The Top Ten (and a Half) Best Games of 2021

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Visual Media Used: Mundaun, It Takes Two, Before Your Eyes, Metroid Dread, Resident Evil 4 VR, Returnal, UnearthU, Inscryption, Pistol Whip, Sable, Slay the Spire, Bowser’s Fury, Dark Souls 3, Ghost of Tsushima, Nex Machina, Fortnite, Genesis Noir, Halo Infinite
Music Used (Chronologically): Plessie (Bowser’s Fury), The Price is Right theme, Radio (Mundaun), The Drive, Theme of Ada (Resident Evil 4), The Ewer- Day, Exploration- Ruins (Sable), Lake Lapcat (Bowser’s Fury), Leshy’s Theme (Inscryption), Heatseeker (Pistol Whip), Clockworks (It Takes Two), Lonely Petals (Super Metroid OCRemix), Main Theme (UnearthU), Hyperion Theme (Returnal), Mesh- Instrumental, Finale (Before Your Eyes), Better the Mask (Sable)
Thumbnail Credit: The incomparable / hotcyder
Description Credit: “Better the Mask” by Japanese Breakfast
Additional music courtesy of Epidemic Sound

[@JacobGeller]

Happy end of the year! I'll also be releasing a more casual talkthrough of honorable mentions and other highlights to all patrons, right here: www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

[@ellagage1256]

Inscryption is such an amazing game, been awhile since a game captured my attention like Inscyption did, I highly recommend it to anyone

[@douglasparkinson4123]

jacob, with all you can do in terms of varying mood when standing in front of that fireplace, i think theres definitely something to be done with a 360 camera in that room. thing about the vibes you could emit through scenery with that.

[@nostopit179]

Hey Jacob, I’ve watched your stuff for a long time. You should check out oneshot if you haven’t yet. It’s not much mechanically, but in terms of story it’s without question the cream of the crop. On several occasions while playing I found myself an inconsolable sobbing mess. It has some fantastic theming to it too.

[@sellingacoerwa8318]

This guys face looks like a car bumper...

[@larularae2106]

Man, your videos are unbelievably good, and it's really nice seeing every new video you upload

[@MortalGlare]

Beardless Geller's party energy is very intimidating.

[@paula194]

I must concur with you good commenter, I was indeed quite intimidated. (I also cried a little because Jacob's Beard was incredibly impressive and I was sad to see it go) Wait, nevermind, he regrows his beard halfway through the vid. Not only is it impressively shaped, it also seems to grow at unprecedented speeds.

[@MortalGlare]

@@paula194 Truly his levels of power are unfathomable.

[@awalkwiththewicked]

Like Nick Cave in a good mood.

[@willaroberts134]

@@paula194 like who has a beard line that defined while it's growing is Jacob going in with a straight razor before every vid

[@develrandomdankmemes7586]

thats one word for it

[@Coffin4_2]

Ever since Jacob Geller's "Control, Anatomy, and the Legacy of the Haunted House" video showed up on my recommended videos a couple months back I've loved his videos. They're some of my favorite, and dare I say, the best I've ever seen. I know it sounds like I'm just being a suck up but his videos honestly feel like a painting, you can see the amount of work and love he puts into everything he makes. I know he'll probably never see this but, Mr. Jacob, your videos are such a big inspiration for me, and I hope you continue doing what you love.

[@masonoreilly7512]

It was the Outer Wilds video that got me sucked into this guy like holy f these are some of the best video essays I've ever listened to

[@onyourleft5648]

He captures the feeling of playing a fun game while just watching a video, only KZbinr I’ve found that does that

[@acblook]

My first one was Fear of Depths, probably the youtube video that has most deeply unsettled me. I don't think it's his best video but it's still probably my favorite

[@jamwrightiam]

Oh gosh it was two-three years ago when I watched the capitalism video, dang this has been a wild ride

[@shanefoster2132]

Hey my dude. Yea, it's a great time, that period when you initially discovered Geller videos. Suffice it to say that each video is a journey that I haven't regretted a one, took several many times.

[@KP-ex1ek]

As a romansch speaker, I would definitely like to confirm that the folktale references used in this game are real and yes, we have a straw boogeyman

[@adityakhanna113]

You're in the top 1%!!!

[@zugly1999]

hey sali! Vo wo in Graubünde chumsch her? grüessi us züri

[@LifeIsABeach3210]

These videos are the reason I read the entirety of house of leaves, why I bought disco elysium the second it came out on playstation, why I gifted before your eyes to all my siblings and told them the camera MUST be on. Almost every video peaks my interest in something. Thank you for all your recommendations Jacob

[@typo691]

Can I ask which video you're referencing with house of leaves?

[@xerveeon]

@@typo691 "Control, Anatomy, and the Legacy of the Haunted House" has reference to house of leaves.

[@typo691]

@@xerveeon thanks!

