PS4 / Switch] From blockbusters to indies! 10 recommended games for 2020!

The Akiba Research Institute editorial staff will pick out, at their own discretion and prejudice, the most recommended games from among those released in 2020. If you are having trouble finding a game to play, why not take a look?

Tenho no Sakunahime

Platform: PlayStation®4/ Nintendo Switch™/ Steam
Release date: 2020/11/10
Genre: Action RPG
Price: 6,980 yen (excluding tax)
Publisher: Marvelous

Sakunahime, a fertility goddess who was banished from the city of the gods after an incident, works with humans to cultivate rice for survival while carving out an island where demons live. In addition to the amount and temperature of water to be applied to the rice paddies and the creation of fertilizers to be given to the growing seedlings, the creation of the rice farming part of the story, including pest control and the choice of harvesting methods, attracted a lot of attention and was even referred to on the Internet as a reference for rice farming materials published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In advancing the story and collecting resources to put into fertilizer, the player explores fields all over the island. At this time, the game becomes 2D action, and players can enjoy exhilarating battles such as combos combining various techniques and "crashing," in which an enemy is sent flying to hit another enemy. The story and music are also highly acclaimed, and this title has shipped over 500,000 units worldwide.

Ghost of Tsushima

Platform: PlayStation®4
Release date: July 17, 2020
Genre: Action-adventure
Price: 6,900 yen (excluding tax)
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

The latest title from game studio Sucker Punch Productions. Set in Tsushima, Japan, which has been invaded by the Mongolian Empire (Moto-Kuni), the game depicts the battle of Jin Sakai, a samurai fighting to save his hometown. Against the overwhelming forces of the Mongolian army, Jin is forced to decide between "bushido," the way of the warrior who fights fair and square, and "kurodo," the way of the underworld who abandons honor and uses any means necessary to win. The intense action, including sword fights, the "one-on-one swordfight" in which the winner is decided by a single blow, and the "Kurosawa mode," in which the screen turns black and white and the sound quality sounds slightly muffled, are reminiscent of the "chanbara" style familiar in Japanese period dramas. The vast fields, coastline, and some of the shrines scattered throughout the area are based on the real-life Tsushima, making it fun just to walk around in nature. At the 2020 The Game Awards, this title won the "Player's Voice Award," an award for the most interesting game title of the year, as voted for by the general public. Player's Voice Award.

The Last of Us Part II

Platform: PlayStation®4
Release date: 2020/6/19
Genre: Action Adventure
Price: 6,900 yen (excluding tax)
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

A sequel to the classic action adventure "The Last of Us", which has won over 200 awards worldwide. The story takes place five years after the last game. Joel and Ellie have finally found a place to live in Jackson, Wyoming, after traveling around the United States, which has been destroyed by a mysterious virus. What is justice and what is evil? The messages players are confronted with as they fight enemies and progress through the story, and Ellie's obsession with revenge is painful, but also a must-see. The game's survival elements are also present, including the ability to move freely through vast American cities, the tension of exploring buildings while avoiding fungus-infested creatures, and the ability to create ammunition and tools from the resources you collect. The Game of the Year" for the best game title at The Game Awards held on December 10, 2020.

Fall Guys Ultimate Knockout

Platform: PlayStation®4/Steam
Release date: Aug. 4, 2020
Genre: Action
Price: 2,090 yen (excluding tax)
Publisher: Mediatonic

Inspired by the variety show "Fuun. Takeshi Castle," which was popular in Japan in the 80s! Bamboo Castle", a popular variety show in Japan in the 80's. This is a battle royale game inspired by the show. Up to 60 players take on various courses as they aim to be the last survivor. The game features a variety of obstacles such as pendulums, spinning floors, and doors that you have to enter to find the correct answer, creating a sense of tension that requires a certain amount of luck in addition to skill, as well as easy-to-use controls that only require jumping and moving. The fact that the game was available for free play in August, the month of its release, may have helped, as this title recorded the highest number of downloads among all the titles registered for PSPlus. Seasons," in which various rewards such as skins that can be put on avatars can be obtained, are also held regularly, and the popularity of the game at the time of its distribution is still strong.

Final Fantasy VII Remake

Platform: PlayStation®4
Release date: 2020/4/10
Genre: RPG
Price: 8,980 yen (excluding tax)
Publisher: Square Enix

A remake of the classic RPG "Final Fantasy VII" released by Square Enix in 1997, the PS4 remake offers a much more powerful image quality, texture, and presentation than at the time. However, the original's distinctive elements, such as the infiltration of the Shinra Building and the event in which the main character, Cloud, dresses as a woman, have been faithfully reproduced. FFVII Remake" will be developed in multiple installments, and this is the first installment, covering the period from the opening of the original game to the escape from Midgar. The story is still in its early stages compared to the volume of the original work, but the content is dense. Those who know the original story can reminisce about that time. Those who have not experienced the original will enjoy the pure enjoyment of the game. You will be able to enjoy the "remake" in your own way.

