The nominees for Game of the Year 2021 have been announced, and what a lineup it is.
Game of the Year 2021 TLDR
- Resident Evil 8: Village
- Deathloop
- Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
- It Takes Two
- Psychonauts 2
- Metroid Dread
Resident Evil 8: Village
It doesn’t feel like Resident Evil 8 came out this year, but it did, making it a potential contender for the Game of the Year 2021 title.
Aside from having a genius marketing campaign, RE Village took the industry by storm. It was one of the first AAA titles to be optimized for next-gen, and it showed. Everything from the graphics to the gameplay was stellar, thanks in no small part to a revitalized RE formula that blended scares and thrills with action sequences and breathtaking set pieces.
Deathloop
If you didn’t believe that Arkane Lyon could do no wrong before, now you should.
Serving as a spiritual successor to the Dishonored franchise, Deathloop is one of 2021’s most stylish games. It isn’t afraid to show character, something that has been crucial to Deathloop’s success with Jason E. Kelley and Ozioma Akagha delivering two of the best voice acting performances in gaming history. Mix that with fun gameplay loops and an ingenious core premise, and you have a real Game of the Year 2021 contender on your hands.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart has become a flagship title for Sony’s PlayStation 5. Being built from the ground up exclusively for PS5 allowed the title to fully take advantage of the tech on offer.
Rather than being a AAA that was simply optimized for next-gen, Rift Apart was built for it, making it one of the most technically advanced GOTY 2021 nominees.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is Sony’s version of Forza Horizon this year – a console exclusive so good that it carries an entire console generation on its back.
It Takes Two
It’s rare for EA to put out a genuine GOTY contender in this day and age. Every so often, though, they come out with a surprise gem. That’s exactly what It Takes Two is.
Full of charm and heart, ITT is a stylized breathe of fresh air in a landscape that many would argue has become stagnant in recent years. If you haven’t had the chance to play it yet, make the time. You’ll be able to see why it’s a Game of the Year contender.
Psychonauts 2
There were many out there the believed we would never see another Psychonauts game again.
Yet, in 2021, that’s exactly what we got. Psychonauts 2 not only managed to capture the feel and style of the original, but it built on it in a way that didn’t seem possible. It took a niche cult classic and elevated it into the mainstream, an accomplishment not many titles can lay claim to.
Metroid Dread
Metroid Dread came to alleviate Metroid fans from a drought of content, and what a job it did.
Despite the new art style and gameplay loop, Metroid Dead delivered one of 2021’s best gaming experiences, all without the need for fancy AAA-style blockbuster setpieces. Metroid Dread is a dark horse in the Game of the Year 2021 race for sure, but it’s certainly in with a fighting chance.
