Games of the Year

RPGFan Games of the Year 2021: Best Ongoing Game

GOTY 2021 Ongoing Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker

Winner: Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

It took a miracle team to save Final Fantasy XIV, but eight years ago a realm was reborn. The MMORPG remained remarkably consistent in the following years, allowing it to grow its player base exponentially and build a critically acclaimed story. This year’s expansion, Endwalker, had the unenviable task of bringing Final Fantasy XIV’s long-running tale to a close while pleasing as much of its vast player base as possible. Thankfully, the result exceeds expectations on every front. Endwalker is full of powerful emotions, surprising twists, and challenging dungeons and trials, while bringing the Hydaelyn and Zodiark story arc of Final Fantasy XIV to an appropriately satisfying conclusion.

Our journey thus far has brought us triumphs and heartbreaks across continents and to other worlds, pitting us against powerful primals and battle-mad princes. Yet Endwalker raises the bar again, and makes a strong case that Final Fantasy XIV is both the best it has ever been and has a bright future ahead of it.

by Izzy Parsons


Runner-Up: Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact continues to be an impressively endearing free-to-play experience. Its gacha mechanics are nicely integrated into the gameplay in such a way that it isn’t detrimental to the overall game. New areas and story updates, along with added bonus events such as a collaboration with Guerrilla Games that grants players Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn, serve to keep things lively. Plus, the characters and plot are interesting enough to keep players hooked. Even if you step away from Genshin Impact for a time, there’s bound to be something that’ll pull you back into its colorful world somewhere down the road.

by Audra Bowling


Readers’ Choice: Best Ongoing Game

Winner: Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

Runner-Up: Genshin Impact

With 83% of the votes, there was really no contest that your favorite choice for Best Ongoing Game of 2021 was Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker.

Izzy Parsons

Izzy Parsons

Izzy has been a fan of RPGs since before they were born, so it's no surprise they would end up as a reviews editor for RPGFan. When they aren't playing seven different RPGs at once, Izzy enjoys reading and writing fiction, chatting with their friends, and long walks in nature.