NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS – HAPPY HOME PARADISE

Animal Crossing: New Horizons was a monumental success for Nintendo, and while there were legitimate criticisms against the game for its lack of proper post-launch support in the year or so following its launch, most of those criticisms were swept away when Happy Home Paradise launched in 2021. Absolutely brimming with new content, quality of life improvements, feature additions, and so much more, Happy Home Paradise crammed addictive, well-designed content into a game that so many had already poured dozens (if not hundreds) of hours into. Doubling down on the creative freedom, extensive customization, and addictive charms of the base game, Happy Home Paradise was a timesink that we were all too happy to lose our lives to.

OUTER WILDS: ECHOES OF THE EYE

Outer Wilds has established itself as a one-of-a-kind achievement in the time since it’s been out. Those who’ve played it have consistently sung praises of its genius, its uniqueness, how it pulls its world, mechanics, and story into a single, cohesive package unlike any other. Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye was, in many ways, more of the same- which instantly makes it one of the best gaming experiences of 2021 by default. Of course, on top of being characterized by the same superlative strengths that made the base game so good, Echoes of the Eye also attempts to carve out its own identity by bringing a very distinct and effective horror twist into the proceedings. The end result is an absolutely unmissable expansion.

GHOST OF TSUSHIMA – IKI ISLAND

Ghost of Tsushima was easily one of 2020’s standout releases, and in 2021, it continued to grab headlines. With the launch of Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, Sucker Punch delivered another healthy chunk of new content in the form of the Iki Island expansion- which delivered in all the ways that the base game itself did a year prior. Another gorgeous new island to explore, a much more personal story that delved into Jin’s past, new threats and enemies to encounter, incremental additions to progression and customization, and about 10-15 hours of new content- with all of this and more, Ghost of Tsushima’s newest piece of content was an excellent reminder of just why we all fell in love with this samurai epic when we first played it in 2020.

DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT

Death Stranding Director’s Cut may not have been as meaty of an upgrade over the base game as the aforementioned Ghost of Tsushima was, but it was still a solid package that expanded upon Kojima Productions’ unusual open world game in interesting ways. New tools, items, and touches of polish improved upon the base experience, while additions like a race track and training missions allowed for the kind of arcade fun that was missing in the base game. In the form of the Ruined Factory, the game also added a completely new area with its own set of missions and stealth-focused gameplay. Though not necessarily comprehensive, Death Stranding’s Director’s Cut’s additions to the game were still valuable.

FINAL FANTASY 7 REMAKE INTERGRADE – EPISODE INTERMISSION

After the way Final Fantasy 7 Remake ended, fans have been waiting with bated breath for the full sequel to come along and answer many burning questions. The wait for that continues, but thankfully, in 2021, Square Enix gave us an appetizer of sorts with Episode INTERmission. Starring two great leading characters in Yuffie and Sonon, the new expansion was a surprisingly meaty piece of new content with more of the excellent combat that we all loved in the base game, and other compelling content additions, like the surprisingly addictive minigame called Fort Condor. How important Episode INTERmission is to the larger story of this remake saga remains to be seen- it certainly has some important story nuggets. Either way, if you’re looking for more of what FF7 Remake intergrade had to offer, Episode INTERmission delivered that in spades.

WINNER:

GHOST OF TSUSHIMA – IKI ISLAND

Ghost of Tsushima’s Iki Island expansion was a resounding triumph by every metric. It was a sizeable new chunk of content, its story – while not crucial to the main plot – was compelling and well-told, a number of additions like new abilities and enemy types spiced up the base game’s tried-and-true combat system, and Iki island itself was absolutely gorgeous. Large and beautiful in all the ways that Tsushima itself was in the base game, and then some, it was a stellar sandbox that was begging to be explored. Whether you look at it as a half-step between Ghost of Tsushima and its sequel or simply as an extension of the former, there’s no denying that for anyone who enjoyed the base game, this was an unmissable experience.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

OUTRIDERS

Outriders is a pretty damn enjoyable game even if you’re playing it solo, but People Can Fly’s RPG shooter is really at its best when being played in a squad of three. Heading out into a squad where each player has unique strengths and abilities and watching different classes and kinds of builds working in synergy never gets old, not least because Outriders’ energetic combat makes that process so satisfying. It might not be the most unique experience out there – co-op looter shooters are not in short supply by any means, after all – but when viewed purely on the merits of execution, there isn’t an awful lot to find issue with.

BACK 4 BLOOD

Left 4 Dead, like many other beloved Valve franchises, seems to be stuck in an interminable slumber, but the original developer of that series, Turtle Rock Studios, recently took it upon themselves to finally give the people what they’ve been craving. Back 4 Blood is a spiritual successor to that classic co-op survival shooter formula, and it’s excellent. Brutally challenging and cleverly designed around tense encounter design and an engaging progression system, Back 4 Blood consistently delivers one heart-pumping sequence after another, and inherently encourages replay value. Working together as a group as efficiently and effectively as possible in this game always feels like a rewarding accomplishment.

MONSTER HUNTER RISE

This one was pretty much guaranteed to be in here the moment Capcom first announced it. The Monster Hunter formula has been perfect for co-op gameplay for as long as it’s been around, especially when it’s at its best, and Monster Hunter Rise, which takes the new and improved World formula and improves upon it even further, is Monster Hunter at its very best. That ridiculously addictive loop of heading out to hunt down specific monsters as you keep working your way up to better gear never, ever gets boring, and all those immaculately designed fights flourish even more when you’re taking them on with another player by your side.

FORZA HORIZON 5 

Forza Horizon 5 is a game that wants you to have fun no matter what you’re doing. If you’re playing solo, you’re going to have an absolute blast. If you’re playing multiplayer- well, ditto. From the Eliminator to Horizon Arcade events, from encountering players in the open world and challenging them to head-to-head races to jumping into co-op for specific events, from creating, sharing, and downloading liveries with other players to so, so much more, Forza Horizon 5 is brimming with multiplayer activities, each as entertaining as the last. The fact that it’s all so easy to find and jump into makes it that much more enjoyable.

KNOCKOUT CITY

Since Rocket League struck gold all those years ago, more than a few games have tried to come up with some wacky concepts of competitive multiplayer games based on unique adaptations of sports- the exaggeratedly action-packed dodgeball offerings of Knockout City are probably better than most of what’s offer in those other games. Velan Studios’ game is surprisingly easy to get into, and hides deceptive mechanical depth that not only encourages truly meaningful competitive gameplay for those who really want to invest in the game, but also makes progression and the act of getting better at the game significantly more satisfying. In addition to that, there’s a variety of modes, well-designed maps, and post-launch support has been pretty decent. All in all, very few multiplayer games have kept us coming back in 2021 the way Knockout City has.

DEATHLOOP

Arkane Studios’ Deathloop is, first and foremost a single player game. It’s a story-driven experience, after all- but though its online component is by no means crucial to seeing the game through to the end, it’s still a huge part of the experience that adds to it significantly. Much more than one might expect, in fact. Exploring the game and suddenly being invaded by another player’s version of Juliana injects sudden tension to proceedings, and the game of cat-and-mouse that follows, regardless of which of the two you’re playing as, can lead to some of Deathloop’s most exciting moments. The game smartly also incorporates that mechanic into its story and its time loop premise, so it never feels like it’s pulling you out of the main experience. Deathloop’s multiplayer deserves plaudits for its conceptualization just as much as it does for actually bringing that concept to life in an effective manner.

F1 2021

Codemasters’ F1 games have offered solid multiplayer experiences on a consistently basis for a number of years running at this point, and F1 2021 is, as you’d expect, cut from the same mould. PvP races remain a blast, thanks to the predictably solid driving and tuning mechanics, while leaderboards are as addictive as ever. What really stands out in F1 2021 is the ability to play the career mode with another player, where you can go through the entire career playing either with or against each other. Multiplayer in F1 2021 feels even more packed and, as such, enjoyable- which is a pretty accurate way to describe the entire game on a whole.

IT TAKES TWO

Hazelight Studios delivered something fresh and exciting with A Way Out, a game that made co-op central to both its story and gameplay, but It Takes Two takes that core idea and does some truly unforgettable stuff with it. From its insistence on making both gameplay and story always work in and around each other to the boundless creativity and variety the game showcases in everything from environments to mechanics- It Takes Two is a game with a very particular vision, and it brings that vision to life excellently. It’s not often that we see a game doing justice to its ideas and ambitions as well and as creatively as It Takes Two does.

FIFA 22

Unlike many other games on this list, FIFA 22’s multiplayer has been among the best experiences in this group this year not because of wild innovations or fresh ideas, but because, like the entire series, it’s continued on with a tried-and-tested formula. From Ultimate Team to Seasons, to Pro Clubs, to Volta to even single kickoff matches or custom tournaments, FIFA 22, like its predecessors, boasts healthy multiplayer offerings. Given the fundamental mechanical strength of the game, anyone who enjoys football sim is bound to find something worthwhile in this area.

GUILTY GEAR STRIVE

Fighters might be much more inherently inaccessibly in nature than many other competitive multiplayer games tend to be, but for those who do get into them, they tend to be so much more rewarding and addictive than most other games out there. Guilty Gear Strive, as probably one of the best fighters we’ve played in recent years, has those qualities in abundance. What really makes the game’s online tick is the excellent netcode, which is something that can really make or break a game. Excellent new mechanics like the Roman Cancel and wall break spice up multiplayer gameplay as well, while there’s also a lot to be said about how meaningfully different all the characters feel from each other, and yet how pretty much all of them are a blast to play as.

