Top 5 Games to Look Out For in 2021
Typing 2021 still feels weird in my opinion. We’ve made it to a new year, thankfully. No matter how tumultuous 2020 was, I think we can all agree that it was an awesome year for gaming. There were so many games that were unilaterally agreed upon to be the next cornerstone of the PS4/Xbox One generation, others who are still up for debate as to if they are good or not, and let’s not forget the launch of the next console generation. 2021 will be the first full year that the PS5/Xbox generation will be out. While COVID-19 is still running rampant throughout the world (please wear a mask…), companies have started to embrace their new workstyle. There are still many unknowns as to what we will be playing later on in the year, but the sentiment still stands. I can’t freaking wait to play more awesome games, especially those that embrace the new technology that is slowly becoming more widely available. I wanted to highlight five games that I CANNOT wait to get my hands on this year. These are in no particular order.
The Medium
Developed by: Bloober Team
Releases January 28th on Xbox Series X|S & PC
Bloober Team has been a developer/publisher that has more recently focused on the Horror genre starting with Layers of Fear in 2016. While I thought Layers of Fear and Blair Witch were enjoyable, they lacked the sense of urgency that you may normally feel in other games as a baddie chased after you. My opinion changed after playing Observer System Redux, the remastered version of 2017’s Observer made for the both last and current generations of consoles. Updates made to Observer System Redux were top notch and really showed how psychological horror can be utilized when load screens just aren’t really a thing. Seamless transitions between environments and keeping you in the scary moments without any time to take a breath during loading screen just adds to the tension. Bloober Team has been given the funds and reins to make an exclusive game for Xbox Series X|S and it is shaping up to be the true presenter of what next-generation Xbox hardware can do. Two worlds rendered at once on screen where you can quickly switch between focus on either, and where you need to keep both environments in mind as you explore derelict areas. As a new person to really trying to delve into the Horror gaming genre as of late, I can’t wait to see what true next-gen horror games can do.
Persona 5 Strikers
Developed by: Atlus, Omega Force, & P Studio
Releases February 20th on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC
Formerly Persona 5 Scramble, Persona 5 Strikers is the long-awaited sequel to one of my all-time favorite games, Persona 5. Don’t come after me yet after I tell you I haven’t beaten Persona 5 Royal yet… I’m working on it. Steering away from the turn-based action to more of a Musou style, the Phantom Thieves are back. I loved my time with Joker and the clan back when I played it in 2019 after I was in a rut after beating and 100%ing Kingdom Hearts 3 twice (once on Xbox and PlayStation). This was the exact game that I needed. The Persona series has so much charm and it truly shows in every aspect of Persona 5. Every preview I’ve seen of P5S shows that Atlus still has it. Overall, I just can’t wait to spend more time with the gang, especially with Makoto, and I’m looking forward to meeting the new members next month.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Developer: Traveller’s Tale
Releases Spring 2021 on PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox, Switch, and PC
LEGO games have always been a guilty pleasure of mine. I’ve played almost every single one of them since the original LEGO Star Wars game many, many years ago. While they’ve remained fun throughout the past two generations, their game engine has been showing its age. Thankfully the new LEGO Star Wars game is coming with a new look, a new engine, and a lot more content for us. This is one that has been delayed time and again, but 2021 seems to be very promising for us fans who’ve been waiting. The only worrying thing to me is… we just haven’t seen much of this game since its original announcement. I have faith though in Traveller’s Tale. They find ways time and again to make each new LEGO property game to feel unique and fun. Plus with the history of LEGO and the Star Wars games, this may be the start of a new era of LEGO games that looks oh so bright.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Developer: Insomniac Games
Releases 2021 on PlayStation 5
Similarly to The Medium being the big showcase title for the Xbox Series X|S, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the true test of what the PlayStation 5 can do. First seen with the PS5 announcement event, Rift Apart is to use rifts to send Ratchet and Clank to different worlds near instantly as well as new ways to fight enemies in combat. I absolutely loved the last Ratchet & Clank remake. It showed us all that Insomniac Games still has love and respect for one of their most popular characters. Hopefully, we’ll be hanging out again with our favorite robot and Lombax soon…. However, the new portals aren’t the only exciting part. The more recent Ratchet & Clank games have always felt short (until you get the RYNO). What could a next-gen game look like? Could they go the way of Kingdom Hearts 3? By that I mean… could we see larger worlds? More populated fights? Crazier weapons with particle physics? SPACE COMBAT AGAIN?! Only time will tell…
Halo Infinite
Developer: 343 Industries
Releases 2021 on Xbox
I am first and foremost an Xbox fan. My love for the big green X started with Halo 2, and I’ve been hooked since. I’m an acheivement hunter, and love to collect the unique controllers that Xbox pumped out for the 360 and One generations. Hearing the Xbox Series X and S launching with Halo was so freaking awesome to hear. Then we saw it. While I thought it looked fun, I agreed with most others sentiments that it needed a little more time in the oven. There’s been a shaky development cycle ever since, but that will not stop me from being excited to get back into the Mjolnir armor and join Sierra 117 on his next journey. Will they wrap up the Cortana cliffhanger from Halo 5? I hope so, but I also hope this game gets away from the rockiness of Halos 4 & 5. Halo Infinite needs to enter the next generation with little baggage and be its own experience that shows everyone why you need to play Xbox. But I’m not holding my breath that it’ll get released this year and want 343i to take all the time they need to make sure that Mjolnir armor and all the Warthogs have the best coat of paint ever on top of a really enjoyable package.
What games are YOU looking forward to in 2021? What games do you think I forgot? Any in particular you want me to check out? Tweet me and let me know!
