While the industry is still feeling the effects of the ongoing pandemic, 2021 proved to be a strong year for video game releases in a variety of genres. It may have taken some time for the calendar to really start going but eventually, next-gen console owners had plenty of titles to check out on their shiny new systems.
But whether people play on current-gen, next-gen, PC, or handheld, there were a lot of games to catch one's attention. Of course, choosing just 10 games to represent the best of the year is a tall task, but these are the titles that stood out the most.
10. Tales of Arise
What We Said: "Tales of Arise is a game designed for long-term Tales franchise fans and those who have never picked up a franchise entry before, where story, combat, and various features come together to deliver a high-quality, highly-detailed JRPG. All of that makes it not just one of the best JRPGs on the market today, but one of the best games hands-down."
Why You Should Play It: Tales of Arise makes its mark on the JRPG genre with engaging combat and a compelling cast of characters. It may require a large time commitment but that should feel worth it in the end, even if there are some errands to complete along the way. It’s not easy to deliver a JRPG that justifies that investment, but Tales of Arise is easy to recommend for fans of the genre.
Available On: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
9. Halo Infinite
What We Said: "Halo Infinite is inevitably going to see a ton of play thanks to its day one inclusion on Game Pass and the campaign is well-positioned to impress. There are plenty of mechanical, enemy, weapon, and story throwbacks for longtime fans to smirk at and the game is approachable, exciting, and endearing enough to potentially win over a whole new generation of Halo fans."
Why You Should Play It: Halo Infinite's multiplayer hearkens back to the early years of the franchise under Bungie, even if its progression and battle pass systems need some refining. The combat on offer feels satisfying with modern additions like the grappleshot that make a surprising amount of difference in the moment-to-moment gunplay. Infinite's story might be its weakest aspect but the open-world lends itself well to offering a lot of opportunities for Master Chief to take on enemies, and that's when the game is at its best.
Available On: PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
8. Deathloop
What We Said: "Deathloop is one of the best games of 2021 and one of the best PS5 console exclusives so far. Arkane has hit it out of the park yet again, with the PS5 getting yet another must-have title for its growing library of exclusive games. Deathloop may be too easy and there's definitely some tedium tied to the time loop, but most of the time players will be having so much fun that they'll easily be able to overlook its few shortcomings."
Why You Should Play It: Arkane Studios builds on its past work in Dishonored to create something slightly different with Deathloop. A triple-A rogue-like, Deathloop is dripping with style and is all about setting up a ton of dominoes in a row. At times it may seem too complex but eventually, when things start to come together, the brilliance of Arkane becomes clear.
Available On: PC and PS5.
7. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
What We Said: "The combat does what it sets out to do: let players live out their power fantasies as Star-Lord, leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Many video games feature companions, and many games feature ways to utilize them in combat, but none hold a candle to how important it feels leading the Guardians as Star-Lord and making snap decisions in battle as a team. Indeed, the greatest strength of its combat is that, as chaotic as it is, it’s equally immersive too."
Why You Should Play It: After its first trailer, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy did not leave a strong impression on most gamers. And yet, the finished product has become one of the genuine surprises of 2021, highlighting how a strong narrative, fun characters, and indelible performances can help elevate any material. Square Enix had a tough task with overcoming gamers’ pre-established relationship with the Guardians team, but the devs found a way to make them feel familiar and still their own creations. In a year without a ton of story-driven experiences, Guardians of the Galaxy is an example of how linear games can still be engaging and exciting.
Available On: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
6. Forza Horizon 5
What We Said: "Forza Horizon 5 is flashy and vibrant. It packs in pretty much everything one could want out of a racing game, with a broad selection of cars, tracks, and challenges to complete. Its addition to Xbox Game Pass alone should be reason enough to try it, but it stands as one of the best Xbox exclusives out right now regardless. It might not do much to separate itself from the other entries mechanically, but Forza Horizon 5 is the best the series has felt yet."
