Another year has come and gone, and 2021 brought with it a decent offering of excellent games. While the year still suffered for game releases due to several delays caused by the ongoing global pandemic, we still managed to find a handful of exciting titles that we can call the best of the year. From Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 to Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and Tales of Arise, here are our selections for the best games of the year as chosen by our team of writers!

NOTE: If you happen to see games chosen by writers that perhaps reviewed as perfect 10/10s but didn't claim the top spots, all selected games are down to personal preference. For example, a 9/10 game may be chosen above a 10/10. It's all down to the games that, flawed or not, were loved by the writers for numerous reasons.

Sam's Game of the Year
Resident Evil Village


Capcom reinvented the Resident Evil formula with the release of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, but they perfected it with Resident Evil Village. Unlike the confined and claustrophobic horror of the Baker estate, Village instead takes us to a demented amusement park of horrors filled to the brim with creative ideas. Each section felt vastly different from the next, keeping the experience always fresh and unpredictable. It also took some brave steps forward with its characters, rewriting the series forever and setting up some truly exciting things to come. Village is one of the best horror games ever made, and it's well-deserved.

Sam's Runner-Up
Halo Infinite


The odds were stacked against Halo Infinite before release. 343 Industries found themselves in development hell, and the fact that the game turned out this good is absolutely astonishing. Putting the multiplayer aside (and terrible Battle Pass), much of my love for Halo Infinite stems from its phenomenal campaign. The semi open-world of Zeta Halo is incredibly rewarding to explore, made even better by the best grappling hook ever put to a game. Halo Infinite's story is slightly flawed and the experience may differ depending on the person, but for me, it pretty much checked all the right boxes in delivering the best Halo game since Reach.

Halo Infinite feels remarkably old-school, taking us back to the underused setting of a ringworld that may conjure up nostalgic feelings of playing Halo: Combat Evolved with a modern coating. Gameplay is snappy and responsive, and the rogue faction of the Banished prove to be worthy adversaries. It also takes a few bold storytelling turns that will undoubtedly upset some, but the shock factor is well-earned. Furthermore, it's concrete proof that Xbox are finally capable of trading blows with PlayStation again.

Marco's Game of the Year
Tales of Arise


2021 wasn't the best year we have had in gaming. I think the whole pandemic and rush to get next-gen out last year finally caught up with everyone and 2021's games were an obvious step backwards in some regards. Very few titles offered "new experiences" to enjoy and most of the time, everything felt like a copy and paste effort. Even some great games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Forza Horizon 5 felt safe. They were the same old thing released again. Sure, these games utilized the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S more but did very little to offer a truly "next-gen" experience. 

So choosing a Game of the Year had to come down to a game I spent most of my time playing and enjoyed doing so. A game that pulled me away into a world regardless of how fast the loading times were and how many cars it had on the roster. That's why my Game of the Year for 2021 is Tales of Arise. After 90 hours and a platinum trophy, Tales of Arise offered a JRPG adventure that is hard to find. Its incredible fast-paced combat felt exhilarating and its story left me with tears running down my face. I have to commend the game for its excellent character development and the effort it made to expand the party relationships with over 300 fully-voiced side conversations. 

We then have the visuals which were brought to life with this one-of-a-kind, anime-style cel-shading. It helped create this breathtaking world to explore with bustling cities and dense forests all immaculately detailed. You just don't get games like this very often.

Marco's Runner-Up
Resident Evil Village


As for my runner-up, in early 2021 we got to play Resident Evil Village and it was excellent. While it was a little more "action" than the previous entry, Village remains one of my favourite Resident Evil games around. The game completely immerses you in this gothic world and the pacing is perfect. Not to mention that Capcom managed to take vampires and werewolves and craft them perfectly into the series without it ever feeling cheap and out of place. Resident Evil Village will stand alongside some of the greatest games in the series like Resident Evil 4 and 2.