HALO INFINITE

Halo Infinite may not have been a do-or-die game for Halo, given how massive this series was even when it was at its lowest point, but it was still pretty damn crucial that 343 Industries got this one right. And they absolutely did. Both sides of the experience shine, which, of course, means that the multiplayer does as well. Adopting a new free-to-play model, Halo Infinite’s multiplayer has had some initial growing pains with things such as Battle Pass progression and the cosmetic story, but seeing 343 Industries listening to feedback and making improvements in response so promptly in these early days has been very encouraging. Of course, where it really counts, Halo Infinite knocks it out of the park, with fun modes, excellently designed maps, and the best movement and combat mechanics in a Halo game to date all coming together to deliver a multiplayer Halo experience for the ages.

WINNER:

IT TAKES TWO

Josef Fares and his team at Hazelight have made it abundantly clear that they want to keep on developing games that focus exclusively on and are built around co-op, offering something that basically no other game does. It Takes Two deserves immense credit for that on its own, but of course, what really helps this game stand out is how incredibly well-made it is. It leverages its focus on co-op in consistently unique and creative ways for both its story and gameplay, in the process creating something that feels doubly special. It Takes Two backs up its ambitions with immaculate design, while always ensuring that it’s all always in service to creating a two-player experience. For all of that and more, it deserves the highest honour in this category.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

NO MORE HEROES 3

No More Heroes was big during the Wii years, and after a long hiatus, the series finally came back in 2020 with a brand new mainline entry in No More Heroes 3- and it was well worth the wait. All the eccentricity and unhinged genius that you expect to find in a game directed by Suda51- No More Heroes 3 has all of that and more in spades. This ambitious romp sees Travis Touchdown at his most ridiculous best, as he slashes and burns his way through an excellent cast of villains. Though the game is lacking in technical polish, it more than makes up for those deficiencies with constant excellence and variety in gameplay.

DEATH’S DOOR

Death’s Door is, in a way, living proof that homage does not have to mean outright imitation. The excellent indie action-adventure game – which follows a crow who reaps the souls of the living, and a job that goes wrong – is like a new age spiritual successor to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. It channels a lot of the same qualities and sense of adventure and of discovery that that seminal game did. But it goes about it in its own way, from an entirely different set of aesthetics and setting, to a totally different set of mechanics, including several inventive ones it can claim as its own, and an emphasis on challenging combat. It has its struggles, but it still stands out as one of the best games of the year.

IT TAKES TWO

Anytime a game tries to set itself apart from what’s become an increasingly saturated industry that, honestly, often lacks in freshness and creativity, you’ve gotta sit up and take notice. It Takes Two deserves credit not only for trying that, but for going all-in on it- but most importantly, it deserves credit for doing it as well as it does. It’s story has received countless plaudits, all of which are, to say the least, well-deserved, but what we want to highlight here is the excellent creativity the game exhibits in its mechanics throughout its runtime, with every new level bringing with it a completely new, excellently realized set of mechanics. It’s not often that you see a game that would even attempt the kind of things that It Takes Two attempts, and for that, it deserves a ton of recognition- which, thankfully, it’s getting.

LOST JUDGMENT

After a studio has made one sort of game set within the same universe over a dozen times across 15 years, you would expect a sense of burnout and staleness to have begun to set in. You would expect players, if nothing else, now intimately familiar with said kinds of games, would no longer find them as delightful. And yet, RGG Studio manages to continually impress, originally with the Yakuza series, and now with the Judgment spinoffs set in the same universe, which carry on the original franchise’s brawler roots. Lost Judgment is delightful, with an incredible story, great characterization, a compelling and addicting wealth of content (from the minigames to the side stories), to the amazing overdramatic but richly compelling storytelling that never quite gets old. Almost fifteen years after the original Yakuza, RGG Studio has delivered one of the best entries in its lineage.

KENA: BRIDGE OF SPIRITS

In an era of gaming where games are getting bigger and bigger by the day, to the extent that most of them these days tend to be too big for their own good, we can’t help but be glad that games like Kena: Bridge of Spirits exist- focused, linear, and significantly smaller even than most games on this very list. From its 10-15 hour runtime to its wide-linear level design that never goes open world but always encourages exploration, this is a game that understands that sometimes, there’s immense value in restraint. None of the things Kena does in its gameplay department stand out as unique or fresh, but thanks to that zoomed in focus, it’s able to deliver solid mechanics that consistently work well with each other to deliver a solid action-adventure experience.

RESIDENT EVIL VILLAGE

Resident Evil Village is a carnival- that might sound like a weird description for this kind of game, but that’s what it is. It’s a carnival of different styles of horror, a carnival that celebrates the history of Resident Evil. From Lady D’s castle, which is a classic RE-style area, to the horrific psychological horror-focused House Beneviento, from the focus on backtracking and exploration that the series has always been known for to the intense action sequences, Resident Evil Village exhibits a surprising amount of variety throughout its runtime. What’s surprising, and what makes this game really tick, is that it sticks the landing with pretty much everything it attempts. The end result is a spectacular survival horror game that stands as one of 2021’s best offerings.

PSYCHONAUTS 2

As a long-awaited sequel to a nearly two decade-old cult classic, the burden of expectation on Psychonauts 2 was immense. Most developers would have crumbled under that sort of pressure- but Double Fine isn’t most developers. The confidence Psychonauts 2 exhibits in its skin is equal to none, and it does that not just in its incredible, ingeniously told story and with its endearing cast of bizarre, eccentric characters, but also with its gameplay. In improving everything from its platforming and its combat and its level design by significant margins, it serves as the perfect sequel, but once again, it shows restraint in doing so- only ever going far enough with those improvements so that they make sense within what the game is supposed to be. We had to wait quite a long time for Raz’s second adventure, but thankfully, it paid off in the end.

METROID DREAD

Speaking of immense burden of expectation- Metroid Dread had impossibly high expectations to live up to. It arrived 11 years after the last new mainline Metroid game (which wasn’t very good), it was following up on a number of disappointing spinoff entries in the series. Success would have been pretty much impossible for any other game releasing under those circumstances, so the fact that Dread has been as critically and commercially successful as it has been should tell you everything you need to know about how unbelievably spectacular it is. Nintendo’s first party franchises have been on fire in the Switch era, and Metroid, at long last, has finally had its time in the sun as well.

FAR CRY 6

Unlike some gaming franchises (like a couple that we’ve spoken about here), with Far Cry, you always know exactly what you’re going to get. If all you’re looking for is more Far Cry, look no further than Far Cry 6. From its massive and diverse open world to its chaotic, systemic combat and exploration, this is the epitome of open world gameplay, which, thanks to smart new tweaks to the customization and progression mechanics, have their own taste here that suits the game’s setting and narrative premise perfectly. Too big for its own good? Maybe- but at least it’s brimming with all the qualities that you expect to find in an open world game.

MARVEL’S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

As we’ve seen more than a few times over the last few years, making an original game based on a popular licensed property can be quite tricky. With Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy though, Eidos Montreal proved that it was completely up to the task. Rather than being smothered by the shadow of the MCU’s adaptation of the source material, the game successfully carves out its own identity. Excellent animations, performances, and writing bring these beloved characters to life in convincing fashion, and watching them grow and change and interact with each other remains a joy throughout the entirety of the experience. It also helps that this, too, is a game that is unconcerned with being unnecessarily massive, or being an ongoing experience, because that focused approach helps it focus on what it’s good at.

RATCHET AND CLANK: RIFT APART

Insomniac’s stock has risen meteorically in the last few years, mostly thanks to the Spider-Man games, but Ratchet and Clank was the series that introduced the developer’s talents to an entire generation of players back in the day- and Rift Apart is an incredibly love letter to that fanbase. Blasting through hordes of enemies with increasingly ridiculous gadgets and weaponry has always been core to the series’ identity, and Rift Apart leaves no stone unturned in that area. The tightness of design it exhibits not only in combat, but also in level design and platforming across its many levels also helps it stand tall as an accomplished action platformer, while the story, driven by an endearing cast of new and returning characters, pulls the entire experience together excellently as well.

WINNER:

METROID DREAD

Action-adventure games is always a contested and competitive category, and very honestly, this year saw some great games in the genre. For Metroid Dread to win it in such a year is ultimately testament to just how great it is. In spite of the two decades separating it from the last new game in the series’ 2D saga, it feels as if no time passed at all. Supremely confident, and pulling together the strengths and triumphs of the Metroid series from each previous entry, Metroid Dread succeeds on just about every level as a Metroidvania, and an action-adventure game- from the movement to the traversal, from the combat and bosses to the world design. It’s supremely addictive, incredibly well paced, and is a game that taunts its players to do better every bit as much as it encourages them to master its mechanics and break its own boundaries. Constantly inventive, delightfully compelling, and masterfully crafted, Metroid Dread is one of the best games in the series, one of Nintendo’s best games in the Switch era, and GamingBolt’s action-adventure game for the year 2021.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

OUTRIDERS

As yet another looter shooter, People Can Fly’s RPG shooter Outriders was discounted by almost everyone before it launched, but it’s fair to say that the game surprised people. Rather than adopting a live service model, Outriders focused exclusively on delivering a complete package that could stand on its own legs upon launch- and most importantly, it boasted some excellent action. Combining flashy abilities with punchy shooting, Outriders was able to keep up a steady flow of thrilling and consistently enjoyable combat encounters throughout the entirety of its runtime.

FAR CRY 6

Far Cry 6 has received plenty of flak for its unwillingness to move the series’ tried-and-true formula forward in any meaningful ways, and while those critcisms are not without merit, viewed on its own terms, this is a great game. The open world of Yara is an excellent sandbox, encouraging players to make their own fun and get embroiled in the kind of chaotic and explosive action this series has always been known for. With its combination of first person action, enjoyable stealth, and some neat new customization and crafting mechanics that leverage its premise and setting perfectly, this is a game with no shortage of enjoyable content for players to dive into.

