Honourable Mentions For 2021
As you might have surmised from the title, none of these games feature as my 2021 GOTY. However, they’re all worthy of a list of their own as there are some corkers here. It’d be a disservice to the folk that made ’em.
And no, I haven’t been paid to say that. I thought 2021 was a good year for games. Going out is overrated.
Links to the reviews are in the title. Games aren’t in any particular order other than when they showed up in my archives,
Star Wars: KOTOR (Nintendo Switch)
Let’s begin with a classic. After I’ve posted a review, I occasionally check out other reviewers opinions of them and have since seen that KOTOR is a mixed bag for some.
Yes, it’s an old game, yes, it’s dated somewhat, but the gameplay, storytelling and experience remain the same. No review is wrong as they’re all subjective, but for me, that’s going back to Escape From New York and saying, ” Yeah, it was good, but Pliskin has a mullet. That’s soooo 80s”.
My stance? It’s still a classic, regardless of their locks, and that applies to KOTOR on the Switch. And no, I’m not a Star Wars fan.
Aquarium Designer (PC)
Fellow fishkeepers are likely to enjoy this as much as I did, but then again, if you like anything remotely tranquil and have looked at your old aquarium screensaver for a tad longer than necessary, this is a game you should check out.
While it doesn’t have any shrimp at the moment, and some of the gear seems a bit redundant, there’s not much else like it other than spending a fortune on water changes and the associated RO and/or nutrients, fish food, actual fish and all the associated costs of having a real tank.
Aquarium Designer is fundamentally cheaper.
Antonball Deluxe (Nintendo Switch)
A surprise indie and a delight to play. As per the review, it’s a bit like one of those MAME games you mate plays (not you, mind) or the rehashed Wrecking Crew on the Switch. All compliments, may I add.
Featuring the mechanics of one of the best puzzlers of all time, only using your feet rather than a spaceship, Antonball Deluxe comprises some decent game modes and heaps of extras, making this one to play on repeat.
Art of Rally (Switch)
Not much to say on this other than it’s one of the best rally games ever. I’ve done two reviews on this now – the Switch being the most recent one, and it’s a corker.
White Shadows (PC)
Gorgeous. Scientist types invent colour TV and HDR capable monitors, and here we have a game where we’re playing in black and white. But oh, it’s soo good.
On reflection, White Shadows has some of the best world-building I’ve seen in a game this year – one that creates tension, excitement and awe. My only beef was it was a little too easy, but that’s not such a bad thing.
Heavenly Bodies (PS5)
Quite possibly the best co-op I played this year and the most memorable gameplay experience I’ve had with my four-year-old. That won’t be relevant to you, but it was such a wonderful experience.
How does it relate to you? Well, Heavenly Bodies has some wicked physics-based gameplay as there’s no gravity, making for some hilarious (but also teeth-grinding) experiences. There are fewer arguments playing solo, but so much fun in co-op. Remind yourself why you play games, and you’ll know the route for you.
Detective Di: The Silk Rose Murders (Nintendo Switch)
A point and click that is intelligent and engaging, Detective Di was a surprising title released on the Switch following a stint on PC. Usually, I would reserve this game on the latter, but carrying around a pocket murder investigation in historical China is much more appealing.
For a game that doesn’t heavily rely on the inventory and can be a bit linear in places, it’s a memorable experience, and if you didn’t see this the first time, can I suggest you give this one a go?
Fury of Dracula (PS4)
Board games aren’t my thing, and if that applies to you as well, don’t skim this entry yet: Fury of Dracula is excellent. I have a penchant for vampires anyway, but the only similarity is my complexion – I don’t encourage neck biting. Creeps.
Converted from the highly revered board game of the same title, four players will hunt down the toothy one and stop his tomfoolery. Alternatively, one player will play as Dracs and be the pain in the next for everyone else.
The folk at Nomad Games were very kind to answer some questions about the game!
