Another year has come and gone, and with 2021 reeling off the back of the pandemic, we sure are lucky to have had some of the best in gaming and anime to keep us busy. It goes without saying that the efforts of everyone within the entertainment industry have not gone unnoticed, leaving those stranded indoors glued to their boxes in different mediums one way or another, but it does make it evermore delightful to celebrate the excellence and efforts that have bought us hours of enjoyment through this tumultuous time in history. Gaming and Anime being an important part of geek fandom and culture, we admire the accolades that are attributed to the people that manifest its brand, and pay it forward by highlighting and awarding them, and that’s why I’m proud to bring you the DashGamer Awards for 2021. While it’s a tardy party, we’re proud to give each winner the accolade they deserve for their respective achievements from the past year.
From Our Lost Judgment Review Review:
While the regional team had a tough task in recasting a majority of its leading roles, the localisation team were graced with returning actors to reprise their renowned characters. Greg Chun (Judgment, Squid Game) leads this all-star cavalcade once again as Detective Takayuki Yagami.
Lost Judgment is essential gaming this year. Packed to the brim with intensity, and engaging sequences that will leave you floored upon completion. The sensitive themes addressed here will leave players shook, and somewhat perturbed but unequivocally entertained to say the least. A suicide-mystery case turned cold-blooded homicide is sure to leave gamers quizzed into its undeniably emotional premise. While its climactic act will build towards washing away most of its nonsensical humour laced throughout its campaign, the title boasts variety that has a quality of life factor which will entice gamers to return to after its completion. I implore those that love their Japanese cinema to check out the Judgment franchise, it’s one you may never put down. Surely, a Game of the Year contender.
From Our Review:
Just as Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal did, the game opens with a cinematic that appropriately relays the palpable environment that the Phantom Thieves are confronted with repeatedly throughout their ongoing saga. A mass gathering of angry shadows approach a confident Joker as he scales and parkours his way to the bustling cityscape of Shibuya, ready to initiate battle. Oracle guides our hero to his destination as he carves his way through this massive sea of foes.
The opening tutorial trains the player with the basics, until your showtime meter reaches its max. It’s here we’re then taken to the OP accompanied with Persona 5’s hallmark crimson overlay, with You Are Stronger by Atsushi Kitajoh and Lyn Inaizumi welcoming us to our new adventure. Following the formalities, we’re taken inside a Police station board room, where investigators from Public Security are trying to decipher a new epidemic that is sweeping the nation.
From Our Tales of Arise Review:
Tales of Arise is unequivocally one of the greatest JRPG’s, ever. A tantalising continuance of a once drawn out franchise, that was in steep decline but has been reborn though this triumphant reclamation. With both Ray Chase (NieR Replicant, Resident Evil) and Erica Lindbeck (Persona 5 Royal, Final Fantasy VII Remake) both leading a cavalcade of outstanding vocals, along with a passionate plot, engrossing set pieces, a beautiful arrangement that coincides with an overly emphasised improvement in gameplay and graphical display, this is a must have.
While I continue to digest its lofty campaign, and reflect on the emotional rollercoaster the title jostled, it compelled me to revisit the story’s beginning almost immediately for a second playthrough. A crowning achievement in Japanese role-playing that sinks its sharp hooks in, with great appeal from beginning to end. Tales of Arise is unmissable.
From Our Review:
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an absolute delight. An endearing experience that should not be missed by any gamer that’s looking for a whimsical escapade. You will lose yourself in this gorgeous world, brimmed with allure and excitement, only heightened by its characters and their unique resolve. While it does nothing to evolve or change the game in anyway, it does deliver in its promise of being a polished platformer that will unequivocally charm your pants off.
It’s without question an essential in 2021, despite some minor drawbacks in its writing and creative premise. It does make good on its expectations for being that casual, cinematic game that everyone will fall in love with. Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an adorable action-adventure that players will come away feeling overjoyed and elated.
