As 2021 comes to a close, it’s time to look back at the best games worth playing. This year wasn’t just about blockbuster hits, plenty of indie titles also stood out, offering a variety of styles to suit every taste. Whether you’re into shooters, RPGs, adventure, or hack-and-slash, 2021 had it all. If you’re hunting for fresh games to dive into before the year ends or want to expand your collection, here’s the second half of the top 15 best games of 2021.
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is the fifth installment in the Forza Horizon series and the 12th in the legendary Forza racing franchise. Set in a vibrant open world inspired by Mexico, you get to explore vast landscapes with hundreds of the world’s coolest cars.
The game features diverse environments, from deserts and jungles to cities, historic ruins, white sandy beaches, wide valleys, and even volcanoes. There are hundreds of challenges and missions to conquer. The dynamic weather changes weekly, adding variety and excitement for drivers. Forza Horizon 5 launched to huge acclaim from players, fans, and critics alike. According to Metacritic, it holds an impressive 91 Metascore on PC, making it one of the highest-rated games of 2021.
Metroid Dread
The queen of side-scrolling action games is back and stronger than ever. After a long absence, Samus Aran returns in Metroid Dread, ready to shake up the gaming community and longtime fans of the series in 2021.
Metroid Dread offers incredibly smooth action gameplay. Samus can combine skills to uncover secrets and use various tools to defeat tough enemies. Everything flows seamlessly, creating a satisfying experience. It delivers everything classic Metroid games did, plus what they didn’t, making it a must-play.
Tales of Arise
The action RPG Tales of Arise is the latest in the beloved Tales series and is considered one of the best games of 2021. It features stunning anime-style graphics and a combat system where you chain character skills into powerful combos.
The story is set in a world divided into two halves: Dahna, stuck in medieval times, and Rena, which controls advanced technology and magic. With overwhelming power, Rena dominates Dahna, plundering resources and enslaving its people.
The story kicks off when Alphen from Dahna and Shionne from Rena meet. Alphen has lost his memories, and Shionne carries a curse. Together, they share ideals and embark on an exciting journey through the game’s world, joined later by more allies. It sounds like a typical anime adventure, but the game’s quality is something you have to experience yourself. It’s currently receiving very positive reviews on Steam, so if you’re interested, it’s worth picking up. Thanks to its anime art style, it’s also lightweight and runs smoothly on mid-range PCs at max settings.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy
Atelier Ryza brought global success to the Atelier series, and the developers didn’t miss the chance to improve on the previous game with this sequel. When you put in the effort, success follows, and Atelier Ryza 2 proves that.
The second game in the series once again energized the fan community and deserves a spot among the best RPGs of 2021.
A big part of Atelier Ryza 2’s success comes from its improved design style, already beloved by players, plus its epic and captivating soundtrack that plays throughout the game. If you’re looking for a relaxing RPG focused on exploration and a consistent experience across entries, Atelier Ryza 2 is definitely worth trying.
Loop Hero
Loop Hero is an indie roguelite card game. The story centers on the Lich, who traps the world and humanity in an endless time loop. You play as the hero trying to conquer these loops. You have a mysterious deck of cards to place monsters, obstacles, and rewards along the hero’s path. Too few dangers mean fewer rewards and a weaker hero. Too many rewards mean more dangers, making the path tougher but powering up the hero significantly once overcome.
Your job is to balance survival and loot. No two runs are the same thanks to random elements. Help your hero grow stronger after each run so that one day, when the time comes, they can save the world and break the Lich’s endless time loop. This game isn’t for everyone, but if you get into it, Loop Hero is definitely one of 2021’s standout titles.
Source: GVN360
