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The gaming horizon has never been brighter. 2021 is stacked with awe-inspiring releases from a bevy of talented developers. Whether it is peppered with titles from established industry giants or indie studios making their initial foray into the gaming sphere, every month peeled away from the calendar yields a promising release.

Related: Elden Ring Guide: Everything We Know So Far

From January all the way to December, fantastic games are scheduled to be launched. If you're looking to map out your wishlist for the year, then we've got you covered with the hottest titles dropping each month.

December 17, 2021: With the end of 2021 just around the corner, we've certainly been busy keeping up with the latest developments and announcements.

This Week's Highlights

  • We are closer than ever to the end of 2021. Eyes are now drifting toward 2022 release dates, but there are still some fantastic game launches to look forward to as this year closes out.
  • The Game Awards 2021 premiered on December 9. Alongside the awards and recognition for games of the past year, a staggering number of brand new game trailers were showcased throughout. A number of these titles are slated to launch next year — check out the video game release dates for 2022 here.

January 2021 Games

The start to the year 2021 includes a healthy handful of games to be excited about. With the advent of next-gen consoles, we're just beginning to see titles that are taking advantage of the new and improved hardware. Games like The Medium feature new mechanics that showcase the strengths of this latest generation. January also sees the return of familiar series in the form of new entries, like Hitman 3, and remasters, like The Yakuza Remastered Collection, for fans to enjoy.

  • January 14 - Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game - Complete Edition (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
  • January 20 - Hitman 3 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC)
  • January 20 - Teratopia (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
  • January 21 - Ride 4 (PS5, Xbox Series X|S)
  • January 26 - Cyber Shadow (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
  • January 27 - Ryte - The Eye of Atlantis (PC)
  • January 28 - The Medium (Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • January 28 - The Yakuza Remastered Collection (Xbox One, PC)
  • January 28 - Disjunction (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
  • January 29 - Gods Will Fall (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
  • January 29 - Turrican Flashback (PS4, Switch)

February 2021 Games

February hits hard with fantastic titles throughout the entire month. Even indie games like Little Nightmares II can make waves with its superb atmosphere and environmental storytelling. Sales of this indie darling showcase how well a small title can be received by the public. In addition to that, the Nintendo Switch is seeing a flood of fun titles. Switch owners will be treated to the all-new Persona 5 Strikers, the revitalized Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrected, and the beloved RPG Bravely Default II. There is a little bit of something for everyone in these releases.

  • February 2 - Destruction AllStars (PS5)
  • February 2 - Control (PS5, Xbox Series X|S)
  • February 2 - Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (PS4)
  • February 4 - Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • February 4 - Blue Fire (Switch, PC)
  • February 5 - The Nioh Collection (PS5)
  • February 11 - Little Nightmares II (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
  • February 12 - Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (Switch)
  • February 16 - Fallen Legion Revenants (PS4, Switch)
  • February 19 - The Sinking City (PS5)
  • February 23 - Persona 5 Strikers (PS4, Switch, PC)
  • February 23 - Curse of the Dead Gods (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
  • February 25 - Ghosts 'n Goblins: Resurrection (Switch)
  • February 25 - Cotton Reboot (PS4, Switch)
  • February 26 - Bravely Default II (Switch)
  • February 26 - Retromania Wrestling (PC)

March 2021 Games

Niche genres have the chance to shine in March 2021. From puzzle games that give you an interesting perspective on solutions to adventure titles with hilarious co-op antics, the games releasing in March cover a wide array of genres. Perhaps the most anticipated title of March would be the release of Monster Hunter Rise on the Nintendo Switch. The success of Monster Hunter World largely informs our excitement for this subsequent entry in the popular monster-slaying franchise. It Takes Two is another title to keep an eye on, especially given that its fun cooperative playstyle has been described as life-changing.

April 2021 Games

Though Outriders is clearly the most intriguing new IP to release in April, the rest of the month's releases are apparently dedicated to existing franchises. Oddworld: Soulstorm brings the familiar platforming mechanics of the series back in a safe, new entry to the series. MLB The Show 21 is an expected annual release. Nier Replicant is a long anticipated title by those who enjoyed the complexities and emotional upheavals of Nier Automata. And who can forget about New Pokemon Snap? The success of the Pokemon series looks to be repeated in this new title, which proves that sometimes less is more when it comes to such a large Pokedex.

May 2021 Games

Incredibly popular series will be seeing a resurgence in May. The Resident Evil franchise is getting a long-awaited sequel in Resident Evil Village, and thanks to suspenseful trailers and a frightful demo, the hype for this title is at an all-time high. As a matter of fact, modders have eagerly taken the game into their own hands, transforming the infamous Lady Dimitrescu into various shapes and forms. Mass Effect is also seeing renewed interest thanks to the release of the Mass Effect Legendary Edition.