[@LifeIsABeach3210]

@@xerveeon probably my favourite video essay he's ever done

[@evanprince3875]

My grandma tracked it down for me for Christmas. Not to mention countless people I know sending the recommendation because I love that kind of story (my first tattoo is from Annihilation after all)

[@marsmarzipan5636]

You say you love engagement? Here's engagement. My best friend, while we were talking about something, directed me to your Golem video. We watched it together and paused halfway through to have a lengthy discussion about how the alt-right repackages hate language used by the nazi party in ways people don't realize. Since then, we keep coming back to your videos and watching them together as a pastime whenever we have a moment. It's made me feel much happier during these times when the world is pretty lonely. My personal favorite video of yours is the one about Anatomy. My friend's favorite video is "there's so many. Can I give like five videos? I really like ape out. And who's afraid of modern art. And I like the one about outer wilds. I'm just listing videos! I can't pick a favorite. Oh I also really like uncanny reality. And- oh- which one is it. And I like the golem- the jewish one. Because jew. And the Simpsons one because it's like comics. And then I saw the dark souls one AFTER watching thinking about ending things, and only then I got it. And then the one about shadow of the collosus' last secret. It just seems really cool to love a game that much you know?" And then I cut them off because I got tired of typing. They really love all your stuff. Me too :)

[@Abelol]

Ape Out video is poetry

[@djbouncer420]

This is such a sweet respond. I think such responds give creators a lot of motivation!

[@MisterK-YT]

You had me except that “alt-right” stuff. Oh, and ALSO a Jew. Very much a Jew. Went to an orthodox Jewish school for 8 years and a conservative/reform one for another 4 years. Voluntarily served in the IDF. Trust me, 70% of the things/people you think are alt-right, aren’t. They exist for sure, but the term is applied wildly loosely now.

[@callum7081]

Also the alt left repackages Marxism in buzzwords like “equity” once you see both sides do it it’s terrifying.

[@NyleGames]

I have a theory Jacob's beard literally grew in the space of about half an hour, and we just witnessed that miracle.

[@guyunderwood2297]

A beard that thick don't grow slow; I know that much.

[@Nono-hk3is]

To us, it was a miracle. To Jacob, it was a Tuesday.

[@TwitchyTopHat1]

No he's just the next Santa Claus. He (allegedly) killed Santa.

[@t.s9021]

He's like Homer Simpson, every time he shaves it it just springs right back

[@georgiahokie1994]

Definitely a nod to Before your Eyes

[@Lucie-cu4ei]

I will never forget when my siblings sat me down and showed me "Control, Anatomy, and the Language of the Haunted House", and then when they could see how much I loved it, showed me a few other of your videos. I've been an avid fan ever since, and even as I've up and left my home town to go to college, whenever I find that you've uploaded a new video I get this rush of excitement and comfort knowing that you're still out there making your amazing videos. So thank you for that, if you do end up seeing this comment.

[@namechange2]

That’s so nice, I have my own comfort creators but I can see how he can be one of them!

[@ZeroBitsCboehme]

That feeling of excitement when I see Gellar is real

[@krzlcve]

that video changed the way i think about haunted houses forever tbh

[@RetepAdam]

I discovered the channel through the Colossus video, then discovered it as a channel a year or so later and went “Wait, this is the same guy from that one!”

[@wotwathorigl5446]

omg we twins

[@LambHoot]

OH MY GOD UNEARTHU! I met the developer at a conference and attended their talk and haven’t been able to remember the name of it until now 😂 I remember them saying that all the asset reuse was part an attempt to make an unsettling aesthetic, but also part their attempt to make a ‘sustainable’ game made entirely of recycled materials. Wild game.

[@excrubulent]

Ah yes, the growing digital asset scarcity crisis, I'm so glad someone is finally doing something about it.

[@GreebusBleeb]

@@excrubulent if NFTs take off then your comment will become unironic. gross.

[@bb010g]

@@GreebusBleeb but they won't, thankfully.

[@placeholder6811]

@@bb010g as a Blockchain Dev, you're mistaken :^)

[@aussieseal9979]

@@placeholder6811 as a sane human it wont

[@nimazsheik5152]

The growth and character development of Jacob's beard alone is one of the highlights of 2021

[@botbalance]

10. Mundaun 1:44 , Resident evil vr 4:11 9. 8. Sable 6:21 7. Bowser's Fury 9:21 6. Inscryption 11:15 5.. and half. Pistol whip : smoke and thunder. 12:35 4. Metroid dread 16:34 3. UnearthU 18:56 2. Returnal 21:03 1. Before your eyes 24:04

[@Sh1ranu1]

33:16 the most important result in the video

[@velvetdraws3452]

you kinda forgot 5

[@mattpenix8438]

Oh hot damn. You’re da best. Thank you for this one.

[@ravidelia8864]

I've been an avid viewer since I first watched Who's Afraid of Modern Art. That video made me interested in art, and subsequent videos sparked my interest in literary analysis. Jacob, thank you for producing quality content and showing that analysis of art doesn't need to take the form of a soulless paper identical to every other one; it can be art in and of itself. Here's to another year of fantastic videos.

