The Best Xbox Games of 2021

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – January 4, 2022

Which Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One games impressed professional reviewers the most during the past year? We rank the best-reviewed titles released between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 by Metascore. Games must have at least 7 reviews from professional critics to be eligible for inclusion. If a game appears on both Xbox platforms, only the version receiving the higher quantity of critic reviews (typically the Xbox Series X/S version) is eligible for inclusion. (All scores listed here are from January 2, 2022.)

5 of 14 photo by Double Fine

87 Psychonauts 2 (Xbox Series X/S)

(#9) Finally emerging in August after years of anticipation, the crowdfunded sequel to Double Fine's cult hit 2005 platformer Psychonauts once again follows the humorous adventures of young acrobatic psychic Raz, who has grown up (a bit) and now works as an intern at Psychonaut Headquarters. Critics raved about the creativity on display.

“In addition to its excellent platforming, puzzles, and action, Psychonauts 2 impresses the most because it treats human frailty and failure with warmth, compassion, and humor that is never cruel or demeaning. Inside our heads, we’re all just bundles of doubt, random connections, ill-considered motivations, and weird memories mixed with kindness, aspiration, and delight. I’m grateful to Psychonauts 2 for the reminder.” — COGconnected

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