Press to play: 12 of the most anticipated video games of 2021
With social distancing becoming the norm, video games have become the go-to "friend" for many of us.
Sure there were setbacks here and there, but the gaming industry proved to be pandemic-proof based on the figures collected from last year.
Video-game producers reported record-breaking sales as people from around the world spend more time indoors and looking for fun activities to kill time.
Interest in gaming extended not just to the young but to the adult demographics as well leading to more spending, which in turn boosted revenues of game developers and console makers.
“Year-over-year growth for participation, time and money spent on gaming has been significant among less traditional gaming segments as well, notably adults over 45 years of age,” said research and analytics firm, NDP, in a report covering the US market.
“Time spent gaming for those between the ages of 45 and 54 saw an increase of 59%, while dollar spend increased 76%.
“Gamers ages 55 to 64 increased time and money spent by 48% and 73%, respectively; and those 65 and older increased time and money spent on gaming by 45% and 29%, respectively.”
The increase in revenue was so significant that the gaming industry exceeded the combined earnings of sports and film-related content.
The industry understandably looks to carry the momentum into 2021 with the help of new game titles across all gaming platforms.
From good storytelling to wickedly sharp graphics, gamers will have plenty to choose from the many games slated to be released this year.
Frankly, we barely scratched the surface on this one as there are a lot of new and exciting games to be launched throughout the year. However, these 12 are highly touted as some of the most anticipated titles for 2021.
Hitman 3
Photo by: IO Interactive
The assassin Agent 47 returns to go out against criminal targets from all over the world.
Six new locations are added in this latest installment including Berlin, Dartmoor, Dubai, and Chongqing.
Unlike its predecessor, the game doesn't have multiplayer modes and Sniper Assassin can only be played in single player mode, and Ghost Mode has been taken out completely for this edition.
Hitman 3 will be available for Xbox One, Google Stadia, PC, and next-gen consoles, the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.
God of War: Ragnarok
Photo by: Sony
This God of War sequel brings back the character of Kratos together with his son Atreus. The game is set in ancient Norway and with references to Norse mythology.
The game will be available on the next-gen console PlayStation 5.
Hogwarts Legacy
Photo by: Avalanche Software
The late 1800s is the setting of this Harry Potter-based game.
Players can choose their Hogwarts House, attend classes at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and discover locations such as Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade Village.
The game lets players-turned-wizards concoct potions, cast spells, master combat abilities, and tame magical beasts.
Hogwarts Legacy will be released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Photo by: Insomniac Games
This third-person shooter game follows the story of Ratchet and Clank, and their adventures exploring multiple realities to prevent a villainous emperor from extinguishing life in all universe.
The game will be playable on PlayStation 5.
Halo Infinite
Photo by: 343 Industries
Master Chief makes a comeback in “his greatest adventure yet to save humanity.”
The setting is on a damaged Halo ring and with the violent mercenaries, the Banished, playing the part of antagonists.
The game will be released for the Xbox Series X/S.
Gotham Knights
Photo by: WB Games Montréal
Batman and video game fans will enjoy this action role-playing game set in Gotham City.
Players can choose from the four characters: Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood. The Batcycle is readily available for all the characters to use to explore the city.
The game can be played in single and two-player mode.
Gotham Knights will be available for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.
Horizon Forbidden West
Photo by: Guerrilla Games
The game is a continuation of the story of Aloy, a young huntress of the Nora tribe out to investigate a mysterious killer plague.
Aloy, along the way, will encounter many obstacles including deadly machines, dangerous enemies, and destructive storms.
Her journey also leads her to diverse environments - from the lush and pleasant to abandoned and ruined cities.
Horizon Forbidden West will be available for PlayStation 4 and 5.
12 Minutes
Photo by: Annapurna Interactive
This adventure game is played from a top-down perspective of an apartment suite shared by a man and his wife, including the main living and kitchen area, their bedroom, and bathroom.
The game takes a puzzling turn and the plot spirals into a murder case as the scenarios restart and go on in an infinite loop.
Big-named actors Daisy Ridley, Willem Dafoe, and James McAvoy lend their voices to the characters.
The game is compatible with Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Resident Evil 8: Village
Photo by: Capcom
This survival-horror franchise begins eight years after the events of its predecessor, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.
Protagonist Ethan Winters, who started a new life with his wife, finds his world turned upside down anew courtesy of a familiar foe in Chris Redfield.
A chain of events leads Ethan to a mysterious village somewhere in Europe.
The game will be available for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Far Cry 6
Photo by: Ubisoft Toronto
This action-adventure first-person shooter game takes place on the fictional Caribbean island of Yara.
The island is led by fascist dictator “El Presidente” Antón Castillo. Castillo is guiding his son Diego to follow in his footsteps.
Far Cry 6 will be available for Amazon Luna, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Stadia.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
Photo by: Nintendo
Help Mario and his friends pounce and climb through various colorful stages.
Players can use power-ups to possess extraordinary abilities to conquer obstacles.
“The Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury game features the same great co-op gameplay, creative levels, and power-ups as the original game, but also so much more,” said Nintendo.
The game will be available for Nintendo Switch.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Photo by: Daedalic Entertainment
This action-adventure game is based on The Lord of the Rings.
Game developer Daedalic said that the game will take place in the years after Gollum acquires the ring.
“Everything that happens to him before he appears in the book are the main things we will see in our game," the statement mentioned.
The game will be released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S consoles in 2021
Ever heard of Pinoy video game characters? They do exists and can go toe-to-toe with their foreign counterparts. Get to know these local game heroes in this gallery: