As the world outside remains on lockdown, some of us tend to look inward to experience the world of sport.
These are the five best sports games of 2020 tailored for both sport and gaming enthusiasts.
FIFA 20/PES 20
The choice is yours to make. FIFA vs PES is often a topic of debate but no matter what you like more, there are no better options in the world of football as a whole.
The Konami soccer simulator may get outpaced by the sheer brand power of EA’s FIFA money machine, but they shine out on the field, with crunching tackles and hard-fought goals demonstrating realism. The e-sports focus is, of course, an acquired taste, but everyone recognises the gameplay. FIFA is just as good but with more focus off the field, delivering content more detailed and realistic than that of its competitor.
Both of these games have welcomed criticism and have made advancements in this year’s version of the game.
We do not know when football will return to the real world, but we can at least get a little bit of satisfaction from witnessing the abilities of familiar names on the screen.
NBA 2K20
NBA 2K20 has majestic on-court action and engaging presentation, but despite some progress, it still can’t resist reining in its absurd microtransactions.
However, there’s still a vast collection of content here, from building your own star-studded squad in MyTeam through to managing an entire sports franchise in MyGM, but its requirements for real-world cash at every corner do begin to grate.
Ultimate Fighting Championship 3
Mixed martial arts is not something that everyone likes, but EA Sports UFC 3 once again built something so realistic that it can be played by anyone. The animations are exceptional, this is worth playing purely for the visual effects.
UFC 3 is like no other MMA sports game before, featuring over 5,000 new fighting animations. This makes matches feel more fluid and realistic; an absolute must for a sport as solid as MMA.
However, the improvements don’t stop there. UFC3 introduced its own version of creative elements letting players compete as real, customizable UFC fighters with a variety of signature moves.
Gran Turismo Sport
Gran Turismo Sport may have split their franchise fans with a focus on multiplayer gameplay over singleplayer experience, but there’s simply no question that its e-sports importance has pushed the racing games genre to the next level.
With a focus on rules and decorum, online races feel both realistic and competitive. The whole process of qualifications for events gives a sense of a special occasion every multiplayer match online.
Rocket League
There’s no doubt that Rocket League is a sports game, even though it may be a particularly unrealistic one. The vehicular-based soccer sim sees you flinging nitro-powered cars around dazzling arenas, striving to drive an oversized ball into the back of your opponent’s net.
Rocket League has come a long way since its 2015 release, moving on to become one of the most successful esports games of today. As one of the few games with cross-play provision across all major platforms, the insane sports game has gathered a large player base that their developer Psyonix is committed to maintaining.
If you’re looking for a unique sports experience that combines the best parts of racing and soccer, Rocket League is an exceptional choice with simple controls and straightforward objectives that still allow room for more high-level techniques.