Games of the Year

RPGFan Games of the Year 2021 ~ Editors’ Awards: Izzy Parsons

by on January 21, 2022
RPGFan Games of the Year 2021 Editors Awards

Best Collection of Songs About The Happy Turtle

Final Fantasy VII Remake Episode INTERmission is probably the best DLC I have ever played. Yuffie controls like my wildest RPG dream, the tag team moves with Sonon speak of interesting developments to the battle system in future Final Fantasy VII Remake installments, and don’t even get me started on Fort Condor. And this all pales in comparison to the power of the remixes of The Happy Turtle scattered across the DLC. I wouldn’t want to spoil them if you haven’t played the DLC, but a highlight in finding these remixes involves everyone’s favourite animal, cats.

Best Moment Psychokinetically Riding a Bus into Groups of Lovecraftian Abominations

Scarlet Nexus is a great new IP and one I hope to see grow into a mainstay gaming franchise. It’s a fast and fluid playable anime with a lot of personality and superb combat. My enjoyment of the game is due in no small part to its splendid use of psychokinesis. No other moment in Scarlet Nexus captures the simple brilliance of this power like using it to take control of a bus to mow down large groups of Outsiders.

Best Yoshitsune Dating Simulator

Shin Megami Tensei V takes the series in a lot of new directions, most of which I love. The large areas are a joy to explore with the Nahobino’s high speed dash, there are numerous quality of life updates, and the side quests are a great insight into the demonic denizens of Da’at. Yet its commitment to customizable, upgradable, and unique demons shines brightest for me. I brought my best pal Yoshitsune to the toughest bosses in the game and he was always a star. Hassou Tobi!

Screenshot Of The Nahobino Running In Shin Megami Tensei V

The Only Good Best Mascot

Tales of Arise has everything I wanted a modern Tales game to have: beautiful areas that are fun to explore, fast and engaging combat, a loveable and charming cast, and a ton of side content. It also does the impossible: it has a great mascot character that I love and cherish and is never annoying for even a second. Spin-off platformer starring Hootle when?

Best Final Fantasy Game Ever?!

I was long resistant to the Final Fantasy series having MMORPGs amongst its mainline games. I couldn’t see how an MMORPG could capture what makes the series special. What an absolute idiot I was. Final Fantasy XIV has proven again and again that an MMORPG can tell a compelling story and have a great cast of characters, but with the release of Endwalker, a story arc eight years in the making needed satisfying closure. Thankfully, Endwalker goes above and beyond in scope, emotional impact, and sheer number of “heck yeah!” moments. I laughed and cried my way through an unforgettable conclusion to an unforgettable journey. If you are a fan of Final Fantasy, you owe it to yourself to at least give Final Fantasy XIV a chance. Hopefully you will one day reach the finale of Endwalker with tears in your eyes and a wide grin on your face as you belt out the final boss music. It just might be the greatest Final Fantasy experience of your life.

Final Game of the Year Standings

  1. Final Fantasy VII Remake Episode INTERmission
  2. Scarlet Nexus
  3. Shin Megami Tensei V
  4. Tales of Arise
  5. Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

All Editors’ Awards

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Izzy Parsons

Izzy Parsons

Izzy has been a fan of RPGs since before they were born, so it's no surprise they would end up as a reviews editor for RPGFan. When they aren't playing seven different RPGs at once, Izzy enjoys reading and writing fiction, chatting with their friends, and long walks in nature.

Izzy Parsons's Full Bio