Your games of the year 2021?

[Jason]

So it's about that time of the year again, pretty much all the big hitters are out and this December looks like a quiet one outside of Halo Infinite's campaign so... anyone got any favourites from the past year? Imaginary bonus points for games you're looking forward to for next year as well.

 

It's been a pretty quiet year overall due to all the delays cause of covid but I can just about put together a top five:

 

1) Guardians of the Galaxy - Linear, 15-20 hours, single player and no microtransactions, it's like a blast from the past and it's so damn refreshing and good. It's one of those games where you can tell the devs poured their hearts into it, so many little details, so many faithful nods to the source material beyond MCU nods. Loved it to bits.

 

2) It Takes Two - Probably the best co-op game I've ever played (it's either this is Portal 2) and like GoTG it's a very refreshing experience, it's another great example of a game that really highlights everything you want in a game only this time it's in co-op form.

 

3) Forza Horizon 5 - Absolutely robbed of a GoTY nomination at The Game Awards cause of it's genre but just an overall really well put together game.

 

4) Mass Effect: Legendary Edition - It's a remaster but an example of how do it right, great games faithfully updated to the standards fans expected. plsnodramaaboutyouknowwhathere

 

5) Back 4 Blood - This is the "I didn't play much else so this will do to round out a top 5" game. But really it's a genuinely good co-op game for a laugh, and like other games listed here it's not bogged down by service-y stuff which has gotten very stale.

 

As for next year, phwoar, it's a fast growing list cause everything got delayed into next year lmao, so assuming no delays:

 

Horizon Forbidden West, God of War Ragnarok, Baldurs Gate 3, Starfield, Test Drive Unlimited 3, Monster Hunter Rise PC, Redfall and maaaaybe Tiny Tina's Wonderlands and Saints Row if they release on platforms that aren't trash on PC in 2022.

[Creed Bratton]

For me, 2021 was a year of playing older games and remasters. Aside from Mass Effect Legendary Edition and Days Gone, I don't really recall any new releases that I played.

Not sure if it's fair to give it to Mass Effect, considering the fact that it's a remaster, but I did enjoy it a lot, although I only had time to finish ME1.

[Jabalous]

Alan Wake Remastered (PS4)

 

First time I'm playing the game.

[Mister Pink]

I've also been mostly playing older games and remasters, seeing what older games look like on Series X with frame unlocks, auto-HDR etc. 

 

Still going through Mass Effect: Legendary Edition. I'm only about 20 hours in and playing ME1 for the first time as well. I'm really enjoying it although I don't know if I'm an idiot or it's poor on the game's part but there's been a few times where I'm not sure where I'm supposed to go within the map. Probably a little bit of both. I'm finally getting to Virmire in the story. Actually really enjoying the Mass Effect 1 story a lot. As a fan of Andromeda, I can see why people prefer the storytelling of older games in the series. I've only ever played Mass Effect 2 before I played Andromeda and wasn't as dedicated to playing games back in those days. 

 

Forza: Horizon 5 is definitely a huge one. After the initial first high of playing the game, I can see myself getting great longevity from this title for a few years to come. In fact, I hope Playground Games take another 3 years to develop Horizon 6. Heck, they can take 4 years if it means a better game. Not sure how the schedule is going to be because I reckon they might ramp up production for Fable 4. 

 

Halo: Infinite (multiplayer, season 1). This was a nice shadow drop for Xbox's 20th anniversary. So it's just season 1 multiplayer but it has made a great impression on me. I'm not a huge online shooter person but Halo seems to make me feel like I'm semi-decent. I'm doing quite well online given I thought I was just going to get annihilated pretty swiftly.  When the campaign releases next month, I think I'm really going to enjoy it based off the reviews. If I can enjoy the MP so much then I'm bound to enjoy the SP a lot given I mostly play SP games a lot. 

 

[Uncle Sikee Atric]

Given the events in the real world, it's been a tough year, and the result is, my games of the year are going to be very different from everyone else :

Gunfire Reborn : It went 1.0 last week and thus now fits here.  It's a fast-paced FPS with elements of Roguelikes, Borderlands and Doom, all tied into a slick, 4-man co-op system that makes it fast-paced, chaotic fun.  And since the gun drops and skill upgrades are always different, no 2 runs are ever the same.

 

Wildermyth : This is a charming, beautiful and innovative RPG, which takes place over decades and ages your characters as you play, so your first generation of characters retire and their children take their place.  All this is tied into beautiful, random story-telling and thoughtful and surprisingly complex combat planning.

 

Rimworld : Once more this colony builder and story-teller makes the cut, since the Ideology expansion adds more to the great fun and events the game always throws at you.  Never underestimate the feeling of reward you get when your bunch of misfits survives another massive event that should have got them killed!

