While there were some worthwhile titles this year, 2021 will go down as a very mixed bag for video games. With the pandemic weighing heavily on the industry, development and supplies, several big name releases crashed and burned as publishers pushed them out before they were finished. It was a year with numerous scandals, the most notable being Activision’s shocking treatment of its employees. Dubious profiteering from NFTs and the Metaverse are starting to become more prolific and on the whole the market continues to veer in an ugly direction. With all that said, let’s get to my personal picks...
Games That Came And Went With Low Impac
3rd: No More Heroes 3
A long awaited sequel, but one that didn’t arrive to strong fanfare. No More Heroes 3 maintains its brand of zany action, but didn’t receive great reception.
2nd: Subnautica: Below Zero
After massive success with the original, Subnautica: Below Zero hasn’t been as memorable. In a bid to go bigger and better, the overall feeling of isolation was lessened.
1st: The Ascent
This isometric RPG received some hefty coverage in the lead-up to release. On arrival, it settled into positive territory, but didn’t achieve massive success with players.
Biggest Gaming Casualties
3rd: Google Stadia Games
After endless failures and poor player engagement, Stadia has effectively pulled the plug on its development efforts and will instead serve a publisher for other titles.
2nd: The Battlefield franchise
DICE’s premier series took another gargantuan nosedive this year with another disastrous launch. It’s clear the franchise just isn’t what it used to be.
1st: Activision
Lambasted by media and gamers alike for their abysmal staff culture, Activision is taking a battering and will continue to do so as the California lawsuit rolls on.
Most Disappointing Game
3rd: Back 4 Blood
Turtle Rock Studios were unable to return to prominence with this spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead. Its features and overall gameplay are weak when compared to other coop releases.
2nd: Call Of Duty: Vanguard
Launching to the lowest sales since 2007, franchise fatigue seems to have reached a peak with Call of Duty Vanguard, another letdown in the long-running series with very weak design.
1st: Battlefield 2042
Touted as the biggest and most comprehensive release yet, 2042 was pushed out the door to dismal critical and commercial reception. An embarressment to its studio.
Best And Worst Industry Trends
Best: Indie Games rising to the challenge
In a year with several poor launches, smaller scale releases put the big blockbusters to shame. Death's Door, Axiom Verge 2, Cyber Shadow, Super Meat Boy Forever, Jett: The Far Shore and many others proved that you don't need bloated budgets or poor workplace practices to create a standout work of art. It was all capped off by It Takes Two winning Game Of The Year at The Game Awards. It seems indie titles are doing more than most to push gaming forwards nowadays.
Worst: Forcing AAA games out to meet annual financial quotas
Crunch culture is already bad enough within the gaming industry and this goes hand-in-hand with publishers and their financial targets. Games are very complex creations and the ridiculous expectation to put out a product before the end of a given quarter is seriously damaging company employees and their wellbeing. Things can only improve when the greedy CEOs and shareholders stop relying so heavily on these tight release schedules.
Strongest Company Performance
3rd: Housemarque
This Finish developer made a standout debut on PlayStation 5 this with the surprisingly solid Returnal. They’re sure to be a great part of Sony’s exclusive line-up.
2nd: Insomniac Games
Immediately following up Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is another excellent entry, proving Insomniac shows no sign of slowing down.
1st: Microsoft
Thanks to continued value and listening closely to their audience, Microsoft has done a great job this year, most notably with Game Pass, Forza Horizon 5 and Halo Infinite.
Weakest Company Performance
3rd: Ubisoft
Like Activision, Ubisoft has continued to flounder under sexual abuse allegations. Attempts to sweep misdeeds under the rug don’t do them any favours alongside lacklustre releases.
2nd: Nintendo
They may have released Metroid Dread, but Nintendo’s output has been rather weak this year. Other anticipated exclusives are still hidden away behind closed doors.
1st: Activision
Abuse and harassment in the workplace, sacking employees without notice and an overpaid CEO, Activision is by far the worst company in the industry this year.
Worst Games Of The Year
3rd: Outriders
A painfully unenjoyable live service game, plagued by countless bugs and in-game exploits. With a tiny player base, it’s due for an early retirement.
2nd: Battlefield 2042
Clearly not ready for release and designed to sell rather than play, Battlefield 2042 is a dumpster fire of glitches that panders to the worst trends in modern gaming.
1st: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition
A disgrace to both Rockstar and their pedigree. Not content with releasing in an unfinished state, the so-called definitive edition damages the legacy of three classic titles.
Best Games Of The Year
3rd: It Takes Two
This little game had a big impact, becoming one of the best cooperative games in recent years. Enjoyable puzzles take place against a poignant and heartfelt story.
2nd: Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Taking full advantage of the PlayStation 5’s power, Rift Apart is another brilliant exclusive that upgrades the franchise’s rapid gunplay and platforming scenarios.
1st: Metroid Dread
The long-awaited sequel crafts an excellent adventure; it’s positively bursting with thrilling combat and storytelling morsels for long-time fans.
Honourable Mentions: Halo Infinite, Hitman 3 and Forza Horizon 5
So ends one of the more lacklustre years in gaming history. Here’s hoping 2022 will be better; console gamers will be hoping the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X finally come into their own with major releases that deliver on their promises. On we go...
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