From Our Review:
Each arc throughout GREAT PRETENDER’s entire 24 episode run is segregated into “Files and Chapters”. Split into four Cases, each chapter tells multiple sides of each tale, repeating some events but delivering alternate views happening in real time. There’s an appreciation towards each character’s backstory, that is highly detailed but does not drown out the ongoing tale. While we get a sense of each character’s prevalence and their personal pursuit, the story continues to revolve around Edamura’s erratic escapade with his new group of treacherous trouble makers. Highlighting some of the incredible works demonstrated by staff behind this astonishing series, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto’s identifiable illustration and character design evokes trademark emotions from the onset. Immediately recognising the art style, a quick google confirmed my suspicion of his connection to one of my favourite films of all time, Summer Wars. I also have to give immense praise to Kyouji Asano for his environmental renders. The FLCL influence shines here, with its flurry of abstractly framed water-colour washed tones that contrast each animation cell. Such a wondrous world of design that has been enveloped in this series. My only hope is that we are privileged with a third season.
From Our Review:
NieR Replicant entails a breathtaking landscape, with vast fields magnificently designed for exploration. Revel in the unequivocal beauty that is boasted in tall grassed valleys, monumental tower-tops and the sun-kissed dunes that surround a deteriorating despot. I can say without question that its been one hell of a journey.
Initiating enthralling encounters with a collection of threatening foes, the weird and wondrous composition laid out in antagonist design, the crème de la crème of voice acting royalty that portrays the cast and of course an encroaching campaign that readjusts its native timeline and removes a categoric misnomer that had plagued Western audiences for decades in gaming. NieR Replicant ver1.2 has been a supremely sublime experience that I will never forget.
From Our Review:
Tales of Arise is unequivocally one of the greatest JRPG’s, ever. A tantalising continuance of a once drawn out franchise, that was in steep decline but has been reborn though this triumphant reclamation. With both Ray Chase (NieR Replicant, Resident Evil) and Erica Lindbeck (Persona 5 Royal, Final Fantasy VII Remake) both leading a cavalcade of outstanding vocals, along with a passionate plot, engrossing set pieces, a beautiful arrangement that coincides with an overly emphasised improvement in gameplay and graphical display, this is a must have.
While I continue to digest its lofty campaign, and reflect on the emotional rollercoaster the title jostled, it compelled me to revisit the story’s beginning almost immediately for a second playthrough. A crowning achievement in Japanese role-playing that sinks its sharp hooks in, with great appeal from beginning to end. Tales of Arise is unmissable.
From Our Review:
Scarlet Nexus is a Game of the Year contender. Yes, a bold claim this early in 2021 but the title delivers on all fronts from an enigmatic campaign, split between two contrasting characters that juxtapose personality and character. Given the choice of gender within our lead, but having their own respective side told is rare, and eloquently done here. Bandai Namco had the option to keep things simple, and merely engage a narrow delivery of one straightforward narrative with a hero of choice, but have elevated standards, going beyond expectation by showing a diverse perspective through the lens of two sides.
The Japanese Role-Playing genre has seen a renaissance period, and Scarlet Nexus pushes the boundaries in cementing this notion, with the freedom of choice, and open field to explore. The antiquated stoppages, and turn-based mechanics are yesterday’s problem. This is the way of the future with character building, personality progression and the ability to facilitate and satiate that need for exponential, rigorous pacing that escalates further into the adventure. Scarlet Nexus is a must play this generation.
From Our Review:
Persona 5 Strikers is essential gaming this year. The virtue this title carries is for everyone, not just the JRPG enthusiast. The only constraint here is its continuity relies on the player understanding events that took place in Persona 5. None-the-less, for the fan this is an opportunity to portray our favourite group of rascals for one final bow-out.
A unique event within the Persona franchise, as usually spin-off titles within do not propose an adventure akin to its original. Primarily its Dancing titles and Q-series minimise and streamline its battle system in favour for a non-canonical narrative based visual novel. Privileged with this epic sequel, we once again explore the helpless depths of the metaverse to once again bring humanity and civilisation to justice. Persona 5 Strikers is a spectacular sequel.
From Our Review:
A visually stunning, tantalising, sensational expedition through what is now the Ratchet-Multiverse. The potential of this franchise expanding to uncharted territory has manifested through the introduction of familiar but fresh counterparts, along with its enticing allure that is unequivocally carved with care. Rift Apart sets an imminent promise to those that expect titles of the same calibre in PlayStation’s future, and if this is only just the beginning, then holy cow are we in for a stupefied generation of gaming.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart delivers on every imperative facet for compelling adventure. A lovable cast of quirky characters, the nefarious Nefarious and a surprising Nefarious that’s just as Nefarious as Nefarious (wink wink), a captivating universe that’s engineered from absolute insanity and an overture that will be repeated by muso’s that adore a great soundtrack. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is must have, essential gaming.
