Top 10 Best Video Games of 2021

Many will have fond memories of the original “Pokémon Snap” way back in 1999, and finally, Nintendo decided to follow up this popular classic with an updated entry for the Switch. You’ll be visiting the Lental region with your trusty camera, aiming to photograph as many Pokémon as possible. Much like the original, it was a rare glimpse into the lives of Pokémon in the wild, getting to see them do what they do outside of a Pokéball or a battle sequence. And, of course, there were twenty years of new Pokémon that weren’t in the original to take pictures of this time!

A tour-de-force for the power of the PS5, “Rift Apart” lost no time getting to its core gimmick: those dimension-hopping, instantly-loading rifts that pop up for the entire duration of the game. Seamless gameplay like this would have been impossible until the SSDs of the current console generation, and Insomniac absolutely took advantage of the tech to give us one of the first true PS5 games. It also introduced us to Rivet, a new main character voiced by the always awesome Jennifer Hale, and a Lombox at that! Beyond the technical prowess of “Rift Apart”, it was an action-packed adventure game you can rely on for bombastic set pieces and wacky weapons.

The “Hitman” reboot has consistently been solid, but the third and final game in this series is the best yet. With the most in-depth and complex assassination stages to date, it was able to bring more than a few unique levels to the franchise. Chief among them is the Berlin stage where Agent 47 has to takedown numerous would-be assassins in a disused factory turned nightclub, as well as the murder mystery set in a stately home in rural England. Not to mention we finally got the answers we’ve been looking for in regards to the plot: who hired 47, and what did they seek to gain by putting out so many hits?

After a long hiatus, the sequel to this 2005 cult classic was finally released to resounding acclaim. Though it still carries the baggage of its collectathon predecessor, not to mention platforming controls that don’t always deliver, everything else about “Psychonauts 2” makes it shine. It continues the story and expands upon the lore in every way fans would want, not to mention bringing back the zany visual design Tim Schafer has become known for. You’ll go through a psychedelic, 1960’s themed brain to bring a band back together; you’ll compete in a giant cook-off to please some all-powerful animal puppets; and you’ll descend into the mind of a royal heir in hiding. You can’t help but have a good time.

It’s rare to see a graphically stunning Nintendo Switch game that doesn’t come directly from Nintendo, but “Monster Hunter Rise” is that and more. All the “Monster Hunter” gameplay we’ve grown to expect was transplanted onto the Switch this year in what might be one of the best in the entire franchise. Endless, fun hunts await you in this game, made even better by the Wirebug, which adds a fast and fluid traversal mechanic that really helps to make “Rise” stand on its own two feet. You’ve got more monsters, more menus, and more resources to gather, all in a much more accessible package than ever before; new players are joining the hunt every day.

It’s been an interesting few years for roguelikes, without a doubt, and “Deathloop” was a great addition to the genre. Though it’s definitely more forgiving than its contemporaries, “Deathloop” still rewards your time and efforts with a slew of perfectly-executed assassination missions. The premise is this: you’re playing as Colt, the former head of security on the island of Black Reef, which is trapped in a time loop at the behest of its eight “Visionary” leaders. Everybody experiences the loop and everybody except Colt wants to preserve it, because it’s making them essentially immortal. Throw in the likes of Julianna; one of the best villains of recent memory, and you’ve got a grand ol’ time in the making, for those with itchy trigger fingers as well as lovers of stealth.

Microsoft’s flagship racing franchise finally debuted on Xbox Series S and X in 2021 - and, of course, it’s on last-gen and PC as well. Yet again, the series has become a landmark standard for graphical fidelity, boasting some of the best graphics at a rock-solid 60fps on performance mode. This time, we’re in sun-soaked Mexico with more cars to unlock than ever before, cruising through biomes ranging from the depths of the jungle to the desert plains. As it’s in the more arcade-y “Horizon” subseries, it’s widely accessible and fun for people of all skill levels. Whether you’re a die-hard motorhead who wants to collect every single car or you’re a casual thrillseeker wanting a good time, “Forza Horizon 5” delivers.

We still don’t know when we’re getting “Metroid Prime 4”, but “Metroid Dread” will definitely tide us over until it eventually rears its head. It was an incredible return to form from this franchise, a brand-new side-scrolling “Metroid” game with a fresh take on the classic gameplay we’ve spent decades coming to know and love. It certainly isn’t for the faint of heart, with many satisfyingly difficult bosses that will truly make you feel like an S-Class bounty hunter after bringing them down. Samus finally takes the lead in a flagship Nintendo Switch game, and we really can’t believe it took them this long!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few Honorable Mentions:

A Solid Multiplayer Title That’s Fun for All Ages.

The PS5’s First Big Exclusive of the Year Brought Roguelikes into Next-Gen.

Nintendo’s Back Again with an Outstanding Party Game.

The latest and greatest entry in Capcom’s long-running and decorated franchise, “Resident Evil Village” was somehow even better than everybody thought it would be. It marked a slight return to the more action-oriented games of days gone but certainly didn’t skimp on the horror. Featuring a roster of extremely memorable villains – you know exactly who we’re talking about – modeled on famous foes from horror history, every stage is totally different; “Village” reinvents itself every few hours with each new member of Mother Miranda’s inner circle you come across. With outstanding gameplay, tense chases, and opulent graphics that would make Naughty Dog blush, “Resident Evil Village” is undoubtedly our favorite game of the year.