DEATHLOOP

Arkane has been pumping out one masterpiece after another for a long time now, and Deathloop, for all of its issues, doesn’t buck that trend. Unlike previous Arkane games, this is far more of a shooter than an immersive sim, but it helps, of course, that the shooting and action that the game delivers are ridiculously fun. It also goes without saying that even though it’s more focused on action, Deathloop still has that spark of genius that the developer has always been known for, in how it uses its systems and distinct mechanics to weave a complex web of satisfying emergent gameplay.

THE ASCENT

With all of its progression, customization, loot, and what have you, The Ascent is an RPG with surprising and satisfying depth, but when you get down to the action, this is an out-and-out twin stick shooter that delivers some of the best combat this genre has ever delivered. Punchy weapons, flashy abilities, and varied enemy design and boss encounters define every second of this experience, and weaving your way through beautifully rendered environments as you take on overwhelming swarms of enemies while the music is blaring on in the background never gets old.

GTFO

10 Chambers’ survival horror co-op shooter only launched in full quite recently, but seeing as it was in early access for a pretty long period before that, the fact that it’s an excellent game hasn’t come as much of a surprise. Genuinely terrifying and surprisingly unique in a way that sets it apart from the plethora of co-op survival shooters out there, GTFO is a game that has been in people’s hearts and minds for a while now, and with its full launch, it’s only gotten better, fuller, and even more terrifying.

RETURNAL

Housemarque has built up a reputation as one of the most proficient developers of arcade bullet hell shooters over the years, and though Returnal is obviously a much bigger production than anything the developer has worked on in the past, it still has those same qualities in spades. Every combat encounter in the game is an adrenaline-fueled fight for your life, as you dodge and dash around incoming attacks from a vast variety of enemies and bosses to unleash death upon increasingly more overwhelming hordes of foes. Combined with excellent implementation of a roguelike structure and progression mechanics that go hand-in-hand with that, Returnal delivers stunning action unlike any other game.

HALO INFINITE

Halo was down in the dumps for quite a while there, and many had started losing hope that 343 Industries would ever be able to bring the series back to its best. Thankfully, that’s exactly what Halo Infinite has done. Not only does it boast the best combat in the series to date (which is ridiculously high praise in and of itself), it also blends that with an excellently implemented open world setting, rewarding progression, and ingenious new mechanics like permanent equipment, with the Grappleshot being a particular highlight. On the multiplayer front, things are just as impressive, and this is easily a game that players can pour dozens upon dozens of hours into. With consistent and quick improvements – which certainly has been the case already, even in these early days – Halo Infinite is only going to get better.

BRIGHT MEMORY: INFINITE

Bright Memory: Infinite is all flash and a surprising amount of substance. Made largely by a single developer, this is a game that never rests on its laurels, and keeps on coming up with new ways to surprise its players. Its brief campaign boasts excellent variety in the kinds of combat scenarios, boss encounters, and traversal challenges it comes up with, and core strengths like slick movement and satisfying gunplay, among others, ensure that it remains fundamentally fun no matter what you’re doing.

BACK 4 BLOOD

Left 4 Dead fans have been desperate for a sequel to Valve’s beloved series for an interminably long time, and while that still hasn’t arrived, the original developers of the first Left 4 Dead took it upon themselves to deliver a spiritual successor. And thankfully, Back 4 Blood is amazing. It’s a brutal, thrilling, challenging romp that demands that players work together to overcome overwhelming odds. Excellent enemy variety, explosive combat encounters, and a deep and rewarding progression system all come together to deliver what is probably one of the most fundamentally enjoyable shooters we’ve played in quite some time.

MARVEL’S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Given how badly Marvel’s Avengers burned us, it’s no surprise that Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy was met with healthy skepticism pretty much since the day it was announced. Of course, when it actually launched, it ended up surprising pretty much everyone that played it. This is easily one of 2021’s best and biggest surprises, and though the actual shooting and combat on offer here aren’t the game’s strongest aspects (that would be the story and the characters), it’s not anything to scoff at either. Blasting foes and using the full extent of the Guardians’ abilities in conjunction with each other to rip and tear through enemy groups always remains fun throughout the entirety of the experience.

WINNER: 

RETURNAL

By its very nature, Returnal is a game that not everyone will be able to get into- it’s brutally challenging, and its roguelike structure can put off people pretty easily. But those who do get into it will be rewarded with one of the best games of 2021. With Returnal, Housemarque has finally made a splash on the big stage and cemented itself as a developer that can deliver excellent action that is propped up by stunning technical achievements, captivating storytelling, and ingenious game design. Even when every strand in the game’s web of systems is working together to present unforgiving and seemingly insurmountable hurdles, Returnal’s sheer breadth and scale of collective pros compel players to keep going, and keep going- for one more run, then another, then another. That’s the hallmark of any good roguelike shooter, and Returnal is one of the very best.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

FAR CRY 6

Open world games and Ubisoft have become synonymous with each other, and Far Cry 6 is, in essence, exactly what everyone had expected it to be. Whether or not the series needs to try fresh and new things is an entirely different argument, but in the here and now, there’s no denying that Far Cry 6is a great game. Yara is massive and diverse, beautiful and full of things to do, which encourage players to wreak havoc at will with great freedom and in a variety of different ways. Is it too big? Perhaps- but those who enjoy open world games will, by default, find plenty to love here.

SUBNAUTICA: BELOW ZERO

If you’re looking for an open world that puts you in an environment unlike any other, look no further than Subnautica: Below Zero. Like its predecessor, Below Zero strikes a perfect balance between the freedom and hunger to explore of open world games and the methodical and addictive progression of the survival genre. No matter where you go in this world, whether you’re diving deeper into its underwater depths or exploring the frigid world above the water, you’re guaranteed to always find something to reward your curiosity, which means the drive to explore never goes unrewarded.

LOST JUDGMENT

Where most open world games go with the “bigger is always better” philosophy, the Yakuza and Judgment games have always understood that quality always trumps quantity. Lost Judgment abides by that rule of thumb as well, and though there’s Kamurocho and Yokohama aren’t lacking in size by any means, where they really flourish is density and design. Over the course of the game, you’ll become very familiar with both maps (unless you’re already familiar with them from your experience with past games in the series), and traversing them with your skateboard or on foot never gets boring. What really helps this open world shine, of course, is the ridiculous variety of activities and quests on offer here, and typically enough for an RGG Studio game, very few of them fail to impress.

RIDERS REPUBLIC

Riders Republic is the very definition of a diamond in the rough, but purely where its open world is concerned, it might just be a diamond. The idea of smushing a bunch of famous US national parks into one enormous open world map is not only incredibly unique and ingenious, it’s also backed up by excellent execution. One area flows into the next, and collectively, the entire map offers incredible diversity in environment- which, of course, leads to incredible diversity in the activities that are available to you as well. Whether you’re skiing or cycling, wingsuit flying or snowboarding, zipping through this massive online open world never loses its luster.

FORZA HORIZON 5

Playground Games exhibited an inherent knack for crafting good open world maps for a racer even back when they took their first crack at it with Forza Horizon’s debut, and with each new game in the series, they’ve only gotten better and better at it. With Forza Horizon 5, they’ve crafted their best map ever. It does everything you could possibly want it to- it’s massive, it boasts a number of unique environments, it’s littered with beautiful sights and vistas, and most importantly, every nook and cranny of the world is full of things that will, one way or another, reward you for exploring. Racers as a genre have often struggled to create compelling open worlds, but if Forza Horizon 5 was the only racing game you’d ever played, you’d never be able to guess that.

THE ASCENT

If you were disappointed by the offerings of a certain cyberpunk open world game in 2020, don’t worry- The Ascent delivers everything that you could possibly want a game of this genre to deliver, and then some. This is a game that, among other things, excels at world-building, and that in and of itself is enough to compel players to go out and explore every corner of the arcology it’s set in. But of course, there’s plenty else that encourages you to do that- heart-pumping combat, a number of side quests, the pull of new loot and gear, and above all else, the promise of stunning vistas that are propped up not just by unbelievably impressive tech, but gorgeous art design as well.

SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI 5 

Until not that long ago, it would have been impossible to imagine a Shin Megami Tensei game making into a list such as this one. Atlus’ beloved RPG franchise has always been constrained by tight budgets, which has meant a singular focus on combat and dungeon-crawling, to the exclusion of pretty much everything else. SMT5, however, goes bigger and better in almost every way possible, allowing players to explore massive, intricately crafted areas that hide treasures and loot and rewards that always make exploration worthwhile without fail. On top of that, the simple act of moving around is surprisingly fun thanks to slick movement and traversal mechanics, all of which combines to make Shin Megami Tensei 5 a game where you can spend hours upon hours off the critical path.

MONSTER HUNTER RISE

In 2018, Monster Hunter World’s reinvention of the series ensured that any future instalments that followed the same formula would, by default qualify for any lists such as this one, and thanks to its solid selection of well-designed maps across multiple biomes, Monster Hunter Rise very much does exactly what you would have expected. But the game isn’t content with just riding on the coattails of its predecessor’s success. Mechanics such as the Wirebugs and Palamutes completely change traversal in Monster Hunter Rise, which makes traversing its maps a significantly more enjoyable activity, to the extent that we’re not sure if we’ll ever be able to go back to a Monster Hunter game that doesn’t have that stuff.

HALO INFINITE

Halo has never been open world, but built on a combat sandbox as it always has been, it’s a series that has always had open world sensibilities, in some regards. The marriage of that sandbox with a proper open world in Halo Infinite is one that makes sense, so it’s no surprise that it’s been pulled off as well as it has. Zeta Halo isn’t terribly massive, but it’s a playground that encourages players to experiment and sink their teeth into memorable combat encounters. That, combined with solid progression mechanics, rewards, and of course, the addition of the Grappleshot – which radically improves movement and traversal – makes for a compelling open world environment that, despite its lack of environmental variety, has more than enough to keep players hooked for dozens upon dozens of hours.

