It’s that time again! Time to talk about some of my favourite PC gaming titles of the year. This time, this list is in no particular order. So, without further ado, here are my top PC games for 2021.
Psychonauts 2
OK I’m going to be honest; this game is definitely my pick for game of the year. I will admit though, am biased. The original Psychonauts was one of my childhood favourites AND my name is in the credits of Psychonauts 2 as I did back it when it was first announced. But the game is by far one of the titles I had the most fun with over the year. It picks up from where the first game soon left off, with Raz and his psychic crew arriving at Psychonauts HQ. The story was really well done, the new characters were great and there was way more of my boy Ford Crueller, which I very much appreciated. This game is just pure, whacky fun with some really deep and meaningful discussions around loss, friendship and trauma and is well worth picking up if you haven’t already.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Am I kinda cheating cos these technically came out years ago? I suppose. Do I care? Absolutely not. As a fan of Dragon Age, Biowares’ other flagship game, I was always disinterred in Mass Effect. I tried to start it multiple times, but never grabbed me. Until now though. I am now a full Mass Effect fan girl, take me to space please so I can nerd out about ship engines with Tali, shoot bad guys with with Garrus and just bask in Liara’s beauty. If you were a little worried about the older graphics and game play, don’t be. Yes, it is a little clunky still, but it’s honestly far better than the original game, with many quality of lives changes (especially to that bloody Mako). If you’ve put off this game for a while like I did, the Legendary Edition is your calling your name!
Resident Evil Village
I don’t think anyone could escape this game in 2021. Even if you didn’t play it or knew nothing about Resident Evil, this games’ villain Lady Dimitrescu was everywhere! The latest in the Resident Evil series dominated the early half of the year with its release and it’s understandable why. As a direct sequel to 2017’s Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Ethan Winters is back, now searching for his kidnapped daughter. This game is gorgeous in like a creepy way. And its game play is just pure Resident Evil goodness. If you’re in need of a spook, this is a 2021 game release not to miss.
Back 4 Blood
Back 4 Blood is an online multiplayer fps game, created by the same people who created Left 4 Dead. So, you really already know what you’re in for. It’s zombie slaying time! You play in a team for four, whose goal is to wipe out the opposing team of mutants. The game has a really cool aesthetic and vibe, and the gun play mechanics are great fun. If you’ve got a hankering for some creepy zombie mutant slaying, grab some pals, grab this game and you’re all set.
Lost in Random
As a fan of Psychonauts and American McGee’s Alice, there was no way I wouldn’t love this game. Set in the Kingdom of Random, you play as a little girl called Even, whose sister Odd is abducted by the Kingdom’s Queen. Even then has to travel the seven realms of Random to rescue her. All with the help of her dice friend Dicey. The game utilities a really cool game mechanic where battles take place on a chess board. This is just such a clever concept and has a gorgeous kind of creepy aesthetic that I love. If you haven’t already, I wholly recommend getting lost in Random yourself.
Life is Strange: True Colors
The latest in the Life is Strange series, True Colors was such a breath of fresh air into the series. It follows protagonist Alex Chen who possesses an incredible ability. Alex has empath powers, allowing her to read and manipulate people’s emotions. This game has everything that was so enjoyable about the previous games. Detailed NPCs, gripping storytelling and removes some of the cringe dialogue that plagued the earlier games. If you loved the past games in the series, this game is obviously a must play! But even if you didn’t play them, this is a great jumping in point anyway.
Deathloop
This was one of my most highly anticipated games of 2021, and while it didn’t blow me away like I hoped, it was still a good time. Arkane Studios honestly never fails to deliver when it comes to awesome gun play and intriguing settings, and Deathloop is no exception. You play as Colt, an assassin who finds himself stuck in a time loop whilst trying to assassinate eight targets before the clock strikes 12. If you don’t manage to get all eight, tough luck, the entire day loops back and you try again. The plot is incredibly interesting, and the time looping mechanics is done really well, not to mention the visuals and 1960’s aesthetic gives this game a really unique vibe. Some people did have issues with the story itself, but that is such a subjective thing that it’s honestly just worth jumping in and trying it for yourself!
Far Cry 6
Oh, Far Cry. It’s like that comfy hoodie you’ve owned for years, no matter how old it gets, it’s like home. With Far Cry, you know what you’re going to get, and honestly, to me that’s sometimes one of its best points. If you just want to switch your brain off, drive around a gorgeous island and shoot bad guys until your fingers hurt, Far Cry has got you covered. The latest in the series did make some attempts to switch things up in the game play department, but overall, it’s the same Far Cry experience we’re all very familiar with. A big addition to this game is the acting work of Giancarlo Esposito who absolutely steals the show as El Presidente Antón Castillo. If you have always enjoyed the Far Cry series, then this game will certainly not let you down.
It Takes 2
When I first saw this game announced, I was admittedly uninterested. I just saw it as a kind of gimmicky two-person game, trying to be whacky and cool and appeal to the indie crowd. How wrong I was. It Takes 2 is an incredible piece of storytelling, centred around married couple Mary and Cody who are basically seconds away for getting a divorce, much to the sadness of their daughter Rose. Eventually, they find themselves trapped in the bodies of Rose’s hand-made doll versions of themselves, and they must now find their way back to Rose to help them return to human form. The game deals with so many heavy themes around relationships, and you become truly invested in Cody and Mary’s story as the game progresses. This is the type of game that can certainly bring a happy tear to the eye and well worth sitting down with a loved one to play.
Little Nightmares 2
As someone who loved the first one, it’s honestly a no brainer that Little Nightmares 2 made my list this year. If you can’t tell already, I certainly have a soft spot for games that are a little weird, and Little Nightmares 2 has that in spades. Now taking control of Mono, a boy with a paper bag over his head, you work alongside Six from the first game to navigate through the horrific Pale City, find yourselves in a number of unsettling locations much like the first game. After leaving Six’s journey at a crossroads at the end of Little Nightmares, it’s great to pick up her story again here and Mono is a very strong character too. He can actually fight back also, able to grab items and potentially swing them at certain enemies. If you loved the first game, this one is a must play.
Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One
Confession time – I’m a bit of a Sherlock Holmes nut. I even visited 221B Baker Street when I went to London a few years back. (Was somewhat anti climatic to be honest because like… it’s just a normal suburban street.) So, of course, I love Frogwares’ Sherlock Holmes series. The latest in the games is Sherlock Holmes Chapter One, which sees us go back in time to meet a younger Sherlock. 21 year old Sherlock returns to his childhood home in the Mediterranean after the death of his mother, but of course, there is mystery afoot in his seemingly peaceful home town. The game uses a lot of the same mechanics as the past games where you as Holmes have to explore locations and gather clues to form deductions. If you love a good mystery, make sure to pop this on your to play list.
So, there were my top PC games for 2021.
How many did you play from this list? And what are your picks from 2021 yourself? Comment them down below and let me know. And while you’re still hanging out here, why not check out our other great gaming related posts HERE. Or, head on over to our YOUTUBE channel to see even more great content from us
