I liked these game in < 2021 >
2021 continues to test our patience but the games this year were a welcome reprieve.
List items
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Released: A while ago
In 2021 I started getting into Twitch thanks to a second monitor courtesy of work at home. I found this streamer that I really liked and his playthrough of Hollow Knight really motivated me to get back into this game. A while ago I had made really decent progress but then fell off near the end. I thought with the mazelike nature of the map it would be nearly impossible to simply pick the game up from where I left and finish it but turns out it wasn't that hard at all. Not only did I finish Hollow Knight but I beat the additional end boss and capped the experience off at 101% completion. Amazing game, had a great time.
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Released: May 7
I was never really that into Resident Evil or classic survival horror. I love Dead Space but thats about it. After seeing all the praise this game was receiving, and having just purchased a shiny new next gen console I decided to give it a shot. Village is a great game and I had a ton of fun. It manages to mix things up just enough where a coward like myself didn't have a heart attack. The story is goofy and the implications for what came before and more so what is going to come after are really out there. Mold huh.
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Released: 2019
This is another one of those Game Pass backlog gems I was able to finally get around to. At first glance Katana Zero seems to be another one of those post-Hotline Miami hyper gory, one hit kill, super stylized affairs. Looks can be deceiving though because the game manages to weave a pretty interesting narrative that ties together some key gameplay mechanics in really interesting ways.
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Released: Jun 25
I've written a lot about Scarlet Nexus, probably because no one else was talking about it and because something deep at the core of this game kept me coming back for more. At it's core Scarlet Nexus has an interesting combat system and some great style which makes it pretty fun to play. Everything else surrounding this is pretty bad. Ultimately I enjoyed the gameplay and extremely streamlined level design that basically funnels you forward down a long corridor of baddies. Wouldn't mind playing a sequel.
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Released: 2019
From the makers of Microsft Flight Simulator 2020, Plague Tale was never really high on my radar after the initial Giant Bomb Quick Look back when we still did those. It looked like another one of those go hind behind a wall while guards walk their rounds sort of thing. Surprisingly the gameplay and story REALLY go places. Mechanics continue to evolve throughout the course of the game and plague ridden France is truly a site to behold. I am now very excited for the upcoming sequel.
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Released: Jul 28
Omno is a game that I haven't heard anyone talk about. Another small indie that passed by unseen and unheard. Thanks to Game Pass I was able to give this a shot and it was a really relaxing bite size adventure - a perfect indie experience. Although the gameplay is drastically different, the minimalistic graphic style and protagonist kept reminding me of Little Big Adventure from way back when. If you have Game Pass and want a nicely structured semi-puzzle adventure game with real smooth feeling traversal mechanics I highly recommend you give it a chance.
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Released: Aug 19
The closest thing we will get to a Tron game this decade, Recompile is another indie Game Pass gem. Taking place entirely inside of a computer, the aesthetic of the menus and levels are all top notch retro-Tron-grade-magic. The gameplay is no slouch either. Although sometimes a bit wonky the Metroidvania-lite feel of constantly unlocking new abilities is a great hook to an already fun action adventure.
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Released: Aug 25
Many thought it can't be done, but Psychonauts 2 not only delivers but surpasses expectations. A great action platformer with a wonderful story and a delightful cast of characters - Double Fine finally deliver a game that plays as good as it looks. Absolute must for anyone this year and I would guess, a classic for years to come.
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Released: Sep 30
More Zelda than Metroid, Unsighted is an action adventure with some interesting ideas and great gameplay to back it all up. I would recommend going to the menus and instantly turning off the time limit placed upon both the player character and all the NPCs. While this is the "way it was meant to be played" by the dev team, Unsighted is best played at your own pace, allowing you to dig into all the corners of the world looking for secrets and just enjoying the experience.
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Released: July 29
What amazing style! The Ascent is dripping with the sort of cyberpunk you might read about in a William Gibson novel. It is also an extremely fun action game that has fast paced gunplay, and amazing graphics to back it up. In general just a really fun twin stick shooter that doesn't reinvent the genre but it certainly leaves it's mark.
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Released: Nov 5
I thought I was out but they keep pulling me back in! I had a great time with Forza 4 and thought the next iteration of the series couldn't possibly hook me the same way. Well many hours later here we are, I'm back at it 3 Staring speed traps, collecting cars, trying and failing to make nice looking liveries and generally having a great time.
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