Arkane’s Deathloop combines the studio’s proven immersive sim chops with 2021’s trendiest video game conceit: a time loop. Add a great asymmetrical multiplayer mode and you’ve got one of the year’s best games.

It Takes Two builds on Hazelight Studios’ earlier co-op adventure, A Way Out. This time around, some of the cleverest multiplayer puzzles you’ve ever seen push it over the top.

Long-suffering Metroid fans had their patience rewarded this year with Metroid Dread. One of the series’ best games, it adds some extremely effective horror to the classic Metroid formula.

Psychonauts 2 was a long time coming, but definitely worth the wait. It improves on the beloved original in every way, with a suite of psychedelic levels and a funny, heartfelt story.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a showcase for PS5’s new tech and a celebration one of PlayStation’s best action platformers.

Resident Evil Village feels like a synthesis of the series’ best elements, delivering intense horror and enough firepower to fight through it. The looming presence of a certain tall vampire lady helped make it a phenomenon.