Top 10 Games worth playing in 2021

Hitman 3, Far Cry 6 and Gotham Knights are three of the most anticipated titles to come out next year. Photo: YouTube

While 2020 was a rough year for, well, just about everything and everyone, many of us found refuge in games. From the chill lifestyle simulation of Animal Crossing: New Horizons to the just-one-more-run addictiveness of Hades to the virtual tour of Microsoft Flight Simulator, there was a lot to enjoy while sequestered indoors. But 2021 promises some wonderful games too, including many we hoped we’d be playing already.

Hitman 3

Photo: Square Enix

While it is the eighth installment in the series, IO Interactive’s Hitman 3 will be the conclusion of the World of Assassination series, also comprising Hitman (2016) and Hitman 2 (2018). The popular stealth/shooting title is well known by gamers and critics for its unique gameplay approach. Hitman lets players take the role of Agent 47 once more, letting them go in guns blazing, or by a stealthy, strategic approach, according to Indianexpress.

As 47 travels the world to take down new assassination targets, players must rely on the tools, the environment, instinct, and their wit to get the job done, Hitman-style. Hitman 3 will be available to play on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Google Stadia, and Nintendo Switch. The game is expected to release in January 2021.

Hitman 3 Will Shrink The Trilogy's Overall Size - January 3, 2021

Just like Hitman 2 before it, Hitman 3 will allow players to import missions into the game from the previous games.

That naturally can lead to a larger file size, but a new thread on ResetEra from a verified IO dev has confirmed that the team has "newer and better compression for textures."

The user, A Path Finder, noted that the entire trilogy's worth of content will weigh in at around 100 GB, as well as add new screenspace reflections to older locations.

Halo Infinite

Photo: Microsoft Xbox

Halo Infinite is yet another new installment in a popular series. The sixth game in the Halo series and 14th title in the franchise, Halo Infinite puts players in the shoes of Master Chief once more. Originally planned for a 2020 release, Halo Infinite was pushed to 2021 like a few other titles in this list. The game will employ traditional first-person mechanics as Master Chief investigates a damaged Halo ring and encounters a new enemy.

Along with a single-player campaign mode, the game will also feature a multiplayer mode. Halo Infinite will be available to play on Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game is set to launch in late 2021, so don’t get your hopes high until the second half of the year.

Horizon Forbidden West

Photo: Guerrilla Games

Horizon Zero Dawn was a major success when it launched in 2017. Three years later, Horizon Forbidden West will continue the tale of Aloy, a huntress trying to save her post-apocalyptic world from the dangerous machines. The third-person role-playing game will feature a larger map and will take players to iconic new locations, including a post-apocalyptic San Francisco and Yosemite Valley. Players will join Aloy in her hunt for the source of a mysterious plague that kills anything it infects.

A new element also added to Horizon Forbidden West is underwater exploration, allowing players to go underwater in the rivers, lakes, and seas they come across in the campaign. Horizon Forbidden West will be available for the Sony PlayStation 4 and Sony PlayStation 5. Developed by Guerrilla Games, the title is set to release in Q3/Q4 2020.

Hogwarts Legacy

Video: Indianexpress

Be it the books, movies, or games, Harry Potter’s adventures over the years have made us all wish the wizarding world of the franchise was real. Every fan of the series wanted to experience the adventures as Hogwarts first-hand. With Hogwarts Legacy, players get their wish fulfilled at last. Set in the late 1800s, the action role-playing title will let players step into Hogwarts as students.

Through the open world of Hogwarts, complete with locations like the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade village, players will learn to cast various spells, brew potions, and tame magical beasts. Hogwarts Legacy will be available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Far Cry 6

Video: Indianexpress

Far Cry 6 takes the action-adventure first-person goodness of the Far Cry series to the Caribbean island of Yara, where players must step into the shoes of Dani Rojas, a local soldier, to topple the regime of “El Presidente” Antón Castillo, a fascist dictator who controls the island. Far Cry 6 will let players employ makeshift weapons, and vehicles, letting them hire other soldiers via a new “Fangs for Hire” system.

With a single-player campaign as well as a multiplayer mode, Far Cry 6 was originally slated to launch in February 2021 but will be delayed due to the pandemic. It will be developed by Ubisoft Toronto and will be released for Amazon Luna, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Google Stadia.

Resident Evil Village

Photo: Capcom

Resident Evil Village is the eighth installment in the popular survival horror video game series. The game will succeed the events of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and will follow Ethan when a new unexpected character makes an appearance, setting off a chain of events, all leading to a mysterious village.

Resident Evil Village will be developed by Capcom and will feature a first-person perspective, making use of the RE Engine. The title will be available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

When it was first released in 2017, Resident Evil 7 was a much-needed rejuvenation for the classic horror franchise, according to Techradar.

Capcom departed from its usual formula in a big way and even took the opportunity to embrace new experiences with PlayStation VR. This risk paid off and a large proportion of fans and critics embraced the changes, with a keen eye on what the next game might bring.

