Our individual Game of the Year articles allow our lovely team of writers to share their own personal PS5 and PS4 picks for 2021. Today, it's the turn of video editor Aaron Potter.
5. Toem
Toem takes the simple idea of photography and absolutely runs with it, letting you explore several diorama-like worlds as part of a wholesome coming-of-age tale. It’s exactly what I wanted from a low-key indie this year, boasting a relaxing pace that is incredibly refreshing and a cast of colourful characters that made me further believe in this otherworldly place. It’s a game that really understands how life’s journey is so often not about the destination, but rather the friends and experiences you enjoy along the way. All of which represent a specific snapshot in time.
4. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
After the absolute disaster that was Marvel’s Avengers, I don’t think I was the only one who didn’t hold much hope for Eidos Montreal’s Guardians of the Galaxy game. Imagine my surprise, then, to learn that Starlord and gang’s intergalactic journey wasn’t just good, but genuinely great. The combat was simple yet fun, all five Guardians surprisingly well realised, and it was all wrapped up within a strong cinematic adventure that really showcases the benefits of authorship in a single-player campaign. It doesn’t matter that you only control Starlord, because everyone else stays with you every step of the way.
3. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Having grown up alongside PlayStations infamous Lombax and robot duo, I had high hopes that Ratchet & Clank’s first original adventure since 2013’s Into the Nexus wouldn’t disappoint. Fortunately, this PlayStation 5 showcase title turned out to be better than even I expected, introducing plenty more characters that I now can’t wait to see return, and offering up one of the most creative weapon arsenals the series has seen yet. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart proves that there’s a place for 3D action-platformers in the modern gaming landscape. I hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of them on PlayStation 5.
2. Psychonauts 2
It didn’t take me too long to realise that Psychonauts 2 was truly something special. Sure, while the PS4 version doesn’t benefit from the same level of visual upgrades seen on other platforms, it did nothing to dampen the fun I had in this inventive brain-hopping adventure. Raz’s expanded powerset always makes exploring your fellow Psychonaut’s minds a blast, and it’s helped by each contained level always differing wildly in terms of theme and concept. Psychonauts 2 is a game that was made with real love; you can tell. Rarely ever have I played a game as witty or creative as this.
1. Resident Evil Village
My love for Resident Evil: Village can all be boiled down to how Capcom handled the game’s marketing. Rather wisely, it chose to only showcase the first 4 hours or so, leaving the rest of Ethan’s search for his missing daughter a complete surprise. It was so much better for it! Village is filled with some of the scariest sequences I’ve experienced in Resident Evil yet, but it also takes time to reconcile how ridiculous the situation is. As such, Resident Evil is the ideal mix of seriousness and camp I’ve always wanted – hence why it’s my game of the year.
What do you think of Aaron's personal Game of the Year picks? Feel free to agree or berate in the comments section below.
Comments 26
Village is such a gamers game. Thing even had a few flaws and was STILL head and shoulders above the rest. As I’ve stated before launch years aren’t known for great games being released but this one’s certainly knocking on the door 👌
How is Toem? Worth 12 quid?
@lolwhatno the grenade launcher not good enough for ya lol
Some will probably criticize (it's just a natural side effect of making these lists), but this is probably one of the better lists out of the group here. I have yet to play most of it, but I'd find it hard to fault much of it at all.
Resident Evil 7 didn't click with me when I tried it last year to get ready for Village, so obviously Village is one of the ones I haven't played yet. Considering it's praise, I can't fault it being chosen, and I do plan on going back and giving 7 another shot at some point this year so I can also try Village.
I've said it repeatedly already, but Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is currently my own Game of the Year, so any list that it's on is automatically ok with me. Maybe it is more like a #2 or a #3 in some years that had more big marquee releases, but it was still a blast and a game that really brought me back to the old days, and that's obviously a great thing.
Since the legendary RE4 and after 5 I haven't touched an RE since. I felt like TLOU took the crown and has held onto it ever since. This fps RE type after trying the 7 demo hasn't really clicked, but I guess I'll just have to give them a chance one day.
Another great list. My main takeaway from all of these GOTY rundowns is that I should probably play Guardians of the Galaxy.
@TheArt Ehhhh, the puzzles in TLOU just plain suck though. You don’t lug around a ladder or move a raft for the sole purpose of getting past an ankle deep body of water in Resi games. The remake of 2 I’d say is the better game than TLOU, especially as a survival horror.
@Gremio108 thats why I ended up buying it 😊 that and the fact I only paid £20 for it. Easily worth every penny.
@TheArt all I can say is that RE7 in VR is a gamechanger. Survival horror is absolutely terrifying in VR, so much so I had to stop playing it! If you've got the chops for it it's transformative. Like flying and driving games, once you've tried it in VR a part of you will miss not being able to.
@nessisonett Have you forgotten the old games and their idea of locking safes by the rooms feng shui? Put a jug here and move the sofa 3 meters to the left if you want to exit the mansion. Who would ever do this? Lol
@Jayofmaya That’s at least a puzzle of sorts though. Not busywork.
@nessisonett It's all opinions and if we should judge by that of critics at least, you know both TLOU&II have always scored way higher than any Resi games.
@Integrity I'm sure it'd be too terrifying in VR, I'd have to try the normal way first. Btw are you god_of_nowt... just wondering.
@Tsushima
Well worth the money if you are looking for something that is more relaxed and willing to take it's time.
I also recommend Spirtfarer and something that is different and quite special.
So much group think on push square. Like ikea of gaming
@Jayofmaya I'd certainly enjoy that more than moving a ladder to get to the next area dx
@nessisonett Honestly if there's a puzzle that practically no one would enjoy it's Silent Hill 3's hard mode. Literally have to read books about Shakespeare in order to figure out what order to put the books in. Lol
@TheArt no, this isn't a puppet account and I don't know who that is 😊
@lolwhatno I can't prove I'm not him 😄 but I can say that on Eurogamer I was riceNpea 😄
@Integrity 😁 You kinda write like him. And yeah I think I used to see that riceNpea a lot on Eurogamer when I used to visit.
@lolwhatno I'm just happy that you're not going to order a drone strike on my house 😊
@TheArt well I definetly wrote a few thousand of them 😊 I've stopped commenting there after all these years. It's changed. The mods are less friendly, the way they moderate it doesn't encourage building a community and the site overall has deteriorated. The sub model is way too expensive, and the last straw for me was when the Editor wrote his farewell article and put it behind the paywall. Says it all.
I really like how the staff at PS join in and are active. And they allow discourse even if it's contrary. But I've found that that community here is nice, friendly and respectful which is what draws me most.
@Nepp67 I’ve played the Silent Hill games many times but I’ve never got past the opening couple of hours of hard mode in 2 or 3 without looking at a guide 😂
@nessisonett I got through 2 and 3 fine without a guide but 4 christ that 2 part of the game will frustrate you to no end even with a guide.
@Integrity Also feel welcome to join in on the forums. You're very welcome there!
@Kidfried nice one, thanks 😊👍
Good list, I haven't played Toem but enjoyed all the others, RE Village and GotG being my 2 favourites.
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