20 Best AAA Video Games Releasing In 2021

We’re just getting started in 2021 and after the awful year that 2020 was thanks to the start of this worldwide pandemic we’re dealing with. With that said, having some new games to escape the reality we’re living in is pretty enticing. In this list, we’re going to highlight some of the best AAA video game titles that are coming out this year or we’re anticipating a release within the year. These games may get pushed back but for now here are some games we’ll worth looking into. There’s no particular order to this list, a lot of these games are not out yet so it’s tough to determine just how they’ll end up stacking up against each other. Instead, here’s just a great collection of awesome video games.

Disclaimer Update: Ghostwire Tokyo, Dying Light 2, God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction, Fable, and Elden Ring were removed due to not releasing in 2021.

---

#20 Riders Republic

Fans of extreme sports might find some interest in Riders Republic. This is a new game from Ubisoft that puts players into some extreme natural terrains to race around in. You’ll have mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, wingsuit flying, and even rocket wingsuiting. It’s a thrilling game that you can race around in freely by yourself or join online with some other players and friends. So far, this game is not slated to release until October 28, 2021, so keep this game on your radar.

#19 Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

A new Marvel game is coming out this year with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. In this game, we’re taking the role of Star-Lord with his team of heroes searching for an easy payday. However, in true Guardians of the Galaxy fashion, their efforts cause a series of catastrophic events. So now our group is forced into saving the day. However, doing so will require players to travel around the galaxy and battle against some hostile enemies. While you’re only controlling Star-Lord, it does look like you’ll have the ability to send out commands to your team during battles like Rocket Raccoon and Gamora. Currently, the game is set to launch on October 26, 2021, so that’s only a few days away when writing this description.

#18 Age of Empires 4

Fans have been waiting on the next significant Age of Empires installment, and we’re receiving it this year. Age of Empires IV is another real-time strategy game that will set players in the Middle Ages, although you’ll find campaigns telling different stories. If you played the past games, then you know what to expect here. It’s all about setting up your civilization with resources and gearing up for whatever battles break out. Currently, this installment is not slated to release until October 28, 2021, unless there’s a delay that pushes this game further back.

#17 Hitman 3

Hitman’s reboot series had its trilogy concluded with Hitman 3, where players once again stepped into the role of Agent 47 as he began his hunt against all the leaders of Providence. This is still a third-person stealth game where the goal is to eliminate targets by going around certain areas of a map without drawing attention. It’s all about knowing where the target is, the dangers that may pop up, how to disguise yourself, how to eliminate the target, and escaping the area without ever being noticed or suspected. This game came out early in January of this year, so you can get it right now across both last and current-generation platforms.

#16 Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

The Nintendo Wii U was a flop console. It didn’t get as many units out there in the market to make it worth supporting, and there wasn’t much of a third-party support system in place. With that said, there were plenty of first-party titles that were released on the console that should have been picked up and enjoyed by the masses. One of those was Super Mario 3D World, and thankfully this game was given another chance with the game being available for the Nintendo Switch. With Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, players were given the original title again, where players could go through the platform title with a few friends. Meanwhile, there is extra content here, so even if you played this game when it originally came out, you’d get the bonus of Bowser’s Fury. This offers a new chapter for players to go through that wasn’t initially available for the Nintendo Wii U. Fortunately, this is a game that’s currently out now for players to pick up and enjoy.

#15 Scarlet Nexus

Scarlet Nexus is a game we often compare to the likes of an anime both in terms of its narrative and visuals. In this game, we’re set in a parallel universe where mutated creatures have struck Earth. So naturally, these invasions are a problem, and that’s where a specialized task force has stepped in to help fight off these creatures. Players are soldiers in this task force that is skilled in both combat and another unique feature that individuals are given, a supernatural ability. For our protagonist, you have psychokinesis, but other party members will join you during the game. Each of which will have the power to help users to deliver the different unique combinations of combo attacks against an enemy.

#14 Monster Hunter Rise

Another game that’s readily available for players to pick up and enjoy right now is the latest Monster Hunter title, Monster Hunter Rise. This game is available on the Nintendo Switch platform, but PC players should have a copy available sometime in 2022. This game is just like what you would expect from a Monster Hunter game especially coming off of Monster Hunter World. There’s a ton of beasts to track down and defeat while considering the different gear you have equipped. Of course, the more monsters you take out, the more precious gear you’ll have at your disposal. Meanwhile, this game does feature some vertically here, which means exploring the in-game world in a new exciting way.

