Edcel Cintron’s 2020 Games of the Year
Edcel Javier Cintron Gonzalez, Contributing Editor
Super Mario 3D All-Stars (Switch)
I know this isn't the remake everybody wanted, and honestly, I don’t blame you. With recent remakes of Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake, fans have come to expect innovation and improvement in design and graphics when they revisit their favorite games. However, I wasn’t mad at this remake, because I saw it as an opportunity to reconnect with the Mario 3D adventures, a chance to indulge in nostalgia. As a 90s baby, I played Mario games for most of my childhood. Some of my best memories are thanks to the Mario franchise, triple jumping my way through each world, collecting coins, stars, and eventually grabbing Bowser’s tail to toss him to defeat. It’s amazing how much change the genre of the Mario 3D platformer has gone through over the years, how different each adventure is in this collection. We went from saving Princess Peach and eating some cake she baked as an award to saving an entire galaxy! From the collection, I’ve been spending most of my time playing Super Mario Sunshine just to enjoy the tropical scenery, or lack thereof, of the game as Mario & F.L.U.D.D. save the Isle Delfino from an environmental disaster. I have my fingers crossed that a Zelda collection is on its way to the Switch in 2021.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (Switch)
Speaking of Zelda, I had a blast playing Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, because there’s nothing like a good hack and slash game to help you deal with your everyday anxiety. If you’re looking for a game with plenty of playable characters, upgrades, move sets, and an interesting storyline, then this game is for you. Imagine yourself paragliding your way to devastate hordes of enemies, or as the screenshot above suggests, rolling your way to victory as you complete several missions and objectives to lead Hyrule to victory. If the gameplay’s not enough, then come for the narrative, which guides you on a new journey with Link and Zelda. And while we all wait for the sequel to Breath of the Wild, this game will manage to satisfy your Legend of Zelda needs.
Paper Mario: The Origami King (Switch)
When Nintendo announced a new Paper Mario for the Switch, I was beyond excited to play it and test out the new combat system. For those of you who have played the Paper Mario franchise since its Nintendo 64 release, you’re already aware of the many changes this game’s gone through. From classic RPG to action role-playing platforms, Paper Mario has gone through a lot of gameplay changes through the years. However, Paper Mario: The Origami King felt fresh because it transforms its 2D paper structures into a more multidimensional environment and introduces an innovative ring-based, turn-based, puzzle-like combat system. Those are a lot of words to describe the combat system, but don’t worry: Paper Mario: The Origami King also offers witty and humorous dialogue with the Toads as you save them from zany situations, not to mention the ability to throw a ridiculous amount of confetti everywhere. You can’t help but feel like the Oprah Winfrey meme as you use confetti to repair the Mushroom Kingdom in Paper Mario’s latest adventure.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX (Switch)
I love playing Pokémon games, and one of my all-time favorites from the franchise is the Mystery Dungeon series. This is one of the few games where Pokémon have their own voice and shape a narrative where they work as a community to help other Pokémon in need. As players finish each adventure, saving Pokémon trapped in the mystery dungeons, you’ll notice how much these characters help each other using their team skills or items when a teammate is in danger of fainting. Part of what keeps this franchise interesting for me is the personality quiz to find out which Pokémon you will become, as well as the combat system. No matter how similar I think my answers are taking this quiz, I always end up a different Pokémon. The first time I played Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, I was a cute and confused Bulbasaur. Now, I’m a Mudkip with a Pikachu as a partner, facing challenging odds as I uncover the mysteries of the game.
Among Us (Android, iOS, PC, Switch)
And of course, I couldn’t end my 2020 GOTY list without a shout out to Among Us, the game that’s been my way to reconnect with friends during this awful quarantine. This game represents a way for me to vent about the courses I’m taking, while training my mind to think of rhetorical ways to find out who the imposter is… or for me to simply accuse other people of being the imposter. Although I love playing the imposter, since it's the only opportunity I have to troll my friends, I’ve grown attached to the array of tasks each map offers the crew members. My favorite being the QR Code scan on Polus and the ever so frustrating card swipe at The Skeld. If you’re looking for a game that allows you to enjoy a video call with your buddies on a Saturday night, then Among Us is right up your alley!