Andrew's Game of the Year
Xbox Game Pass


This is, of course, a cop-out, but it’s been a chaotic year and several days spent pondering my GOTY choice kept bringing me back to my Xbox Game Pass subscription. Now, despite the impressive lineup from Microsoft as we approach the end of the year – both first-party titles (finally) and timed exclusives (a practice that needs to die) – I’ve still got a healthy backlog that needs clearing before I could make a conclusive choice.

What is certain is the incredible amount of value, diversity, and raw entertainment I’ve gleaned from maintaining an Xbox Game Pass subscription. There have been innumerable titles I’ve dipped into, completed because I enjoyed them, or simply moved on with no feelings that I wasted time or money. There have been incredible indies such as Narita Boy, Solasta: Crown of the Magister, Hades, and Sable. I’ve spent hours in online cooperative sessions in Deep Rock Galactic, Sea of Thieves, Outriders, and Back 4 Blood. For those who believe good games means big-budget titles, you can also find Microsoft Flight Simulator, Psychonauts 2, Age of Empires IV, Forza Horizon 5, and the (mostly) excellent Halo Infinite in the library.

There are caveats. An uncapped internet package is a must but, if you’ve got a fast line, the latest benefit to an “Ultimate” subscription is the ability to stream games on the service through an app or browser on your phone or console (including the last generation Xbox One S/X). If you’ve got the infrastructure, you can play current-gen games, at up to 1080/60, without the need to invest in new hardware.

Andrew's Runner-Up
Deathloop


I love Arkane Studios’ games – both those from the Lyon and Austin studios – so, in the absence of a PlayStation 5, I finally picked up Deathloop on PC for a fun albeit visually-subpar experience on my older gaming notebook (bonus shoutout to AMD’s hardware-agnostic FidelityFx). Despite all my concerns around the roguelike structure and time limits, Deathloop is an incredibly well-constructed game that still lets you observe, plan, engage, and explore at your own pace – just without the ability to compulsively save every other minute. It takes some time, but you soon discover the ability to retain your skills and weapons between loops, providing that sense of growing power found in their other games.

Despite only offering four major locations – each as complex and packed with secrets as any great Dishonored level – they evolve over the day (morning, noon, afternoon, and evening periods). They become increasingly dangerous but each period unlocks new locations, puzzles, access to targets, and a myriad of smaller interactions as the “Eternalists” go about their cyclic routine. Learning to exploit these patterns – to take down targets, learn new passcodes, or explore locations for gear – provides a puzzle-like experience that just happens to revolve around slick mobility, impactful gunplay, powerful gadgets, and “slab” powers (think Dishonored void powers).

However, the most compelling aspect of Deathloop quickly becomes the narrative – specifically the interaction between Cole and Julianna. They’re the only two that recall prior cycles and develop a seriously adversarial relationship. Cole is the frustrated amnesiac on a journey of discovery, Julianna holds a deep-seated grievance she wants him to remember (and is willing to kill him to restart the loop repeatedly until he does). In theory, Cole wants to break the loop and Julianna wants to protect it, but she still allows certain events to play out where she could intervene. The relationship between these two characters ultimately becomes the focal point and the rest of the island's inhabitants an afterthought in their conflict.

I’ll be replaying Deathloop on PS5 or Xbox Series S/X for sure (again, screw timed-exclusivity) and, while it’s not my favourite Arkane Studios game, their talent for incredible world-building, level design, and focus on diverse gameplay mechanics still make it one of the best of 2021.

Arielle's Game of the Year
Death's Door


Every so often, I’ll play a game and suddenly remember why I fell in love with gaming in the first place. Death’s Door is one of those games. Death’s Door felt like a breath of fresh air in an often stale genre. It hit all the right notes for an indie game with solid gameplay mechanics wrapped in beautiful graphics and complemented by a uniquely intriguing story. These days it takes a lot for me to give up on sleep willingly, and yet not only did I not sleep while binge playing Death’s Door, but it also made me forget about my other stupid adult responsibilities like eating and work.

