Games of the Year 2021 - Runner Ups

Moving on from our more fun categories, we are now getting into what people really want to know. What hit the top of the list? Well for that you'll need to come back tomorrow but in the meantime check out our 2021 runners up entries to our games of the year.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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Pierre-Yves: Echo Generation

Into one of the harder decisions that I had to make this year, Cococucumber's Echo Generation is taking my runner up spot for my Games of the Year. This RPG had it all. Aliens, Monsters, Ghosts, Horror, epic music tracks and the house cat as an ally and healer. Short and sweet clocking in around 10-12 hours, it never overstayed its welcome and everything that it did it did well making it a fun ride and a great placeholder while we wait for Stranger Things Season 4!

Check out our full review of Echo Generation by developer and publisher Cococucumber for the Microsoft Xbox Series X.

Richard: Tales of Arise

This is the Tales title I've been waiting for since Graces came out. The combat was great, the dynamic environments, the battle system, the unique characters, everything just came together really nicely. While I did feel the game sort of fell apart in the storytelling in the second half, and it was extremely unfortunate not having a coop mode, Tales of Arise was a game I had a lot of fun playing and that's why it's my runner up for the year.

Check out our full review of Tales of Arise by developer Bandai Namco Studios and publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment for the Sony PlayStation 4.

Susan N.: Outriders

Puzzle and Mystery games will always trump other video games on my list. Occasionally, a title knocks it out of the park, even if it’s not in my regular repertoire. I’m talking about a cover shooter being my runner-up game of the year. Outriders surprised me as a game that I would enjoy, but I'm glad that I enjoy it as much as I do. There are sporadic shooters that I play, yet Outriders is among them. Not only did they give players a free legendary weapon for continuing to play when things weren’t going well, but they added an outfit customization system that costs players nothing. Given that the story has some hilarious knee-slapping dialogue, even the twists and turns make the title exciting. Plus, rookies like me can drop the world tier down a notch or two when things get dicey. For that, I give People Can Fly a virtual medal. Outriders is a fantastic game that I enjoy playing as a solo experience or with friends.

Nick: Hot Wheels Unleashed

Tons of cars, many of which call back to my early childhood? Check. Creative environments that remind you that these are miniature vehicles? Check. Oodles of settings, modes and a high degree of accessibility? Check. Simply a blast to play? Checks all of the boxes. Hot Wheels Unleashed hooked me with its aesthetics when I saw the first trailer, but the excellent gameplay and variety of cars and modes combined with a solid progression system had me coming back time and again.

Check out our full review of Hot Wheels Unleashed by developer and publisher Milestone S.r.l. for the Sony PlayStation 5.

Robert: Star Citizen

While not quite as rich as my 2021 Game of the Year nominee, my runner up to this year’s Game of the Year is none other than Cloud Imperium Games’ absolutely massive immersive space sim, Star Citizen. When all is said and done, this massive, explorable (and fictional) wing of the Milky Way galaxy will house over 100 systems, with dozens of planets, moons, asteroids, and other space-related doodads, all without loading screens.

Pioneering some of the most fascinating and sophisticated technologies, Star Citizen pushes the bounds in every way- from the extremely high fidelity graphics to the rich and expansive universe (a part of which you can experience now in the Persistent Universe!) full of heroes, villains, and everyone in between. Having more than a few hundreds hours behind my dual VKB Gladiator NXT flight sticks in Star Citizen this year alone lands it in contention for the top spot and with Cloud Imperium Games releasing massive game-altering evolutions every quarter, Star Citizen isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

 

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Tales of Favorites - Part 2

I’ve been playing the Tales of Series since that fateful day that I saw Tales of Destiny on the shelf at the local video store. Renting it, falling in love with it, it wasn’t long until I grew sad that it was damned near impossible to buy and it would be years before I owned both Tales of Destiny and Tales of Destiny 2 for the PS1 in which “2” is actually Tales of Eternia. They did the whole Final Fantasy naming thing as well.

Moving years down the line, I own just about every instance that I could get my hands on and only as of last week due to a wonderful woman in my life, have Tales of Vesperia’s HD treatment on my Switch. So who did I go ahead and crown as favorites? Check it out below!

Rollo

While my actual #1 is Judith because she’s such a badass, I’m going with my other #1 as I've already written about Judith. So instead of the gushing over the badass spear wielder, I’m going to go ahead and gush about this cat.

Rollo is a cat. Plain and simple. Well… that’s not quite true as he’s a fat and adorable cat. And that’s it.

Now while that should be enough, because cat, it’s the fact that Rollo is just a plain old cat that makes him absolutely fantastic. He follows Lugar in Tales of Xillia 2 out the door and hangs around for the entire adventure. Why would he stay at home where there’s no chance of him being fed when he can follow along and be dotted on? So many times I worried about this cat but he’s just amazing and spoilers or not, survives the whole ordeal and the near end of the world as many a cat would.

