E3 2021 Recap: Top Announcements and Trailers
Despite the obvious hurdles that game developers have had to work around this past year, and the many delays that expectant fans have had to endure, it seems we are in for a good rest of 2021 and early 2022. This year’s edition of E3 was an embarrassment of riches, packed with long-rumored and highly anticipated games the likes of Elden Ring and pleasant surprises such as Marvel‘s Guardians of the Galaxy.
Following are some of the most exciting reveals and trailers from the event.
Elden Ring Gameplay, Release Date
This year’s E3 marks the first public showing of FromSoftware’s highly anticipated Elden Ring in the two years since its announcement at the same event. The open-world successor to the venerated “Soulsbourne” games finally has a gameplay trailer, and more importantly, a release date: January 21, 2022 on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Update: The game has been delayed.
Starfield Second Teaser, Release Date
We don’t know much about Bethesda’s new IP. It was announced back in 2018 with nothing more than a splash screen. The Fallout developer had a more fleshed out teaser to show off this time around as well as a release date. Starfield is penned in for a November 11, 2022 release on Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC.
Battlefield 2042 Gameplay, Release Date
One of the more exciting reveals at the event, the Battlefield 2042 pre-alpha gameplay trailer shows off signature franchise mayhem set in a future setting. The new installment is upping the ante with a player cap of 128 per match on PC as well as new-gen consoles and a new game mode called Hazard Zone. The game is set to arrive on October 22, 2021.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
2K Entertainment, the folks behind Borderlands, announced a new role-playing looter shooter packed with “bullets, magic, and broadswords” and set in a fantasy world created by the eccentric Borderlands character Tiny Tina. The game releases early in 2022.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Ubisoft studio Massive Entertainment, in conjunction with Disney, is working on a first-person, open-world Avatar game, slated for a release at some point in 2022 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Series S, Stadia, and Luna. Players will explore a “living and reactive” Pandora as a Na’vi and face off against invading RDA forces.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
Square Enix may have missed the mark with its Avenger’s game, but the publisher isn’t ready to give up on the Marvel cause just yet, with it now working on a video game adaptation of Guardians of the Galaxy. Eidos Montreal of Deus Ex fame is helming development, with the game scheduled for an October 26, 2021 release on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl
Nearly 14 years later, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is getting a sequel, and a visually stunning one at that. The open-world survival horror game looks set to be a terrifying experience set in a mutant-riddled Chernobyl following “the second massive explosion in year 2006.” Its currently planned for a April 28, 2022 release on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, and PC.
Redfall
An all-new IP being developed by Microsoft studio Arkane Austin, Refall takes the Left 4 Dead formula and adds vampires to it. The open-world co-op FPS will be released on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, and PC come Summer 2022.
The Outer Worlds 2
It comes as no surprise that Obsidian’s smash-hit open-world RPG The Outer Worlds is getting a sequel. The announcement trailer didn’t let on much about the game, but it is, without a doubt, the most self-aware trailer of the event.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
Nintendo’s critically acclaimed open-world Breath of the Wild is officially getting a sequel. The Japanese game maker is yet to give the game a name, though they did offer a brief look at gameplay as well as a broad release window. Fans will be able to explore the magical, cell-shaded world of Hyrule once again at some point in 2022, on the Switch.
A Plague Tale: Requiem
Asobo Studio’s award-winning survival horror A Plague Tale: Innocence too continues its story, with the developer having announced a next-gen sequel, coming 2022 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Halo Infinite Multiplayer Overview
We’ve been getting glimpses of the Halo Infinite single-player campaign for a while now. At this year’s E3, developer 343 finally offered up an overview of the game’s multiplayer, which, it turns out, will be free to play. Halo Infinite releases at some point this year
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
Last month, Ninja Theory, the team behind Nioh and Ninja Gaiden, was rumored to be quietly working on a Soulslike addition to the Final Fantasy franchise. That game is now official, with the developer having released its first trailer during E3’s Square Enix showcase. Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin arrives on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC in 2022. A demo will be made available a week from now on June 25.
Metroid Dread
The Metroid franchise is getting another 2D side-scroller after nearly 19 years. The oft-rumored Metroid Dread will be released on the Nintendo Switch later this year, on October 8.
Forza Horizon 5
Perhaps the most photo-realistic showing at this year’s E3, Forza Horizon 5 is gearing up to be the benchmark for next-gen visuals. The open-world racer will take players to the landscapes of Mexico. It hits PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One on November 9, 2021.
They Always Run
They Always Run is a promising 2D platformer, with a focus on stylish parkour and fast-paced combat. The “space-western,” as the developer describes it, will have players will control a three-armed mutant bounty hunter. The game is yet to have a definite release date, though we know it’s penned in for this year. A demo for the game is available on Steam today.
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