Despite some notable delays in the releases, Xbox and PlayStation 2021 have provided their players with a whole range of excellent titles. The Microsoft console was able to shine with some top-class products that users have longed for. If you need a cool game for yourself over the holidays or just need something to talk about for the annual family get-together, you’ve come to the right place: COMPUTER BILD has put together ten of the best Xbox games in 2021.
Halo Infinite
“Halo Infinite” dominated the headlines in the later part of 2021. The free multiplayer component was only launched in November, before a full-fledged campaign was released a month later in December. Interestingly enough, the multiplayer mode alone was enough to reconcile veterans of the series after a few lackluster releases over the past decade.
Collectibles in Halo Infinite
The fast-paced 4v4 matches and the charming golden triad (shooting, grenades and close combat) have reminded many players of the beloved Bungie trilogy. The single-player campaign for “Infinite” also received critical acclaim thanks to the Zeta Halo open-world setting. While filled with fun, combat-based activities, it isn’t nearly as bloated as a typical “Far Cry” game.
Forza Horizon 5
“Forza Horizon 5” improves the formula of the open-world arcade racer, which had already reached its supposed climax with the previous game in the series. While this was based in the UK, the latest Mexican entry offers a whole new country with colorful and varied locales to explore and fast-paced racing action.
Do games still belong to us?
What makes the game so good is the fact that, despite its arcade aspects, it is still as deep as possible. With a huge number of cars and game scenarios, Forza Horizon 5 is a fantastic driving simulation that you never get tired of – without mentioning the impressive support after its release. Forza Horizon 5 is likely to be remembered as the first game to show the full potential of Day One releases in Game Pass.
It takes two
It may not have the mature feel and unpredictable ending of “A Way Out,” but “It Takes Two” has so much heart and fun mini-games to play with a close friend or partner even after you complete the main storyline to have.
According to The Game Awards 2021, “It Takes Two” is the game of the year and clearly shows what Josef Fares and his team at Hazelight are capable of. In this impressive showcase of creativity, the colorful art style, unusual premise, and absurd game scenarios help create a rare example of a successful romantic comedy in a game. In it, you have to convince a couple about to divorce to stay together and defend themselves against nonsensical monologues from a speaking book.
Resident Evil Village
What a great time for the Resident Evil franchise! She has just received a CGI Netflix series and a movie, and will soon be “Stranger Things” treatment with a series that explores the origins of her deep mythology. Resident Evil Village is playing a key role in building this dynamic, moving beyond the confined environments of Resident Evil 7 and exploring a more open, broader world inspired by Resident Evil 4.
While maintaining the first-person perspective of the numbered chapters, Capcom was able to offer a number of charming supporting characters in “Resident Evil Village” – including Lady Dimitrescu, who has ruled the Internet since the game was announced. “Village” also efficiently combines the story of Ethan Winter with the events from the original games.
Stylistically, “Psychonauts 2” is very reminiscent of a Pixar film.
Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts 2 is Double Fine Productions’ highly anticipated return to the cult series and one of the most familiar games you can play in 2021 – and that’s a good thing. Tim Schafer’s latest title is one of the few 3D platformer to be released on non-Nintendo platforms recently, and it overtakes its predecessor in many ways – with broader, more varied, and more charming levels, fun characters, and fun skills.
Psychonauts 2 is for sure one of the best titles to come with on Xbox Game Pass. Xbox owners also have access to an exclusive next-gen upgrade with a 120 Hertz graphics mode and higher resolution.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
“Mass Effect: Legendary Edition” brings back three of the best action RPGs to date and puts them straight to the point, which is quite an accomplishment in and of itself, considering everything that happened between 2020 and 2021.
While fans eagerly await the new chapter of the beloved space opera that the remains of the original team at BioWare officially announced a few months ago, anyone who has never played through the Commander Shepard saga can now start the space odyssey with higher ones Play resolutions and frame rates. In addition, this new edition offers numerous contemporary quality-of-life improvements for the older games.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
This is more than a regular game or service – it is the key to a whole world. Or rather: our world, which you can explore with any airplane at any place. Microsoft Flight Simulator was one of the most critically acclaimed games of 2020, but now it’s ready for an encore on Xbox Series X / S and soon on Xbox One via cloud gaming.
There’s no doubt that it’s better with the right PC gear and a good ultrawide monitor, but Microsoft has managed to produce a high quality port for the consoles with as few technical compromises as possible. For a game like “Flight Sim” that alone is a laudable achievement.
Tales of Arise
The gameplay outside of combat could admittedly use a little more fine-tuning and depth, but “Tales of Arise” is proof that a venerable series can still be relevant after all these years. Bandai Namco’s newest game moves towards action RPG, leaving the rigid, turn-based structure of past titles behind for a more fluid approach. The title features a good cast of heroes and villains.
In addition, “Arise” cleverly avoids typical JRPG clichés by openly addressing social and cultural issues. If you’re looking for a way to get to know the “Tales” range better, this is a very good place to start.
Visually and in terms of sound and dialogues, “Hades” is convincing across the board.
Hades
“Hades” is a roguelike title full of action-packed scenarios and fast, multi-faceted battles that change radically depending on the weapons and perks chosen. Tech-wise, it was released last year when it was the biggest GOTY contender for “The Last of Us Part II,” but the much-anticipated Xbox One and Xbox Series X / S implementation only recently hit the market.
In addition to focusing on the core of the game, Supergiant Games has focused on the story and characters, offering an original take on Greek mythology and a bold art style that you will fall in love with. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or have never heard of it, give this game a try – it’s even available for free in Game Pass.
The Ascent
The Ascent is the cyberpunk shooter RPG that you should be playing in 2021. The battles are intense, whether you play with a controller or with a mouse and keyboard, as the streets you traverse are bathed in various shades of neon and illuminate huge anonymous crowds. The backstory of the title is so extensive that it almost overshadows the main story.
As a result of its inclusion in Game Pass, the game offers the chance from its release onwards to show the benefits of isometric role-playing games to a wider audience. If you’ve played Fallout and Wasteland you’ll immediately feel at home here.
