What are the best upcoming games to keep an eye on this year and the next? Hope, anticipation, agony, and elation – it’s the endless cycle of emotions we go through during the annual PC release schedule.
Year in, year out, games – via Steam and otherwise – are produced in such varying degrees of quality that not a single one of them is destined for certain success. Masterpieces are released alongside utter disasters, series are born while others dwindle and, occasionally, a game actually lives up to our expectations.
So how can we possibly navigate the dizzying number of announcements, trailers, and teases to find which of the upcoming PC games we should devote our finite supply of hype to? Us old HighlyCompressedPCGames sages have been round the videogame block plenty of times already, so we’re perfectly placed to tell you about the titles you should be saving your pennies up for. Below you’ll find the upcoming PC games you should keep on your radar, as well as their expected release dates.
NIER: REPLICANT
Okay, this one is going to get confusing. Nier: Replicant is a remake of the PS3 Japan exclusive cult RPG, originally one of two games made as a spin-off from the Drakengard series. We never got the PS3 version in the west, instead getting what was known as “Nier: Gestalt”. Both had the same core game, but different protagonists with altered relationships with a young woman. Replicant has you take on the role of her brother, while Gestalt makes you her father instead.
Nier was a game that didn’t get a whole lot of love from critics and sold quite poorly. However, appreciation for Nier has grown over the years and Nier: Automata was pretty incredible according to our review. So now is as good a time as any to give the original Nier another chance. While Platinum Games aren’t making this one, it’s clear that Automata has had an influence on Replicant’s combat. Maybe a second time around will change the game’s fortunes? Maybe both stories are there this time? So many questions!
Nier: Replicant release date: April 23, 2021
Pre-order Nier: Replicant at the Humble store
RESIDENT EVIL 8: VILLAGE
The first glimpses we’ve had of the upcoming horror game’s Transylvania-inspired setting, werewolf-like enemies, and claustrophobic first-person perspective has us terrified in all the right ways. Village will also launch with Resident Evil Re:Verse, an online multiplayer deathmatch mode that will allow you to play as beloved characters from Resident Evil’s 25-year history.
Resident Evil 8 release date: May 7, 2021
Pre-order Resident Evil Village at Fanatical
MASS EFFECT LEGENDARY EDITION
Time to jump back in the SSV Normandy for a reunion with Garrus, Liara, and pals – and they’re all getting a fancy makeover. Mass Effect Legendary Edition is a remastered edition of the Mass Effect trilogy – not a remake; but the original games in ‘super-sharp resolution, faster frame rates, and beautiful visual enhancements.’ All the base content and DLC from the original trilogy will be present, remastered for 4k Ultra HD.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition release date: May 14, 2021
BIOMUTANT
Biomutant came from pretty much nowhere, but the vibrant and mysterious world revealed in its initial trailer has made us embrace it with open arms. So far, we’ve seen some typical RPG fare and character creation screens, but we do also know Biomutant has a karma system and a variety of attractive worlds from arid deserts to snowy mountaintops.
Biomutant release date: May 25, 2021
CHIVALRY 2
Move over Mordhau, the definitive medieval, multiplayer slash-’em-up is returning for a sequel. The Chivalry 2 launch time is coming soon and, when it does, the upcoming game will support 64 players, new horses, and fresh sets of battle tactics.
The pace of battles will much much speedier than the original and everything has been “completely revamped” according to developer Torn Banner Studios. But, since “at least half” of Chivalry 2 players are drunk when they’re in action, maybe you won’t even notice, anyway.
Chivalry 2 release date: June 8, 2021
HUMANKIND
From the studio behind Endless Legend comes a new historical turn-based strategy front-runner, Humankind. The 4x game will include plenty of tactical elements as you make your way through over 60 various “historical cultures from across the heritage of humanity”. Humankind is built around the importance of fame and a tactical battle system that gives you full control in combat.
Humankind release date: August 17, 2021
Pre-order Humankind at Fanatical
LIFE IS STRANGE: TRUE COLORS
The third main game in the Life is Strange series has been unveiled – from the same studio that made Before the Storm, True Colors focuses on the story of Alex Chen, who has the power to read the emotions of those around her. Following the death of her brother, Alex returns to her hometown of Haven Springs, up in the mountains of Colorado, and must use her psychic abilities to uncover the truth about his demise.
