Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake (Xbox Series X|S)
The original set a bar for action adventure games when it first released, utilising many time manipulating gameplay elements which were unseen at the time. The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake aims to bring that original adventure into the modern day on March 18 with an updated graphics engine, controls and voice acting to deliver an up to date experience. The classic adventure pioneered many games we see today and this looks like an excellent reason to take a trip down memory lane.
- Release Date: TBC 2021
- Xbox Game Pass? No
Riders Republic (Xbox Series X|S)
Imagine the surprisingly addictive Steep, but with mountain biking, wing suits, skiing, and more. That’s Riders Republic, which launches later this year. The latest sports game promises a massive open-world multiplayer experience, where up to 50 players can engage in an array of sports related events with their friends or random opponents online. While it was delayed recently until later in 2021, Riders Republic looks like it'll be a fantastic bit of escapism when it finally arrives.
- Release Date: TBC 2021
- Xbox Game Pass? No
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Dying Light 2 (Xbox Series X|S)
Dying Light was a surprise hit and immensely better than anyone thought it would be. After the Dead Island titles, it was expected to just be another take on the formula, but managed to be a natural blend of melee action and parkour. Not only that, but its quest design also delivered more than traditional fetch quests, making each side mission seem involved and integral. Dying Light 2 has been in the works for a while and delayed numerous times, but if it can manage to continue to formula seen in the first, we're sure it will be nothing short of great.
- Release Date: TBC 2021
- Xbox Game Pass? No
Far Cry 6 (Xbox Series X|S)
The next entry in the Far Cry series is yet to show us any gameplay, but we're already on board. Starring Breaking Bad star Giancarlo Esposito, the acting talent is already proving to be solid, with Esposito having a track record of playing threatening, yet charismatic villains. We're excited to see more of the game, and while its no longer releasing in February this year, we remain confident more details will drop soon.
- Release Date: TBC 2021
- Xbox Game Pass? No
Bright Memory: Infinite (Xbox Series X|S)
Bright Memory: Infinite kicked off the show at Inside Xbox in May 2020, and dazzled with its fantastic visuals and intense gameplay - along with the realisation that it was the product of just one developer's vision! The game is described as an "all-new lightning-fast fusion of the FPS and action genres," and we're eager to get our hands on it later this year. In the meantime, the original Bright Memory is available for Xbox Series X and S!
- Release Date: TBC 2021
- Xbox Game Pass? No
Gotham Knights (Xbox Series X|S)
While Gotham Knights is said to be taking place outside of the Arkham series, it looks to be retaining the gameplay found in the original series and expanding on it in interesting ways. The most notable first impression is that Gotham Knights will be focusing on delivering a co-operative experience, allowing players to either control Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin and Red Hood, as they take on missions in an open-world Gotham City. The narrative also features the Court of Owls, a popular narrative thread from the initial comics. More Batman related games are good enough for us.
- Release Date: TBC 2021
- Xbox Game Pass? No
Psychonauts 2 (Xbox Series X|S)
Psychonauts 2 has been a long time coming after numerous delays and each gameplay trailer hypes us up even more. There's no game quite like the original Psychonauts, which manages to deliver varied art styles by using the concept of invading people's minds. It looks like a mixture between a Tim Burton dream and a Saturday morning cartoon. The latest entry has even roped in Jack Black to sing and voice a particular character. We also anticipate it being one of the year's highest rated titles, so no pressure.
- Release Date: TBC 2021
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Scorn (Xbox Series X|S)
Scorn looks disgusting - but we love it. The first person horror game tasks players to unearth some of the most elaborate environments we've ever seen. The world seems to incorporate an organic feel into its level design, as everything looks to be compiled of flesh and bone. Even the guns you hold throb with life as you shoot, reload and simply hold them in your hands. It's a world unlike any we've seen before and looks to make a great inclusion into Xbox Game Pass.
- Release Date: TBC 2021
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
The Gunk (Xbox Series X|S)
Another title coming to Xbox Game Pass is The Gunk, which is being helmed by the people who made the criminally underrated Steamworld series. The third-person adventure will have players exploring an unknown world, using gunk as a means to venture further. From platforming challenges to combat against the planet's inhabitants, The Gunk will use its central gameplay element in numerous ways and we can't wait to see what surprises it holds.
- Release Date: TBC 2021
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 (Xbox Series X|S)
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a FPS horror sequel to the original game which has garnered a massive cult following over the years. Boasting a massive open-world to explore, players will be constantly on their toes as they prowl through the dark, moody ruins of a post-apocalyptic world. With mutants and other nasties to fight, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 looks to be an intense experience that will undoubtedly put us through our paces. We can't wait.
- Release Date: TBC 2021
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Which of these Xbox Series X games are you most looking forward to in 2021? Let us know below.
Comments 28
Quite a lot to look forward to, but I don't think Elden Ring will make 2021 unfortunately. Also for Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi fans: in a couple of weeks Cyber Shadow will be released (also on game pass) , which looks to be an excellent homage.
