Noisy Pixel’s Best Games of 2021: Genre Part 2

Alright nerds, here’s our round 2 of genre picks for best games of 2021. In case you missed it check out part 1.

Visual Novel Adventure: The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

The Great Ace Attorney has always been a series that fans have been eagerly waiting for, with hype going all the way back to the Nintendo 3DS days, where the only feasible way Western fans could enjoy it was to get a Japanese console and learn the language. But with The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, the series was finally freed from the 3DS coffin, and the localization team also did an amazing job conveying the nuance of the story between the Japanese and English parts of the storylines.

Visual Novel: Full Metal Daemon Muramasa

Full Metal Daemon Muramasa is a legendary title and its localization had been long anticipated by fans of the genre. And the wait was definitely worth it. It’s hard to imagine a title so consistent and at the same time bold. It’s a mature and humane tale not of heroes and villains but of people in a messed-up world. It’s one of the best works the genre has to offer, period.

RPG: Tales of Arise

Tales of Arise was a long time coming. It was advertised as the next-generation for the Tales of franchise, and it undoubtedly exceeded that lofty expectation. Boasting not only the much-needed graphical enhancement the franchise has needed for several years, but also endearing main characters, stellar narrative, and addictive combat, Tales of Arise is an absolute must-play. Enjoyable by all manner of fans, this entry is a hallmark JRPG that should set various precedents going forward.

Roguelike: Loop Hero

Though there’s no shortage of good roguelike titles in the last few years, Loop Hero still manages to bring a very unique spin to the table. It combines idle-esque elements with cards, making it so players don’t control the action directly but rather change the map and the character’s attributes. The result is an addicting looping experience that can be enjoyed over and over again.

Platformer: It Takes Two

It Takes Two takes chances on this playful genre by taking players through some pretty heavy narrative beats while still being a colorful and fun experience. The added co-op experience allows players to get immersed in the world and understand who these characters are and the obstacles that stand in their way. It’s an imaginative game that is fun from beginning to end. This game is packed with clever platforming stages and plenty of ways to navigate various environments.

Shmup: DoDonPachi Resurrection (Switch)

When it comes to shoot ’em ups, Cave is a major powerhouse. Not only have they been prolific at the genre but their works are consistently notorious and great examples of the fun the genre has to offer. DoDonPachi Resurrection is one such example, having a complete edition now available on Switch. This includes all previous revisions of the title, all of which are worth giving a try with differences in scoring and mechanical nuances. It may not be strictly speaking new, but this is a package that any fans of shmups need.

Eroge: Majikoi! Love Me Seriously!

Majikoi officially arriving in Western markets was bound to happen eventually. It’s incredibly popular in Japan, and for good reason. Aside from the expected qualitative H-scenes all ranging in appeal, the primary cast possesses truly excellent character relationships that are explored across every route. The writing is comically jovial yet heart-wrenching, representing the multi-faceted nature of this diverse cast. While players may initially dive into this title for the promise of H-scenes, chances are you’ll be staying for unexpectedly great storytelling. Here’s hoping the sequel and several fan discs also arrive at some point.