Six months into the year and we've already had a handful of some potential classics.
While the new generation of consoles didn't exactly arrive with a tsunami of new games to play, there have been plenty of great new releases in the first half of 2021 so far.
Chances are you haven't played some or all of these, so if you're looking for a great game to sink dozens of hours into, look no further than these...
5. HITMAN III
Yes, it is pretty much more of the same, but when what we got before is so great, why fix what isn't broken? The settings for your would-be assassinations are bigger and more intricate than ever before, and the ways you can off your target(s) are increasingly inventive and original. Sure, after this one, we'd kinda like it to switch the formula a bit before it gets Assassin's Creed-levels of repetitive, but for now we're more than happy to continue playing around in this fantastically violent sandbox.
Hitman III is available to play on the PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, and Nintendo Switch.
Clip via Hitman4. DISCO ELYSIUM: THE FINAL CUT
Truth be told, this is actually the best game of the year so far (and, arguably, the best game of the last few years, too). But since this is a glorified re-release, we want to be fair to the brand new releases. This is a must-buy for those who love getting lost in brilliantly written, brilliantly told stories, as the complicated, layered story behind your amnesiac detective will keep you hooked from the second you initially load the game until the final credits start to roll.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is available on PS5, PS4, PC and Stadia right now, and will be made available on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Switch later in 2021.
Clip via Disco Elysium3. IT TAKES TWO
Arguably one of the biggest victims of technological advancements is the idea of local multiplayer. You and a pal both holding a controller and facing the same screen; that is a feeling that can't be replicated by all of the online gaming in the world. It Takes Two plonks you into the middle of a Honey, I Shrunk The Kids-esque plot and you need to work together to survive the treacherous path from the garden back to your house. An old-school adventure game they just don't seem to make anymore, and the best game of 2021 you probably haven't even heard of.
It Takes Two is available to play on PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Clip via EA2. RATCHET & CLANK: RIFT APART
Graphically, this is the game that shows off what the PlayStation 5 is capable of, but in terms of gameplay, you'd be hard pressed to find something as purely fun as Rift Apart. The mix of high-speed platforming, precise and strategic shooting, and well-thought-out puzzling sections makes sure every part of your gamer brain gets a proper work out.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is available on the PS5.
Clip via PlayStation1. RESIDENT EVIL VILLAGE
Mixing together the action of Resident Evil 4 and the horror of Resident Evil 7, with Village we get an adrenaline rush of thrills and gory spills, complete with a ridiculous scary plot that manages to successful bounce back and forward from camp to properly terrifying. It also looks absolutely gorgeous, and has one of the satisfying shotguns in video game history. Which is about as high a compliment as we can imagine giving any game, to be honest.
Resident Evil Village is available on PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, and PC.
Clip via Resident Evil
