Our Most Anticipated Video Games Coming (Hopefully) in 2021
2020 has certainly been the year of delayed video games with Cyberpunk 2077 having at least 4 different release dates in the span of a single year, and quite honestly being the biggest disappointment of the entire year. 2021 is set to be the year of the most anticipated games that have either been delayed or were set to release in 2021 already. We’ve put together a list of our most anticipated games for 2021, but while these are currently slated for a 2021 release date, it is very possible that some (or all) of these titles will be delayed. I certainly expect some, if not most, of these games to be delayed at some point in the next calendar year, but it can’t hurt to have some sort of hope that they’ll be finished when they’re supposed to be finished. So let’s dive in and take a look at some of our most anticipated games of 2021!
10. Outriders
First up on our list of the most anticipated games of 2021, we’ve got Outriders. First announced in 2019, Outriders is a brand new looter-shooter from studio Square Enix and is set to be a competitor to other looter-shooters like Borderlands as well as Destiny. However, Outriders is a third-person shooter unlike its competitors which gives it a breathe of fresh air for players who are used to first-person looter-shooters. Outsiders is set to make its debut on February 2, 2021.
9. Deathloop
Deathloop is Bethesda and Arkane Studios’ upcoming action-adventure that aims to mesh a single player gaming experience with multiplayer drama. Regarding the game’s narrative—think Groundhog Day. Your character, Colt, is stuck in a time loop with no way out except to kill each and every enemy target before midnight or the loop resets. If he dies within the loop? Reset. Miss a target? Reset. So you’ve basically got two options: take your time, be methodical, and learn every target’s location and movement patterns until it is ingrained into your brain, or run in guns blazing and reset every single time you make a mistake. Either way, you’re probably going to die…a lot. Deathloop is out on May 21, 2021 for PS5 and Windows under a one-year timed exclusive for PS5.
8. Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West, the heavily anticipated sequel to 2017’s PS4 exclusive Horizon Zero Dawn, is set to put players back in the shoes of popular female-protagonist Aloy, the main character of Horizon Zero Dawn. Based on a trailer and screenshots for Horizon Forbidden West, the map looks to be much more junglier (yes, junglier is actually a word. I Googled it.) The game is set to release in 2021, though no exact date is confirmed as of yet.
7. Lord of the Rings – Gollum
An unexpected entry into the Lord of the Rings plethora of video games, Lord of the Rings – Gollum puts players in the metaphorical shoes of Gollum, the classic creature known for his quest to seek out the precious Ring of Power. Lord of the Rings – Gollum is a stealth action-adventure set in the fantasy world of Middle-Earth. Developed by Daedalic Entertainment, Lord of the Rings – Gollum is set to release for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC in 2021.
6. Far Cry 6
Another entry into the popular Far Cry video game franchise, Far Cry 6 will take players to a fictional Caribbean island known as “Yara.” The game focuses on “El Presidente” Antón Castillo, portrayed by classic evil antagonist, Giancarlo Esposito known for roles such as Moff Gideon (The Mandalorian) and Gus Fring (Breaking Bad). Far Cry 6 puts players in the role of Dani Rojas in his attempt to topple Castillo’s fascist regime. Releasing on February 18, 2021, Far Cry 6 will be available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Stadia, as well as the brand new Amazon based streaming service “Luna.”
5. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
LEGO Star Wars is perhaps one of my favorite video games of all time, I’ve played it since I was a kid and quite honestly it still holds up to today’s standards. It’s got a great art style that really doesn’t go out of date considering Legos don’t really change. I’m really hoping that LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga gives players an option to go back to the classic “grunt dialogue.” One thing I’m not looking forward to is the pod racing level from The Phantom Menace. It’s just the worst.
4. Gotham Knights
Gotham Knights is the next game coming from WB Games Montreal. While it is not set in the same Arkham universe as games such as Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, Arkham Origins, and Arkham Knight, the game does include many classic Batman characters such as Dick Grayson (Nightwing), Barbara Gordon (Batgirl), and Jason Todd (Red Hood). No official release date has been confirmed, but it is coming in 2021 to Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.
3. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition
Fan-favorite cult-classic, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game was loved and adored by so many until it was suddenly removed from marketplaces and made unavailable to players wanting to see what the hype was all about. Now it’s making its way back to Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Stadia, and PC in January, 2021. It will also be playable on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5. Unfortunately, I was one of the many that never got a chance to play the game as it was removed before I even knew what it was, so I’m excited to have the chance to play the new and improved version when it releases.
2. Halo Infinite
One of the most infamously delayed titles on this list, Halo Infinite was supposed to be an Xbox Series X/S launch title, but after loads of backlash due to the graphical appearance of the footage released earlier this year, 343 Industries decided that the game could do with a bit more time in the oven. It is now expected to release sometime in the Spring of 2021–almost a full year delay. This is definitely one of the most anticipated games coming in 2021, given that it was one of the most anticipated games of 2020 when it was announced. It will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S as well as PC.
1. God of War 2
Coming in at #1, we’ve got God of War 2. The currently untitled sequel to Sony Interactive Entertainment’s 2018 smash-hit God of War, God of War 2 (dubbed by many as God of War: Ragnarok) is set to release sometime in 2021 for PlayStation 5. That’s about all we know so far until SIE gives us more details, but it doesn’t stop the game from quickly becoming the most anticipated game of 2021.
There’s our list for the most anticipated games of 2021! Barring any unexpected delays, all of these games should release as scheduled next year. Let us know if you agree or if you think there’s another title we should have replaced? I’ll patiently be waiting to get my hands on a PS5, so I can play God of War 2!
Image Credit: GamingBolt