first looked down on Temtem as a simple knockoff of Pokemon, but it brought one element to the monster-battling genre that changed it from a cheap imitation to a brilliant evolution: multiplayer. A Pokemon MMO is something that fans have dreamed of for years, but it wasn’t Nintendo that made it happen. It was unassuming Spanish developer Crema that crafted the colorful, stylized world of Airborne Archipelago and allowed players to form clubs, battle each other, trade in massive marketplaces, and bring the world of capturing and training fantastical monsters to life.
2 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is another nostalgia-riddled remake that came out this year, but it certainly stands on its own as a fantastic game. With unrivaled movement, well-tuned controls, and great remakes of classic levels, building up combos and experimenting in skate parks is a joy for those who miss skating games of old as well as younger players who don’t remember the classics. For old masters and hot-headed youngbloods alike, competing for top leaderboard spots online is a great way to put players’ skill to the test. With the addition of private lobbies too, it’s easier than ever to compete or just jam out at the park with friends.
1 Valorant
As competitive esports shooters like CS:GO, Overwatch, and Rainbow 6 Siege continue to age, hardcore FPS fans are beginning to feel the lack of new options ever more acutely. For many, Valorant is the game they’ve been looking for. Taking a stab at components of Counter-Strike and Overwatch, Valorant is able to mesh high-skill shooting and good map design with the levity and fun-factor of vibrant characters with unique abilities. With creative mechanics and unique characters, Valorant has also forged its own identity, though. Stylized visuals make high framerates attainable for plenty of players, and streamlined design means the core of the game – PvP combat – is always the primary draw.
From the lighthearted pleasantries of Animal Crossing to the win-at-all-costs intensity of Valorant, 2020 saw the release of enough multiplayer options to satisfy every type of gamer. A good mix of brand new ideas and revamped classics also makes for a diverse field of choices in a time when going online to co-operate, compete, and socialize is more appealing than ever.
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