While we can all agree that 2020 was a train wreck in the most spectacular of ways, we can also probably agree that it’s been a wonderful year for gamers. There have been some misses, but it’s been a good year overall.
We finally saw the release of the PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S consoles; as well as the announcement of the KFConsole, the one console to end the console wars. Fun times.
One of the best games of this generation – Ghost of Tsushima – was released to keep us occupied during a time when most of us tried to keep our act together. While Ghost wasn’t crowned as GOTY award, it was voted as the Players’ Choice.
And the gaming industry so a massive boost as people were forced into lockdown and looking for new and exciting ways to spend their time. You know, something didn’t involve baking banana bread.
Here’s hoping that 2021 would be even better. Sony recently confirmed which PS5 games would be coming our way next year. These are a few of the titles we are most excited about.
PS5 games to be released in 2021
Most anticipated PS5 game: God of War: Ragnarok
God of War: Ragnarok is slated for a 2021 release date, although an exact date hadn’t been confirmed at the time of publishing. You can prepare for the release by playing God of War from PlayStation’s Plus collection in the meantime.
Not much is known of the upcoming PS5 game just yet. However, it’s believed that the story may pick up from where we last left it in the PlayStation 4 title, where we will catch up with Kratos and his son, Atreus.
The trailer also features an Omega symbol covered in ice or snow. According to Precious Simpasa, this “could be a nod to Fimbulwinter, a prophesied winter that takes place in Midgard”.
Hitman 3
Hitman 3′s release is just around the corner. The IO Interactive title has been slated for launch on 20 January 2021 and will support 4K resolution and 60 frames per second (fps) on PC and next-gen consoles.
It will also be wrapping up the award-winning Hitman trilogy, thus bring the World of Assassination franchise to its conclusion. IO Interactive released a new trailer just this month; two-minute clips narrated by Lucas Grey.
Grey informs the viewer that he and Agent 47 have uncovered the names of Providence’s three leaders. Now, there’s nothing else left to do but take the fight to the leaders’ doorstep.
Yakuza: Like a dragon
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the eighth mainline title in the Yakuza series and the first one that won’t follow Kazuma Kiryu as the protagonist.
You will play as Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza who goes to prison for a crime he did not commit to make himself a hero in his clan. He is released 18 years later and finds that no-one is waiting for him.
Kasuga realises he has been betrayed by the man he trusted most and sets off on a journey to discover the truth behind his family’s betrayal and take his life back.
Returnal
Returnal – the PS5 debut from the same people who brought us Resogun, Stardust, Dead Nation, and Alienation – is a third person action title set to launch on Sony’s next-gen console on 19 March 2021.
You must dive deep into the mind of Selene, an Astra space scout trapped in a hellish loop of endless resurrection while trapped on a hostile planet. And prepare to be bombarded by volleys of bullet-hell projectiles along the way.
The developers say that we would look forward to “super fast loading times”, and confirmed that they’re “using the haptic feedback of the DualSense wireless controller to give players extra awareness of gameplay”.
Stray
We couldn’t help, Stray just had to be on this list. Who wouldn’t want to play a cat simulator on PS5, amirite? It has a cat, it has a cyberpunk elements and is gorgeously designed; what’s not to love?
A self-described cat adventure game, the trailer features a cat traversing a neon-lit cyberpunk city. Along the way, the playable cat encounters the robotic citizens of the city, with no humans in sight.
Generally, people love cats. So much so, in fact, that it’s kind of a big deal when games allow players to pet cats. For players like these, playing as a feline could change the game entirely.
Final Fantasy XVI
Final Fantasy XVI is a single-player action-RPG (role-playing game) and Japanese anthology series which was first released back in 1987 and the setting for the Final Fantasy XVI looks pretty dang dark.
Following Sony’s September Showcase, Final Fantasy XVI producer Naoki Yoshida and director Hiroshi Takai explained that the “footage comprised of both battles and cutscenes running in real-time”.
“[It] represents but a fraction of what our team has accomplished since the start of development on this, an all-new Final Fantasy game. In that span, the team’s size has grown from a handful of core members to a full-fledged unit that continues to polish and build upon what they have created so far, all to provide players with an experience unmatched in terms of story and gameplay”.
Final Fantasy XVI Producer, Naoki Yoshida
Deathloop
In Bethesda Softworks’ upcoming PS5 game, you’ll take on the role of Colt as you search for a way to put an end to a timeloop trapping Blackreef while being hunted by the island’s inhabitants.
You’ll be able to use powerful weapons and abilities to take out eight key targets across the stunning and chaotic island before the day resets.
Lurking in the shadows is rival assassin Julianna whose sole mission is to take Colt out and keep the loop going. Learn from each cycle, try new paths and approaches to break the loop once and for all.
Ghostwire: Tokyo
Bethesda Softworks and Tango Gameworks is working under the direction of Kenji Kimura to bring us Ghostwire: Tokyo in 2021, exact date of release yet to be confirmed. A sneak peek was revealed at E3 earlier this year.
The game is set in Tokyo, Japan after the city was overrun by deadly supernatural forces. Approximately 99% of the city’s population vanished. Now, Tokyo is filled to the brim with paranormal activities and supernatural events.
Executive produce of Tango Gameworks, Shinji Mikami explained at E3:
“You will fight paranormal enemies and rid the city of a supernatural evil […] You have to explore the world and face challenges to uncover the truth and save humanity.”
There are a few others to keep in mind as well, such as Hogwarts Legacy, Martha is Dead, Resident Evil Village, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, and Far Cry 6