2021 has been an odd and difficult year, but it was superb for gaming. With the announcement of the Game Awards nominees, I realized I played more great games this year than perhaps any other year in my life.
Alex Prakken’s Top 10 Of 2021
Author: Alex Prakken
Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water Review
Fearful Focus
HIGH The atmosphere and sense of suspense is top-notch.
LOW Clunky and slow controls.
WTF Those Shrine Maidens scare the crap out of me.
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom Prince’s Edition Review
Storybook Luster
High Exploring the vast, vibrant, and glorious world.
Low Mandatory side quests galore.
WTF No Studio Ghibli cutscenes this time around.
MouseBot: Escape From CatLab Review
A Game Of Cat And Mechanical Mouse
HIGH Narrowly escaping a treacherous stretch of obstacles is thrilling.
LOW The risk/reward ratio for difficult collectables is not worth it.
WTF Can one MouseBot really eat that much cheese?
Out Of Line Review
Beauty In The Eye Of The Beholder
HIGH The art style is beautiful and supports strong ambience and mystery.
LOW Puzzles don’t evolve much and grow stale after a bit.
WTF Those claws scare the crap out of me.
The Magnificent Trufflepigs Review
Magnificent Disillusion
HIGH Metal detecting is strangely satisfying.
LOW The plot is far lower stakes than advertised.
WTF The walkie talkie seems to recharge itself.
Out Of Line Interview
After sinking my teeth into the preview for Out of Line, Nerd Monkey’s newest 2D puzzle-platformer, I was captivated by the art style, intrigued by the story, and challenged by the gameplay. Since then, I was fortunate enough to virtually sit down with Lead Art Designer Francisco Santos to get the inside scoop on the game’s development process.
Out Of Line Preview
2D puzzle-platformers can quickly grow stale for me. Unless there’s an innovative mechanic or engaging story, most games in the genre lose my attention. However, Nerd Monkey’s Out of Line aims to liven up the formula with an interesting spear and boomerang mechanic and gorgeous art design. It looks to be a standout platformer, even to someone like me.
Tasomachi: Behind The Twilight Review
A Foggy Collectathon
HIGH Peering over a city from its highest point is a sight to behold.
LOW The game relies more on visual prowess than mechanics and depth.
WTF There’s an awful lot of money just lying around.
First Class Trouble Preview
Despite originally coming out in 2018, it seemed everyone was playing Among Us last fall. Players clearly loved the cooperative Clue-like murderous debauchery, and other developers want a piece of that same success. Invisible Walls’s First Class Trouble now arrives to capitalize on Among Us fans who, A: are looking for a new entry in the same genre, B: didn’t love the new airship level, or C: just want more backstabbing treachery. Though certain aspects could be retouched, First Class Trouble has potential to be the next friendship-ending party game.
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