The Christmas It is an ideal time to catch up on all those titles that we have left on our shelf or on the to-do list throughout the year. About to fire this 2021 and despite the problem with the lack of components that has caused a significant lack of stock in the new generation consoles, there are many players who have managed to get hold of a PlayStation 5. For them and for the owners of a PS4 console We bring you this report in which we review those most outstanding games that have been published throughout the last 12 months and that we can acquire to enjoy the free time that this Christmas season offers us.
On the other hand, we remember that we have also brought you similar reports but focused on the Xbox family of consoles, Nintendo Switch and to platforms such as PC, to cover all kinds of playable needs and open the range of offers as much as possible. As we prepare for a promising 2022 that will squeeze the maximum next-gen capabilities in which we are already immersed, we have to clear the list of pending works and close this year in style enjoying great essential games.
Ratchet & Clank: A Dimension Apart
- Platforms: PS5
One of the great exclusives of the year is the new aventura de Ratchet & Clank, Rivet and company. The couple of lombax They fight their way through interdimensional rifts to end the threat that stalks the entire galaxy. With a constant change of situations, mechanics and locations, it makes use of the next-gen capabilities what provides PlayStation 5 to provide us practically immediate loads, ray-tracing, special use of DualSense and much more. Impressive at the audiovisual level and very fun at the controls, it is an essential if we are owners of a PS5 console, whether we have already accompanied Ratchet and Clank on previous adventures or if we know them now for the first time.
Returnal
- Platforms: PS5
The action packed adventure developed by Housemarque It is quite a challenge at the controls that only a fraction of the players will be able to face. With a system based on the roguelike, to repeat a loop All the way to the end, it is challenging but also very satisfying. It’s one of the titles that has made the best use of the hardware capabilities of this year’s PS5, even with 3D Tempest audio and clever use of DualSense. With a narrative that engages from the beginning, we will want to accompany Selene until the end to be able to understand all the mysteries that are hidden in Atropos. Of course, it is important to point out once again that it is a demanding title with an appropriate difficulty curve based on experimentation and learning. Risk has its reward, but are you willing to risk it?
Deathloop
- Platforms: PS5 and PC
Speaking of loops … we continue with the new proposal of Bethesda Y Arkane Studios, a study that is always synonymous with quality. Exclusive to consoles for PS5 but also available on PC, it is a curious action play centered on the mysterious island of Blackreef, where all the inhabitants live in a loop they can’t escape. The only ones who are aware of these repetitive cycles are the protagonists, Colt and Julianna. The former wants to destroy said loop so that everything returns to normal, while his adversary intends to do everything possible to prevent said mission from being carried out. For this reason, they will be constantly confronted while Colt learns to finish off all his adversaries in a totally customizable way thanks to his powers (through stealth, in a chaotic way, etc.). In general, it is an essential title for those who enjoyed the saga Dishonored and other works such as Prey.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
- Platforms: PC, PS4 and PS5
A beautiful and surprising work by Ember Lab that is balanced, fun and simple for any type of player to complete. In the story we accompany Kena, a young woman whose mission is to help lost souls to achieve ultimate peace. Accompanied by the friendly Rock (a kind of adorable little creatures), you make your way through a magical and visually beautiful world. With small peaks of difficulty in the boss fights and the series of puzzles and platforms that it presents, it is an ideal combination to discover one of the great surprises of this year 2021.
