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MobileSyrup’s December 2020 selection highlighted eight games connected to Canadian developers: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Gears Tactics, Immortals Fenyx Rising, PGA Tour 2K21, Spiritfarer, Star Wars: Squadrons, Unto the End and Watch Dogs: Legion. The feature described its choices as a mix selected for recognition and critical acclaim—not a ranking or a definitive claim about the best games Canada produced that year. “Canadian-made” also covers different kinds of connections here, from Canadian studios to cross-border development and Canadian creators working abroad.
What “Canadian-made” means for this selection
The studio and creator details below follow MobileSyrup’s 2020 feature. Most picks are associated with a Canadian studio, but the production links are not identical: Gears Tactics was co-developed by a Vancouver studio and a UK-based partner, while Unto the End was created by Canadian expatriates based in California. The label is best read as a Canadian-development connection, not a claim that every game was made entirely in Canada.
The eight games
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla — Ubisoft Montreal
This Viking-era action adventure centers on raids, building a settlement and developing the player character. The 2020 feature listed it for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC and Google Stadia.
Gears Tactics — The Coalition and Splash Damage
Set before the original Gears, this spin-off turns the series’ combat into squad-based, turn-based tactics. The Coalition is based in Vancouver; UK-based Splash Damage co-developed the game. The 2020 article listed Xbox Series X/S and PC.
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#1 Best Overall
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Immortals Fenyx Rising — Ubisoft Quebec
This myth-inspired open-world adventure combines exploration, puzzles and action-RPG combat. The historical platform list in the 2020 feature includes Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC and Stadia.
PGA Tour 2K21 — HB Studios
Developed by HB Studios in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, this golf game offers a career mode, licensed courses, golfer customization and course creation. The 2020 article listed PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and Google Stadia.
Rank #2
Spiritfarer — Thunder Lotus
Montreal studio Thunder Lotus developed and published this management adventure. Players guide Stella as she helps spirits fulfill their final wishes, while tending a ship, gathering resources and building relationships. MobileSyrup reported Thunder Lotus’s description of the game as a “cozy management game about dying.” The article listed PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and Google Stadia.
Star Wars: Squadrons — EA Motive
Made by Montreal-based EA Motive, this first-person starfighter game includes a campaign with two sides, multiplayer battles and optional VR play. The 2020 feature listed PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
Rank #3
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Unto the End — 2 Ton Studios
MobileSyrup identified the game’s two creators as Canadian expatriates living in California. Its two-dimensional action focuses on deliberate, high-risk combat rather than forgiving, rapid attacks. The 2020 article listed PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and Google Stadia.
Watch Dogs: Legion — Ubisoft Toronto
This near-future open-world game takes place in London and is built around recruiting and playing as a range of characters. The historical platform list includes PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Google Stadia.
Rank #4
- Features seven of the most popular multiplayer maps in Halo history
- Co-op play over Xbox LIVE
- New achievements, new challenges, and a new story to uncover
Why Spiritfarer stands out in separate recognition
MobileSyrup’s selection was not ranked, but Spiritfarer received a distinct accolade: Canadian Game Devs named it its 2020 Canadian Game of the Year in a community poll. The listed runners-up, in order, were Star Wars Squadrons, Marvel’s Avengers, Hardspace: Shipbreaker and Dreamscaper. That poll is independent recognition, not the selection method for MobileSyrup’s eight picks.
Nintendo’s Canadian-site roundup of indie games released in 2020 also included Spiritfarer. It described building a boat, exploring, befriending and caring for spirits, as well as farming, fishing, harvesting and cooking. Nintendo’s roundup was not limited to Canadian-made games.
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How to choose among the eight
- For open-world action: consider Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Immortals Fenyx Rising or Watch Dogs: Legion; their settings and central activities differ, from Viking settlement-building to mythic exploration to recruiting people in London.
- For tactical or high-risk combat: Gears Tactics is the squad-based, turn-based option, while Unto the End is a two-dimensional action game built around deliberate fights.
- For a distinct setting and format: Star Wars: Squadrons focuses on starfighter combat, and PGA Tour 2K21 is the golf choice, with course creation among its listed features.
- For management and character relationships: Spiritfarer pairs ship and resource management with caring for spirits.
- For platform fit: use the platform lists in the sections above only as a historical record of what MobileSyrup listed in 2020. They do not establish current storefront availability, editions or prices; check the relevant platform’s current listing before buying.
Sources
- MobileSyrup: “Here are eight of the top Canadian-made games of 2020” (December 29, 2020).
- Canadian Game Devs: 2020 Game of the Year poll.
- Nintendo: Indie games that defined 2020 (January 6, 2021).
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