June 2021 Games

The summer of 2021 starts off slowly, with a few hits sprinkled throughout the month of June. Toward the middle of the month, two massive titles hit the PlayStation 5. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade releases, sending fans of the remake another portion of the game. The dramatic upheaval from the ending of the last game is hopefully addressed or, at the very least, acknowledged. Then the delightful Lombax and robot duo see a return in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. The latest story trailer reveals quite a bit about what we can expect to see in their new adventure.

July 2021 Games

With what little information we have regarding July game releases, the jewel of the month so far is The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD. Releasing on the Nintendo Switch, this remaster is set to recapture the hearts of those who played the title on the Wii way back in 2011. The Ascent also launches on Xbox Game Pass toward the end of this month, and its cooperative gameplay elements make it another jewel in the Game Pass library.

  • July 6 - Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (PS4, PS5)
  • July 6 - Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (Switch, PC)
  • July 6 - A Plague Tale: Innocence (PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch)
  • July 9 - Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (Switch)
  • July 16 - F1 2021 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • July 16 - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (Switch)
  • July 16 - Space Jam: A New Legacy (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
  • July 21 - Cris Tales (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC)
  • July 23 - Orcs Must Die! 3 (PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • July 27 - Microsoft Flight Simulator (Xbox Series X|S)
  • July 27 - NEO: The World Ends With You (PS4, Switch)
  • July 27 - The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles (Switch)
  • July 27 - Tribes of Midgard (PS5, PC)
  • July 28 - Chernobylite (PC)
  • July 28 - The Forgotten City (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • July 29 - The Ascent (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)

August 2021 Games

Closing out the summer, August is also set to mark the return of Travis Touchdown in Grasshopper Manufacture's third game of the series. A decent handful of talented artists are working to bring his story to a satisfying conclusion. The long-awaited No More Heroes 3 will provide gamers with a chance to dive back into a fun hack-and-slash title alongside the more solemn gaming experiences of the month. The summer will also close out with the launch of Aliens: Fireteam Elite. You and a couple of friends can take on waves of Xenomorphs before getting completely overwhelmed. Sounds like a good time!

  • August 5 - The Falconeer (PS4, PS5, Switch)
  • August 11 - Necrobarista: The Final Pour (Switch)
  • August 11 - Axiom Verge 2 (Switch)
  • August 11 - Garden Party (Switch, PC)
  • August 11 - Boyfriend Dungeon (Switch)
  • August 11 - Islanders Console Edition (Switch)
  • August 11 - Slime Rancher: Plortable Edition (Switch)
  • August 13 - Hades (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
  • August 17 - Humankind (PC)
  • August 19 - 12 Minutes (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • August 20 - Madden NFL 22 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • August 20 - Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut (PS4, PS5)
  • August 24 - Aliens: Fireteam Elite (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • August 25 - Psychonauts 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
  • August 27 - No More Heroes 3 (Switch)

September 2021 Games

A handful of intriguing titles drop this month. Deathloop features an absolutely mind-blowing time-loop mechanic, and it is helmed by the skilled developer Arkane Studios. There is a lot to look forward to in this jaw-dropping game. In addition to that, Life Is Strange: True Colors releases in September, continuing the tradition of masterful storytelling set by its predecessors. And speaking of masterful storytelling, Death Stranding's Director's Cut releases this month on the PS5, and we are mightily intrigued by what it may contain.

  • September 2 - WRC 10 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • September 2 - Bravely Default 2 (PC)
  • September 2 - Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous(PC)
  • September 2 - Surgeon Simulator 2 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
  • September 3 - The Medium (PS5)
  • September 7 - Sonic Colors Ultimate (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
  • September 7 - F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch (PS4, PS5)
  • September 7 - Encased (PC)
  • September 7 - Bus Simulator 21 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
  • September 7 - Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt (PC)
  • September 9 - The Artful Escape (Xbox One, PC)
  • September 10 - Lost In Random (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
  • September 10 - NBA 2K22 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC)
  • September 10 - Life Is Strange: True Colors (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • September 10 - Tales of Arise (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
  • September 10 - WarioWare: Get It Together! (Switch)
  • September 14 - Deathloop (PS5, PC)
  • September 16 - Eastward (Switch, PC)
  • September 17 - Aragami 2 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • September 17 - Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom (Switch)
  • September 17 - Toem (Switch, PC)
  • September 21 - Kena: Bridge of Spirits (PS4, PS5, PC)
  • September 23 - Diablo II: Resurrected (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC)
  • September 23 - Sable (Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • September 23 - Deltarune Chapter 1 & 2 (Switch)
  • September 23 - Castlevania Advance Collection (Switch)
  • September 23 - ActRaiser Renaissance (Switch)
  • September 23 - The Forgotten City (Switch)
  • September 24 - Lost Judgment (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
  • September 24 - Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (Switch)
  • September 24 - Death Stranding Director's Cut (PS5)
  • September 28 - Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
  • September 28 - Lemnis Gate (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • September 28 - New World (PC)
  • September 28 - Chernobylite (PS4, Xbox One)
  • September 28 - NEO: The World Ends With You (PC)
  • September 30 - Darksiders 3 (Switch)
  • September 30 - Hot Wheels Unleashed (PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC)
  • September 30 - Unsighted (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)

