All things considered, 2020 was at least an O.K. year in the world of video games, with new titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Hades, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake - and the sudden surge in popularity of Among Us - providing an escape for many who needed it. 2021’s PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and PC video game release schedule promises many more potential hits. While there are sure to be surprise successes like Among Us, there’s already a long list of highly anticipated 2021 games to look forward to.
Unfortunately, if recent events have shown gaming fans anything, it’s that anticipation is a dangerous drug. Cyberpunk 2077 was perhaps 2020’s most anticipated video game, but its buggy launch and pervasive, lawsuit-inciting issues on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One proved it may not have been worth the massive hype.
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In light of Cyberpunk‘s failures, it might be best for players to temper their expectations for 2021’s games, especially given the additional challenges imposed on developers working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s likely many of the following titles will be delayed, if their developers want to avoid a launch like Cyberpunk 2077‘s. Still, at least a few of these anticipated games will undoubtedly see a release before 2021’s end.
2021’s Most Anticipated Games – Halo Infinite
A spiritual return to form for the series, Halo Infinite has already seen its fair share of development issues. Multiple game directors have left Halo Infinite development, and the game’s infamously ugly 2020 gameplay demo graphics leave it in a precarious position. Developer 343 Industries promises Infinite will live up to the series’ legacy, however, and has said it is listening to fans’ feedback. Time will tell whether Halo Infinite can succeed on Xbox Series X, but its rocky development history suggests it may not meet its fall 2021 release window.
2021’s Most Anticipated Games – Zelda: Breath Of The Wild 2
Nintendo has said basically nothing about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild‘s sequel since it was announced at E3 2019, but a lack of information can’t stop Zelda fans from being excited about the follow-up to the company’s first open-world game. A darker take on the series’ most innovative version of Hyrule is likely intriguing for many Switch owners, and many would jump at the chance to hop back into Breath of the Wild’s world. As the game has no set release window, however, it’s unknown whether it will even come out in 2021. That said, 2021 is Zelda‘s 35th anniversary, making it an ideal year to release the series’ first console-based direct sequel since Majora’s Mask.
2021’s Most Anticipated Games – Elden Ring
FromSoftware’s Elden Ring exists in a state of mystery similar to Breath of the Wild 2. Also announced at E3 2019, Elden Ring promises to marry two beloved fantasy creators’ styles, pairing Dark Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki’s dark, mysterious worldbuilding with A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin’s acclaimed writing. The game’s release date is unknown, but an industry insider recently claimed Elden Ring is playable and will be shown off soon, which could mean a late-2021 launch.
2021’s Most Anticipated Games – Far Cry 6
The Giancarlo Esposito-starring Far Cry 6 looks to iterate on the series’ formula with added narrative weight, making its freedom-fighter protagonist a local for the first time. Fans of the long-running FPS franchise can still expect the usual base-raiding guerilla warfare, of course, but Far Cry 6‘s setting and Esposito’s character work could make for a more compelling story. Far Cry 6 was recently delayed until, at the earliest, April 2021.
2021’s Most Anticipated Games – Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will release in the first half of 2021 as a PS5 “launch window” game, so it could be the most imminent of any title on this list. Rift Apart‘s abundance of particle effects and relatively seamless scene transitions could be a powerful showcase of the PlayStation 5, and developer Insomniac is sure to incorporate some interesting uses of the DualSense controller’s unique features.
2021’s Most Anticipated Games – Horizon Forbidden West
PlayStation fans will have to wait longer for Horizon Forbidden West, as it won’t release until the second half of 2021. The PS5 and PS4 exclusive appears to move protagonist Aloy’s post-historic adventures farther west, taking her to the remnants of San Francisco and other real-world U.S. West Coast locations. This expansion to an already interesting game world will likely draw in many PS5 players, especially given the console’s potential to showcase that world in beautiful detail.
2021’s Most Anticipated Games – God of War PS5
Even less is known about the PS5’s new God of War game, which has been teased to plunge Kratos into Norse mythology’s apocalyptic Ragnarok. The so-called “God of War Ragnarok” reveal trailer announced the sequel will be coming in 2021, but its lack of actual gameplay makes this seem a tad suspicious. Still, developer Sony Santa Monica may just be holding in-depth God of War PS5 footage for a surprise reveal.
2021’s Most Anticipated Games – Resident Evil 8
Resident Evil 8, officially titled Resident Evil Village, will continue Resident Evil 7‘s disturbing plot, placing series-veteran character Chris Redfield in what appears to be a somewhat sinister role. RE8‘s gameplay is reportedly similar to RE4‘s - a fan favorite RE game – so it could earn equally similar levels of acclaim from fans (though it’s not clear how that gameplay style would translate to a first-person perspective). A major Capcom leak claimed RE8‘s release date will land in April, but nothing official has been announced yet.
2021’s Most Anticipated Games – Gotham Knights
A multiplayer follow-up to the Batman: Arkham series, Gotham Knights will let four players team up as Batman’s young successors, Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, and Red Hood. Killing off Batman is a bold setup for a Batman game, and Gotham Knights has the potential to revitalize the franchise’s video game outings, as long as it doesn’t become another Marvel’s Avengers. Gotham Knights does not have a release date, but a recent social media post hints at a July 16 launch.
2021’s Most Anticipated Games – Gran Turismo 7
Racing fans can always count on a new Gran Turismo game every few years, and 2021 will finally bring Gran Turismo 7 to the PlayStation 5. Like Ratchet & Clank, Gran Turismo 7 will likely take full advantage of the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and is scheduled for the first half of the year, so it also has a chance to be the first of 2021’s most anticipated video games to reach players’ hands.
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