The game will be divided into five chapters, but unlike previous games in the series, True Colors will release all chapters simultaneously. The game will also feature full performance motion capture.
Life is Strange: True Colors release date: September 10
DEATHLOOP
Having played the Dishonored games, we’re excited about anything developer Arkane is working on, frankly. The latest is set on the fictional island of Blackreef as two legendary assassins lock horns. While we wait for the Deathloop launch date, we can only imagine the inventiveness and meticulous detail Arkane Lyon will imbue into this nicely stylised experience.
Deathloop release date: September 14, 2021
Pre-order Deathloop at Fanatical
Q4 2021
BACK 4 BLOOD
From the creators of beloved zombie co-op FPS game Left 4 Dead comes Back 4 Blood, a spiritual successor that sees you fighting alongside your friends to defeat the Ridden, zombified humans who have been infested with parasites. Alongside the four-player co-op story mode, there’s also a competitive multiplayer mode where you can chase your friends around as a horrible zombie.
Back 4 Blood release date: October 12, 2021
GHOSTWIRE: TOKYO
An action-adventure game with a twist, GhostWire: Tokyo is a new IP from the developers behind the Evil Within games, with all the spookiness, if not the survival-horror elements that entails.
The GhostWire: Tokyo E3 announcement trailer shows that the story from developer Tango Gameworks centres on the baffling disappearances of people from their home of Tokyo. Let’s hope this curio doesn’t go missing, too.
GhostWire: Tokyo release date: October 2021
HALO INFINITE
We’ve been waiting long enough for the Halo Infinite’s release date but now we finally have one, we can actually start getting excited for the “spiritual reboot” to Halo 5.
343 Industries says the game is so ambitious that it “needed” the new Slipspace Halo Infinite engine, so it’s going to look ridiculous. If that’s got you all hot and bothered, this official Xbox deodorant should do the trick.
Halo Infinite release date: Fall, 2021
TOTAL WAR: WARHAMMER 3
The third entry in the beloved Total War: Warhammer series of strategy games, Warhammer 3 promises more of the same tactical gameplay, with turn based map management and real-time battles. This time, the campaign takes place in the magical Realm of Chaos, with a campaign map “twice the size” of Warhammer 2’s Eye of the Vortex map.
The Warhammer 3 factions of the Chaos gods – Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle, and Slaanesh – will all be present, plus Kislev and Grand Cathay as human civilizations, with more to be announced.
Total War Warhammer 3 release date: Late 2021
Pre-order Total War Warhammer 3 at the Humble Store
AGE OF EMPIRES 4
Age of Empires 4 is being developed by Relic Entertainment – the team behind Dawn of War and Company of Heroes.
The series has been seminal in the triple-A strategy space, and Age of Empires 4 is the first new entry in over a decade, so anticipation is high. So far, the English, Mongols, Chinese, and the Delhi Sultanate have been revealed as playable civilisations.
Age of Empires 4 release date: Fall 2021
TBC 2021
ROLLER CHAMPIONS
While it was originally tipped to be something of a Rocket League-like, Roller Champions appears to be something all of its own. As the Roller Champions release date approaches, we know that it will be a skill-based, PvP esports game with two teams of three racing around a banked track to score points.
It certainly looks an entertaining spectacle, and developer Ubisoft certainly want to leverage that and grow a competitive scene around the upcoming game. It wants Roller Champions to be “as fun to watch as it is to play”, so expect the company to be courting plenty of streamers and esports personalities to ensure its longevity.
Roller Champions release date: 2021
LEGO STAR WARS: THE SKYWALKER SAGA
Skywalker Saga gives you another chance to immerse yourself in George Lucas’ sci-fi fantasy world in the blocky form of Lego. But, this isn’t just a rehash of The Complete Saga with The Force Awakens tacked on: you get proper Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga space exploration in this one.