Atsumare Animal Crossing

Platform: Nintendo Switch™.
Release date: 2020/3/20
Genre: Communication
Price: 5,980 yen (excluding tax)
Publisher: Nintendo

The latest in Nintendo's "Animal Crossing" series. In this title, players move to a deserted island and live a new life from scratch. One of the features of this title is "DIY (Do It Yourself)," which allows players to create tools and furniture from materials such as branches and stones found on the island. The degree of freedom is extremely high, and depending on how you play, you can turn the entire island into a Japanese-style town or garden. The game's popularity has exploded on social networking sites, and many celebrities are also playing the game. It has even become a social phenomenon.

Crash Bandicoot 4 Tondemo Multiverse

Platform: PlayStation®4
Release date: 2020/10/2
Genre: Action
Price: 7,590 yen (excluding tax)
Publisher: Activision

It has been 12 years since "Crash Bandicoot 3: Around the World" was released on PlayStation in 1998! Around the World" released on PlayStation in 1998. In addition to the main character Crash Bandicoot and his sister Coco, this title also allows players to control former bosses such as Dingo Dile and Cortex. In addition to stages from various eras, such as ancient and modern times, the "Crash" series still offers the familiar challenge elements such as "diamonds," which can be obtained by destroying all crates, and "trophies," which can be earned by completing stages within a certain amount of time. Although the overall difficulty level is high, the game maintains a good balance by allowing players to immediately retry if they are beaten in the middle of a stage.

Yakuza7: Whereabouts of Light and Darkness

Platform: PlayStation®4
Release date: 1/16/2020
Genre: Dramatic RPG
Price: 8,390 yen (excluding tax)
Publisher: SEGA

(C)SEGA

Yakuza" The latest title in the "Yakuza" series. Kasuga Ichiban, a member of the Arakawa clan under the Tojokai, is the new protagonist, and the story takes place in Yokohama's "Isesaki Ijinmachi" instead of Kamurocho. Furthermore, for the first time in the series, turn-command-based RPG elements are employed, and many other attempts not seen in past titles can be seen. In addition to the bold change of direction, the change of protagonist from the heroic Kazuma Kiryu to the human-like Ichiban Kasuga was particularly groundbreaking and marked a new form of "Yakuza" and "Yakuza". On the other hand, the volume of sub-events that are typical of "Yakuza" and "Yakuza" is full, such as moving freely around town, working part-time, running a company, and playing at various play spots. Both experienced players of the series and newcomers to "Yakuza" and "Yakuza" will enjoy this title.

Paper Mario Origami King

Platform: Nintendo Switch™.
Release date: 2020/7/17
Genre: Action Adventure
Price: 5,980 yen (excluding tax)
Publisher: Nintendo

The latest title in the "Paper Mario" series. The floppy Mario adventures around the world to stop the ambitions of "King Ollie" of Orygami. This title introduces a new puzzle element. The battle system, which combines puzzles and action, was the talk of the town, as players use puzzles to adjust the positions of enemies and items such as hammers and boots to perform actions. In addition to these elements, there are also new aspects of "Mario," such as the elimination of the level system and instead using equipment to make Mario stronger. Puzzles are somewhat difficult due to the time limit, but elements for those who are not good at puzzles are included, such as using coins to extend the time limit and calling "Ouen" to get help from Kinopio.

Life is Strange 2

Platform: PlayStation®4/Xbox One/Steam
Release date: March 26, 2020
Genre: Adventure
Price: 4,980 yen (excluding tax)
Manufacturer: Square Enix

Life is Strange 2 © 2018-2020 Square Enix Ltd. All rights reserved.
Developed by DONTNOD Entertainment SA.
LIFE IS STRANGE 2 and LIFE IS STRANGE are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Ltd.
SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
DONTNOD is a trademark of DON'T NOD Entertainment SA.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

The latest in the "Life is Strange" adventure series, which has gained popularity for its profound storyline. Sean and Daniel are brothers living in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A., who one day get caught up in a case that forces them to leave their home and set out on a journey to Mexico, their father's homeland. Players control Sean, the older brother, as he navigates his way through various events and teaches Daniel how to live and interact with others. The choices the player makes will greatly affect Daniel and even influence the development of the story. There are countless branches that can be branched by the player's choices, and it can be said that this is a game in the sense that it is a game in which the player can enter the world through the controller.

This is the latest work by game studio Sucker Punch Productions. Set in Tsushima, Japan, which has been invaded by the Mongolian empire (Moto-Kuni), the game depicts the battles of Jin Sakai, a samurai fighting to save his hometown. Against the overwhelming forces of the Mongolian army, Jin is forced to decide between "bushido," the way of the warrior who fights fair and square, and "kurodo," the way of the underworld who abandons honor and uses any means necessary to win. The intense action, including sword fights, the "one-on-one swordfight" in which the winner is decided by a single blow, and the "Kurosawa mode," in which the screen turns black and white and the sound quality sounds slightly muffled, are reminiscent of the "chanbara" style familiar in Japanese period dramas. The vast fields, coastline, and some of the shrines scattered throughout the area are based on the real-life Tsushima, making it fun just to walk around in nature. At the 2020The Game Awards, this title won the "Player's Voice Award," an award for the most interesting game title of the year, as voted for by the general public. Player's Voice Award.

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