[@Drekromancer]

"Analysis of art as art unto itself" really hits the nail on the head. Well said, king. 👑

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

I see what you did there. Every time the video ‘blinked’, we jumped forward in time to experience more of your beard growth. 10/10

[@SuperBrainzilla]

As one of the devs of Before Your Eyes, this comment made me very happy. Did not connect blinking with beard growth lol

[@Diskhate]

@@SuperBrainzilla Wait...you actually are one of the programmers!! You guys have had one of the best ideas i've seen implemented in a videogame in..ever pretty much!

[@SuperBrainzilla]

@@Diskhate yep! Lead designer and programmer.

[@meridiasbeacon7669]

@@SuperBrainzilla I love your game so much! Sat down to play it with my family, who is not too familiar with videogames. They all had an absolute emotional blast, same as I. Thank you so much for such a unique experience.

[@SuperBrainzilla]

@@meridiasbeacon7669 "Make sure our moms could play" was one of our design goals, so it's great to hear that your whole family enjoyed it together

[@thr3ddy]

My favorite game of the year is Jacob's beard. Dude can squeeze it out like a Play-Doh extruder.

[@sirin9850]

Sable is actually incredibly. After 10 minutes of it I remember thinking "this scratches every itch I didn't know I had". Easily one of the best games I've ever played

[@thomaspinkerton3450]

Choosing a mask was the easiest thing for me in Sable, because the game scratched my "become a skyrim horse" itch I didn't know I had. If it could be climbed, I was gonna climb it, dang it!

[@benedicthennessy8693]

@@thomaspinkerton3450 went for the beetle mask myself.I loved the beetle quests

[@maxd.9311]

Jacob Geller is easily the best creative writer on KZbin. One of the few that actually get me to go out and play or watch or read whatever it is that your videos are about so that I can watch them with the full context of the work (and to avoid spoilers, of course). Keep up the fantastic work. 👍

[@fatherdex8174]

I'm so used to seeing Jacob with his powerful beard, but I didn't expect clean shaven Jacob to also have great power. Man has a jawline that will give BJ a run for his money.

[@TheWilsonChannel]

Outer Wilds' dlc is my game of the year, because it managed to add something to what I considered an already perfect game, and managed to make me feel like the game could only be called complete with it's new mechanics and stories.

[@lizardlegend42]

Same for me! While not quite on the base game's level imo, it still gave me the exact same increadible sense of exploration and curiosity and had me very teary eyed by the end.

[@parchmentengineer8169]

The jaw-dropping moment when you first enter the Stranger, followed 10 minutes later by another equally jaw-dropping moment, will forever have a place in my memories.

[@acblook]

@@parchmentengineer8169 if you got to the second moment in 10 minutes after entering the stranger you're either a god gamer or you looked up a walkthrough

[@basicbirch]

@@acblook I don't know what moment you're talking about, but I assume parchment Engineer was talking about (you know what) breaking

[@QuinnArgo]

@@parchmentengineer8169 when I first entered the stranger in that beautiful moment, I actually cried because of how beautiful it is. This has never happened to me before. I've cried because games were very sad or emotional or shocking, but I was so overwhelmed and in awe I didn't know where to put it

[@cynical_insight]

10. Mundaun 1:35 9. Resident Evil 4 VR 3:56 (Title card says 10 lol) 8. Sable 6:00 7. Bowser's fury 8:50 6. Inscryption 10:29 5.5. Pistol Whip: Smoke and Thunder 12:32 5. It Takes Two 13:38 4. Metroid Dread 16:30 3. UnearthU 18:47 2. Returnal 20:59 1. Before your eyes 23:56

[@EzriIkramS]

Much obliged. I can’t grow a beard anyway.

[@StarwriterUlia]

Your videos helped me through a really hard year! My dad passed in late November last year, and last month and all of this current month have been full of the low energy days I'm bitterly used to. But I've kept productive somehow, and again, your videos are just so thoughtful and interesting to watch, and inject more energy and motivation into my brain so that I can get back to writing. So thank you Jacob! Happy holidays from Canada.

[@integra8472]

The Sable love is much appreciated, and I’m so glad you brought up the soundtrack. Japanese Breakfast did such a good job

[@MazzyBoyo]

I love how Jacob can go from serious, intelligent, and philosophical to goofy little boy who loves talking about video games

[@zipbangcrash]

That energy just really can't be feigned. LOVE IT SO MUCH!

[@Nakalida]

I'm so glad A Short Hike had a little mention in this video, just shared my account with that game on it with a bunch of my buds and one of them said that they haven't enjoyed a game like it in such a long time, i hope as many people as possible get to experience it.

[@ktbreathingin]

I just came to comment something very similar! A short hike is a pocket breath of the wild, with speedboat instead of horse. I love it so.