- PY

Cheria Barnes

From the moment I met the sickly young girl in Tales of Graces F I was hooked. Here she was in poor health but still focused on protecting her childhood friends. Enter Cheria a number of years later, as she is tasked with bringing Asbel back from the big city for important family business, and she is this steel-y strong, yet pristine and delicate; a series of traits she adequately maintains throughout the entirety of the game. In fact she stays very true to her core, only growing to be slightly more flexible as her feelings for others are nurtured throughout the rest of the playthrough. That really stuck with me …

-Robert

Moses

I had to think long and hard as to who my actual second favorite character was. There’s obvious choices like Alvin from Tales of Xillia, Yuri from Tales of Vesperia, Jade covered by Natasha from Tales of the Abyss. But if I go back far enough, as much as I enjoyed Stahn from Tales of Destiny, I realized that I freaking love Moses from Tales of Legendia which was the first Tales of that I owned. This crazy assed bandit was not only fun throughout the story, but his ending lines were some of the best with my personal all time favorite “Moses Happy Dance! Yeehaw”

- PY

Rowen Ilbert

I'd like to preface this one with the fact that this is regarding the Tales of Xillia appearance, not the Tales of Xillia 2 appearance. The cast of Xillia is generally … not horrific, but Rowen really stuck with me throughout the game. He has an aloof attitude, is wholly devoted to his charge, and far more capable than his quiet demeanor belies. Plus he is hiding a secret that he thought defined him (which didn't). That is a very human-like behavior and outlook, and seeing the revelation of it throughout the course of the game is great. Plus he has some of the best quips in the game.

-Robert

Worst?

Cumore. He’s an ass. An entitled, obnoxious ass. And while I have my issues with Luke from Tales of the Abyss, who happens to be the protagonist, Cumore just has it coming in Tales of Vesperia and I am so, SO, happy that Yuri gives it to him. SO HAPPY. It was in that moment in which my respect for Yuri increased more than it already was because he was ready to do what needed to be done to keep others safe even if it meant getting his hands dirty.

The only, and I mean ONLY good thing about Cumore in English? Is that he’s voiced by Liam O’Brien. That’s it. Glad he’s gone. Ugh I had him and his purple jockstrap that he keeps on the outside of his pants.

- PY

"Least favorite"

Literally any one of the "moe" characters (Elise from Xillia, Beryl from Hearts, Magilou from Berseria, etc… in fact, about the only "moe" character I like is Edna from Zestiria). These characters are thrown in for some ridiculous reason and I have no idea why; they tend to detract from the overall feel and emotional aesthetic of the game.

A close second, if not a tie, to that "class" of character would be the "I'm an immature turd but it's all an act because I'm fake as all hell" group (Hisui from Hearts, literally the entire cast of Berseria minus Eleanor, Alvin from Xillia, Raven from Vesperia, Malik from Graces, etc.).

Both of these groups do nothing for the overall story, show extremely little by way of character development, and more often than not are eye-rollingly embarrassing. I cannot stand either and to see their roles in Tales to be refined would be a massive step in the right direction.

-Robert

Article by Pierre-Yves and by Robert

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Tales of Favorites - Part 1

With the recent re-release of Tales of Vesperia, we started talking about which characters we liked above all else. From there, we also started talking about which characters we didn't like. So kicking off our lists are Richard and Natasha with their entries into our lists.

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So, my favorite tales characters, eh? There have been a lot of characters that I’ve liked over the years, some with a clear dividing line between personalities and playstyles (Zaveid needs a nap!). Sometimes I barely liked ANY of the characters (Xillia, I’m looking at you. Teepo can stay). Really, it’s pretty had to choose a favorite character from the party members I’ve had over the years, so I’m going to do a little something different: favorite NPCs in tales games. Most of the others are going to be focusing on the main playable characters, so I figure this will give some light to those minor characters that may not receive the attention they deserve.

Sword Dancer(s)

Yes, my first pick is an optional boss, and no, I’m not helping you beat him. The sword dancer has appeared in quite a few tales games, and each time he appears, I love challenging him. He’s tough, pretty badass looking, and he gives some really nice things if you beat him. The sword dancer in Tales of Symphonia was probably one of the first optional bosses I’ve ever really fought in a game before, and that just grew my love for bonus/post-game content. If a game doesn’t have a post-game, bonus optional content, or a new game plus feature, I’m now a little annoyed, all because of Tales of Symphonia and this many armed marauder right here.

- Richard

Jade Curtiss (Tales of the Abyss)

One of the biggest TEASES in Tales history is this man right here. Jade is both sarcastic and witty towards everyone around him, and will always find a way to make fun of you. He was a prodigal genius at a young age, which didn't boast well with the people around him in his youth. He was cold and almost cruel towards everyone, until he met the right people who shaped him into the man he is today. To me, Jade comes off as someone playful, but hides it behind a sense of pride and duty. But piss him off and he will bend you over and well... Use your imagination. He is one of the most powerful casters (fonist) in tales games. And if you dare try to fight him one on one, even with a fon-slot seal on him, he'd still beat you mercilessly with his spear.

