As we shamble bleary eyed into the year of our Gaben 2021, I’m resigning myself to the fact that the only daylight I’ll see this year is in-game, so it’s promising to see an interesting roster of games on the horizon, from potential AAA bangers to visionary indies. It’s worth noting that my leanings are toward horror, so my list veers more into the spooky than others might, but overall there’s some interesting stuff on its way. We’ll start of with the stuff I’m pretty sure will get delayed to a later year, but I’ll cover my bases.
The “IT’S NOT VAPORWARE IF WE SHOUT OUT A RELEASE YEAR” section
Atomic Heart
Publisher: Mundfish
Developer: Mundfish
Release: TBA 2021
Another in the weird niche of Soviet set horror based first person shooters, this long awaited title appears to have touches of Bioshock. Maybe I’ll actually get to play it one day.
Scorn
Publisher: Ebb Software
Developer: Ebb Software
Release: TBA 2021
The long, LONG awaited release of this heavily Giger-esque horror shooter is finally due this year, but I’ll believe it when the game case is on my shelf.
The ” HIGH CHANCE I’LL PROBABLY GET TO PLAY THESE BEFORE I DIE” section
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
Publisher: GSC Game World
Developer: GSC Game World
Release: TBA 2021
Returning to swipe their crown from the Metro series, this Chernobyl set survival horror FPS is finally making its way beyond PC and definitely appears to bring the same heavy atmosphere of the original and its spinoffs.
Vampire The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Developer: Hardsuit Labs
Release: TBA 2021
The epitome of a cult classic, the 2004 original had some incredible RPG storytelling to make up for its dubious technical merits, and it appears like everything is far more evenly balanced for this long awaited sequel.
CrossfireX
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Developer: Remedy
Release: TBA 2021
I’ll admit, I wasn’t initially interested in the return of the hugely popular multilpayer shooter, but the idea that Remedy are creating a single player story campaign separate from the multiplayer component that devs claim is inspired by Metal Gear and Resident Evil has me at peak anticipation at what Sam Lake can dream up for a first person action title.
12 Minutes
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Developer: Louis Antonio
Release: TBA 2021
Time loop thrillers are very much my thing, and this is looks particularly fascinating, with a stylish one location top down style and strong cast including James McAvoy, Willem Dafoe and Daisy Ridley.
The Medium
Publisher: Bloober Team
Developer: Bloober Team
Release: 28 January 2021
Bloober moved on from the first person gameplay displayed in Layers Of Fear, Observer and Blair Witch, to a more classic third person survival horror style, and I’m here for it. Taking the core of Silent Hill to its logical evolution – playing both dimensions simultaneously – has me chomping at the bit, and the return to a non combat old school survival horror in a Clock Tower vein is very welcome.
No More Heroes 3
Publisher: Grasshopper Manufacture
Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
Release: TBA 2021
Travis Touchdown returns! Actually, he already came back for Travis Strikes Back, but that was bobbins so nobody cares. This anarchic lightsaber brawler is more of the same tequila soaked Suda51 gibberish of the previous main games, but their ‘same’ is still completely left field and distinct.
Psychonauts 2
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Developer: Double Fine
Release: TBA 2021
Tim Schafer finally returns to the delirious platform world of Psychonauts. I’m not even going to attempt to explain it.
Back 4 Blood
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Developer: Turtle Rock Studios
Release: June 22 2021
If Valve won’t do it, Turtle Rock will. Imagine Left 4 Dead wearing glasses and fake moustache, and you’ll be on the right track.
Dead Static Drive
Developer: Team Fanclub
Release: TBA 2021
Very interesting looking stylised isometric survival horror with a Lovecraftian twist, the developer’s pitch of ‘Grand Theft Cthulhu should be all you need to hear.
Gotham Knights
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Developer: WB Games Montreal
Release Date: TBA 2021
A much needed break off from the Arkham series, this one sees us taking control of other members of the Bat family, including Nightwing and Red Hood among others. Offering a similar semi-open world to Arkham, the opportunity to tackle bad guys in co-op sounds very intriguing.
Resident Evil VIII: Village
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Release: 7 May 2021
Opinions on the series have been mixed during its action phase, but really turned a corner with part 7’s embracing of first person atmosphere. Shifting away from that game’s visceral Texas Chainsaw vibe, Village leans more heavily on gothic horror and Slavic folklore. Strong hints of returning to aspects of RE4 has me intrigued where this one will sit within the current iteration of the series.
