We all love getting excited for a game to release. From that first trailer, to being able to wishlist them on Steam, it is a ride, and we live for it. But sometimes, games just slip in under the radar. We’ve spent a lot of time hyping up the top five games we’re looking forward to each month – something we will continue to do, don’t you worry. Today, however, I am going back over the year to admire those sneaky so-and-sos I missed the first time around.
January: Cyber Shadow
Back in January, Yacht Club Games released Cyber Shadow – a 2D, platformer with deliciously retro vibes. You play as a Shadow, the sole survivor of his clan, fighting the synthetic lifeforms that have taken over the world. His mission? To find out the root cause of the perpetual ruin that has befallen the world.
| Component | Min Spec |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows XP |
| Processor | 2.0GHz or more 32-bit |
| Memory | 1GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT ATI Radeon X1300 Intel HD 3000 |
| Storage | 250MB available space |
In this colourful, pixel graphic world, the gripping story is told both through gameplay and cinematic scenes. Each question raised in this troubling tale will have you further gripped as you marvel at the handcrafted sprites and fluid animation. With fast-paced fighting set to a pulse-pounding soundtrack, you need hardware to keep up. Perhaps the Ninjutsu Origin One X wireless gaming mouse!
Ninjutsu Origin One X Gaming Mouse
- Optical sensor with up to 3,200 DPI
- Ultra-lightweight at 66g
- Kailh GM 8.0 switches rated up to 80 million clicks
- Assassin Glides for amazingly smooth glide
- Plus and play installation
February: Little Nightmares II
While we were panicking about who would be our Valentine, Bandai Namco were releasing Little Nightmares II, the much-awaited sequel to the game of the same name. Delightfully dark, this single-player sees you play as Mono, a young boy who has been trapped in a world distorted by an evil transmission. With the help of his new friend, Six, you have to puzzle your way through to find the source of this great evil.
| Component | Min Spec | Rec Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-2300 AMD FX-4350 | Intel Core i7-3770 AMD FX-8350 |
| Memory | 4GB RAM | 4GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 AMD Radeon HD 7850 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 AMD Radeon HD 7870 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
This game takes you on a visually stunning adventure, as you work your way up the Signal Tower. As a small protagonist, the world around you is intimidatingly oversized. A spooky place to navigate, indeed. Such a detail-rich game needs a monitor to best show off how this game is a visual treat. The Deluxe Edition even comes with a digital artbook. The LG 27GP850-B monitor offers crisp images on its NANO IPS screen.
LG UltraGear 27GP850-B Gaming Monitor
- 2560 x 1440 resolution
- 27″ display screen
- NANO IPS panel
- 1000:1 contrast ratio
- HDR 400
March: Rogue State Revolution
March saw the release of Modern Wolf’s Rogue State Revolution, a turn-based strategy sandbox game. A political strategy, you are rebuilding and reforming the Republic of Basenji, where all your actions have consequences. Appoint ministers and try to lead the country to success, or suffer being replaced in the next election.
| Component | Minimum Spec | Recommended Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-6100 AMD X4 750K | Intel Core i5-8600K |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti |
| Storage | 2GB available space | 2GB available space |
| Additional Notes | Screen resolution: 1920 x 1080 (recommended) | Screen resolution: 1920 x 1080 (recommended) |
This game offers many pathways to take, but not all of them lead to success. Whilst you’re repairing the economy and making the Republic of Basenji a cultural hotspot, your ministers could be scheming behind your back. Each playthrough is unique thanks to the procedural map generation, meaning you try different diplomatic strategies every time you campaign. Make all these tough decisions from a throne fit for a president, the noblechairs EPIC Copper Edition comes to mind!
noblechairs EPIC Gaming Chair Copper Edition
- Stylish copper highlight and carbon effect upholstery
- Steel frame and aluminium base
- Dense cold foam padding
- Superior ergonomics for support and comfort
- Limited edition EPIC Gaming Chair
April: R-Type Final 2
During April, we hunted for Easter eggs when we could have been playing Granzella Inc’s R-Type Final 2, an update to the popular side scroller. Beautifully rendered in 3D, this game is an exhilarating shoot-’em-up over a multitude of stages with a wonderful number of ships and weapons. Destroying your foes has never been so satisfying.
