Noisy Pixel’s End of Year Awards 2020: Genre Part 2

Continuing our End of Year Awards for 2020 with a look at the second group of genres. We’ll continue to plan to reveal more awards leading up to our official game of the year. So take a look below at the winners of this first batch of winners.

Genre Part 1

Visual Novel

Robotics;Notes Elite

Visual novels tend to impact the player through character development, pacing, and an unforgettable story. Robotics;Notes Elite had all of that and more, making it an easy choice for our best visual novel pick. The impressive visual novel also gives readers an admirable UI and well-animated character scenes to provide an immersive experience for this memorable adventure. Did we mention there are mechs? Because there are.

Indie

Hades

Also winning our best roguelike award, Hades was expected to be good, but none of us anticipated it to be great. Regardless, each run through the dungeons gives players a new adventure to test their skills with the various weapons available. Death isn’t the worst thing that can happen as the game’s narrative revolves around trial and error. While exploring, you meet new faces who each play their own role in the game’s story. There’s a challenge here, but also an amazingly well-developed game that earns it this award.

Mobile

Genshin Impact

To us, this was a no brainer. Genshin Impact took the gaming community by storm with its beautiful world, battle mechanics, and waifu…I mean characters. Since launch, the game has received updates, which has expanded the large open-world and added a host of new characters. Further, the free-to-play game doesn’t force you to pay-to-win, and those looking to experience the game’s narrative and side-stories can do so easily without spending a dime. However, that would mean that your waifu may not join your team, but is that a gamble you’re willing to take? Regardless, this is an amazing adventure and one that will stay on our phones for the foreseeable future.

Multiplayer

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

A battle royal for people who aren’t good at battle royals is how Fall Guys was originally pitched to us, and it couldn’t be more true. Competing against strangers through obstacle courses to be the last one standing is such a charming idea in concept, but developer Mediatonic made it work. Players can customize their character and join friends through dozens of zany courses that make it fun for hours upon hours.

Remaster

Persona 4 Golden

Sometimes, you don’t know you wanted something until it is released. Persona 4 Golden has made its way to PC, making it the first time available since it launched on PlayStation Vita. Fans can curb their Persona desires with more action and the improvements brought to the game with this Golden release. Additionally, we get the best version available graphically of this adventure with refind textures and new options to make the PC version the definitive way to play this beloved game.

Ecchi Visual Novel

You and Me and Her: A Love Story

Sure, there may be ecchier visual novels available, but none that leave you jaw dropped and astonished after the conclusion of You and Me and Her: A Love Story. Never have we experienced something quite like this, a visual novel that has us question our own fandom and love for the medium. The characters and story leave a huge impact on the player as you go deep down this must-play rabbit hole.

VR

Half-Life: Alyx

This year, VR owners were graced with a must-play game from Valve in Half-Life: Alyx. Players got the chance to immerse themselves in the Half-Life world and take down enemies in the first person. If you were playing on a powerful rig, you probably had the best overall experience. Still, VR seems to be young but evolving quickly, and Half-Life: Alyx shows us a glimpse of what’s to come from this medium. On top of that, it’s a great game.

DLC

Kingdom Hearts III Re:Mind

Filled with additional story content, players could explore more of the ending of Kingdom Hearts III with the release of Kingdom Hearts III Re:Mind. However, it wasn’t really the DLC’s story content that had us coming back for more, but instead the updated battle system, tough as nails boss battles, and answers to questions we know we’ll never get. Also, let’s not forget the pure gold that is the soundtrack.