SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards - Top Five Most Disappointing Games

It's an annual tradition at SuperPhillip Central's year-end award show to talk about the best and brightest in gaming each and every year. It's also an annual tradition that we take the good with the bad--the yin with the yang, if you will--and publish one less-than-stellar category to have your game nominated for, and that's SPC's Most Disappointing Games of the year. 2020 is no different--save for a grotesque pandemic threatening all of us, of course--so the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards rolls on with the games that didn't live up to the hype, as the kids say, didn't live up to their potential, or were just plain bad! Here are the list of "winners" as we count down the Top Five Most Disappointing Games of 2020.

5) Minecraft Dungeons (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

We begin with a game I was immensely excited for, as the idea of a Diablo-like dungeon crawler set in the world of Minecraft appealed to me. Now, while Minecraft Dungeons cannot really be described as a poor offering from developer Mojang, it's hardly what I'd call a solid effort. The balance of the three major difficulties in the game is off at best, with the first difficulty being way too easy, while the next two are way too challenging, requiring a heavy amount of grinding for loot. Loot itself is usually only better in small increments, so it's a ridiculously slow crawl and grind to get strong enough to stand a chance. Add into those facts that the levels are just way too long for their own good, with utterly repetitive combat, and you have a game in Minecraft Dungeons that I wish was better than it actually was.

4) Bounty Battle (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

The premise of Bounty Battle is so great--pitting indie all-stars from games like Dead Cells, Owlboy, and Steamworld Dig in a Super Smash Bros-style fighter--that it just makes the end product all the more disappointing and an enormous missed opportunity. Pretty much everything about Bounty Battle, from its haphazard mechanics and clunky and cumbersome combat, to the poorly animated characters and absolutely horrid frame-rate, is just plain awful. It's not a question that Bounty Battle is one of the worst games released this year, sadly, but even sadder is that so many fantastic indie darlings are attached to this monstrosity of a fighting game.

3) XIII (PS4, XB1, PC)

We talked about the fantastic video game remakes of 2020 last night, but what about those that are absolutely, unfortunately terrible? The pandemic has caused a lot of strife, and it has affected video game development adversely as well. The production of XIII, a remake of 2003's similarly named conspiracy-filled first-person shooter, was met with problems due to COVID, and rather than delay the game, publisher Microids opted to release the game in the sorry state it was in. Filled with audio and technical issues, and removing the defining feature of the original XIII--its brilliant comic book-esque cel shaded art style--this 2020 remake is hardly "Top Five Remake" material. While it was awesome at first to have XIII of all games return to the spotlight, as a famous Matrix quote goes... "Not like this."

2) Marvel's Avengers (PS4, XB1, PC)

Speaking of comic books, there's none bigger than those featured in Marvel's Avengers. This makes the final game all the more painful. Now, if the game was just modeled after the single-player campaign and expanded further, we'd have a really wonderful superhero action game to enjoy for years to come. Instead, Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics opted for a games-as-a-service approach to the end game, and while the execution was off-putting, the numerous bugs and glitches, matchmaking errors at launch, and painful progression meant that the player base vanished as quickly as a snap from Thanos' fingers. While Marvel's Avengers is hardly an awful game, darn it, it could have been so much better and so much more had some restraint been used in the design.

1) Cyberpunk 2077 (PS4, XB1)

The most disappointing game of 2020 could be nothing else than Cyberpunk 2077, particularly the last generation versions. Offering rampant bugs, glitches, and running like a technical dystopia of its own, Cyberpunk's last gen versions are so terrible and abundant that both Sony and Microsoft offered refunds for digital versions of the game, as well as other stores for physical copies, whether opened or not. Further, a class action lawsuit has been filed against CD Projekt Red due to alleged fraudulent claims made by the company to investors after its stock price fell in fast fashion in the aftermath. Regardless, when the majority of your game's versions is so bad that it threatens the livelihood of your studio and company (as if the deplorable amount of crunch to those who worked on the game didn't already make things nasty), not only did you mess up big time, but your game makes it to the top spot on this countdown of the most disappointing games of 2020.

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We're not done with the awards here at SPC. We've got one more category to publish tomorrow night before Thursday night's final top ten, featuring the picks for the Games of 2020! See you back here tomorrow for more award show action at the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards!

