Hot on Lobbies
Lobbies · prototype · v0.1 · made for gamers
Lobbies · prototype · v0.1 · made for gamers
Valheim captured my heart in 2021 like no other game. This open-world survival adventure set in a procedurally generated Norse mythology-inspired world is deceptively simple yet endlessly engaging. For me, Valheim represents everything great about indie game development - a clear vision, solid execution, and a game that respects your time while offering countless hours of meaningful content. What sets Valheim apart is its perfect balance of exploration, building, and combat. The game doesn’t hold your hand, but it also never feels unfair. Every death teaches you something, and every discovery feels earned. The Norse mythology setting is beautifully realized - from sailing across misty seas to battling mythical creatures like trolls and drakes, the atmosphere is consistently immersive. The building system is particularly noteworthy. Unlike many survival games where building feels like a chore, constructing your Viking longhouse or fortress in Valheim is genuinely satisfying. The structural integrity system adds a layer of realism that makes your architectural achievements feel meaningful. Valheim truly shines in multiplayer. Whether you’re sailing across the ocean with friends, raiding dungeons together, or simply building your shared settlement, the cooperative experience is seamless and incredibly fun. There’s something magical about coordinating with friends to take down a boss or embarking on a dangerous expedition to new biomes. The game’s progression system rewards exploration and preparation. Each biome presents new challenges, resources, and enemies. The sense of progression as you upgrade your gear and venture into more dangerous territories is perfectly paced. Valheim’s low-poly art style might seem simple at first glance, but it’s incredibly effective. The lighting, weather systems, and environmental details create a beautiful, atmospheric world that runs smoothly on a wide range of hardware. Combined with an excellent soundtrack that adapts to your situation, Valheim creates an immersive experience that’s hard to put down. It’s my clear choice for game of the year 2021 - a game that I’ll continue to return to for years to come.
Valheim captured my heart in 2021 like no other game. This open-world survival adventure set in a procedurally generated Norse mythology-inspired world is deceptively simple yet endlessly engaging. For me, Valheim represents everything great about indie game development - a clear vision, solid execution, and a game that respects your time while offering countless hours of meaningful content. What sets Valheim apart is its perfect balance of exploration, building, and combat. The game doesn’t hold your hand, but it also never feels unfair. Every death teaches you something, and every discovery feels earned. The Norse mythology setting is beautifully realized - from sailing across misty seas to battling mythical creatures like trolls and drakes, the atmosphere is consistently immersive. The building system is particularly noteworthy. Unlike many survival games where building feels like a chore, constructing your Viking longhouse or fortress in Valheim is genuinely satisfying. The structural integrity system adds a layer of realism that makes your architectural achievements feel meaningful. Valheim truly shines in multiplayer. Whether you’re sailing across the ocean with friends, raiding dungeons together, or simply building your shared settlement, the cooperative experience is seamless and incredibly fun. There’s something magical about coordinating with friends to take down a boss or embarking on a dangerous expedition to new biomes. The game’s progression system rewards exploration and preparation. Each biome presents new challenges, resources, and enemies. The sense of progression as you upgrade your gear and venture into more dangerous territories is perfectly paced. Valheim’s low-poly art style might seem simple at first glance, but it’s incredibly effective. The lighting, weather systems, and environmental details create a beautiful, atmospheric world that runs smoothly on a wide range of hardware. Combined with an excellent soundtrack that adapts to your situation, Valheim creates an immersive experience that’s hard to put down. It’s my clear choice for game of the year 2021 - a game that I’ll continue to return to for years to come.
Deathloop is Arkane Studios at their absolute best - a game that defies easy categorization and delivers an experience unlike anything else in 2021. Trapped in a time loop on the island of Blackreef, you play as Colt, an assassin trying to eliminate eight targets before the day resets. What makes Deathloop special is how it reframes the shooter genre as a puzzle game. The time loop isn’t just a gimmick - it’s the core mechanic that makes every playthrough meaningful. You’re not just trying to kill targets; you’re learning their patterns, discovering how to manipulate the timeline, and figuring out how to be in the right place at the right time. The game rewards experimentation and observation. Information is your most valuable resource. Learning when and where each target will be, understanding how your actions affect the timeline, and discovering shortcuts and secrets all feed into a satisfying loop of discovery and execution. Deathloop oozes style. The 1960s-inspired aesthetic, the killer soundtrack, and the sharp writing all contribute to an experience that feels fresh and unique. The characters are memorable, especially Julianna, the rival assassin who can invade your game. These invasions add an unpredictable element that keeps you on your toes. Deathloop received nine nominations at The Game Awards 2021, including Best Game Direction, and won Best Game Direction. It’s a game that respects player intelligence, rewards exploration, and delivers a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a standout title that easily earns its place in my top games of 2021.
