Game news PC: Kena, Deathloop, Psychonauts 2 … the best solo experiences of 2021
Who Said the Single Player Is Dead? On the contrary, it is far from having said its last word, but is still in full force and if it is often adorned with a multiplayer component, that is not its main purpose. Also this year, many games have made a name for themselves on the PC (and on other platforms), so here is a roundup of the games that have proven to be indispensable this year.
Amplitude has become widely known with its Endless saga, which took the 4X back in a very beautiful way and managed to make it (almost) accessible without neglecting its depth. With Humankind, the French studio returns to a more classic setting as you have to take the fate of humanity in your own hands. Fairly open to beginners, the game is complete nonetheless and has refreshing mechanics for the genre.
If there’s one cult license in the RTS universe, it’s Age of Empires. The fourth episode will have taken a long time before it saw the light of day, but it’s here and it didn’t disappoint. With very exciting campaigns, a very comprehensive tactical component and a more modern map approach, much more vertical, the title lives up to its legacy and should inspire newcomers as veterans of the franchise.
Buy Age of Empire IV on Amazon
After an initial episode clearly tailored for a general public experience, Frontier returns with Jurassic World Evolution 2. If the game does not quite accomplish its mission of expanding its micromanagement component, it will benefit from some additions that can pleasantly refresh the experience of the first part. Additionally, you can try to rewrite the history of the films by participating in fairly thoughtful dedicated missions.
Years after an iconic first episode, Psychonauts came to life with a second episode that clearly didn’t disappoint. Enchanting universes, a lot of originality in all crossed worlds, terribly lovable and funny characters … so many qualities that are ascribed to the title Double Fine, which represents a great comeback for Raz and his friends.
Described by our dear Jika as “arguably one of the best virtual reality action games currently available on the Oculus Quest,” Resident Evil 4 changes our relationship with the gaming experience thanks to the first-person perspective. A real immersion hit, very modular to please a large audience. This VR iteration of RE 4 is essential if you own a headset from the Oculus range.
If you are craving a turn-based RPG that shines for its ruthless adherence to D&D rules, Solasta: Crown of the Magister may be for you. As an alternative to what Larian achieved with Divinity Original Sin, Solasta is a very complete RPG that shines with its tactical clashes and original dungeons.
A real surprise out of nowhere, Kena Bridge of Spirits was a real breath of fresh air in action adventure game. Aside from its absolutely enchanting universe and the adorable little creatures that inhabit it, Kena is also an action game that is solidly on your feet, more challenging than it seems, and that will test your skills.
Buy Kena Bridge of Spirits on Amazon
If you appreciate the claw of Tim Buron, who knows how to develop very identifiable universes, Lost in Random might keep an eye out for you. Studio Zoink has partnered with the EA Originals program to release this weird title that benefits from an exquisite universe, neat sound environment, rich narrative, and thoughtful battles. A nice walk in an atypical world that marked the end of 2021.
This is a great success story for this game that was originally just a Skyrim mod. The Forgotten City was developed by a very small team and immerses you in the heart of a Roman city where a secret needs to be revealed. That’s a good thing, because this mystery has to do with the fact that you find yourself in these places, trapped in a time loop, without being able to return to the present. A nice vision of the genre, for a multi-possibility investigation that makes this title a nice surprise this year.
If Eidos has essentially built its solid reputation thanks to Deus Ex, it’s the licensed game it found this year with Guardians of the Galaxy. The title maintains the studio’s narrative tradition, does justice to the franchise it hails from, and develops lovable characters and a sense of humor that often hits the mark. With its solid lifespan, choices, and consequences, Eidos Montreal’s newest addition offers a great solo experience for Marve fans as well as others.
Buy Guardians of the Galaxy from Amazon
Subnautica came as a real surprise when it was released. In the saturated world of survival games, generally multiplayer and sandboxing, the title from Unknown Worlds Entertainment offered a hand-created universe with a solid and discreet narrative. Subnautica Below Zero takes the basics of the first episode by placing you in a frozen universe. If the surprise effect is gone, the desire to discover and explore remains.
Buy Subnautica Below Zero on Amazon
Adventure game with a strong artistic bias, Eastward is a little-known nugget developed by Pixpill based in Shanghai. As a real favorite of the editors, Eastward enjoys a DA and a lush universe, a very well played rhythm, varied fights and a striking finale. Eastward may not be free from flaws, but it is a must for solo experiences.
Agent 47 had a facelift with Hitman, who had taken the license into a new realm of infiltration. Hitman 3 was released earlier this year and was the synthesis of the best in the field. Due to the neat and varied environments, the infiltration and execution missions have a very controlled sandbox aspect. With an adjustable level of difficulty that allows most assassin professionals to go on a mission without a clue, Hitman 3 is the best to date in terms of infiltration. Inevitable.
Not to be overlooked either …
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