But Resident Evil 8, or Resident Evil Village, is now definitely coming. The eighth entry in the main franchise will feature characters both old and new, wintry environments that take advantage of the greater power of the PS5 and Xbox Series X and some surprises that will tingle the spines of even the most veteran players. Here's what we know about the game so far.

Gotham Knights

Video: Indianexpress

Unlike usual DC games centered on Batman, the events of Gotham Knights begin with the apparent death of the caped crusader. The game story follows the four Gotham Knights – Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Red Hood, who are tasked with the safety of Gotham City after the city’s police department has grown corrupt post the death of James Gordon. The game will also feature the Court of Owls, a criminal society with an army of brainwashed assassins called Talons.

The action role-playing game will be set in an open-world Gotham City and will be played from the perspective of the four heroes, each with their own special abilities. The game will feature a single-player campaign but will also have a two-player cooperative multiplayer mode. The game will be released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Gran Turismo 7

Photo: Gamesradar

The upcoming racing game will be developed by Polyphony Digital and will be the eighth installment in the series, and will feature the return of the GT Simulation mode with the game’s defining single-player campaign. Polyphony Digital has also added a number of traditional racing tracks and vehicles to the new game. Apart from this, the game will also feature a multiplayer mode.

Set to bring together the best from the past, present, and future, Gran Turismo 7 will bring back some iconic features, and the latest vehicles, and will make use of the next-gen PlayStation 5’s processing power to create a completely new experience. Revealed back in June 2020, the game will be available to play on the Sony PlayStation 5.

God of War Ragnarok

Video: Indianexpress

God of War 9 has no official name yet, but it is popularly known as God of War: Ragnarok. It is currently in development by SIE Santa Monica Studios and will follow the story of Kratos post the events of God of War (2018), the last game in the franchise. The game will expand the God of War universe from Greek to Norse mythology and will feature major Norse characters throughout the campaign like Odin and Thor.

The game will also feature the return of Atreus, the son of Kratos, and will be set amidst the impending Ragnarok, the end of days for the Norse Gods, which was set in motion after the events of the last game. The title will be available to play on the PlayStation 5.

Dying Light 2

Photo: Gameradar

The successor to the original parkour/survival game Dying Light (2015), Techland’s Dying Light 2 will open-world first-person role-playing game set in a zombie apocalypse. Following the story of Aiden Caldwell, Dying Light 2 will equip the player with various new parkour skills allowing them to travel across the game’s open world. Four times bigger than the game’s original map, Dying Light 2 will feature a much bigger city.

Apart from a single-player campaign, the game will also feature a four-player cooperative multiplayer mode. It will be available to play on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X. After a delay in its originally planned 2020 release, the game is set to launch in 2021, with the developers set to teasing some more information on the same soon.

Gaming Industry: Trends to Look For in 2021 Illustrative photo. Taking into account the fact that the gaming industry evolves so fast, we can say with confidence that, in 2021, the world of games will be totally different. Codecodo cited various industry experts’ opinions, these will be the foremost future trends: 1. Virtual Reality The technology can give players what they want – a “deep enticing experience”. Presently, VR headsets are still very costly; technology development is forecasted to make them much more affordable for both experienced gamers and random players. 2. Augmented Reality It is also expected to become another major game-changer in the future. Why will it be so popular? These are a few reasons: AR will serve to make the game experience more interactive, due to the combination of the real world with the virtual one, the person will be interested in the game much more, and it will push the edges of reality, sometimes adding a motion control factor to the process. 3. Better Graphics Video game graphics are getting much better and more realistic every year. To build a character, you can now completely digitize an alive actor, transfer his/her facial appearances and movements to the screen. Drawing details is also getting better, letting the gamer to endure the maximum of emotions from the game. 4. Face and Voice Recognition Face recognition technology has already been used in several fields, and gaming is one of them. The further development of technology recommends that soon players will get the chance to scan their appearance to develop characters similar to themselves in various games. A similar change is considered to be with human voice recognition. Using it, you will be capable to control the whole gameplay and even change the console on and off. 5. 5G will Continue to Power Advancements in Cloud Gaming It would be amplified to call 2019 the year of 5G, but 2019 was the year that signified the beginning of the transition towards global 5G adoption. 2020 may or may not be the year 5G truly becomes mainstream – but one thing’s for sure, 5G will pursue to influence the latest advancement in the gaming business: cloud gaming. In order to remain competitive, the device will require to heavily strengthen its broadcasting abilities and continue updating its library to serve its growing audience. 6. Smartphone The smartphone gaming market is witnessing rapid growth and is serving as a cost-effective opportunity for investors, mobile developers, and publishers. Also, despite the COVID-19 outbreak affecting the tech world, online gaming is striking up its pace as one of the best options to stay at home entertainment. The market is seeing a vital uptick in downloads of various apps, and the time spent, and engagement in online games has also grown rapidly.

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