{"id":22551,"date":"2022-02-07T08:19:49","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T13:19:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?p=22551"},"modified":"2022-02-07T08:24:16","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T13:24:16","slug":"game-of-the-year-2021-joshs-top-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vgu.tv\/?p=22551","title":{"rendered":"Game of the Year 2021 – Josh’s Top 5"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Game<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

That’s right, unlike other sites, VGU actually waited until the year was over! So here we are again. Coming at you with our favorite games of 2021. A list heavily dictated by spare time and funds in our bank accounts. Both of which I am dreadfully low on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So with the year at a close, I’ve ranked my top 5 games of the year, and like I did in 2018<\/a> and 2020<\/a> (2019 was a whole different beast)<\/a>, I’m also going to list my favorite games I played that released pre-2021. So strap in, and if you see something you didn’t play, make a note to do so!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Psychonauts 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Game
Credit: Xbox Game Studios and Double Fine<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I sadly missed the original Psychonauts<\/em> when it released. For whatever reason, I have always had an unexplained hangup as to why I never played it since. Maybe I was afraid of badly aged mechanics or I wasn’t fond of the look, but with Psychonauts 2<\/em>, I gave it a try. What I found was a brilliantly crafted game featuring the wonderful Double Fine humor, creative design decisions, trippy visuals and music, and so much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psychonauts 2<\/em> dives right in where the original left off. The game does a great job not only reminding old players what happened, but is thorough enough to have new players up to speed. The emotional impact with characters and their internal struggles is believable and human, although they have the weird Burton-esque touch to it all making it all the more…uneasy. While the platforming does have an outdated feel in areas, the use of powers helps aid this dilemma assuming the other highlights of the game doesn’t make you forget about what little negatives you may find such as the mapping of powers to the controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All in all, Psychonauts 2<\/em> is a joy to play through. Very rarely do games run a gamut of emotions the way this game does, and even more rare do they succeed. Psychonauts 2<\/em> may very well be the best game Double Fine has ever released, and everyone should do themselves a favor and play this game even if you never played the original.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Game
Credit: Square Enix and Eidos-Montreal<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