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards - Top Five Most Overlooked Games

SPC is no stranger to looking at those games that fall through the cracks, get ignored or even forgotten by the mainstream, the gaming community or a combination of both, or simply don't get as much due credit as perhaps they deserve. Every year as part of the SuperPhillip Central Best of Awards we take a look at just some of the overlooked games from the past year, and that tradition continues with the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards as well. By no means is this a complete list of the excellent games that were overlooked this year, but maybe with this category, you'll gain some interest in some of these titles. Let's get to the countdown.

5) Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

Releasing in late February for all major platforms of the time, Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection is a compilation title of six rather challenging and punishing Mega Man games: Mega Man Zero 1-4 and the Metroid-structured Mega Man ZX and its sequel Mega Man ZX Advent. Perhaps the level of challenge and the relative obscurity of several of the games put some potential buyers off from the game, but even still, this collection came and went without much buzz. The Mega Man Zero games are no strangers to being compiled into one collection as seen with the Nintendo DS package, but the addition of the ZX games and the added modes and museum make this particular collection one that shouldn't be--but was by many--missed.

4) Darksiders Genesis (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

Another February release that came and went was Darksiders Genesis. This entry in the series wasn't a Zelda-like similar to past entries, but more like a Diablo clone. It was a well done one, too, offering plenty of levels and dungeons to crawl through, utterly obliterating enemies, nabbing loot, discovering hidden treasures, solving puzzles, performing platforming, and battling big bosses in an isometric world. The interactions between War and newly playable Strife are endearing and quite hilarious at times as the unlikely duo hack, slash, and shoot through levels. Darksiders Genesis might not continue the story beat and tease of the very first Darksiders' ending (seriously, continue the story already), but it's a solid hack and slash action-RPG all the same worthy of a play.

3) Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 (PS5, XBS, PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

Puyo Puyo is a relatively obscure puzzle game for the mainstream audience, but as we know, Tetris is hardly that. It's a household name pretty much. Combining the two worked well with the original Puyo Puyo Tetris, but the recently released sequel seems to have slipped through the cracks. The online player count for most platforms is decidedly on the low side, and there's very little discussion about the game in general, save for the occasional conversation out of the spotlight. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 introduces new modes, such as a fresh take on the Adventure mode from the original game, with an overworld to complete missions on. There are also new Skill Battles to take on in addition to the tried and true modes and gameplay of the original Puyo Puyo Tetris. If you have any love at all for either Puyo Puyo or the much more common Tetris, then you owe it to yourself to give Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 a try.

2) Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS5, PS4)

At the PlayStation 5 launch this past November, most of the attention went to a different 3D platformer--Astro's Playroom. By no means was this not well deserved, as by all accounts the game is genius design from the reviews and player feedback I've read, and the game was installed on every purchased PS5. Meanwhile, Sackboy's own adventure, a $50+ game, didn't receive anywhere near the same amount of spotlight or attention. As you've seen with the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards already and as you'll see later in the show, my opinion of Sackboy: A Big Adventure is mighty strong and I hold it in very high esteem. Its cleverly designed levels, awesome co-op, and rather difficult challenge in the late and post-game makes for a totally terrific 3D platformer akin to Super Mario 3D World. If you're a fan of challenging 3D obstacle course-based platformers, then you're missing out if you've yet to play Sackboy: A Big Adventure.

1) Dreams (PS4)

Despite a lengthy development time, when Dreams finally launched earlier this year--this past February to be exact--it did not exactly receive a rousing, amazing welcome from PlayStation 4 owners. While seeing what creators of Dreams content are making is absolutely cool for many, this game creation suite of tools may have put plenty of potential players and would-be creators off due to the time commitment required to put into Dreams to make quality stuff. It doesn't help that Sony did not do much to market or advertise the game either. That's certainly a major shame, as Dreams is truly something special and much easier to get into than other similar software tools. Perhaps if instead of a $40 buy-in to be able to create and play content, a free-to-play formula would have worked better. Regardless, Dreams is very much worth giving a look and a chance on.

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We're not done today with the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards. There's another award category to be had, so please look forward to that later tonight!

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards - Top Five Remakes & Remasters

Remakes and remasters are common in this industry more often than in others.  It makes sense as games end up being lost to history and stuck on old platforms. Technology also allows older games to rise from their ashes like a Phoenix and present players with new visuals and perhaps even new takes on beloved classics. This countdown and awards category as part of SuperPhillip Central's Best of 2020 Awards lists the greatest of these types of games that launched in 2020. Note: Some particular gaming outlets didn't get their hands on a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series console, so certain games might not be on their lists... Not naming any names, though! 

Let's get to the countdown with the Top Five Remakes & Remasters!

