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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThere is no single agreed-upon list of the best games of 2021. It Takes Two is the strongest cross-award pick: it won Game of the Year at both The Game Awards and the 25th D.I.C.E. Awards. But the Steam Awards chose Resident Evil Village, and category winners point to other excellent choices depending on what you want to play.
What were the best games of 2021?
For a defensible shortlist, start with games recognized by more than one awards body, then choose by genre, audience, and platform. The awards below represent different judging processes and communities; they are useful evidence of recognition, not a universal ranking.
| Game | Why it stands out | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| It Takes Two | Cooperative platforming adventure about a couple going through a divorce; designed around playing together. | Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021 and the 25th D.I.C.E. Awards; also included in TIME’s 2021 favorites. The Game Awards; D.I.C.E. Awards; TIME |
| Resident Evil Village | A survival-horror choice with the clearest platform-community award in this shortlist. | 2021 Steam Awards Game of the Year. Steam Awards |
| Deathloop | Time-loop assassination action, recognized for direction and visual style. | Won Best Game Direction and Best Art Direction at The Game Awards, plus Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction at D.I.C.E. The Game Awards; D.I.C.E. Awards |
| Forza Horizon 5 | A strong pick if you want open-world racing rather than a story-led adventure. | Won Racing Game of the Year at D.I.C.E. and Best Sports/Racing at The Game Awards. The Game Awards; D.I.C.E. Awards |
| Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | Family-friendly action-platforming with notable animation, art, and technical craft. | D.I.C.E. winner for animation, art direction, technical achievement, and family game. D.I.C.E. Awards |
Best 2021 games by what you want to play
For co-op with a friend
It Takes Two is the clearest fit if you have another player ready: its cooperative design is central to the experience, and its dual Game of the Year awards make it the strongest consensus pick here. Check the platform and edition before buying; TIME lists it for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. TIME’s list
For horror
Choose Resident Evil Village if you want a horror game and value recognition from Steam’s community awards. Its Steam win differs from the jury-selected Game of the Year awards, so it is best understood as a separate signal rather than a contradiction to resolve.
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For stylish action and direction
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For racing
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For family-friendly play and technical spectacle
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart received D.I.C.E. awards across animation, art direction, technical achievement, and family game. If you want other category-specific alternatives, Metroid Dread won The Game Awards’ action/adventure category, while Kena: Bridge of Spirits won its indie category. The Game Awards results; D.I.C.E. results
For a quieter or more challenging experience
TIME’s editorial selections offer useful alternatives beyond the award winners: it describes Sable as a relaxed open-world journey and Returnal as a challenging roguelike. The same list includes Halo Infinite and Hitman III. These are editorial picks, not award results. TIME’s 2021 favorites
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Why the Game of the Year answers differ
The Game Awards and the D.I.C.E. Awards both named It Takes Two Game of the Year, while the 2021 Steam Awards selected Resident Evil Village. These results answer different questions: an industry award, an award decided by peers, and a platform community vote do not share one electorate or necessarily the same criteria. Category wins can be more useful than a single top prize when matching a game to a player.
Mobile and Apple-device games also had their own award context. Apple’s global App Store editorial team selected League of Legends: Wild Rift for iPhone, MARVEL Future Revolution for iPad, Myst for Mac, Space Marshals 3 for Apple TV, and Fantasian for Apple Arcade. Those device-specific selections are not directly comparable to the console and PC awards above. Apple’s 2021 App Store Awards announcement
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How to choose a 2021 game that suits you
- Match the play style: co-op, exploration, stealth and action, horror, roguelike, or racing are very different commitments.
- Check who can play: for It Takes Two, a second player is essential to the cooperative experience.
- Confirm platform and edition: platform listings vary by game, and availability can change. TIME lists Metroid Dread for Nintendo Switch and It Takes Two across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC; verify the current store listing for the edition you intend to buy. TIME’s list
- Consider difficulty and pace: TIME characterizes Returnal as challenging, while Sable offers a more relaxed open-world journey. TIME’s list
- Read the award label precisely: overall awards, genre awards, platform community votes, and editorial lists recognize different things.
Does a “2021” award mean the game came out in 2021?
Not necessarily. Award edition years and eligible release windows are not interchangeable. BAFTA’s page labeled 2021 names Hades Best Game, while the Japan Game Awards 2021 page says games released in 2020 were eligible for its Global Award. Use an award to describe what that organization recognized, and check its eligibility rules before treating it as proof of a calendar-year release. BAFTA Games Awards; Japan Game Awards 2021
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