Gravity Runner (PC)
Vaporwave? Isn’t that the genre that exists now but never did in the 80s? It snuck up on me, but what I do know is I love it, as well as Two Dogs Games’ title Gravity Runner on Steam.
With a black hole on your tail (no euphemisms, please), you have to hop, skip and jump to some excellent tracks, collecting VHS tapes and ensuring you don’t fall to your death. Looking back at it, it’s an excellent looking title, too – like watching a lava lamp. Strangely hypnotic.
Xuan-Yuan Sword 7 (PS4)
Not entirely on the same scale as Shenmue, but this venture from Eastasiasoft was one of the year’s highlights. The storytelling, history and lore of the game has a fair amount of depth, but it never truly feels overwhelming, but not lite either.
The combat is perhaps a little on the easy side, and when you encounter some challenging bosses, it goes a bit the other way and can be frustrating. Still, for the first title in the series that’s been translated into English (and many other languages), it’s a great standalone adventure and thoroughly recommended.
Dap (PC)
The atmosphere in Dap is superb. From the use of textures through to the ominous creatures in the shadows and the level of ferocity in which they attack, it’s only the cries of “Dap” that mute that menace.
One of the best indie games this year, and I encourage you to check it out if you want Pikmin with a twist.
Tux and Fanny (Nintendo Switch)
Now I know that the Fanny in Tux and Fanny isn’t there to offend, but the complete opposite. This, by all meanings of the word, is a delight.
Featuring some avant-garde, experimental gameplay and storytelling, there’s nothing out there that compares to the experience. I’d also wager that there’s not as much that will put a smile on your face as much as their friendship.
My Eyes (PC)
Hands down, this is my favourite climber-based game. The artwork and music go hand-in-hand and complement each other rather well, but it’s the accuracy of the controls and constant “Just one more try” that make it hard to put down.
Perhaps a few too many hands in this entry when I should have used some eye wordplay, but my hands are killing me now as this is the third feature I’ve written based on 2021. I wanna play some games! Like My Eyes.
Gas Station Simulator (PC)
Everyone and their dog has probably played this now, but it was firmly on the wishlist after playing the prologue, and it was worth the wait.
While the cleaning aspects could be tinkered with still, it’s one of the best simulators out there, but I wish there were more longevity in the game after maxing everything out. Then again, that’s testament to how much I binged on this in a short space of time.
Cruis ‘n Blast (Nintendo Switch)
In hindsight, this is a bit pricey for what it is, but considering the level of fun we’re still having with it, it’s worth it. It’s no Mario Kart 8, but it doesn’t claim to be.
This is raw arcade gameplay and precisely the kind of racing game I’d frequent at the arcades without hesitation. Especially when you start with a GTR and work your way up to a unicorn…
Golf Club Wasteland (PS4)
It’s unlikely you’ll play another game like it and perhaps won’t even associate it as a game of golf – it’s too cool for that. Sorry, golf fans, but I’m not a fan of the sport.
Golf Club Wasteland is so unique with its storytelling and slow reveals, you almost forget that you’re playing the game and instead tune into the radio stations – quite possibly one of the best sound productions of the year.
Blake: The Visual Novel (PC)
We all have a story close to our hearts and dabbled with many ways to express that, but most of us will get around to it at some point. Not Ori Mees. Their visual novel is one of the best looking titles in the genre by far, and in fear of giving anything away, it’s a game I’d like to see mature into another venture. If possible.
Blake: The Visual Novel has a Hitchcock-like quality of paranoia, thoughts on identity, and potential double-crosses. Or are they MacGuffins? Why not find out for yourself as the game is scandalously (is that a word?) cheap and worth more than its asking price.
Behind The Frame: The Finest Scenery (PC)
Beautiful on so many levels, this is art in so many ways. An artist has an exhibition coming up and seeks inspiration but is struggling. However, her neighbour and cat offer the creative distraction she needs and drive home a story with heart.