The films already covered in the game are being remade, and you can tackle them in any order but, you’ll now be able to explore space just as you did Lego Marvel Superheroes’ Manhattan. What’s more, you can fight and explore the inside of Star Destroyers, each made of 18 million digital bricks.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga release date: TBC 2021
FAR CRY 6
Far Cry 6 was leaked heavily before its reveal during Ubisoft Forward show, but we did at least get a great teaser showing new villain Anton Casillo – played by Breaking Bad’s Giancarlo Esposito – and the Havana-inspired setting.
Far Cry 6 will bring back the Fangs for Hire system, but deviates a little from previous Far Cry games in that it will feature the series’ first ever city setting. As far as the story is concerned it’s typical Far Cry fare, you play as revolutionary Dani Rojas and will battle to liberate the tropical island of Yara from the despotic El Presidente.
Far Cry 6 release date: 2021
Pre-order Far Cry 6 at Ubisoft
RIDERS REPUBLIC
If you like extreme sports then you’ll like new IP Riders Republic arriving later this year. Think of games like Trials Rising and Steep and add in a huge multiplayer world with challenges, trials, and competitions and you get a taste of Ubisoft’s new sports game. The trailer shows off just a portion of the gear you’ll be able to unlock as you tear up slopes and mountain ranges, and it looks pretty incredible.
Riders Republic release date: 2021
PSYCHONAUTS 2
In Psychonauts 2 you continue playing as the same protagonist from the first game, Raz, who is a newly graduated Psychonaut with powerful psychic abilities. This sequel will delving further into parts of Rax’s family and the curse that continues to affect them.
Psychonauts 2 release date: 2021
THE OUTLAST TRIALS
The Outlast Trials lets you share the terror of being hunted by sledgehammer-wielding brutes with friends. This time you’re not investigating a hospital, instead you and your pals are human guinea pigs in experiments being run by the Murkoff Corporation. Oh, and you can forget all about carrying a camcorder with you everywhere for night vision, instead the chaps at Murkoff have drilled night vision goggles directly into your skull. You lucky thing.
The Outlast Trials release date: 2021
STALKER 2
Besides the Facebook announcement from GSC Game World owner Sergiy Grygorovych that STALKER 2 is in development, we know barely anything about the upcoming survival horror sequel.
All we have is an official site with a few trailers. This isn’t the first time the game has been in production, but fingers crossed everything goes swimmingly this time.
STALKER 2 release date: 2021
SHERLOCK HOLMES: CHAPTER ONE
The Frogwares Sherlock games might not be on everyone’s radar, but if you love detective games as much as we do then the news that the studio is returning to the world’s greatest detective will bring a smile to your face. Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One is a prequel to Frogwares’ other Sherlock games and will feature the series’ first proper open world setting.
Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One release date: 2021
CHORUS
Space combat shooters are few and far between, so the reveal of Choru(v?)s was a very pleasant surprise. Chorus is being billed as a single-player, story-driven experience where you battle to free the galaxy from the suffocating grip of an oppressive cult. We don’t know a huge amount else unfortunately, but the short trailer is packed with enough barrel-rolling spaceships to whet our appetite.
Chorus release date: 2021
DYING LIGHT 2
You’d better prepare yourself for the Dying Light 2 release date: the decisions you make in this zombie parkour sequel will significantly alter the larger world as Dying Light 2 factions compete for control. And, that’s just during the day. With Chris Avellone and The Witcher 3 writers on narrative duties, this is looking promising.
Dying Light 2 release date: 2021
UPCOMING PC GAMES
PROLOGUE
Prologue is something from the developers of PUBG. The website bills it as a “an exploration of new technologies and gameplay”, and all we have to currently go on is a short teaser that features rain, a rock, the sound of breathing, and the distant sound of a dog barking. We would bet on it being a narrative experience with some horror thrown in, although it’s hard to see the studio moving away from multiplayer just yet.
Prologue release date: TBC
CONVERGENCE
Another League of Legends spin-off, but this one follows Ekko as he travels through time. It’s an action-platformer helmed by Speed Brawl dev Double Stallion Games.
Convergence release date: TBC
BABYLON’S FALL
The next offering from Platinum Games is a dark fantasy title, but we don’t have much else to go on than that when it comes to Babylon’s Fall. That doesn’t matter though: if it’s Platinum at the helm, we’re in.
