…And finally we have my Top 5 favourite games that I played in 2021!
Some honourable mentions first:
Honourable mentions
Astro’s Playroom (PS5) – Makes good use of a lot of the PS5’s new features but also serves as a surprisingly nostalgic trip and celebration of PlayStation’s history.
Bravely Default II (Switch) – Takes a little to get into, but a nice little turn-based RPG. Surprisingly great voice acting which features proper Scottish, Welsh and Irish accents!
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (Switch) – I love dark fantasy and I love Metroidvanias. This is game that encompasses both. Hauntingly atmospheric music too.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales (PS5) – Improves on the original Spider-Man game in every way. Even just the fact that there are virtually no load times when quick traveling around the city is insane.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 & 2 Remake (Switch) – Pure nostalgia factor but also a competent game in its own right. If you enjoyed the original games this is essential.
Now onto my 5 favourite games played in 2021:
Ghost of Tsushima (PS4)
I was on the fence about putting this one on here as at heart it really is just another open world game that uses the same familiar template as so many others of its ilk. The various sub-quests and collectibles get a tad repetitive towards the end (and this is coming from someone that got the Platinum trophy); and I sure hope you like following footprints as you have to do this an inordinate number of times throughout the game.
But I feel I still have to include Tsushima on this list as the world itself is just stunningly beautiful. The music is also great, the story is engaging enough and the combat and stealth elements are also satisfying to master – though admittedly you are a little OP by the end if you have taken the time to upgrade everything.
If you are a fan of open world games and Samurai settings this is one of the best out there. I also played it with the Japanese voice over which was surpringly good considering it is a game made by a US developer Suckerpunch Studios.
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)
So this game has been out for a fair few years at this point. But I only just got round to playing it earlier this year, okay? I’m not going to waste time regurgitating what others have said but there is a reason why this often takes the no.1 spot of ‘best Switch game ever’ on so many lists.
The scope and ambition is huge, with the most impressive and satisfying element being the freedom offered to the player to explore the world and advance the story how they want, without it simultaneously being too directionless. It’s a tricky balance to pull off but Nintendo managed it.
In other open world games scaling mountains and towers is often just a matter of repeatedly pushing a button, but here climbing consumes stamina which actually ends up making reaching the summit of something feel like a genuine achievement. A sense of satisfaction instead of it just being a chore.
I also really liked the shorter ‘Shrine’ dungeons - simple puzzles that often allowed more than one way of solving them, as opposed to the longer ‘one solution only’ dungeons of the older Zelda games. Breath of the Wild is amazing and a must play on Switch - and I say this as someone who isn’t that much of a huge fan of other Zelda games.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PS4)
Sekiro is quite possibly my favourite game played during 2021. Though this also features swords and samurais, this is a very different beast to Tsushima. It is unmistakably in the style of other From Soft's ‘Soulsbourne’ games, but the combat is even more nuanced here. Many have likened the fights in Sekiro to the feel of a rhythm game, with its parry system that is not just optional but in the majority of cases downright key to defeating your foes.
Yes the game is tough, with brutally punishing bosses gatekeeping your progression, but it feels so rewarding once the combat clicks. You get in the zone, you are aware of the enemies moveset and the whole thing comes together like an intricate dance. Maybe even my favourite Soulsbourne game of them all - and now that‘s saying something!
Super Mario 3D World & Bowser’s Fury (Switch)
Just being an improved port of the Wii U hit would be worthy of praise on its own. After all, I prefer these diorama-like 3D World and 3D Land Mario games more than the straightforward 2D ‘New’ Super Mario series). But this also has an entirely new Bowser’s Fury game included. Yes, it’s a bit on the short side but it’s still a heck of a lot of fun and just shows how enticing an open-world Mario experience can be – with Bowser appearing as a genuine Kaiju-sized threat at all times.
Both the old and the new games were a joy to play through.
Tetris Effect: Connected (Switch)
Everyone likes Tetris right? And some form of the game is available in a million different iterations on a million different platforms - so what makes this one so different?
Well here it’s the audio and visual experience. Every movement you make elicits a sound and each level has the background and music change in distinct stages as you clear a set amount of lines. Coupled with rumble support this makes playing Tetris Effect a real multi-sensory experience.
It doesn’t hurt that the original music written for the game is all really good as well, with electronic, ambient, world music and even some jazz thrown in there as well. Play this game with a set of headphones on loud and you are in for a treat. I don’t ordinarily condone the use of drugs for everyday gaming but if you have some on hand this is the one to get high and play!
I honestly can’t imagine myself enjoying any other version of Tetris as much after this.
And so that it is for my games list, as well as the lists in general for 2021. If you haven’t already checked out my 5 Favourite Games of 2020 you can do so by clicking on the link.
Thanks for sticking with me. See you in the new year!
28th Dec 2020
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