[@celeste1727]

I have myself thought of ending things this year, for a whole lot of reasons, and yes 2021 has been rough for me. Still, you were, at each of your realeases, a source of inspiration. You made me cry, you made me cry a lot, actually. You made me laugh too. You made me laugh even more. In a way, you were one of the small lanterns that, without changing my life, made it brighter, made it worth it. And I can't stress enough how much I feel grateful toward you. Thanks Mr Geller. May I be still alive all of next year to witness your next video essay. With much love, Happy New Year ! :)

[@Retiredmagician1]

Keep on keeping on. It’s worth it :)

[@Ebolallama]

I hope to see you here again one day in the future. I can relate much with your comment, so let's cry and laugh with Geller's work together for the next month, year, decade, ...

[@smeech7366]

I know those feelings. Just want to say you're not alone and I'm glad you're here.

[@bennoreuter4393]

No pressure at all on him

[@funeraljoint]

Sable is the first game that I literally havent been able to put down for two days. I find it hard following a solid storyline when it comes to rpgs etc, and sable just really hit exactly what I was looking for. The no combat, the fact you are able to do everything at your own pace. The bloody beautiful writing and story lines. Everything about Sable is beautiful (apart from yaknow the numerous bugs as of so far )

[@codeofclaw]

I was surprised to hear Mesh in the background as you started the last list item. It seems like so long ago that Before Your Eyes came out. It was the fist game I ever cried at, and I still recite the storyteller’s last plea to the Gatekeeper. “He began to worry that he hadn’t lived enough-, which only made him forget the great life he already had.” The directing in that scene is brilliant, I think it can only be fully experienced when crying, blocking tears away and flashing between the afterlife and your childhood bedroom. I paused the video before I heard the reason you love this game so I’ll go back to that now.

[@justinscherzer6047]

Not only are your video essays incredible, but you are an endless gold mine of incredible recommendations. Thank you.

[@Raymando]

can't wait to hear about Before Your Eyes Ten (and a Half) times

[@DetectiveOlivaw]

I’ve been a fan of yours since someone shared your video “Anatomy, Control, and the Legacy of the Haunted House.” Jacob Geller videos are drop-everything-and-watch events for me! There’s no one else like you on this site and I can’t believe I get this content for free. Hope the next year treats you well!

[@jorgeg.s.2838]

I couldn't think of a more poetic reality than to have someone who values and admires so much the artistic discussion of games as you to become such an amazingly talented writer and content creator. It's... Inspiring.

[@yy-mi3bg]

I watch your videos with my younger sibling- we don’t have a lot of games in common that we both like playing, but appreciating the craft together has been great for our relationship

[@myrmyrten5994]

I got Time Loop Nihilism on my KZbin home page, watched it, and fell into the rabbit hole that is Jacob Geller's existential video essays. Did I cry a couple times? Yeah, yeah I did. I also downloaded Outer Wilds and Disco Elysium- I'd already bought them before watching his essays and then thought 'dang I guess I should actually play those if Jacob Geller thinks they're amazing' (I haven't, but I'll get around to it eventually). There really is just Something about watching Jacob Geller's essays. Something more personal, and personable. It's nice.

[@Sableknight]

Love that you pointed to the writing in Sable. It's so good and regular conversations didn't feel like they would happen in real life, but they felt so human in a surreal way and made me tear up frequently.

[@mootroidXproductions]

Thank you SO much for loving Metroid Dread. As one whose favorite thing in the world is Metroid, my heart is so full to hear how many people are finally helping put it in the spotlight.

[@NikosiaMateas]

I'm not really sure why Dread is the one that makes the series big-time... I thought it was one of the worst Metroid games. As far as the original series goes, Dread is better than only 1 and 2... And the remakes of each are still better than Dread.

[@edmanbosch7443]

​@@NikosiaMateas It's probably because of a bunch of factors, really. It was on the Switch (many of Nintendo's series sell better here than on their previous consoles), what seems to be smooth and fluid combat and movement (wouldn't know for sure, have not played the game), it might've had better/stronger marketing, and there has been a recent growth in popularity experienced by Metroidvanias.

[@B_Skizzle]

@@NikosiaMateas I’d place it somewhere around the middle myself. I had some pretty big issues with the controls (no remapping, complicated inputs for some of the abilities, the return of those awful shinespark puzzles) but other than that, I enjoyed it a lot.

[@thewriter1008]

I totaly agree. Metroid is incredibly special to me. I've played other Metroidvanias, but nothing quite has the same feel and emotion of this series. That same intoxicating flirtation with horror, that same sense of loneliness and isolation, all that jazz. I loved, loved, loved Hollow Knight, got 112 percent and sank more hours into it than I do most triple A games. But it wasn't Metroid. Dread though, I wouldn't call it perfect. But that game. Was. METROID.

[@mootroidXproductions]

I dunno what you guys are talking about- all the new controls and shinespark puzzles made it my new favorite game in the series. Difference in preferences, I guess? It definitely had weaknesses, but first and foremost, it's a game, and I think the gameplay is the strongest in the entirety of the series. It just... feels so good.