5) Resident Evil 3 (PS4, XB1, PC)

Despite removing some content from the original, I argue that Resident Evil 3 is still a remarkable remake. It's similarly an intense, pulse-pounding, adrenaline-pumping thrill ride filled with scares and fun alike. In that sense it's just like Resident Evil 2, a game I listed as one of SPC's Games of 2019. The only difference is that while RE2 got a little long in the tooth on repeated playthroughs, Resident Evil 3's remake was a shorter experience, encouraging multiple playthroughs that were more enjoyable--at least for me. There is a fair number of downsides to Resident Evil 3's remake, but for me, the positives far outweighed the negatives, making for a truly terrifying survival horror shooter that made my heart pound and hands sweat from beginning to end, especially on the higher difficulties!

4) Trials of Mana (PS4, NSW, PC)

Whereas many remakes on this list changed things up considerably compared to their originals, Square Enix's Trials of Mana played it a bit more cautiously, remaking a game that feels like a relic of the golden age of gaming. This time, though, the major difference being that the beautiful 2D sprites and worlds of the original Trials of Mana were fully realized in glorious, colorful, vivid 3D. The action on display offered simple but effective--and most importantly fun--combat that required paying attention to enemy tells and red area of effect targets to avoid damage. Exploring the world was an immense joy and pleasure, searching for hidden treasures and secrets alike. Being able to choose from the cast of six protagonists to join your three-person party meant that multiple playthroughs were encouraged to fully enjoy this already exciting and engaging remake. And, that's exactly what I did with Trials of Mana, a remake that didn't reinvent the wheel, but what there was already was so good that it didn't need to do so.

3) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 (PS4, XB1, PC)

It's time to trick out with Tony Hawk with the remake of both Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and Pro Skater 2 with the appropriately titled Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2. Like past remakes from Activision's team of developers (Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled), so much love and care was poured into this game. Right away my muscle memory from decades ago came back almost immediately, as the controls are just as tight, precise, responsive, and feel as good as they ever have. The levels were also lovingly restored with new visual touches, making old, familiar playgrounds (or in this case, skate parks) feel brand spankin' new. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 finally gave the Birdman prominence in gaming once more and is a true testament to the developers for making a game that lives up to the legacy of the originals.

2) Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (NSW)

Getting SuperPhillip Central's coveted (your mileage may vary on that) Game of 2012 back when this awards ceremony was structured differently, Xenoblade Chronicles returns to SuperPhillip Central's Best of Awards with a definitive edition releasing this year on the Nintendo Switch. With updated character models and environments, looking absolutely fabulous and more beautiful than ever before, as well as remixed and rearranged music, Xenoblade Chronicles has never looked or sounded better. The quality of life improvements added to the game's menus and systems made a great game even better as well! The addition of Future Connected, an epilogue story with a previously cut area from the original game, featured the same "wow" factor and sense of discovery as the main Xenoblade adventure. All in all, it was a true treasure and wonderful pleasure to be able to have an excuse to play through Xenoblade Chronicles all over again, this time with the definitely definitive version of the game.

1) Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)

So many of the remakes of 2020 stayed true to the formulas that the original games constructed--and I no doubt adore them for that--but one game--one remake--that totally took a tremendous risk that ultimately paid off for most players like myself was Final Fantasy VII's glorious remake. I was hesitant to learn (but understood the reason) that the legendary RPG was being split up into parts and that the first part would only take place in Midgar. While some of my hesitation was well founded due to some padding in some chapters of the game, Final Fantasy VII Remake ultimately works because of the additional character interactions and story content the developers included with the game. No spoilers here, but like the decision with the game's story, it was also so very bold of the developers to create an action-RPG focus first with Final Fantasy VII Remake's combat. It overall worked out in the end, as Final Fantasy VII Remake wasn't just a magnificent achievement, but it unquestionably earns the right to be listed among the top remakes of the year--or in this case, at the very top as the best remake of 2020.

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Tomorrow evening, the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards continues on with more categories and more winners (and some losers, too)! I hope you'll join in on the fun!

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards - Top Five Platformers

A genre so nice and enjoyable that it annually gets its own awards category here as the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards continue! It's the platformer, my personal favorite genre of game, so if there were any other type of game that deserved its own category, I just don't see it! Fortunately, despite 2020 being a gnarly year in general, it was a fantastic year for platformers, as evident by this upcoming countdown. The genre sees more and more releases, and plenty of them are terrific. Here's hoping the platformer renaissance continues into 2021! For now, let's take a look back at the year that was with the Top Five Platformers of 2020!