Arielle's Runner-Up
Psychonauts 2


It takes an exceptional game to make me want to spend time in it after the story is finished, trying to get 100% completion. Yet, even though I spent many hours in Psychonauts 2 when the credits rolled, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye and spent many more hours finishing everything off. While there is a lot to say about the nostalgia associated with Psychonauts, the allure of Psychonauts 2 is that it is simply a good, fun game from beginning to end. Psychonauts 2 managed to pull me in and keep me engaged in its world without ever making me feel stressed, frustrated or overwhelmed, which is far too rare in games these days.

Jarred's Game of the Year
It Takes Two


Full disclosure - between work, COVID, the state of the world and a bunch of other reasons (excuses?), I definitely didn't play that much over the past year. That said, I have enjoyed a resurgence of my gaming passion and a lot of that has to do with playing It Takes Two. As someone who historically loves 3D platformers, I haven't played one that really grabbed my attention for some time. It Takes Two genuinely charmed my pants off. The emotional whirlwind of the story, the character interaction and the general themes behind the game are simply magnificent. The visuals are a delight, but what really sets it apart is the way ordinary household items are weaved into the story. The gameplay mechanics and the co-op dynamics are an absolute joy to behold. It's the most fun I have had in a game in years, pure fun!

Jarred's Runner-Up
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy


While I am a self-confessed Marvel fanboy, the games haven't always hit the right spots. I was cautious believing the hype around Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, but I couldn't have been more impressed. The game is one of the most epic experiences I have had in a number of years and reminds me (and others hopefully) why we need more linear, story-focused action games. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is such a refreshing break from overwhelming open world games and live services. The character development, world building and action are slick, and the music brings the whole experience together. If you haven't played this yet, make sure you do, it's a classic.

Keegan's Game of the Year
Forza Horizon 5


Playground Games really flexed their muscles with Forza Horizon 5, bringing an amalgamation of the studio's greatest hits, and a teaser for things to come. The rather charming campaign had enough personality to keep me entertained for hours, and the expeditions really highlighted Mexico's greatest attractions.

This beautiful open-world is paired with a roster of cars to make any car fanatic drool at the thought of putting the pedal to the floor. It doesn't take very long for a two hour gaming session to turn into six, and sometimes even longer. I didn't just lose hours upon hours in Forza Horizon 5, I fell deeply in love with one of the best racing games out to date.

Keegan's Runner-Up
Halo Infinite


Halo Infinite is a return to form for the series and a redemption arc for both Microsoft and 343 Industries. However, I could never have imagined just how big of an itch this game could scratch.

The return of Master Chief was already enough to get me excited, but I didn't fully grasp just how much thought went into this game until after I explored the ringworld Zeta Halo. Taking on outposts felt like the glory days of Far Cry 3 and 4, having to constantly outsmart the hordes of Brutes and Elites that stood in my way. That and the nifty grappling hook that Master Chief may have borrowed from Doom Guy, Halo Infinite's campaign manages to perfectly balance the working formula of old Halo games, with some welcomed new features.

Lynley's Game of the Year
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy


Surprises, that what makes this jaded gamer happy. And, well, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy did that. Firstly this was Eidos Montreal’s first game since Shadow of the Tomb Raider. We knew that they could build a narrative powerhouse but given the absolute disappointment that another Square Enix published game in Marvel’s Avengers was and the interference in the design and eventual release of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, we didn’t hold out any hope for this game. Add in a marketing campaign that steadfastly leaned on the cutscenes rather than gameplay and everyone felt comfortable in writing this game off.