[@BionicleFreek99]

The golem video is one of my favorite videos of yours, I love learning about other cultures and religions and how that influences games and media especially.

[@VikeDX]

Always amazed at how Jacob makes thing sound so interesting, genuine and deep without seemingly trying.

[@beehillyard7886]

It's nice to see Sable get the rep it deserves, I haven't really seen anyone talking about it. The writing is so solid that when I encountered MULTIPLE game breaking bugs I powered through because I was so determined to see where Sable go, how she'd grow, who'd she meet.

[@Exel3nce]

idk but it seems like its not really that spectecular outside the unique style.

[@beehillyard7886]

@@Exel3nce Fair, the art is a major plus of the game. But like I said the writing for me is the big thing that makes the game good. Like the video says, it feels really intimate.

[@franciscofarias6385]

@@Exel3nce To me the best feature of this game is its naturalistic tone. For a game set in a post apocalyptic alien whatever world, it was so personal and humane and melancholic and mundane in its coming of age tale. It created a pretty refreshing lens for us to see the BOTW-style exploration through.

[@Exel3nce]

idk, i didnt feel the writing nor the world. i was turned off by the style and animation, while i couldnt care about the gameplay or text boxes :/

[@Dom-ns7pq]

unfortunately it's only available on Xbox or PC, so those of us with PS4/5 or Switch can't play.

[@juliafloyd5207]

I'm so glad you recommended Before Your Eyes, It's a game that means so much to me. The themes of the game are just a beautiful expression of some of my most deeply held principles. not to mention that multiple mechanical twists left me in awe. just, wow, heck, it's so good

[@rakesh.a.c]

Yeah, the best game(if you call it so) i have ever played. I was bawling when the wolf stared explaining my life at the end.

[@carcinogenicoak3057]

For the hours of content and insightful dialogue, I wanna say thank you! Your channel has become one of favorites over the past year and has joined my very own top ten for content creators in 2021. You’ve made me think more about the work that goes into story telling, the messages that can be found in art, and how much impact people can have on the world. You’ve also made me reflect on what actions I’ve taken, what kind of person I’ve been, and how I can move on to confront the future. You’ve helped me grown as a person, so I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me! Thank you so much, Jacob Geller! I hope the next year and all the ones to come treat you well until we cross paths again.

[@Rvax13]

Before Your Eyes was a source of great comfort during a rough patch this year, and I wouldn’t have found that game if it wasn’t for your video on it. I found you channel by chance, around March, and I’ve been an admirer since. The depth with which you treat ideas, the intertextuality you find between games, books, art and your own experiences, the excitement and fun that you radiate…. I guess just, thank you Jacob, commenting for the engagement

[@gregathol]

Like Before Your Eyes, Jacob Geller is a once in a generation type thing. He will also color my perception of all games/videos/art I engage with in the future.

[@AlpacaLips39]

That is an excellent point about climbing. I love running, jumping, and climbing in games like Borderlands but they took a little shine off that fun by putting colored ledges in almost any game with a climbing mechanic.

[@usamaali736]

I absolutely love the fact that you're a real person and that you say things. The ending got me so emotional.

[@zoliapjove221]

thank you for your videos this year, your writing never ceases to amaze me! 💗 i started playing video games mostly because of you - i didn't grow up playing them, so my interest in starting as an adult was very limited, but you made me realise that i'm missing out!! also your book recommendations are so good, i think both my last year's and this year's top books came from them 😀 thanks!

[@Lucy666Fernandez]

I appreciate that you included Sable which is my personal game of the year 2021. I wouldn't have gotten angry if you didn't include it, but I would've strongly recommended you to play it because it's possibly one of my favorite games of all times. The beginning where you left the Iibexi camp and said farewell to your family actually made me cry.

[@MankindFilm]

I just had my first kid 3 day ago, and I can already tell that Before you Eyes is gonna hit me in the face with an emotional brick. I'm ready for it. It's on my list with 3 underlines.

[@Spikerzky]

Hadn’t managed to hear about Mundaun, and the textures all being hand-drawn is kind of gorgeous?? And thank you for a year of interesting & thought-provoking videos. I started watching your stuff this year while idly browsing & they really hit with me. I’m a very depressive person, even outside of COVID, and they’ve been a spot of good as I’ve fought through some life-junk and worked to make changes for the better. Here’s to hoping for a better, or at least warmer, year ahead for all of us.

[@EphraimGlass]

Your style is inimitable and I absolutely adore it. Combining pop culture (usually a video game), fine art, and scholarship the way that you do makes every video a delight.

[@iamnoimpact]

What a great list, man. Such cool games to check in on, especially when you break down towards the end exactly why they belong on the list and what the list is exactly for. There's no metric that tallies the difference between favorite or best or most fun, and that's because those in no way fit into the same columns. I love that you've made the list in exactly this way. Your opinion is always rife with recognition of innovation and I appreciate that so much. -- As for the heartfelt conclusion, I think I speak for all of the subscribers, all of the followers, all of us who check these videos out regularly... thank YOU for sharing them. Glad to be a part of the team. Glad to know you're out there.