5) Shantae and the Seven Sirens (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

Initially released as an Apple Arcade exclusive last year, Shantae and the Seven Sirens arrived on consoles and PC this past spring, bringing back the half-genie hero and putting her on an adventure on an island to rescue the other captured half-genies in this wonderful Metroidvania game. The way that Shantae's transformation abilities were seamlessly integrated into the game rather than forcing players to enter a quick select menu to transform, meant for a snappier, faster-paced game. Whether she dashes across maps or climbs walls as a newt or burrows under sand like a drill, Shantae has the skills to take down whatever nefarious force is behind the half-genies' capture. Shantae and the Seven Sirens was a welcome return to the Metroidvania formula that Half-Genie Hero abandoned, and ultimately the full experience overall worked really, really well. Hence the game's placement at the start of this best platformers of 2020 countdown.

4) Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time (PS4, XB1)

Crash Bandicoot was back, and he was joined by a motley crew of playable characters, such as Coco, Tawna, Dingodile, and even Dr. Cortex himself in one time trip of an adventure. Crash and Coco never felt better than before with responsive platforming goodness, new moves via the mask abilities, and generally smart and clever level design that used myriad tricks and gimmicks to keep the game fresh. By no means is the experience perfect, as some of the Cortex sections offer a bit of imprecision, and levels--albeit extremely well made--tend to run overly long in the duration department. And forget about trying to complete the game with the top percentage--you'll go mad like a certain aforementioned scientists. Still, the quality of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time can't be argued against, at least by yours truly, making it arrive at the four spot on this countdown of best platformers of 2020.

3) Super Mario 3D All-Stars (NSW)

As a collection itself, Super Mario 3D All-Stars offered higher resolution visuals and little else new, but as for the games themselves, these are some of the best 3D platformers on offer to date--and then, of course, there's Super Mario Sunshine. No, no. I kid, Sunshine fans. The game might have a multitude of issues, but it's still a greater platformer than so many of its rivals and contemporaries alike. Super Mario 64, meanwhile, is still a marvel to play, and as important to gaming as ever. Finally, Super Mario Galaxy remains a near-perfect 3D platformer for me, offering an abundance of creativity in its levels, concepts, and execution. Really, if this was a collection of new platformers, Super Mario 3D All-Stars would easily be at the top of this list, but considering this is a collection of remastered games, it'll have to do with number three on the countdown. Seeing its competition ahead, that's still high praise for an adequately assembled collection of masterful games.

2) Ori and the Will of the Wisps (XB1, NSW, PC)

Ori and the Blind Forest already amazed with its brilliance, whether that be in its gorgeous, breathtaking visuals or its precision platforming prowess. Ori and the Will of the Wisps took the foundation laid down by its predecessor and improved upon it in utterly remarkable fashion. Adding a slew of new mechanics alongside familiar old ones such as the ability to chain bash attacks to launch Ori off enemies and projectiles alike for greater height and distance, little spirit Ori never felt better to control. The world, too, put these abilities to great use, delivering challenging platforming gameplay alongside presenting a mysterious and whimsical series of areas to enjoy exploring. Ori and the Will of the Wisps didn't just make for a stronger outing than its predecessor, Ori and the Blind Forest; it made for a stunning and stellar platformer period.

1) Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS5, PS4)

It almost seems like blasphemy, but I think I preferred Sumo Digital's Sackboy: A Big Adventure more than Nintendo EAD's own Super Mario 3D World. Perhaps my opinion will change come February when that game is re-released on the Switch, but Sackboy's latest outing offers so much greatness packed into its virtual stuffing. From the copious amounts of creative, clever, and interesting level designs--where I literally felt I couldn't stop playing because I wanted to see what the designers would present to me next in the game's levels--to Sackboy actually controlling well without the floaty-ness of past LittleBigPlanet games, Sackboy: A Big Adventure was a total delight for me to play. Certainly, Sackboy might not feel as tight to control as other games on this list, but his repertoire of moves and just playing as the yarned mascot felt fun to control regardless. Between this and the aforementioned stellar level design, and you have my pick for the top platformer of 2020. Well done, Sumo Digital.

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Later in the evening I invite you to join me as the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards chugs along and enters remake and remaster territory with the Top Five Best Remakes/Remasters from the past year. The award show fun continues until the new year, so be there!

