Our first blog series for 2020 is a brief look forward at what we can expect to sate our gaming appetites in 2020. We’ll be covering 15 games over the next 3 days, with a focus on games releasing for PC and the Nintendo Switch since that’s what we currently have to play. Rest assured however, we’ve found a fun mix of mainstream and eclectic selections to keep an eye on as the calendar marches on. Here’s Part 2!

Way to the Woods

Developer: Anthony Tan
Release Date: 2020
Genre: Indie-Adventure
Platform: Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

We are absolute suckers for games involving woodland critters of all types. 2019’s critter-classic was Untitled Goose Game, and it looks like Way to the Woods might be the case for 2020. Developed by independent Aussie designer Anthony Tan, Way to the Woods follows a parent/child pair of deer as they wander through the world on their way home. With heavy notes of Myazaki influence, it looks absolutely beautiful and incredibly emotive, two things that will always pique my interest in gaming.

Skatebird

Developer: Glass Bottom Games
Release Date: 2020
Genre: Indie-Sports, sorta
Platform: Switch, PC

Skatebird is everything that it sounds like, and potentially so much more. Initially a Kickstarter with over $67,000 and 2,500 backers of support, Skatebird continues the legacy of skateboarding games by letting you jump, flip, and grind your feathered-friend all over makeshift skateparks. Even if it hadn’t been a while since a solid skateboarding game released, simple controls and a low-fi soundtrack have me ready to chill with some Skatebirds.

Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord

Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment
Release Date: March 2020 (Early Access)
Genre: Action-Roleplaying
Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

At times I wasn’t sure Bannerlord would ever see the light of day. It was first announced back in September of 2012 and until recently only a scant few details had been shared by TaleWorlds. Jump to 2020 and the game is ready for an early access release on Steam in March. At first glance Bannerlord doesn’t look all that different, visually the game has some extra shine and the animations are on-par with the previous game and its expansions. Closer inspection of gameplay demos show this is looking like a thorough jump forward for the series. Seige/castle combat looks much more involved, and there are a slew of new social features in the form of new dialogue systems, bartering, and more-developed relationships. I sunk a few hundred hours into the original and still felt I barely scratched the surface, so I am eagerly waiting for my chance to crash castles in Bannerlord.

The Red Lantern

Developer: Timberlineline Studio
Release Date: Q2 2020
Genre: Indie-Adventure
Platform: Switch

A strong candidate for the “Games that will make me bawl” category. The Red Lantern combines dog-sledding with resource-management/roguelike gameplay into what looks like an incredible narrative experience. You play as “The Musher” as she sets off for Nome, Alaska to train for her dreams of completing the Iditarod race. Your opponent is the wilderness itself as you work your way through ever-changing landscapes and the wildlife that lives there. If the trailer is anything to go by this game is going to feature a very personal story that’ll stick with you for a long while.

Halo Infinite

Developer: 343 Industries, SkyBox Studios
Release Date: 2020
Genre: First Person Shooter
Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

The mysterious new entry in the Halo series, and the flagship launch title of the Xbox Series X later this year. Even with the most recent E3 trailer, we really can’t say much yet about Infinite. We DO know the game is being powered by the all new Slipspace Engine, and we expect to play as Master Chief for the majority of the game. I’ve been out of the Halo loop for a while now, but playing Reach on PC via the Master Chief Collection is quickly bringing me back. With Infinite launching at the end of the year it seems I have plenty of catching up to do.