2021 has been a great year for gaming, with some excellent titles either being announced or released during this time. Of course, only the quality of released titles can be gauged right now, but rest assured — the year has seen several excellent releases and a few duds won't mar what has otherwise been a good year for gamers all over the world.
Of course, there are some titles that have established a name for themselves but only after making players slog through some truly excruciating parts of the experience. A solid first impression is important to ensure that people keep on playing these games, so it's possible that some people didn't try out the following video game titles released in 2021 that took a while to really get going.
10 Deathloop
At the start, Deathloop can feel rather perplexing to play through. The time loop mechanic might feel frustrating, with the requirement to try and assassinate a multitude of characters in one run feeling downright impossible to pull off.
Thankfully, the game starts opening up once players go through the initial stages of the game and get a hang of its mechanics. Arkane Studios has crafted another great title... although it might take some time to really get going.
9 Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium was a breakthrough RPG that managed to feature tense moments without any combat at all! It's a modern evolution of the CRPG genre that received an updated release in the form of The Final Cut, which added updated and reworked voice acting to each and every piece of dialogue in the game!
The beginning of the game might feel slightly slow, but it's after players understand the depth of its mechanics and get into the narrative that everything just clicks. All of a sudden, the first few hours that might've been slightly boring end up becoming a thing of the past as players immerse themselves in this amazing world, courtesy of ZA/UM.
8 Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy
After the disappointment that was Marvel's Avengers, most people expected the next Marvel game by Square Enix to also be a dud. Thankfully, this wasn't the case — Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is an absolute treat.
However, the boredom of the last game hasn't been forgotten, and the initial impression given off by this title feels eerily similar. Thankfully, it doesn't take too much time for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy to get the ball rolling, resulting in an amazing title that is a joy to explore.
7 It Takes Two
Josef Fares has been at the helm of developing stellar co-op adventures. It Takes Two is no exception with a great gameplay loop that allows two players to seamlessly play through an excellent title with ease.
Of course, it's not smooth sailing early on. The game takes a while to pick up and the initial puzzles don't feature too much creativity since everything needs to be simple at the start. It's after players get their own abilities and the game starts opening up that players are able to enjoy an amazing co-op adventure.
6 Age Of Empires 4
After a long time in the shadows, Age of Empires has finally made its much-celebrated return to the big leagues. The game doesn't disappoint, with the RTS gameplay being as good as ever.
Just like most RTS titles, the beginning of Age of Empires 4 can feel rather lengthy and prolonged... especially if players aren't experienced in this genre. That being said, the game definitely picks up steam once players start progressing through the campaigns at their own pace.
5 Returnal
The idea of a full-blown AAA studio making a roguelite game is genuinely surprising. After all, this genre was considered by many to be reserved for the indie scene... before Returnal came along, that is.
As is the case with most roguelites, Returnal can be quite frustrating early on. Players who end up learning the systems and going through the challenging areas of the game will find it to be a rewarding experience.
4 Football Manager 2022
The Football Manager series has continued to be a cherished source of entertainment for most football fans. The in-depth mechanics of this game allow for a wildly addictive simulation experience as players manage the teams of their choice.
Newcomers to this series might genuinely be boggled by the sheer level of complexity present in these games. It can take a while to get used to, but players who finally start winning games will have a great time as they bring endless glories to their club!
3 Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
The original Mass Effect trilogy was told one of the greatest sci-fi stories of all time. The release of the Legendary Edition now allows a whole new generation of gamers to experience the magic of this series once again.
Even with the new coat of paint, the Legendary Edition definitely shows its age and can alienate some gamers early on. However, sticking through this experience and letting the story take shape does wonders to improve the overall experience of playing through Mass Effect.
2 Persona 5 Strikers
Just like Persona 5, Strikers can take a while to get going. After all, the game needs to bring back the powers of the Phantom Thieves and also establish their goals in the process!
Once players get into the groove of things, Persona 5 Strikers turns into a magical experience. The main cast is back and just as beloved as ever, with the new Jails and the combat system being a wildly enjoyable experience as well!
1 Yakuza: Like A Dragon
After adopting the real-time combat system for the longest time, Yakuza: Like a Dragon decided to change the formula of the series and go for a turn-based combat system instead.
This would've obviously rubbed some fans the wrong way, especially if they loved everything about the amazing combat of the Yakuza games. It can take a few hours to form an open mind, but players who stick with the experience will realize that the JRPG mechanics of Yakuza: Like a Dragon is truly excellent!