These are the 41 Games we’re most excited about in 2021
Forget «Cyberpunk 2077», «Assassin’s Creed Valhalla» and the like. That's cold coffee. There are a lot of new knockouts lined up in 2021. And they’re all clamouring to fill your spare time.
The year is still young, but fresh games are not far away. January already has some interesting titles in store. You can see what other games are expected to be released in 2021 in our neatly curated list. It’s sorted by date and, where the exact date is unknown, alphabetically.
«Hitman 3»
It’s time to re-enter the World of Assassination once more. Agent 47 gets new playgrounds where he can creatively put his victims underground, push them off balconies or have rockets launch them into the stratosphere.
Release date: 20 January. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Far Cry 6»
Apart from the setting, not much is known about this sequel of the «Far Cry» series. It’s set in a Caribbean dictator state and you play as a guerrilla fighter. Gameplay will probably remain largely unchanged, but it should be enough to deliver a fun, chaotic, action-packed experience.
Release date: 18 February. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Disco Elysium – The Final Cut»
What’s certainly been one of the most brilliant adventure games for years gets a complete soundtrack, new characters, quests and outfits in the upcoming «Final Cut».
Release date: March. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox, Stadia, App Store
«Returnal»
A fast-paced, sci-fi third-person shooter with spectacular particle effects and an imaginative design. The developer, Housemarque, may well get even the PS5 to sweat.
Release date: 19 March. Platform: Playstation
«Humankind»
«Humankind» may look like «Civilization» and be similar in terms of gameplay, but one key difference is that you can mix civilisations. Each time you level up, you choose which civilisation your people should to evolve into.
Release date: 22 April. Platform: PC, Stadia
«Back 4 Blood»
Looks like «Left 4 Dead», plays like «Left 4 Dead» and comes from the makers of «Left 4 Dead». «Back 4 Blood» is the unofficial sequel to the cooperative zombie first-person shooter and will be released in just a few months.
Release date: 22 June. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Death Loop»
From the makers of «Dishonored» comes another first-person action game, featuring a ton of acrobatics and an assortment of deadly tools.
Release date: Q2 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Wrath»
If you've been longing for more «Quake 1», 3D Realms has just the thing for you.
Release date: summer. Platform: PC.
«12 Minutes»
An adventure game in which you experience the same 12 minutes over and over again. You must solve the mystery behind your own murder. Only then can you escape the time loop.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Xbox
«Age of Empires 4»
After the first three parts received an improved Definitive Edition, it's time for a true sequel. It’s set in the Middle Ages and again lets you build cities in real time and take over enemy castles with your armies.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«The Ascent»
Didn't like «Cyberpunk 2077»? Or can you not get enough of the world? Whatever the case, this co-op action-RPG might be for you. It’s the same dirty world, but isometric.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Xbox
«Atomic Heart»
«Bioshock» in a dystopian Soviet Union. That's pretty much how you can describe «Atomic Heart». It definitely looks interesting. Hopefully, we'll find out soon if it’ll really be interesting as well.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC.
«Biomutant»
In a world ruled by mutated mammals, brawl, slash and shoot your way through a colourful sci-fi setting with your own fantasy fighter. The Swedish developers are calling it a «post-apocalyptic Kung-Fu fable».
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Chivalry 2»
Medieval multiplayer battles with 64 players always make for a cheerful mood. «Chivalry 2» promises to be even more fantastic and bloody than the first part.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Chorus»
A space-action game. Control an intelligent spaceship to free the universe from the clutches of an evil prophet.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Xbox
«Dying Light 2»
After being postponed again and again, this open-world zombie game that combines shooter, parcour and role-playing elements should finally (really) be released in 2021.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
«Eastward»
In a not too distant future, miner John rescues young girl Sam from a secret factory. You'll accompany the mismatched pair on their journey through a mysterious world and discover the secret behind the sinister creature that threatens the local town.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Switch
«Elden Ring»
This new game by the «Dark Souls» developer is a joint effort with George R. R. Martin, author of «Game of Thrones».
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
«Everwild»
No idea what this game is actually about, but the picturesque and idyllic world and fantastic creatures are incentive enough for me to give it a go. Also, it's being developed by Rare («Sea of Thieves»). In my eyes, that means it’s destined for success.
