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Top 10 Xbox One Games of 2020 So Far (Jan to June)

Here are the highest-rated Xbox One games of this year, so far; ranked by their playscore, a rating that combines critics and gamer reviews.

BywhatoplayJuly 29, 2020
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We're only halfway through the year, but the Xbox One has already clocked hundreds of releases. 368 to be exact. Fortunately, we've sorted through all of them to bring you this list of the Top 10 Xbox One Games of 2020 So Far. Stay up-to-date with our list of all new Xbox One games.

10. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

This latest Dragon Ball title from Bandai Namco littered our upcoming lists for months, and now that it's finally out, it seems the Xbox One peeps have heeded our call of checking it out. Retelling one of the most popular arcs in the whole Dragon Ball saga, there were some fears of it being a little too familiar.

But, while that was the case for some critics--who also found it to be lacking in both Open World and arena fighting merits--most gamers were just glad to have Goku's adventures renewed, complete with stunning cutscenes that are voiced to perfection.

Though it may have some technical issues and some repetitive combat, this is still a winner for anyone who wants to feel that rush of Dragon Ball nostalgia. It has a playscore of 8.04

9. One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4

The fourth installment of this Musou-based One Piece adaptation has hit the mark. While their previous games succeeded at delivering a Musou game with a One Piece skin, this fourth entry actually went above and beyond in their retelling of a familiar story.

Not only does it gather round a sizeable number of the series' iconic characters to bring it to life, but it also introduces brand new character arcs, as well as the exclusive Land of Wano story.

On top of that, there's also the new fighter types in Sanji and his siblings, and the spike in difficulty with notable enemies getting armor bars that require a strategy to whittle down.

All in all, there's just so much action in this new entry, and you can keep coming back for more. It has a playscore of 8.07

8. Doom 64

The DOOM series is basking in the limelight this year. Aside from id Software's explosive sequel to their DOOM reboot series, fans of the DOOM series have also been treated with this remastered revival of the 1997 FPS originally made for the Nintendo 64.

While it may still look dated due to its obvious retro roots, what makes Doom 64 special is the fact that it was specially modified for release on the modern consoles. No longer are the stages too dark for normal vision. Some improvements on framerates and shooting have also been made, making it a fast-paced and responsive game despite its age.

Whether you're an old DOOM fan or a newbie looking for a taste of the videogame history, this remastered experience will serve you well with a score of 8.09

7. Super Mega Baseball 3

There's a lot of emotion in baseball and it's amazing to witness a game that captures intensity of the sport. Although it might have a cartoony presentation that suggests an arcade focus, it actually takes baseball simulation pretty seriously. Despite the lack of licensing, the game provides plenty of gameplay options that more than makes up for it. Create your very own team from scratch, design the logos, manage the players, and all while getting a hands-on experience on the field too.

With a combination of their in-depth mechanics and appealing aesthetic, it makes it a great game for hardcore baseball fans and for players just looking for a good bit of fun. A wonderful addition to the baseball roster, it receives a playscore of 8.14

6. Shantae and the Seven Sirens

Shantae has had more than a few adventures so it's fitting for her to go back to her roots. The seven sirens take a page out of their previous iterations, bringing out the best features from each of them and combining them all into one amazing package.

It's always been a series known for its Metroid style gameplay. However, instead of the level-based design of Half-Genie, this entry brings back the open-map system which--while a little more straightforward--will be very familiar to old fans.

It may fall short on features to make it stand out in the increasingly saturated Metroidvania genre, it's still one of the best releases of the series and it's definitely worth checking out. It has a playscore of 8.17

5. SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated

One of the many remakes and remasters scheduled for this year. Spongebob's platforming adventures in Bikini Bottom was a cult hit when it was first released in 2003. Now, the videogame rises up along with the series comeback of Nickelodeon's hyperactive sea sponge.

This remaster is still pretty much banking on nostalgia. There isn't a lot of big changes to the game, apart from some deleted content from the original and a new multiplayer mode.

