MMORPG.com Game of the Year 2021 Awards

The end of 2021 is approaching and while it is not as difficult as 2020, it is still fraught with problems of its own. Thankfully, there have been games that have kept many of us awake in the past twelve months. The MMORPG staff voted for our favorite, most anticipated, and most disappointing games of this year. Here are the results of our Best of 2021 Awards.

Biggest disappointment of 2021: Activision Blizzard lawsuit

Runner-up: New World (all issues posted at launch)

We’ve expanded this category this year to include not only games that can be disappointing, but also storylines and issues surrounding the game industry. There’s nothing more disappointing than what’s supposed to be happening at Activision Blizzard. Since July when the news first came out that CThe alifornia Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit against the game publisher for reports of a fratricidal culture that sees discrimination and sexual harassment flourish at the game publisher, almost every other week. There are some disappointing new developments. From the publisher’s response, Wall Street Journal report About CEO Bobby Kotick, most recent News about layoffs at Raven Software, Activision Blizzard has been disappointing all year. We can only hope the changes made there for the better mean a complete shift in office culture for the creators of some of our favorite games, though. It remains to be seen how well Activision Blizzard will complete from here.

Best Battle Royale of 2021: Apex Legends

Runner Up: Fall Guys, Call of Duty: Warzone

Apex Legends definitely had a year. From the introduction of a new map in Storm Point, Marksman Class, arenas and more, the battle royale published by EA has slowly gotten better in 2021. Apex Legends has long been quite unique in the BR space, especially resonating with other Respawns shooters Titanfall built into its DNA. Apex Legends It’s fast-paced, precise, and with its unique spin on the move, respawn mechanics, and cool map design that keep players thinking. With opponents Fortnite, Anonymous Player’s Battlefield and Call of Duty: Warzone still chugging along, Top still feels ready to hold its own in 2022.

Most anticipated game of 2021: Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen

Runner up: Ashes of Creation, Palia

Pantheon: Rise of the Fall has been in development for almost ten years, was announced as Kickstarter in 2014, and since then Visionary Realms has been hard at work on the upcoming MMORPG. While we don’t know anything exact about the release date yet, the studio behind the MMO is still working hard on delivering developer updates via streams and more. Most recently, we heard the group about how transition to a more seamless open world, as well as combat rebalancing to make it less based on rotation and more on strategy. While we look ahead to 2022, we can only hope we start to see alpha builds and a more accurate idea of ​​when MMOs might launch here soon.

Best persistent online game of 2021: Path of Exile

Runner up: Fate 2, Warframe

Road exile continues to dominate this category, with Diablo-New Zealand-based Grinding Gear Games-inspired MMOARPG wins for the fourth year in a row. Incredible MMO development Warframe and Bungie’s MMOFPS Fate 2, Road exile continue to provide updates to keep fans coming back for more. This year Expansion of Calamity presented players with a terrifying challenge this past October and while many are looking forward Path of Exile 2, GGG is still rolling out updates and events, most recently ending 2021 with a bang. What comes to 2022 remains to be seen, but Road exile looks set to be ready for another strong year – and who knows, maybe we’ll finally see a fully realized sequel next year?

Most Improved MMORPG of 2021: Star Wars: The Old Republic

Runner Up: Black Desert Online, Marvel’s Avengers

A game that has been talked about a lot this year in our staff Discord chats is Star Wars: The Old Republic, so it’s no surprise to see it take the top spot. While coming Legacy of the Sith expansion is delayed in 2022, the ten^order anniversary of MMORPG has given it a lot of excitement, not just for the past years but for what’s to come. With fighting style enter Heritage, as well as new hot spot and encounters, as well as sequels to the story that have occupied the minds of fans throughout the past year, SWTOR feel ready to have a great 2022.

Best indie game of 2021: Valheim

Runner up: Kena, Spirit Orb

In our most overwhelming vote, Valheim earned a spot in our first annual “Best Indie” award. While still having early access, Valheim established itself very early this year has been one of the best experiences of the year. It’s chilling approach to survival mechanics makes it accessible to all players, and its iconic art style combined with an outstanding soundscape helps tell the story of the game. Viking afterlife. If only the Death Mosquitoes weren’t there. While they were slow release of updates throughout the year, the impact is undeniable Valheim was in the game this year, and the survival MMO genre for that matter. Valheim will be here for a while, and it will spawn many imitators in the years to come, making it a game worth watching in 2022.

Best RPG of 2021: Solasta: Crown of the Magister

Runner up: Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, Legendary version of Mass Effect

Solasta: Crown of the Magister reminiscent of the epic pen and paper style RPGs that many old fashioned PC RPGs are based on. The RPG from Tactical Adventures was one of the highest-rated titles at MMORPG.com this year, with our reviewers Praise the solid implementation of the 5E D&D code of conduct, the story and most of all the freedom provided to accomplish your goals. This is an RPG that is rooted in the classic PC game and is a game that everyone who enjoys good prison escapes should play. Although the second place position did not slip in their own right, Solasta: Crown of the Magister is the best RPG we’ve played all year and deserves the top spot for this award.

Best MMORPG of 2021: Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

Runner up: The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood

In a year that has seen more MMO releases than most in recent memory, if one MMORPG could identify 2021 it would have to be Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XIV. It was a year that saw the MMORPG become so successful, the developers have had to withdraw himself from the sale – twice – to try to combat server congestion. From one of the best stories in MMORPG to date, to lovable characters, a fun world to explore and more and more, Final Fantasy XIV Undoubtedly the best MMORPG on the market right now. And it doesn’t seem to slow down if Endwalker is any sign.