2021 Year in Games

2021 is done already?

When the year started it felt like it may never end, but looking back it seems time has gone by so quickly. Maybe it’s a sign I needed to slow down and reflect more often, but I was surprised when I looked back to find how many games I completed this year. Nineteen games I completed, nineteen games! That’s more than one a month, more than my wildest childhood dreams. My kid-self would be green as a tree with envy to know that adult Calvin had gotten to the credit crawl of nineteen games, so let’s not tell him about all the games I didn’t complete or he may remain verdant for all time. And what a way to spend my time, I played some great games this year. While I could regale you with every little experience, I’ll do us both a favor and keep this discussion scoped to five games: Three honorable mentions, a game that did not come out in 2021, and a game that did come out in 2021. Don’t expect a numbered list, a “best to worst” or “worst to best” each of these games gave me a unique experience I don’t think I could rank any particular one as better. That said though, I do like themes, and it is fair to say each of these games did something in common to inspiring my exaltation of their virtues. So, without further ado let’s get to the games. First, the honorable mentions

Fantasian - An Industry Veteran’s Return to Form

How can you get me to subscribe to your monthly gaming service? Publish an exclusive game created by an independent studio whose leader is a respected industry veteran in the Japanese Role Playing Game genre. Fantasian, the latest JRPG by the legendary Hironobu Sakaguchi (creator of the Final Fantasy series), was released exclusively to Apple Arcade in 2021 without much fanfare. That’s a shame, because Fantasian was my favorite RPG of 2021, despite me having only finished the first half of the game. That was, in part, due to Fantasian’s odd release structure. The first half of the game was released in early 2021, while the second half released in late 2021. I have only gotten up to the final boss fight in the first half of the game (it’s a tough fight, okay!), but I adore Fantasian. Sure, I’m a little biased, I have nostalgia glasses on when it comes to JRPGs, especially those that are even tangentially related to the pre Enix days of Squaresoft. While Fantasian at times sticks closely to Final Fantasy tropes (turn based combat, heavy emphasis on crystals, random battles, teenagers saving the world, amnesia plots) it does enough to feel unique and fresh. For example, the maligned random battles are turned on their heads slightly when you’re given an in-game item, the Dimengeon. When activated, the Dimengeon allows you to save up your random battle encounters before deciding to take on all those enemies at once. There is a bit of risk/reward to the system, as there is a storage limit for the number of enemies encountered and if you exceed that limit you’re immediately thrown in the battle. I found the Dimengeon especially useful for moving quickly through an area, or grinding by storing many enemies for a big battle with a lot of juicy exp. Another area where Fantasian improves on tradition is in its combat. While still turn based, the targeting system is more fluid. Actions need to be aimed at enemies or allies. Some of these actions may have circular targeting reticules, some may be straight lines which can damage an entire row of enemies, others are spells which can be curved to avoid some while hitting others. It’s a neat system that adds another level of tactics to a battle. I think though my favorite things about Fantasian are the music (composed by Final Fantasy veteran Nobuo Uematsu), and the world design.

The music is classic Uematsu, upbeat and driving licks for battle, laid bad grooves for the towns. Fantasian’s music always seems to have the right mood for the moment and the setting. And talk about settings! The world of Fantasian is unique to any game I have played in that every map is based on high resolution photogrammetry taken of real-life miniatures. Similar to how the early 3D final fantasy games would use hand drawn background art, then insert the 3D models for characters and certain objects afterward, Fantasian takes high-res photos of miniature models, then places the 3D characters, objects, and effects over the world. It creates an incredibly toyetic experience. I’d find myself exploring every inch of the world to see all the beautiful miniature work. I’ll admit, Fantasian is a nostalgia trip that is presented with enough fresh ideas to keep me from being bored. Feel free to take my praise with a grain of salt, but if you, like me, enjoy a classic JRPG, Fantasian is a must play. I can’t wait to go back and complete the latter half of the game now that it has released.

