3 Up, 3 Down – December 2020
Well, 2020 was definitely a year, and December 2020 was a fitting conclusion to it. With one of the biggest releases of the year, is there any better way to end a unique 2020? Probably… Without getting into it here, let’s look at the best and worst games of December 2020.
The Best
Immortals Fenyx Rising
Releasing at an unfortunate time and being potentially cannibalized by other Ubisoft titles Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Watch Dogs: Legion, Immortals Fenyx Rising comes as a bit of a surprise, soaring above the rest of December’s releases. Being compared to the likes of Breath of the Wild is a compliment in itself, but Immortals Fenyx Rising does things its own way… the Ubisoft way. The game’s vibrant art direction, diverse environments, and unique writing help to make the open-world action RPG its own thing. In our review, we found that “you’ll fall in love with the characterization and delivery of the narrative and want to explore every nook and cranny of the rich and diverse Grecian world.”
Call of the Sea
Call of the Sea is an adventure title, or as some might call it, a walking simulator. While the genre can be a hit or miss, Call of the Sea implements clever puzzles and a lot of intrigue to keep players hooked. The game follows Norah Everhart who seeks out her missing husband who ventured out to search for a cure for Norah’s own mysterious illness. Along with its intriguing story, Call of the Sea stands out with its strong audio and visual components. In our review, we concluded that the title “was such an incredible journey with an intriguing story and a well-thought-out ending.”
Chronos: Before the Ashes
Chronos: Before the Ashes is an action-RPG that also serves as a prequel to Remnant: From the Ashes. While some aspects of Chronos may be familiar to those from Remnant, the games are clearly differentiated as Chronos is more fantasy-based. Essentially, Chronos: Before the Ashes is a Souls-like title, though it brings its own unique mechanic: aging. Each time a player dies, they age one year. This affects gameplay as players will start out as a quicker character before aging into one with stronger magical abilities. In our review, we stated that “Chronos: Before the Ashes is a calming, serene, yet challenging game that is perfect for gamers who want to try skill-based combat but aren’t ready for classic entries to the genre.”