Guilty Gear Strive
- Platforms: PC, PS4 and PS5
The great fighting title of the year. Developed and edited by Arc System Works, it is a new delivery within the saga Guilty Gear that keeps the bar high thanks to its graphic section, which mixes 2D with 3D with cell-shading, and features a cast of uniquely designed and charismatic characters. With new mechanics to welcome, such as Wall Break and the options offered by the so-called Roman Cancel, it is an accessible installment for new players as well as a great addition for lovers of the genre. In fact, these types of players will be delighted to discover that this work makes advanced use of rollback netcode, a solution against online lag that greatly facilitates the confrontations of the competitive scene in fighting games.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
- Platforms: PS5
The remake of one of the best installments of the saga Final Fantasy was considered one of the great games of the past 2020. This time we get a new special version for PlayStation 5 that considerably improves the graphic and technical section of the work to the point of offering almost non-existent loading screens, special functions of the DualSense and more. Beyond these additions, what is really remarkable is the expansion starring Yuffie known as INTERmission, a content that no player of the original should miss in order to follow the adventures of Cloud and company in detail until the launch of the next part, in which the group finally leaves the zone of Midgar to explore the wide outside world. There is still time for that, so reviewing this great adventure in the best possible way is a great plan for this Christmas.
Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut
- Platforms: PS4 and PS5
Speaking of remastered games for the next-gen that arrive with a new expansion, we continue with the story of Jin Sakai to better know the protagonist who captivated us in the original adventure in charge of Sucker Punch. With approximately 10 hours of content, the expansion of the island of Iki allows us to face new types of enemies, opens up new game options and works as an interesting DLC ​​for all those who enjoyed Ghost of Tsushima. In case you do not have the game, we recommend you purchase this final version. If you already played it but you were wanting more, you can expand the adventure with this Director’s Cut.
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut
- Platforms: PS5
It has been a prolific year for this type of edition, since the last work of Hideo Kojima It also received its own final version focused on the next-gen just a few months ago. With additions that at first seemed to differ from the creator’s vision for the title, such as the addition of car racing or a shooting range, they finally proved to be a good fit to elevate the title to a new level. Fun, unique, and packed with more content than ever, this director’s cut is ideal for those who haven’t played Death Stranding yet. As for the DLC that is incorporated, it is a plot that takes place in an abandoned factory and presents touches of terror and tension as the Japanese creative likes so much.
Resident Evil Village
- Plataformas: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Google Stadia, PS4 y PS5
The new installment in the zombie saga of Capcom features a diverse and interesting cast of adversaries to guide the game’s action through different scenarios and horror styles. The castle Dimitrescu with her vampire daughters, the terrifying and silent house Welcome and a denouement loaded with action and shooting. There is something for all tastes and it is a good union between the formula of Resident Evil 4 with that of the seventh installment. Being intergenerational we are not facing a particularly portentous title in the technical and graphic, but even so it works perfectly both for lovers of the saga and for those players interested in the genre of zombies, terror and action.
Hades
- Plataformas: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PS4 y PS5.
One of the great surprises of the past 2020 that lands this year on Xbox and PlayStation consoles. It’s about a roguelike very special that mixes the theme of the Greek mythology with unbridled action at the controls. Supergiant Games has shown its good know-how once again and despite the fact that this version of consoles does not contribute much compared to the PC version that we could already play (it does when compared to the Switch version, since the difference between consoles is significant ), it is an ideal title to enjoy this Christmas. Do you dare to face this challenge? We assure you that it is worth it.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
- Platforms: PC, PS4 and PS5
Directed by Greg Lobanov and Finji, this is a very special indie adventure in which we can discover a nice black and white world for color with the help of our magic brush. With an unforgettable soundtrack by Lena Raine, we enjoy a very special story as we meet endearing characters and progress through a world full of mysteries. It presents dungeons with well thought out challenges and although in its first hours it can be a bit confusing, we will end up mastering the art of the brush with which to help Chicory to endow the world with vivid colors.
The Forgotten City
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 y PS5
We travel to the Ancient Rome to investigate a crucial ancient mystery in order to avoid a disaster that will change the course of history. Developed by Modern Storyteller, It is one of the best-rated indie titles of this year 2021 that originally came out as a Skyrim mod until it became a standalone game. Along the way, it changed its graphics engine and setting until it consolidated itself as a unique work that could be considered as a mix of Outer Wilds and Deadly Premonition in addition to the aforementioned and legendary Skyrim. Do not miss the opportunity to keep an eye on it, since squeezing its story will not take us more than 10 hours and therefore it can be enjoyed as a complement to other games during this Christmas season.