#13 Resident Evil Village

Resident Evil: Village is currently available right now, so if your Resident Evil fan, chances are you’ve been playing this new installment already. This game takes place a few years after the events of Resident Evil 7. Now, if you didn’t play that game, then you’re still in luck; the developers offered a recap of the main plot points that retells the storyline of Resident Evil 7 in a few minutes. Players once again take the role of Ethan, who has his world once again destroyed after Chris Redfield shows up. Seeking answers to what’s going on, Ethan is forced into exploring an old remote village where there’s plenty of monsters that pop up, puzzles to solve, and just like in Resident Evil 7, this is a first-person perspective survival horror game experience. Unfortunately, it’s not available on VR like the Resident Evil 7 installment was, so if you wanted a bit more immersion with the PSVR, then you’re out of luck in that regard.

#12 Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart

Insomniac Games worked on a new installment to the Ratchet & Clank franchise. This game is called Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and released exclusively to the PlayStation 5 platform. In this title, players again follow the iconic duo in a new third-person platformer, with players battling against the evil Doctor Nefarious. Armed with a new tool called the Rift Tether, players can quickly warp around different areas around the map, crossing large gaps that would have normally been impossible to jump over. Likewise, portals are opening up, giving players a new set of characters who will work together to stop the evil antagonist from potentially collapsing the different dimensions.

#11 Mario Golf Super Rush

Mario is no stranger to different sports games, and we have received a new Mario Golf title for the Nintendo Switch. This title will again follow Mario as he and his friends will join in a friendly game of golf. There are a few different modes to play, but Speed Golf is one of the game modes that make the title a bit more chaotic. This will have players hitting their ball in real-time rather than waiting for turns to take place. Instead, it’s all about whacking the ball and racing to its location all while other competitors are trying to sink their golf ball in the hole first.

#10 Mass Effect Legendary Edition

The Mass Effect franchise is still highly recommended to players today. This is a collection of three installments that BioWare developed. Overall, it was a narrative about saving the galaxy and life. However, there was, of course, a barrage of side stories and quests to partake in. BioWare is known for its work on narrative-driven RPGs, and these three games had players eagerly sitting in to see how their choices made along the way affected their storyline. Now, years later, you can get a remastered edition with all three games attached and their DLC. With a fresh coat of paint and some mechanic tweaks, this might be the best way to enjoy the story if you haven’t played the games in the past.

#9 Tales of Arise

Tales of Arise is a new thrilling installment to the beloved Tales series. While this is a long-running video game series that’s been around now for quite a few years, there’s a chance that some new fans had likely joined in from the previous hit release for the series, Tales of Berseria. This new title will feature a standalone storyline with the gameplay following two characters, one from the planet called Rena while the other was raised on Dahna. Rena is an advanced planet that had taken control of Dahna forcing its citizens to become slaves, providing more resources to Rena. Players will learn how the two are joined together in a journey and the end goal for each character, but just like with past Tales installments, you can expect a party of exciting characters joining in along the way.

#8 Deathloop

Arkane Studios, the folks responsible for the Dishonored series, released Deathloop. This action-adventure game puts players into the role of a master assassin named Colt stuck in a time loop. The only way to break the loop is to take out specific targets around this fictional island location. If players take too much time to eliminate their targets or are killed in the process, the loop starts again. To make things even more challenging, there’s another highly skilled assassin on the island with only one target to take down, and that’s Colt. This is a timed exclusive for the PlayStation 5. While Microsoft owns Arkane Studios now, they are honoring the exclusive deal, so this year in September, we’ll get the game on PC and PlayStation 5, with Deathloop likely making a debut on the Xbox Series X/S platform sometime within 2022.

#7 Battlefield 2042

Battlefield is a big competitor to the Call of Duty franchise. It’s another FPS title that deals with different wars. However, unlike Call of Duty, Battlefield doesn’t receive an annual release date. So when a new installment is announced, plenty of players take notice and anticipate the game. The next Battlefield title is Battlefield 2042, and it drops the single-player campaign. Instead, this is all about multiplayer as players fight off against the opposing side. While it brings out plenty of action-packed content by the development team, they did deliver new content with what they call Battlefield Portal. This allows players to tweak the game with their own rules and weaponry that you’ll find on the map.

