THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY
IT’S nearly the end of 2021, which has turned out to be a real mixed bag of a year.
But despite the ongoing pandemic, we’ve seen some amazing new games arrive. Among the stellar releases have been highly anticipated sequels, groundbreaking new games and perfect remasters of old favourites.
There were tears and tantrums, but a definitive list has been reached – these were 2021’s gaming stars.
Resident Evil: Village (PEGI 18) PS4, PS5, XBOX ONE, XBOX X, PC
Village picks up three years after the events of Biohazard, with protagonist Ethan Winters’ life being brought to a shattering end.
Waking in an eerie European village, he sets out in search of his family.
The setting is gloriously creepy, sitting in the shadow of an imperious castle – it’s suitably isolated, oozing menace and begging to be explored.
There’s an increased roster of bloodthirsty beasts that make for an interesting variety of combat encounters – including the deranged nobles you have to take on – and a noticeable shift in atmosphere as you move from location to location.
Castle Dimitrescu is dripping in opulence, mirroring the elegance of its owner, the towering Lady Dimitrescu; Karl Heisenberg and his Lycans shelter in a rusting, rotting factory, Salvatore Moreau operates from a dank reservoir with his “merman”, while Donna Beneviento rules from House Beneviento, controlling a puppet named Angie.
Graphically this is jaw dropping, with a story that offers you a selection box of gory delights. The horrifying characters feel tangible and fleshed out, proving that Resident Evil still has the power to chill and thrill.
Forza Horizon 5 (PEGI 3) XBOX ONE, XBOX X/S, PC
This may be the 5th Forza Horizon title, but it’s the 12th main series instalment.
The racing action takes place in Mexico, albeit a fictional representation of the country. Billed as the ‘largest, most diverse Horizon yet’ – its map is 50% larger than Forza 4’s – allowing you to drive through areas including an active volcano, beaches, ancient Mayan temples, jungles and stunning cityscapes.
There’s so much to do here, hours and hours of fun to be had both online and off.
One of my favourite new additions is Horizon Arcade, a suite of 130 minimultiplayer games strewn across the map.
These fun little distractions include “Piñata pop”, where piñatas are dropped from the sky, and set missions, like jumping over other vehicles.
This is a racing game like no other, one that is as stunning to look at as it is to play.
Deathloop (PEGI 18) PS5
One of the few Sony exclusives released this year – and a timed exclusive at that.
The highly stylised actionadventurer sees you play as Colt, an assassin who finds himself stuck in a time loop.
Set in an alternate 1960s, Colt wakes up on a beach at the island of Blackreef – a former army base – whose inhabitants are holding a seemingly never-ending party.
As each night ends, the timeline resets, and everyone wakes up to relive the same day over again – an ultra violent Groundhog Day.
It’s a beautiful myriad of gameplay styles, with elements of shooters, metroidvanians and rougelikes, which blend together seamlessly thanks to the genius of developer Arkane Studios.
One of the most original games I’ve played in a very long time, and as the tagline helpfully suggests, if at first you don’t succeed, die and die again.
FROM ZOMBIE PLAGUES TO HIGHWAY CHAOS, THE BEST GAMES OF 2021 WERE A WHITE-KNUCKLE FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
Far Cry 6 (PEGI 18) PS4, PS5, XBOX ONE, XBOX X/S, PC
While the game’s set-up isn’t exactly mould-breaking, this feels like a return to form for the series.
It takes place on the fictional Cuba-esque island of Yara under the iron rule of President Anton Castillo, modelled on and voiced by Giancarlo Esposito, well known to fans of Breaking Bad.
You’re dropped into the mix as guerilla fighter Dani Rojas who you must help topple ‘El Presidente’ and his regime.
The island is breathtaking, with lush verdant jungles, vibrant streets in the capital city and shanty coastal villages.
As well as the usual weapons at your disposal, you can customise your arsenal A-Team style, using materials you’ve scavenged on your missions.
These ‘resolver’ weapons are more important than ever as certain baddies now have distinct vulnerabilities, meaning they’re much easier to dispatch with the right ammunition.
It’s incredible just how big this game is – almost needlessly so – and at times I felt overwhelmed with all the things I had to remember to plan for or take into account as I carried out missions.