We were wrong. Gameplay was solid, though unremarkable. I would’ve preferred a chance to play as each Guardian instead of just Starlord. But the gunplay was solid and that’s what counts. What stands out is the detail that Eidos put into the game. This is one of the best-looking games of 2021, only surpassed by my runner up. But where this game stands head and shoulders above all others is in the writing. The interaction and banter between the Guardians stands up there with any film or TV script and provides entertainment from minute one, enough to keep you playing through some of the fairly empty levels that you will traverse. Listening to Peter and Rocket argue while Gamora fends off the unsubtle Drax barbs is a delight. Even Groot’s limited vocabulary is welcome and entertaining. All around, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a game to entertain you for hours as you blow things up.

Lynley's Runner-Up
Forza Horizon 5


This is controversial but hear me out. Forza Horizon 5 is a great game, but it’s not my Game of the Year. Why? Well, that’s the thing: it's everything I expected, great racing, an insanely large number of cars to collect and drive and gorgeous scenery to race through. Mexico is to date the most diverse landscape in any racing game let alone a Horizon game. From cities to deserts to lush jungles, the game has it all. Throw dynamic weather effects and a return of FH4’s seasons and you have one of the most difficult and interesting to drive in arcade racers ever.

What makes it my runner up is that, well I wasn’t surprised by any of this. This is what I expect from a Forza Horizon game from Playground games. Yeah, I sound like a pretentious hack “journalist”, but an amazing game doesn’t automatically get to be my Game of the Year. Also I don’t have the time these days for large open world games that take up hundreds of hours and this is the biggest ever Horizon game. I’ve put in close to 60 hours in this game and barely scratched the surface of what it has to offer. Go play it and be amazed.

Rob's Game of the Year
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart


When it comes to GOTY choices, I typically always stick with what has stuck in my mind since the moment I thought it - which, in this case, was Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Rift Apart was, for me, a perfect game; an indescribable blend of nostalgia, self-identity, humorous, stunning to look at, and, of course, fun; you know, that thing that EVERY video game should be at its core. More so, it pushed boundaries and gave us our first real showcase into what the PS5, and next-gen, could be.

Aside from all that though, as I progressed through my second playthrough, I realised over and over again why Rift Apart was just so good. I was always left with a sense of wonder, of joy, something that brought true excitement each and every time I picked the controller up. I don't want to discredit It Takes Two, by any means, but I really feel that Rift Apart was done dirty in missing out on the official GOTY title, so for me, its 100% Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.

Rob's Runner-Up
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy


Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a choice I never thought I would be making here, especially considering that not two weeks before its launch I thought "look at this b-rate team, where Gamorra looked like she was a model for Space Maybelline, and Drax was about as good as his ability to detect metaphors". However, and this is exactly why it's my Runner Up, the minute I put that disk in, had it loaded, and fired it up, I immediately knew I was wrong.

In fact, I struggled to place Rift Apart above it, and in a way, they're both my actual GOTY, but of course, classification is necessary science. Yes, the soundtrack appealed to me (80's metal and glam rock is THE GREATEST), and yes the humour from everyone was just incredible but more than that, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy showcased so many of the same qualities that Rift Apart did, and what any video game should show - it was fun. It unfolded like a beautiful space opera - the combat had the right amount of management and action, and it was also just a visually spectacular experience. My last point, and it seems small but I did like it, is that you could really fine tune your difficulty settings, even down to how much damage you took, and how much you dolled out.

Sahil's Game of the Year
Tales of Arise


Tales of Arise was an unexpected surprise GOTY 2021 for me. I went into this expecting another standard JRPG but what I got was much, much more. Any game that hooks you and keeps you playing until 3am is a winner in my books. Tales of Arise did this with its gripping narrative and extremely enjoyable gameplay that mixed fast-paced combat with varied strategy.

The flashy “Artes” or skills in battle and the excellent storytelling skits made this my GOTY for 2021. Seriously, this is a game that you really should play. It was fantastic and if you want to know more about it, you can read my full review. If you’re a fan of JRPGs, Tales of Arise will certainly appeal to you and is a must-play title.

