For us gamers, the New Year brings the start of a whole new line-up of incredible video games. Many of these titles have been teased for months and in some cases, even years, so to be able to finally get our hands on them when they drop at some point over the next 12 months is going to be exciting, to say the very least.
With that in mind, we know how hard it can be to sift through everything that's on offer in the world of gaming. So, we've put together this handy guide of the top 20 video games you should be keeping your eye on from January to December 2020! We've covered all genres to satisfy all types of gamers, so take a look and make a list of what takes your fancy...
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Releases February 11th, 2020)
The long-anticipated sequel to 2015's surprise hit Ori and the Blind Forest will finally be making its debut on Xbox One and Microsoft Windows 10, as a 4K UHD, Xbox One X Enhanced and Xbox Play Anywhere release.
Players will once again take control of the titular guardian spirit Ori, who is forced to solve puzzles to move between platforms and progress through the story. A new adventure is at the centre of the narrative, as players discover a world beyond that which they explored in the original game, uncovering the truths of the lost ones along the way, before ultimately unvearthing Ori's true destiny.
If you're a fan of the Rayman and Metroid franchises, then you'll absolutely love this one. There's not too much longer to wait until it drops!
Final Fantasy VII Remake (Releases March 3rd, 2020)
The original 1997 Final Fantasy VII release was so good, that Square Enix have decided to make it the next episodic instalment in their Remake series. Players here control Cloud Strife, as he and an eco-terrorist group called AVALANCHE battle the corrupt Shinra megacorporation and legendary soldier, Sephiroth.
The remade game is built from the ground up, with fully polygonal graphics as opposed to the pre-rendered graphics that we saw in the original. Some of the battle mechanics have also been altered, with an "Active Time Battle" system that gradually fills up slowly, and which the speed of can be increased with attacks.
With a wealth of positivity coming from the playable first demo, we're sure this game is going to tick all of the right boxes for the Final Fantasy fanbase.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Releases March 20th, 2020)
Nintendo Switch players are going to be transported into the world of Animal Crossing once more this coming March, as they're challenged to set up their homes in New Horizons.
Played in real-time once more, players will take on the role of a customisable human character who will this time move to a deserted island alongside some anthropomorphic animals, all of whom have purchased vacation packages from everybody's favourite little capitalist raccoon, Tom Nook. For the first time in the series, specific hairstyles and facial features won't be locked to specific genders, instead being available freely to all. Character skin colour will also be a choice for the first time in the main series, following on from the standard set by spin-off, Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer.
Expect to pump hundreds of hours into this one, as you go fishing, catching bugs and digging up fossils to complete collections, and earn enough of the in-game currency to keep Nook off your back!
Doom Eternal (Releases March 20th, 2020)
Bethesda Softworks are putting in extra time to ensure that Doom Eternal is perfect upon launch, sending it back from its original release date of November 2019, all the way to March 2020. Let's hope that the hours they've had to polish up the rough edges means it'll be just as addictive as the 2016 reboot debut!
Players will once again take on the role of ancient warrior the Doom Slayer, battling the demons of Hell from a first-person perspective, in one of video games' most shocking and gory environments. Expect lots of blood and guts, as you slice and dice your way through legions of dedicated enemies.
Resident Evil 3 Remake (Releases April 3rd, 2020)
Following the huge success of the Resident Evil 2 remake, we'll be seeing Resident Evil 3 make a return a little later this year, with fan-favourite Jill Valentine leading proceedings and battling against the living dead, whilst being hunted by an intelligent bioweapon known as Nemesis.
The story takes us back to September 1998, before the events of Resident Evil 2, as Valentine works to escape Raccoon City following the outbreak of the T-Virus and the resulting zombie apocalypse.
An online multiplayer mode called Resident Evil: Resistance will also be included, placing a team of four against a "mastermind" who creates traps, hazards and enemies.
Cyberpunk 2077 (Releases April 16th, 2020)
One of the video games we're most excited about getting our hands on this year is Cyberpunk 2077. From CD Projekt Red - renowned for their work on The Witcher III: Wild Hunt - the game will take place in a dystopian future, in an open world consisting of six distinct regions.
Gamers take on the role of a customisable mercenary whose voice, face, hairstyle, body type, background, clothing and modifications can all be changed. They'll also choose a class from three options; NetRunner, Techie, and Solo.
CD Projekt Red are doing well to keep the heavy details surrounding narrative out of the spotlight, but we're expecting lots of chaotic action and mayhem as we tread the streets of California, in a world that's supposed to be unrecognisable, but will be increasingly similar to our own...
Marvel's Avengers (Releases May 15th, 2020)
If you've got superhero fatigue, I get it. I'm fed up of going to the cinemas to watch another Marvel Cinematic Universe release, as well. Square Enix are hedging their bets however, still firm in the belief that gamers will want to take control of characters such as Hulk, Black Widow, and Captain America in their upcoming release, Marvel's Avengers.
Gameplay looks incredible, as the linear narrative forces you to hone your skills as each of the members of the crime-fighting squad, whilst another form of play allows you to buddy up with a friend and tackle missions using a hero of your own choosing. Whether you still love superheroes or not, it's hard to deny that this one is going to be a lot of fun.
