2021 in review

2021 has been a fun year in gaming, and I want to know what you liked about it!

Here's a handful of categories for your consideration. Don't feel obligated to answer all of 'em, or even any of 'em! These are just prompts to get some conversation going.

• Game of the Year
  
• PC Game of the Year
  
• Switch Game of the Year
  
• Playstation Game of the Year
• Xbox Game of the Year
• Mobile Game of the Year
  
• Best music
• Best story
• Best art
• Best acting
• Best ongoing game
  
• Favorite pre-2021 game you first played in 2021
• Favorite event or announcement

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I never play many games when they come out, and what I do play, I often don't necessarily play much of, so I usually feel a little distanced from year in review kind of stuff. But even if I didn't buy or beat many games, I still at least sampled a fair amount!

My favorite 2021 game, even though I've only played the demo, is Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Back on the 3DS, I really wanted to like the Monster Hunter games, but the demos for each of them turned me off...until Monster Hunter Stories rolled around. I tore through its demo, and when a nice sale rolled around, I pounced on a copy, and I adored my time with it. When the sequel was announced, I was over the moon! And ultimately, everything about the game (so far lol) only improves on the foundation its predecessor set. The game's vistas are gorgeous, the battles have more complexity and depth, the characters and monsters look great, the music is lovely, the voice work is great... It's an enchanting and wholly satisfying experience (and I hope I get the full game later this month lol).

Honorable mentions:

• Deltarune (*I'm including it as a 2021 game because of Chapter 2, even if I haven't gotten to that part yet)
  
• Sky: Children of the Light (*Switch release)
• NEO: The World Ends with You

Now, if we were to go into some specific categories...

Spoiler: long text

Favorite music:

• NEO: The World Ends with You
• Deltarune
• Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Favorite music from games I haven't played but I have vibed out of my skull listening to their soundtracks on Youtube anyway:

• Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
• NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...

Favorite art:

• Cris Tales
• Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars
• NEO: The World Ends with You

Favorite story:

• Sky: Children of the Light
• Deltarune
• NieR Re[in]carnation

Favorite gameplay:

• Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
• Sky: Children of the Light
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

Favorite ongoing game:

• Final Fantasy XIV
• Pokémon Go
  
• Fire Emblem Heroes

Favorite pre-2021 games I first played in 2021:

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons
• Mass Effect
• The World Ends with You: Final Remix

2021 games I most want to play:

• The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
• Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
• Pokémon Shining Pearl

Most anticipated games:

• Pokémon Legends: Arceus
• Coral Island
• Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

Just to mention them because I haven't yet:

• Monster Hunter Rise
• Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town