Since I began this blog, I’ve started September by posting about the games I’m looking forward to playing for the rest of the year. Considering the end of the year is when we regularly see some fantastic games come out, this is a great opportunity for me to hype up some of those that I really want to play.
Last year’s post only contained four games. With 2020 being such a crazy year, I couldn’t really find more games that I absolutely had to play. I began to worry that 2021 would suffer the same problem. However, when I began looking at the release schedule for September through November, I ended up with a dozen games that I want to play.
For the purpose of this blog, I’ve narrowed it down to just a handful of games. Like past years, the list is a mix of genres and games for different consoles (and for the most part, console exclusives). So, without further ado, here they are:
Deathloop (September 13)
Dishonored is a series I never got into. I began playing the first game, got to a sewer section (I think), and just never went back. It’s not as if I didn’t like the game, it just didn’t grab me in the way that I thought it would. Akane Studios’ next game, Deathloop got me interested in it back when it was first revealed with its vague but catchy trailer.
By the time this blog is live, it will only be a few days before the game is available and while I’ve tried to stay somewhat away from the preview cycle, I am still eager to play it. From what I have heard/seen/read about Deathloop is that while it has the same formula that made Dishonored so successful, it could be the kind of game that others can jump in and feel comfortable with. I’m hopeful that’s the case because I definitely like loop-style games.
Lost Judgment (September 23)
In early 2020, I wrote about my thoughts on Judgment, this Yakuza spinoff. It was a game I quickly fell in love with and essentially binged my way to completing it over the course of a few weekends. When they announced a follow-up, I was in. I’m looking forward to the story most of all because the first game had plenty of twists and surprises along the way. It also helped that the main cast was fantastic. If you haven’t already, I strongly recommend playing the first game, especially if you love open-world Japanese games.
Metroid Dread (October 8)
Of the Nintendo franchises, I probably play Metroid games the least. What’s odd, is that I actually really enjoy them when I do play. When I got access to the Super Nintendo games via the Nintendo Online Service, Super Metroid was the first game I played. I went out of my way to buy Metroid: Samus Returns for the 3DS. During my handheld gaming obsession, Metroid Fusion was a game I bought on release day for my Game Boy Advance. While others were playing and loving Metroid Prime, I was enjoying myself with Fusion on GBA.
I love that we don’t know too much about Metroid Dread but it looks really good and I suspect it will play just as well. I have really high expectations for the game and think it will play really well on the Switch. It’s also coming out around the same time as the OLED Switch, so I also suspect it will look even better.
Forza Horizon 5 (November 8)
I’ve been playing quite a few racing games in 2021. Although I haven’t played F1 2021 yet, I’ve spent a good chunk playing Forza 7 and Art of Rally recently. Sure, those aren’t 2021 racing games, but that hasn’t hampered my interest in the genre.
The Horizon games are great in small bites. You can take in a few races and then move on to something else. I love that the game takes place in Mexico. While I have never been there, I think they’ve done a great job so far of representing the locale and I suspect they have a lot more to showcase that we haven’t seen yet. Also, considering it’s a Game Pass game, I have already downloaded the game on both Xbox One and Series X. So, I’m ready for launch day.
Some Honorable Mentions
There are a few more games that I’m eager to see/play that is coming out before the end of the year. These aren’t as anticipated as the other games I’ve mentioned above but I will try to play them at some point in the future.
Sonic Colors Ultimate (September 7)
This comes out the day after this blog gets posted, so it didn’t really make sense for me to include it in this blog. I played the Nintendo Wii version back in the day, so I’m eager to see how this looks and plays on newer consoles. I’m planning on getting this for the Nintendo Switch and I’ll try to write something about it here.
WarioWare: Get It Together! (September 10)
I used to love the WarioWare games back in the day on handhelds. I downloaded the demo but still haven’t played around with it. This feels like the kind of game I’d enjoy but only if I have the time to play it.
Far Cry 6 (October 6)
I’ve fallen off of the Far Cry series over the last few years. At first, I wasn’t even that interested but as more information has come out and I’ve seen the game in action, I’ve become impressed. I think for open-world games that might take at least 30 hours to complete, I’ll want to avoid them unless I know I have the time to play. Sure, Lost Judgment is most definitely a 30+ hour game, I can only really afford to play one this year.
Pokémon Shining Pearl/Brilliant Diamond (November 19)
I am not afraid to admit my enjoyment of Pokémon games and the Pearl/Diamond remake for Nintendo Switch is a game I’m eager to play. But, like Far Cry 6, I think unless I have the time to really play it, I might only get this and not go through the story. I still haven’t finished Sword/Shield and Pokémon Crystal is a game I started last year but also never got around to completing.
I’ve enjoyed gaming in 2021…so far
From what started as a blog where I would struggle to think of three games I wanted to play, I have mentioned eight games for the rest of the year. I’m pretty certain if I sat down, I could think of a few more. I know I didn’t mention any traditional sports games but considering this blog, I will definitely be playing those this year.
I also didn’t include any PC-only games and I know I’ll probably want to play Age of Empires IV at some point when it comes out. There might also be a few indie or under-the-radar titles that will surprise launch and deserve my attention. I’m really looking forward to playing a few different games before the year ends and I hope I can share my thoughts on as many as possible.