The Dual Sense Podcast: Top Games of the Year - 2021
Hello everyone! Jason and Travis here from The Dual Sense Podcast. We’re a weekly podcast that brings you all of the PlayStation news, rumors, new game releases, and much more in less than 90 minutes every Monday. You can find us wherever you listen to podcasts, as well as YouTube, and on all the usual social media as well! Our Anchor page is a good place to start: https://anchor.fm/thedualsensepodcast
First off, thank you to the Offshore Gamescast crew for inviting us to share our favorite games of 2021! We’re excited to be here! So, instead of a “Top 10” list or ranking, we opted to just share the games we enjoyed most this year, along with an honorable mention or two from each of us. Somehow, this year was dominated by multiplayer games for us both despite our general dislike of fellow humans! We both enjoyed all of the games on each other’s list (except the honorable mentions) but decided to divide and conquer. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Jason
Arcadegeddon
One of the biggest surprises of the year for me is developer Illfonic’s cooperative third-person score-chasing looter shooter, Arcadegeddon. Originally announced and launched during PlayStation’s July State of Play event, Arcadegeddon checks a lot of boxes for me personally: extremely satisfying gunplay, an addictive gameplay loop, great DualSense support, the ability to co-op with friends, and one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard in a game. As you might have guessed, Arcadegeddon is heavily inspired by old school arcades and sees players completing various challenges for different factions amidst a backdrop of trying to defend Gilly’s Arcade from an evil mega-corporation called Fun Fun Co. Probably the best feature of the game is its large amount of weapon variety, with each tool o’ death feeling unique to use on the DualSense controller. It’s a blast to watch and feel enemies explode into a pool of paint (blood?) in a very Splatoon-like fashion. Wow, that got a little borderline morbid! Arcadegeddon is available now in early access on PS5 for $19.99, and I highly recommend it! Or I think you can play it on PC through the Epic Games Store too if you’re a part of the master race.
Chivalry 2
Oh boy, where to begin with this one! Simply put, I think Chivalry 2 is a multiplayer game that everyone should experience at least once, even if you hate playing competitive multiplayer games. Chivalry 2 is an online medieval warfare competitive multiplayer title that features a variety of authentic weaponry (and some not so much) for players to murder and maim their opponents with (morbid again, I promise I’m OK) and another game that wonderfully utilizes the DualSense’s features. The combat is easy to pick-up and play for casuals, but also difficult to master for those looking for more of a challenge. I would also be remiss not to mention that it is impossible not to laugh playing this game. Between the comical amount of gore, the ridiculous dialogue and war cries, or the fact that you can kill people with loaves of bread or freshly lopped heads (hilarious, right?!). But don’t just take my word for it–the PS5 version sits at an 85 on metacritic, with PlayStation Universe giving it a perfect 10/10 and IGN scoring it a 9/10!
Returnal
Returnal was my most anticipated game of 2021 and one I was heralding as a Game of the Year contender even prior to release (I boldly predicted it would be a 90 or above on Metacritic). It certainly did not disappoint me, but for a gamer like me who has lost a step, it can be tough as hell at times. Expanding upon developer Housemarque’s lineage of bullet-hell style shooters, Returnal turns the dial up to ten in an attempt to overload the senses. With beautiful graphics and effects, an eerily captivating story, and that signature Housemarque gameplay that is simply sublime–there is a lot to love here. Buyer beware though: it does pack a challenge (unless you’re a part of the “git gud” crowd) as the roguelike genre tends to do. However, Housemarque has recently implemented a “suspend cycle” feature that allows players to save-and-quit mid-run, which does help a bit, especially for those who can’t find the time for long play sessions. I can’t wait to see what Housemarque does next now that they’re a part of PlayStation Studios!
Honorable Mention: Death's Door
Simple but satisfying combat, a cool art style, and the music is absolutely astounding.
Travis
Hitman 3
We all rejoiced with the release of IO Interactive’s Hitman 3–the third installment in the World of Assassinations trilogy–or at least I did. Picking up where Hitman 2 left off, you continue to seek revenge on Providence for making Agent 47 (you) into a psychopathic contract/fury killer. The game itself features one of the best Hitman boards/storylines EVER with the solvable murder case at Dartmoor. Seriously, this map is worth the game by itself. IO Interactive does a masterful job of creating an open sandbox that lets you decide the best way to handle your…business. Should you follow the built-in story lines? Wear a clown suit (shoutout to Atrioc)? Use the suitcase fart or explosive rubber duck? The world of capital, contract murder is yours! I haven’t even mentioned the Elusive Contracts or the Speed Runs which keep the Hitman community going. Those can be homework for you! With the game selling “300 percent better” than Hitman 2 and the recent announcement of new maps, game modes, and the Elusive Target Arcade coming in a future update–keep an eye out for a Hitman 3 resurgence this Spring. I give it 5 SSDs out of 5. Good hunting 47!
Splitgate
Have you ever thought you needed a cross between Halo and Portal? Me neither, hence my initial diatribe on the podcast that 1047 Games’ Splitgate was a flash in the pan. Man am I eating A LOT of crow on that. This game was easily my surprise of the year. Not only is Splitgate a clever take on Multiplayer/FPS Online games, but it is damn addicting! Wormholing across the map to escape danger or sneak behind enemy lines allows for quick action and round changing moments other FPS’s cannot offer. The style, gunplay, and gameplay itself are familiar yet fresh. Side note, learning to use the portals is not necessary but it WILL take your skillset to the next level. Remember, those portals are not just for traveling–you can use them as a window to shoot through. However, the best part of this game may be the development studio. 1047 Games is on point communicating game/server updates, future plans, new game modes, and anything else you can think of. They are about as transparent as we see these days from developers. With the recent announcement of raising $100 Million–this free-to-play FPS has some real legs moving forward. 7/10 is a joke by IGN. I give this “bland” (IGN’s words, not mine) indie 4.9 SSDs out of 5.
Hell Let Loose
I first heard about Black Matter’s Hell Let Loose on Kickstarter around 2018 or 2019. This multiplayer FPS is a tactical, and I mean tactical, military shooter. You play at the platoon level, working across expansive maps featuring the Eastern and Western Fronts of WWII in Conquest/Capture the Flag style battles. The maps are based on a combination of satellite imagery, ground level recreations, and battlefield photos. The town of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont is a 1:1 scale recreation…which is simultaneously absurd and fascinating. The gameplay is centered on communication and operating as a unit. Each player in the platoon fields a limited role; medic, gunner, sniper/spotter, commander, etc. There are no hitmarkers or damage bars; this game is about immersion and teamwork. To be honest, when it all works it is one of the best multiplayer experiences I have had since BF1. Eat your heart out Enlisted! I give this WWII shooter 5 SSDs out of 5.
Honorable Mention: Dying Light 2
…wait that got delayed
Honorable Mention: Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
Great content for an all-star game. Pick it up on sale!