After a year of scheduling delays and developmental obstacles, 2021 shows promise in giving gamers a wide variety of video games.
I'm only a casual gamer, but I believe these games will make anyone want to pick up their controller (or keyboard) and hit "New Game":
BONUS: Hogwarts Legacy
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This has been a long time coming: an open-world Harry Potter game. It looks like a home run — but even better, it is not another Harry Potter tale. It will be a breath of fresh air for Potter fans.
This was originally No. 7 on this list, but Hogwarts Legacy is being pushed back to 2022. When it does come flying in, it will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.
21. Monster Hunter Rise
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Capcom is rolling out another game from the Monster Hunter series of fantasy action role-playing games. Iceborne came out in 2019, so any fans of the series should be excited for this one after waiting almost two years. The monsters look incredible and, like all creatures in the series, have their own distinct feel. Do I want Bishaten as a pet? As long as it doesn't eat me.
Monster Hunter Rise will be released March 26 and will be available on Switch.
20. Returnal
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Science fiction–horror? I'm in.
In this Housemarque-developed third-person shooter, you are placed on some type of alien world. This could be one of those games people are sleeping on, but it looks like a blast.
Returnal will be available March 19, only on PlayStation 5.
19. Blood Bowl III
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Cyanide has rounded out the trilogy with Blood Bowl III.
I discovered Blood Bowl II last year and can explain it as football meets chess. I love it. And although I am not big on tabletop games, I really enjoy every second of a Blood Bowl match.
Blood Bowl III is expected to be released in early 2021 and will be available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Switch.
18. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
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Lego and Star Wars? Always a funny, electric pairing.
No doubt this game will be jam-packed, since it is all nine episodes from The Skywalker Saga. Lucasfilm Games has done a solid job producing Star Wars content. Humor and lightsabers? What can go wrong?
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is expected to be released early this year on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch.
17. Rainbow Six Quarantine
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Anyone who loved Rainbow Six Siege needs to get this game. The Rainbow Operators are taking on mutated humans in a horror meets shooter. It sounds like it's going to be similar to the Outbreak event for R6 Siege, but a whole game.
Rainbow Six Quarantine could come out anytime in the spring or beyond and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
16. Halo Infinite
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Well, Halo to you, too.
If you love Halo, I'm sure you are happy with any new content. This will be the sixth entry of the main story, which means that this isn't a spinoff or reboot but the continuing tale of Master Chief.
Halo Infinite is expected to fly in late 2021 and will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Microsoft Windows.
15. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
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"S.T.A.L.K.E.R." stands for Scavengers, Trespassers, Adventurers, Loners, Killers, Explorers, and Robbers.
I didn't even know this was a series, but it looks awesome. It's going to be tough to stand out as one of many survival shooter games, but the atmosphere in this looks intense.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is expected to be released this year and will be playable on Xbox Series X/S and Microsoft Windows.
14. Hitman 3
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IO Interactive is officially making the new Hitman a trilogy. Since the 2016 reboot, Hitman has gotten rave reviews, and fans continue to want more.
You won't have to wait long to get stealthy. Hitman 3 will be released Jan. 20 and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, and Stadia.
13. Sable
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Like many games, Sable has been pushed back since its first trailer back in 2018.
The artwork — excuse me, "graphics" (it's just so pretty) — is enough to get any gamer excited, but the game play itself also looks fun.
Sable will (hopefully) be released in 2021 and be available on Xbox Series X/S, macOS, and Windows.
12. Dying Light 2
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Like zombie games? Then you must have heard of Dying Light?
Plenty of people would argue that Dying Light was one of the most underrated games of 2015. It was completely off my radar, but I am glad to see Techland develop a sequel.
Dying Light 2 is scheduled to be released this year and will be playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.
11. God of War: Ragnarok
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Buy it, boy.
So this is the sequel to the Norse Era God of War game, and people are still hyped after nine installments. It's always interesting to see what story they have ready for Kratos.
Ragnarok cometh in 2021 and (as of right now) will only be available next-gen on PlayStation 5.
10. Horizon Forbidden West
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I think to myself, What a wonderful world...
Guerrilla Games have created a lovely world in the Horizon series, and Dawn was very popular over the years. (Can't believe it came out in 2017... time flies.) Seriously, though, pure sequels are so exciting because they can only build on what people already love, and if they do it right, this action role-playing game might blow everyone away.
Horizon Forbidden West is slated for 2021 and will be available on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
9. New World
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Wow. Well, they got me with the trailer.
Amazon Game Studios created this intriguing world as an MMORPG (role-playing games usually aren't my bag, baby, but after seeing some game play, it looks like a good time). As you'll see on this ranking list, I am a fan of fresh and new ideas, and I really dig the story and the glowing, red-eyed look of the corrupt enemies.
New World is expected to come out in early 2021 and will be available to play on PC.
8. Little Nightmares II
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"No, thank you" is what I'll be saying every five minutes playing this game.
A puzzle platform horror game that is basically Unravel from hell. This breathtaking game looks tricky, all while making your heart race. I'm unfamiliar with the first game, but it gets rave reviews. And this one looks even more daring.
Little Nightmares II will be released Feb. 11 and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Switch, and Android.
7. The Medium
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Seriously, what a cool concept. A psychological horror following a medium, and we see her in both reality and the spiritual plane. Puzzles and horror have been so successful for other games, so expect this to be frustrating but a blast.
Hard to believe that this indie game was actually meant to come out in 2012. Sometimes, waiting pays off because this looks incredible.
The Medium will be released Jan. 28 and will be available next-gen on Xbox Series X/S and PC.
6. Deathloop
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A game about a time-looping assassin. What the...?
Arkane Studios have developed quite the original game, and it will be interesting to see how the time-looping mechanics work throughout the story. Don't even get me started on the possibilities in multiplayer mode.
Deathloop is set to be released May 21 (happy birthday, Mom...although I don't think she'd be into Deathloop as a gift) and will be playable on PlayStation 5 and Windows.
5. Gotham Knights
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Batman is dead. Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and the Red Hood take on the Court of Owls. Yes, please.
WB Games Montréal is taking on Batman for the first time since Arkham Origins. Although the story was great, the majority of fans believed that the game play was a mixed bag. They get their chance at a full, open-mapped Gotham like Arkham Knight, so hopes for this game should be up.
Gotham Knights will be released this year and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.
4. Elden Ring
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Oh, Elden Ring...will this be the year?
Rumors have been circulating that it could be out in December; but of all the games on this list, this one is most likely to be pushed back. But keep hope and hype alive, because I'm sure Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin want to kill your character as soon as possible.
The action role-playing Elden Ring could be out the end of this year and released on old- and new-gen platforms.
3. Resident Evil Village
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There are survival horror games, and then there is Resident Evil.
There was clearly a horror bias on this list, but what can I say? Scary sells, and the 10th major Resident Evil installment looks like a 10-out-of-10.
You can enter Resident Evil Village in April and play it on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Microsoft Windows.
2. Kena: Bridge of Spirits
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This trailer is not what I expected from a video game about a young girl guiding dead spirits.
This seriously looks like a blockbuster animated movie and an absolute delight. Growing up on Disney movies, the team at Ember Lab really nailed the beautiful look they were going for, and it seems like it will be a blast for all ages.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is set to be released in March and will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows.
1. Chorus
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Together, Nara and Forsaken become a living weapon.
Chorus (not Chorvus) looks amazing. The mechanics look fluid, while everything feels fast-paced like space combat games should be. This list has been rewarding fresh, original ideas, and this one takes the cake.
Chorus is set to be released this year and will be available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, and Microsoft Windows.