Published , by Shack Staff
Published , by Shack Staff
As 2021 comes to a merciful end, the Shacknews staff has assembled our annual list of awards. The Shacknews Awards spent the first few weeks of December debating some of the finer video games to be released this year. Over the next 11 days, we will have individual articles posting to the website, but we will be updating this Year of the Games: 2021 article with each winner. Keep checking back here for updates of all The Shacknews Awards 2021 as they are announced.
Shacknews Awards 2021 YouTube playlist for all of the awards in one place.
Check out our Shacknews Top 10 Games of the Year 2021 article to read more. You can also just watch our Top 10 video below!
Congratulations to every studio who shipped a game this year, but sadly there can only be one Shacknews Game of the Year 2021. Congratulations, Arkane Studios!
Check out our Shacknews Game of the Year 2021 - Deathloop article to read more.
Check out our Shacknews Person of the Year 2021 - Frances Haugen article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Be sure to check out all of our coverage of Facebook.
Check out our Shacknews Top 10 Indie Games of the Year 2021 article to read more.
Check out our Shacknews Indie Game of the Year 2021 - Death's Door article to read more.
Death's Door is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam platforms.
Check out our Do it for Shacknews Award 2021 - Log Cabin Dev Studio article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Shackpets is available for free on App Store and Google Play.
Check out our Shacknews Best Narrative Game of 2021 - Psychonauts 2 article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Psychonauts 2 is available on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. It is also part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Check out our Shacknews Best FPS Game of 2021 - Halo Infinite article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Halo Infinite is available on Steam and Xbox platforms. It is also part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Check out our Shacknews Best RPG of 2021 - Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is available on the Steam platform, and is heading to PlayStation and Xbox next year.
Check out our Shacknews Best Horror Game of 2021 - Inscryption article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Inscryption is available on the Steam platform.
Check out our Shacknews Best PC Game of 2021 - Halo Infinite article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Halo Infinite is available on Steam and Xbox platforms. It is also part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Check out our Shacknews Best Gaming Accessory of 2021 - Fanatec CSL DD Wheelbase article to read more. The CSL DD is available on the Fanatec website.
Check out our Shacknews Best Art Style of 2021 - Guilty Gear Strive article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Guilty Gear Strive is available on Steam and PlayStation platforms.
Check out our Shacknews Most Improved Game of 2021 - Dead by Daylight article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Dead by Daylight is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam platforms. It's also a part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Check out our Shacknews Best Strategy Game of 2021 - Evil Genius 2: World Domination article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Evil Genius 2: World Domination is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam platforms.
Check out our Shacknews Best Early Access Game of 2021 - Phasmophobia article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Phasmophobia is available on Steam Early Access.
Check out our Shacknews Best Fighting Game of 2021 - Guilty Gear Strive article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Guilty Gear Strive is available on Steam and PlayStation platforms.
Check out our Shacknews Best Remake of 2021 - Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are available exclusively for the Nintendo Switch platform.
Check out our Shacknews Best Developer of 2021 - IO Interactive article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Hitman 3 is available on Nintendo Switch (cloud version), PlayStation, Stadia, Xbox, and PC platforms.
Check out our Shacknews Best Graphics of 2021 - Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is available exclusively for the PlayStation 5 platform.
Check out our Shacknews Best Mod of 2021 - Portal Reloaded article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Portal Reloaded is available for free on the Steam platform, but does require Portal 2 to play.
Check out our Shacknews Best Nintendo Switch Game of 2021 - Metroid Dread article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Metroid Dread is available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch platform.
Check out our Shacknews Best Racing Game of 2021 - Forza Horizon 5 article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Forza Horizon 5 is available on Xbox and Steam platforms. It's also a part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Check out our Shacknews Best Sports Game of 2021 - Knockout City article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Knockout City is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms.
Check out our Shacknews Best Co-op Game of 2021 - Back 4 Blood article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Back 4 Blood is available on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms. It's also part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Check out our Shacknews Most Overlooked Game of 2021 - Subnautica: Below Zero article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Subnautica: Below Zero is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam platforms. It even runs on Mac and it's available as a part of Xbox Game Pass.
Check out our Shacknews Best Expansion of 2021 - Disco Elysium: The Final Cut article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, Stadia and Steam platforms.
Check out our Shacknews Best Comeback of 2021 - Halo franchise article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Halo Infinite is available on Steam and Xbox platforms. It is also part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Check out our Shacknews Best Strand Game of 2021 - Cozy Grove article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Cozy Grove is available on Steam, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, App Store, and Xbox platforms.
Check out our Shacknews Outstanding Achievement in Accessibility of 2021 - Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is available exclusively for the PlayStation 5 platform.
Check out our Shacknews Best Multiplayer Game of 2021 - Halo Infinite article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Halo Infinite is available on Steam and Xbox platforms. It is also part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Check out our Shacknews Best VR Game of 2021 - Resident Evil 4 VR article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Resident Evil 4 VR is available exclusively on the Meta Quest 2 platform.
Check out our Modojo @ Shacknews Mobile Game of the Year 2021 - Pikmin Bloom article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Pikmin Bloom is available on App Store and Google Play.
