As we approach the end of 2021, taking a look back at the must-play games of the year can take quite a bit of your time. Especially, alongside the blockbuster titles, this year has also seen a number of standout indie games, offering a variety of styles to suit everyone’s “taste”. Whether you enjoy shooting games, RPGs, adventures, or hack-and-slash… 2021 has it all. If you’re looking for something new to play as the year wraps up, or hunting for games to enrich your collection, here are the top 15 best games of 2021.
Scarlet Nexus
Although Scarlet Nexus had a warm reception from many gamers, it still hasn’t quite found its footing in the gaming community, which is a significant oversight. This game features a combat system that is absolutely outstanding, ranking among the best of 2021. Alongside this, the characters are well-developed and the ambitious storyline takes players through moments that resonate deeply.
If the above elements aren’t enough to convince you, this game also features an amazing soundtrack. Moreover, the graphic style of Scarlet Nexus is visually appealing, enhancing the overall audio-visual experience. You definitely need to give Scarlet Nexus a try.
Halo Infinite
In 2021, first-person shooter (FPS) games had somewhat of a rough time, not shining as brightly as in previous years. Yet, we still have a savior title, the blockbuster Halo Infinite. While Halo Infinite has its strengths from the legendary Halo series and some weaknesses unique to Infinite itself, it still offers an incredibly enjoyable experience.
The multiplayer mode is released for free, featuring well-designed maps and weapons, providing both relaxing moments and enough challenges for hardcore gamers. Additionally, the single-player mode has now been designed in an open-world format, allowing you to step into the shoes of Master Chief once again in search of answers about Cortana. The game will continue to receive exciting updates in the future, so the end of 2021 is the perfect time to grab it and start playing.
Lost Judgment
Lost Judgment is an action-adventure game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, famous for the iconic Yakuza series. However, Lost Judgment is not as well-known as the Yakuza games, which is quite unfortunate because it is one of the best games of 2021. Some say the previous game – Judgment – provided a better experience, but Lost Judgment still contains an engaging and captivating story.
Additionally, Lost Judgment has improved the unique 3D fighting mechanics from the previous installment, giving you an extremely “cool” feeling, as if you were taking over the streets of Tokyo. Plus, now gamers also have a companion in the form of a Shiba Inu. What could be better than that?
Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker
Endwalker is the fourth and final expansion for the Hydaelyn and Zodiark storyline in Final Fantasy 14. Although it is technically just an expansion, the content is incredibly extensive. It’s true that Square Enix rarely disappoints us, even a MMORPG like Final Fantasy 14 cannot pose a challenge for them.
If you began your journey from A Realm Reborn and continued from there, you should give Final Fantasy 14 another chance. Since then, this game has evolved and transformed significantly. Now, it has become one of the most popular parts and truly lives up to the name of the Final Fantasy series. Thus, Endwalker naturally becomes one of the best games of 2021 for this reason.
Guilty Gear Strive
Guilty Gear Strive is not only an outstanding fighting game but also one of the titles deserving to be on the list of best games of 2021. This game features a cast of very unique and impressive characters, each with their own fighting styles and control mechanics.
Furthermore, the graphic design in Guilty Gear Strive is equally impressive, and the soundtrack is very exciting and dramatic. Both elements have been wonderfully merged to create a unique experience for gamers in 2021, especially for those who love the fighting genre.