Cole Carver’s Game of the Year 2021 (Lite Edition)

Well folks, I was adding images to my normal GOTY posting, when the browser crashed, and I lost everything I had written. 2021 had to stick it to me one more time.
To be frank, I’m not writing all that again, so, instead, here’s a list of my top 10 games that I played for the first time - with small highlight notes.

#10 - Ghost of Tsushima (ps5)

A great Assassins Creed formula game set in Japan

#9 - cyberpunk 2077 (pc)

Buggy as hell, but a phenomenal world and great characters, story, and hacking gameplay.

#8 - Psychonauts 2 (pc)

I can’t believe they pulled off making something so thoughtful, funny, touching, and fun to play. Tim Schafer is a genius.

#7 - Monster Hunter Rise (Switch)

Hit monsters with monsters. It slaps, and they brought back my favorite monster, Zinogre.

#6 - Ori and the Will of the Wisps (pc)

In another year would be the best Metroidvania. It’s absolutely wonderful.

#5 - Final Fantasy XIV: A REalm Reborn

Only considering the basegame here, and none of the expansions. I just finished 2.0. I’m told by everyone that I played through the worst part of the game, and yet I still had a blast. The community is absolutely wonderful and the final fantasy fanservice is great. Cannot wait to play more.

#4 - Final Fantasy VII Remake Intermission

Expanding upon the story with a character from the original game, but with a new original story about where she was while not in your party. It’s fun, emotional, absolutely solid gameplay, and begins tying some auxiliary FFVII material into this grander Remake’s story. I’m hesitant but trying to keep and open mind, and having fun with it.

#3 - Metroid dread

My new favorite Metroid, and my new favorite Metroidvania. It’s an absolute joy to play.

#2 - inscryption

Trying to talk about this ruins it. I wish I was playing it right now, but I am actively watching my wife play it as I type this. Inscryption fucking rules and everyone should try it.

#1 - the legend of zelda: ocarina of time randomizer

Does this event count as a real game? It’s my list so heck’em. This is the most fun I’ve had playing a videogame in a long time. I’m not going to claim it’s a better game than all of those listed below it, but it IS the most enjoyment I got out of videogames, so it’s my favorite game this year. Whether I’m playing alone or the Multiworld thing to play Ocarina of Time co-op with my wife, it’s an absolute joy. I have beaten Ocarina of Time 7 times this year thanks to this randomizer, and I’m in no rush to stop. Hell, I bought a bluetooth n64 controller so I could play more of it. What an absolute treat.

Full List of Games I Played This Year:

Dragon Quest XI S
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Cyberpunk 2077
Spider-Man Remastered (didn’t rank because it’s basically the same game, just on ps5)
Ghost of Tsushima
Star Wars Squadrons
Hitman
Dragonball FighterZ
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Bravely Default 2
Monster Hunter Rise
Nier Replicant
Ratchet and Clank 2015
Moss
Superhot VR
Google Earth VR
BeatSaber Modded
Metroid Fusion
New Pokemon Snap
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intermission
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ocarina of Time Randomizer
Psychonauts 2
Vader Immortal Episode I
Metroid Dread
Halo Infinite Multiplayer
Inscryption

Games I started this year, but haven’t played enough of to fully render judgement - I’ll consider these as part of 2022 List:
Dark Souls Remastered
Halo Infinite (as a complete package)