WINNER:

FORZA HORIZON 5

We couldn’t possibly have picked any game other than Forza Horizon 5 as our winner in this category- and given how excellent its fellow nominees are, that in and of itself is high praise for the game. Every second we’ve spent in its recreation of Mexico has been full of joy and wonder, whether we’re driving through a dusty desert or a charming town with its cobbled roads, on a snow-capped mountain by the lip of a volcano or pristine beaches, across a massive highway or through a dense forest. Such variety of biomes, weathers, and activities is rare to see in any game, but Forza Horizon 5 ensures that it isn’t variety for variety’s sake- it’s all in there for a reason, lovingly crafted and brilliantly detailed, and collectively, all of it makes a massive impression right off the bat.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

OUTRIDERS

People Can Fly has made a name for itself over the years as a studio that consistently delivers excellent shooter combat, from Bulletstorm to Gears of War: Judgment, and though Outriders is, of course, a very different kind of experience from those two, it is defined by a lot of the same strengths. Combining explosive abilities and punchy shooting makes for consistently thrilling combat encounters in this RPG shooter, and heading to the many different environments of Enoch to track down a bevy of quests and running it all back again on higher difficulties as you try and attain better loot is a loop that’ll keep you hooked for a long, long time.

DEATH’S DOOR

Acid Nerve’s Death’s Door had been turning its fair share of heads in the lead-up to its launch, what with its promise of a solid action-adventure dungeon-crawling journey inspired by classic Zelda games, and it more than lived up to expectations. Grueling challenge, excellent combat encounters, memorable boss fights, ingenious puzzle design, and consistently rewarding exploration are all tenets of this genre, and these are all areas that Death’s Door excels in. Meanwhile, by putting you in the proverbial shoes of crow, it also carves out an identity of its own that helps it become more than just another Zelda clone.

THE ASCENT

The cyberpunk genre has seen an explosion in popularity in video games in recent years, but out of the many, many games we’ve played in this space, very few of them have managed to impress us as much as Neon Giant’s The Ascent. Made by a team of just a dozen people, The Ascent boasts technical prowess and visual quality on a level that even most AAA games cannot hope to reach, and exploring the neon-lit, rain-drenched streets and corners of its world remains an absolute blast from start to finish. Add to that some excellent world-building, adrenaline-fueled combat that always keeps you on the edge of your seat, and solid progression mechanics, and what you have is a solid action RPG that should be played by any and all fans of the genre.

HADES

Hades was easily one of the best games of 2020, to the extent that that almost seems like a bit of an understatement at this point. And so, when Supergiant’s roguelike masterpiece made its way to Xbox and PlayStation consoles in 2021 after having wowed PC and Switch audiences the previous year, it was pretty much guaranteed to be one of the best games of the year on those ecosystems. No amount of praise is enough for Hades, but then again, there’s no praise that we can give it that millions haven’t already showered on it until now. It’s a blueprint for roguelike games that will be help up as the genre’s gold standard for years to come, and a game that has already gone down as an all-time classic.

IT TAKES TWO

Single player and multiplayer audiences both have a plethora of options to choose from in this industry, but for those who’re looking for games that are built around the idea of co-op gameplay to the exclusion of everything else, those options are fairly limited. Thankfully, what’s there is incredible. Hazelight Studios’ It Takes Two is a non-stop joyride, a rollercoaster of creativity, heartfelt storytelling, and tightly crafted gameplay that insists on throwing new ideas and mechanics at players on a near-constant basis rather than just sticking with a few core mechanics. From beginning to end, this is a game that tries and succeeds to delight and surprise players at every turn.

TALES OF ARISE

After quite a long period of inconsistency and more than a few underwhelming releases, the Tales series decided to go for broke in 2021 with Tales of Arise, the series’ biggest and most ambitious game to date, and thankfully, it was a gamble that paid off in spades for Bandai Namco. In simple terms, this game is a dream come true for fans not only of the franchise, but of RPGs in general, thanks to its captivating narrative, endearing cast of characters, addictive combat, and the way it keeps mixing things up with the new environments and locations you constantly find yourself in, all of which are brought to life by gorgeous art design and visuals. If this is the blueprint that Tales games are going to be based off of going forward, we can’t wait to see where the series goes next.

FORZA HORIZON 5

The belief that Forza Horizon has surpassed the franchise that spawned it has been growing with each new instalment in Playground Games’ open world series, and now, after Forza Horizon 5, there’s little doubt about that anymore. Calling it one of the best racers of all time wouldn’t be an exaggeration in the slightest. Driving mechanics, vehicle roster, open world design, visuals, audio design, quality and quantity of content- all of these and more stand as some of Forza Horizon 5’s biggest strengths, and with a list of strengths as formidable as that one, there’s no way for the game to be anything less than stellar.

HALO INFINITE

It feels like 343 Industries has finally found its feet with Halo. Over a decade on from Bungie’s departure, Halo Infinite has finally recaptured the magic that made the series what it was in the first half of its life. Across its campaign and the multiplayer, the game has some of the best first person shooter combat we’ve ever had the joy of experiencing, which is made even better by mechanics such as the Grappleshot. Specifically where the campaign is concerned, the open world approach is a perfect evolution of the Halo formula, and contributes significantly to deliver one of the series’ best outings in years.

THE ARTFUL ESCAPE

This, sadly, was a game that flew under the radar for a lot of people, but as those who’ve played it would tell you, it deserves far more attention. It’s a musical journey unlike any other, taking players from one trippy environment to the next, and while there’s not much to write home about purely where the platforming is concerned, where The Artful Escape really shines is with its story, which leverages the game’s visual style and musical core to great effect. It’s the very definition of “short but sweet”, and without a doubt, stands as one of Xbox’s best games of the year.

PSYCHONAUTS 2

Double Fine Productions had a whole lot to live up to with Psychonauts 2, but rather than crumbling under all of that expectation, the studio flourished. Psychonauts 2 is not only excellent in all the ways you’d want a Psychonauts sequel to be, it’s actually far, far better than its predecessor, and far better than anyone could have expected it would be. It succeeds on every front- as a story, as a testament to Double Fine’s creative genius, as a platformer. Very rarely do we come across games where all the disparate disciplines of game design come together in perfect harmony without any hint of dissonance, but Psychonauts 2 is surely one such game.

WINNER:

FORZA HORIZON 5

Given how unbelievably consistent Playground Games has been with its Forza Horizon games, there was little doubt in anyone’s mind that Forza Horizon 5 would be yet another notch in the developer’s belt. But though people had every reason to take the open world racer’s success and excellence for granted, we can’t help but be wowed by how good this game is. It captures a constant feeling of joy – and we do mean constant – the way very few other games do. The very definition of “all killer, no filler” Forza Horizon 5’s diverse, vast, beautiful open world is littered with a wide range of activities to ensure that no matter what you’re doing, you’re always going to have an absolute blast. This is a game where technical excellence and incredible game design stand toe-to-toe with each other, joining hands to deliver the kind of experience that comes along very rarely.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

DEATH’S DOOR

A 9-to-5 job where you, a crow, are tasked with reaping the souls of the dead might not sound like a lot of fun on paper- or wait, it does. And it is. Death’s Door takes that unique premise to create a charming experience that is constantly delightful, but more importantly, it’s also an incredibly well-designed game. The combat is solid, the dungeons and puzzles are great, the boss fights are smartly designed, and the level of challenge here will consistently put your skills to the test.

GUILTY GEAR STRIVE

At this point, there’s little doubt in anyone’s mind that there are few other developers out there that can put out all-time great fighting games as consistently as Arc System Works can, and with Guilty Gear Strive, the Japanese studio may very well have created one of its best offerings in recent years. An excellent online interface, gorgeous visuals and animations, tightly designed and immaculately balanced mechanics, a solid selection of modes and fighters- all of these strengths and more elevate Strive above most of its peers.

LITTLE NIGHTMARES 2

Little Nightmares 2 is the perfect sequel- it understands what its predecessor was good at, and it doubles down on those strengths in more ways than one, from terrifying and grotesque enemies to haunting sights in a desolate world. t makes you feel completely powerless and just barely equipped to deal with new hurdles all at once, and with smart improvements made to things such as combat (or what little of it is there), puzzles, and platforming, it delivers one of the most satisfying horror adventures we’ve played in quite some time.

LIFE IS STRANGE: TRUE COLORS

Life is Strange creators Dontnod Entertainment have moved on from the series, but thankfully, Life is Strange: True Colors proves that the series is in excellent hands with Deck Nine. It’s a game that succeeds in every way that a new instalment in this series should, with a heartfelt narrative and a strong cast of endearing characters being some of its many, many biggest strengths. It might not have the same impact that the very first game in the series did, but it hones the series’ formula to a sheen unlike any of its predecessors.

F.I.S.T.: FORGED IN SHADOW TORCH

F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch deserves all the attention, and more. Combat, exploration, and progression are the core tenets that this genre is built on, and F.I.S.T. exhibits a keen understanding of each of those areas. On top of that, with its unique visual aesthetic, characters, and dieselpunk setting, it also sets itself apart from what’s become a very crowded genre in recent years.

RATCHET AND CLANK: RIFT APART

Ratchet and Clank fans had been starved for a new full-fledged mainline entry in the series for well over a decade, and yet, impossibly enough, Rift Apart turned out to be well worth all of that anticipation. Some might say that it plays things a bit too safe, in that it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect a new Ratchet game to be- but given how long it’s been since we got one of these, that’s not a bad thing at all. With bombastic action, slick platforming, excellent characters, and of course, stunning visuals, Rift Apart is an early standout game in the PS5’s life.