#6 Far Cry 6

Far Cry 6 was released this year. The title will take place on a fictional Caribbean island under a strict dictatorship, El Presidente Anton Castillo. With citizens forced into this terrible regime, our protagonist joins in with the rebel forces. Using guerrilla warfare, players will have to use whatever equipment they can get their hands on. It’s an uphill battle but one to restore peace and prosperity to the beautiful land of Yara. However, if players don’t end the madness now, then there might not be a Yara left. This is one of the largest maps for the Far Cry franchise, and you’ll find quite a bit to explore between completing different missions.

#5 Shin Megami Tensei: V

While we’re in 2021 and we’re anticipating some big-name title games to hit the marketplace, including Shin Megami Tensei V. Fortunately, this is a long-running video game franchise at this point since its first game came out in 1992. Still, a new installment is coming out, and we’ve known about it since 2017. This will likely fall in line with the past video game installments of being a turn-based JRPG where you’re battling against different enemies and using element-based attacks. Additionally, this is a game based on a new storyline. We’re bound to have some newcomers jumping on board the franchise with this latest installment. As it stands, this game is slated to launch on November 12, 2021, where we get a storyline of a parallel Tokyo along with a battle between angels and demons.

#4 Back 4 Blood

The Left 4 Dead franchise is massive, although there are only two games available, and the sequel was released back in 2009. Despite that, a fan base is dedicated to this IP, offering support long after Valve with new content and modifications for the PC platform. While Valve owns the rights to Left 4 Dead, they are not the original creators behind this IP. It goes to Turtle Rock Studios, which has since left the IP to Valve after being acquired by the company. While Turtle Rock Studios didn’t get the rights back for Left 4 Dead, they did bring out a spiritual successor with Back 4 Blood. It’s another team-based zombie survival FPS game where the developers aimed for it to be bigger and better in every way. There are more types of zombies to fight off, larger levels, a deeper storyline, and a slew of new weapons to make use of as well.

#3 Call of Duty Vanguard

Another year, another Call of Duty. A new installment is coming out on November 5, 2021. This time around, the game is being developed by Sledgehammer Games. Likewise, this game will be putting players back into the gritty World War Two era. Players can expect a variety of ronts to be showcased along with a storyline centered around the birth of the special forces. Gameplay mechanics should line up with the latest Modern Warfare installment. At the same time, we know that there will be an active multiplayer component here, just like with every Call of Duty installment. However, if you’re hesitant to pick this game up, you might want to dive into Call of Duty: Warzone, a free battle royale game that adjusts the gameplay to match the latest Call of Duty installments. Meanwhile, those who pick up this game will also get treated with the latest Zombies mode that Treyarch developed.

#2 Forza Horizon 5

A new entry to the Forza Horizon franchise is coming this year. Forza Horizon 5 puts players into a Mexico-inspired map. This is also said to be the most extensive map in Forza Horizon franchise history. As a result, you’ll get to race around some different unique environments and elevations. You can expect the same overall gameplay from past installments. You’ll have different races based on specific vehicle types. Then there’s also free roam where you can explore the map endlessly. Likewise, there are some new weather elements to keep track of during your races or exploration. For instance, you’ll have dust and tropical storms that might pop up.

#1 Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite, this game should have come out already, or at least that was the plans over at 343 Industries and Xbox Game Studios. Fans were itching to see this game in action after only offering slight teases and cinematic trailers. Then during the summer of 2020, we finally got the significant gameplay footage to reveal, and the results were below par. Fans took to the internet outraged at how poorly the game looked and seemed to be in its development process. It was slated for a release that year alongside the Xbox Series X/S, so when it looked like the game was outdated for a next-generation release and didn’t have the big wow factor that I think most fans were waiting for, 343 Industries pumped the brakes from all the criticism.

The studio was quick to delay the game, it missed the launch for the Xbox Series X/S, and now it’s slated for the end of this year. The game is based around Master Chief, where the focus of saving humanity comes up again. This time, the bad group of hostels we’re facing is the Banished, led by some Brute mercenaries. It does seem to be a game with large levels and semi-open-world designs. Meanwhile, we know that the multiplayer component will be free-to-play.