The 20 Best Video Games of 2021 So Far

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – July 7, 2021

Which games impressed professional reviewers the most during the first half of the year? Above, we rank the best-reviewed videogames released between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021 by Metascore. Games must have at least 7 reviews from professional critics to be eligible for inclusion.

Note that ...

If a game was released on multiple platforms, we included only the version receiving the largest total number of reviews (usually, but not always, the PS5 or PS4 version).

Multi-game compilations and newly released ports of games released in prior years on other platforms are excluded, unless they are substantially different from the prior release(s) (for example, an HD remaster of a previous-gen game that also adds some new content).

15 of 21 photo by Arc System Works

87 #5 (tie): Guilty Gear -Strive-

The seventh main entry in the 23-year-old fighting game franchise arrived in June for PlayStation and PC after a COVID-related delay of over a year. Strive is designed to be less daunting to newcomers than previous installments. Select from 15 very different playable characters and jump right into the most visually impressive 1v1 fighting the series has yet to offer.

"This is the best Guilty Gear to enter the series, and one of the best games in the franchise. Accessible, incredible deep and espectacular, Strive is a must-have for 2D fighting fans.” —Vandal

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