The Last of Us Part II (Releases May 29th, 2020)
It's the sequel we've all been dying to see, and despite a small delay in its release, The Last Of Us Part II will be coming to us all at the end of May.
Ellie's story continues in more of a familiar setting to the one we last saw, as she enjoys a romantic relationship, but forces herself to continue searching for answers if the trailers we've seen so far are anything to go by. We know Joel will be involved, but in what capacity remains to be revealed. Honestly, we don't know much about what we'll be discovering when we jump into the action, but one thing is for sure - we can't wait!
Dying Light 2 (Release date TBC - expected spring 2020)
This upcoming open world first-person survival horror looks as though it's going to take everything that made the original such a success, build on it, and add new elements to ensure it's one of this year's most addictive and compelling video game releases.
Dying Light 2 sees players take control of infected survivor Aiden Caldwell, who's looking for a cure in a European city, where various factions have started to take control. It will be up to each individual player to decide which factions they'll help out and who they'll sabotage, which in turn affects the overall narrative outcome and gameplay in general. Exciting!
Halo Infinite (Release date TBC - expected December 2020)
Launching alongside the next-generation Xbox One Series X console, Halo Infinite will finally allow fans of the mega Microsoft franchise to rejoin Master Chief and discover what happens in the next chapter of his story.
Microsoft are promising that the all-new Slipspace Engine used to create the game, and the team who have worked on it, will take the franchise in "ambitious and unexpected directions". That's enough to get us interested!
Gods and Monsters (Release date TBC)
From the creators of Assassin's Creed Odyssey comes a storybook adventure, similar in tone and graphic style to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Here, players will come across countless mythical monsters in their bid to save the Greek Gods, by taking on challenges, trials and dungeons.
No release date for the game has yet been given, after the original was said to be too ambitious.
Oddworld: Soulstorm (Release date TBC)
If you loved the first Oddworld game, then those who have worked on Oddworld: Soulstorm are hoping to bring you back into their wild world by giving the original tale a bunch of twists and updates, including new mechanics and cinematic accomplishments. No release date just yet, but we're hoping to get our hands on it before the year's out!
Skull and Bones (Release date TBC)
If you're a big fan of pirates, then Skull and Bones could be the video game you've been waiting for. A gameplay walkthrough was given at E3 2018, but we've not seen much of the title since. Still, we're holding out hope that it'll be on shelves and in our digital libraries before too long! Perhaps not one for you if you get easily sea sick...
Watch Dogs: Legion (Release date TBC)
Though it was originally scheduled to be released in March 2020, no update on a release date for Watch Dogs: Legion has been given since that was thrown out of the window. Still, after the teasers we've seen and innovative gameplay, we'd much rather developers do their all to ensure this is a bug-free and smooth experience, because it could be one of the most addictive titles of 2020!
Deadly Premonition 2 (Release date TBC)
Following the re-release of the original Deadly Premonition game will come its official sequel, and it's looking to be exclusive to Nintendo Switch.
The sequel sees FBI agent Aaliyah Davis in the centre of an old serial killer case in Boston, which also has a connection to a 14-year-old case in New Orleans that was investigated by Francis York Morgan - a name fans of the first game will instantly recognise. Players will get to take control of both Aaliyah and Francis, as their stories intersect and they learn how to help one another.
12 Minutes (Release date TBC)
Microsoft Windows and Xbox One players are to be treated to another exclusive this year, developed by Luis Antonio and published by Annapurna Interactive.
In 12 Minutes, players will be placed inside a small apartment suite and the immediate areas around it, as they repeatedly play through the events of a 12-minute cycle, in a bid to solve a shocking mystery.
Everwild (Release date TBC)
After seeing success with Sea of Thieves, Rare are to return with their brand new game, Everwild, a little later this year. The all-new property is scarce of details for now, but if the announcement trailer is anything to go by, it's going to be a colourful affair full of magical and colourful inhabitants.
Overwatch 2 (Release date TBC)
BlizzCon 2019 may have had most of its major news leaked ahead of time, but that hasn't stopped the excitement building for Overwatch 2, which will build on the model of the original game with new solo missions.
Players will also be able to choose specific abilities for heroes in these solo missions, adding yet another layer to the addictive and celebrated gameplay that Overwatch has become so renowned for. We're also expecting new heroes, maps and ways to play, with the latter including a new PvP called "Push", which functions like a tug of war, but instead of a rope, teams are fighting over a cute, big robot.
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II (Release date TBC)
One of the most exciting reveals at The Game Awards 2019 was that of the unexpected Hellblade sequel, with Senua's saga continuing on in what looks to be another tonally dark and spooky offering.
Still currently in development to launch for the new Xbox Series X console, we're expecting it to drop in the holidays of 2020, but wouldn't be surprised to see it pushed back to 2021. Still, fingers crossed!
Diablo IV (Release date TBC)
BlizzCon 2019 also finally saw the release of a trailer confirming that Diablo IV was on the way.
The dungeon crawler series has been popular for decades now, and whilst no official release date has yet been set, we're expecting it to drop before the end of 2020. Still, don't be taken by surprise if it comes in 2021; we know how much the team behind the game are perfectionists, after all!