TOP 5 | Games from 2021

Robby

Sizeable

This Belgian indie game managed to win me over from the very first puzzle. The concept is so simple: select an object and shrink it down or enlarge it to solve puzzles. But the execution is where the game wins you over: making the sun larger can evaporate water, which turns into a cloud, growing the clouds creates wind which then blows away sand to reveal a puzzle piece. It’s short but brilliant and definitely worth checking out!

Before Your Eyes

It’s an emotional game about not blinking* that also makes you cry all the time.

I haven’t decided yet if that’s cruel or brilliant, but I’m leaning towards the latter.

*It uses your webcam to track your eyes.

New Pokémon Snap

This isn’t the best game in my list, but it was the one I was anticipating the most and boy, it did not disappoint. Sure it’s a simple concept and repetitive as all hell. But during the release week, you couldn’t pry me away from my Switch and I kept on taking new pictures and was totally addicted to getting all the Pokémon in the game captured on film.

Psychonauts 2

Speaking of games I’ve been waiting for… Psychonauts 2 has been in the making for so long and yet it feels like it was just yesterday that I played the Original. It’s funny then that the game acts like the Original story just happened a few days ago and it’s equally brilliant on all fronts: fun platforming, collecting stuff is addictive and the humour is beyond imagining. Possible some of the best designed videogame worlds ever too.

Death’s Door

I knew from the first shared videos that I’d like this game, but nothing could prepare me for just how much fun it is to play with. It’s the perfect zelda-like adventure that doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s challenging, yet never impossible and the setting + artstyle + fantastic soundtrack brings it all home.

Also Worth mentioning:

Hades

I didn’t include it in my top5 as it’s a 2019 game, but seeing as it only released on Xbox and Playstation this year and I got to discover it through Xbox Game Pass, I’m can’t let it go by unnoticed. The way this game handles storytelling, especially for a roguelike, is amazing. Even though you’re Always dying, it never feels like a punishment because you unlock new character interactions each time. This is a masterpiece.