E3 2021 Highlights: Everything You Need to Know

To start this off, let me say there was no announcement for Star Wars. I didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up. While Ubisoft is known for successful franchises, there wasn’t much announced that made gamers in awe.

Rainbow Six Extraction

Still, we did see more gameplay and information for Rainbow Six Extraction (formerly known as Quarantine) to make even me, a non-Rainbow Six fan, want to play. A virus-like alien species that once was thought to be contained has suddenly started appearing throughout the United States.

Unlike other games in the franchise, Extraction is cooperative. Squads of three players lead this PVE experience, choosing from well-known Rainbow Six operatives to form the Rainbow Exogenous Analysis and Containment Team (REACT). The stakes are higher than ever before, as downed player operatives are missing in action until you and teammates find them again, risking all progress and levels while trying to gain intel to research better gadgets and weapons. Crossplay/cross-save is available and special unlockables will be in both Siege and Extraction. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction will release on September 16, 2021, for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Stadia and Ubisoft+.

Rocksmith+

Rocksmith+ is the modernized version of the beloved gamified guitar learning program. A music learning subscription service, Rocksmith+ will provide an adaptable and advanced way to learn the acoustic or electric guitar. No extra gear is needed, as you can download an app to your phone or use your guitar’s cable to play. Along with real-time feedback, Rocksmith+ will adapt to your skill level and give personalized recommendations. Change the song speed to learn at your speed and watch video lessons to expand your learning experience. Plus, there’s a workshop that allows users to create and add their own arrangements for licensed songs! You can apply for the PC closed beta at rocksmith.com/beta. Rocksmith+ will release to PC in summer 2021 and on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 in the fall. iOS and Android versions will launch at a later, unannounced date. Subscriptions will be $14.99 for a 1-month subscription, $39.99 for a 3-month subscription, and $99.99 for a 12-month subscription.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

As expected, the Assassin's Creed Valhalla story isn’t complete. While the pre-show featured too much walking exposition (literally there was a lot of walking), the promise for more content for Valhalla was met. This is no surprise because it was the biggest launch success for any Assassin's Creed game. Community-requested fixes, like one-handed swords, will be added, as well as continued support and expansions for the game. We might even see more of Odin in a DLC expansion! The next expansion Siege of Paris will be released in summer 2021 set in the historic one-year battle featuring new weapons, abilities, gear, and enemies.

They’ll also be releasing Discovery Tour: Viking Age, an educational mode, where players take on the role of Vikings and follow their lives through history. This will be free for all Valhalla game owners and released in fall 2021.

Far Cry 6

The Far Cry franchise is getting more exciting content with the release of Far Cry 6! Players will take on the role of Dani Rojas (playable as a female or male character), while building up a revolution of guerilla warfare through the Caribbean island of Yara. Against President Anton Castillo, you’ll have an arsenal of weapons, vehicles, and allies to fight with. There’s even a Fangs for Hire named Chorizo, a “dangerously distracting wiener dog.” The Season Pass will include a remastered Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon and Become the Villain, a chance to play as three popular Far Cry villains going through their minds and discovering their backstories. The game will release on February 18, 2021, for Xbox Series X, PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Stadia, and PC (including UPLAY+).

Some other upcoming releases to note:

• New content for Ghost Recon: Breakpoint in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Ghost Recon franchise. Release TBD.
• Just Dance 2022 will include an exclusive version of Todrick Hall’s hit song, “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels” with a chance for Just Dance players to be featured in a new music video. Releases November 4, 2021.
• Watch Dogs: Legion will get a story expansion in the Season Pass called Bloodline which will feature Aiden Pierce (Watch Dogs) and Wrench (Watch Dogs 2) coming July 6, 2021.

Personally, I felt that Gearbox had the best presentation of the entire expo, courtesy of an '80s style orientation video filled with sarcastic comedy.

Borderlands and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

Many great things are coming to the Borderlands franchise, including a movie! A film adaptation of Borderlands is in production from Lionsgate. With a script written by Craig Mazin (The Hangover Part III, The Last of Us series) and Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, The Man with the Iron Fists) as director and co-writer, this film is bound to be a hit. Expect to see famous faces such as Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Black, and Edgar Ramirez.