Far Cry 6 takes the series to the fictional Caribbean island of Yara, a tropical paradise ruled by a dictator. While the core formula remains familiar, the game refines the experience and delivers one of the most polished entries in the series. The island of Yara is stunning. From lush jungles to urban areas and military installations, the world is diverse and fun to explore. The tropical setting provides a beautiful backdrop for the chaos that Far Cry is known for. Whether you’re sneaking through enemy compounds or engaging in all-out firefights, the environment always looks great. Antón Castillo, played by Giancarlo Esposito, is one of the series’ better villains. Esposito brings gravitas to the role, and Castillo’s motivations are more nuanced than typical Far Cry antagonists. His relationship with his son adds emotional weight to the story, even if the narrative can’t quite match the performance. The game makes some welcome improvements to the formula. The removal of the skill tree in favor of gear-based progression feels more natural. The new Supremo backpacks add fun special abilities that can turn the tide of battle. The “Resolver” weapons are creative and fun to use, even if they’re not always the most practical. Nominated for Best Action Game at The Game Awards 2021, Far Cry 6 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a polished, entertaining game that delivers exactly what fans expect from the series. The beautiful setting, solid gameplay, and compelling villain make it one of my top games of 2021.
The Gunk is a refreshingly focused adventure game from Image & Form Games (the creators of SteamWorld). It’s not trying to be the biggest or most complex game - instead, it delivers a tight, engaging experience that knows exactly what it wants to be. You play as Rani, a space hauler who discovers a planet covered in a mysterious substance called “the Gunk.” Your goal is to clean up the environment, solve puzzles, and uncover the planet’s secrets. The core mechanic of using your glove to suck up the Gunk is satisfying and unique, and watching the environment transform as you clean it creates a tangible sense of progress. The game is relatively short (around 4-6 hours), but that works to its advantage. There’s no padding, no unnecessary grind - just a focused experience that respects your time. Every area feels purposeful, and the pacing keeps you engaged from start to finish. One of The Gunk’s strongest elements is how the world transforms as you play. Areas that start dark and corrupted become vibrant and alive as you remove the Gunk. This visual transformation is consistently satisfying and creates a strong motivation to explore and clean every area you find. In a year filled with massive open-world games and hundred-hour experiences, The Gunk’s focused approach is refreshing. It’s a game you can complete in a weekend and feel fully satisfied, which is increasingly rare in modern gaming.
Riders Republic is pure, unadulterated fun. Ubisoft’s massive multiplayer extreme sports game throws you into a vast open world inspired by American national parks and lets you loose with bikes, skis, snowboards, and wingsuits. It’s chaotic, ridiculous, and absolutely delightful. The open world is massive and designed for one thing: having fun. Whether you’re racing down a mountain on a bike, carving through powder on a snowboard, or flying through the air in a wingsuit, the world is your playground. The variety of activities keeps things fresh, and the seamless transitions between different sports create a unique experience. The massive multiplayer events are the game’s standout feature. Racing against 50 other players in a chaotic free-for-all is exhilarating, and the unpredictability of these events keeps them exciting even after dozens of races. The game does a great job of making you feel like you always have a chance, even when competing against better players. Nominated for Best Sports/Racing Game at The Game Awards 2021, Riders Republic delivers exactly what it promises: a massive, chaotic, and incredibly fun extreme sports experience. In a year filled with serious, story-driven games, Riders Republic’s commitment to pure fun is refreshing and welcome.