| Component | Minimum Spec | Recommended Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 64-bit | Windows 7 64-bit |
| Processor | Dual-core AMD Intel processor @ 3.0 GHz | Quad-core AMD Intel processor @ 2.8 GHz |
| Memory | 4GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 AMD R9 280 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 AMD RX 580 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 10GB available space | 10GB available space |
Nearly twenty years since its initial release, R-Type Final 2 brings this popular game to a new dimension and onto a whole new platform. This is the first time it has been available to play on PC. The original, high-octane action meets the advanced visuals of contemporary gaming. Enemies evolve, there are new features to explore, and stages will transform before your eyes. To do this game justice, you need to be running from a premium gaming PC. Perhaps one named after a different famous spaceship from twenty years ago…
OcUK Gaming Firefly Plus Gaming PC
- Intel i5 10400F six core processor
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti GPU
- Up to 32GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB Seagate HDD
- Flexible hardware options
May: The Wild at Heart
With summer on the horizon, Humble Games released the utterly beautiful The Wild at Heart. In this story-rich game, you are trying to restore balance to the deep woods, with the help of your quirky creatures, called Spritelings. Playing as two runaways, venture deeper into this lost realm and uncover its secrets.
| Component | Min Spec |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 or later |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-9300T AMD FX-8350 |
| Memory | 4GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 AMD R7 260X |
| Storage | 4GB available space |
A nostalgic, storybook fantasy, The Wild at Heart gives you a beautiful world to explore whilst you collect and craft resources. There are even battles to conduct against supernatural foes with your Spriteling army. Danger lurks in the dark, varying gameplay and your strategy to progress the story. At your fingertips, you’ll need a compact, all-rounder keyboard to help you navigate the perils of the deep woods. The Mountain Everest Core TKL keyboard with Cherry MX Brown switches is the perfect companion.
Mountain Everest Core Mechanical Keyboard
- Cherry MX Brown switches perfect for work and play
- Per key RGB lighting
- Modular keyboard with add-on components
- 80% TKL gaming keyboard
- Programmable keys with onboard memory
June: One Hand Clapping
If unique gameplay is a big selling point for you, then you’ll be happy to see
HandyGames’ One Hand Clapping. That or be kicking yourself for not getting it back in June. Advertised as a vocal 2D platformer, you need to sing or hum your way through the puzzles and levels of this game. With melody, rhythm, and harmony as your toolkit, you will meet loveable characters as you work through six expansive biomes.
| Component | Minimum Spec |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | 2.4Ghz+ |
| Memory | 4GB RAM |
| Graphics | Dedicated graphics card with 1+ GB of VRAM |
| DirectX | Version 11 |
| Storage | 1500MB available space |
| Additional Notes | Microphone required |
What makes this game so unique, is that you use your voice to affect the world around you. Whether you sing, hum, or even beatbox, you can work your way through this beautiful world and watch it evolve around you. Of course, a vital instrument for this game is your voice so is, by extension, your microphone. Equip yourself with a high-quality microphone, such as the Elgato Wave:1 Digital Microphone.
Elgato Wave:1 Digital Microphone
- Cardioid pick-up pattern
- Compatible with Wave Link app for comprehensive audio control
- Proprietary Clipguard technology minimising distortion
- Up to 24-bit / 48kHz analog to digital conversion
- 3.5mm jack for zero latency
July: The Forgotten City
July saw some steamy heatwaves, playing Dear Villager’s The Forgotten City would have been a great way to beat the heat! A narrative-driven, time-loop adventure set in ancient Rome, this game is phenomenally hyper-realistic, and you have the opportunity to travel back in time. Centred on the mystery of who destroyed the ancient city, the fate of Rome is in your hands.
