My Game of the Year Awards 2021

Welcome to my Game of the Year Awards!

This is a list of my ten awards and what won each award. From the game with the best visual design to my most anticipated 2022 game. This isn't my top ten games of 2021 article, sorry for any confusion.

Best Visual Design.

This award is given to the game with the best visual design of any game this year. While there are more realistic games that were released this year, this is the game with the best visual design.

The Artful Escape.

The Artful Escape is just such a beautiful game. The art style is excellent, and it fits the game's story well. The visuals have a life-like papery look to them. Every second of this game looks like it could be a framed piece of art in a museum. The Artful Escape launched on September 9th, 2021, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Best Music.

This award is given to the game with the best music of any game this year. While music is very subjective, In my opinion, this game has the best music of any game this year.

Sable.

While I haven’t played Sable yet, I frequently listen to the soundtrack. The music was created by the Indie rock band Japanese Breakfast. The music is a collection of primarily wordless ambient pop songs. Japanese Breakfast even said in an interview that the ending theme might be the best song she's ever written in her career. Sable launched on September 23rd, 2021, for PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Best Remaster.

This award is given to the best-remastered game of any game this year.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition.

I had never played anything Mass Effect before this remaster. In hindsight a big mistake on my part and, while I still only have finished the first Mass Effect, I'm looking forward to going back and finishing the 2nd and 3rd games in this great series. With all DLC included, better graphics, a consistent character creator, improvements throughout all three games, and so much more, it's clear that BioWare put a lot of effort into this remaster. Mass Effect Legendary Edition launched on May 14th, 2021, for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Best Podcast Game.

This award is given to the game that can be most enjoyed when listening to podcasts without taking away from the experience.

Forza Horizon 5.

Forza Horizon 5 is the best racing game in recent years, and I would even argue it's one of the best racing games of all time. Listening to podcasts either while you race against other cars or while you explore the open-world elevates the experience. While you miss the game's story if you play this way, it's not a significant loss because the story is the weakest part of the game. Forza Horizon 5 launched on November 4th, 2021, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Best DLC.

This award is given to the best Downloadable content of the year.

Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade - Episode Intermission.

Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade - Episode Intermission is a short two-chapter addition to Final Fantasy VII Remake's story staring Yuffie Kisaragi. Final Fantasy VII Remake would have been my GOTY last year had I been in the Video Game Industry at that time. I loved the first game and, this DLC adds more great content to enjoy. Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade (and Episode Intermission) launched on June 10th, 2021, for PS5. It also recently got ported to PC on December 16th, 2021.

Most Emotional Story.

This award is given to the game with the most emotional story.

Halo Infinite.

While most of the moments that got me on the verge of tears in this game are spoilers, I will not be spoiling this game other than saying the ending was one of these moments. If you had asked me before I started Halo Infinite if I thought anything in the game would get me emotional, I would have said a very confident no but, this game surprised me in incredible ways. Halo Infinite's Campaign launched on December 8th, 2021, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Best Mobile Game.

This award is given to the best game on IOS and/or Android.

Final Fantasy VII First Soldier.

Final Fantasy VII First Soldier is a mobile battle royal game set thirty years before the events of FF7. I'm not the biggest fan of battle royals, but I really enjoyed this game. I think the only thing that sets it apart from other battle royals (other than not being on Console and PC) is the familiarity you have if you have played FF7 (or FF7R). If you haven't played an FF7 game, you might not have as much fun with this game, but it's a great battle royal regardless. Final Fantasy VII First Soldier launched on November 17th, 2021, for IOS and Android.

Most Promising New IP.

This award is given to an IP with the best chance of getting sequels, prequels, and content outside of Video Games.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is another game I haven't played yet, but I think it's a worthy game for this award despite that. The Rot are so cute, and the fact that you can buy a stuffed animal of them tells me that I'm not alone in this thought. Not only could this game get sequels and prequels, but I think that it could get movie and TV show adaptations. The possibilities are endless for where Kena could go next. Kena: Bridge of Spirits launched on September 21st, 2021, for PS4, PS5, and PC.

Best Long RPG.

This award is given to the best RPG of the year that takes twenty-five hours or longer to finish.

Tales of Arise.

Tales of Arise is an excellent RPG, and it's also a really long game. The combat of Tales of Arise is the second-best part of the game, with the best being the story. It takes forty hours to beat this game, and with forty optional side quests, this game is definitely long and definitely good. Tales of Arise launched on September 9th, 2021, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Most Anticipated 2022 game.

This award is given to the game that’s coming in 2022 that I’m most excited about. Shout out to Jack D for coming up with this category.

Horizon Forbidden West.

I really liked Horizon Zero Dawn and I can't wait for this sequel. It looks more like an expansion to the first game than a new experience but the game isn't out yet so things could change before the full release. It's only almost two months away from the release but I can't wait. Horizon Forbidden West comes to PS4 and PS5 on February 18th, 2021.

That's a wrap on my 2021 Game of the Year Awards. My top ten games of 2021 list will be coming soon. Did you agree with my picks? What games are getting your awards? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading.

I hope you enjoyed and Game On!!