Ring Fit Adventure - A Game I Play Nearly Every Day

There was one, and only one game that I played nearly every day (5 days a week on average) in 2021. What is this game? You might be asking. Competitive multiplayer? Something esports related perhaps that takes regular practice to hone particular skill? Nah, it was nothing like that. The game I played the most in 2021 was developed by Nintendo to get people exercising: Ring Fit Adventure. If you’re not familiar with Ring Fit Adventure it’s the follow up to the successful Wii Fit of days gone by. Rather than having a balance board and being played on the Wii, Ring Fit Adventure supplies you with a pilates ring and a leg strap and is played on the Nintendo Switch. Having never used a pilates ring I didn’t really know what to expect, but Nintendo made it simple. As soon as the game starts it asks you to slot one of your joycon into a clip on the ring, and another into the leg strap. The sensors in the joycon track your movements, which not only allows your onscreen avatar to move as you move, but also allows the game to give you guidance on getting the most out of your workout. It’s not just exercise though, it’s also a role-playing game where you battle opponents, get gold, experience, level up, and gain new skills. Changing your clothing alters your stats slightly, and you can even craft smoothies which provide temporary improvements or replenish health. Play is broken up between mini-game challenges which use the ring in many innovative ways (from sculpting a digital clay pot on a wheel, to blowing away wooden crates), on rails running level broken up by enemy encounters, and boss fights. What surprised me most was how well the role-playing elements reinforce the concept of exercise.

While you’re leveling up your character, you’re leveling up your health! The RPG elements also cleverly disguise the true surprise: Ring Fit adventure is a real workout. Unlike Wii fit which mostly felt like a Yoga 101 machine, Ring Fit has you jog in place, pump your arms, twist and crunch your abs, and squat those thigh. More than anything Ring Fit adventure is obsessed with squats, so prepare for your legs to be sore after a good session. Now, I must be honest, I bought Ring Fit Adventure back when it released in 2019 but I didn’t complete the campaign until 2012. Perhaps the pandemic cabin fever got to me, or maybe I’m just getting older and more concerned with my health, but I’m a bit proud of myself knowing the game I played most frequently this past year not only entertained me but also make me a little healthier. Brings back memories of playing Dance Dance Revolution in the basement (so I wouldn’t creating a thumping racket, of course), pushing myself to the max and not caring because I was loving every minute. But, I digress. Get Ring Fit adventure, it’s a blast, even if you don’t normally enjoy video games, or exercise!

Demon’s Souls and Death Stranding - A Tie

Demon’s Souls and Death Stranding have nothing more in common than the fact I couldn’t choose between the two for my third honorable mention so I’m cheating and writing about both in one section, haha! First, Death Stranding, what an experience. I can safely say I’ve never played anything like Death Stranding. I was absorbed by beautiful desolation of the world, the haunting emotive soundtrack, and a story that surprised with how much it impacted. Planning the logistics of deliveries, finding a balance between how much I could take and how fast I could move it, became something I looked forward to. I listened to more audiobooks while playing delivery man and exposed myself to more new literature, than I have since high school (Kobo Abe’s Woman in the Dunes, and the Strugatsky’s Roadside Picnic gave me depression, but Yvgeny Zamyantans We brought me back around). Death Stranding is the kind of game I’m glad I played, but will probably never play again. I enjoyed it immensely, but it’s unusual game play loops and at times dreary pacing make it a game that requires a specific mood.

Demon’s Souls on the other hand is something I intend play again, and could pick up any time no matter my mood. I must admit I have a taste for From Software games, and since I hadn’t played the original Demon’s Souls releases back in 2009 I wanted to see where the Souls games started. I was hopeful for a more-or-less authentic experience as Bluepoint had promised to stick as close to form as possible, for good and for bad. I was not disappointed, and despite some odd design choices laid bare by time and improvements in subsequent Souls games, I still had a blast. Blue Points Demon’s souls is visceral, with a level of precision and polish that make for an addictive experience. Even after getting my face stamped into the dirt by a miner, or pierced through the heart by a crystal projectile shot from a sky faring manta ray, I wanted to keep going. From Software has an addictive formula going, and Blueprint elevates the visuals and audio to new heights.