October 2021 Games

2021_Calendar_October_Update

Not much is currently slated for October 2021, but one title that is set to release this month has been anticipated for years. Back 4 Blood is a spiritual successor to the iconic Left 4 Dead 2, and fans can finally get their hands on it. Take a look at the confirmed playable characters that have been revealed so far. In addition to that, news of Battlefield 2042 is making waves through the industry. The title looks like a return to form for the series, and the maps look more exciting than ever before. Furthermore, Samus is making a splashy return in Metroid Dread. Nintendo awed and delighted fans with this reveal, and we can't wait to get our hands on it.

  • October 1 - FIFA 22 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • October 5 - Alan Wake Remastered (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • October 5 - Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC)
  • October 5 - Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania (Switch)
  • October 5 - Jett: The Far Shore (PS4, PS5)
  • October 5 - Lego Marvel Super Heroes (Switch)
  • October 6 - Art of Rally (PS4, PS5)
  • October 7 - Far Cry 6 - (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • October 8 - Metroid Dread (Switch)
  • October 8 - Tetris Effect: Connected (Switch)
  • October 12 - Back 4 Blood (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • October 12 - Disco Elysium (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch)
  • October 14 - The Jackbox Party Pack 8 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC)
  • October 15 - Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC)
  • October 15 - Crysis Remastered Trilogy (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC)
  • October 15 - NHL 22 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
  • October 22 - The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes (PS4, PS5, Xbox One Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • October 26 - Solar Ash (PS4, PS5, PC)
  • October 26 - Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC)
  • October 28 - Age of Empires 4 (PC)
  • October 28 - Riders Republic (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • October 29 - Mario Party Superstars (Switch)

November 2021 Games

With little news regarding what games are to come in November, the biggest piece of information is that Grand Theft Auto V will be coming to both the PS5 and the Xbox Series X|S. This officially makes it a game that spans across three console generations. In addition to that, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are set to release on the Switch during November as well. And who doesn't want to dive into Farming Simulator 22 when it releases on both the PS5 and the Xbox Series X|S?

  • November 2 - World War Z (Switch)
  • November 4 - Just Dance 2022 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch)
  • November 5 - Call of Duty: Vanguard (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • November 9 - Forza Horizon 5 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • November 9 - Airborne Kingdom (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch)
  • November 9- Jurassic World Evolution 2 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • November 9 - Football Manager 2022 (Xbox One, PC)
  • November 11 - Grand Theft Auto V (PS5, Xbox Series X|S)
  • November 11 - Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic (Switch)
  • November 11 - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition (PS5, Xbox Series X|S)
  • November 12 - Shin Megami Tensei V (Switch)
  • November 16 - Waylanders (PC)
  • November 16 - The Wild At Heart (PS4)
  • November 18 - UnDungeon (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • November 19 - Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (Switch)
  • November 19 - Battlefield 2042 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • November 22 - Farming Simulator 22 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
  • November 23 - Death's Door (PS4, PS5, Switch)
  • November 30 - Evil Genius 2: World Domination (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)

December 2021

December is stacked with a multitude of heavy-hitters. Danganronpa Decadence and Halo Infinite are among the month's biggest highlights, but more understated releases such as KeyWe and the direct-to-Game Pass launch of The Gunk shouldn't be overlooked.

  • December 3 - Danganronpa Decadence (Switch)
  • December 3 - Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition (Switch)
  • December 3 - Chorus (PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • December 4 - Icarus (PC)
  • December 7 - Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker (PS4, PS5, PC)
  • December 7 - Life Is Strange: True Colors (Switch)
  • December 8 - Halo Infinite (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • December 9 - Loop Hero (Switch)
  • December 9 - Wytchwood (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC)
  • December 9 - Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX (Switch, PC)
  • December 13 - Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon (PS4, Switch, PC)
  • December 14 - Among Us (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
  • December 14 - Praey For The Gods (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • December 16 - The Gunk (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
  • December 16 - Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (PC)
  • December 16 - KeyWe (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
  • December 16 - Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach (PS4, PS5, PC)

To Be Announced 2021 Games

Though none of these titles have release dates that are set in stone, they are all hotly anticipated games that are hopefully seen sooner rather than later.

Next: Halo Infinite Guide: Everything We Know So Far