2020 was a mess of a year. From lockdowns to delays and cancellations, wherever you were, there was little to do and a lot of time to fill; especially in the lead up to the next generation of consoles, Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X/S (are they technically now current gen?).
In the absence of new releases, I finally took the time to work through some of my gaming pile of shame; all those titles I’d bought or simply had my eye on over the years.
Fru
Xbox One
Fru easily the best Kinect game I’ve ever played. In part because I’ve only played four, but mostly because of its creative and engaging gameplay, deserving to be a landmark of the platforming genre. While you use a controller for the protagonist, a masked girl, you’ll need to use your body’s silhouette in real-time to reveal platforms or remove obstacles through dimensions. You may need to watch the trailer to understand what I’m trying to say.
The results are often hilarious, as you need to jump around, duck, balance and stretch in order to reach the exit. Fru took me back to the days of the Eyetoy on PS2, where you were physically part of the game. It’s is only a few hours long but will leave you panting.
If you’re one of the few people to still own an Xbox One Kinect, it’s well worth dusting off, as Fru is a must-play for the device — especially as it’s one of the few games you won’t be able to play on a next gen Xbox.
Doom (2016)
PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
I know Doom: Eternal is already out, but I only played 2016’s Doom recently. Needless to say, it’s so good that Doom: Eternal is now in my pile of shame, but I definitely won’t wait four years to play it.
Doom continues the id Software talent of modernising a classic shooter, as it did with Wolfenstein. Doom manages a striking balance of retro and modern, feeling completely fresh thanks to the perfect fast-paced action, yet classic and nostalgia-inducing; from the enemy design, powerups and even the way health and ammo spills the ground after a kill. Plus, the heavy metal soundtrack is incredible and perfectly complements the adrenaline rush of the game.
The simplest way to describe the new Doom is it’s juicy. Really juicy. I don’t even know what I mean by that, but it feels right.
Lovely Planet
PC, WiiU, PS4, Xbox One
Probably the most adorable and relaxing shooter you’ll ever play. Simplistic design, with each level being an obstacle course filled with enemies and traps, but Lovely Planet is surprisingly challenging. I found myself constantly replaying levels in pursuit of a perfect rating. Thankfully, the peaceful music and soft visuals kept me from becoming frustrated (most of the time). It’s not a game I’d play in one sitting, but it’s great to pick up when you need something vibrant.
Verlet Swing
PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Another challenging, ‘one more try’ style game that requires watching a trailer to fully understand (just kidding, nobody really understands it). Verlet Swing has you swinging through surrealist, dream-like gauntlets.
Whether it be a jungle of Greek-style pillars or a school of giant fish, it’s exhilarating to gain momentum, dodge things by a hair’s breadth, and launch yourself through the air to… miss the exit goal. Verlet Swing is easy to learn and, if you’re like me, almost impossible to master. But it’s so unique and wild that it’s still a fun experience.
Control’s Expansions
PC, Playstation, Xbox
Okay, the expansions Foundation and AWE released last year, but I only played Foundation once AWE released, plus Control is my favourite game of 2019, so I’m counting it.
I’m a huge fan of Control’s environment, the brutalist interior of the Oldest House, but as Foundation is set in the cave-like base of the Oldest House, I found it a little lacklustre, despite the story being decent.
AWE, on the other hand, goes back to the dark hallways and offices of the Oldest House, but in new the Investigations Sector. Inside is a beautifully horrific monster lurking in the shadows, leading to some terrifying and thrilling moments as you struggle to turn the lights on. Plus, you gain a telepathic connection to Alan Wake, the titular character from Remedy’s hit 2010 game. If you’re a fan of Control and Alan Wake, this expansion is a dream come true. Unfortunately for me, Alan Wake is still in my Steam Sale shame pile, but that doesn’t stop AWE from being fantastic.
Night in the Woods
PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Labelled an adventure game, this is really just a side-scrolling walking simulator, along with the genre-breaking mechanic of jumping (plus Guitar Hero-like musical sections). It’s easy to think of this as Bojack Horseman: The Game due to its anthropomorphic characters and challenging themes. Thankfully it’s not quite as tragic, though certainly has its heartbreaking and heart-warming moments.
Very few games tackle themes and topics around young adulthood, and Night in the Woods is probably the best at doing that. Many people will relate to the characters in this game and how they fit in with their friends, family and the world. It’s definitely worth a play if you like story and character-driven games.
What Remains of Edith Finch
PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Simply the best game I’ve ever played (a title previously held by Beautiful Katamari; don’t ask me how I compare games). What Remains of Edith Finch is a masterclass in storytelling, gameplay and environment. If you enjoy walking simulators, Edith Finch is a real push forward for the genre, even today. If you’ve played the excellent Gone Home, then Edith Finch feels like an evolution of its use of environment and exploration, due to the enormous house, which leads the player to various vignettes, each with unique gameplay but equally tragic ends. Did I not mention the game is all about learning how each member of the Finch family died?
BEST GAME EVER.
This is just the tip of my shame pile. Thankfully my PC hard drive has space and the next gen consoles have backwards compatibility; I’ll finally play Gears 5 on my Series X once I’ve caught up on the current releases. What games have you been catching up on? Or are you waiting for enhanced versions on next gen? Let the team know via Facebook and Twitter!
