The 20 Best Video Games of 2020 So Far

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – July 10, 2020

Which games impressed professional reviewers the most during the first half of the year? Above, we rank the best-reviewed videogames released between January 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020 by Metascore. Games must have at least 7 reviews from professional critics to be eligible for inclusion.

Note that ...

If a game was released on multiple platforms, we included only the version receiving the largest total number of reviews (usually, but not always, the PS4 version).

Newly released ports of games released in prior years on other platforms are excluded, unless they are substantially different from the prior release (for example, an HD remaster of a previous-gen game that also adds some new content).

9 of 21 photo by Good Shepherd Entertainment

86 #11 (tie): Monster Train

A deck-building turn-based strategy game from indie developer Shiny Shoe, Monster Train is set aboard a multi-story train to hell. Critics compared it to Slay the Spire because of its roguelike gameplay, but it's no mere clone.

“As far as deckbuilders go, Monster Train is fantastic. The general strategy and the quirks of fighting on a multi-leveled train make it stand out as its own sort of unique puzzle that rewards players for cleverness. The runs are fast, it’s easy to learn, and the challenge modes give it plenty of depth and replay. Get on board before it leaves the station!” —GameCritics

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