After a chaotic 2020 filled with COVID-19, game delays, and the launch of the next generation of consoles, we’re finally in a brand new year. 2021 not only promises a fresh new start but also a plethora of new and exciting video games!
So, the Geek Girl Authority gaming team has put together a list of our most anticipated titles of 2021! And while we know that some of these games do not have a set release date, we went with a few titles that are currently slated to release this year (because we’re hopeful they will)!
Emily’s Picks
Deathloop
What happens when you mix Groundhogs Day with deadly assassins? You get Arkane Studios‘ latest title Deathloop. In this stylized action-adventure game, players take on the role of Colt – an assassin stuck in a time loop on the mysterious island of Black Reef. To escape the loop, Colt must assassinate all eight determined targets while escaping being hunted down by another assassin, Juliana. Deathloop will blend weapon combat with unique abilities (similar to Arkane Studios’ Dishonored series) from what we’ve seen in trailers so far. Likewise, players will be able to choose how and when to assassinate targets, depending on their play style. Arkane Studios has always blown me away with their creative world-building and gameplay style, and I believe Deathloop will easily become one of the best games of 2021!
Deathloop will release on May 21, 2020 for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
RELATED: PS5: Deathloop Trailer Promises Thrills and Kills
It Takes Two
From the developers of A Way Out comes another thrilling co-op narrative game about the greatest power of all – Love! It Takes Two follows May and Cody, a couple on the brink of divorce who one day wake up and find their minds transported into their daughter’s dolls. Together, the two must solve puzzles to survive and make it back into their own bodies! After seeing the full reveal trailer during The Game Awards 2020, I immediately fell in love with this game. The levels look incredibly fun, and if it’s anything like A Way Out, this game will definitely pack an emotional punch. Plus, maybe a good co-op game about love is what we need during 2021!
It Takes Two will release on March 26, 2021 for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Psychonauts 2
For the past two years, Psychonauts 2 has been delayed. And for the past two years, it has always held a high spot on my most anticipated list. But now it appears that the wait is finally FINALLY over. Thanks to Xbox Game Studios’ acquisition of Double Fine, the team behind this fan-supported sequel seems to be close to a release. The original Psychonauts remains the last great platforming video game. Likewise, I believe that the sequel will be just as memorable and fun. Get ready to brush up on your psychic abilities and save the world (once again) from destruction!
Psychonauts 2 will release in 2021 for the PC through Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Julia’s Picks
Cris Tales
Of all the games that could have been delayed in 2020, Cris Tales from Dreams Uncorporated, SYCK, and Modus Games was the one that hit the hardest for me. However, knowing that the team had more time to polish and iron out everything gives me hope that they will knock this game out of the park. This love letter to classic JRPG’s follows Crisbel on her journey to defend her world from a fiery demise. The unique time-shifting mechanic allows players to move between the past, present, and future to solve puzzles in the world and use it strategically in combat to take out enemy defensives and deal heavy damage over time. Ultimately, Cris Tales is one game we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Cris Tales will release in 2021 on PC through Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia.
Resident Evil Village (RE8)
The past two years have brought us two Resident Evil remakes, but 2021 brings us the next installment in this long time horror series. Resident Evil Village sees the return of series favorite Ethan following the events of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. As if he hasn’t been through enough, Ethan is thrown right back into the middle of this never-ending nightmare. Likewise, we also can’t forget that every trailer so far has shown Chris Redfield popping up out of nowhere, and we still have no idea whether or not he is going to be the good guy or bad guy at the end of this. We can’t wait to be utterly terrified when this game finally drops!
Resident Evil Village will release in 2021 for PC through Steam, PS5, and the Xbox Series X/S.
RELATED: PS5: Resident Evil Village Trailer Introduces New Horrors Coming in 2021
Tyler’s Picks
Far Cry 6
The Far Cry series has become recognizable by its towering and iconic villains, like the insane pirate Vaas Montenegro (Michael Mando) and the tyrannical king Pagan Min (Troy Baker). Far Cry 6 promises its most menacing and intimidating antagonist yet with Anton Castillo: a Caribbean dictator played by the legendary Giancarlo Esposito. In this title, the player takes the role of a resident of the tropical island-nation of Yara (a change from Far Cry’s standard formula of the player as a “fish out of water” outsider), working with local rebels to dismantle the threatening Castillo regime. All of us at GGA are incredibly excited to see what graphical and gameplay improvements are made to the Far Cry series on the newest generation of consoles.
Far Cry 6 will release in May 2021 on PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Horizon Forbidden West
“Always end on a high note” – Sony did just that when the final game trailer during the PS5 Reveal event was the sequel to Guerrilla Games’ 2017 hit Horizon Zero Dawn. In Horizon Forbidden West, a mysterious deadly infection known as the “Red Blight” is choking the Earth’s plant life. As Aloy, the player must journey into the ruins of the “Forbidden West” (the present-day West Coast of the United States) to stop the Blight before all animals and humans starve to extinction. While Horizon Forbidden West will still release on the PS4, developers promise that the game takes full advantage of the PS5’s objectively advanced processing and power. Altogether, I do not doubt that exploring Aloy’s world will be even more engaging thanks to next-gen rendered environments, speedy fast-travel times, and stunning graphics.
Horizon Forbidden West will release sometime in Late 2021 on the PS4 and PS5.
RELATED: First Look at Horizon Zero Dawn Comic Book
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Towards the end of December, Shuhei Yoshida (former President of PlayStation Worldwide Studios) shared his six most-anticipated upcoming PlayStation titles. When Yoshida-san tells you to watch out for indie games, you can’t afford to miss them. First on his list was Kena: Bridge of Spirits by Ember Lab. This title features action-packed combat and a beautiful world to explore. As Kena, you’ll collect adorable spirits to manipulate the environment and take down the forest’s corruption. Additionally, Kena’s staff can magically convert into a bow and back, and Shuhei Yoshida is particularly excited about using Kena’s weapons with the DualSense controller’s adaptive haptic triggers. We can’t wait to uncover the secrets of the spirits as Kena helps bring back life to her village.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits will release in March 2021 on the PS4 and PS5.
RELATED: GGA Game Review: Cyberpunk 2077 Is a Glitchy Dystopian Thrill Ride
Renee’s Pick
Little Nightmares II
Tarsier Studios’ Little Nightmares II is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2017 indie hit, Little Nightmares. The original is an unforgettable puzzle-platformer horror game. The art style, with its exaggerated and grotesque characters, enhanced the dark story surrounding a little girl name Six. In the sequel, we meet a new character, Mono, who traverses the twisted, disturbing world of Pale City. Six also returns and, together with Mono, the two must work to get out of the city. Players will explore new locations and face new monstrous foes like the Teacher, the Doctor, and the Thin Man.
Little Nightmares II will release on February 11, 2021 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Overall
These are just a few of the many amazing games hitting shelves this year! What titles are YOU looking forward to playing? Did they make our list? Let us know in the comments below or on social media!
This article was originally published on 1/11/21
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