CHICORY: A COLORFUL TALE

A passing glance at Chicory: A Colorful Tale might give you the impression that it’s a simplistic game, but as anyone who’s played it would tell you, it’s deceptively deep and compelling. Whether it’s its unique painting mechanics, which enable clever puzzles, or its narrative, which focuses on excellent characters and that together tell a heartfelt coming of age tale, Chicory is a game that will keep finding ways to surprise you – in the best ways possible – right up to the very end.

KENA: BRIDGE OF SPIRITS

The fact that Kena: Bridge of Spirits is Ember Lab’s first game ever still amazes us, because it’s so good, and so confidently made. Where its gorgeous visuals and top-notch animations are concerned, the game obviously benefits from the studio’s background, but even from a pure gameplay perspective, there’s so much to love here, from the solid level design and rewarding exploration to the clever puzzles and surprisingly challenging boss fights. It might not be the most unique game out there, but it’s executed well enough to make up for that.

LOST JUDGMENT

RGG Studio established Yagami and co as brilliant characters in the space of a single game with the original Judgment, and Lost Judgment does what any sequel should- builds on those excellent foundations with an even better game. From a captivating story to predictably excellent combat to a densely packed open world that’s always a joy to explore and so much more, Lost Judgment excels in all the ways you would expect it to.

MARVEL’S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy was fighting an uphill battle even before it launched, but thankfully, it managed to conclusively prove all skeptics wrong when it actually launched. Rather than being smothered by the shadow of the MCU movies, Eidos Montreal’s game carves out its own identity with excellent portrayals of beloved characters, brought to life by brilliant performances and writing. It tells a story full of heart and humour, and with absolute focus on tightly crafted linear gameplay, it succeeds in being exactly as good as it should be.

RETURNAL

Owing to its very nature, Returnal is not the most accessible game out there- which is a shame, because this is a game that needs to be experienced by everyone. Never before has Housemarque delivered such an astoundingly developed package. Whether you’re looking at the combat, the technical achievements, the story, or any other part of the game, Returnal exhibits a masterful understanding of what it needs to do to excel at being what it wants to be across the board. We’ve always known that Housemarque is a talented studio, but with Returnal, they’ve joined the upper echelons of the industry.

RESIDENT EVIL VILLAGE

Resident Evil has gone on an excellent run these last few years, going from strength to strength to strength, and while it’s debatable whether Resident Evil Village stands toe-to-toe with something like the RE2 remake, there’s little doubt in anyone’s mind that viewed on its own, this is an amazing game. From its slower, deliberate horror moments to the more action-packed, tense encounters, this is a game that delivers one standout moment after another.

DEATHLOOP

At this point, if Arkane is making a game, it’s pretty much guaranteed to be well worth your time. Deathloop doesn’t buck that trend. It places a greater emphasis on action, which sets it apart from other Arkane titles, but it’s got that same knack for systemic gameplay and emergent mechanics that the studio has always been known for. Time loop games are a dime a dozen these days, but very few of them leverage that premise to elevate their gameplay and structure as well as Deathloop does.

IT TAKES TWO

Josef Fares and his team at Hazelight have gone all-in on co-op games, and with It Takes Two, they’ve proven beyond a doubt that games in this space can be just as amazing as any other. It Takes Two is an absolute joyride- at every turn, the game comes up with brilliant new ideas that give rise to new and exciting gameplay mechanics, and all of it is pulled together by a captivating story that deals with heavy themes in expert manner. Story and gameplay are often very distinct entities in games, but It Takes Two melds them together the way very few other games have ever done.

TALES OF ARISE

For fans of JRPGs and for fans of the Tales series, Tales of Arise is something of a dream come true. Bandai Namco’s series has been struggling to find its feet for quite some time now, but with Arise, which is the biggest and most ambitious Tales game to date, it has brought itself firmly back on track. With excellent visuals, a solid story and cast of characters, and addictive combat, Tales of Arise excels in all the ways that one could want- and most importantly, it establishes a solid template for the series’ future.

WINNER:

RETURNAL

Housemarque’s pedigree as one of the best developers of arcade shooters out there is well-earned, but even so, there were some doubts about whether they’d be able to hit similar heights with a far more ambitious, fully AAA game. Well, that most certainly cast all of those doubts away- Returnal is a stellar game that not only delivers the kind of frantic, adrenaline-fueled bullet hell combat that this developer has also been known for, but succeeds in other ways as well. A mystery-fueled story, a hauntingly beautiful setting, a compelling roguelike loop, progression mechanics that encourage variety and replay value, and so much more- Returnal is a game that shines bright thanks to a plethora of strengths, and as such, stands as our favourite PlayStation game of the year.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

THE ASCENT

It’s still a little hard to wrap our heads around the fact that The Ascent was made by a team of just a dozen people. It’s a game that punches far above what anyone had expected in more ways than one, and that includes the visuals. Its cyberpunk setting is brought to life with stunning graphics, which impress as much on a technical level as they do on an artistic one.

RATCHET AND CLANK: RIFT APART

Ratchet and Clank games have been the poster-child of games that look like playable CG movies pretty much as long as they’ve been around, and with Rift Apart, the series hit entirely new heights. From the gorgeous environments you find yourself in to the vibrant art style that characterizes them, from the brilliant models for characters and enemies to the details crammed into their animations, this is a game that never stops wowing on a visual front until the very end.

THE MEDIUM

The Medium was a flawed game, to say the very least, but the one aspect of the experience that did not disappoint in the slightest was its visuals. Described as Bloober’s most ambitious game to date, it very much lived up to that billing. Its Dual Reality mechanic was a sight to behold, and witnessing both of those worlds rendered on-screen simultaneously, and in as much detail and with the kind of sharpness that they exhibited, was truly an astounding experience.

IT TAKES TWO

Josef Fares and his team at Hazelight produced one of 2021’s best games with It Takes Two, delivering an experience that succeeds at nearly everything it sets out to do- which, of course, includes how it looks. It’s not the most technicall impressive game you’ll ever play (though it’s no slouch either), but where it really succeeds it how constantly creative it is with its art design. By its very nature, this is a game defined by relentless variety, and its visuals never fail to do justice to that constant momentum.

BRIGHT MEMORY: INFINITE

Bright Memory: Infinite made a huge impression on everyone when it was first unveiled last year, and it’s fair to say that the game itself ended up living up to expectations, especially where its graphics are concerned. There aren’t a lot of games that came out this year that can stand toe-to-toe with this one in terms of the technical aspects, and the fact that it was made largely by a single person makes its achievements that much more impressive.

MARVEL’S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

A lot of people wrote off Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy before it even launched, but thankfully, the game ended up proving a lot of its doubters very, very wrong. Visually, it was absolutely stunning, and the vastly different looks and art styles of the many locations you visit throughout this galaxy-spanning adventure lent incredible personality to the whole experience. Also worth mentioning are the character models and the excellent facial animations, which might just be among the very best we’ve seen in a game so far.

LITTLE NIGHTMARES 2

The unique aesthetic of the original Little Nightmares is, in a word timeless, so a sequel building on those foundations was always bound to be a visual treat. Little Nightmares 2 definitely did not disappoint on that front- in fact, it may very well have exceeded expectations. The larger scope and scale of the story and the entire adventure meant that the game constantly delivered stunning sights and striking vistas that have stuck with us until now, while the lighting, too, was outstanding in a number of areas (remember the hospital?). And of course, the grotesque monstrosities you cross paths with throughout the experience deserve special praise for their visual design as well.

MONSTER HUNTER RISE

Being a game built natively for the technically inferior Switch, Monster Hunter Rise was never going to be the most technically proficient game of the year, and there was little chance of it looking as good as Monster Hunter World and Iceborne did. But viewed in a vacuum, this is still an excellent looking game. The detailed monster models for the monsters, the consistently surprising and delightful ways they animate, the beautiful and varied environments across its maps- there’s plenty of stuff to like here for those who’re looking for some eye-candy.

KENA: BRIDGE OF SPIRITS

Since its first showing in 2020, Kena: Bridge of Spirits had been promising a visual treat, among other things, and thankfully, the game did not disappoint. Developer Ember Lab has had a lot of experience with animation in the past, and that showed in spades in Kena, with Pixar-esque animations and stunning art design that never failed to impress. And then there’s the game world itself, which looks drop-dead gorgeous from the first second to the last.

F1 2021

Sports sims are more reliant on high production values and solid visuals more than any other genre of games, so it’s no surprise that Codemasters’ annual F1 series, as the best of the best this genre has to offer on a yearly basis, stands tall in this category as well. Closer inspection can surely bring up some flaws with a few aspects of F1 2021 visuals, but when it’s firing on all cylinders and you’re racing through excellently crafted tracks, the game looks unbelievably gorgeous.

RESIDENT EVIL VILLAGE

By now, Capcom has shown time and time again that it can do some truly incredible things with the RE Engine, and Resident Evil, appropriately enough, has benefited greatly from the developer’s switch to that engine. Resident Evil Village is yet another feather in the series’ cap. The titular village is truly a sight to behold, and whether you’re trekking through its snow-capped hills or walkthrough its dimly lit caves, whether you’re creeping through the gilded corridors of Lady D’s castle or making your way through the reservoir, this is a game that keeps on setting the standard for excellent visuals from its first second to its very last.

FORZA HORIZON 5

Playground Games has been consistently putting out visually stunning open world games on a consistent basis for a decade at this point, and with each new entry, the Forza Horizon games have looked better and better. Forza Horizon 5 continues that trend, and delivers one of the best looking racers we’ve ever played. The open world of Mexico is varied and crammed full of detail, the vehicles look gorgeous, the lighting is breathtaking- we can go on and on about how good the game looks. No amount of praise would be enough.

