2020 was quite the unique year and its one that pushed a lot of games back. With the coronavirus health pandemic outbreak forcing development studios to close shop and have employees work remotely, several titles ended up moving from their intended release year of 2020 to 2021. As a result, we’re going to see quite a filled and exciting year of video game releases. If you’re looking to start marking down your 2021 calendar of what video game titles are launching then let us help you out. In this list, we’re going to showcase some of the most anticipated RPG video games slated for a 2021 release. You will want to bookmark this page as we’ll continue to update it with new information and video game titles as they are announced.
Click Here For The Best RPG Games of 2020
#9 Darkest Dungeon 2
- Developer: Red Hook Studios
- Publisher: Red Hook Studios
- Platforms: PC
- Release: 2021
- Co-op: TBA
- Competitive Multiplayer: TBA
Darkest Dungeon, a 2016 RPG title from Red Hook Studios, is receiving a sequel in 2021. The video game will feature a new story in a brand new location. What we know so far about the game is that players will be taking on a new quest to find loot and treasures all while battling even foes. However, unlike the first installment, players will be going through an icy location according to the developers is called The Howling End. Apparently, combat will mainly be the same as a turn-based combat RPG and we can likely see the same classes from the first install of the game. This is another title that is still a bit scarce in terms of details, but if you’re a fan of the first installment then you likely already have this game on your watchlist.
#8 Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood
- Developer: Cyanide
- Publisher: Bigben Interactive
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
If you’re a tabletop gamer as well then you may be familiar with Werewolf: The Apocalypse. This is a tabletop RPG from White Wolf Publishing, but now developers Cyanide is turning the tabletop game into a video game release for 2021. Players will be tossed into the World of Darkness where a variety of fictional creatures exist. In this world, players will be taking on the role of a werewolf named Cahal. After being kicked out of his clan tribe, Cahal disobeys the law and returns in hopes to protect is when he discovered something had happened to his son.
This is an action RPG title and with it, players will be able to make tweaks to Cahal through a skill tree. As you progress through the game and fight against a vampire group that’s leaving pollution into the world, you’ll find various situations that may require Cahal to take a human form, wolf, or even a werewolf. This is a game that may be a bit unknown at the moment, but one that’s well worth keeping tabs on which is why we’re tossing it as a bonus game to check out.
#7 Nier: Replicant ver. 1.22474487139…
- Developer: Toylogic
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: April 23, 2021
- Co-op: N.A
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
The Nier franchise could be a bit confusing but they make for some fun games. For instance, we have Nier: Replicant ver. 1.22474487139… coming out this year. It’s a bit much to remember the title, but if you were a fan of Nier: Automata then you might want to dive into this game too. It’s an upgraded version of Nier Replicant which acts as a prequel to Nier: Automata which was previously only released in Japan. While the combat has been tweaked a bit to feel more like the gameplay you’re used to with the Nier: Automata installment. If you’re a fan of the hack and slash action-packed combat then this might have to be a day one buy.
#6 Bravely Default 2
- Developer: Claytechworks Co. LTD, Team Asano
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Platforms: NS
- Release: 2021
- Co-op: TBA
- Competitive Multiplayer: TBA
Bravely Default released back in 2012 as Nintendo 3DS exclusive. This traditional JRPG was a hit and outside of gaining a following, the IP was hit with high remarks from critics along with fans. As a result, it wasn’t surprising to see the franchise live on with a sequel that continued the narrative of the first installment known as Bravely Second: End Layer where it also released on the Nintendo 3DS back in 2016.
During The Game Awards 2019, we got a trailer unveiling of Bravely Default 2. This is not necessarily a sequel to the franchise as it’s simply a standalone installment. We’re going to receive a brand new storyline along with a new cast of characters though we expect the gameplay to more or less stay the same. Unlike the previous two installment, Bravely Default 2 will be a Nintendo Switch exclusive. However, we don’t know just what the development studio has planned for us as no details has been released at the moment.
#5 Dark Alliance
- Developer: Tuque Games
- Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: 2021
- Co-op: TBA
- Competitive Multiplayer: TBA
It’s been quite a few years since we got a Dark Alliance title. The game series got its big start in 2001 that was set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Overall, the game was a hack-and-slash title that focused on cooperative gameplay, though after the 2004 sequel installment released, the series had laid dormant. That was until The Game Awards 2019 where a new Dark Alliance title was unveiled through an announcement trailer. Now we didn’t get any details as to what we can expect with this new game installment, but with the title series being aimed around co-op, we imagine this new upcoming game will retain multiplayer-focused gameplay.
#4 Biomutant
- Developer: Experiment 101
- Publisher: THQ Nordic
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
Biomutant is a game that’s been around for a few years now but has yet to see a launch into the marketplace. While it’s been slated to release a few times in the past, the developers are now pushing for launch this year. In Biomutant, players take the role of a raccoon-like creature that must save the world. With a poisonous oil springing up from the ground, most of the world is quickly infected and dying off.
With the Tree of Life now at threat of becoming infected thus destroying the world, players must step up and save the day. It’s a pretty unique game-looking game and it’s set in an open-world for players to explore whereas the combat looks a bit more like a mix of melee combat and gunplay, but for now we’re still waiting to get the official release date for this title.
#3 Outriders
- Developer: People Can Fly
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX/S, Stadia
- Release: April 1, 2021
- Co-op: Online
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
Outriders is an FPS that features cooperative gameplay with players being able to freely drop in and out at any given time. This game features an odd hostile world where players are gunning through creatures to reach an energy source. People Can Fly has a pretty solid track record with FPS and as a result, we have some pretty high expectations for this upcoming game. So far the gameplay footage looks a bit similar to the likes of Destiny where players will head into an area and fight off a slew of enemies before moving on. That also means that there is a ton of customization options players can make use of as they progress through the game so whether it’s weapons, armor, and skill trees, there’s likely a good amount of content to swift through as you build up your character.
#2 Monster Hunter Rise
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
- Platforms: NS
- Release: March 26, 2021
- Co-op: Online
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
Another Monster Hunter video game is coming out this year from Capcom and interestingly enough this is from a team that worked alongside the production of Monster Hunter World. Made for the Nintendo Switch, players will find that a lot of the gameplay will mimic Monster Hunter World so for instance, you’re still going to see a big open-world element to this game rather than being broken up in zones. However, where this game is changing things up for the franchise is that there’s more focus on vertical movement. Players will have new tools that can allow characters to scale upwards.
If you played a Monster Hunter game before, especially Monster Hunter World, you shouldn’t have much problem jumping into this installment. Of course, newcomers may find themselves looking into different strategies and meta builds as this franchise can get a bit complex. Fortunately, there’s still an online component as well so if you don’t want to go through this game as a solo experience, then you can join some friends during a hunt.
#1 Mass Effect Legendary Edition
- Developer: BioWare
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
The first three mainline Mass Effect games were massive sellers as it took places through an epic adventure that put life as the galaxy knew it at risk. With players fighting for everyone’s survival, the series took us through all kinds of twists and turns. BioWare is known for delivering some incredible narrative-driven video game titles and most would still recommend Mass Effect to new players today.
Those games can be a bit dated today but thankfully this year we’re getting a remastered collection of the three games. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is bringing out the fire three titles from the franchise which the developers are enhancing while keeping the original work safely intact. This should be a big hit when it launches just from fans who want to once again relive this series on modern platforms along with newcomers that might have missed out on the IP originally.