| Component | Min Spec | Rec Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Quad-core 3GHz CPU | Quad-core 3.2 GHz CPU |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti AMD Radeon R7 265 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 AMD Radeon RX 580 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 26GB available space | 26GB available space SSD strongly recommended |
| Sound Card | DirectX compatible | DirectX compatible |
Receiving some serious accolades, The Forgotten City is an open-world game with a non-linear narrative with multiple possible endings. You have the freedom to choose your avatar’s gender, origin, and backstory, all maximising the
replayability for this game. As this is such a detail-rich game, you need a CPU that packs the processing power to keep up. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is 8Pack’s favourite processor for gaming, we’re confident it can do the job.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X CPU
- 12 cores / 24 threads
- 4.80GHz clock speed
- 64MB L3 cache
- Unlocked for overclocking
- Dual channel DDR4 compatible
August: Road 96
It was all about Playcations this August, did Digixart’s Road 96 make the itinerary? This game takes you on a dystopian, 90s-nostalgic road trip – and no one’s trip is the same. With the road trip being procedurally generated, this game has amazing replayability as you search for adventure, freedom, and escape. Meet a full cast of incredible characters as you work your way through this interwoven story.
| Component | Min Spec | Rec Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4460 AMD Ryzen 3 2300U | Intel Core i5-8600K AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 AMD Radeon RX 5700 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Super AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 15GB available space | 15GB available space |
| Additional Notes | Not supported by integrated graphics | Needs a dedicated GPU to run correctly |
Set in the fictional nation of Petria, there are thousands of roads to take and only one of you to take them. Inspired by the likes of Tarantino, the Coen Brothers, and Bong Joon-ho, Road 96 has an ever-evolving story that drives your adventure. Situations move from wacky to action, then onto melancholy contemplation.
Where will the road take you? This game has full support for controllers, so why not lean back and play with the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma gamepad?
Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma Controller
- Interchangeable thumbstick caps
- Mecha-tactile action buttons and D-pad
- Six extra customisable buttons
- Hair trigger with trigger stop switches
- Improved ergonomic shape
September: The Eternal Cylinder
September sees us going back to school or University when we really should have been exploring Good Shepherd Entertainment’s alien world in The Eternal Cylinder. Set in utterly surreal environments, in this game you need to tame and control herds of bizarre creatures called Trebhums. A mysterious “Cylinder” is a constant looming threat, crushing everything in its path. With four distinct biomes to explore, which strange critters will you herd?
| Component | Min Spec | Rec Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4460 | Intel Core i5-7600 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 |
| Storage | 9GB | 9GB |
| Additional Notes | Requires Epic Games login | Requires Epic Games login |
As you develop your nomadic herd, you take control of one Trebhum and the rest will follow. These already crazy critters can mutate and unlock new skills, thanks to the edibles found naturally in the world. There are over fifty mutations to discover, keeping gameplay fresh and offering new areas to explore. Develop the ability to swim and fly or learn new offensive moves – these abilities even stack, making your herd unstoppable. Operating such weird, yet beautiful, creatures, you need some RGB to go with it. Perhaps a Lian Li Galahad AiO cooler, to add some thermal power in the mix too.
Lian Li Galahad AiO Cooler
- Available in two sizes: 240mm and 360mm
- Integrated RGB lighting on fans and cap
- High static pressure 120mm PWM fans
- Triple chamber pump design
- Available in black and white
October: The Riftbreaker
Whilst life was getting spookier, October saw the release of EXOR Studios’
The Riftbreaker. This game brings together elements of action-RPGs, base-building, and survival tactics, into a vibrantly coloured world. Operate your base from within a high-tech Mecha-Suit, with the nifty ability to travel through dimensional rifts. Keep your base safe from endless enemies with hack and slash combat whilst you research new inventions to help your survival.
| Component | Min Spec | Rec Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 8.1 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 Gen 2 AMD Bulldozer | Intel Core i7 Gen 2 AMD Ryzen |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 12GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 AMD R7 265 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 AMD Radeon 6800 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 8GB available space | 8GB available space |
| Sound Card | DirectX compatible sound card | DirectX compatible sound card |
| Additional Notes | Windows 7 is not supported | Windows 7 is not supported |
Playing as Captain Ashley S. Nowak, you are an elite operative who toes the line between military and science, all from within a powerful mech suit. You are tasked with building a base on a far-reaching planet in the Milky Way, with a view to colonise with fellow Earthlings. It’s up to you to develop the base, build a rift back to Earth, and keep the base safe from invading forces. I bet some security software would come in handy!