Why You Should Play It: Forza Horizon 5 is a jaw-dropping showpiece of the power of next-gen. It also bucks the stigma traditionally associated with racing games and offers an experience that is pure fun. Yes, Game Pass helps players hurdle their uncertainties, but what they will find is that Forza Horizon 5 is more than just a looker. It takes an arcade-style racing formula and finds a multitude of ways to keep the player coming back for more.
Available On: PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
5. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
What We Said: "As far as next-gen exclusives go, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart hits the most important notes. It’s visually striking, mechanically sound and diverse, and it takes advantage of the bells and whistles tied to the new platform. Some might be disappointed by the story, but overall the dimension-hopping adventure is exactly the type of fun-loving experience that Insomniac Games has been delivering since the very beginning. At a time when there aren’t a lot of games highlighting the power of next-gen, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart shows the next big leap for gaming."
Why You Should Play It: Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is up there with the current next-gen titles that serve as graphical showcases. Insomniac Games’ wizardry when it comes to offering Ray-Tracing and a solid frame rate is not to be overstated, and the tight gunplay in R&C is as refined in Rift Apart as it ever has been. Fun new characters and a universe-jumping storyline are just the icing on the cake of what is one of the easiest to recommend experiences of 2021.
Available On: PS5.
4. Returnal
What We Said: "Returnal is an excellent video game flirting with perfection. It has the most satisfying gameplay loop Housemarque has crafted to date, which says a lot considering the studio's pedigree. If PlayStation's other PS5 exclusives feel even half as satisfying as Returnal does, fans are in for one hell of a console generation."
Why You Should Play It: Roguelikes have been populating top 10 lists for the last decade or so, but Returnal still stands out from the pack. With a gripping story whose core conceit justifies the live-die-repeat concept, Returnal does a lot of things extremely well. Its various biomes are distinct and beautifully rendered, its adaptation of bullet hell combat to a third-person shooter is extremely smart, and its RPG systems help balance the risk and reward of opening each room. PS5 owners owe it to themselves to give Returnal a chance because of how surprisingly tight its gameplay is.
Available On: PS5.
3. Death's Door
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Why You Should Play It: Inspired by The Legend of Zelda on early Nintendo consoles, Death’s Door is simple in its mechanics but offers a ton of depth as players progress. The world in which the soul-reaping crow inhabits features a mixture of the macabre and Disney animation, and the gameplay is just challenging enough to keep players on their toes. If there is one game on this list that shouldn’t be overlooked, it’s Death’s Door.
Available On: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
2. Psychonauts 2
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What We Said: "Anyone that was a fan of the original game will likely love Psychonauts 2, as it improves on everything that made the first game great. But newcomers should also make it a point to check the game out, as it's a phenomenal 3D platformer and a Game of the Year contender. And while it's worth every penny, Psychonauts 2 is also on Xbox Game Pass thanks to Microsoft's acquisition of Double Fine, so anyone interested can try it out without making a big financial commitment."
Why You Should Play It: Psychonauts 2 feels as if the developers at Double Fine never missed a beat. Whether it’s the game’s relentless humor, creative level design, or tight platforming mechanics, there is something to enjoy around every corner. Without the Microsoft acquisition, Psychonauts 2 might have been smaller in scale, but thanks to their backing, this is an exceptional title that never ceases to amaze.
Available On: PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
1. It Takes Two
What We Said: "It Takes Two is co-op gaming genius and is going to go down as both a classic of the genre and a Game of the Year contender. There's not a single dull moment in the entire game, and we didn't run into any glitches or technical issues of any kind either. It Takes Two is polished to near-perfection, and an absolute must-play for co-op gaming fans."
Why You Should Play It: Building on its work with Brothers and A Way Out, Hazelight Studios and director Josef Fares found the perfect formula with It Takes Two. Cooperative play where each player can see the same screen is difficult to pull off effectively, but the game never ceases to amaze during a playthrough. Endlessly inventive and packed with a ton of heart, It Takes Two is a special type of game about connection both within the game’s narrative and the experience of playing it. Most importantly, it’s the type of game many are craving right now.
Available On: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.