RETURNAL

Returnal is Housemarque’s first ever 3D game, but you wouldn’t know that by just looking at it, because the technical excellent that is exhibited here suggests that this is a developer that has been doing this for as long as it’s been around. The creepy, decrepit environments of Atropos are gorgeous to behold, with the excellent art design being backed up by equally impressive art, and the bright, chaotic bullet hell action remains a particular highlight of the visual experience no matter how much time you pour into the game.

BATTLEFIELD 2042

Battlefield 2042 has, sadly, been a bit of a disappointment (to say the very least) in more ways than one, and it’s going to take a while for DICE to bring the game up to the level that they were promising it would be at. But at least where its graphics are concerned, the game is an unabashed winner. This, of course, is an area where DICE has excelled without fail for a long time, and though Battlefield 2042 is riddled with plenty of technical issues, it at least always looks excellent.

GUILTY GEAR STRIVE

Arc System Works has a knack for building incredible fighters that excel not only on a mechanical level, but also on a visual one. Dragon Ball FighterZ was a perfect example of that back when it first released, and in 2021, Guilty Gear Strive came along and exceeded even that. This is a game that’s constantly gorgeous to look at, from the excellent effects that add so much weight to the on-screen action to the beautiful background art in the stages, from the brilliant character models and their animations to so much more.

TALES OF ARISE

Tales of Arise is clearly the series’ biggest-budget production to date, and that shows constantly throughout the experience. Technically, it’s obviously still not on the same level as something like, say, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but taken as a whole, this is an amazing visual package. As you move from one gorgeous location to the next, it’s hard not to marvel at the consistently excellent art design, which does wonders in bringing the game’s varied and vibrant world to life. Calling it one of the best-looking JRPGs in recent memory wouldn’t be an exaggeration in the slightest.

WINNER: 

FORZA HORIZON 5

Honestly, this was an obvious choice, even when compared to the bevy of visual stunners it was up against- which should really tell you something about how good Forza Horizon 5 looks. Technically, it may just be one of the very best looking games ever made, and the detail it exhibits in everything from its many, many vehicles to the environments you’re racing through never loses its luster. And there’s so much more to appreciate here, too- the excellent weather effects, the impressive draw distances, the amazing visual variety of the world across its many biomes, the rock-solid performance that it maintains consistently, without fail. Forza Horizon 5 is a perfect example of what games can achieve when technical excellence and creative excellence join hands without making any compromises whatsoever.

NOTE: The nominees and winner were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

NOMINEES:

ALAN WAKE REMASTERED

It’s become clear over the last couple of years that Remedy Entertainment has big plans for Alan Wake, first with his appearance in Control’s AWE expansion, and then with reports heavily suggesting that an Alan Wake 2 is in the works. Before we get to that though, this year, Remedy took a trip down memory lane and brought the original 2010 cult classic to modern consoles. Alan Wake Remastered showcases the original’s strengths brilliantly, and on top of delivering the same creepy and atmospheric experience that fans fell in love with over a decade ago, also makes some significant visual and technical improvements.

CONTROL: ULTIMATE EDITION

Speaking of Control– easily one of the best games of 2019, Remedy’s bizarre third person shooter touched new heights with Control: Ultimate Edition in early 2021. While playing the original game on a base PS4 or base Xbox One was an uneven experience due to various technical issues, on more powerful hardware, this game looks fantastic, and runs like a dream. The remaster also brings the full game and its two expansions into a single package, while on the PS5, we also get solid implementation of the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Without a doubt, this is the best way to play Control.

NIER REPLICANT VER.1.22474487139…

NieR Automata’s success ensured that Square Enix would start looking at the series as a whole through a different lens, anda byproduct of that was an excellent remake of the original NieR with NieR Replicant. From its varied and addictive gameplay to a brilliantly told and captivating narrative, NieR Replicant allows the best aspects of the original to shine bright. On top of that, with various gamepay and visual improvements both big and small and some sizeable content additions, this makes for an excellent package for anyone who considers themselves a fan of the series.

THE NIOH COLLECTION

Team Ninja says it’s wrapped up its work on Soulslike series Nioh for the time being- how long of a hiatus this will be remains to be seen, but at least fans can be glad that it’s temporarily signing off on a high note. The Nioh Collection could have easily been an unambitious collection bringing bothgames together with minimal improvements, but it instead does significant remastering work on both games (especially Nioh 1) by leveraging the PS5’s hardware to truly let both games be the best versions of themselves.

MASS EFFECT: LEGENDARY EDITION

Mass Effect fans haven’t had a lot to celebrate over the last few years, and there’s no way to know if the next game in the series – which is clearly years away – will live up to expectations. We can always go back to the excellent original trilogy though, and thanks to 2021’s Legendary Edition, we now have the best possible way of doing that. Mass Effect 1 in particularly really benefited from this excellent remaster, with the game receiving significant visuals and gameplay improvements, while 2 and 3 were also touched up in some meaningful ways. Collectively, playing the three games in a single continuous experience in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is easily one of the best experiences we’ve had in 2021.

ODDWORLD: SOULSTORM

Oddworld Inhabitants began the undertaking of reimagining the Oddworld series game-by-game with 2014’s New ‘n Tasty, and in 2021, the next step in that journey arrived in the form of Oddworld: Soulstorm, an ambitious reimagining of the 1998 classic Abe’s Exoddus. Soulstorm is definitely a little rough around the edges, primarily with some technical issues, but by and large, this is a solid remake of a beloved game. By building upon the series’ best mechanics and adding in its own new ideas, Soulstorm ensures that Oddworld fans will find plenty to love here.

FATAL FRAME: MAIDEN OF BLACK WATER

It’s been some time since Fatal Frame was part of the zeitgeist, and while fans of the series are still starved for a new mainline entry, we did get something to sink our teeth into this year- and it was pretty good, to say the least. Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is a bit unambitious as a remaster, even though some of its new features and additions work out quite well, but what makes the game really tick is- well, the game itself. This was a solid horror game when it first launched, and it still is. More than anything else, it’s a reminder that this is a great series that deserves to have its time in the sun again.

SONIC COLORS: ULTIMATE

Sonic’s windy road has seen its fair share of ups and downs where 3D renditions of the iconic character are concerned, but if there’s one thing that everyone can agree on, it’s that 2010’s Sonic Colors is easily one of its best offerings in years. And in 2021, with Sonic Colors: Ultimate, we got an even better version of it. None of its technical improvements and gameplay improvements might seem awfully significant on paper, but they all come together to make for significantly improved experience. And of course, it helps that the core game itself remains as enjoyable as ever.

DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT

Death Stranding was one of the weirdest games of 2019, but events in the real world over the last couple of years have seen people coming back to the game with a deeper appreciation for it and the experience it offers. This year, Sony and Kojima Productions decided to give players the perfect opportunity to return to its desolate world with Death Stranding Director’s Cut, and though it wasn’t nearly as much of a radical expansion as its name might imply, it was still a damn fine re-release. It looks better, runs better, has new content, and makes solid use of some of the PS5’s best hardware features- all said, this is easily the best way to play this game.

GHOST OF TSUSHIMA DIRECTOR’S CUT

Of course, Death Stranding wasn’t the only game that Sony remastered and brought forward to its new console. 2020’s excellent Sucker Punch-developed samurai epic Ghost of Tsushima got similar treatment, and though it certainly caught some flak for its pricing, the actual experience itself was absolutely brilliant. The PS5’s more powerful hardware allows an already gorgeous game to look and run even better than it did on the PS4, which is really saying something, while with the Iki Island expansion, we also got a meaty new chunk of excellently designed content that delivers more of what made the base game one of 2020’s best offerings.

POKEMON BRILLIANT DIAMOND AND SHINING PEARL

Pokemon fans have been begging for the series to become more ambitious for a long, long time at this point, but funnily enough, being completely unambitious is exactly what makes Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl so good. The original Diamond and Pearl were excellent RPGs – perhaps among the best games this series has ever delivered – so staying faithful to the original releases was the best possible thing the remakes could have done. Of course, the two new releases do also make some improvements to the base experience by expanding upon ancillary ideas and mechanics, and while we can’t confidently say that the remakes are better than, or even as good as, the original games (that would be a mighty tall order), we can safely say that on their own, they’re great games.

DIABLO 2 RESURRECTED

After Warcraft 3: Reforged, there was a massive contingent of people that completely lost faith in Blizzard’s ability to do justice to its iconic classics with remakes or remasters, but thankfully, Diablo 2: Resurrected – which was technically developed by Vicarious Visions – defies those expectations. It strikes a perfect balance between modernizing an ageing classic and remaining true to the spirit of the original game, and delivers the same dangerously addictive experience of Diablo 2, only this time with a fresh (and beautiful) new coat of paint.

WINNER:

GHOST OF TSUSHIMA DIRECTOR’S CUT

Around this time a year ago, we were all singing praises of Ghost of Tsushima, but given how damn fine the game is, it’s not really too surprising that we’re still doing pretty much the exact same thing a year later. Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut would have been in the running for an accolade such as this one even if it had been a conservative remaster, but it’s so much more than that. Yes, it looks fantastic and runs fantastic, but its new Iki Island expansion is what really elevates the experience. It’s a sizeable chunk of new content delivering around a dozen hours of new, excellently designed content. From the new setting to the story it tells, from the engaging new missions and side quests to the predictable addictive new side content, for all of these reasons and more, Iki Island feels like a crucial addition to the base experience. Collectively, Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut does the impossible and makes significant improvements on what is already one of the best game’s we’ve played on a PlayStation platform in recent memory.

