13 Biggest Games of 2021 You Need to Play

2020 through some curveballs to the gaming industry (and the world over), but 2021 should see some consistent game releases, the Xbox Series X/S and PS5 coming into their own, and some exciting new titles for us to enjoy. We’ve rounded up some of the most anticipated games we can’t wait to get our hands on this year:

Hitman 3

Release date: 20 January 2021 (Xbox One | PS4 | Xbox Series X/S | PS5 | Switch | PC)

Agent 47 is back in the final instalment of the World of Assassination trilogy which saw two fantastic games in the form of 2016’s rebooted Hitman and Hitman 2. The base game features six new locations, including Dubai, Dartmoor, Berlin, and Chongqing, and of course, tons of new ways to dispose of your targets, Players who owned the previous two Hitman games will be able to import maps, levels and their progress into Hitman 3, which is a nice little bonus.

The Medium

Release date: 28 January 2021 (Xbox Series X/S | PC)

Fans of Silent Hill will want to take note of The Medium, which is a new third-person psychological horror game that will be making its way to Microsoft’s new console. The Medium comes from Polish developer Bloober Team, and tells the story of Marianne, a medium who has the ability to move between the real and spirit realms, and dealing with the horrors that await on either side. There is a really interesting realm-switching mechanic which can be done on-the-fly, which should create some haunting moments and trippy sequences, and we can’t wait!

Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood

Release date: 4 February 2021 (Xbox One | PS4 | Xbox Series X/S | PS5 | PC)

Aside from having arguably the most brutal name ever, Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood looks to be an interesting entry into the action/stealth genre, giving you the powers and abilities to transform from a mercenary into a wolf or full-blown, head-tearing werewolf, as you make your way through some human and supernatural baddies. The combat looks fun, the stealth mechanics look interesting, and hopefully Werewolf: The Apocalypse can be one of the sleeper hits we’re destined for in 2021.

Riders Republic

Release date: 25 February 2021 (Xbox One | PS4 | Xbox Series X/S | PS5 | PC)

Developed at Ubisoft Annecy, who handled 2016’s Steep, Riders Republic is set to inject a serious dose of social mechanics into the action sports genre. You’ll be able to blend the disciplines of bikes, snowboarding, skiing, and wingsuits into one organic experience, and you’ll be able to switch between any of these on-the-fly, meaning that you’re not restrained to one sport or the other, so it’s more about picking the right gear for the right terrain.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake

Release date: 18 March 2021 (Xbox One | PS4 | PC)

Originally released in 2003, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time left its mark with players thanks to innovative gameplay, a compelling story and charismatic characters, and it’s getting the remake treatment in 2021. The character and level models have all been redone, along with some new cinematics and voice work added for good measure too. It should be a welcome blast-from-the-past to hop back into the Prince’s shoes!

Deathloop

Release date: 21 May 2021 (PS5 | PC)

From Arkane Studios, the team behind the much-loved Dishonored series, comes Deathloop, a new first-person shooter which adds a time-loop element to the already super-slick gunplay. The game has the player in the role of Colt, an assassin that has to eliminate eight targets, but there’s one catch: he is stuck in a time loop. While Colt is in this seemingly endless cycle, he retains memories from each loop, learning the behaviours and patterns of the partygoers with each loop.

CrossfireX

Release date: 2021 (Xbox One |Xbox Series X/S)

From Remedy, who brought us the original Max Payne and last year’s brilliant Control, comes CrossfireX. Now, some might be familiar with Crossfire, as the game is actually a multiplayer shooter which has been around for the past couple of years, but Remedy has now build a brand-new single-player campaign for the game, and it looks spectacular with slow-motion gunplay and bombastic set-pieces. Taking control of a number of different characters in a private military force, you’re exposed to a world of espionage and secret conflicts, but like many other Remedy games, there’s more than meets the eye in CrossfireX, as there are some unusual happenings in the world of CrossfireX.

Far Cry 6

Release date: 2021 (Xbox One | PS4 | Xbox Series X/S | PS5 | PC)

Set on the tropical but tyrannical island of Yaran, in Far Cry 6, players will be able to play as either male or female Dani Rojas, a local Yaran swept up in the revolution attempt against Anton Castillo, played by renowned actor Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian, Breaking Bad). As Dani, players will become a guerrilla fighter and explore and unite an entire island nation, from lush jungles to Yara’s capital city Esperanza. To succeed against the overwhelming power of Anton’s regime, players will need to be resourceful as they employ an arsenal of unique new weapons, vehicles and Fangs For Hire like Chorizo, the cutest wiener dog on wheels.

Gotham Knights

Release date: 2021 (Xbox One | PS4 | Xbox Series X/S | PS5 | PC)

In a similar vein to the Batman Arkham games, Gotham Knights sees Batman’s understudies taking the reins to stop Mr. Freeze and other villains from wreaking havoc on Gotham after Batman’s death. While the villains and setting are very similar to recent Batman, it was confirmed that this is a separate universe to the Arkham universe introduced in Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight. The game stars Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin, and will use stealth and melee combat as per previous Arkham games. The game will feature two-player online co-op, five boroughs of Gotham City for players to explore, the ability to drive around via Batcycle, and an arsenal of combat and gear that will grow as the game progresses.

Gran Turismo 7

Release date: 2021 (PS5)

It’s been a while since we’ve had a Gran Turismo game, but the Playstation 5 will bring back the beloved simulation series in stunning detail and breathtakingly nuanced visuals. Expect tons of cars, tracks, and the most meticulous of customisation options in what should be a love-letter to fans of the series.

Horizon: Forbidden West

Release date: 2021 (PS4 | PS5)

Guerilla Games are set to release a sequel to their 2017 super-hit Horizon: Zero Dawn, which will pick up on Aloy’s story as she continues to resurrect a derelict Earth following a cataclysmic event. Expect more robot-dinosaur hunting, a massive open-world, and new gameplay mechanics.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Release date: 2021 (PS5)

The Ratchet & Clank series’ brilliant 2016 reboot is set for a follow-up with Rift Apart. Playing on the idea of multiple-dimensions, the game will incorporate portals and dimension-jumps into the already-whacky action/platforming gameplay.

Resident Evil: Village

Release date: 2021 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PC)

As the eighth primary instalment of Resident Evil, titled Resident Evil: Village, the sequel brings back the first-person perspective, RE7 protagonist Ethan, and shifts the action to a bizarre European village.

Which game are you most looking forward to in 2021? Let us know by commenting below and tweeting us @MenStuffZA, posting on our Facebook page, or commenting below.