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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11These ten games were selected by MobileSyrup in 2021 as standout releases with Canadian development connections. They are not a definitive ranking or a complete list: the roundup spans indie and AAA games, from painting and fishing to multiplayer combat and audio-led adventure. The studio connections and platform lists below reflect what the feature reported at publication; check a current store listing before choosing a game for a specific device.
Ten standout games from 2021
The list is useful less as a countdown than as a guide to distinct play styles. Each entry notes the Canadian connection and the platforms MobileSyrup listed in its December 29, 2021 feature.
| Game | Canadian development connection | What makes it distinct | Platforms listed in 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Big Con | Mighty Yell, Toronto, Ontario; published by Skybound Games | A combat-free, comic adventure about a teenager trying to save her mother’s business, set in the 1990s. | Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC |
| Boyfriend Dungeon | Kitfox Games, Montreal; developer and publisher | Combines action-RPG dungeon combat with dating-sim conversations, a gender-diverse romantic cast, and a story that addresses stalking. | Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac |
| Chicory: A Colorful Tale | Vancouver-based developer Greg Lobanov; published by Finji | Painting is the central mechanic: players can color and manipulate much of the world in a story about self-doubt and self-care. | PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, PC |
| Chivalry 2 | Torn Banner Studios, Toronto; published by Tripwire Interactive | Multiplayer medieval melee with team-based and free-for-all modes, mixing large battles with deliberately comic weapon choices. | PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One and Series X/S, PC |
| Far Cry 6 | Ubisoft Toronto; published by Ubisoft | An open-world first-person shooter set in fictional, Cuba-inspired Yara, with co-op and a story about revolution. | PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One and Series X/S, PC, Google Stadia |
| Inscryption | Vancouver developer Daniel Mullins; published by Devolver Digital | Card play, roguelike structure, escape-room-style puzzles, and psychological horror combine in a game best approached with minimal advance knowledge. | PC |
| JETT: The Far Shore | Quebec-based Superbrothers and Tokyo-based Pine Scented Software collaborated on the game. | Scout Mei explores an ocean planet; gradual discovery and observation are central to the experience. | PlayStation 4/5, PC |
| Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy | Eidos Montreal, Montreal; published by Square Enix | A single-player, story-focused action-adventure with team-up combat, rather than a live-service game. | PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One and Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC |
| Moonglow Bay | Bunnyhug is a UK-based team led by Canadian creative director Zach Soares and including other Canadian developers. | A fishing-simulation RPG set in a fictional Eastern Canadian community, with town exploration, cooking, business elements, and optional drop-in/drop-out co-op. | Xbox One and Series X/S, PC |
| The Vale: Shadow of the Crown | Falling Squirrel, St. Catharines, Ontario; developer and publisher | An audio-led action RPG made in partnership with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, using spatial audio and controller haptics to support play without relying on sight. | Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC |
Which game fits the kind of play you want?
For a story without conventional combat
The Big Con centers on a teenager’s effort to save her mother’s business, using a comic 1990s setting rather than fighting as its main draw. Chicory: A Colorful Tale is also a strong fit for players who want a gentler, reflective story, but its defining activity is painting the world.
For combat, with very different tones
Chivalry 2 is the pick for multiplayer medieval battles, while Far Cry 6 offers an open-world shooter with co-op. Boyfriend Dungeon combines dungeon action with dating-sim conversations. For a single-player, story-first action-adventure, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy pairs combat with team interaction.
#1 Best Overall
- TRIVIA GAME – Oh Canada! Impress your friends and family with your knowledge about Canada with the How Well Do You Know Canada? Trivia Game from Games Room. Do you have what it takes to be crowned the ultimate quiz champion?
- FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY – Gather your friends and family, young and old alike, and get the party started. Ideal for 2+ players, this game of questions is excellent for social gatherings, parties and family night. It’s also an inspired conversation starter!
- EASY TO PLAY – This family trivia game is easy to play and tons of fun for everyone. Take turns reading and answering questions from a variety of topics relating to Canada, including history and culture.
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For unusual mechanics or atmosphere
Inscryption mixes cards and puzzles with psychological horror, so it suits players who enjoy discovering how a game’s systems unfold. The Vale: Shadow of the Crown makes sound and haptics central to its action-RPG design. JETT: The Far Shore emphasizes exploration and gradual discovery, while Moonglow Bay offers fishing, cooking, and town activities, with optional co-op.
What “Canadian-made” means for this selection
The games do not all have the same kind of Canadian connection. Several entries are tied to studios identified in the feature as based in Canadian cities, including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and St. Catharines. Others have more mixed arrangements: JETT: The Far Shore was a collaboration between Quebec-based Superbrothers and Tokyo-based Pine Scented Software, while Moonglow Bay came from a UK-based team led by Canadian creative director Zach Soares and including other Canadian developers. The roundup is best understood as games with Canadian development connections, not a claim that every contributor or studio was Canadian.
Rank #2
About the selection and platform lists
MobileSyrup’s December 29, 2021 feature called its choices “just a handful” of that year’s releases. “Standout” is the publication’s editorial judgment, not a measured award or an objective top-ten ranking. Its platform lists describe what the feature reported in 2021; they do not establish current storefront availability or support. Confirm the present-day platform and edition with the relevant store before buying.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Features seven of the most popular multiplayer maps in Halo history
- Co-op play over Xbox LIVE
- New achievements, new challenges, and a new story to uncover
Rank #3
- ALL-TIME FAMILY FAVORITE: Classic Yahtzee is the best-selling and most famous dice game of all-time. Families and friends have been enjoying this American icon since the fabulous 50's
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
