Our 2021 GOTY countdown is sponsored by the SteelSeries Prime range. Designed in collaboration with top esports players, the Prime range includes the Arctis Prime headset and wired/wireless mice. Shop the SteelSeries Prime range HERE.
#5 – Deathloop
Although it felt like a bit of a time loop in the lead-up to Deathloop’s drawn-out release, after several delays made it feel like an eternity’s wait, the ambitious title stuck the landing and became a critical darling for Arkane Studios. It was a strange win for pretty much everyone with it being a PlayStation 5 timed-exclusive while technically still being a first-party release for Xbox after their acquisition of Zenimax.
It’s one of the year’s most unique games and certainly the most interesting take on the first-person shooter genre we’ve seen in a while, with its murder-puzzle premise standing out as a bold and insane concept. Although the game didn’t achieve the ultimate success at Keighley’s awards show, despite being the odds-on favourite, the game was recognised for its strong art direction which feels like a natural extension of Arkane’s signature style.
In his review, Brodie gave Deathloop a 9/10 and said: “It’s not an easy thing Arkane has done here in serving up a genuinely fresh take on one of the medium’s most enduring genres. Deathloop redefines what a shooter can be, and the developer has used their entire toolkit to get there. Satisfying action, world-building that’s second-to-none, style and substance, and a genuinely enthralling riddle at the centre, Deathloop delivers it all. And it’s through these triumphs that Deathloop earns its place in the first-person shooter pantheon, and puts its hand up during Game of the Year talks.”
As it stands on Metacritic, Deathloop is sitting at 88 based on 109 critic reviews.
PRESS START’S 2021 GOTY LIST
#5 – Deathloop
#6 – It Takes Two
#7 – Unpacking
#8 – Psychonauts 2
#9 – Forza Horizon 5
#10 – Halo Infinite
For a refresher on how our voting process works, refer to the #10 article where it’s all explained in detail.
