2020 has been an interesting year for video games, from the launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X to the effects of Covid-19 on the industry. The year has also seen the release of some stellar high-profile games like The Last of Us Part II, Ghost of Tsushima, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and more.
For all the big games, however, there's always a handful of smaller titles that get passed over. Whether it's because a big game launched at the same time or a lack of marketing, some titles simply don't get the time in the spotlight they deserve.
With the end of 2020 drawing near, now's the perfect time to look at some of the underappreciated gems that have been released, especially while players have the time to dig into something new. Here are the most underrated video games of 2020.
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a fascinating little game that combines 2D platforming with farming simulation. In every sense, there's nothing else like it. Players assume the role of Sakuna, a god who's the daughter of the god of war and the god of the harvest. As a punishment, Sakuna is banished to the mortal realm with a group of humans, where she has to free and island overrun with demons. The game doesn't have a typical leveling system, as Sakuna only grows more powerful by growing and harvesting rice. Through various steps, players need to cultivate the rice, and a better harvest means more experience. When not farming, players explore the island through various 2D levels. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a fairly slow-paced game, but its charming characters and unique systems separate it from the pack.
Immortals: Fenyx Rising
Immortals: Fenyx Rising drew a lot of attention at its release, but mostly because of how similar it is to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Countless comparisons can be made between the two, but despite that Immortals is a good game at its core. Focusing entirely on Greek mythology, Immortals is a humorous, satirical story that never takes itself seriously. The game has the same free-form open-world as Breath of the Wild, and it does it well. The world is split up into different regions, each of which corresponds to a different Greek god. The gorgeous environments are a joy to explore, as they're filled with secrets to uncover, puzzles to solve, and enemies to fight. Immortal's combat system is also fast and responsive, giving players a lot of options to mess around with. It may be an amalgamation of games that came before it, but Immortals: Fenyx Rising manages to take its multiple inspiration and turn them into something interesting and new.
Maneater
Maneater is about as unique an experience as anyone could find, casting players as a shark seeking revenge against humans. This action-RPG lets players wreak havoc on the human world and evolve their shark into an apex predator. Maneater's open-world may not be as engaging as others, and controlling the shark isn't always intuitive, but Maneater is truly unique in every sense possible. Even with finicky controls, splashing around as a massive shark is always a blast.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore
It's easy to see why Tokyo Mirage Sessions was passed up this year, as Persona 5 Royal hit a mere two months after its release. While the Switch has yet to receive an official Persona title, Tokyo Mirage Sessions is a Persona game in all but name. The game focuses on a group of youths trying to protect the world against Mirages, otherworldly beings who feed off of humans Performa energy. The main characters can each summon their own Mirage, which is one of the characters from the Fire Emblem series. Mirages function almost exactly like Persona's, giving characters special abilities. Tokyo Mirage Sessions isn't nearly as dark as Persona 5, as it's more of a light-hearted story exploring the entertainment and idol worlds of Japan. Combat is a brilliant fusion of elements from Fire Emblem and Persona, and the game's pastel aesthetic really helps set the tone. For Persona fans and JRPG fans in general, Tokyo Mirages Sessions is a Switch game that can't be missed.
Cloudpunk
Cyberpunk games have gotten a lot of attention this year, but one game that may have slipped under player's radars is Cloudpunk. Unlike other releases this year, Cloudpunk doesn't focus on violence but rather casts players as a delivery-person in a futuristic megacity. The delivery company players work for isn't exactly legal, however, so they have to deliver packages and passengers with no questions asked. Cloudpunk has an interesting story set in a city that oozes cyberpunk style from every pore. The voxel aesthetic also makes it feel unique from other titles in the genre, and there's something inherently relaxing about cruising through the sky-scraper infested skies.
Sakura Wars
The Sakura Wars series has had a disappointing history in the West, with only a couple of games ever even being officially localized. The latest Sakura Wars is a soft reboot of the franchise, focusing on a new hero named Siejuro Kamiyama as he joins the failing Flower Division, a combat theater troupe hybrid that protects Japan from demons. This is the first gamer in the series to sport an action combat system instead of a tactical one, and it works well for the most part. The real heart of Sakura Wars, however, lies in its characters and the relationship that develops between everyone. Unfortunately, the game does fall victim to overused tropes of the visual novel and JRPG genres, but its' characters still have a lot of heart despite that. Sakura Wars certainly isn't going to be for everyone, but it's rich in style and storytelling.
Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is a gorgeous game with a heartfelt message to deliver about the nature of death and loss. Spiritfarer is about Stella, the pilot of a boat that carries spirits across the river that joins this life and the afterlife. Interestingly, Spiritfarer is a management sim that focuses on making player's boats as welcoming as possible to the recently-deceased spirits. It's not about maximizing profits or building a massive city but simply about building a cozy vessel that feels like home. Spiritfarer's themes build an emotional experience that makes players think just as much as it might be relaxing.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim comes from the acclaimed developers at Vanillaware, and it's easily the studio's most mind-bending experience yet. 13 Sentinels tells the story of fifteen different characters, and their lives leading up to the end of the world. Each character has their own story to play through, and the way these stories connect and weave together is truly stunning. Apart from the visual-novel like story, the game also features quick and intense tactical battles, with players controlling giant robots known as Sentinels. Vanillaware's iconic style is fully present in 13 Sentinels, and it's an utterly gorgeous game with some stunning visuals spread throughout. Twist after twist is layered into the story, and each character grows more complex within their own story arc. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is one of the most unique titles of the year, and deserves far more attention than it received at launch.
Chicken Police: Paint It Red
Chicken Police: Paint it Red is certainly odd at first glance, but lying underneath the absurd humanoid animals is a surprisingly stylish film noir experience. A visual novel and adventure game hybrid, Chicken Police focuses on two legendary officers who've lost their touch, named Sonny Featherland and Marty MacChicken, as they're dragged into a new mystery. The game's gritty aesthetic works well, and there's a cast of fascinating characters that players will interact with along the way. Chicken Police has all the makings of a great noir story, but its unique presentation certainly sets it apart from anything else on the market.