Little Nightmares II. The best games released in 2021
Table of Contents
- Premiere: February 11
- Platforms: PC Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Our rating: 8/10
The sequel to the extremely atmospheric platformer about nightmares offers everything we liked so much about the first part. There's great location design, interesting environmental puzzles, and an engaging storyline full of metaphors and understatements. Once again, we play a child – a young boy named Mono, watching the bleak world from his perspective, but there's also a new character. Soon after, we meet a girl known from the prequel, Six, who helps us in various situations, making the game a kind of AI-assisted co-op.
Little Nightmares II also adds the ability to use found objects for self-defense. However, it's still a child's fight against nightmare terrors, and therefore it's only possible to fend off the less threatening opponents. In other cases, you are left with running away and sneaking, hence the gameplay proves to be quite varied. And the most impressive thing about "Little Nightmares" is still the art design of the characters and the game world. Everything is twisted and a bit creepy in its own way, yet mesmerizing with a quaint charm. Such gems are completely worth appreciating during breaks from big AAA productions.
Super Mario 3D World Bowser's Fury
- Premiere: February 12
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Our rating: 8/10
Somewhere away from the scalpers scandals with buying up the PS5 stock and the crypto-currency miners who skyrocketed the prices of GPUs, the Nintendo magic is still happening, with Switch consoles selling like hot cakes. And the reason is not only the shortage of competitive hardware, but also great titles appearing every now and then, such as Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. It's supposedly just a revamped version of Mario from the older Wii U, but not only does it look great on Switch – it also adds a second game that offers a slightly different experience – the aforementioned Bowser's Fury.
Another game for Switch is a veritable festival of Nintendo heroes, as we get to control Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess Peach, and in co-op also Bowser Junior. There was no shortage of platformer frenzy, leaps, bounds, collectables, power-ups, combat, and simple environmental puzzles – everything that a relaxing, classic computer game needs. The new version improves things like smoothness, interface and resolution. The authors have also improved a couple of gameplay mechanisms as well. A true classic made a comeback that creates the perfect opportunity for both seasoned fans and people who have never played it.