The reveal trailer appears to reference the mythical Tower of Babel, but we’re most looking forward to engaging in what looks like electrical swordplay as considerably overdressed knights.
Babylon’s Fall release date: TBC
RAINBOW SIX QUARANTINE
Ubisoft’s limited-time PvE mode which ended with 4.5 billion zombies slain – if you check the Rainbow Six Siege Outbreak stats – was just too well-made to be removed for good. Once Rainbow Six Quarantine was revealed at E3 2019, the spiritual sequel to it was official.
In the run up to the Rainbow Six Quarantine release date you can look forward to 3-player PvE co-op that features operators such as Ela and Vigil tackling the fallout of “an unknown and devastating parasite”. However, the rumoured Rainbow Six Quarantine permadeath features seem to make this a rather different beast from standard Siege.
There are rumours that the game will be renamed Rainbow Six Parasite, and it appears that the developers are now using that name internally.
Rainbow Six Quarantine release date: TBC
THE WOLF AMONG US 2
One of the more surprising updates from The Games Awards 2019 was the return The Wolf Among Us 2. You can expect the same choice and consequence style narrative experience of previous Telltale games. Don’t expect it anytime soon, though, as developer LCG Entertainment has hit the reset button.
The Wolf Among Us 2 release date: TBC
SKULL & BONES
Black Flag and For Honor meet for PvP sailing, piracy, and cannon-firing in Skull & Bones. With a familiar UI and control mechanism for anyone that’s played Assassin’s Creed’s seabound adventure, it’s got some strange scoring mechanisms, and its not just about wiping out the enemy team.
Skull & Bones release date: TBC
PROJECT 007
Hitman 3 developer IO Interactive has announced a brand-new project – and it’s a James Bond game. The teaser clip shows a bullet loaded into a gun, before panning around to reveal the iconic gun barrel shot – though Bond himself is nowhere to be seen. That’s all we’ve got about Project 007 so far, but we’re already sold.
Project 007 release date: TBC
DEAD ISLAND 2
Dead Island 2 still exists, apparently, and is making “fantastic progress” at take-over developer Sumo. Exactly how much it’ll resemble the weird Californian sun-pocalypse we saw on display during the original announcement is anyone’s guess.
Development on the first-person zombie smasher has been chaotic to say the least. Last we heard in July 2018, Dead Island 2 is still in development. When it comes to the nature of its current state, however, is anybody’s guess.
Dead Island 2 release date: TBC
THE ELDER SCROLLS 6
Bethesda finished its E3 2018 conference in the best way possible by announcing the upcoming PC game we all wanted: The Elder Scrolls VI. With only a teaser trailer of some rocky hills, ruined castles, and coastlines to go on, we’re still waiting on a setting, and a launch window, of course.
We didn’t hear anything more at the following E3, really. Game director Todd Howard let us down early at E3 2019 to say that there wouldn’t be any further news on The Elder Scrolls 6 and Starfield, but stressed that Bethesda is “still hard at work” on both of them.
Elder Scrolls 6 release date: TBC
STARFIELD
When Bethesda took to the stage at E3 2018, The Elder Scrolls 6 was not the only major surprise reveal. We can also get excited about their upcoming space game: although it may be some time.
It’s much further along than the company’s famous fantasy series, however, but that’s about all we know so far. Basically, when it comes to Starfield, “everyone should be very patient”. Regardless, it’s got our interstellar interest piqued.
Starfield release date: TBC
STAR CITIZEN
Without a doubt one of the most wildly ambitious games around, Star Citizen aims to be the ultimate space exploration experience.
Taking to the skies in one of numerous ridiculously detailed craft, you will engage in military service, become a reputable trader of goods, live the life of a smuggler, or become a universe-famous race pilot. That’s if development ever finishes, of course.
Star Citizen release date: TBC
SYSTEM SHOCK 3
System Shock 3 was announced back in 2015, in development by Otherside Entertainment, with Warren Spector on board as studio director – however, since then, the project has been taken over by Tencent, who will be ‘taking the franchise forward’.
System Shock 3 release date: TBC
ELDEN RING
It’s a meeting of minds only the most optimistic of fantasy RPG fans could conjure up, but it’s happening. The Elden Ring E3 2019 trailer gives only cryptic clues for fans to dissect for months to come, but here’s the only thing you need to know: it’s a FromSoftware open-world game written by George R. R. ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ Martin.