NOTE: All entries and rankings were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

#25. RATCHET AND CLANK: RIFT APART

Available on: PS5 | Developer: Insomniac Games | Read Our Review

As the first new full-fledged mainline Ratchet and Clank game since 2009’s A Crack in Time, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart had great expectations to live up to, and happily enough for all concerned, Insomniac’s action platformer passes all of its tests with flying colors. It boasts frantic action, fun platforming, and a solid story with a lot of heart, driven by an excellent cast of both new and returning characters. It is, of course, also a visual and technical stunner, and may very well be one of the best-looking games we’ve ever played.

#24. LIFE IS STRANGE: TRUE COLORS

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Stadia | Developer: Deck Nine | Read Our Review

Life is Strange as a series has slowly but surely cemented itself as a force to be reckoned with over the years, and even though it changed developers in 2021 with Life is Strange: True Colors from Dontnod to Deck Nine (who also worked on Before the Storm), it didn’t fail to live up to expectations. From its rich setting to its excellent soundtrack, from an affecting story to its memorable cast of characters (protagonist Alex Chen chief among them), True Colors is yet another excellent entry in Square Enix’s beloved series.

#23. DEATH’S DOOR

Available on: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Acid Nerve | Read Our Review

There’s been no shortage of games inspired by the classic The Legend of Zelda formula over the years, but very few of them have turned out as well as Acid Nerve’s Death’s Door. With its excellent dungeon design, smartly crafted puzzles, memorable boss fights, and rewarding exploration, it excels in all the areas that a game like this should- but Death’s Door isn’t content to just be a Zelda clone. Brutal challenge, a charming visual aesthetic, and a unique central premise all come together to ensure that it has a strong identity of its own, helping it stand head-and-shoulders above most other games in the crowd.

#22. DEATHLOOP

Available on: PS5, PC | Developer: Arkane Lyon | Read Our Review

Any time Arkane Studios puts out a new game, that game is pretty much guaranteed to be one of the best experiences of the year, so the fact that Deathloop breaks into our top 25 comes as no surprise to any of us. With a larger focus on action than the immersive sim approach that the studio has become known for over the years, Deathloop is quite different from Arkane’s usual output, but in so many other ways, it’s cut from the same cloth. It smartly uses its time loop premise to weave a web of complex systems and mechanics, tasking players with not only planning out the entire game, but also challenging you to stick to that plan and execute it to perfection. Repetition becomes your most useful weapon in Deathloop, and when everything comes together, there’s nothing else quite like it.

#21. POKEMON BRILLIANT DIAMOND AND SHINING PEARL

Available on: Nintendo Switch | Developer: ILCA | Read Our Review

Pokemon has been struggling to grow in meaningful ways for quite some time now, but Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were never going to be the games that did that. As remakes, these were always likely to be incredibly faithful and unambitious. That, funnily enough, is actually one of their biggest strengths. Being able to traverse Sinnoh as it was back when Pokemon was at the peak of its powers is exactly as fun as you’d expect, and the fact that Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl aren’t as frustratingly hesitant to actually challenge their players as most Pokemon games have been in recent memory helps the experience stand on a solid foundation.

#20. GUILTY GEAR STRIVE

Available on: PS5, PS4, PC | Developer: Arc System Works | Read Our Review

Arc System Works may very well be the king of the fighting genre at this point, but even though pretty much everyone expected Guilty Gear Strive to be yet another win for the studio, it still manages to surpass expectations. Not only does it strike a great balance between being accessible and easy to learn and having incredible mechanical depth that enables a high skill cap, it’s also gorgeous to look at (which is putting it mildly). New mechanics such as the Roman Cancel and the wall break are excellently implemented, the netcode is consistently solid, and Survival and Arcade modes are an absolute blast as well.

#19. KENA: BRIDGE OF SPIRITS

Available on: PS5, PS4, PC | Developer: Ember Lab | Read Our Review

Ember Lab had made a name for itself as an incredibly talented animation studio, before then deciding to switch lanes and try its hand at game development. It’s hard to think of a better way for the developer to announce itself on that stage than with a debut title as solid as Kena: Bridge of Spirits. Where gameplay is concerned, Kena doesn’t break the mould in any way, but with challenging combat, smartly designed puzzles, engaging exploration, and tight and linear design, it concocts an experience that is consistently enjoyable to play. On the visuals front, Kena surpasses all expectations, creating a charming, gorgeous world populated by beautiful environments where everything animates as if it had been lifted straight from a CG movie.

#18. NEO: THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU

Available on: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PC | Developer: Square Enix | Read Our Review

The wait for a sequel to The World Ends with You was a torturously long one, to the point where any sequel was going to have to live up to impossibly high expectations. That NEO: The World Ends with You does that as well and as confidently as it does is still hard to believe- and yet it does. This is a game brimming with style and personality, with flashy and enjoyable combat that is propped up by a unique yet engaging progression system, and all of it revolves around a story that pulls you in from the very first second, and builds constant momentum as it forges on towards its dramatic conclusion. It’s a shame that Square Enix marketed this game as poorly as it did, because more people need to play it and see how good it is.

#17. TALES OF ARISE

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Bandai Namco | Read Our Review

Bandai Namco’s long-running RPG series had been struggling to find its feet in the last few years, but with Tales of Arise, it swung for the fences. Thankfully, the gamble paid off. Where its storytelling ambitions, visuals, and production values are concerned, this is easily the most ambitious and big-budget Tales game to date, all of which is plain to see in every second you spend with the game. In other ways though, it’s a classic JRPG that no fan of the genre should be able to turn away from- a world-trotting story, an endearing cast of characters, diverse environments that are brought to life with beautiful graphics, and of course, a consistently enjoyable and action-packed combat system. Tales of Arise firmly brings Bandai Namco’s beloved series back on track, and in the process delivers one of the most well-made JRPGs in recent memory.

#16. SUBNAUTICA: BELOW ZERO

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC

Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment | Read Our Review

By their very nature, survival games can be a bit unwelcoming to those that are unfamiliar with their loop, but just like its predecessor, Subnautica: Below Zero smartly avoids the pitfalls that games in this genre are usually prone to. That’s because there’s just so much going on here. Those who are looking for a hard-boiled survival experience will surely find that in here, and Subnautica: Below Zero’s loop of exploring, collecting resources, crafting better tools and equipment, and building and expanding your base has all the classic strengths of a well-made survival game. Beyond that though, there’s a gorgeous and vast open world to explore that is teeming with beautiful alien sights, prodding players to plunge into the depths to see and learn more about the flora and fauna of this frigid underwater world.

#15. CHICORY: A COLORFUL TALE

Available on: PS5, PS4, PC, Mac | Developer: Greg Lobanov

Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a game that will take you by surprise more and more the further you get into it. At first glance, its charmingly simplistic veneer paints a picture that is quickly dismantled by deceptively rich and engaging gameplay mechanics that bely that minimalistic exterior. Its unique and rich painting mechanics lie at the heart of genuinely clever and engaging puzzles, while Chicory’s story – which is the star of the show – also takes you by surprise. Once again belying its charming aesthetic, Chicory tells a relatable, profound story, populated be lovable characters, all of which comes together in one of the most surprisingly affecting gaming experiences we’ve come across all year.

#14. LOST JUDGMENT

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio | Read Our Review

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio never misses. After successfully having reinvented Yakuza as a turn-based RPG, the developer returned to the series’ classic brawler formula to continue Yagami’s story in Lost Judgment, and did so in predictable excellent fashion. This is a game that excels in all the way you would expect it to- crunching combat, a riveting story full of twists and turns, incredibly written characters, and a deluge of optional content that you can pour countless hours into. Skateboarding around Yokohama, which seems like such a small addition on paper, is also an excellent new twist, and all of it combines in an amazing game that’ll keep you hooked right up until the credits roll.

#13. MARVEL’S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Eidos Montreal | Read Our Review

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy had to deal with its fair share of skeptics in the lead-up to its launch, but it proved all of its doubters wrong instantly upon release. At a time when games have become obsessed with either bloated open worlds or live service models (or both), this is an game that is singularly focused on telling a story in tightly crafted, linear experience. The story itself is the highlight of the experience, strengthened by excellent portrayals of beloved characters, which, in turn, are brought to life by amazing performances and animations. Then there are the choice and consequence mechanics, the consistently enjoyable combat, the banging soundtrack, and so much more- all elements come together in what is probably the best and biggest surprise of 2021.

#12. LITTLE NIGHTMARES 2

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Stadia | Developer: Tarsier Studios | Read Our Review

Tarsier Studios’ original Little Nightmares is still one of the most unique and terrifying horror games we’ve played in quite some time, so when we say that its sequel is better than that first outing in every way possible, you know that that isn’t praise that’s lightly given. Building on the foundations of its predecessor, Little Nightmares 2 delivers a creepy, horrific experience where contrasting elements work in perfect harmony to create something wholly unique and nightmare inducing. One exhilarating sequence follows another with excellent consistency in this game, all of which collectively tell a wordless story that has stayed with us even now. Add to that smart puzzles and platforming sections, improvements to combat and stealth, and consistently impressive visuals, and what you get it is one of the best horror games in recent memory.

#11. F1 2021

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Codemasters | Read Our Review

Codemasters’ F1 series is something of an anomaly. While most other yearly franchises struggle to maintain an acceptable level of quality, the F1 games actually manage to make meaningful improvements each year. We’ve had these games in our yearly game of the year lists on a consistent basis for some time now, and given how excellent F1 2021 is, we were compelled to include it once more. Excellent racing, a solid new story mode, incredible mechanical depth, and pristine production values are just a few of the many, many strengths that prop F1 2021 up as a standard for all racing sims to aspire to.

