Opting for things I played last year and released last year.
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Art in motion. Beautifully executed story, characters and gameplay.
- Ghost of Tsushima
F-U-N FUN! This is a no nonsense action game with great characters, action, visuals, music and a fun story.
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
A stunning accomplishment all around. This game is absolutely unparalleled in scope and execution. Technically the best game of the year, but I had more fun with the other two mentioned.
- Outer Worlds Peril on Gorgon
It’s more of my 2019 GOTY and it’s every bit as good, just in a smaller package.
- Gears Tactics
Nails the Gears side, nails the tactics side. Great challenging fun.
- Animal Crossing New Horizons
A godsend during the blasted first lockdown.
- Astro’s Playroom
A genuine delight from start to finish. Loved platinuming.
- Gears 5 Hivebusters
The best Gears campaign ever. If this was full length and was every bit as well paced, it’d be GOTY. It’s just too short to put in top 5.
- Sinkr
A delightfully puzzling puzzler with a zen like aesthetic.
- Tell Me Why
Emotionally affecting and gorgeous.
11! 
Bleeding Edge
Love it. Would be 10 if the support didn’t die off.
Publisher of the Year: Xbox Game Studios
Sony had the “bigger/better” year in terms of Metacritic and what not, but XGS’ output was able to satiate most of my tastes in a way other first parties and even third party conglomerates just don’t.
Best Ongoing Game: Forza Horizon 4. How a game launched close to perfect and just got better is beyond me. Going from GOTY to GOTG.