2020 was a solid year for video games. That’s one of the very few silver linings in an otherwise trash year that will be forever remembered in history for all the wrong reasons. But we look to video games as a form of entertainment, art, and escapism. The good news is that the industry shows no signs of stopping, even if it’s temporarily slowing down a little, and the better news is that some awesome and anticipated games are already announced for release over the next 12 months. Sure, some of these will invariably slip down the release date schedule a bit, and some may fall off entirely, but more often than not, more new titles will be announced in the months ahead. So it’s with all that in mind that we look to what we know now, cross our fingers, and hope that these highly anticipated games will be available to play sometime in 2021.
We’ve got nearly 30 games on this list that we’re looking forward to for a variety of reasons. Some, likeHorizon: Forbidden WestandResident Evil VIII: Village, are new installments in fan-favorite franchises, while others, likeGhosts ‘n Goblins: Resurrection, fall into the remake/remaster/reboot category of iconic titles. Still others are wholly new creations from AAA and indie studios alike; it’s a great mix with plenty of variety. But not every title can make the list, so we carved some space out for games we have our eyes on if not our pre-orders.
Honorable Mentions:
The following entries should absolutely be on your radar, but since many of them are remakes/remasters, new entries in famous franchises that I’m not super into, or are rather similar to other titles on this list, they’ll just be getting a cursory mention here. YMMV. (Be sure to visit thefull list of 2021 (and beyond) release dateshere for more.)
Our most-anticipated games of 2021 follow below in rough release date order:
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers(PS4, Switch)
A new battlefield appears in the “EDF” series. This time, the world becomes the square Earth. The name of this game is “EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: WORLD BROTHERS”. This game takes place in the 3D voxel world, which everything is made up of square pieces. In this world, the Earth is not round but square. And now, this voxel Earth is fallen apart into square pieces, breaking its blocky peace. But whether round or square, the Earth must be the Earth. So now, the player and the “EARTH DEFENSE FORCE” must rise to the occasion and save the day to restore a shattered Voxel Earth to one peace.
Shadow Man: Remaster(PC)
Release Date:Early 2021
Shadow Man Remastered is coming to PC, Xbox, PS4, and Switch!
FEATURED UPDATES: This remaster adds modern resolution support, restores cut content, responsive controls, updated AI, improved gameplay, and features a remastered soundtrack!
Why We’re Excited:This underrated N64 title is getting a much-needed remaster from accomplished master remasterers Nightdive Studios. It’ll allow players to once again take control of the title character, Michael LeRoi, to defend Liveside against supernatural threats using (culturally insensitive?) voodoo powers. This one’s got nostalgia power all over it.
Monster Hunter: Rise(Switch)
Release Date:January 2021 (Switch Demo), March 26th (Switch)
We need you to protect Kamura Village! Wade through the marshy Flooded Forest and confront new monsters, such as the sleep-inducing Somnacanth and the omnivorous trickster Bishaten! Monster Hunter Rise Demo coming January 2021.
Why We’re Excited:TheMonster Hunterfranchise is a force to be reckoned with, even if the live-action feature film adaptation wasn’t exactly up to the task of capturing that magic.Riseaims to continue whatMHtitles before it have managed to do: Engage gamers in a content loop that has them hunting more and more difficult monsters to harvest their parts and upgrade gear.Risewill fold in existing monsters and weapon sets along with new targets to hunt. Sharpen those blades, hunters! The Demo arrives on Switch this January.
Century: Age of Ashes(Steam: Early Access; PC: Epic Games Store TBD)
Release Date:February 2021
Engage in aerial dragon-on-dragon combat in this multiplayer game coming February 2021.
Why We’re Excited:WhileMonster Hunterlets you hunt monsters (duh),Century: Age of Asheslets you ride on dragons as you fly them into combat. Think of it like multiplayer aerial dogfights on dragonback. We’re sold!
Control: Ultimate Edition(PS5, Xbox Series X|S)
Why We’re Excited:Controlis one of the best games of 2019. This new version of the award-winning title gets a next-gen re-up along with all existing expansions. That’s a solid deal. So if you haven’t had a chance to play it yet, 2021 is as good a time as any to do so.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood(PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One, PC)
Release Date:July 03, 2025
Embrace the power of the Werewolf in Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood. Learn more about the forms, abilities, and skills of Cahal, an exiled werewolf who has returned to take part in a bloody campaign against the evil oil and gas corporation Endron, as our developers walk you through the World of Darkness in this commented gameplay video.
Why We’re Excited:The Cyanide devs had our curiosity with a new werewolf game, but they got our attention with a new werewolf game that lets you do stealth recon as both wolf and man (a laWolf’s Rain) as an eco-terrorist with the aim of taking down a looting and polluting energy corporation. Add in a dash of the frenzied style of attacks in werewolf form and yeah, we’re excited to check this one out.
Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection(Switch)
Release Date:June 26, 2025
CHALLENGE AGAIN!Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrectionbrings a haunting new adventure to Nintendo Switch in February 2021!
Why We’reExcited: Talk about Capcom classics. The original title was one of the first games I ever picked up as a kid, and guaranteed that it’s among the first that frustrated me into putting it right back down. Will I pick it up again 35+ years later? (Yikes, how’s that for an age check?) Absolutely!
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut(PS5 / PS4, Stadia, PC/Mac: Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store)
Release Date:March 2021
Wanna find your true self? Follow the symphony of voices, seek out the new skin, and pursue your political visions to wild new heights in Disco Elysium - The Final Cut on PlayStation and PC/Mac in March 2021.
Why We’reExcited: This game was a fantastic and wholly unique experience when it debuted late last fall. The only downside: Wall after wall of text with no voice acting.DEdid so well, in fact, that the “Final Cut” version will feature full voice acting in addition to other new and upgraded content. Definitely worth the look and, for the first time, listen!
Kena: Bridge of Spirits(PS4, PS5, PC)
A story-driven action adventure with a stunning visual aesthetic combining exploration with fast-paced combat. Players find and grow a team of charming spirit companions called the Rot, enhancing their abilities and creating new ways to manipulate the environment. Kena: Bridge of Spirits seamlessly blends action and narrative into an unforgettable experience. Travel with Kena, a young Spirit Guide on a quest to uncover the mysterious story surrounding the demise of the village.
Why We’reExcited: As great as it is to play hype realistic games on next-gen consoles and high-end PCs, boy do we love a cutesy game every once in a while.Kenalooks beautiful, the playstyle looks breezy, and the story looks downright delightful. New titles are iffy these days, but we’re hopingKenamakes fans out of us on release.
