Google Stadia, now two months old, is being prepped for a big year ahead. Google’s cloud gaming service expects to bring 120 new games to the platform in 2020, as well as wireless gaming with the Stadia controller and 4K support, which was one of critics’ bigger concerns upon Stadia’s initial release in November.
Although Stadia isn’t quite where Google wants it to be by 2020’s end, fans have to admit that the mere 26 games on the platform right now are some of the best on the market, with franchises like Final Fantasy and Tomb Raider in the mix. Hopefully, we get to see even more amazing titles on Stadia soon. Until then, here are the top 10 games on Stadia and their Metacritic scores.
10 Borderlands 3 (78)
Gearbox Software’s Borderlands 3, the fourth installment in the Borderlands franchise, was initially released in September 2019 for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The game joined Google Stadia in the platform’s second wave of additions in December. The first-person shooter game picks up seven years after the events of Borderlands 2 and, for the first time in the series, takes place on multiple planets.
Critics gave Borderlands 3 mixed reviews, with some praising the game’s storyline but condemning its mechanics. Currently, Google Stadia houses an older version of the game from October, but the platform will reportedly be a game expansion soon.
9 NBA 2k20 (78)
2K Sports and Visual Concepts released NBA 2K20 in September 2019 on Windows, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Xbox One. The 21st installment in the NBA 2K series was one of the first titles to hit Stadia after its debut. This year’s standard cover features Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis, while the “Legend Edition” features Dwyane Wade.
Overall, NBA 2K20 received mostly favorable reviews, but critics felt it was too similar to previous installments and had plenty of room for improvement, especially in its MyTeam and MyLeague modes.
8 Trials Rising (79)
Ubisoft’s Trials Rising, a multiplayer motorcycle racing game, was released in February 2019 on Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. This marked the first time that a Trials game joined a Nintendo console, and it was the first Trials game to be released at all since 2014’s Trials Fusion. It became available on Stadia in November when the platform launched.
Trials Rising was lauded for its classic 2D arcade gaming feel and stunning level design. However, some critics felt that the game contained poor mechanics that didn’t transfer well to Stadia.
7 Metro Exodus (80)
4A Games and Deep Silver released Metro Exodus in February 2019 on Windows, PS4, and Xbox One. The third installment in the Metro series based on Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novels, Exodus combines first person shooter elements with survival horror and stealth. The game directly follows the post-apocalyptic events of Metro: Last Light.
Metro Exodus joined Google Stadia in November. It was added as one of seven titles on Stadia’s subscription service, Stadia Pro, in January, per The Verge. The game has received praise for its close retelling of the book.
6 Final Fantasy XV (81)
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XV dates all the way back to 2016, when it was released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. In 2018, the game joined Microsoft Windows, followed by Google Stadia in 2019 with the platform’s launch.
Stadia’s version of the RPG classic includes the original title, plus eight downloadable content packs, extra items, an exclusive mini game collection, and free updates. Final Fantasy XV was praised for its realistic visuals on all platforms, plus its engaging mechanics and fast-paced gameplay.
5 Football Manager 2020 (84)
Football Manager 2020 is only the second game in the new FM series, but it is already climbing its way towards the top of Metacritic’s lists. Sports Interactive and Sega released the game in November 2019 for PC and December 2019 for Nintendo Switch and Google Stadia. In addition, mobile versions of Football Manager 2020 can be found on iOS and Android devices.
Football Manager 2020 offers 26 playable leagues across 53 countries. Out of its available platforms, Sports Interactive said in August 2019 that the game would play fastest on Stadia, per TechRadar.
4 Thumper (85)
3 Rise of the Tomb Raider (86)
Rise of the Tomb Raider is another current Stadia Pro freebie. This ever-popular sequel to 2013’s Tomb Raider was released by Square Enix in November 2015 on Xbox One and Xbox 360, and in 2016 on Windows and PlayStation 4.
As the 11th title in the Tomb Raider series, Rise of the Tomb Raider follows Lara Croft in Sibera as she searches for the city of Kitezh. Along the way, she battles the organization Trinity and uncovers new resources in her quest. The game received critical acclaim for its graphics and animation, while the storyline was lauded for its uplifting nature.
2 Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (87)
Ubisoft released Assassin’s Creed Odyssey in October 2018 on Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch in Japan. The title joined Google Stadia in 2019 along with an additional Blind King quest and an expansion pack featuring new armor and weapons.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is the 21st installment in the Assassin’s Creed series. This action RPG is set in 431 BC and details the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. Players take on the role of a mercenary fighting in the war to bring their family back together. The game received a ton of praise for its visuals, combat, and story.
1 Red Dead Redemption 2 (97)
Red Dead Redemption 2 was no doubt one of the highest-profile releases on Google Stadia when the platform launched. Rockstar Games’ third entry in the Red Dead series was first released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2018, and later on Windows in 2019. Set in 1899, the game follows outlaw Arthur Morgan as he copes with the decline of the Wild West.
According to Metacritic, Red Dead Redemption 2 received universal acclaim from critics and became the highest-rated game on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Fans praised the game’s design, characters, narrative, combat, and music.
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