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards - Top Five Best Original Soundtracks

Welcome once again to the yearly tradition: the SuperPhillip Central Best Of Awards, and it's back this year with the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards, where we detail the best and brightest in gaming in the past year. 2020 has been an especially tough year, so there's not too much to celebrate about--save for most of the video games listed in the coming days in this awards ceremony. What follows this year is a collection of top five lists for each category of nominees and one final top ten to count down SPC's Game of the Year--this last top ten will be on New Year's Eve. With all this out of the way, let's get to the first awards category!

Good video game music is something that can have you humming along as you play, but truly great video game music is something that sticks with you long after you put down the controller--it accentuates and elevates a game to remarkable levels. Although calling something "great music" is highly subjective, I hope you'll agree that the games and music shared (when available for the latter) on this first awards category in the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards are of a strong quality! One final note: licensed music from games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 do NOT qualify for this list. It must be original music, whether remixed, rearranged, or wholly new. Now, let's get to the winners this year.

5) Ori and the Will of the Wisps (XB1, NSW, PC)

Let's kick off both this countdown and the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards proper with a game that is as equally gorgeous visually as it is aurally. It's Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and composer Gareth Coker crafted an exceptionally emotional soundtrack that hits you right in the feels. In the soundtrack there are songs that are mellow, songs that evoke intensity, songs that bring upon feelings of sadness and melancholy, but make no mistake--all of it is tremendous. It's the perfect musical complement to Ori's moving and riveting adventure.

Main Theme

A Shine Upon Inkwater Marsh

Kwolok's Hollow

Escaping a Foul Presence

Mora the Spider

4) Paper Mario: The Origami King (NSW)

We move from Ori to a more familiar character in gaming, and I don't think I'm understating that. It's Mario, well Mario in paper form with the eclectic sounds of Paper Mario: The Origami King for the Nintendo Switch. Whether listening to the whimsical and delightful overworld themes or rocking it out to the many battle themes featured in the game, Paper Mario: The Origami King's soundtrack is catchy, super and stupendous with its amazing quality. 

Picnic Road

Vellumental Battle

Autumn Mountain

Sweet Sap Loggins Theme

Origami Castle

3) Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (NSW)

Koei Tecmo's team of composers once more delivers unto listeners magnificent music with their Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity soundtrack. The orchestral goodness and bombastic tones pulsate through battle as Link and acquaintances hack and slash their way through battlefield after battlefield. Whereas The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild had mostly a more subdued soundtrack--which worked wonderfully for that game--Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity brings lots of bold brass, stirring strings, and musical content old and new alike. A sensational soundtrack for a sensational Musou game.

Overlooking Hyrule - Prelude to Calamity (Map)

The Champion Mipha

The Champion Daruk

Sooga, Right Hand of the Inverted Eye (Phase 2)

The Knight Who Seals the Darkness

2) Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (NSW)

Now it's [Reyn] time for a rearranged and remixed original soundtrack. Most of the music heard in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition got a whole new lease on life with new instrumentation, better sound quality, and much more, making it qualify for this list. Plus, who can resist listing the excellence that is the Xenoblade Chronicles soundtrack whenever possible?! Regardless, alongside familiar favorites with brand-new versions like Gaur Plain and You Will Know Our Names, the all-new epilogue Future Connected features never-before-heard music. One such highlight is the disco-esque version of Xenoblade Chronicles' battle theme: Time to Fight! All in all, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition's soundtrack invokes so many emotions, all very, very good, and that says something to the exceptional quality of the music on display here.

Hometown

Gaur Plain

You Will Know Our Names

Engage the Enemy

Time to Fight! (Bionis' Shoulder)

1) Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)

A collection of composers led by Final Fantasy VII's original musical mastermind contributed to Final Fantasy VII Remake's overall soundtrack, and the results speak for themselves. However, permit me to speak for the soundtrack regardless, as a one-sentence paragraph for SPC's Original Soundtrack of 2020 wouldn't do this music justice! Final Fantasy VII Remake's soundtrack is a mix of old and new content, but even still, the old content in the form of familiar themes like Bombing Mission, Aerith's Theme, and the incomparable One-Winged Angel have new, orchestrated life breathed into them, giving each a fresh and utterly incredible sound. New tracks and remixes such as Ignition Flame, Whispers' Theme, and more fit in well with the soundtrack, all creating a truly profound and divine listening experience. There was no question for me which game soundtrack was going to take the top prize this year, and Final Fantasy VII Remake is that game.

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Stay tuned tomorrow for a double dose of awards categories when we take a look at both the Top Five Platformers of 2020 and the Top Five Remakes/Remasters of 2020, as the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards continues! See you then!