Derail Valley : This is still in Early Access, so it's one to watch going forwards too.  Dream of riding the rails in VR, with fully operable cabs and massive consists to haul?  This game is the one for you, and it doesn't matter if it's VR or not, it's such a well done concept it is enormous fun.  Plus there's another massive engine update due in March, adding a lot more to the already established structure that's already in place.

Edited November 23, 2021 by Uncle Sikee Atric

[Rm93]

Psychonautics 2 - I was really surprised, the gameplay mechanics, technical and graphic quality, a lot of fun, narrative and all the psychological themes structured for each stage, a really incredible game.
Forza Horizon 5 - there is no other racing game as fun as this franchise, simply a ''playground (games)' to play with a car. Despite being very similar to its predecessors, it is a natural and technical evolution of the franchise, very good!

It Takes Two - reworks the importance of cooperation in games and in life, interesting story, a lot of fun and with many technical qualities.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury - one of the best platform games and the classic franchise that reinvents itself flawlessly. It was nice to revisit the 3D world and the new mode might be a taste of the next game.

Honorable Mention - DLC Tuners - GTA Online, shows how content with the right themes and additions can invigorate an ongoing game. It made GTA V sell like water. I expected something of the same quality standard for the RDO, but it didn't happen..

[sabitsuki]

It's been an extremely disappointing year, but there's some gems. Currently on my list are Critters For Sale, Lost Judgement and Forza Horizon 5. Not much else, unfortunately.

[TwistOfLime21]

Like others in here, I've spent most of the year playing older games but that changed once I got a PS5, so out of the handful of PS5 games I've played, I'd go with Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.

[smokeless6]

On 11/23/2021 at 2:19 AM, Yokelsson said:

For me, 2021 was a year of playing older games and remasters.

 

I'll echo this. After seeing this thread I started to think of what my answer would be, then as I thought of each title I was like, that didn't come out this year. Over and over again it turns out nearly all of the games I played this year were released before this year. I won't list them all, but I played a lot of Fallout 4 and New Vegas, that covered nearly three months of my gaming. A lot of Borderlands (BL2, BL3, TPS). Some GTA 5 and RDR 2, Elite Dangerous and many more.

 

This is a good article to refresh our memories of which games were actually released in 2021

 

https://www.pcgamer.com/new-games-2021/

 

Of all the games that were actually released in 2021 I saw just three I played. So I guess these will have to be my nominations for 2021 game of the year, more by default than acclaim.

 

F1 2021

Disco Elysium (Final Cut)

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2

 

That's it! Hard to believe. I would have bought Hitman 3 if it had come out on Steam. It surprises me that the list is so short, but maybe it shouldn't. My M.O. is to wait for sales, wait for patches and DLC, for Game of the Year editions. It's very common to wait a year or two and then buy it. Fallout 4 and Rome 2 were two games I bought this year, years after release, and crucially in my view, after they were made whole by patches and DLC. Doesn't hurt to save some money either. Fallout 4 was ten bucks and I got 350 hours out of it so far. But still, there's usually a must-have new release that I can't resist. But not in 2021 I guess.

 

Edited November 24, 2021 by smokeless6

[Lexiture]

Nier: Replicant.

[TheSantader25]

What a sh*t year. Truly reminds me of 2014. There's not a single game I would put in my favorite games list this year. I managed to finally experience the Bioshock series this year and it was a blast. So that's my highlight of the year.

[ApexPulmo]

Hitman Trilogy

 

I've been playing hitman since Hitman Contracts, but these trilogy offers a vast map and lots of variety complete with the exciting missions stories, tbh, Hitman is the only game that i played over and over again just to achieve the PSN trophies, i never do that with another game, because it's just so much fun, unlike the trilogy defective edition

 

And lots of easter egg too in every level, like Ocean Heists Movies, Wicker Man, Crocodile Dundee, Pirates Treasure Hunt, Arabian Nights, etc etc

 

Final Score :

10/10

 

Just like GTA V when it comes out, Amazing

 

[Matrelith]

Continuing the trend of this thread, I also haven't played a lot of games this year that got released in 2021. The only 'new' game I can think of is The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles on PC. As a fan of the original Phoenix Wright trilogy this game was on my radar for a long time, and it didn't disappoint. Beautiful visuals, great characters, sharp writing and a ton of bonus content. 

 

The other two games that come to mind are Disco Elysium's Final Cut and Mass Effect Legendary Edition. What they did with the final cut, adding new content and voicing all dialogue is nothing short of impressive. And finally having the Mass Effect trilogy in one handy game launcher is amazing. The upgraded visuals and stuff like photomode truly makes it a great remaster. 

 

One game I really wanted to play this year was Hitman 3, but alas, it seems the Steam release will have to wait until January 2022. From what I've seen the game is amazing though, and definitely deserves a shoutout. 

[Misumi]

If Hitman 3 doesn't drop it's price when it re-releases on Steam, that game can go f*ck itself.

[Vanzant]

All I have played this year is Verdun for the most part. It's been so up and down with the Automotive Industry, I've been busy with work too much to anymore than find a few hours a week to play games. Other than that I did recently finally beat Doom Eternal on Nightmare.