Men like him could easily bring me to my knees with his hidden bad boy attitude and piercing eyes, masked behind sharp looking spectacles, with a smile that screams mischief and deviance. DO NOT TRUST THE SMILE OR THE VELVETY SOMBER VOICE THAT COMES FROM THIS MAN. He will drag you down an alleyway and do God-Knows-What with you. We've seen how that worked with Dist the Runny *Ahem* I mean Rose. But overall Jade will put his life on the line to save the people he cares about even if he calls you a fool... With love. And lastly, nothing shouts NERD better than the Pac-Man belt he sports throughout the game.

- Natasha

Georg Heldalf 

For a game that was incredibly mediocre at best, I really liked the villain from Tales of Zesteria. Apart from Edna and occasionally Zaveid, the game was generally full of lackluster, annoying, or just all-around uninspiring characters. And what the hell was up with the “quasi-four player” battle system?!? That was so dumb. But the Lord of Calamity struck quite the imposing presence, when you finally meet him, anyway. Heldalf, or “Kittybeard” as Edna calls him, isn’t just the major villain, but he also PLAYS the villain. This is a man who was battered and beaten, suffered and anguished, and then decided “screw it, if the world needs a villain so badly, than I’ll show you exactly what I can do”, and I really loved that aspect of him. Most Tales Villains fall into two categories: doing the wrong thing for the right reasons, or “kick the dog” level self-important villainy. Heldalf was neither, and it was rather refreshing to be honest.

- Richard

Velvet Crowe

I know what you're thinking... Another bad ass? (I guess I'm just into bad ass characters) Yuppers, Velvet is one of my favourite female leads in the Tales franchise. After the terrible failure that was Milla Maxwell in Xillia I was scared to see what the company was going to give us as the next female protagonist. Lo and behold, I was blessed with this sexy minx. She is what I wish most female protags strive to be, beautiful and strong. Right off the bat I was blown away by her design and dark back story. The more I played as her the more I could see myself in her, minus the demon arm... Doubt I could get through security with that thing hidden under a poncho. Velvet isn't just about strength, though. She also has a tender underbelly that she tries to hide from everyone. I don't blame her, she's gone through enough pain and betrayal, but when I see it slip from time to time, especially when she's with Laphicet, I tend to get the warm and fuzzies.

Her fighting style is fast and rugged, which makes it fun to tear the enemies apart. And her arm blade only makes her stand out as an individual. Don't irritate this black crow or she might *Coo, coo-ya* to the darkest folds of the earth.

- Natasha

Most Hated Tales Characters

Tales of Symphonia Dawn of the New World cast

Yes, not least liked. For this category I choose: the entire non-returning cast in Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. The game was bad and the developers should feel bad. EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER. SUCKED. Except the fact you could “pokemon” up your party with monsters. Woot more sword dancer. But seriously, every character was awful, the game was disappointing, and the main character has all the allure of a wet sponge soaked in sewer sludge. AND THE FREAKING UNNECESSARY FLASHBACKS EVERY TWENTY SECONDS. FOR GODS SAKE EMIL, HOW MUCH OF A MORON DO YOU HAVE TO BE, AND HOW EASILY INFLUENCED THAT AFTER A SINGLE SHITTY LINE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A REJECT FORTUNE COOKIE SLOGAN YOU SUDDENLY HAVE A MORE OUTSPOKEN AND UPFRONT PERSONALITY?!? SO DUMB. AND YES THIS IS CAPS LOCK BECAUSE I’M YELLING.

- Richard

Kratos Aurion and Flynn Scifo

I couldn't just choose one since I equally dislike both of these characters.

Starting off with Flynn, his sense of justice is smothering. Always doing everything to the book and walks around like he has a stick up his ass. Nipping at Yuri's feet about "the law" from start to finish of the journey is a constant nag. I get it, I killed people, but only because your precious "Laws" allowed multiple crocks to walk free with minor punishments, so E-X-C-U-S-E me if I decided to do the dirty work for YOU since you were too much of a puss to sully your hands. Plus... He's a knock off of Guy Cecil from TotA. Guy was a much better short hair blonde swordsman then Flynn. Could fight circles around him in his Sigmund style.

As for why I hate Kratos, well actually there's a long story to it, but to put it short... I had a good friend who actually introduced me to the Tales Series with Tales of Symphonia. I was excited to play through this JRPG I've never even heard off and right of the bat she started hounding me about how Kratos was the best character and that I wasn't allowed to play or crush on him. (Don't laugh I was younger and anime guys were... Still, are hot) Throughout are play through she kept going on and on about him being "wonderful", but the more I played the more I noticed how awful he was to our party members. He's got this everything-I-say-goes attitude and treats everyone with a grain of salt. By the time I got to fully know his reasons behind his actions I was too far gone in the hate pool that he couldn't redeem himself with the little bit of good deeds he did in the end. Thanks, but no, thanks. Crotch-Toast Oreo is what I've come to address him as.

Tales of Games

Article by Richard and by Natasha

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