[@beesalee4]

seeing a new video from you for real always turns my day around. the intimacy of everyday objects showed up randomly in my recommended videos one day and i was hooked immediately. your last guardian video made me ugly sob alone in my room and trying to describe to someone why a youtube video about some random game i'd never heard of made me feel more like things might be ok someday than anything had in a long time is like. i mean, it maybe comes off as a bit intense. but like, i'd show up for basically anything you want to throw at us at this point because i know it'll be an absolute blast. happy Best Games of 2021, yall

[@TheLastStand001]

a bit intense pal

[@beesalee4]

@@TheLastStand001 thanks i practiced for weeks

[@snowyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

unearth u is like the first season of within the wires! it’s in the form of meditation casettes that slowly reveal that you are imprisoned somewhere and the voice is someone trying to help you escape. it’s really cool!

[@Ali-fs7ze]

Dark Souls 3 is thinking of ending things is genuinely one of my favorite pieces of game writing ever, thank you so much for that video.

[@markpfeffer7487]

that and his before your eyes video are top tier video game essays

[@DesolateLavender]

Honestly, I'd buy a real Inscryption deck to play with friends. It's that well thought out. The fact there's so much more to it than a card game is an amazing bonus.

[@aragonnetje]

"Knife not included"

[@DesolateLavender]

@@aragonnetje *"(sadly)"*

[@Majjoo06]

Gotta love that the 10th spot is held by a game from my homeland and im so glad to see that region of the country get attention. Also im glad to see Sable here cause its been on my radar for awhile now. Great list. Also thanks for showing some games that arent triple A. It's refreshing.

[@stopdropandroleplay754]

It's nice to think that all the warm things you said at the end echoed backward through each segment to the beginning of the video.

[@Hlast1]

Your videos really mean a lot to me. When I watch one, I feel like I'm listening to somebody who's able to see sharper colors and deeper hues, and that, in a weird way, helps my eyes to see those vivid colors in the stories I experience and in my life. Thank you for all that you do, and especially thank you for repeatedly making me cry during your videos.

[@steinbeck1949]

Jacob just casually dropping a Mary Oliver reference in the first minute and a half is really peak Jacob content

[@doctabyte5370]

What about that Welcome To The Internet reference

[@SleepyBoi_9000]

Psychonauts 2 is my game of the year. Just an amazingly creative platformer with charming characters and writing, good combat, and no frustrating sequences. Just a joy to play the whole way through.

[@LuckyLiegeLady246]

YES! I was hoping someone would mention that! (I’m a fan if you couldn’t tell by my pic)

[@Zmey]

Double you on that. Just love it. A long waited sequel to a beloved game. I wonder if there is a reason why mr. Geller didn't play it.

[@joaquinbaume1291]

same

[@ded-inside5904]

This is the first channel in all the time I’ve spent on KZbin that has actually made me, a being afflicted by severe ADHD, pay full attention to a sponsorship ad. Jacob, you have my absolute thankfulness and respect, I wish you, and all the other amazing people who help make this possible the absolute best of luck, and a happy new year

[@rowandwyer324]

I truly love your work, Jacob. So few people can tell stories like you do. Also, commenting for the engagement.

[@ronazdug]

Responding for engagement, and this fantastic youtuber

[@elijahguttman9289]

This channel is by far my favorite on KZbin. Such high quality and always so interesting.

[@sydneyeckhoff8226]

When you were talking about climbing, I had a similar thought as I was first playing Half Life about four years ago. I was stacking boxes to get over lasers and I just went “Is this what I’m supposed to be doing or is it just working?”

[@gooooooooooofy]

Jacob, your content is the Outer Wilds of KZbin channels. Thanks for making some of the best videos on this platform.

[@InnuendoStudios]

FIRST THING IS HOW ARE YOU? NO. NO IT IS NOT. FIRST THING IS WHERE DID YOUR FUCKING BEARD GO. EDIT: oh there it is

[@JacobGeller]

can't get rid of it, as hard as I try

[@QuintonMurdock]

27:39 nothing gets me better than a good Inside joke. Esoteric comedy is my favorite comedy

[@stratoge]

I just finished Before Your Eyes yesterday after it's been on my backlog for a while. Such an amazing game with how the mechanic and storytelling blends in nicely.

[@mexx2602]

"There's a scene [...] that was so audacious [...] that I started cackling" is such a Jacob Geller thing to say

[@Fribeepig]

Hey Jacob, I just wanted to say you have really truly inspired me as a writer, your essays on architecture in games, as well as the emotional responses games provide have been hugely influential in what I write about as well as how I write it, so much so, that I'm actually using many of your essays as a sort of source for points on how to write good atmospheric horror, because knowing what you're trying to achieve is to me as important as knowing how to get there.

