byOMG Game of the Year 2021 – Action-Adventure, Racing and Cooperative
Best Action-Adventure
These games fit into the Action-Adventure genre.
Winner – Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
Unfortunately no review of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, but over half the team have played through it since launch.
Honourable Mention – Metroid Dread
Metroid Dread is the definition of a perfect game. MercurySteam and Nintendo EPD have outdone themselves and made a title that will stand the test of time. If this is the final 2D Metroid, after waiting nineteen years since the last instalment, then it has gone out with excellence from both the conclusion of Samus’s story and the gameplay throughout. The boss fights are superb and difficult to master. The sound, music and art throughout the biomes is unreal and keeps you in it from beginning to end. The E.M.M.I. robot addition is a great secondary battle for much of the game and adds to the complexity of the delivery but hits on every point. The fact that in both handheld and docked mode it is the same perfect game is an accomplishment worth celebrating. Metroid Dread is an amazing experience from beginning to end. The ending of Samus’s story is a mic drop moment like no other and brings it to a close with an emphatic bang. Well done to Nintendo and MercurySteam on this stunning title. 10/10 – Reviewed by Rob, review found here.
Honourable Mention – Hitman 3
Hitman 3 reminds us why it remains one of the best stealth franchises today. It ticks all the boxes and gives the player so much opportunity to play the game the way they wish to play it. Hitman 3 only loses points due to its sometimes-simple AI, but it can easily be overlooked for the quality visuals, sound and gameplay. I now have a yearning to complete the first two in the series and I highly recommend that as many people can get their hands on this as possible. I can only applaud IO Interactive for this stellar stealth title. 9/10 – Reviewed by Brando, review found here.
Best Racing Title
These games fit into the Racing genre.
Winner – Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is a racing game lover’s dream, with beautiful cars, improved graphics, sounds and customisation options surrounded by the beauty that is Mexico means that this keep up PlayGround games high standards and is arguably the best Forza Horizon games. There is so much on offer and available for players to choose from that it means hours can just go by as players dive into the largest map in the franchise’s history, there are no shortage of roads to drive on and sights to see as players explore Mexico. Forza Horizon 5 will only continue to get better in time as Playground Games eventually start releasing DLCs that will only add so much more to a world that players will love. 10/10. Reviewed by J, review found here.
Honourable Mention – F1 2021
Honourable Mention – Hot Wheels Unleashed
Hot Wheels Unleashed is a lot more fun than I expected, with its visuals in particular shattering the expectations I had going in. The micro perspective of the cars amidst the life-sized backdrop offers some striking contrast in scale and excitement, keeping the experience satisfying and creative whether playing through the campaign or competitively. The ridiculous level of detail in the cars, including the damage they sustain throughout races is incredible and the customisation offerings through the cars and track editor encourage players to come back time and time again. Hot Wheels Unleashed epitomises the quote ‘big things come in small packages’. 8/10 – Reviewed by DAYNE, review found here.
Best Cooperative Title
These games have major cooperative elements to gameplay.
Winner – It Takes Two
Unfortunately no review of It Takes Two, but we have all sunk our teeth into it, especially once it hit Game Pass.
Honourable Mention – Back 4 Blood
Back 4 Blood is the spiritual successor that many Left 4 Dead fans have been waiting for. This 8 to 10-hour campaign is a cooperative experience that takes players through a number of apocalyptic survival scenarios that will test anyone trying to go it alone or a group on the brutal higher difficulties. Back 4 Blood offers a great setting and a decent game that is worth experiencing at least once and the longevity is in the difficulty and the perk system allowing each player to play their own way. The downfall for this title is the lack of progression between solo and cooperative modes and some of its technical issues, but with Turtle Rock flagging this, it means changes are coming soon. If you haven’t considered picking this one up then you may want to change your mind, grab some friends and survive the hordes of Ridden together. 9/10 – Review by Xbox Gamer Dad Matt, review found here.
Honourable Mention – Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Aliens: Fireteam Elite is an enjoyable three-player shooter that delivers great gameplay and an amazing atmosphere and representation of the legendary franchise. Its narrative shortcomings and limited number of missions are disappointing, more attention to these aspects could easily make the experience feel more meaningful than just an enjoyable horde-slaying affair. 8/10 – Reviewed by DAYNE, review found here.
Recap our 2021 Games of the Year
OMG Game of the Year 2021 – Console Exclusives – click here.
OMG Game of the Year 2021 – Multiplatform, FPS and New IP – click here.
OMG Game of the Year 2021 – Best Story, DLC and Adventure – click here.
OMG Game of the Year 2021 – Best Remake/Remaster, Family and Game for Children – click here.
OMG Game of the Year 2021 – Action-Adventure, Racing and Cooperative title – click here.
Join us tomorrow for the best Action/Beat’em Up, Platformer and Sequel.
Pottsy for One More Game
