UPDATE: Returnal won Best Action Game at The Game Awards 2021!
The time has come for yet another Game Awards ceremony to celebrate the best that 2021 had to offer in gaming. In the category for Best Action Game, the competition is as steep as ever, with some truly solid titles that each bring something unique, and enjoyable to the table. The 2021 Game Awards has narrowed down this category to five standout games, all representing the best of the action genre this past year.
Picking the ultimate winner from these nominees is no easy task, as every single one is a thrilling experience in its own right. A truly memorable action game does indeed need to have a great sense of style, as well as a penchant for delivering a grand spectacle. But the most memorable in the genre tend to have a particular hook that few others can offer, and with every nomination for The Game Awards 2021 being a gem in this regard, the winner will need to have an extra special something to stand out on top.
Back 4 Blood
For years, fans had been pleading Valve to get around to developing a third entry in the Left 4 Dead franchise. Considering that Valve has some strange aversion to third installments (looking at you Half-Life 3), Turtle Rock Studios decided to take matters into its own hands and fill the void. Back 4 Blood is seen as the spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead and for good reason, as it retains and even builds upon the extremely hectic action that the franchise was known for in its prime.
Back 4 Blood makes good use of its multiplayer component to ensure that the gameplay is constantly thrilling and breathless, resulting in there never being a lull in the action. This frantic pace certainly makes for a nonstop action extravaganza, something which may help the game's odds in this award category. On the other hand, the endless chaos may have been fun for some, others have pointed criticism at this aspect of the game, where sometimes the screen can just become a mess of blood, guts, and carnage.
Chivalry 2
Another multiplayer title letting players live out their grandest fantasies, Chivalry 2 is an epic scale hack and slash game with few equals on the market. Game matches, which can support up to 64 players, pit two teams against each other in an all-out, visceral fight to the death. Weapons are powerful and varied, encouraging a wide range of play styles and strategies in each particular match.
The sight of two armies charging against each other is a sight to behold and is one of the most memorable action moments from gaming in 2021. However, while mostly positively reviewed, some publications have felt that game modes can be a tad repetitive or underwhelming, usually just devolving into the usual beatdown in most matches. It's undoubtedly an impressive medieval combat game and worth a look for multiplayer gamers, but might be too niche to be considered the winner of the grand prize.
Deathloop
Arkane Studios' latest first-person shooter proved to be a massive hit with gamers and journalists alike, making waves in the industry when it first hit shelves in early September. The engaging time loop mechanic brings a sense of unparalleled fun and insanity to every encounter. Players are consistently encouraged to try new things, experiment with their surroundings, and make the best of any moment in order to come out on top.
Deathloop scored extremely well across the board, even earning a few perfect ratings from some gaming websites. Its novel approach to the time loop concept brings a fresh spin to the already crowded first-person shooter genre, resulting in an unforgettable experience all around. Based on its addicting gameplay cycle, infectious levels of style, stunning visuals, and amount of critical praise, Deathloop has a strong chance at winning this category when all is said and done.
Far Cry 6
Even though Ubisoft's open-world action franchise is already on its sixth installment (not counting spin-offs) it is just as bombastic and enjoyable as it ever was. The tweaks made to the overall gameplay loop seen in the Far Cry series have helped to polish out the flow of the game, ensuring a consistent pace between the main missions and side objectives. The next-gen hardware has also enabled the action and destruction in the game to be on another level when compared to past Far Cry games.
That being said, however, even with some improvements made, there were some opinions that Far Cry 6 lacked in other areas. It was indeed a game boasting high production values, but this couldn't hide the general lack of innovation and an overall formula that is starting to grow a little bit tired. While not a bad game, with plenty of mindless fun to be had, it's unlikely that a title generally seen as "just another Far Cry" will end up taking home the award for Best Action Game.
Returnal
Deathloop wasn't the only major game in 2021 to feature a protagonist stuck in a time loop. Returnal, a PS5 exclusive from Housemarque, captivated gamers for its own addicting approach to this concept, coupled with dazzling next-gen graphics and a surprisingly engaging narrative.
The roguelike elements of the game help to elevate the already engaging time loop idea, as the events in the game are never the same thing twice, forcing players to always stay on their toes. Furthermore, the flashy weaponry and almost Metroid approach to exploration result in a complete package and highly memorable action game. For all these reasons, Returnal may give Deathloop a run for its money.
Final Prediction
Every game in this award category is a great experience, but ultimately, in a competition, there can be only one winner. Deathloop seems to have a general edge, if it is being purely examined by its review praise alone. It cleaned up with some perfect 10s from publications, something which could be recognized for a final decision.
However, Returnal is nothing to slouch at either, making its own exceptional use of the time loop mechanic as well. Its aforementioned roguelike mechanics may also give it enough of an edge to be seen as the more clever game overall. It's a tight race, but with these two being the clear standouts in the category, it's anyone's game when The Game Awards announces its final decision on December 9.