The Best Games of 2021 Were an Explosion of Color and Charisma
As the pandemic continued, these exuberant titles looked beyond the long dark night.
Slow Down With These Serene City-Building Games
From Islanders to Townscaper, a handful of titles are designed to soothe your frazzled brain with minimalist, puzzle-like calm.
Last Stop Is a Playable Love Letter to London
The title’s three codirectors discuss bringing their TV-show-meets-adventure-game project to life.
Twelve Minutes Is a Diabolical Dive Into the Human Psyche
The game—starring Daisy Ridley, James McAvoy, and Willem Dafoe—uses its time-loop mechanic to explore extreme behavior.
The Wondrous, Tedious Ocean of Subnautica: Below Zero
The game is, for the most part, a sublime seafaring sequel. Too bad it often feels like a grind.
Let Lonely Mountains: Downhill Take Your Breath Away
Unspoiled wilderness meets high-speed thrills in a meditative mountain biking game that’s still picking up new fans.
Games Like Umurangi Generation Bring the Moment Into Focus
A crop of new, weird, and expressive photography games get players to look around, create digital mementos, and say “I was here.”
Game Subscriptions Are On the Rise. Indies Could Suffer
Curated video game ecosystems pose an uncertain future for those outside the blockbuster bubble.