2021 was a great year for gaming, with numerous titles that captivated players worldwide. Whether it was the release of new games or the revival of classic franchises, the year was filled with games that kept us hooked. Here is a detailed list of the best games of 2021. As always, we’ll list the games first. Then, we’ll try to explain each one of them. So, let’s move on to our list!

Best games of 2021

  1. It Takes Two
  2. Resident Evil Village
  3. Death’s Door
  4. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
  5. Psychonauts 2
  6. Returnal
  7. Hitman 3
  8. Scarlet Nexus
  9. Deathloop
  10. Kena: Bridge of Spirits
  11. Metroid Dread
  12. Guardians of the Galaxy
  13. Death’s Gambit: Afterlife
  14. Far Cry 6
  15. Tales of Arise

 

Best games of 2021 explanations

It’s time we explained these games for you.

It Takes Two

Now, let’s start with our first game in our Best games of 2021 list. Hazelight Studios developed It Takes Two, a co-op platformer game, which Electronic Arts published. The game requires a couple, who are turned into dolls by their daughter, to work together in order to navigate a fantastical world and repair their broken relationship. The game is a masterpiece of storytelling, with engaging gameplay and beautiful graphics. It is one of the most innovative and enjoyable co-op games of all time.

Resident Evil Village

Resident Evil Village is a survival horror game that was developed and published by Capcom. The game follows Ethan Winters, who is searching for his kidnapped daughter in a mysterious village filled with supernatural creatures. The game has a gripping storyline, terrifying monsters, and stunning graphics that make it one of the best horror games of all time.

Death’s Door

Another game in our Best games of 2021 list is Death’s Door. Death’s Door is an action-adventure game that was developed by Acid Nerve and published by Devolver Digital. The game follows a crow that is tasked with collecting the souls of the dead, and the journey leads the crow to various areas of a fantastical world. The game is praised for its beautiful art style, clever puzzles, and immersive combat system.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a third-person shooter game that was developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game follows Ratchet and Clank as they travel through various dimensions to stop an evil emperor from destroying the universe. The game has stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and a heartwarming storyline that makes it one of the best games of 2021.

Psychonauts 2

We are talking about 2021, right? So, Psychonauts 2 is a must-have on our list of the Best Games of 2021. Psychonauts 2 is a platformer game that was developed by Double Fine Productions and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game follows a psychic protagonist named Razputin as he travels through the minds of various characters to stop a villainous organization. The game has beautiful art design, engaging puzzles, and an imaginative storyline that makes it one of the best games of 2021.

Returnal

Returnal is a third-person shooter game that was developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game follows Selene, an astronaut who is stranded on a hostile planet and must battle her way through an endless cycle of death and rebirth. The game has a unique gameplay mechanic that revolves around time loops and rogue-like elements, which make it one of the most innovative games of 2021.

Hitman 3

Now, here is another important game in our Best games of 2021 list. Hitman 3 is a stealth game that was developed and published by IO Interactive. The game follows Agent 47 as he travels to various locations around the world to eliminate his targets. The game has stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and a satisfying storyline that makes it one of the best games of 2021.

Scarlet Nexus

Scarlet Nexus is an action RPG game that was developed and published by Bandai Namco. The game follows two protagonists, Yuito and Kasane, as they navigate a world filled with psychic powers and a mysterious organization. The game has beautiful visuals, engaging combat, and an intriguing storyline that makes it one of the best games of 2021.

Deathloop

One of the long awaited games in our Best games of 2021 was Deathloop. Deathloop is an action-adventure game that was developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game follows Colt, an assassin who is trapped in a time loop and must find a way to break free. Also, the game has a unique gameplay mechanic that revolves around the time loop. It allows players to approach levels in different ways each time they play. The game has a captivating storyline, engaging combat, and stunning graphics that make it one of the best games of 2021.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an action-adventure game that was developed and published by Ember Lab. The game follows Kena, a young spirit guide, as she travels through a mystical world to help trapped spirits find peace. The game has stunning visuals, engaging combat, and an emotional storyline that makes it one of the best games of 2021.

Metroid Dread

This is indeed an important game in our Best games of 2021 list. Metroid Dread is a 2D action-adventure game that was developed by MercurySteam and Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo. The game follows Samus Aran as she battles alien creatures and uncovers the secrets of a mysterious planet. The game has fast-paced action, engaging puzzles, and beautiful graphics that make it one of the best games of 2021.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy is an action-adventure game that was developed by Eidos Montreal and published by Square Enix. The game follows the Guardians of the Galaxy as they battle their way through the galaxy to stop a dangerous threat. The game has a captivating storyline, engaging combat, and stunning graphics that make it one of the best games of 2021.

