This year, hardly many games caused as much debate as Destiny. Bungie's innovative shooter has found a place with players seeking a different kind of multiplayer experience, despite a rough beginning. One of the most enjoyable discoveries of the year is a ridiculous Japanese role-playing game about a sardonic aspiring rock star with an iPad-like music device for a heart. It's the ideal illustration of how games can remain enjoyable even when they don't rely on explosions or violence.
The popular superhero gameplay from Insomniac is taken and improved upon in nearly every aspect in Marvel's Spider-Man. As a consequence, you will have an incredible experience that fully immerses you in the distinct area of the Marvel Universe it resides in, without ever allowing its mechanics to become slowed down by a multitude of tedious chores. The plot of the game, which examines two busybodies attempting to reconcile their personal and superhero lives, is intriguing and quite intimate. Though at times its larger-than-life blockbuster set pieces may come off as overdone, the story finally builds to a poignant finale that emphasizes the idea that enormous power comes with a hefty responsibility. With a tonne of customizable graphical choices and top-notch PC visuals, this updated version of the game improves the gameplay experience. For fans of the franchise, it's the best way to play Marvel's Spider-Man to date and a must-have.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the perfect action game to play if you own a PS5 and enjoy role-playing games with an abundance of weaponry, unique biomes, and charming characters. It's a fantastic example of what the system is capable of and a great addition to a brand that Insomniac has flawlessly controlled since 2002. The most contemporary Ratchet & Clank game to date features a brand-new female protagonist named Rivet who will join our silly friends on an epic space voyage. It manages to balance emotional depth with a lighthearted family trip while also being at ease with its legacy. It's a brilliant work of narrative that explores the nuances of found-family interactions while also making fun of capitalism, materialism, and tyranny. Playing it is enjoyable from beginning to end.
Sabotage Studio shifted their attention to "Retro-Inspired Indie Games" following the success of their debut title, The Messenger. And with Sea of Stars, they most definitely delivered. This RPG bears numerous similarities to other classics in the genre, such as Fire Emblem, Chaos Rings, EarthBound, Kingdom Hearts, Secret of Mana, and Final Fantasy, even though the developers obviously had Chrono Trigger in mind when they created it. Sea of Stars, on the other hand, feels genuine and unique in and of itself, in contrast to some of those titles that blatantly copy elements from previous JRPGs. This is an homage to the classics with its own particular personality, from the immersive battle transition that allows you see foes on the map (no random encounters here) to the special interplay between systems that demands strategy and planning in every fight. especially with Yasunori Mitsuda's iconic soundtrack playing in the background.
Death's Door is a story about life, death, and all in between, as its title suggests. It's an X-Files meets Twin Peaks spooky thriller written by David Lynch. The combat in the game is quick and satisfying, and its visual aesthetic is reminiscent of older 2D Zelda titles. It serves as a reminder that a game can still be memorable and valuable even if it doesn't provide anything truly unique. Similar to the Soulsborne series by FromSoftware, Death's Door is a difficult task. However, in contrast to such games, it progressively increases difficulty to make the experience fair and attainable. It also considers some of the most persistent issues facing society today, such as class conflict and indentured servitude. It's one of the most captivating experiences of 2021. All you have to do is be ready to die a lot.
Subnautica, which has been in Early Access for three years, is now prepared to be fully explored. In this sci-fi survival game, you take control of the Aurora, a spacecraft that crashed in the twenty-third century on a far-off ocean world. Its amazing sound design and truly captivating soundtrack perfectly match its striking images. The game also features a sizable open environment that begs to be explored and is brimming with life. This aquatic wonder delivers a delightful blend of calm and dread that few other games have managed to capture since Minecraft first allowed you to brutalize an innocent oak tree, even though it might not be as polished or focused as its competitors. A must-have. This is the ideal form of a survival game.