Halo Infinite represents a return to form for one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. After the divisive Halo 5, 343 Industries delivered a game that honors the series’ legacy while introducing new ideas that feel natural and exciting. The campaign takes place on Zeta Halo, and for the first time in the series, it’s presented as an open world. This isn’t just window dressing - the open-world structure enhances the Halo experience. You’re free to approach objectives however you want, and the grappling hook (a series first) makes traversal both fun and strategic. The freedom to explore Zeta Halo at your own pace, taking on enemy outposts, rescuing marines, and discovering hidden secrets, creates a sense of adventure that’s been missing from recent Halo games. It maintains the linear story missions while giving you a playground to explore between them. The combat feels like classic Halo. The weapons have weight and personality, the enemies are satisfying to fight, and the sandbox encourages creative approaches. The addition of the grappling hook changes how you move and fight without breaking the core Halo gameplay loop. The multiplayer is free-to-play and absolutely fantastic. The classic Halo combat shines in competitive matches, and the addition of equipment like the grappling hook and drop wall adds new tactical layers. The maps are well-designed, and the game modes capture the spirit of classic Halo multiplayer. Nominated for Best Action Game at The Game Awards 2021, Halo Infinite successfully blends the old and new, creating an experience that should please both longtime fans and newcomers. It’s a worthy entry in the Halo series and easily one of my favorite games of 2021.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a remarkable achievement. Developed by Ember Lab, a studio making their first foray into game development, it’s a game that looks and plays like a AAA title while maintaining the heart and soul of an indie game. The first thing you’ll notice about Kena is how absolutely stunning it looks. The animation quality is reminiscent of Pixar films, with expressive characters and fluid movement that brings the world to life. The attention to detail is incredible, from the way Kena moves to the adorable Rot creatures that follow her around. The gameplay combines exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat in a satisfying way. Kena’s staff-based combat feels weighty and responsive, and the addition of the Rot (small spirit companions) adds strategic depth. Using the Rot to solve puzzles and assist in combat creates a unique gameplay loop. The story follows Kena, a young spirit guide helping the deceased move on to the afterlife. The narrative is simple but effective, dealing with themes of loss, acceptance, and moving forward. The emotional beats land, and the characters you meet along the way are memorable and well-realized. Kena: Bridge of Spirits won Best Debut Indie Game at The Game Awards 2021, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a polished, beautiful, and engaging game that proves what’s possible when a talented team has a clear vision. For me, Kena represents everything great about the indie game scene - creativity, passion, and a willingness to take risks.
It Takes Two is something special. Hazelight Studios’ cooperative adventure game won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021, and after playing it, it’s easy to see why. It’s a masterclass in cooperative game design and one of the most creative and engaging games I’ve played in years. The genius of It Takes Two is that it’s impossible to play alone - you need a partner, either locally or online. Every mechanic, every puzzle, every level is designed around two players working together. The game constantly introduces new mechanics and abilities, and each player gets something different, forcing genuine cooperation. Just when you think you’ve seen everything, the game introduces a new mechanic. One level you’re using a hammer and nails to create platforms. The next, you’re controlling time. Then you’re flying through space. The variety is incredible, and each new mechanic feels fresh and engaging. The story follows Cody and May, a couple on the brink of divorce who are magically transformed into dolls. They must work together to return to their human forms, but more importantly, they must learn to work together and reconnect. The narrative is heartfelt without being saccharine, and the emotional beats land effectively. It Takes Two won Game of the Year because it does something genuinely unique and does it exceptionally well. It’s a reminder of what makes gaming special - the ability to share experiences with others.
Age of Empires IV is a triumphant return for one of gaming’s most beloved strategy franchises. After more than 15 years since Age of Empires III, Relic Entertainment and World’s Edge delivered a game that honors the series’ legacy while bringing it into the modern era. The core gameplay is familiar to anyone who’s played Age of Empires before, but this isn’t just a remake - it’s a thoughtful evolution that refines the formula while keeping what made the series great. The eight civilizations in the base game are distinct and well-designed, each offering unique units, buildings, and mechanics that encourage different strategies. The campaign mode is a standout feature, offering four separate campaigns covering different historical periods: the Norman Conquest, the Hundred Years’ War, the Mongol Empire, and the rise of Moscow. Each campaign is educational and entertaining, with documentary-style cutscenes that provide historical context. Nominated for Best Sim/Strategy Game at The Game Awards 2021, Age of Empires IV proves that classic RTS games still have a place in modern gaming. It’s a game that respects its legacy while embracing the future, and it’s easily one of the best strategy games of 2021.
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