Whether we were gathering cherry blossoms and catching bugs or frantically trying to escape the depths of the underworld, 2020 kicked off the new decade with some truly exceptional gaming experiences.

From massive years-in-the-making epics to surprising indie hits, below are our nominations for the best game of 2020. Pick your favorite (or write in an option) to have your voice heard in our IGN readers' Game of the Year, and check back to see what won on December 21!