Sahil's Runner-Up
Scarlet Nexus


Scarlet Nexus is my choice for runner-up GOTY for 2021. Being a brand new IP from Bandai Namco Games, Scarlet Nexus was one of the most memorable games of the year for me. The story which revolved around protagonists Yuito and Kasane, and the terrifying antagonistic “Others”, was great. The game had a lot of mysterious plot points to drive it forward and the Visual Novel-esque storytelling was well done.

Scarlet Nexus implemented tried and trusted JRPG gaming mechanics but it did so in a way that kept you coming back for more. The battle system was ridiculously good and I really hope that Bandai Namco implements it elsewhere too in the future. Oh, and the soundtrack was filled with some really catchy tunes too. Scarlet Nexus fully deserves the runner-up GOTY 2021 title and should not be overlooked.

Vincent's Game of the Year
Path of Exile


2021 has been an odd year for gaming, personally. I haven't played as many games as I usually do, and when I play, I just jump into my favorite game of the last year or so. The game I'm referring to is the free-to-play, action RPG Path of Exile. The game, as mentioned, is completely free to play. It offers fantastic combat (sometimes frantic), an interesting story, and a new challenge league every three months. Constant updates, tweaks, and improvements make it an easy pick for my GOTY for 2021. The fact that I've spent a shameful amount of time in the game furthers enforces my pick.

Vincent's Runner-Up
Persona 5 Strikers


Persona 5 Strikers took me by surprise earlier this year. One of my favorite cast of characters mixed with an established bash-em-up game style made for an addictive game loop. Not only was the action refined, but the narrative delivered on almost the same level as the main Persona 5 game.

Garth's Game of the Year
Metroid Dread


Metroid Dread blasts back onto the scene with MercurySteam once again showing that the franchise is in safe hands. Metroid Dread encapsulates all the classic aspects of prior titles as well as well thought out new abilities, intense and nerve-racking stealth sections, some of the best boss fights in the franchise and a well rounded storyline to tie-up the package as a whole. If Action/Adventure titles are your thing, then this shouldn't be missed. This could possibly be the best Metroid offering out there.

Garth's Runner-Up
Forza Horizon 5


The new festive setting of Mexico has so much to offer, both for fans of the franchise as well as newcomer petrol-heads. If content is king then Forza Horizon 5 is sheer royalty. Playground Games once again knocks it out of the park with detailed graphics, detail specific audio design, and that classic arcade gameplay we've come to know and love. Forza Horizon 5 is a joy on its own but truly comes alive with friends and one of the best online communities out there. Start your engines, you're in for one hell of a ride.

Devin's Game of the Year
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker


Although FFXIV won some awards this year, Endwalker’s release was too late to be considered for 2021 and likely too early for consideration in 2022. But there a reason this game has the highest ratings of any for game released this year. MMO’s are an acquired taste to many, but some games transcend their genre and Endwalker is one of them. You may notice I refer to it as a game and not an expansion. This is deliberate as the game is simply too content packed to receive the disservice of calling it an expansion. It’s a complete cross platform adventure that you can play for free for hundreds of hours – this is the last part of a story that has taken 10 real life years to complete, don’t sleep on it any longer.

Devin's Runner-Up
Valheim


Get to the long boats! Play Moana music in the background and take on menacing monsters from the Viking age. Valheim does what so many have failed to do: produce a base building, multiplayer survival game that truly feels challenging and adventurous. Sure, ARK may have set the trend some time back, but Valheim perfected the science of it. Although some may dismiss the title due to its art style, just wait until you see a longboat drifting towards you slowly in the moonlight.

Nexus Extra Picks

Candice's Game of the Year: Resident Evil Village
Candice's Runner-Up: It Takes Two

Victor's Game of the Year: Outriders
Victor's Runner-Up: Returnal

Tex's Game of the Year: Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
Tex's Runner-Up: Kena: Bridge of Spirits

What was your personal Game of the Year for 2021? Let us know!