[@meekle8891]

Jacob, you became one of my all time favorite content creators this year and I cannot wait to see what else you create. Im especially excited to play Sable, because who can resist open world Moebius art! Let's kick next year's ass together

[@MrHammers]

Just wanna say thanks a lot, not only for adding several games to my backlog...But also for bringing Islands of Abandonment to my attention. So much content so little time haha

[@jcb5932]

I feel as though I owe you thanks in some way. The first video I’d ever seen of yours was “Who’s afraid of modern art?” video, and that was honestly life changing. Not, specifically that video on it’s own, that video is phenomenal, but it only began my journey through your expansive and diverse array of videos. The way you talk, and the way you structure your discussion of video games, an experience-based medium, around being an experience in themselves, is genuinely next level. I deeply admire your ability to not only propose questions that frame your argument coherently, but to ask questions and induce experiences that illicit the feeling of the argument is baffling. What you do on this website is immaculate, and I wouldn’t change a single thing. I ensure to watch all of your videos that won’t spoil me on contents of games or movies I haven’t already seen/played, and I think that my critical thinking skills have legitimately improved because of it. If you see this comment, thank you. Watching your videos regularly has inspired my to make a channel of my own, and I feel it’s only right to thank you for helping me awaken a passion for creating and writing.

[@arranr]

There's few KZbin channels where I'll watch every video, regardless of subject matter, but this has been one since I found it. I respect and trust both that the ideas presented will be interesting, and the delivery will be enthralling, and I have yet to be let down. Thank you for the great quality content.

[@maxthornton5301]

In gauge mint. (Seriously, that was surreal getting called out, even just as part of a group. Thank you and all those that support you, it's the highlight of my day to see a Patreon/KZbin notification for "Jacob Geller". And thank you for letting us know commenting like that works, I don't always remember to comment, but I'll remember better knowing it helps.)

[@thestargamers3325]

I'm doing pretty good. It's always interesting to watch these kinds of videos because I never manage to play more than maybe 8 games in a year, if that. I love seeing what games other people found and loved that I never even heard of. Thanks for the video, and I hope you have a happy holiday.

[@excrubulent]

I wishlisted Sable purely on its aesthetics and it ＤＥＬＩＶＥＲＥＤ. Also it turns out to just be an awesome game in general and the world is phenomenal. Totally agree that it feels self-directed, and they set that up from the very start, they don't point you towards home, you find it organically yourself. And I love that it keeps the compass out of your way unless you hold the button for it, it makes the world feel so much more real. It's like hbomberguy said out about how omnipresent compass headings can ruin a player's appreciation for the world. Oh and I climbed the tower for the bike part before I unlocked the hover bubble thing. I was like, "Wow this game is hard. Like, frustratingly hard. I hope it's not all like this." Then I got the bubble and I was like, "Oooooh... I wasn't supposed to do that. But I damn well DID it, and I'm proud of it."

[@hjalmar6890]

”I could wake up tomorrow and completely reshuffle this list, but it’s not tomorrow it’s today.” *proceedes to grow beard*

[@johnnychopsocky]

It was a very long day. Alternatively, since he was standing still for the whole taping, he diverted all non-seeing, speaking, and thinking skill points into the Bread Growth trait.

[@calliecilone9899]

Your recap of videos you made this year really made it hit home just how much your vids have meant to me in this crazy year, thank you so much for the content you make! I’ll never stop supporting your Patreon and loving your vids!

[@Jon488]

New Jacob Geller video is the best Christmas gift I could ask for.

[@JasonPegis]

Thank you Jacob!! I just finished my dissertation and I’m left with a strange hunger for detailed, creative arguments on niche topics. I love video games, so your channel has really hit the spot for me, every single video. Happy New Year!

[@JacobGeller]

Congrats on finishing!!

[@krell.1415]

How is this video not an exception to the "Jacob's videos will always give me chills at one point" rule?! Wonderful work, I love this channel.

[@shitposter3249]

"The Long Dark and Existential Dread" is a video I will patiently wait, for as long as it takes

[@MeowMita]

As soon as I heard the Sable ost I was so happy, I binged it over a weekend and found nearly everything, it was just a nice intimate experience that left me with a real sense of longing once I finished

[@ender691]

0:51 OMG HE'S PLAYED CHICORY!!! this game is so so underrated. like like i'm in this one fan server and it basically encompasses this games entire fandom... like no joke.

[@ikumo5470]

I really liked Before your Eyes, which is why it was so frustrating that it worked so poorly with glasses. The glare off my glasses made the webcam think I blinked at random intervals. I have really warm, diffuse light in my room, so I couldnt make it bright enough in the room to offset the glare.

[@BlueRoseFaery]

One thing I wished was mentioned more is that you can play without the blinking mechanic. I haven't played it because I didn't think you could, I looked it up because of this video. I'm autistic & blink excessively, the game would probably be over in less than 5 minutes for me & I wouldn't have a chance to experience any of it. I understand that it's not the intended experience, but accessibility matters.