Release date: unknown. Platform: PC, Xbox
«Evil Genius 2»
Create your own supervillain lair and arm it against curious secret agents. With a vast array of deadly traps, you'll show wannabe-James-Bonds why you don't always live twice.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC.
«Ghostwire: Tokyo»
Futuristic Tokyo is overrun by supernatural forces. 99 per cent of the population has already disappeared. Using your ghostly abilities, you take on the threat. It is being developed by the makers of the horror game «The Evil Within».
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation
«Horizon Forbidden West»
Heroine Aloy is drawn to the Forbidden West, where cyber dinos await once more to trip over your traps and be pierced by your electric arrows. It’s bound to be a unique feast for the eyes.
Release date: 2021. Platform: Playstation
«Gotham Knights»
The developers of «Batman: Arkham Origins» stay true to the setting, but the dark avenger takes a forced break. He may kinda be dead. So instead, Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin and Red Hood rush in to save Gotham.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Halo Infinite»
The Master Chief will have to wait a little while longer before he can get to saving humanity once again. Hopefully, the final product will look a bit fancier than in the first gameplay trailer.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Xbox
«Hogwarts Legacy»
The first trailer for the action RPG «Hogwarts Legacy» leaves behind a solid impression. The game takes place in the magical halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but is set before the events of the Harry Potter books.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«It Takes Two»
In this co-op game, two players face numerous puzzles, jump-'n'-run sequences and escape from giant moles. The developer behind «It Takes Two» was also behind «Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons» and «A Way Out».
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Kena: Bridge of Spirits»
Fantastic graphics and a hint of «The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild» are enough for me to put this game high on my wishlist.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation
«Path of Exile 2»
We may still have to wait a while for «Diablo 4» and «Path of Exile 2» might just bridge the time. Though that really undersells this game. Its predecessor is one of the most versatile and complex action RPGs on the market, and is still being actively developed to this day. Part 2 could end up quite the hot potato.
Release date: unknown. Platform: PC.
«Psychonauts 2»
The developer Double Fine is known for its creative and unusual games. The sequel to the iconic «Psychonauts», in which you infiltrate alien brains, promises to be no exception.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Ratchet and Clank: A Rift Apart»
Perhaps the first game that’ll really push the PS5 to the limit. This brightly colourful and imaginative action platform game is a launch title and should be released soon.
Release date: 2021. Platform: Playstation
«Resident Evil Village»
The next «Resident Evil» goes in the same direction as Resident Evil 7. But instead of a psychopathic family of murderers... a Transylvanian setting with werewolves, witches and maybe vampires awaits you?
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Ruined King: A League of Legends Story»
Riot Games, maker of «League of Legends», is venturing into new territory with «Ruined King». The turn-based role-playing game is expected to be released in 2021.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Sable»
An open-world game with a unique design and a wondrous world.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Shadow Warrior 3»
You'll find fast-paced action, lots of blood and a lot of weird humour à la «Borderlands» in the third «Shadow Warrior».
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC.
«The Settlers»
Soon enough, we may settle around again! Even more adorable, with even more attention to detail and even more possibilities.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC.
«Skull and Bones»
Ubisoft has already postponed the game several times. In 2021, the ship battle game could finally be released. Fight other sailors with your own ship, which you can customize and equip however you please.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Stray»
You play a lonely cat trying to find the way back to its family in a cybercity inhabited by robots.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2»
A city in the clutches of rival vampire clans. You as an aspiring bloodsucker in the middle of it. The sequel to the iconic vampire saga should be at the top of every RPG fan’s wish list.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Warhammer 40,000: Darktide»
With its successful «Vermintide» games, developer Fatshark has amassed a loyal fan base. «Warhammer 40,000: Darktide» will also be a co-op action game, only this time you'll have to fight off creepy zombie soldiers instead of ravenous rats.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
«Weird West»
As the title suggests, you explore a weird Wild West. You can solve quests in many different ways and the game reacts to your actions.
Release date: 2021. Platform: PC.
«Witchbrook»
From the developer of «Starbound» and the publisher behind «Stardew Valley» comes «Witchbrook». You experience the everyday life of a witch at a magic school.
Release date: unknown. Platform: unknown
Which games are at the top of your list this year? Let me know in the comments.
Being the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.