2020 was possibly the year in which good storytelling was needed the most to help us through months spent at home, and gaming certainly delivered. Part of Twinfinite’s Game of the Year awards, here are the Best Adventure Narrative & Visual Novel Games of 2020.
Voted on by our editors and staff, these were the narrative games that stood out the most in the past year.
The Best Adventure Narrative & Visual Novel Games of 2020
Honorable Mention: Sakura Wars
News Editor Giuseppe Nelva: The Sakura Wars franchise has been absent from consoles for fifteen years, but Sega’s has finally brought it back, much to my delight.
It’s hard to describe the emotion I felt when Sega initially announced the game on stage at Sega Fes a few years ago. It was a simple teaser that didn’t show much at all, but it was enough to get a fan’s heart beating faster. I still remember writing the news with trembling hands and tears in my eyes like it was yesterday.
The return of the beloved franchise brings a new cast and new gameplay. While the action mechanics may not have satisfied everyone, the characters and story have all the charm and flair I remembered.
A charming mix of emotional romance, humor, and adventure, Sakura Wars showcased that Sega is certainly still capable to write great stories outside of the Yakuza and Valkyria Chronicles series, and I certainly hope that the house of Sonic will not let this franchise sleep any longer, perhaps unleashing its full potential by bringing back the turn-based tactical battles that are likely better suited for its narrative nature.
Regardless of gameplay style, Sakura Wars is a fantastic game if you want to get engrossed in top-notch character-based storytelling with all the Japanese flavor you would expect from one of the most beloved franchises in the genre.
