E3 2021 Roundup: most anticipated games
Updated: Jun 27, 2021
A rather unusual year of E3 has come to a close, the dust has settled, and now it is time to reflect and take a look at the lineup of games that have come out of it. The pandemic of the last couple of years has clearly had an impact on the development of a whole lot of these games, meaning that a lot of these probably aren’t as close to being done as developers and fans would have liked, and maybe some of those announced released dates are penciled in rather than set in stone. Hopefully though the talented folks behind them will take their time as good things come to those who wait. Here is my list of the ones which most caught my eye.
Atomic Heart Developer: Mundfish
Release date: TBA
Unique, fun, Russian and just all round bonkers, this trailer had a bit of everything, quite literally. It seems like this will perhaps be in the mold of a bioshock going by the use of one-handed biotic powers with weapon wielding in the other. If the final game has the character and personality of this trailer then it’s sure to be quite the ride. Also the song they used was amazing, Mirage - Music bound us, for anyone wondering.
12 minutes
Developer: Annapurna Interactive
Release date: 19th August 2021
Even though they didn’t really show anything new here, I’m already super excited to play this. The concept already looked fantastic but with the additions they’ve added recently like the star studded cast, this one will be a must play.
UnMetal
Developer: Versus Evil
Release date: Summer 2021
Unmetal looks fantastically metal gear inspired, with a good dose of humour for good measure. For any fans of the original metal gear games this is one you won’t want to miss. It also just looks a good laugh, hopefully the gameplay will be as fun as the trailer.
Road 96
Developer: Digixart
Release date: Summer 2021
I do love a good adventure game and one where you can shape the story especially so. If their claims that they have 148,268 different paths are true and the changes you can make are significant this could make for one of the most replayable games ever.
Stalker 2
Developer: GSC Game World
Release date: 28th April 2022
I have never played the original stalker and nor do I know much about it so I don’t have any real reverence for the series that I’m sure many others do. That being said I’m sure fans of the original must be excited with what they saw here, as fans of the metro series probably are too. A post apocalyptic Russia with lots of sci-fi goodness thrown in could make for a really great game. I like what I saw at E3 and I hope they nail it.
Sifu Developer: Sloclap
Release date: 2021
This game just looks COOL. The flow of the combat mixed with that great art style make it look like this will just feel amazing to play. Still not entirely clear what the structure of the game will be, possibly along the lines of a streets of rage albeit from a different perspective?
Sable Developer: Shedworks
Release date: 23rd September 2021
Such a pretty game. I really just want to explore these environments they have created and get lost in their world and environment. You can see how much artistic craft has gone into making this and it is definitely one of my favourite visuals I saw this year.
Death's door
Developer: Acid Nerve
Release date: 20th July 2021
Speaking of beautiful art styles, Death’s door is another one that I really like the look of. Even more interesting though is what they’ve done with the combat. They showed some interesting tools and powers mixed in with the fighting in the trailer which has me really curious to see what else there could be to it.
Severed steel
Developer: Greylock Studio
Release date: 17th June 2021
Speaking of interesting combat… how about that Severed Steel. Looking like an even crazier Superhot with incredibly stylish kills. The trailer emphasised the many different ways you can go about murdering and how it rewards you for it. It’ll be cool to see what people are capable of pulling off with this if nothing else.
Harold Halibut
Developer: Slow Bros.
Release date: TBC
If you haven’t seen this one go watch the trailer for it right now, it’s seriously unique. A genuine clay modelled game, how cool is that! I really hope this one is good because the effort and craft that must have went into it is astounding.
Somerville
Developer: Jumpship
Release date: 2022
From one of the makers of Limbo and Inside and it clearly shows. I love both of those games and if this is an evolution upon those I’m sure it will be magic. The atmosphere in the trailer has the same eery feel of those games so it’s looking very very promising.
Oli oli world
Developer: Roll7
Release date: 2021
I never played one of these but I do like a good skate boarding game and this sure does look like a good skate boarding game. I’m not aware of the ways in which this one has changed or improved upon the first, but I know from how it looks I don’t want to miss out on this one as well.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of hope
Developer: Ubisoft
Release date: 2022
The first of these was a real pleasant surprise, and the announcement of a sequel was as well. I hope they continue to evolve upon the xcom-like gameplay and also just want them to see how weird they can get with the Mario characters.
Metal Slug Tactics
Developer: Leikir Studio
Release date: TBA
This other strategy game using an historic license went a bit more under the radar but looks just as exciting. The metal slug style looks a perfect fit for this gameplay and the trailer made this one look like bags of fun, whilst giving that sweet hit of nostalgia.
WarioWare: Get it Together!
Developer: Nintendo
Release date: 10th September 2021
Another game that I remember enjoying a lot from my childhood was WarioWare for the ds. The collection of microgames as they call them are a good way of seeing what can be done with the hardware and it’ll be interesting to see how they can utilise the switch and joy cons to make some new ones.
Far Cry 6 Developer: Ubisoft
Release date: 7th October 2021
Giancarlo Esposito does kind of sell this game on his own for me I can’t lie. I actually wasn’t much of a fan of Far Cry 5, it was the worst in the series in my opinion as the locale, story and villain all just didn’t grab me nearly as well as 3 & 4. That being said, this is one of my favourite series’ and hopefully they will show a return to form after the blip of 5.
Metroid Dread
Developer: Nintendo
Release date: 8th October 2021
Metroidvania’s are certainly in trend so this makes perfect sense. I’ve never played a 2D Metroid so I really look forward to experiencing one and powering my way through this game with the iconic Samus.
Replaced
Developer: Sad Cat Studios
Release date: 2022
Of all the fantastic art styles on display this year, Replaced was the best of the lot. The pixel art fits perfectly for the cyberpunk world and some of the environments they displayed in this short trailer were really striking. The trailer did its job and has left me eager to see more.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Developer: Eidos Montreal
Release date: 26th October 2021
I’m a big fan of Marvel and Guardians of the Galaxy sits atop the long list of mcu blockbusters for me as the best movie of the lot so this one has certainly got me excited. I’m a little sceptical and unsure about just how well it will play from what they showed but I need to see what adventure they’ve created for these characters.
Halo Infinite
Developer: 343 Industries
Release date: 2021
I was a little disappointed they didn’t show more of the single player at this years E3 but we already know this has been one of the games most affected by the pandemic so I’m wiling to let that slide. What they showed of the multiplayer looked good although I’ve personally never clicked with it (translated: I’m terrible at it). Nevertheless, it’s a new open world Halo and I’m desperate to play it.
Forza Horizon 5
Developer: Turn 10 Studios
Release date: 9th November 2021
My jaw hit the floor multiple times throughout the demo for the new Forza. Graphically these games have all been great but some of the scenery in this one genuinely looked almost photo-realistic. More of that great horizon racing in the fabulous Mexico sound perfect and I’ll be along for the ride.
Eldon ring
Developer: FromSoftware
Release date: 21st January 2022
The hype for this one was off the charts. Personally I haven’t had my eureka moment with this series were it all clicks. The world and characters and even the concept of the gameplay all really draws me in but up to now I have bounced off each one I’ve played. Eldon Ring has all the makings of the best souls yet and perhaps even the most approachable so I hope this is finally the one that I can love as much as so many others do.
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
Developer: Nintendo
Release date: 2022
I need more Breath of the Wild. Whatever they choose to do with it I’m here for it. I trust Nintendo to improve on the first which is already one of my favourite games of all time and I just can’t wait to have all those new places to explore and things to see. This is my most anticipated game out of this years E3.