A little lower key than it should be, Behind The Frame has since been announced for the Switch, so if you haven’t had the chance to play on the PC, add it to your wishlist. It’s lovely.
Song of Farca (PC)
Cyberpunk with a different flavour, Song of Farca, had me hooked from the start. You play Izy, a P.I. under house arrest but use this to her advantage as she is an uber hacker, finding ways into surveillance systems and data records to unveil conspiracies.
With her AI sidekick, she doesn’t feel remotely crippled by her legal predicament, allowing you to concentrate on the story and that your actions do have consequences. An intelligent story and with some tricky puzzles, this is one you should look into.
Unavowed (Nintendo Switch)
I don’t have a full justification why this didn’t make it on the GOTY list, possibly because it’s been out before, just not on the Switch. That said, Unavowed is one of the best point and clicks I’ve played and… well, now I feel stupid for not adding it to the list.
This feature isn’t binding. Get it. Now.
The Eternal Castle Remastered (PS4)
One of the greatest games that never was, The Eternal Castle Remastered, is like Flashback meets Heavy Metal (the magazine/feature films).
The artwork is sublime, it really is, but it might be an acquired taste as it’s bloody hard to see everything on-screen at times. That said, that’s possibly one of the very few flaws of this side-scroller and certainly a highlight for 2021.
King of Seas (Nintendo Switch)
Pirates are awesome – stereotypes and all, and King of Seas is just what the scurvy-infested doctor ordered. It’s a procedurally generated adventure but with an arcade flair that makes it pretty damn accessible, but enough of a challenge if you want one.
Piracy has never been so good.
Sockventure (PC)
This is still my favourite precision platformer on the PC. With a ropey intro and some questionable animation, the core gameplay and visuals in Sockventure are brilliant, and they’re everything I want in a platformer, as I’m sure for a lot of you too.
I don’t see this flag up much, which is a shame as it’s such a good title worthy of more attention. If you like platformers, give them some love, and you won’t be disappointed.
Hitchhiker: A Mystery Game (PS4)
A little like Road 96, this is a narrative-driven adventure with plenty of allegories and sound fantastic presentation to support that. The artwork here is amazing, and the voice talent is even better.
Perhaps not one of those games you can play on repeat. It had a profound impact on me – poetic even. Even better for those looking for a bargain, it features in sales a lot but is worth the full asking price.
Lust From Beyond (PC)
Phwoar! Sex, sex, sex! If you like t and a, you’ll love Lust From Beyond, but if you want to get off on this (yeah, I’m going there), don’t tell me about it. This isn’t about titillation but pure fear: lure you in with erotica, then mess with your head. Headfuck is probably not the one you were looking for.
Still, this is on a different level to a lot of the Lovecraft-inspired titles out there and genuinely terrifying in places – not just because of the horror elements, but just the way it is represented and the fanatics out there that’ll do anything for their cause or kink.
Isolationist Nightclub Simulator (PC)
We’re getting down to all the bespoke titles now, and there’s nothing more fitting than having your own bunker to isolate in, play games and create your own virtual nightclub.
It’s an unusual concept, but it works really well and essentially has an endless array of options to occupy your time – whether that be deinking dodgy cocktails or experimenting with all that fancy audio equipment. This is a simulator worth adding to your library.
Blind Drive (PC)
Sound design can be underused in gaming, so why not make it the focal point? Taking part in a ‘test’, you find yourself in a car heading down a motorway the wrong way. Yes, you can steer, but you can’t see.
Best played with headphones (and with your eyes shut!), Blind Drive is such a unique title that it’s well worth checking out.
This list felt never-ending, but it’s the pre-cursor to my 2021 GOTY, which I’ll post soon. Seriously, 2021 has been a very good year for games and anyone saying there’s nothing to play only needs to look at a fraction of the games that came out to see the quality.
Ta-ta.