Flavor of the Month Games in 2020

With lockdowns and the general state of 2020, it’s safe to say a lot more games were played this year than in previous years, at least in my household. The abundance of free time had to be filled and there were certainly a lot of games that held our attention in this troublesome 2020. Yet, how long will they continue to be successful after the initial fun wears off? Here’s a look back at the titles that graced millions of screens during the pandemic, that may struggle to maintain relevance from now on.

Fall Guys was a novel concept that almost felt too good to be true. Immediately, I had heaps of fun navigating fast-paced courses and bonding with my friend group over the silly beans flying across the screen. I thought I had sworn off Battle Royales but made an exception for this bright, jovial title. Unfortunately, come season two, the initial insanity had worn off and I found Fall Guys to be formulaic and no longer exciting. So, it sits unplayed until season three aims to shake things up.

Among Us may not have released in 2020, but it took the gaming community by storm as a game that’s easy to navigate but nigh impossible to master. The social aspect of the PC/phone title has friends at each other’s throats with accusations, deception, and persuasion.

So many strategies have been implemented to keep each round fresh and make the game as addictive as it can be. The trouble is, it’s tough to get larger groups together if not everyone is on-board, so the hassle to round up a match can be enough to turn players off. Still, I have more hope for Among Us‘ future than Fall Guys, as the small development team at InnerSloth is eager to retain players.

Phasmophobia is another example of the social portion of a game being just as vital to the entertainment as the gameplay. The cooperation aspect warrants a high level of trust and communication between players, making this a must-play for a group of friends ready to be spooked. Still sitting with an “Overwhelmingly Positive” review rating on Steam, this Early Access game has semi-regular updates but enough of a foundation to be highly-playable and enjoyed by the masses. Expect to keep hearing about Phasmophobia in 2021 as the game pushes on to completion.

Genshin Impact may have given the first impression that it was a Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild clone, but it garnered a lot of critical acclaim thanks to being a polished, engaging, free-to-play action RPG. There is much debate as to whether the game warrants purchases to unlock more favorable characters, but it’s clear that Genshin Impact is by no means a “pay-to-win” game.

As enticing as it may be to funnel some funds into it, there is plenty of fun to be had without spending a penny. Genshin Impact will continue to introduce new content in the future, as it has been noted as a “long-term project” in a fully-playable state. There’s certainly more to come next year for this divisive title.