It didn't score too well with critics. But, for gamers who just wanted to dive back into the fun of Bikini Bottom in HD, that was a plus. If you're a fan of the series, Rehydrated preserves the charm of the original while showing us just how far gaming technology has come. It has a playscore of 8.36

4. Doom Eternal

Here's something both critics and gamers can agree on. As a sequel to id Software's reboot, Doom Eternal brought out of a lot of new ideas for the rebirth of the series. One of the biggest draws of this entry was its array of movement upgrades and weapon additions, allowing for more excitement in the singleplayer campaign for your resident Doom guy.

The game has been mostly praised for the lightning-fast pace of its action sequences. On the other hand, there's also their new platform and puzzle-based levels, that for some, felt like a fitting counterpoint to the action, while for others, awkward and frustrating. With more involved combat and multiplayer modes, it's definitely a step up from the 2016 original and it receives a playscore of 8.5

3. Yakuza 0

It took the game a while to get on the console. But, as something that's already been widely praised on both the PS4 and the PC, Yakuza 0 brought all of its strong points to this most-awaited entrance to the Xbox One, and more.

This delayed port may have actually been to its benefit. More than a couple of years after its debut, we now get to see it in a form that's better than ever before. It shows off the glitz and grooviness of the Yakuza's 80s origins with the current generation's graphics and high resolutions.

Reintroducing a modern masterpiece to a new audience, many would agree that this is a perfect jumping point for anyone that's still starting on the series. As COGConnected says: Yakuza 0 still translates well as an engaging and fun experience, particularly for those who love a good story. It gets a score of 8.63

2. HUNTDOWN

While we're on the subject of the 80s, this title from Coffee Stain Publishing and Easy Trigger Games have found a way to combine two iconic 80s things into one game. Feeling like a fusion of CONTRA and Blade Runner, it's not surprising that retro fans would flock to this game like moths to a flame. But, aside from its strong nostalgia factor, HUNTDOWN also succeeds in delivering fluid and functional action that fits well in this generation.

According to GameSpew: It does a brilliant job of feeling like a blast from the past, yet the responsive controls and cover mechanics firmly plant it in the modern age. The game just oozes personality. It's cool, it's inventive, and, giving players all that excitement at a budget price point, it's definitely something you shouldn't miss out on. It has a playscore of 8.63

1. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

One of Microsoft's most prized exclusives has done it again. After Ori touched our hearts with its heartwarming story in the Blind Forest, people have come looking for that same sentiment in this new sequel. And, clearly, it delivered. Will of the Wisps is a true sequel, maintaining the quality of its storytelling, visuals, and musical score. All while also adding new moves and concepts that expand on their already excellent formula.

This new entry did come across a few technical hiccups, especially in terms of performance. But, with just a little bit of patience, and some help from post-release patches, they're easy to ignore on account of the game's overall quality. One of, if not the best Metroidvania of the generation, it gets a playscore of 8.85

Here are the runners-up:

Observation

See through the eyes of the AI. Dive into the adventure that is this sci-fi thriller and uncover the mystery surrounding a space station crew.

Ion Fury

From the makers of Duke Nukem, Prey, and Max Payne comes an action packed fps that looks straight out of the 90s. While bogged down by technical issues, there's still no denying the authenticity of its gameplay and atmosphere.

Project Warlock

Retro games are in, and this game is dedicated to the old school fans of DOOM, Hexen, and Wolfenstein. White knuckle your way through 60 high-octane levels and enjoy the carnage of enemies and bosses.

Journey to the Savage Planet

A field trip to an untamed planet made for two. Shoot the breeze and the world's strange creatures and enjoy the hilarity that comes with exploring a place that's entirely unfamiliar.

Streets of Rage 4

The refreshed return of a beat 'em up classic. At a time that's lacking in beat 'em up action this latest entry gives us a perfect opportunity to jump back in, despite the lack of new features.