My expectations going into Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy<\/em> were quite low. After a poor reception for Marvel’s Avengers<\/em> and awful trailers for Guardians<\/em>, it was hard to be hyped. Add in some of the surface details like designs I just was not feeling (looking at you Peter Quill) and the combat not blowing up my skirt; I pretty much wrote the game off until I saw it for $25 on Black Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Needless to say, while some of those issues are there, plenty elevated the game to be something truly special. In particular, the story, character interactions, dialogue, and voice acting were top-notch. So much so that I would say it felt just like the movies in those respects. That’s not to say the gameplay itself was bad, because it wasn’t. It felt stiff in areas and I ran across some glitches that resulted in me needing to restart from a load point. Yet, despite those issues, it was the crew and everything involving their stories and relationships that made me love the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The closest thing I can compare the game to is Uncharted<\/em>. While the game can stand for itself, it is the character work that really pulls the game along. Yes the set-pieces are nice and it looks amazing, but in the end I fell in love with the characters again moreso than the game I was playing. But the fact that it’s my number 4 should speak volumes about just how great all of that was to overcome any faults I saw. Though Peter Quill’s design still sucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Scarlet Nexus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Game
Credit: Bandai Namco<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Every year I have that one big RPG of sorts I play. This year, that would be Scarlet Nexus<\/em>. And like many of those JRPG’s, it hits so many of the notes I love. Cliche JRPG characters? Check. Time travel? You better believe it. Obtuse story that barely holds together? Oh for sure. And while the tropiness of this game may put off others, it certainly doesn’t do that for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As one would expect, the story goes places which immediately has my interest. No, I won’t spoil it here. But even besides the story, the action feels good and gets better the further into it you get. What starts out simple and barebones turns into an orgy of superpowers with the help of your comrades. It makes playing a game with repetitive cool-designed monsters feel fun every time an encounter starts. It feels great, stylish, frenetic, and an all around good time. If the level design was a tad more interesting and side quests were compelling to do, this would be an even better game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scarlet Nexus<\/em> won’t be for everyone. It’s a shorter action-adventure RPG allowing for multiple playthroughs (two characters to select from, each with a different story), and some of what’s there can be utilized better than it was. However, the game was still a blast to play, and was something I was eager to hop into every night before bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. The Forgotten City<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Game
Credit: Dear Villagers and Modern Storyteller<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I had this game at my #1 for a while. It wasn’t until our game of the year deliberations that I realized…I like one game even more. But that doesn’t mean The Forbidden City<\/em> is bad. Quite the contrary. The Forbidden City<\/em> doesn’t overstay it’s welcome while inviting a number of intriguing mysteries to solve. It does time loops right, leaving you to solve a mystery once before eliminating the need to solve (and do) it again, and again, and again. And while I think some of the limited characters are a tad lackluster, the experience through the end is still an absolute blast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The greater mystery of The Forgotten City<\/em> is fun, but not really why I enjoyed the game so much. The joy of this game was determining how to break the loop, and the way to do it was by learning about, and helping, everyone in this small city. Some were relatively simple while others were horrifying, but they also were satisfying. The gameplay feels familiar (in thanks to it being a Skyrim<\/em> mod), but it won’t be the best feeling game by a long shot. But the few complaints I have with this game would be selling the game short. In a year where a time loop game can feel too complicated (Outer Wilds<\/em> expansion) or just plain disappointing (12 Minutes<\/em>); The Forgotten City<\/em> hit the sweet spot for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I never saw all four endings (missed ending 3), The Forgotten City<\/em> has stuck with me. I loved that world and I keep thinking of jumping back in. I didn’t test out the different starting classes, and there’s one in particular I’m curious about. Whether I do or not is one thing, but if you haven’t, I highly suggest you to do so. The Forgotten City<\/em> doesn’t deserve to be forgotten, because it’s easily a top tier 2021 game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Inscryption<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Game
Credit: Devolver Digital and Daniel Mullins Games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Inscryption<\/em> is rad. I had no reason to enjoy the card game like I did, but it’s real good – all variations of it. For someone who typically dislikes card games, Daniel Mullins finds multiple ways to get players like myself over that hump. He simply lets you break the game. Not to the point it’s unchallenging, but with some careful planning, patience, and understanding; anyone can see why the game is (in my opinion) the greatest game of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, again, I’m not spoiling it. If you played Daniel Mullins previous games, I’m sure you’ll understand. Things happen. Things I wasn’t expecting. Both with the story and the card mechanics. But without speaking about what changes, I want to note that the card game(s) are incredibly well crafted. While RNG can definitely ruin a run, there will be a point where it clicks. You will understand the other intricacies the game provides to help certain hurdles to move you towards the endgame of each act. One may be the usage of death cards. One may be how you structure totems. The love and care to make Inscryption<\/em> both an easy game to understand and an enthralling one makes it stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The one draw back, and I do mean the ONLY drawback I find with Inscryption<\/em> is the story. And it’s not because it’s bad. Far from it. It just feels…familiar. There are certain similarities with how things play out that make me feel like I’ve been here before in one of Mullins’ previous games. Even to an extent, a rare few other games. What makes Inscryption<\/em>‘s story stand out though is the level of detail in crafting the lore while giving players an experience that is rarely seen. Inscryption<\/em> is very much a video game. And I say that not for the obvious reason that it is a video game, but because what it does is something I can’t imagine any other medium is capable of doing. It’s absolutely spectacular and the best game of the year, and I say that without having taken part in the ARG or dipping into the files to find the details Mullins 100% expected fans to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there it is. My top five for 2021. Check out not only the VGU podcasts where we discuss the site top 10, but also everyone else’s favorite games of the year on the site as well. And as for games I played this year that released pre-2021…well…check out the next page for my favorite 5 I played of those too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Asura’s Wrath DLC (Episodes 19 – 22)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Asura's
Credit: CyberConnect2 and Capcom<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I played Asura’s Wrath<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Superliminal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Superliminal\"
Credit: Pillow Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I wasn’t sure if I would like Superliminal<\/em>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I definitely had to look up a few puzzles in Superliminal<\/em>, 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<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It won’t set the gaming world on fire or anything, but Superliminal<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Fallout 76<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Fallout
Credit: Bethesda<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I had very low expectations with Fallout 76<\/em>. 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<\/a>, I thought I would continue giving it a shot. Then Fallout 76<\/em> consumed my life for a few weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fallout 76<\/em> is another Fallout <\/em>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 <\/em>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fallout 76<\/em> 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<\/em>. If any of that sounds appealing, even for just a couple hours, I would suggest giving it a shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Pokemon Shield<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pokemon
Credit: Game Freak<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> 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<\/em> when it released in 2019, I received it for my birthday this year. And as other iterations, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em> and Shield<\/em> felt different enough, but not as different as it needs to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If anything, it has me curiously optimistic about Pokemon Legends: Arceus<\/em>. 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<\/em> game, so I’ll be there at some point I’m sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Hollow Knight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Hollow
Credit: Team Cherry<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hollow Knight<\/em> 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<\/em> might just surprise you<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

That’s right, unlike other sites, VGU actually waited until the year was over! So here we are again. Coming at you with our favorite games of 2021. A list heavily dictated by spare time and funds in our bank accounts. Both of which I am dreadfully low on! 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