Check out our Shacknews Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021 - Halo Infinite article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Halo Infinite is available on Steam and Xbox platforms. It is also part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Check out our Shacknews Best PS5 Game of 2021 - Returnal article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Returnal is available exclusively on PlayStation 5.
Check out our Shacknews Best Publisher of 2021 - Devolver Digital article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Find ouit more about Devolver Digital's amazing video game titles at their official website.
Check out our Shacknews Best PS4 Game of 2021 - Persona 5 Strikers article for more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Persona 5 Strikers is available on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Steam platforms.
Check out our Shacknews Best Xbox One Game of 2021 - MLB: The Show 21 article for more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
MLB: The Show 21 is available on Xbox and PlayStation platforms. The series should also be heading to Nintendo Switch and PC next year.
Check out our Shacknews Best Trendsetter of 2021 - Workers' Rights article to read more about this important topic. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Follow the workers' rights movement on social media using #ABetterABK, #ABetterUbisoft, and #AppleToo.
Check out our Shacknews Best Hardware of 2021 - Nintendo Switch OLED article for more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Still looking to pick up a Nintendo Switch OLED for the holidays? Check out our guide on where to buy the latest Nintendo hybrid console.
Check out our Shacknews Esports Heroes of 2021 - Team Spirit article to read more. You can also watch the deliberations for this Shacknews Award in the video embedded below!
Dota 2 is available exclusively on the Steam platform.
Nothing says "quietest lobby" like a game that came out about 6 months ago that's just barely above double-digit concurrent players on Steam. The worst part? The game is GOOD. There's no reason that Hood should have such a small following. It's a fun concept, and the multiplayer is really enjoyable. Sure, it was a bit barebones at launch, but this game deserves more.
Hood: Outlaws & Legends is available on Steam, Xbox and PlayStation platforms.
Undoubtedly one of the best cooperative experiences in all of the video game universe, Deep Rock Galactic deserves a spot on the Nintendo Switch because the platform is short on quality online coop games. With endless replayability, rewarding progression mechanics, and outstanding character customization, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better candidate for Nintendo's handheld.
Deep Rock Galactic is available on Steam and Xbox platforms. It's also available now as part of Xbox Game Pass.
PAC-MAN embodies the old school genre. Not only did the franchise get a new entry this year, it's one of the best PAC-MAN titles we've gotten in years. This battle royale spin makes PAC-MAN more stressful than it's been in a long time, and it was great having that arcade feel again on the handheld Nintendo Switch.
PAC-MAN 99 is available exclusively on Nintendo Switch and requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play.
When the trailer for Kirby and the Forgotten Land kicked off during the September 2021 Nintendo Direct presentation, there were a lot of things we thought it was. A Kirby game was not one of them. Kirby and the Forgotten Land looks outlandishly different than any other Kirby game that has ever come out. Not only does it cast Kirby into a seemingly broken modern civilization against new and familiar Kirby enemies, but it also turns Kirby into a full 3D platformer - a first for the little pink puffball. Even with leaks, we didn't see what Kirby and the Forgotten Land turned out to be coming in the slightest, and we're happily looking forward to joining his new journey in Spring 2022.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land will launch exclusively on Nintendo Switch in Spring 2022.
Sea of Thieves admittedly launched in an iffy state back in 2018. Since then, the game has made strides thanks to the work being done by Rare. 2021 was another huge year of growth for the pirate game, with the Pirates of the Caribbean tie-in DLC leading the way. Sea of Thieves took home the Shacknews Award for Most Improved Game of 2019, and it's claiming yet another one with the award for Best Ongoing Game two years later. Yarggh!
Sea of Thieves is available on PC and Xbox platforms. It's also a part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
There aren’t a lot of voice actors out there who can portray three different characters that are all based on one another, in the same video game, and make them sound distinctly different while still ensuring there are similarities between them. Jen Taylor achieves this with her portrayal of The Weapon, Cortana, and Dr. Halsey in Halo Infinite. Jen Taylor’s performance in the latest Halo title is truly unforgettable. The level of emotions she is able to bring to the table with her voice alone is astounding. Not only are the emotional deliveries on point, but Jen is able to capture the subtle changes of a character using her voice. The character arc of the Weapon is the best example. The artificial intelligence companion starts off as bubbly and naïve and ends the campaign – not jaded – but with a greater understanding of her world. Jen Taylor’s performance in Halo Infinite is a pinnacle of the series and well-deserving of the Shacknews Best Voice Actor of 2021 award. Congratulations, Jen!
Halo Infinite is available on Steam and Xbox platforms. It is also part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Best PC Port is a category that has become increasingly difficult to find solid candidates for as the years progress. Thanks to the industry's warmth towards the platform in recent years, most games arrive on PC alongside their console counterparts. For the few that don't, this award exists. Square Enix brought over their Nintendo Switch hit Bravely Default 2 to PC earlier this summer and it ticks all the boxes you'd want as a PC player.
Bravely Default 2 is available on Steam and Nintendo Switch platforms.