[@ikumo5470]

@@BlueRoseFaery oh yeah that makes sense. I'm glad that is an option

[@forlorngarden]

if i were to make a list of my favourite discoveries this year, your channel would undoubtedly be there. your video a thousand ways of seeing the forest inspired me more than i can express. thank you so much, looking forward to what you are bringing us next ❤️

[@jakeunderwood9]

well now I'm gonna have to say "just commenting for the engagement" more often. Kid A Mnesia Exhibition is probably my vote for game of the year. I'm a big Radiohead fan so being literally submerged in some of my favorite songs was well truly groundbreaking for me. And I don't know of any other games that use music in the way it did. It was an experience.

[@JacobGeller]

yeah it's incredible. If this was a top 20, it'd definitely show up.

[@RattlesnakeJakey]

Your channel is always one of the first ones I think of when I think about how much I hate that people call carefully constructed pieces of media art "content" now.

[@MrJakekunz]

I hate to compliment through comparison, but it needs to be said. Every other person on KZbin, I watch their videos while I cook, while I clean the house, while I get ready for work. Jacob’s videos are an event, a work that I sit and watch and absorb the best I can. Thank you, and happy new year all.

[@MrJakekunz]

Also, I’ll never skip in my life skip credits with Japanese Breakfast playing over them.

[@beaposting1]

for me the game that changed my perspective on gaming as a whole was OMORI. it released last christmas, and i couldn't imagine a better gift. my least favorite kind of game has always been rpgs with TURN-BASED combat and lots of dialogue, typically i never had patience for that genre. so for OMORI, a heavy story driven rpg with TURN-BASED combat, to come out and become my actual favorite game of all time is really saying something. its story affected me very much emotionally. the writing and characters are so mysterious and the way it depicts mental health is like nothing i've seen before it. it taught me that you don't play those kinds of games for the sloppy combat, you play it to experience the world that the game developers have crafted for you, one encounter at a time. i've since played a bunch of rpg games this past year, it's become one of my favorite genres. deltarune, earthbound, and yumi nikki, to name the best ones so far. and i'm even thinking about developing my own, as well as reaching out to rpg maker developers to help with soundtrack development. it's amazing how one amazing game can really change your perspective on a piece of media no matter how passionate you are about it.

[@beaposting1]

and as im posting this OMORI just got announced for the nintendo switch in SPRING!!!!

[@halberdex1068]

Y’know Jacob, you never cease to amaze me with what you do. Thanks to you, I’m able to discover games and media I never would’ve on my own. Keep up all the great stuff that you do! You can bet I’ll be there to see it. Also, consider this comment one for the algorithm. :)

[@alexathegator]

Omori is my game of the year - through its' characters, it managed to dig deep inside my repressed childhood trauma and then suddenly whiplash me into acceptance and encouragement to forgive myself. 10/10 the closest a game can get to ptsd therapy

[@throwawaydetective9080]

I didn’t get the same feeling. It felt more like a glorification of trauma horror, like a childish and otakuized take on Silent Hill. It felt vapid like it wasn’t trying to say anything just fuel more fan theories.

[@BlueDemon-nk5dj]

I don't know why I chose to skip this video at first, I guess it didn't strike me as the type of Jacob Geller-ry type of Jacob Geller video. But I actually teared up in this one hearing him being so thankful for his viewers. Jacob gives me a reason to look at life in new beautiful perspectives and I've always wanted to thank him for that. I guess this time he let us see his work life in a beautiful perspective and I can tell he loves what he does. I'm just happy to be a part of a community that does that for an amazing man like him!

[@raseaces]

You mentioned how you look for that game that reframes the concept of what a game can be, but I just want to say that finding your channel and watching your videos this year has been the thing that reframes what talking about games can be to me. Your videos have inspired me to reconsider how I think and talk about games and set the standard for me, and I've also enjoyed every single one of them, so thank you!

[@matusjansta]

Have u ever played pathologic? I would enjoy your unique perspective on that weird game haha

[@nikeid128]

I went at bought Sable after watching this - it’s such a nice game, really different than the usual stuff that I play!

[@ahatsquiddy]

I feel like Omori would be a good game for you to play. It has one of the best depictions of mental illnesses and it scared me in a way that nothing has ever before.

[@liamattivissimo6288]

agreed!

[@iglusmulmus5171]

I love your videos man. My favorite is the one you made about the fear of the deep. All of your videos are incredibly well researched and wonderfully atmospheric. I actually celebrate every video that you release, because I know it‘s going to be a journey. Thank you.

[@OccuredJakub12]

A Jacob Geller video is always a treat :) Watching your stuff inspires me to get back into doing youtube videos (I did that on other channels but they suck, don't watch em) and trying off some more esoteric and interesting thoughts about games. And , I mean, I am also a Jacob G. so it feels like if one Jacob G. can do it, then why the hell can't both?!

[@ericlegere2822]

Love seeing Inscryption blow up recently- what an epic game!

[@ervinpepper]

Just commenting for the engagement ;)