#10. SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI 5

Available on: Nintendo Switch | Developer: Atlus | Read Our Review

Shin Megami Tensei 5 was a long time coming, and living up to all that hype and anticipation was never going to be easy even for a developer as ridiculously talented as Atlus. But this is a game that holds nothing back in its attempt to deliver the ultimate SMT experience. With its rich, deep combat system and its brutally unforgiving challenge, Shin Megami Tensei 5 excels in all the ways an SMT game should, but it also goes above and beyond in ways this series never has. A fully 3D world is something SMT fans aren’t used to seeing, and SMT5 has an incredible one at that, which constantly rewards exploration and remains a blast to explore thanks to surprisingly tight and enjoyable traversal mechanics.

#9. JURASSIC WORLD EVOLUTION 2

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Frontier Developments | Read Our Review

Frontier Developments’ Jurassic World Evolution in 2018 was a dream come true for fans of the beloved IP, and its sequel lived up to expectations by building on those foundations to deliver an even better game. What could one possibly want from Jurassic World Evolution 2? More dinosaurs? Better management mechanics? More replay value? More content? Jurassic World Evolution 2 has all of that and more. Not only is it a love letter to the franchise, just like its predecessor was, it’s also an accomplished park building and management simulator that will sink its teeth into you and swallow you whole, refusing to let you go even after you’ve clocked in dozens upon dozens – if not hundreds – of hours.

#8. PSYCHONAUTS 2

Available on: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PC, Mac, Linux | Developer: Double Fine Productions | Read Our Review

Any game that follows-up on a cult classic 16 years on from its launch is likely to be setting itself up for failure, but Psychonauts 2 is no ordinary game. Rather than being daunted by those expectations, it thrives under the pressure, and comes out on top as a game that’s bigger and better than its predecessor in every possible way. Psychonauts 2, with its lovable and eccentric cast of characters, tells an incredible, expertly written story that deals with heavy themes with the perfect balance of humour and sensitivity. And it excels on the gameplay front just as much, with the entire experience being defined by boundless creativity unlike anything else we’ve ever experience. Each level is a visual trip, and the game uses those incredibly varied settings for levels to craft genuinely fun platforming and combat challenges. From beginning to end, Psychonauts 2 exhibits what a game can achieve when top-notch storytelling and ingenious game design join hands.

#7. IT TAKES TWO

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Hazelight Studios | Read Our Review

Hazelight Studios – or Josef Fares, to be more precise – made some bold and lofty promises about how good It Takes Two was going to be, to the extent that it seemed pretty much impossible that the game would be able to live up to all of them. Incredibly enough, it does- and then some. If it’s a story you want, It Takes Two tells an incredible one, full of heart and humour and personality (though you might want to prepare yourself for some surprisingly heavy themes and moments). If it’s fun gameplay you want, It Takes Two has it in spades, with every level coming up with brilliant new ideas that are expertly executed, before being tossed out the window for something completely new and unpredictable in the next level. It Takes Two refuses to be bound by staples and conventions, and in doing so, it delivers a game that’ll give you something no other game can.

#6. HALO INFINITE

Available on: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC | Developer: 343 Industries | Read Our Review

Halo Infinite’s task was not an enviable one- to deliver a game that was Halo at its core in a way that its recent predecessors haven’t been, while also expanding the series’ identity in tangible and meaningful ways. Striking that balance is tough, especially for a developer with a track record as spotty as 343 Industries. That Halo Infinite manages to do all of that is an astounding achievement in and of itself. Its open world campaign is one of the series’ best campaigns to date, which, as anyone familiar with the series will tell you, is ridiculously high praise. On the multiplayer front, there’s just as much to love, and with consistent improvements, that side of the experience can become even better. Incredible combat, tight movement, and solid design have joined hands here in a way that they haven’t done in a Halo game for quite some time, and it’s such a relief to be able to say that at long last, Halo is back to its best.

#5. RESIDENT EVIL VILLAGE

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia | Developer: Capcom | Read Our Review

Resident Evil has been on an absolute roll these last few years, and Resident Evil Village keeps that momentum going. Capcom’s survival horror series was at the peak of its powers with RE4, and Village smartly takes more than a cues from that classic, while also borrowing ideas from other excellent games in the series. The end result is an excellent survival horror game with incredible, heart-pounding action. It’s a carnival of horror rides, a best-of collection of everything Resident Evil has succeeded at over the years, from the tight level design of Lady D’s castle to the pure, intense horror of House Beneviento, from thrilling combat encounters against overwhelming swarms of foes to memorable boss fights that rank among the very best in the series. In more ways than one, Resident Evil Village is a celebration of the series and everything it has been about over the last two and a half decades, and regardless of which era of the franchise you’ve enjoyed the most, you’ll find plenty to love in its latest offering.

#4. RETURNAL

Available on: PS5 | Developer: Housemarque | Read Our Review

Housemarque took a massive leap from Returnal. After having made a name for itself with excellent arcade bullet hell shooters like Nex Machina and Resogun, the developer decided to try its hand at AAA development, while still keeping its identity intact. Returnal does that better than anyone could have expected. Leveraging its time loop mechanic to create a devilishly challenging roguelike experience, Returnal keeps slapping players in the face with its excellence, whether that’s with its captivating story, its thrilling and fast-paced combat, its engaging progression mechanics, or just how unbelievably gorgeous it looks. It’s also an excellent early showcase of what the PS5 and its hardware are capable of- and most importantly, what Housemarque is capable of when the studio is allowed to chase its ambitions.

#3. MONSTER HUNTER RISE

Available on: Nintendo Switch | Developer: Capcom | Read Our Review

Anyone who has followed Monster Hunter as a series knows that for 15 years, it has consistently delivered and overdelivered, with Capcom finely honing their craft, improving upon what came before, and always, always, always delivering an incredible game. Really, Monster Hunter fans had no reason to doubt that Capcom would be able to follow up on 2018’s revelatory Monster Hunter World, the incredible next generation realization of the long-running Monster Hunter formula that finally made the world understand why legions of dedicated fans swear by Capcom’s action RPG series.

But even if you were among the few naysayers and skeptics, Monster Hunter Rise was probably a thoroughly convincing and resounding rebuff to the idea that World had been a one off- taking everything that players loved from that game and building upon it, while bringing oodles of its own innovations and improvements to the core formula, Monster Hunter Rise ends up delivering the definitive Monster Hunter experience, mixing the open world maps and quality of life improvements that made World so beloved with the varied monsters and emphasis on diverse movesets that fans had loved about the pre-World games so much. Throw in an incredible emphasis on traversal – seriously, we don’t know how we will ever play a Monster Hunter game without Palamutes or Wirebugs ever again – as well as improvements to the online experience, and even more emphasis placed on honing and finetuning the combat, and Monster Hunter Rise ends up becoming far and away the best playing game of the series. World raised the bar for Monster Hunter by an incredible degree- Rise ends up being a true successor to it in raising that same bar all over again.

#2. METROID DREAD

Available on: Nintendo Switch | Developer: MercurySteam | Read Our Review

When the last new 2D Metroid game came out, the internet was basically email and a bunch of corporate sites, smartphones didn’t exist, HD didn’t exist, DVDs were cutting edge as far as storage media went, and, most pertinently to Metroid itself, Metroidvanias weren’t yet a “thing” the way they are now. That’s how much time separates Metroid Dread and Fusion. So to say that expectations from Dread were astronomical is perhaps understating the extent of the situation here- particularly given Metroid’s mismanagement over the last decade (which saw fan-reviled games such as Federation Force and Other M release in this period), as well as how much the genre moved on even in the absence of the IP that spawned it (in the guise of incredible indie titles such as Ori, Hollow Knight, and Axiom Verge, to name just a few).

But when MercurySteam and Nintendo finally released Metroid Dread earlier this year, it was a resounding rebuff of that sentiment- doubling down on the action side of Samus’ past adventures, exhibiting a dramatically nuanced understanding of her character, showcasing some top tier world design, and nailing the very act of movement and traversal in a way that few developers other than Nintendo really know how to, Metroid Dread is a revelation. It’s an incredible tour de force that presents a masterfully paced game, a relentless rush through arguably the best designed entry in the 2D Metroid saga, one that manages to bring closure to the single longest-running storyline in the medium in a largely satisfying manner. Metroid Dread isn’t as labyrinthine as Hollow Knight, nor is it as exacting in its platforming as Ori and the Will of the Wisps (not that it is a slouch in either of those areas), but in terms of pure action, combat, and the sheer joy that comes from movement and traversal, it has no peer. And the fact that it pulls all of its own strengths together, building upon nearly four decades of Metroid, and honouring its venerated legacy in the medium on top of all of that, makes it a staggering achievement, and truly one of the best games Nintendo has managed to put out in recent memory.

GAMINGBOLT’S 2021 GAME OF THE YEAR – FORZA HORIZON 5

Available on: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Playground Games | Read Our Review

We’re perfectly aware of the fact that racing games don’t often top lists such as this one- but Forza Horizon 5 transcends genres. More than anything else, this is a standout achievement in technology, game design, and creativity. It’s a game that, above all else, wants you to have fun constantly, no matter what you’re doing, no matter how you’re doing it, no matter how much time you’ve spent playing it.

The open world of Mexico is gorgeous and lovingly crafted- varied and dense, boasting incredibly diversity in environments and biomes, in weathers and seasons. Simply driving around the world and through its streets is consistently fun, owing to how good the driving mechanics are- which, of course, doesn’t come as a surprise at this point in a game made by Playground Games.

That open world is also teeming with a ridiculous amount of things to do, from excellent races and events across a number of different categories to bite-sized activities like stunt jumps, finding and breaking bonus boards, engaging in the plethora of multiplayer activities, collecting cars to add to your ever-growing garage, or just chaining a bunch of skill moves together to rack up a bunch of points. And of course, where visuals are concerned, there are very few games out there that are as impressive as Forza Horizon 5 is.

No amount of praise is enough for Playground Games’ stellar open world racer. In the end, it was surprisingly easy for us to crown it as our game of the year.