Nice list! I keep going back and forth on playing Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters. Maybe I will have to get around to it someday, if I ever find the time. Or if it ever gets Steam Deck support.
I also keep going back and forth on how much I like the stuff in between the tactics in Midnight Suns. On the one hand, it's not really good. On the other, it's just so goofy that it has an oddly endearing quality.
@daavpuke: Thank you! I really enjoy putting these types of lists together. I often do notice music in games as I play them, but going through this process still reveals just how much cool music there was throughout the year.
I totally agree about Mario & Rabbids! It completely caught me off guard as I was playing the game, the battle themes really go for it. On the one hand, it shouldn't be surprising for the composers involved, but also it's a Rabbids game lol. But it's good stuff :)
This is a fun list idea! And a fun read, good work here. FF12 really was ahead of its time, I always felt like that's the "mainline" game that never really got its due compared to the other entries. I really enjoyed it.
@zombiepie: Well if rumors are to be believed, you may be in luck! Supposedly they are indeed working on a new Armored Core game, might be the next game they release before the inevitable Elden Ring 2.
@arbitrarywater: Of the rankings I have done, this is certainly the one with the slimmest margins. I fully agree with you that I'd take the "worst" of these games over most games. I enjoy all of them.
Demon's Souls does seem like it's probably one of the more divisive ones (relatively speaking), and it's probably hard to reconcile different experiences. I don't know what it feels like coming to it after playing the later games. Playing it on initial release, before anyone knew what the hell a "souls" game was, was pretty wild in a good way. And maybe this is nostalgia glasses, but I've really enjoyed it every time I've gone back to it, remake included.
@manburger: Thank you so much! I've always challenged myself to write concisely on this site, especially on lists like this. I actually find it harder to write less but still effectively say what I want to say, but I think/hope it makes for a better read. So I'm glad if and when it does!
Astalon definitely strikes me as a game that went under the radar this year, but in a year full of Metroidvanias, I think it's one of the more interesting ones I played. And Unsighted is just good! Both worth checking out if you like those types of games :)
This is quite the list! Axiom Verge 2, Unsighted, and Astalon were my 3 favorite "explormers" from 2021's deluge, I'd be curious what you think of them if you get around to them!
Good list! I'd like to play Bowser's Fury, but don't really want to pony up for all of 3D World again. Maybe someday. I also wish I liked Wildermyth more than I did, once I started getting repeat story events it kind of fell apart for me haha. Anyway, lots of good games on here!
@daavpuke: Thank you! The Forgotten City is worth looking into if you like detective/mystery types of games, or just a good time loop premise. It's also on game pass right now if you're in that ecosystem!
@slag: Thank you so much! I think you'd probably enjoy a lot of these too :)
I wish I liked Deathloop more than I did, but it just never really clicked with me. I'm now working on my extended rankings list where I'll talk more about it. I'm glad you really enjoyed it!
majormitch's comments