2021 is going to be a fantastic year for gaming. In the first full year for next-generation consoles, developers have been hard at work creating games optimized for them. Whether you are a console player or love playing games on your custom gaming PC, there is definitely something for you this year. So let’s check out the top upcoming games for 2021.
Far Cry 6
Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Amazon Luna, Google Stadia
Developers: Ubisoft Toronto
Publishers: Ubisoft
A franchise that launched back in 2004, the Far Cry series received huge critical and commercial success, spawning multiple spinoffs. A welcome return in 2021, Far Cry 6 will take the player to the fictitious Caribbean island of Yara. Set amid a revolution, the island is ruled by fascist dictator Antón Castillo, who is played by Giancarlo Esposito (well known for his antagonistic roles in Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian). The player will take control of guerilla soldier Dani Rojas fighting for freedom and to topple the dictatorship regime.
Halo Infinite
Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Windows
Developers: 343 Industries
Publishers: Xbox Game Studios
Halo Infinite will be 343 Industries’ third installment in the main series of the hugely popular Xbox exclusive. Originally slated for release alongside the new Xbox Series X|S consoles, the game’s launch was postponed due to development issues alongside the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Halo Infinite sees lead protagonist Master Chief return to center stage and will be set on a newly constructed Halo ring. Plot details aren’t yet completely clear, but it is known that the violent mercenary splinter group of the Covenant, the Banished, will serve as enemies. With the betrayal of Master Chief’s AI partner Cortona witnessed in Halo 5: Guardians, it’s going to be really interesting to see what happens next!
Dying Light 2
Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows
Developers: Techland
Publishers: Techland
With the huge commercial success of Dying Light, it was inevitable that we would see a sequel. Dying Light 2 will see humanity on the edge of extinction in the midst of the days of a zombie apocalypse. With the situation only has gotten worse since the story of Harran, Dying Light 2 will take you to ‘The City’ – a playable area four times larger than the first.
Just like their predecessor, zombies are slow in the light of day but as soon as night falls you better watch out as they become more aggressive and hostile. With the game initially scheduled to come out in 2020, it is hoped that we will get to crack out our specialist weapons and take on the undead in 2021.
Gotham Knights
Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows
Developers: WB Games Montréal
Publishers: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Batman is dead, the Batcave has been destroyed, and crime and lawlessness has skyrocketed in the streets of Gotham City. It now falls to the playable characters of Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin and Red Hood to continue the legacy of Batman in the fight against rising crime. So far, supervillains confirmed include the Court of Owls and Mr. Freeze. Supported by Bruce Wayne’s former butler, Alfred Pennyworth, and Police Captain Renee Montoya, do you have what it takes to step up and protect Gotham City?
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
Developers: Daedalic Entertainment
Publishers: Daedalic Entertainment
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is set in the years following the infamous character’s acquisition of the One Ring. It is said that the game predominantly focuses on stealth and will see Gollum battle with his alter-ego, Sméagol.
In a more narrative-driven game, you may find yourself feeling somewhat sympathetic with the villainous hobbit. The game’s version of Gollum is intended to look vastly different to the movie equivalent, with who you will be more familiar. It’s certainly going to be exciting to see what Daedalic does with the character.
Resident Evil Village
Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows
Developers: Capcom
Publishers: Capcom
Resident Evil Village will take place a few years after the events of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. It will once again follow the protagonist Ethan Winters as he finds himself in a mysterious European village.
This will be the survival horror classic’s first installment on next-generation consoles. Details are slightly thin on the ground with the series’ latest entrant, but with the critically acclaimed franchise now spanning over the course of 25 years, we know we’re in safe hands with Capcom.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
Developers: Traveller’s Tales
Publishers: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
The hugely popular Lego Star Wars series returns in 2021. The Skywalker Saga will span across the length of all nine of the Saga episodes. You can complete them in any order, and each episode consists of five-story missions.
In the game’s hub, you will be able to explore the universe’s planets and moons including Tatooine, Jakku, Naboo, Endor, and Hoth. The game features nearly 500 characters including those outside of the Skywalker Saga from The Mandalorian, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Returnal
Platform: PlayStation 5
Developers: Housemarque
Publishers: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Here we have an original title for the top upcoming games in 2021 and a PlayStation exclusive. Brought to you by Finnish video game developer Housemarque, Returnal is a third-person shooter, a sci-fi horror game that takes place in the future. You play as the lead character Selene, a female space pilot stranded on an alien planet and stuck in a time loop. What will you do to survive in a greatly alien and ever-changing world?
Battlefield (2021)
Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows (Others TBC)
Developers: DICE
Publishers: Electronic Arts (EA)
It has been quite some time since we’ve seen a new entrant into the Battlefield series. With the previous two installments taking place back in both World Wars, it’s still unknown which setting the 2021 game will take place in.
What we do know is that developer DICE is looking to deliver a “next-gen vision” for the franchise. With the use of next-gen technology at its disposal, it’s certainly exciting to see what will arrive in 2021.
Gran Turismo 7
Platform: PlayStation 5
Developers: Polyphony Digital
Publishers: Sony Interactive Entertainment
The first game in the Gran Turismo series was released way back in 1997 and has continued to be a commercial success for Sony ever since. Gran Turismo 7 will be the first installment in the franchise since 2017 and the first for PlayStation 5. The developers at Polyphony Digital have said that they are going to create a game with the “combination of past, present, and future”.
CrossfireX
Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Developers: Remedy Entertainment & Smilegate Entertainment
Publishers: Xbox Game Studios
The hugely popular CrossFire game will finally make the leap to consoles in 2021 as an exclusive for Xbox. Remedy Entertainment has been working on the single-player side of the game in a battle between two private military factions. The free-to-play multiplayer portion is in the hands of Smilegate Entertainment, and players will be able to take part in a number of thrilling game modes. Will CrossfireX live up to its PC counterpart? We will find out in 2021!
With the rise of new online games, players seem to be on cloud nine but let’s not forget the game developers. One of the most exciting things for developers is, with Anzu platform, they can now create multiple streams of revenue by adding in-game ads using various tools. Real-world advertisements during the gameplay is sure to increase the reach and disrupt the way advertising is done.
Author Bio:
Oliver Griffiths has a passion for film, video games, and technology. He can be found at Tillison Consulting running a number of clients’ digital marketing campaigns across all sectors and platforms.