Just under half of the games I played this year released prior to 2021. So I wanted to take a moment to talk about a few of those games as well. And you know what? I’ll rank them as well.

5. Asura’s Wrath DLC (Episodes 19 – 22)

I played Asura’s Wrath in 2012 when it released. It was one of my favorite games of the year thanks to the anime feel, crazy battles, and episodic structure. Even the QTE’s felt natural and important in a way I haven’t experienced since.

But the game never finished. Well, it did…but as DLC. Because of that, I never saw the true ending until this year. I gave in after replaying the game, and here it is on my list. The DLC continues what made Asura’s Wrath so great, except this time it’s a fight against the one-true God. And as an atheist, it felt so good to punch him in his big stupid face.

This isn’t to say it should have been DLC. It shouldn’t have. The need to pay extra to see the “real ending” was scummy. However, I’m glad to finally have seen the ending and it reignited my desire to see a follow-up to the game.

4. Superliminal

I wasn’t sure if I would like Superliminal. I’m typically awful at puzzle games, so it has to have a real interesting catch to have me try it. Watching the size manipulation and the trippiness factor that goes along with it…that did the trick.

While I definitely had to look up a few puzzles in Superliminal, it never detracted from just how creative the game was. While it could be argued they ran one mechanic into the ground, the game was short enough for it to not be a huge detriment. The thing that hooked me the most was the vibe. I was receiving heavy Portal feelings from the game, especially when locations were revealed to be set-pieces. It didn’t go quite that far, which is a bummer, but still wonderful to have that air of intrigue surrounding the world.

It won’t set the gaming world on fire or anything, but Superliminal is worth a play. It doesn’t stick the landing, but the trip to the endgame is real fun. And for someone who is bad at puzzles, the fact it didn’t put me off because of them says a lot about how well crafted that game turned out.

3. Fallout 76

I had very low expectations with Fallout 76. I had heard some horror stories about both the people playing this game and the jankiness of the game itself. The latter didn’t surprise me. It’s Bethesda we’re talking about. But after our game night, I thought I would continue giving it a shot. Then Fallout 76 consumed my life for a few weeks.

Fallout 76 is another Fallout game, for better or for worse. It has the same problems with lackluster combat and plenty of technical issues. But it also has the same feel that those games have and a world that feels lived in with a history behind it. Wanna take advantage of the awful encumbrance system too? They have that also. However, there are multiple ways to play that game and I found myself trying to aid others than sinking my character into the Fallout world. I tried to give people a fast travel hub that was out of the way and closer to objectives other bases weren’t. I liked outfitting my base with items to help. It wasn’t a great base by any means, but it was my own personal reason for playing that game. And I had fun doing it that way too.

Fallout 76 isn’t going to shake the world up. But they’ve come a long way from when the game first dropped. There’s constant updates to keep the world engaging and it’s a nice game to jump into if you’re just missing the world of Fallout. If any of that sounds appealing, even for just a couple hours, I would suggest giving it a shot.

2. Pokemon Shield

I’ve had a chance on multiple occasions to speak about my love for Pokemon. It’s been a game I’ve had a ton of interest in even before the game released in the United States. So every new iteration of Pokemon that releases….I at least TRY to be there. While I missed Pokemon Sword/Shield when it released in 2019, I received it for my birthday this year. And as other iterations, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it.

For starters, it is a step in the right direction. That’s it though, a step. Not the leap that the series desperately needs. But opening up a large area with roaming Pokemon and having online players appear is something fans have been clamoring for a while now. The game is still linear, and I wish the trade system was different, but the general feel of the typical gym-to-gym trek had a different feel as well. Overrall, Pokemon Sword and Shield felt different enough, but not as different as it needs to be.

If anything, it has me curiously optimistic about Pokemon Legends: Arceus. It’s another step in the open world format, but until I see how it plays out, I can’t say for sure if it will hit the notes fans want. Either way, it’s another Pokemon game, so I’ll be there at some point I’m sure.

1. Hollow Knight

Puzzle games aren’t my only kryptonite in games. So are games described as “Metroidvania’s”. But the hype behind Hollow Knight intrigued me and the visuals were right up my alley as well. While it didn’t change my mind on “Metroidvania’s”, Hollow Knight lives up to it’s reputation. I can see why it’s considered one of, if not THE, best in the genre. So much so that I sunk far more time into it than expected.

There’s a number of reasons why. The controls and platforming in general are incredibly responsive as is the combat. I never felt the game cheated me in a death and I felt I could always improve based on my poor decisions made previously. The atmosphere in the game, no matter where in the underworld you travel, are all brilliantly done in look, design, and music. Add on top of that the freeness for a player to not only customize their little insect knight with the use of charms, but the growing abilities obtained and the choice of where to explore in the world.

Hollow Knight is an amazing game. I wish it was more of a game that fit my interests, but that is more of a slight on me than the game itself. It deserves every accolade it’s received and more people should be willing to give it a try. Plus, if you have Game Pass, it’s on there too. Meaning if you are like me, you can play it just like I did, and circumvent the cost of trying a game that might not be your cup of tea. But I have an inkling that Hollow Knight might just surprise you

I hope you all had a great set of games in 2021 you enjoyed, and I hope 2022 has a slew of great ones as well!