Image and Form have made some great games so really looking forward to The Gunk
Mass Effect Legendary Edition and NieR Replicant are the ones that I'm most excited for. Can't wait to get back into the ME universe and see what changes BioWare has made to the first game. Also I'm looking forward to playing the games as Renegade Shepard. And NieR looks great as well, it's been years since I played Automata so I'm so ready to play another entry in this amazing series.
Happy to report that outside of ME Legendary Edition and Stalker 2 there's nothing for me on the list. I don't have high expectations for The Medium- didn't like any Bloober Team game and this looks to be more of the same (walking sim with mild scares). I'll gladly eat crow if it turns out great, though.
If Dying Light 2 and Elden Ring come out in 2021, I'll be extremely surprised.
Its going to be an expensive year...
Suspect a few will fall back into 2022, especially with no apparent end in sight of COVID restrictions, but plenty there to look forward to, ME trilogy especially; played 1 and 2 waaaaay too many times!
@VenomousAlbino
Yeah, what happened to Dying Light 2? Seems like they expected it to be out awhile ago.
So many awesome games coming this year..
I'm looking forward to the Gunk, ascent and there was some cinematic story game similar to walking dead shown at the third party event last year.... forget it's name...but I'ma play it.
Hood is also coming out not listed ?
I'm looking forward to Halo the most, but I certainly wanna play those others game too to keep me busy.
Good games. But seriously I think Series X needs more JRPGs (or more Japanese games in general). This should be their first priority. This generation, many people (including myself), jump ship from PS to Xbox. Therefore, they should know their demography is different from previous generation. If MS fail to accommodate more Japanese stuff, many people (again, including myself), end up buying PS again.
@Axlroselm that's not something that can be applied to every person who jumped ship from PS4 to Series X, though. I went from Xbox 360 to PS3/Vita because of PS Plus, went onto PS4 and stuck with it until Game Pass really took off, at which point I jumped ship again to Xbox One and Series X.
A dearth of Japanese games might cause some people to abandon Series X for PS5, but not for everyone. I went through everything I mentioned above and I love Japanese games. My wife went through the exact same process and she hates them.
I have no faith in Halo Infinite actually releasing this year, after the fierce critics over what is shown so far. Then wat remains... isn't quite on par with what Sony is showing imo.
Still, look forward to Hogwarts Legacy (hope for online coop here...) and It Takes Two.
Looking forward to Balan....just kidding. You should have updated the text for this one. No good in keeping people hyped with a demo this bad.
Halo and Gotham knights are my most anticipated. Elden Ring and dying light are not coming out this year. I am getting more excited about Mass Effect. I never played the trilogy and I like Andromeda. Is it worth buying the remaster or should I play the originals for super cheap?
A lot to look forward to! Game Pass looks to be saving me more and more money
@Axlroselm I'm right there with you. Microsoft definitely needs Japanese support this gen if they're to compete against Sony.
They can't keep missing out on games that come out of Japan.
Already, Playstation has more exclusive deals with Japanese studios than Microsoft. That needs to change. Otherwise it's another last place finish for the guys in green.
I was excited for Balan Wonderworld until I played the demo. You'd think the creator of Nights which was designed around the Saturn analogue pad and bundled with it, wouldn't have created a game where the character is controlled with an analogue stick but moves entirely digitally.
Then there's the camera that insists on moving back behind the character when I want it to stay where I placed it so I can see where I'm jumping.
Yuji Naka said he was only going to get one chance at this, so he'd better sort out the gameplay before reviewers get their hands on it.
@GunValkyrie Went from PS4 to Series S and I'm pretty happy with this list.
Pretty pumped for Flight Simulator tbh.
Interesting, but those titles where the platform is supposed to be Xbox Series don't necessarily mean that they're exclusive to the new system(s), as many of them are due to arrive to the Xbox One too. It's a little confusing.
Scorn reminds me of Prey on Xbox 360 (Native American abducted by aliens). Such a fun game, it'll fun to see where scorn goes
Looking forward to Gunk, the Ascent, Halo Infinite and Pshyconauts 2. There was a game that looked like a taletalle type that I'm looking forward to but forgot what it's called. It's about some robery at some motel?
Not long now and Balan Wonderworld will be out and we can stop seeing it in upcoming games lists and also stop pretending it might be good.
As strange as it may sound i don't look at what is being released in the future so when a great game is released i am genuinely surprised. I am aware of Halo Infinite of course and a few others but i don't seek out info on new games or watch game trailers.
Not too many with fixed 2021 dates yet that I’m interested in but that’s hardly surprising with covid slowing development down. Regardless there will be plenty of new games to play and some unannounced surprises. And if there’s not a huge backlog to get through
There isn't really anything there that interests me. Scorn has potential but not at all hyped for it. For me the biggest release by a long way will be when MS announce the completion of Zenimax acquisition and all their games are suddenly released on Game Pass.
I get the impression of all the games in this list that actually come out in 2021 only Halo will be remembered at the end of the generation.
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