10 best gaming surprises of 2021 (and 5 terrible ones)

02) Great Moment – Knockout City flies out of left field

If you would have told me that EA would release a sports game in 2021 that would get my attention in a positive way I would have laughed in your face. Especially if you told me that the game was also inspired by the online versus of games like Fortnite. And yet, Knockout City exists and it’s an absolute blast.

This three-on-three dodgeball game came out of absolutely nowhere with easy-to-learn controls, bright fun graphics, and a system that takes minutes to learn. Throw the ball at someone. If it hits them, they’re out. But they can dodge or even catch the ball. Simple. Over time you learn how to curve the ball or lob it to get around obstacles as well. It’s so simple and yet so much fun.

Not only that but the people behind the game have done some really awesome things to promote equality like introducing a massive amount of free user avatars that celebrate almost every single sexual orientation you can think of, making the place pretty damn welcoming for everyone except meatheads who find themselves tripping over the concept of pronouns. I actually had the chance to interview them about this and they were pretty damn great people.

But Knockout City was a wonderful surprise of 2021 that promotes teamwork and is an absolute blast to play. Unless you’re doing poorly. Then your swearing will fill the night sky.