 

Next year will be hopefully better.

[Algonquin Assassin]

In no particular order.

 

Resident Evil: Village

 

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

 

F1 2021

 

Life Is Strange True Colors

 

Honorable mention. GTA The Trilogy The Definitive Edition since it's not really "new" per say. 

 

Besides that I haven't played many new releases. It's been a bit of a strange year for me because I thought with getting a PS5 it would be the only I'd be playing, but I have been on a bit of a retro splurge the last few months. Bought more PS1, PS2 and PS3 games this year than I have in about 15 years I think. Rediscovered games I've always loved like Scarface The World Is Yours, Metal Gear Solid 4 etc and found some different games I never played back in the day.

 

[ThatBenGuy1998]

I’d honestly have to go with Call of Duty: Vanguard and the definitive versions of III, VC, and SA.

[Bloodytears1666]

None, becuase do not want to buy any more games for PS4, and never saw a PS5. So this year is a skip.

[Tails Prower]

This topic is the moment when I realised 2021 has been a year of not actually buying much in the way of 'new games'.

 

What I have bought this year that came out during 2021  (albeit both are FREE downloads)

 

Genshin Impact (PS5 Version)

Love Live! School Idol Festival: After School Activity Wai-Wai! Home Meeting (Danc

 

The only bought games were:

Akibas Trip Hellbound & Debriefed

Bus Simulator 21

Kena Bridge of Spirits

Tales of Arise

 

Only one I have actually played though is Genshin Impact, really having fun with that one due to all the events and the story chapters.

[Cutter De Blanc]

Nier Replicant and GTA DE are the only new games I've played this year

 

Obviously Nier is the superior remaster here

[Badman_]

Guardians of the Galaxy: Didn't play it, but from what I've seen it seems like one of the best games released this year. Plus I'm a huge Marvel fan.

 

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition isn't a new game but I've been enjoying the hell out of it.

[universetwisters]

American Truck Simulator by far

[GTA5201015]

Resident Evil Village is the only new 2021 game I played this year. I really enjoyed it and got the platinum trophies on both PS4 and PS5, as well as all the achievements on X1.

 

I used to play through dozens of games per year, sometimes over 100. But I got burned out big time from doing that and now I have a VERY hard time trying to play through new games. Now I'm the owner of one of the biggest backlogs of video games you'll ever see. Keep in mind, I'm not a collector. Had I still had the commitment and motivation I once had back then, I would've played Nier Replicant, Life is Strange: True Colors, Psychonauts 2, Far Cry 6, Metroid Dread, Returnal and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart this year. I made an exception for RE8 because I'm a massive RE fan and have beaten 22 other games in that series. Once I play through Gaiden, Code Veronica, and the Outbreak games, I'll have finished all RE games released on consoles (not counting different ports or mobile games).

 

Hopefully I can get through those 2021 games soon, but it'll require a discussion with my brain and it would have to agree to some playthroughs. The games I'm looking forward to the most next year by the way are Horizon: Forbidden West, A Plague Tale: Requiem and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. Can't promise I'll try to get to these games, but I'll try to try and maybe finish them... probably.

[Mexicola9302]

I bought these games this year:

 

Days Gone

Far Cry 6 (Got it for free because i bought a AMD CPU)

Forza Horizon 5

Battlefield 2042

Resident Evil Village

Halo Infinite Multiplayer Beta (Yeah it's for free)

 

All of them via steam except Far Cry.

 

To be honest, i didn't really like any of these games, they were all a bit meh in a way. Forza would have been good, if it had the optimization of FH4. Days Gone is crappy optimized on PC, Far Cry 6 is boring af, Battlefield is way too woke, Resident Evil i didn't continue playing it after like 60 minutes, i just didn't like it. The only game that works fine was Halo lol, but there is no progression except useless cosmetics, so it's just a game i play like a few rounds a week.

 

It's like deciding between pest and cholera this year, there really wasn't any game that actually worked good or was fun or anything. Most was and still is a buggy mess.

 

I wanted to buy the GTA Trilogy Definitive Edition, but after i saw the first screenshots, i just couldn't believe how much these games have been screwed up. It's a no buy, they ruined the good old games.

 

2021 was a bad gaming year for me, 2020 also wasn't better, i blame the pandemic for that.

 

Edit: I probably give Back 4 Blood a chance, but i wait for a lower price. Im currently playing FH5, BF2042 and Halo mostly. Yeah BF is a buggy mess, and woke af, but it's still BF.

Edited December 3, 2021 by Mexicola9302

[Standard Deluxe 59]

I only bought one game that came out this year, Far Cry 6 which was the first of that series I played. It's okay at best but looking back probably wasn't worth paying full price when it came out and I still have yet to finish the storyline. The location is cool to drive around though.

[MekhiSkyline]

Forza Horizon 5