10 Games To Look Out for in 2021

The new year has just started, and plenty of games are already set to release this year. 2021 seems to be quite a promising year for games, especially since it’s this console generation’s first year. If the list of games promising to arrive this year is daunting, here’s a list of 10 important games to look out for in 2021.

1. God Of War: Ragnarok

It’s no surprise that this is one of gaming’s most anticipating titles. In the 2020 Game Awards, Sony Santa Monica’s upcoming sequel was nominated for the most anticipating game. Even with nothing but a small teaser, it doesn’t stop fans from imagining what the sequel will play like. It’s already been 3 years since the reboot came out, which gives Sony Santa Monica just enough time to bring a new game to the table.

I can’t wait to see more of Kratos and Atreus’ relationship.

As a God of War fan myself, despite only playing the 2018 title, I couldn’t believe that it was actually coming. Where would we explore this time? How would the story unfold? There are so many unanswered questions. The 2018 God of War earned itself a high 94 on Metacritic, putting its sequel on a high pedestal of expectation. The end of the teaser gave us the 2021 date, so hopefully the studio can get it out in time before the next year comes around.

2. Far Cry 6

This long-running series continues to surprise fans through each iteration. Staring the amazing actor Giancarlo Esposito, the player’s job will be to take down his crooked regime. Each Far Cry title usually comes down to the player opposing a ruthless dictator with fast gunfights and exciting weapons. The last title in the series, Far Cry 5–not counting New Dawn–released back in 2018 as well, which presumably gave Ubisoft plenty of time to create the next in their series.

This Breaking Bad actor surely knows how to play cunning villains.

This is one of the only titles here with a release date, having been pushed to May 25th, 2021. Another delay is quite possible, but this game seems to have 2021 set in stone. All we know so far is that you’ll be playing as a local on an island named Yara, who’ll attempt to help other angry Yarans to take down this dictator’s dangerous empire. We’ll just have to wait a few more months for this one!

3. Deathloop

Just 4 days before Far Cry comes Bethesda’s most promising title, Deathloop. By Arkane Studios, this title is an FPS action-adventure game where you must kill an assassin before they get to you first. Placed on the island of Blackreef, Colt must break the time loop the island is trapped in, while simultaneously avoiding getting killed by Julianna. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen, so keep an eye on this one.

Groundhog day on steroids.

Like Far Cry, it suffered a COVID-related delay, as it was supposed to arrive in the last quarter of 2020. These extra 5 months will give the developers at Arkane Studios to polish their baby and make it as good as it can be. The unique strategy this game employs of learning from each attempt before the loop resets is why this game is on this list. Deathloop will also be a PS5 timed exclusive.

4. Resident Evil Village

The eighth instalment of the classic survival horror series comes back this year as a sequel to its beloved predecessor, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Utilizing the beautiful RE Engine, Capcom is able to make each iteration scarier and scarier. That same title received a high 86 on Metacritic, which makes me think this next title will attempt to beat that score.

They look quite friendly.

Chris Redfield, a brave hero in previous games, returns and brings Ethan back from the previous game and into another twisted nightmare. You’ll be playing as Ethan again, having been dragged back into a terrible fate after spending a few quiet years with his wife Mia. According to their official site, Village will be coming sometime this winter, so prepare for new and exciting information soon!

5. Horizon Forbidden West

One of PlayStation’s best IPs is coming out with a sequel, but will it be arriving this year? In the fine print, Horizon Forbidden West is said to be expected to release in the second half of 2021. All we’ve gotten so far is a beautiful cinematic trailer, yet no gameplay. Despite this, we can still daydream and imagine how much of an upgrade this game is going to be on the PS5.

I wonder what mechanical creatures we get to fight this time…

This one could easily be pushed to 2022, so don’t get your hopes up. Horizon Zero Dawn, first in the series by Guerilla Games, released 4 years ago this March, meaning the developers have had quite some time to work on this game. Horizon, if unfamiliar, is an open-world adventure game where you play as Aloy in a post-post-apocalyptic world. If you haven’t tried it yet and you either have a PS4 or PC, it’s a must-play.

6. Gotham Knights

Fans of the Batman Arkham games, listen here! You’ve probably already heard of this title, but did you forget, it’s slated to release sometime this year? It can still get pushed as we’ve only seen a small bit of gameplay reveals. A Suicide Squad multiplayer game is also in the works, but Gotham Knights is slated to release first.

Which character are you most excited to play as?

Aside from that, Gotham Knights will be an action RPG where you get to play as 4 members of the Bat-family. Gotham City is open for you to explore, and with Batman dead, the only heroes left have to deal with the criminal underworld rising back up. We haven’t heard anything about this game since last summer, so we should be expecting some new information to surface soon.

7. GhostWire: Tokyo

This mysterious title has you explore a supernaturally overrun Tokyo, using weapons at your arsenal to figure out the mystery of the population’s mass disappearance. Aside from that, not much is known, but by the trailers, it looks like it’ll use the PS5’s powerful abilities to its full potential. GhostWire: Tokyo is set to release sometime in 2021 on PC and PS5.

Is this game still living up to your expectations?

Last summer was also the last time this game was shown off, so hopefully some new information or trailers will pop up. If you like first-person action games with a supernatural twist, this may be the game for you. GhostWire is shaping up to be a promising Bethesda title, so don’t forget about it.

8. Hitman 3

The sandbox stealth trilogy is coming to a close with IO Interactive’s Hitman 3. Luckily, out of all the games on the list, this is coming out the most soon. Agent 46 is tasked with some of his most dangerous missions to date, one of them being shown off in this recent final preview. On January 20th, Hitman will be arriving on all consoles.

The uniqueness of this game comes with the ways you can play. No matter what level, you’ll have numerous creative choices to make. There is an infinite number of ways you can eliminate your target, and now with the new VR mode, you can kill with a whole new immersive perspective. Okay, that sounds wrong, scratch that.

9. Hogwarts Legacy

After many years of Harry Potter fans begging for a Hogwarts RPG, we’re finally getting one. Yet to have a solid release date, Hogwarts Legacy has been in the works for a few years now, being leaked back in 2018. Instead of hanging out with Harry and the trio, you’ll be attending classes in the 1800s where you’ll have the chance to fights beasts, craft potions and choose your fate.

I’ve longed for this game since I was a kid, I can wait as long as it takes.

This title is only hoping to release sometime this year, but the progress on it is still under wraps. Besides a basic synopsis and cinematic trailers, we don’t know much about how it’ll play. We’ll just have to be a little more patient for this wizarding world game. No matter which console you own—besides loyal Switch owners—you’ll have a chance to play this magical title.

10. Kena: Bridge of Spirits

The PlayStation 5 certainly has an exciting line-up of games set for this year. Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an action-adventure game where you play as Kena, a girl with the powers to carry people from the physical to the spiritual world. This magical game will let you befriend multiple spirits while gaining special abilities to explore your environments.

This mysterious exclusive is quite mystical and intriguing…

So far from the trailers we’ve seen, this is quite a beautiful game. Kena is anticipated to release sometime this March, but as 2021 has already started, we’re either going to get a delay or a set date. Even if you don’t have your hands on a PS5 yet, don’t fret, as it’ll also release on PS4. March is looming by, so keep an eye out for this promising title!