We’re near the end of 2020 already (phew) but there’s still plenty to look forward to for gamers, with 2021 bringing massive games like Halo Infinite, Horizon Forbidden West, and (best of all, if you ask me) God of War: Ragnarok.
With the launches of the PS5 and Xbox Series X now behind us (though stock shortages not so much) we can also expect to see graphics get better and better as devs begin to tap into the real potential of the new hardware, and begin to develop games that aren’t also destined for previous-gen hardware. It only gets better from here.
Here are all the biggest games that are on the way in 2021 or beyond, along with trailers, release dates, and pre-order info where we have it.
If you’d rather find out about great games that are already actually out, your best bet is to check out our individual guides to the best games on the PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch.
New World
Platforms: PC Release date: Spring 2021 Pre-order: Amazon
This long-delayed MMORPG from Amazon Game Studios started life as a game based on the colonisation of America (hence the title), before being re-tooled into something a little more fantastical when everyone pointed out the political ramifications. It’s clearly been through the ringer along the way, but we enjoyed the game when we got to play it so there’s definitely promise there.
Read more about Amazon’s New World
Deathloop
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X, PC Release date: 21 May 2021
Originally set for 2020, Arkane’s Deathloop is now coming in May 2021, when it’ll come to PS5 and PC – fans on Xbox Series S/X will get it eventually, but they’ll have to wait longer. When it arrives, it’ll be a pretty wild looking timeloop shooter – think Groundhog Day with assassins and you’re halfway there.
Halo Infinite
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC Release date: Autumn 2021 Pre-order: Amazon
Halo Infinite will mark the return of Master Chief, but is also allegedly a spiritual reboot for the entire franchise – which is very intriguing. We’ve now seen the first gameplay from the title, but that was a short-lived relief, as quickly afterwards it was delayed until autumn to give the team time to respond to some fairly critical fan feedback. Let’s hope it looks better by the time the release rolls around.
Read more about Halo Infinite
Resident Evil 8: Village
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X, PC Release date: 2021
After a detour to remake Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3, Capcom is returning to the main story in Resident Evil 8: Village. Continuing with the protagonist and first-person perspective of Resident Evil 7, this otherwise looks like a bit of a fresh start for the franchise, with a rural snowy setting and…werewolves?
Get the latest Resident Evil 8 news
Horizon Forbidden West
Platforms: PS5, PS4 Release date: 2021
The sequel to the hugely successful Horizon Zero Dawn is due some time in 2021, and curiously it’ll be coming not only to the PS5 but also the older PS4. Since the original got a PC port eventually too, there’s high hope that the same will happen here also. Expect another open world, with giant robot dinosaurs and more of the same ancient tech aesthetic that made the first game such a hit.
God of War: Ragnarok
Platforms: PS5 Release date: 2021
The safe money was probably on God of War 2 not arriving until 2022, but it seems the gods are smiling on us. Kratos and son will be back sooner than we’d hoped, but going by the title things won’t be so rosy for the Norse world. Ragnarok rarely ends well for anyone involved.
Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC Release date: 2021
The third entry in the Dark Pictures Anthology is headed to Iraq for a messy tangle between Sumerian devils and a platoon of US troops. As with Man of Medan and Little Hope expect and interactive horror story mostly played out through quick-time events and exploration, with a cast of characters to play as and options for both local and online multiplayer.
Find out more about the next Dark Pictures game
GTA 5 Remastered
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X, PC Release date: Q3/Q4 2021
One of the biggest games of all time is getting its third release, as GTA V comes to next-gen consoles the PS5 and Xbox Series X. The ‘expanded and enhanced’ game is due in late 2021, and will also feature an updated GTA Online – now being spun-off as a standalone game too.
Find out more about GTA 5 on PS5 and Xbox Series X
Rainbow Six: Quarantine
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC Release date: 2021/22 Pre-order: Amazon
This standalone Rainbow Six title is inspired by the limited-time Outbreak event in Rainbow Six: Siege, and sees teams of three players work together against a technological parasite. It’s co-op PvE, rather than PvP like Siege, and could be a big hit if it breaks beyond the core Siege fan base.
Read more about Rainbow Six Quarantine
Far Cry 6
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, Stadia Release date: 2021/22 Pre-order: Amazon, Game, Walmart, Ubisoft, Microsoft
Far Cry 6 is breaking bad as Giancarlo Esposito steps into the lead villain role of Ubisoft’s biggest shooter franchise. He’ll be the dictator of a South American country, you’ll be one of the people instigating a revolution against him. Expect sneaking, shooting, and all manner of open-world nonsense.
Read the latest Far Cry 6 news.
