Video games are a great addition to kids and kids at heart. But with so many console and computer titles to choose from, buying a player can be a daunting effort. After all, no one wants to give away a fiasco that will quickly turn into a coaster or shiny bauble.
If you’re looking for some suggestions, the following are some of the recommended game picks, a very subjective look at some of the best of 2021, broken down into various age groups. Prices are $ 60 unless otherwise specified.
Since many games are available for multiple platforms, be sure to purchase the correct one for the machine they own (and include the gift receipt, just in case).
Two very swollen thumbs for these selections:
Kids
Forza Horizon 5 (Xbox Game Studios; for Xbox X / S / One, Windows 10): Driving fans, this is your chance to virtually get behind the wheel of hundreds of incredible (and customizable) cars and other vehicles and race through a Mexico of the world opened. from historic cities and vast deserts to sun-drenched beaches and ancient ruins.
Along with countless challenges across various missions, engage in knuckle races against others over the internet (and with cross-platform support between PC and Xbox users).
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (Nintendo; for Nintendo Switch) – One of the best family games of the year, Super Mario 3D World is a fun update to the best-selling adventure of 2013, now with high-resolution courses to run, local and online multiplayer support, and tons of collectibles (including stamps to use in Snapshot mode).
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Each with their own abilities, choose one of four characters: Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad (and Rosalina, later in the game), as they set out to save Sprixie’s Kingdom.
Also included is the open-world platformer, Bowser’s Fury, which challenges Mario to team up with Bowser Jr. and venture through a cat-themed world on Lapcat Lake (and its islands), use power-ups, and collect. elements.
NHL 22 (EA Sports; for Xbox Series X / S / One, PS4 / PS5): Tie up and hit the ice as or against your favorite pro hockey team, or create your own NHL team, if you like.
Powered by EA’s Frostbite engine (for PS5 and Xbox Series X / S), the game looks as good as it plays.
Enjoy various options for single player and multiplayer (on the same TV or online), along with updates to modes such as World of Chel (adding custom player classes and “X factor” abilities), Be a Pro (create a character , progress over time), Franchise (try to lead your team to the Stanley Cup) and Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT), which allows you to create a fantasy lineup and compete against others.
Other recommended games for kids include Enhance’s Tetris effect: Connected (for multiple platforms), 2K’s NBA 2K 22 (for multiple platforms) and from Nintendo New Pokémon Snap (Nintendo Switch).
Teenagers
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Sony Interactive Entertainment; for PS5): An evil robotic emperor sets out to conquer interdimensional worlds and has his sights set on your own dimension. This is the premise behind Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, a super fun third-person shooter that fuses combat with platforming challenges.
Along with Ratchet, a heroic alien accompanied by his robotic companion Clank, you can also control a female fighter named Rivet, in this interactive cartoon.
Taking advantage of the power of the PS5, the game looks amazing, loads fast and takes advantage of the improvements DualSense Wireless Controller and its amplified haptic feedback, including adaptive triggers that provide tension when interacting with the environment.
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Two required (EA; for PS4 / 5, Xbox Series S / X / One, Windows): Fans of co-op (co-op) games should launch It Takes Two (found as low as $ 20), an indie game that can only be played by two players, either side by side or over the internet (with the latter, only one person needs to own the game).
Combining platforming, action and puzzle solving, It Takes Two tells of a divorcing couple, Cody and May, who are magically transported into the bodies of little dolls and must work together to navigate dangerous worlds in and out of the house. even in a garden. , in a tree and in a snowball, hoping to return to their human bodies.
The theme of the game is cooperation, but there are some competitive minigames, such as Tug of War and Whack-a-Mole.
Pyschonauts 2 (Xbox Game Studios; for Xbox Series S / X, Xbox One, Windows): Better late than never?
This stellar sequel to its 2005 predecessor once again stars Razputin “Raz” Aquato, a powerful young psychic who ventures to unravel a mystery, using his quick wit, agile movements, and most of all, customizable psychic powers like slowing down. time, levitation and mind. reading.
This fun (and fun) cinematic (and often surreal) single-player story was created by legendary game designer Tim schafer (Grim Fandango, Brütal Legend, Broken Age).
Other awesome games for teens include Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy from Square Enix (for all major platforms), Nintendo’s Metroid Dread and Capcom’s Monster hunter rise, both for Nintendo Switch.
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Adults
Return (Sony Interactive Entertainment; For PS5): While it may not have gotten the praise it deserved, Returnal is a gripping sci-fi shooter that follows Selene, a space pilot who lands on a dangerous planet to investigate a strange beacon, but is caught in a time loop.
Whenever Selene succumbs to her injuries in this third-person shooter, she is resurrected at the same point, but the world is different each time, as well as fighting strange visions with each loop.
Between its gorgeous visuals, tense action, and strong narrative, Returnal is a “must-have” game for PS5 owners.
Deathloop (Bethesda; for PS5 and Windows). While the story may sound similar to Returnal, Deathloop is a first-person shooter game starring Colt, an assassin, who is trapped in a time loop in an alternate 1960s and tasked with eliminating targets within a certain period of time.
Including elements of stealth and parkour, Deathloop gives you weapons and gadgets to use (and some special abilities as well), while avoiding guards, tagging eight Visionaries, and moving between the four areas of the island, during different times of the day.
The game also includes innovative multiplayer modes.
Infinite halo (Xbox Game Studios; for Xbox X / S / One, Windows): Yes, one of the biggest games of 2021, available December 8, but now playable as “beta” multiplayer – is a true wonder for fans of the famous franchise and newcomers alike.
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Featuring many of the same weapons and vehicles as previous Halo games (such as the Warthog military vehicle), this new first-person shooter gives you various types of abilities for the protagonist, the Master Chief, to use across the planet ( mostly) open world with bases to capture.
Multiple online modes include fan favorites like Capture the Flag and Deathmatch (last one standing wins), as well as a fun new 12v12 mode called Big Team Battle.
Note: the multiplayer part of Halo Infinite is free.
Other great games for players 17 and older include Capcom’s Resident Evil Village (multiple platforms), Far Cry 6 by Ubisoft (multiple platforms), Activision’s Call of Duty Vanguard (multiple platforms) and IO Interactive’s Hitman 3 (multiple platforms).
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism