64bitgamer » Elvie’s Prime 5 Missed Video games of 2021

Not solely have I nonetheless not lower by way of my video video games backlog to the extent I wished to the previous yr, much more titles have been added on to what I’ll have to simply accept can be a endless to-do record that I’ll probably take to my grave.

2021 had a lot of fairly good hits that I’m grateful to have relished my time in and even completed! However nonetheless many extra video games—even of peculiar high quality, that didn’t essentially make it to my private high 5—had been unexpectedly introduced out into the world that yr which I hope to dive proper into in some unspecified time in the future.

A few of them are nonetheless amassing mud in unopened packaging as we converse.

5. Dungeon Encounters

Dungeon Encounters is a wierd one; when it was briefly revealed on itch.io, one would haven’t guessed it was a Sq. Enix work, particularly coming from the route of Hiroyuki Ito who has not finished any massive growth of since Closing Fantasy IX and XII. Dungeon Encounters is a sparse tackle dungeon crawling, utilizing very restricted visuals and leaving a lot to your personal creativeness. You navigate a personality alongside a simply-designed, grid-based grid and far of what unfolds within the game is described and flavored by way of textual content description.

It’s attention-grabbing to see a significant writer in any other case identified for large price range RPGs take their signature idea in a totally stripped down route, akin to many minimalist MMOs and related back-to-basics grinding programs, like Progress Quest, one of many first idle clicker video games. It undoubtedly would have fallen below my radar had I not heard about it through word-of-mouth from a good friend. Recently I’ve been researching and diving into distinctive approaches to game design, and Dungeon Encounters is definitely one thing that matches the invoice in one thing I’d like to not solely attempt, but additionally examine.

4. Minute of Islands

I do know it’s reductive to say that Minute of Islands offers off Journey Time-vibes at a look, however there’s a motive why the aesthetic of the latter continues to enthrall and encourage all these years later for the reason that sequence’ conclusion.

As a side-scrolling story game, the sight of the game’s slick, bizarre designs and crowd pleasing animation alone has gotten me curious as to what extra might be supplied with it. I ponder if it should evoke related issues I felt positively about inside my expertise enjoying Gris, and there’s just one solution to discover out.

3. Eastward

Eastward is a very (actually!) fairly game, with an extremely compelling story behind its lengthy, ragtag growth interval. We’re persevering with to see this recurring pattern of Earthbound-likes and arguably even Zelda-inspired titles popping out as of current and though Eastward appears to be doing the identical with its personal pastiches and issues (Eastward pays specific homage to Dragon Quest if something), on the very least, I don’t assume we’ll ever see one thing to the impact of what YIIK: A Postmodern RPG tried to do ever once more. And in addition having already taken a chip at it, the gameplay is de facto lengthy. Actually, actually lengthy. And effectively, that’s largely its downside. I’m curious as to what extra tasks could also be in retailer for Pixpil, Eastward’s developer—and hopefully they’re shorter ones!

2. Kena: Bridge of Spirits

I used to be supposed to do that game. I used to be even imagined to cowl it. And… I simply didn’t? There’s a literal bodily copy of this factor sitting on my shelf amongst all my different video games circumstances subsequent to my workstation as I’m typing this piece away. The plastic shrink wrap remains to be on it.

I bear in mind Kena: Bridge of Spirits catching my eye on the numerous exhibits it was promoted in previous to its formal launch. I used to be pondering how cute it was. I used to be fascinated with how attention-grabbing it might be to unpack this new setting in a sea of beforehand established IPs. I used to be fascinated with meditating on the methodology of its creation with somewhat controversy sprinkled in.

As you’ll be able to see, I’ve so much to doubtlessly say about Kena: Bridge of Spirits, however that potential should wait and proceed to relaxation unopened on my shelf till I really play it.

1. Beast Breaker

Unions are freaking superior! And with all the great they’ll deliver, they’ll additionally inadvertently create good PR campaigns!

I used to be not conscious of Beast Breaker till the reporting that its developer’s staff, Vodeo Video games, mobilized the primary legally acknowledged video video games union in North America. Not solely was I pondering, “Hey, that guidelines!”, I used to be additionally capable of study extra about this mentioned developer’s work. Because it seems, Beast Breaker appears fairly attention-grabbing! You play as a small, rodent-sized warrior who’s making an attempt to defend their group of different critter-sized buddies from “mosaic” monsters. There’s a tactical facet to the game, and you need to strategize your strategy to those paint-by-numbers designed monsters whilst you improve your personal tools and repertoire over time. On high of cute visuals and fairly simple gameplay mechanics that I feel I’ll take pleasure in on an adrenaline rush, the end result of the occasions that accompanied this game’s growth is a constructive signal of issues to return.

I additionally simply like to play as somewhat man.