Best upcoming video games that will surprise you in 2021

The new games for 2021 and beyond is an exciting space, even if not all of them have concrete release dates yet. Thanks to the arrival of the Xbox Series X and PS5, it's all got that fresh, new, shiny glow to it, but you know that these titles will mostly be coming to the PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC as well. So make sure to add these new games, as well as those upcoming Xbox Series X games and upcoming PS5 games to add to your wishlist.

Across all platforms, there are oodles of noteworthy games heading to PC and consoles in 2021. From big RPGs to artistic indies and much more besides, there's sure to be something here for you.

Below you'll find everything worth waiting for - on every platform - in 2021 and beyond.

The Medium

Platform(s): Xbox Series X, PC

Release date: January 28, 2021

Layers of Fear and Blair Witch developer Bloober Team are bringing you another helping of horror with the upcoming release of The Medium. In this psychological horror, you'll travel through what Bloober calls the "dual-reality" of both the real world and the spiritual at the same time. With the screen split between the two realities, you'll use your psychic powers to solve puzzles and uncover dark and disturbing secrets. If you enjoy mysteries and horror, this might just be what you're after.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC

Release date: March 18, 2021

Ubisoft is bringing back one of the PS2/Xbox/Gamecube era's most memorable titles with a fresh remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. It might sound surprising for a studio that's been around so long, but this marks Ubisoft's first full-fledged remake, distinct from other titles they've simply remastered for newer hardware. That said, The Sands of Time remake is pretty darn faithful to the original, just with modern graphics and gameplay.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Platform(s): PS4, PS5, PC (Epic Games Store)

Release date: March 2021

This new and adventure from developer Ember Lab sees you play as Kena, a young spirit guide who sets out to find a sacred mountain shrine in an abandoned village populated by trapped spirits. Kena is also joined by adorable little fuzzy spirits known as the Rot who we already immediately want a plushie of. Helping you along the way, you can collect the Rot throughout your journey to gain abilities and alter the environment around you to progress. It certainly gives off some Pikmin vibes and a lot of charm.

Deathloop

Platform(s): PS5 (timed exclusive), PC

Release date: May 21, 2021

Imagine Groundhog Day, but you're two assassins who end up killing each other every day, and then repeat ad nauseam. Well, that's Deathloop. The game takes place in the mysterious Black Reef, in what's described as a "time of madness". In development at Arkane Lyon, it's clear that our two assassins have very different ideas of their current situation. Juliana wants to protect it, while Cole hopes to break free of their never-ending cycle, but what they always do is kill each other. Over and over again.

Solar Ash

Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC

Release date: June 2021

Solar Ash is the latest game from Hyper Light Drifter and will see players journey through a rift in space known as the Ultravoid, which just happens to be swallowing entire worlds. The game is quite the personal experience, where the characters must find solace in each other as they look to evolve their struggle into something a little more hopeful.

Ghostwire: Tokyo

Platform(s): PS5 (timed exclusive), PC

Release date: October 2021

As people start evaporating from the neon-lit streets of Toyko, it's clear that something's not quite right. In Ghostwire: Tokyo strange shadowy figures begin patrolling the streets, and terrifying monsters based on Japanese lore and legends. It's being made by the same studio that brought you survival horror The Evil Within, which is promising. Especially as it sounds like it's filled with paranormal entities, supernatural events, conspiracies, and the occult.

Sable

Platform(s): Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC

Release date: TBC 2021

With a gorgeous art style, an original soundtrack, and an interesting premise, Sable already looks and sounds very promising. From indie developer Shedworks, you play as Sable who sets out on her "gliding", which is said to be a rite of passage that will see you travel across expansive deserts. As you venture through the landscape, you can explore it in whatever way you wish at your own pace. From traveling on your hoverbike (yes, you have a hoverbike), to climbing ruins, or walking on foot, you can solve puzzles and encounter other nomads who might just ask for your help.

Back 4 Blood

Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC

Release date: June 22, 2021

Left 4 Dead 3 in all but name, Back 4 Blood is the same four-player co-op zombie experience that you'd expect from the Valve series - just without the Valve involvement. We dove into the game's recent alpha and can confirm it has the same frantic energy as the Left 4 Dead games, the humour, distinctive style, and of course, lots and lots of zombies. It's going to be beautiful chaos.

Outriders

Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X

Release date: April 1, 2021

A brand new shooter IP from People Can Fly, and published by Square Enix, is Outriders. You play as a member of humanity who has had to flee Earth, and has landed on a planet called Enoch. But, an immense storm called The Anomaly forces them back into cryostasis. And yet, when they awake, they all find themselves imbued with ridiculous powers. It's Mass Effect meets Doom and we are so in.

Returnal

Platforms: PS5

Release date: March 19, 2021

The first major PS5 exclusive of the year is also Housemarque's return to the genre that it made a name for itself with, blending its patented arcade shoot-em-up style into a story driven, third-person adventure for Returnal. You play as Selene, an astronaut stuck in a hellish Groundhog Day of sorts, as she endlessly attempts to fight her way out of a recurring death cycle. Y'know, exactly the kind of light-hearted romp you'd want to see in the Spring months with.

Source: Gamesradar.com