From the PT-6 Spiker nailgun to the Sepulchra Breteira sniper rifle, Deathloop offers more ways to brain your enemies than most games can ever dream of. It also doesn't hurt that the shooting feel is as good as any titles released this year. The icing on the cake is surely the game's Slab system that grants special abilities such as Nexus, which allows players to link enemies telepathically, allowing for one shot to explode multiple heads.
Deathloop is available on PlayStation 5 and Steam.
It Takes Two is an excellent co-op game, and a lot of its greatness is driven by its puzzles. The way that the game requires players to work together in order to accomplish tasks makes it hilariously frustrating. The game also excellently weaves the story and themes into its puzzles, which is awesome.
It Takes Two is available on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.
We here at Shacknews love our pets. One of the greatest joys is seeing our animal’s smiling face after a long day of work. Ever since developers started including animals in video games, specifically pets, we have gotten to experience a similar joy during our gaming sessions. Each year, we like to look at some of the pets included in the games we’ve played, and this year one stood out above all others: Monster Hunter Rise’s Palamute. This delightful creature is the ultimate pet. It follows you on a hunt, assists you in the fight, collects goodies to help you craft, and can be ridden around the world. Rise introduced so many new things to the Monster Hunter formula, but a rideable Palamute was one of our favorites. Congratulations, Palamute. You have won the Shacknews Best Pet of 2021. There’s a good doggie.
Monster Hunter Rise is available on Nintendo Switch, and is heading to PC on Steam in 2022.
No game is enhanced by its sound design like Returnal. The haunting echoes throughout dangerous chasms amplify the sense of dread, and the monsters all make some disturbingly unique sounds as well. Housemarque even accomplishes the impossible by making the speaker on the DualSense controller useful. That alone is enough for them to take home this award.
Returnal is available exclusively on PlayStation 5.
If you were to organize all the Shacknews year-end awards in order of prestige, Best Water would be near the top of the list. Originally created as an excuse to gush over the water in Rare's Sea of Thieves, this category now celebrates outstanding achievement in digital water presentation. As luck would have it, you didn't need a $3000 GPU to see this year's best water. Nintendo knocked it out of the park with Bowser's Fury on its Switch console.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch platform.
No matter where Tetris Effect goes, it can do no wrong. The game has only continued to get better since it first launched on PlayStation 4 in 2018. Since then it has comfortably expanded onto further platforms and gotten a ton of new features, such as when the Connected expansion launched local and online multiplayer. This game won our Xbox Series X Game of the Year in 2020, but the true magic was when the whole experience came to Switch, not only allowing us to continually enjoy all of Connected's expanded visual spectacles, but also take it on the go. Tetris Effect: Connected is a gift that keeps on giving, and we're happy that its successful port over to Switch in 2021 means we get to honor the fine work of Enhance, Resonair, and Monstars yet again.
Tetris Effect: Connected is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, VR, and PC platforms. It's even available as part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Some games have tunes that manage to weasel their way into your brain and begin repeating in your head for weeks. Other games have music that comes up and slaps you in the face and makes you take notice. Backbone is one such game. Set against the backdrop of a future Vancouver inhabited by walking and talking animals, this rainy noir hits lots of familiar beats for adventure game aficionados. The soundtrack is the real star of the show, though, mixing abrasive jazz with pulsing synths and haunting ambiance. If there's any game you pick up this holiday season that offers a special soundtrack edition, make it Backbone.
Backbone is available on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. It's even available as part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Players who venture into the world of It Takes Two may find themselves just as initially confused as the struggling couple who star in the game. Lucky for us, Dr. Carlos Hakim is on the case and does a memorable job of explaining things to both the players and in-game participants. It also doesn't hurt that we are equally excited to hear from the good doctor as we are scared of what he might say or do. I've gotten worse advice from sketchier-looking books...
It Takes Two is available on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.
What makes Deathloop stand out from the rest? During a time when many games rely on licensed properties and celebrity tie-ins, the team at Arkane built a totally new IP with innovative game design to go along with it. It offers a unique world filled to the brim with personality and manages to freshen up what may be the oldest task in all of video game history - kill stuff.
Deathloop is available on PlayStation 5 and Steam.
What’s better than an awesome video game? An awesome video game that’s free. In this day and age, free-to-play games are everywhere, which makes it a fierce market to release in. And yet, the team over at 343 Industries has done just that, releasing one of the most iconic games in the industry, for free. Though Halo Infinite’s campaign isn’t free-to-play, the multiplayer is, and boy howdy does it blow everything else out of the water. Long-time fans of the series were rejoicing when Halo Infinite released, as the game had managed to do the unthinkable: harken back to the original series while still feeling fresh and modern. The term “return to form” has been used to describe Halo Infinite in all corners of the internet, and that sentiment is true. Halo Infinite’s multiplayer taps into its roots and delivers an arena shooter that will no doubt be considered one of the best free-to-play titles of this generation. We’re excited to be able to award Halo Infinite with the Shacknews Best Free-to-Play Game of 2021 award.
Halo Infinite is available on Steam and Xbox platforms. It is also part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
When you’re playing a platformer, yo