Spiritfarer - Top Game Not Released in 2021 that I Completed in 2021

I’ve already written an entire blog post on Spiritfarer so I’ll keep this section brief. I love Spiritfarer. Spiritfarer makes me feel safe and comfortable, while also having the courage to face any challenges that come my way. It’s a zen-like experience island hopping while doing your best to take care of those spirits who join you during their last days. It’s not just beautifully presented with gorgeous hand-drawn art, a lovely soundtrack, and interesting well written characters, but the game mechanics re-enforce the emotional impact of the experience. I’m generally not a fan of life simulators, or games that revolve around a gathering and crafting mechanics, but Spiritfarer presented itself in such a way that it left me enraptured. With the final update having recently released I can’t wait to go back and meet a few new spirits.

Psychonauts 2 - Top Game Released in 2021 that I Completed in 2021

I wasn’t even aware Psychonauts 2 was in development until I saw a reveal trailer during Microsoft’s E3 press conference in 2019, but once I saw it I couldn’t contain my excitement. I was late in discovering Psychonauts, having not had any of the consoles it released to when I was a child, and then it’s poor commercial performance relegating it to relative obscurity as a cult hit. I tried Psychonauts on the recommendation of a friend. Mind you the time between when I received the recommendation and when I played the game was rather large, but the point is I did eventually play the game. I was sick with the flu when I played Psychonauts, so I blasted through it in about 2 – 3 days. It was some of the best 2 – 3 days of gaming in my life, despite a throbbing head, feverish body, and runny nose. Psychonauts, while rough around the edges, was brimming with personality and charm, and had the story, writing, and level design chops to back it all up. Hopping from mind to mind I never really knew what to expect next. Few games have kept me so engaged, so entertained, and wondering what would come next. Psychonauts 2 is one of those few games.

Playing Psychonauts 2 feels like hanging out with an old friend. It simultaneously feels like almost no time has passed, and several console generations have gone by. Achieving what few sequels do Psychonauts 2 takes everything that’s good about the first and leans into them, tosses out the things that didn’t work, and spends time improving what just needed a little love. Combat, for example, is smooth as butter compared to the functional but clunky experience in the first game. Arrowheads, my arch nemesis, are gone and the new currency Psitanium is much simpler to find and in much greater abundance; no more frustrating session with the dowsing rod for me. The story wasn’t bad too, maybe not as surprisingly endearing and funny as the first, but a sequel story can hardly be a surprise. And what is Psychonauts 2 greatest strength? Level design. Much like the first game, Psychonauts dares to go where no games has gone before. While other games tend to stick to safe generic sci-fi, fantasy, or “realistic” settings, Psychonauts has such settings as: a world of teeth and mouths, a psychedelic cross-country band trek, a hospital that doubles as casino. I can’t think of any other games with this level of imagination and polish. Congrats Psychonauts 2, you’re the best game I played in 2021 that came out in 2021.

Wrapping up 2021

In my opening I mentioned that every game I’d be discussing had a unifying theme which inspired me to write about them. I must warn you, there is some grade A cheese coming your way because the thing that all these games have in common is…they brought me joy. That is what games are all about, the joy of play. Please don’t misunderstand joy as happiness, not every game I love makes me happy, but they do enrapture me (I’m looking at you Death Stranding). Every game I love has captured my mind in such a way I often think about them years later, or revisit them to get those incredible experiences again. To me, that experience of engagement, of being lost in another world, no matter if that world is about fighting fantastical manifestations of mental processes, or doing wide squats to stop an anthropomorphic dragon from spreading his toxic workout culture, is what brings me joy in games. I hope you found some joy in gaming this past year too, and that 2022 brings new excitement and adventures. Stay safe, and don’t forget to play.

l’appendice

As a little bonus, here’s a list of the games I played and completed in 2021 in no particular order:
• Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword HD
• Death Stranding Directors Cut
• Halo: CE
• Spider Man Miles Morales
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• Final Fantasy X HD Switch
• Final Fantasy X-2 HD Switch
• Final Fantasy XIV Shadowbringers Main Scenario
• Metroid Dread
• Super Mario 64 (Super Mario 3D All-Stars)
• A Hat in Time
• Spiritfarer
• Demon’s Souls (Bluepoint)
• Nier (2010)
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Psychonauts 2
• Super Mario 3D World
• Ring Fit Adventure