Death’s Gambit: Afterlife

In our Best games of 2021 list, you probably didn’t expect this one. Death’s Gambit: Afterlife is a 2D action-platformer game that was developed by White Rabbit and published by Serenity Forge. The game follows Sorun, a knight of Death, as he battles his way through a world filled with dangerous creatures and ancient mysteries. The game has beautiful visuals, engaging combat, and challenging gameplay that make it one of the best games of 2021.

Far Cry 6

Far Cry 6 is a first-person shooter game that was developed and published by Ubisoft. The game follows Dani Rojas as they battle their way through a fictional Caribbean island to overthrow a brutal dictator. The game has stunning graphics, engaging combat, and a captivating storyline that make it one of the best games of 2021.

Tales of Arise

This is the last game in our Best games of 2021 list. Tales of Arise is an action RPG game that was developed and published by Bandai Namco. The game follows two characters, Alphen and Shionne, as they navigate a world of conflict and oppression. The game has beautiful visuals, engaging combat, and an emotional storyline that make it one of the best games of 2021.

Best games of 2021 conclusion

Overall, 2021 was a great year for gaming, with numerous titles that kept players engaged and entertained. From innovative co-op games like It Takes Two to captivating horror games like Resident Evil Village, there was something for every type of gamer. These 15 games represent the best of the best, with stunning graphics, engaging gameplay, and captivating storylines. It’s safe to say that 2021 was a great year for gaming, and we can’t wait to see what 2022 has in store.

What can we learn with the best games of 2021 list?

From this article, we can learn several things. Firstly, we can learn about the 15 best games of 2021, as listed by the author. The article provides a brief summary of each game, including its genre, developer, and publisher, as well as its standout features and gameplay mechanics.

Secondly, we can learn about the trends in gaming in 2021. The article highlights some of the key themes that emerged in gaming in 2021, including the rise of cooperative games, the use of innovative gameplay mechanics, and the importance of storytelling and character development.

Thirdly, we can learn about the impact of technology on gaming in 2021. Advancements in technology made it possible for many of the games on the list to feature stunning graphics, immersive sound design, and advanced gameplay mechanics.

Overall, this article highlights the best of what gaming had to offer in 2021 and provides insight into the trends and themes that shaped the industry. It also demonstrates the ongoing evolution and innovation of gaming as a medium, and the continued importance of storytelling and immersive gameplay experiences.

Why is there only 15 games in the best games of 2021 list?

The author of this article likely chose to limit the list to 15 games for a few reasons. Firstly, it can be difficult to narrow down the best games of a year to a manageable number, as there are often many great titles to choose from. By limiting the list to 15 games, the author was able to highlight the titles that they felt were the most noteworthy or impactful of the year.

Secondly, a shorter list can be more manageable for readers who are looking for quick recommendations or an overview of the year in gaming. A list of 15 games is long enough to showcase a variety of genres and developers, while also being short enough to be easily digestible for readers who are short on time.

Finally, it’s worth noting that this list is just one author’s opinion. Some readers may feel that there are other games from 2021 that should have been here. Or games on the list that some readers may not feel deserve to be there. Ultimately, the value of a list like this is in the discussion and debate that it can spark. Also, the opportunity for readers to discover new games that they may have missed.

What to do with Best games of 2021 list?

There are a few things you could do with this list of the best games of 2021. Here are a few ideas:

  1. Use it as a reference guide. If you’re a gamer looking for new games to play, this list can be a great starting point. You can use it to find games that you may have missed throughout the year. Or to discover new titles that you might not have considered otherwise.
  2. Discuss it with other gamers. Lists like this are great conversation starters. They also can be a great way to engage with other gamers and spark discussion. You could share the list with friends or online communities. So, you can see which games they agree with or disagree with.
  3. Use it to broaden your gaming horizons. If you tend to stick to certain genres or developers, this list can be a great way to branch out and try new things. You might discover a game on the list that you wouldn’t have considered playing before, but end up loving.
  4. Keep an eye out for future releases. If you find that you enjoyed many of the games on this list, it might be worth keeping an eye out for future releases from the same developers or in similar genres.

Ultimately, the value of a list like this is what you make of it. Whether you use it as a guide, a conversation starter, or simply a way to discover new games, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the games you play.

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