Putting everything else in the world aside, 2020 marked a big year in gaming. Sony and Microsoft introduced their ninth-generation consoles, bringing to an end the era of the PS4 and Xbox One. While both systems will continue to welcome new titles to their ranks, 2020 was effectively the swan song for these consoles.
The PS4 cemented its legacy before 2020, with games such as God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Bloodborne ensuring the system is not forgotten anytime soon. That said, Sony still managed to put together a respectable lineup of titles for the console's final year on top. Which was the best PS4 game of every month of 2020?
12 January: Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition
Completing a journey that started nearly a decade ago, Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition marks this story's full release. Split into five chapters and four interludes, Kentucky Route Zero qualifies as a point-and-click adventure, albeit one that is far more concerned with its peculiar characters, atmosphere, and dialogue than puzzles.
The basic plot revolves around a truck driver who is tasked with delivering an item to a strange place that can only be accessed via highway Zero. Through strong writing and gorgeous imagery, Kentucky Route Zero crafts a narrative that is truly singular.
11 February: Dreams
Not everyone will find value in Dreams, but those interested in dipping their toes into game creation need to pick this one up. Although it does come loaded with a couple of titles, Media Molecule's project is specifically designed to encourage users to craft their own games.
Dreams makes the process of game creation intuitive, serving as the ideal entry point into an industry that can be daunting.
10 March: Doom Eternal
March 2020 was an especially solid month for PS4 owners, with Nioh 2 and Persona 5 Royal containing hundreds of hours of content. As great as those two games are, Doom Eternal just nicks the spot due to the way it refines the formula of its fantastic predecessor.
Along with focusing more on telling a narrative, Doom Eternal introduces platforming mechanics that greatly enhance the movement options in battle. The game's combat is also as vicious and aggressive as any other FPS on the market.
9 April: Final Fantasy VII Remake
Square Enix had a lot riding on the Final Fantasy VII Remake, a highly anticipated game that was in development for quite a while. A reimagining of the 1997 classic JRPG, the remake tells the first part of the story through solid performances, a fun real-time combat system, and the freedom to properly explore characters who do not last long in the original version.
While far from perfect, the Final Fantasy VII Remake should please both fans of the series and newcomers to Midgar.
8 May: Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
Although May 2020 did not bring to the plate any heavy hitters, the month spawned multiple impressive titles. Huntdown, John Wick Hex, and
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners are all worth checking out, while Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is the closest thing to a Paper Mario game on the PS4. In fact, Bug Fables is also the closest thing to a classic Paper Mario RPG on the Nintendo Switch.
With a cute art style and a humorous storyline, Bug Fables is a delightful turn-based RPG with charm to spare.
7 June: The Last Of Us Part II
Arguably the most discussed game of the year, The Last of Us Part II continues the post-apocalyptic story of Ellie and, to a lesser extent, Joel. While the gameplay is not too far removed from 2013's The Last of Us, the sequel takes quite a few risks when it comes to its narrative and themes.
The end result is a polarizing experience that, for better or worse, will get a reaction out of most people. On a technical level, The Last of Us Part II is impeccable.
6 July: Ghost Of Tsushima
Although not the last game to drop on the system, Ghost of Tsushima effectively served as the PS4's swan song. If nothing else, Sony's console bowed out with a bang. Sucker Punch's PlayStation exclusive blends thrilling third-person combat with a beautiful open-world set in 13th century Japan. Visually, Ghost of Tsushima is a work of art.
The game's revenge-fueled story is a bit too humorless for its own good, but that is a minor complaint in what is otherwise a console-defining title.
5 August: Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
With the exception of the genre's biggest titles and established IPs, new battle royale games face an uphill struggle to spark any genuine interest. The genre is overexposed by this point, but Fall Guys proves it still has room to grow.
Emphasizing platforming and mini-games, Fall Guys captures that chaotic intensity synonymous with the best battle royale games on the market. Fall Guys is also unique enough from the likes of Fortnite and PUBG to stand out from the crowd and attract people who might not typically care about this genre.
4 September: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2
Following the dismal Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5, the extreme sports series entered a state of uncertainty. It started to seem as if this iconic franchise had flipped its last skateboard; thankfully, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 put those fears to rest.
A detailed remaster of the first two games in the series, Vicarious Visions' release retains and improves the fundamentals that allowed Tony Hawk's to be so accessible and addictive. Anyone nostalgic for the series or looking for some arcade-style fun cannot go wrong with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2.
3 October: Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
Fittingly, the PS4's final month as Sony's main system included the release of a new title in one of the brand's most legendary but mistreated properties. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is the sequel everyone has been waiting for since 1998's Warped.
Crash Bandicoot 4 is not merely a retread of the license's glory days, as Toys for Bob complemented the platformer's tight controls with new mechanics, multiple playable characters, and almost too much "completionist" content.
2 November: Yakuza: Like A Dragon
The launch of the PS5 (and Xbox Series X/S) naturally hogged the limelight throughout November. While people tried to pick up the ninth-generation consoles, PS4 owners were left to play the lesser but still mostly good versions of games also available on the PS5.
In many ways, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the ideal game to signal a changing of the guard. For the seventh mainline entry in the series, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio opted for a new protagonist, a change of scenery, and a switch to turn-based combat. Even with all these unrecognizable pieces, the full picture is still unmistakenly Yakuza.
1 December: Immortals Fenyx Rising
In due time, Cyberpunk 2077 might develop into the best PS4 game released in December 2020. At the moment, however, CD Projekt Red's ambitious RPG has too many technical issues on the base console to qualify.
Immortals Fenyx Rising is a smaller scale Ubisoft game that uses Greek mythology to craft a funny and enjoyable romp. Mixing physics-based puzzles, fast hack and slash combat, and an open-world with genuinely distinct regions, Immortals Fenyx Rising is the quintessential B-tier game.