2021 is drawing to a close and the last major video game releases have all hit store shelves, with only a few smaller titles left before the end of the year. Screen Rant reviewed all of the biggest games as they became available, and nine of them achieved a perfect 5/5 score from the writers on the site. These games, including Metroid Dread and FFXIV: Endwalker, were held in the highest esteem by their reviewers and they have one more chance to shine before 2022 finally arrives.
The gaming landscape underwent a number of changes in 2021, with the industry still reeling from the pandemic, and many games were delayed throughout the year. The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have now been on the market for a year, but it's still incredibly difficult to purchase one, due to the continuing stock shortages, and the ever-present threat of scalpers. The console war between Microsoft and Sony has heated up, with both companies grabbing up studios and franchises and adding them to their line-up, with the hope of producing the next big system seller. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch continues to dominate in sales, especially in Japan, thanks to exclusives.
2021 had some amazing games, many of which came close to appearing on this list. These include games like Chorus, Shin Megami Tensei V, Forza Horizon 5, Deltarune Chapter 2, Life is Strange: True Colors, Tales of Arise, and Psychonauts 2. 2021 was a great year for games, but a select few stood out from the pack. These are the games that achieved the highest possible review score on Screen Rant in 2021.
Monster Hunter Rise
Monster Hunter Rise is the latest entry in Capcom's popular action RPG franchise, where teams of players work together to tackle gigantic beasts and craft gear from their hide. The story involves protecting the remote Kamura Village from harm, as hordes of rampaging monsters threaten to crush its inhabitants. Monster Hunter Rise added new mechanics to the series, including Wirebugs, which are insects that let the hunters leap around like Spider-Man, as well as empowering their weapons with razor-sharp silk threads. The game launched on Nintendo Switch in March, with a PC version planned for January 2022. According to Screen Rant's full review of Monster Hunter Rise:
"This is the game that the Monster Hunter franchise should have been all along. The annoying parts of the experience that were retained due to tradition have finally been stripped away, leaving a polished, enjoyable experience for newcomers that will make long-time fans equally happy. Monster Hunter Rise is Monster Hunter at its finest."
Backbone
Backbone is a film noir point-and-click adventure game starring anthropomorphic animals. The story follows a detective named Howard Lotor, whose initial case involving a cheating husband spirals into something much darker. The game has stunning pixel art and 3D blended visuals, a brooding jazz soundtrack that matches the tone of the game, and a story that explores deep and meaningful themes. The main character is also a raccoon, which has to count for something. According to Screen Rant's full review of Backbone:
"Howard's journey ends far, far away from where it began and each step continuously develops the emotional investment for everyone in this world. While there are minor mechanical issues such as the "interact" input not always being immediately responsive, each element of Backbone is polished and expertly crafted. Backbone is a must-play GOTY contender that deserves every bit of mainstream recognition it receives, and exceeds the usual reach of its genre, making for a compelling experience that even those with little interest in point-and-click adventures will find difficult to put down."
Streets Of Rage 4: Mr. X Nightmare DLC
The first of two expansions to make this list, Streets of Rage 4: Mr. X Nightmare follows on from the original game, which also received a 5/5 review in 2020. The Mr. X Nightmare DLC adds three new playable characters to the game, a roguelike Survival mode, character customization options, and new moves for all of the fighters. Streets of Rage 4 was a worthy revival of the classic series that once graced Sega consoles, and Mr. X Nightmare is the definitive version of that same game. According to Screen Rant's full review of Mr. X Nightmare:
"When combined with the quality-of-life post-launch updates the game has seen, this is Streets of Rage 4's best and most confident version of itself. Ages ago, when Castle Crashers hit Xbox Live, fans were happy to just pay out for a few new character and weapon skins, but the Mr. X Nightmare DLC appears to have been treated with the same level of care as the original game. Anyone who’s been looking for a better reason to go back to Streets of Rage 4 than just crawling up the leaderboards should jump on this DLC release, and the Survival mode’s 2-player online capability provides a great excuse to bring a friend along for the ride.
Eastward
It's becoming apparent that the EarthBound/Mother series is the Velvet Underground of the video game world, in how they weren't sales juggernauts, but they inspired a number of amazing artists. Eastward wears its inspiration on its sleeve, as it's cut from the same EarthBound cloth that also produced games like Undertale and the Lisa trilogy.
Eastward is an action RPG that follows John and Sam, two residents of an underground city who wish to escape from their boring lives. Mankind was almost wiped out by a poisonous miasma, forcing the survivors to live underground. John and Sam leave their home and head East, in search of a better life. According to Screen Rant's full review of Eastward:
"While it's not without its shortcomings - in particular, a bit less variety in combat and puzzles than the genre often typifies - where it shines, it does so brightly. For RPG fans, Eastward is the real deal, and it’s an unmissable and impressive feat of indie design that deserves plenty of recognition amongst a sea of bigger releases in 2021."
