Though sequels like Halo Infinite, Horizon Forbidden West, and Resident Evil Village are slated to launch within the next 12 months, plenty of fresh IPs are also on the horizon. The following are a few promising new game IPs expected to release for current generation consoles and modern PCs sometime later this year.
1. Back 4 Blood
There’s a good reason why Back 4 Blood‘s name sounds familiar. The upcoming four-player frenzy, set to launch June 22 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, brazenly mimics Left 4 Dead‘s premise in that it challenges fans to wipe out waves of infected enemies as a group of survivors. The game won’t be a total copycat, however, as it’ll include new features like cards that modify gameplay and zombie behavior.
If Back 4 Dead turns out to be just as addictively fun as Turtle Rock Studio’s previous franchise (now owned by Valve), it may become one of the most popular and commercially successful games of the year.
2. Deathloop
Arkane Studios’ Deathloop will be similar to Turtle Rock’s Back 4 Blood in that it too will share many aspects in common with previous franchises the developer has worked on. Set to launch for PlayStation 5 and PC on May 21, Deathloop will task players with learning enemy positions and behaviors in order to eliminate eight targets before the night ends and the day resets itself. Just like in Dishonored, stealth, parkour, and taking advantage of environmental hazards will be critical. Here’s hoping Deathloop lives up to Arkane’s pedigree while establishing its own identity.
3. Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is Ember Labs’ first full-fledged game.
Ember Lab’s first full-fledged game, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, will challenge players to restore a devastated village back to its former glory while acting as guides for deceased people traumatized by events that occurred when they were alive. Though not much else is known about the game, set to arrive this March on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC, it seems as if it’ll combine the rollicking vibes of action-adventure classics like Jak and Daxter with the emotional weight found in many of Studio Ghibli’s films. Clearly inspired by Indonesian culture, Kena: Bridge of Spirits certainly appears unique enough to attract some attention.
4. Outriders
Outriders is an upcoming online third-person looter shooter from People Can Fly, the studio that brought us Bulletstorm a decade ago. Set to launch April 1 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the game will have players choose from one of four distinct classes – Trickster, Pyromancer, Devastator, and Technomancer – as they attempt to colonize the alien planet Enoch and provide a new home for humanity.
What may set Outriders apart from its contemporaries is its heavy focus on RPG elements, such as the ability to upgrade characters through specialized skill trees and the inclusion of dialogue trees. Time will tell whether the title finds an audience, though it does have potential.
5. GhostWire: Tokyo
GhostWire Tokyo may wind up becoming Tango Gameworks’ best title yet
GhostWire Tokyo looks weird, which is precisely what makes it appealing. After most of Tokyo’s denizens disappear, the player character obtains inexplicable superpowers that may be utilized by performing Kuji-kiri-inspired hand gestures. These powers will come in handy against creepy evil spirits known as the Visitors, which range from small children wearing raincoats to scissor-swinging women. If the gameplay is just as superb as its character designs, it may wind up becoming Tango Gameworks’ best title yet. The game releases this October for PlayStation 5 and PC.
The upcoming year seems packed with promising new game IPs to keep on one’s radar. From cooperative multiplayer shooters to supernatural action adventures, 2021 may be filled with unique, quality releases everyone could enjoy.