As you’d expect Elden Ring reflects Dark Souls’ gameplay in terms of difficulty, but combat, Miyazaki-san says, is “fundamentally different” and its FromSoft’s biggest game yet. Martin has reportedly penned reams of lore for this dark new universe, and we couldn’t be more hyped.
Elden Ring release date: TBC
BEYOND GOOD & EVIL 2
Yes, it’s happening, but the Beyond Good & Evil 2 release date is probably a long, long way off. According to creator Michel Ancel, the team is looking for a lot of community input to get it moving, with help from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and hitRECord. A playable Beyond Good & Evil 2 beta was said to be in the works for late 2019, however it seems that has now been pushed back.
Beyond Good & Evil 2 release date: Beyond Space And Time, Probably
PROJECT L
So nice they announced it twice, Riot’s also dipping into the fighting genre. It’s fitting, then, that we first caught wind of Project L at EVO 2019, before getting another quick peek at LoL’s 10-year anniversary show.
Fighting games are a huge staple of the esports scene, from DragonBall FightersZ anime beat ‘em style to Mortal Kombat’ bloodier take on fisticuffs. We’ve barely seen anything of Project L, so we have a bit of waiting to find out what it’ll play like.
Project L release date: TBC
SKATE 4
We know nothing about it other than that it’s confirmed – still, we’re incredibly excited for the return of this series. Come to think of it, we don’t even know if it’s coming to PC…
Skate 4 release date: TBC
OVERWATCH 2
Blizzard’s hero-based team shooter is getting a new lick of paint. PvP fans can look forward to a swathe of new Overwatch 2 heroes and a new mode that involves a robot pushing the payload for you, meaning that Overwatch players may now finally play the chuffin’ objective – although somehow we fear they’ll still find a way to ignore.
Story fans, meanwhile, get story PvE missions that focus on advancing the game’s overarching narrative and hero missions that allow you to customise your hero’s moveset with Overwatch 2 talents. We hope to see the game arriving in 2022.
Overwatch 2 release date: TBC
DIABLO 4
At long last, we’ve got some confirmation on Diablo 4. We always knew it would be coming, really, but getting a look at it is exciting. We know that the Druid class is coming back to join the roster of Diablo 4 classes, and we enjoyed our playtime with it at Blizzcon. Plus, it looks like there will be plenty of scope for creative Diablo 4 builds, especially with the reveal that Mythic items will be available.
Details are dripping out right now – there will be an open-world setting, and Blizzard has plans for extensive player customization. That said, the game still boasts the same balance of lootin’ and dungeon dwelling that fans have come to adore.
Diablo 4 release date: not even coming ‘Blizzard soon’
SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE
We’ve been wondering what Batman Arkham developer Rocksteady is up to for years and now we finally have our answer: a Suicide Squad game. We can’t say it’s the game we were hoping for, but Rocksteady has done a terrific job with the Batman license so we’re quietly confident. There are no real details in the Suicide Squad game reveal, but the studio teased more details at the August 22 DC Fandome event.
Suicide Squad game release date: 2022
VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE – BLOODLINES 2
It’s been 17 long years, but now we finally have a sequel to the cult classic bloodsucker. The sequel is taking us to Seattle, but the land of coffee and grunge has been given a coagulated coat of crimson as you unravel another rich mystery.
Yet, while the original is remembered fondly for its engrossing narrative, it remained rife with bugs and disappointing combat. Luckily, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2’s gameplay plunders immersive sims such as Dishonored 2 and Deus Ex to make its vampiric fisticuffs just as engaging as its story. Following a switch of developers, we won’t be seeing a 2021 release, but we’re more than ready to sink our teeth in when it finally arrives.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 release date: 2022
RESIDENT EVIL 4 REMAKE
After two very successful remakes in recent years it was only a matter of time before Capcom turned its attention to one of the most beloved entries to the series: Resident Evil 4. Details about the remake were reported by VGC and while it’s allegedly a long way off we’re still very excited to see what Capcom has in store for us.
Resident Evil 4 remake release date: 2022
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