Lost Judgment
Lost Judgment is a spin-off of the Yakuza series. Instead of playing a gangster, the player is put in the role of Takayuki Yagami, a detective who operates in Kamurocho. After solving the mystery of a serial killer during the events of Judgment, Yagami is dragged back into action. This time, he is solving a case involving a high school, and many of the side missions involve befriending and helping the students. Lost Judgment drastically improves the gameplay by toning down the unpopular elements from Judgment, with tailing and stealth missions being curbed. The combat system has also been improved, with the new Snake Style adding a counter-style to Yagami's repertoire. The writing is as sharp as ever and the side activities give the player a lot of light-hearted content to explore outside of the main case. According to Screen Rant's full review of Lost Judgment:
"Lost Judgment is nothing short of stunning. It's tightly-packed narrative never fails to enthrall, while its gameplay systems make navigating to each of its engrossing narrative beats an exciting experience in its own right. While Judgment felt a bit more like a proof of concept for how a Yakuza spin-off could be done, its sequel is evidence there needs to be more. Lost Judgment is a defining release from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, one of 2021's best games, and the rare sequel that preserves its series' identity while improving on nearly every element of its predecessor."
Death Stranding Director's Cut
Death Stranding Director's Cut is an upgraded version of the original game on PS5, which uses the power of the new hardware to remove load times and offer different graphical options, including a performance mode with ray-tracing, as well as making the most of the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers of the DualSense controller. Death Stranding Director's Cut added new items and gameplay elements that improved the combat system and made performing deliveries less frustrating, turning into the definitive edition of the game, especially for those who were unfamiliar with the original. According to Screen Rant's full review of Death Stranding: Director's Cut:
"New Director's Cut content - including the Maser Gun, Firing Range, Racing Track, Cargo Catapult, and more - offer new experiences and tools for those who have played Death Stranding before, but are spread across the course of the game to accompany the steady inundation of items and activities the game already had. For new players, this means the Director's Cut is the definitive version of Kojima Productions' masterpiece. It delivers an incredibly pertinent story, with more content than ever before, to be experienced through ingenious integration of the PlayStation 5's DualSense."
Metroid Dread
Samus Aran finally had a new adventure in 2021, as the long-awaited Metroid Dread hit the Nintendo Switch. Metroid Prime 4 might be stuck in development hell, but the wait has been made easier by the top-notch Metroid Dread, which pits Samus against the terrifying E.M.M.I robots that pursue her through stages. Luckily, Samus has some new power-ups to help her survive these mechanical menaces, including an invisibility suit that shields her from enemy sight.
The visuals in Metroid Dread are gorgeous, the controls are tight, the stages are full of secrets to find, and the returning counter system from Samus Returns rewards swift reaction times. According to Screen Rant's full review of Metroid Dread:
"Metroid Dread is an instant classic. Its seamless blend of exploration, combat, puzzle-solving, and light touches of story creates one of the most engaging experiences on Nintendo Switch. Samus Aran's journey has been through its ups and downs, but the mesospheric high of Metroid Dread is evidence there is so, so much more left for the bounty hunter to accomplish, and another adventure can't come soon enough."
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The early response to Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl was negative, with many fans criticizing the visual design of the game. There's no denying that the gameplay and story of the Gen IV Pokémon games are still top-notch, which might be why the remakes stuck so close to the original formula. There are QoL improvements that have reduced the sometimes brutal difficulty of the trainers in the Sinnoh region, as well as new content, in the form of the Grand Underground, and some punishing post-game battles. According to Screen Rant's full review of Pokémon BDSP:
"For anyone new or returning to the Pokémon series, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl is a perfect starting point that bridges the gap between classic and modern Pokémon games. The quality-of-life additions make the game more accessible without making it feel bloated, the art style is simplistic and cute, and the gameplay mechanics will keep players moving through the adventure with ease. For veterans of the series, these versions are an easy recommendation and an excellent recreation of a fan favorite. With only a few exclusive Pokémon between Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, either one is an excellent choice for any player."
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker just made it in under the wire, as it was delayed out of its original November release window, but squeaked in at the start of December. Endwalker is the latest expansion for FFXIV, which ends the storyline that started all of the way back in A Realm Reborn. The new expansion adds the Reaper and Sage classes to the game, which can be accessed before reaching the Endwalker story content. Speaking of story, Endwalker is packed full of cutscenes and character moments, helping to bring a satisfying finale to the Zodiark saga, and setting up the next storyline in Eorzea. According to Screen Rant's full review of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker:
"There's plenty of laughter and tears along the way, and Endwalker manages to send off the Zodiark and Hydaelyn saga on an incredibly high note. Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker is a real crowdpleaser, and it should also leave everyone hopeful for what the future has in store for the MMORPG, even if this expansion is going to be incredibly difficult to top."
2021 had a little something for everyone when it came to video game releases, from long-awaited titles like Metroid Dread to series standouts like Monster Hunter Rise and FFXIV: Endwalker. With many highly anticipated games set for 2022, including Horizon Forbidden West and Breath of the Wild 2, it will be interesting to see what the new year brings - and which new games will be rated 5/5.