BullGuard Internet Security 2021
- Layered protection from online threats
- Firewall to protect against invasion
- Spam filter plus safe browsing flags
- Low impact on system resources
- For PC, Mac, and Android
November: Bright Memory: Infinite
With the days getting darker in November, having something to brighten up those long nights is a must. Enter FYQD-Studio’s Bright Memory: Infinite.
(Although Humble Games’ Unpacking comes a close second.) This game is a fusion of FPS and action genres, creating a lightning-fast, high-octane experience.
Combine all the skills – guns, swords, magic – and unleash amazing combos on your enemies.
| Component | Min Spec | Rec Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core E3-1230v2 AMD FX-8350 | Intel Core i7-4790K AMD FX-9590 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 13GB available space | 13GB available space |
| Additional Notes | RTX 30 Series GPU required for ray tracing | RTX 30 Series GPU required for ray tracing |
Set fifteen years in our future, an odd phenomenon occurred in the sky and now there are odd happenings across the world. You play as an agent for the Supernatural Science Research Organisation (SRO), sent out to investigate the archaic mystery unfolding. The blend of FPS and action genres make this a fast-paced game with unique combat and gameplay, all with hyper-realistic graphics. Best of all, you can enhance the visuals with ray tracing and other RTX features. As such, we recommend a 30 Series laptop for playing this cinematic masterpiece. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 is an excellent choice.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 Gaming Laptop
- Equipped with RTX 3080 GPU
- AMD Ryzen R9-5900HS CPU
- 16GB DRR4 RAM
- 1TB PCIe SSD storage
- 16.5″ thin bezel FHD screen
December: Scarf
Finally, this December we have had plenty to celebrate – from the festive season to iconic gaming chairs. Slipping in, we have HandyGames’ Scarf – a beautiful 3D puzzle platformer. Using your magic scarf, travel through intricate levels set in a rich world full of diverse landscapes. Gameplay has a fluid, lyrical quality to it, whilst the story reveals plenty of secrets.
| Component | Min Spec | Rec Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 AMD FX-6300 | Intel Core i7 AMD Ryzen 7 |
| Memory | 6GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 AMD Radeon R9 270X | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 12GB available space | 12GB available space |
| Sound Card | DirectX compatible | DirectX compatible |
A completely immersive game, Scarf tackles the metaphorical question of what it means to be a hero. The aim of the game is to trap rebellious souls that have created their own worlds, each with unique mechanics and mythology. There is even an audio-visual realm to explore, filled with light, colour, and menacing shadows. With the music playing such a strong role in this game, it is only right to have a headset to do your soundscape justice. The Steelseries Arctis Pro delivers a warm and well-rounded audio experience.
Steelseries Arctis Pro Gaming Headset
- 2.4GHz lossless wireless and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity
- Dual battery system with 20hr life
- AirWeave coating on ear cups
- DTS Headphone:X v2.0
- 40mm neodymium magnet drivers
Another Great Year for Games
There have been some truly phenomenal games released this year. From the big names, like Resident Evil Village, to some cracking indie titles, Kena Bridge of Spirits. What has been your favourite game from 2021? Dungeons and Dragons Dark Alliance has to be up there for me! Drop a comment with your fave from this year – or even what you’re looking forward to next year.
PC specs are subject to change.
- 16 min read
Emily Haylock
Author
Emily is a board and cosy gamer, keyboard obsessive, and content copywriter for Overclockers UK. She has been with Overclockers UK since 2020, writing about everything from noblechairs to 8Pack PCs. She writes from within her desk nest with a foster pup at her feet. (What, a desk duvet is a totally normal thing!) In her downtime, she likes to play board games, farming sims, and old-school Final Fantasy. IX to be specific. It is the best, and that is a hill she will die on.
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