We have made it through May in my 2021 Recap so I am just going to dive right into June. There are 12 more games on this list, all of which were of course wonderful. My time gaming slowed down a bit with this last half of the year, though. I finally found a job and got back to work. I began Ring Fit Adventure and have been using it to stay active. Also, I fell into a lot of my older hobbies as well, which was refreshing. Regardless, these next few games were wonderful and they were the perfect way to finish up one of my best years.
June
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart – PlayStation 5
As far as new games coming out during 2021, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart was probably the one I was most excited about. The very first Ratchet and Clank game was my first PlayStation 2 game and honestly it was one of the reasons I fell in love with video games. Needless to say, this franchise has literally grown up with me and I am so glad Insomniac Games and PlayStation both keep believing in it. The new characters Rivet and Kit fit perfectly into the game and I’m excited to see their future with the series, as well.
Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction – PlayStation 3
This was in fact, a replay. One of only two during 2021. I certainly want to replay more in 2022. Here though, Rift Apart ignited my love for the franchise and I just wasn’t ready to put it down yet. So, I dusted off my PlayStation 3, booted it up and played a game that I haven’t since I was in high school. It was just as amazing as I remember and it definitely scratched my itch for more Ratchet and Clank. It’s also worth reminding everyone how magical the PlayStation 3 was. I’m going to have to play more of it in soon.
July
Honestly July was just Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. I didn’t complete the game until August and I was pretty busy still learning my new job. However, it is pretty typical for me to fall into a huge RPG as that is my favorite genre to play. 2021 was certainly full of them. I have to give myself time to do everything the game has to offer.
August
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin – Nintendo Switch
Even with a new PlayStation 5 at my finger tips, I couldn’t stay away from my Switch during 2021. That’s not a complaint though. I adore this console and I adore the Monster Hunter series. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin was another game that I occasionally played with my roommate so we sunk quite a few hours into it. We also revisited it from time to time with each new update. It was a great JRPG that really began to challenge us in the post-game.
Trover Saves The Universe – Nintendo Switch
Trover Saves The Universe is a unique platforming game created by Justin Roiland. Gameplay mechanics were bizarre and strange but they worked. I had a lot of fun with this title and I honestly couldn’t stop laughing throughout the whole game. It was a welcomed change of pace for me. If you have seen Rick and Morty or any of Justin’s other shows and enjoyed them, you’ll love this game, too.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut – PlayStation 5
My second and last replay of the year was Ghost of Tsushima. I played this game when it first game out in 2020, but reliving it on the PlayStation 5 almost felt like a brand new experience. It added the Iki Island DLC which was incredible and, of course, got updated for the PlayStation 5. If you haven’t yet played this game, it is definitely worth your time.
September
September was another month where I didn’t beat a game. I started Monster Sanctuary but did not complete it until the beginning of October. However this month was filled with a lot of games with my roommate, primarily the Monster Hunter titles. We revisited both pretty regularly but definitely a lot during September. Aside from that, Monster Sanctuary occupied most of my gaming time and I would not have had it any other way.
October
Monster Sanctuary – Nintendo Switch
I debated a lot about whether I would play this game on my Switch, PlayStation or PC. Ultimately, I ended up playing it on my Switch and I am glad I did. I played this game a lot in handheld mode, which is really one of the Switch’s biggest selling points. Monster Sanctuary was another game that was pretty high up on my top ten list for the year. I enjoyed in thoroughly and even had the pleasure of discussing my experience with it with the developers, Moi Rai Games. They even read my blog post about it! Limited Run Games is finally doing their physical release of this game and it is live until January 16th, 2022 so go snag your copy.
Carrion – Nintendo Switch
What a fantastic way to begin my October spooky games list. I didn’t play as many as I had hoped to this year, but that is okay. The ones I did play were worth their weight in gold. Carrion was absolute perfection. This reverse horror title puts you in the shoes of a ferocious monster, hell-bent on escaping the humans that created it. I enjoyed everything about this title and I honestly didn’t want it to end. When it did though, I had so many questions and I loved that.
Resident Evil 3 – PlayStation 4
Give me a strong female lead like Jill Valentine and I am a happy camper. Resident Evil 3 had me sweating every minute and that is just how it should be. The game was classically Resident Evil in every way. It was a wonderful addition to my 2021 Halloween list.
November
Outlast 2 – PlayStation 4
Finishing up my Halloween list was Outlast 2. Honestly, I was terrified the whole time. It wasn’t as scary as the first one, but it definitely did its job at making me feel uneasy. The story was strong and it serves as an indirect sequel to the original. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I never did write a piece about this one but trust me when I tell you that I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Far Cry 6 – PlayStation 5
Talk about a return to form for a series that has had a bit of an identity crisis recently. Far Cry 6 does keep a lot of the changes to the series, but manages to feel more like a Far Cry game than Far Cry 5 did, at least for me. I had a blast with my time in Yara. Somehow I have managed to get a new TV with the Far Cry releases since Far Cry 4 and this year was no exception. I enjoyed Yara in stunning 4k and a solid 60 frames per second.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond – Nintendo Switch
As an avid Pokémon fan, I think Brilliant Diamond is a fantastic remake. I have enjoyed my already close to 200 hours with it and continue to play it almost every day. I beat the story in November which is why it is on this list, but I haven’t managed to write a piece about it. That’s mostly due to the fact that I am not yet done with this title. Also though, Pokémon is so close to my heart that it is almost difficult to write about. Regardless, my return to Sinnoh has been a complete joy.
December
Deathloop – PlayStation 5
Finishing up 2021 was none other than Deathloop. Deathloop ended up pretty high on my top ten list for 2021 and with good reason. Everything about this game was, for me, purely perfect. The character development and story was genius, art direction was flawless and gameplay was so enjoyable. I really couldn’t put this title down. Colt and Julianna’s feud fueled my desire for more answers and I ultimately ended up falling in love with both of them.
That’s All, Folks
There you have it. All 26 games that I beat during 2021. 2021 was the perfect blend of all genres, indie and AAA titles alike. I plan to keep that diversity in my games during 2022 and have already completed one game that I am itching to write about. Work has calmed back down so I plan to be more active on here again. Until then guys, thanks for reading!