New Pokémon Snap
Platforms: Nintendo Switch Release date: Unknown
Pokémon Snap, the adorable game from the N64 era where you went on safari and took photos of your favourite pocket monsters, is making a comeback on the Switch. Nintendo hasn’t said much about the aptly named “New Pokémon Snap” just yet, with no release date and no real gameplay details, but the company has confirmed that it’ll combine the gameplay of the 1999 hit with new worlds to explore and new Pokémon to snap!
Final Fantasy XVI
Platforms: PS5 Release date: Unknown
Announced during Sony’s PS5 price reveal, Final Fantasy XVI is a timed exclusive for the upcoming console, though it looks like there’s a chance it will come to PC or Xbox Series X some time after that. There’s no firm release date in place yet, but the first trailer shows off plenty of action and hints that the game may take place over decades.
Dying Light 2
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC Release date: Unknown Pre-order: GAME or Gamestop
Dying Light proved to be a pretty great zombie game, and the sequel will only build on this even further. Advancements in the plot, combat gameplay and world should give you everything you need to go out and face the undead. The game will also be getting a Left 4 Dead 2 crossover, including using a guitar as a weapon to slay zombies with – pretty rockin’.
It was previously set for a spring 2020 launch, but in January it was delayed and right now there’s no set release date – though hopefully we still see it sometime this year.
Age of Empires 4
Platforms: PC Release date: Unknown
After remastering the original Age of Empires in 4K, Microsoft has recruited RTS legends Relic to move the franchise forward with Age of Empires IV. We don’t know much about it yet, including when it’ll come out, but expect classic historical strategy with confirmed armies including the English and the Mongols.
Read the latest Age of Empires 4 news
Skull and Bones
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC Release date: Unknown
Remember how great the naval combat was in Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag? Well this essentially expands that into a full game in its own right, as you lead a pirate crew in the Indian Ocean with your very own customisable ship. There’ll be both single-player and 5v5 multiplayer whenever the game eventually comes out, though it’s now rumoured to have been rebuilt from the ground up as a Fortnite-style live game, so everything we knew until now may be wrong.
Read more about Skull and Bones
Beyond Good and Evil 2
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC Release date: Unknown Pre-order: GAME
This long-awaited follow-up to the cult classic action RPG has been in and out of development for years, and it’s pretty clear that creator Michael Ancel is being nothing if not ambitious with the sequel. There’s a lot that’s still unknown, but confirmed details include that it’s technically a prequel, it’ll have a seamless open world with a whole star system to explore, and will include both ground action and controllable spaceships.
Find out more about Beyond Good and Evil 2
Diablo 4
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC Release date: Unknown Pre-order: GAME
Finally revealed after years of leaks and rumours, it’s no real surprise that Blizzard is working on a fourth Diablo game. Set years after Diablo 3 this includes a new big bad – Lilith – and five classes at launch, including the Sorceress, Barbarian, and Druid. There’ll be both solo play and multiplayer, though it’s all online, with dedicated areas of the huge open world map for PvP combat too.
Read more Diablo 4 news
Overwatch 2
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC Release date: Unknown Pre-order: GAME
Overwatch 2 marks a shift in focus for the series, with a greater emphasis on the PvE modes that have proved popular in the base game, and less on the 6v6 multiplayer combat where it made its name. Expect new maps, loot, and customisation options, with all the loot you’ve already earned in the first game even carrying over into the second title – and plenty of the new game’s updates even working their way backwards into the first Overwatch.
Read the latest Overwatch 2 news
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
Platforms: Switch Release date: Unknown
Breath of the Wild is arguably still the best game on the Switch – and one of the best games of the decade, period – so we were pretty relieved when Nintendo announced a sequel at E3 2019. We don’t know when it’ll come out, or what to expect, but fans are hoping for Zelda herself to be playable in some form – and either way for it to be as radical and weird a follow-up as Majora’s Mask was for Ocarina of Time way back when.
Read the latest Breath of the Wild sequel news
Metroid Prime 4
Platforms: Switch Release date: Unknown
We barely know a thing about Metroid Prime 4, but that won’t stop us getting excited. First announced way back in 2017, in 2019 Nintendo announced it was starting from scratch, and moving the game from Bandai Namco back to original series devs Retro Studios. The original Prime trilogy was absolutely phenomenal, so we have the highest hopes for the fourth game – but know we might still have a while to wait.
Author: Dominic Preston, Deputy Editor
Tech Advisor's Deputy Editor, Dom covers everything that runs on electricity, from phones and laptops to wearables, audio, gaming, smart home, and streaming - plus he's a regular fixture on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.