Speaking of famous people, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands will feature Ashly Burch, Andy Samberg, Wanda Sykes, and Will Arnett voice acting in the standalone spin-off game based on the Borderlands universe. Set in a fantasy world, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands will show what happens after the events of the Dragon Keep DLC from Borderlands 2. It will include a four-player coop with a focus on magic and melee weapons. Set to release in 2022, you’ll be able to play it on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X/S.

Tribes of Midgard

For those that love action, survival, and role-play games, Tribes of Midgard is for you. Coming for Valheim’s throne, this game takes the typical craft-to-survive gameplay and adds in some spice with raids of enemies and giants. Players can form tribes of ten people to build a village and protect the world tree Yggdrasil, choosing from eight classes of skills. Tribes of Midgard will release July 27, 2021, for Playstation 4 and 5, and PC.

Godfall

While Godfall was released in November 2020 for PC and Playstation 5, it is set to release on Playstation 4 on August 10, 2021. The release will also bring the Lightbringer Update, which will add in changes and content to the game that players wanted more of.

Developed by 24 Entertainment, NARAKA: BLADEPOINT is a 60-player martial art-themed Battle Royale. It has a unique vibe compared to others in its genre, letting players have maximum mobility through parkour and a grappling hook. Filled with a roster of powerful characters and beautiful landscapes, it’s certainly a game to check out the open beta from June 16 through the 22nd, 2021. The game is set to release for PC on August 12, 2021.

I’ll give credit to Xbox and Bethesda for giving what viewers really want during E3: game trailers. Back-to-back, we saw new and old games announced.

Halo Infinite

Obviously, Halo Infinite is the one to talk about because of how anticipated it's been. Infinite will feature a rich story campaign and free-to-play multiplayer mode. It will pick up where Halo 5: Guardians left off, following the Master Chief in his goal to save humanity. The game will support both cross-platform play and cross-platform save progression between Xbox and Microsoft Windows versions. There’s no specific release date, but expect to see it come out in Q4 2021 just in time for the holiday season.

Starfield

There is a game that’s even more anticipated than Halo Infinite, and its name is Starfield. Presumably, a space exploration role-play game, Starfield was first teased in 2018. While not much is known about the game, Bethesda Game Studios has expressed that it will be similar to Fallout 4 or Skyrim. In other words, expect a strong narrative to go along with open-world exploration (or in this case, open-space exploration). While release won’t be until 2022, feel free to check out the trailer from E3 and see what secrets and hints are within.

The Outer Worlds 2

In a trailer that reminded me of the comedy of Gearbox’s presentation, we’re getting a much-anticipated sequel to The Outer Worlds! There’s no gameplay, storyline, or anything other than a title for The Outer Worlds 2, but just the announcement of another sci-fi RPG is enough. Also, I’m not kidding around, go watch the reveal trailer for some genius marketing.

Contraband and Twelve Minutes

Two other games that got teased, though we know little about: Contraband and Twelve Minutes. In Contraband, players work together as smugglers in the fictional world of 1970s Bayan. Twelve Minutes is an interactive thriller where you take on the role of a man accused of killing his wife. While you’re caught in a loop of the same 12 minutes, you must find a way to break the cycle. It features voice acting from Daisy Ridley, William Dafoe, and James McAvoy and will release to Xbox and PC on August 19, 2021.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

Another sequel, A Plague Tale: Requiem, was announced that will continue the story of Amicia and her brother Hugo. We don’t know much about the plot other than it is a direct sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence and it's set to release in 2022.

REDFALL

The game that Bethesda spent the most time showing off was REDFALL, an open-world co-operative first-person shooter. Set in Redfall, Massachusetts, choose from four heroes to form a team of vampire slayers who are cut off from the outside world. Even with the amount of lore and plot we know about REDFALL, it won’t be released until summer 2022 to Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Other games to expect from Xbox and Bethesda:

• Sequels include S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl, Psychonauts 2, Forza Horizon 5, Slime Rancher 2, and Age of Empires IV.
• Seas of Thieves is getting an update with the addition of Pirates of the Caribbean characters and quests.
• Fallout 76 will get expansions of Steel Reign and Expeditions: The Pitt.
• Grounded will have the Shroom and Doom update (you’ll be able to sit down, finally!).
• Hades is getting released for console on August 13, 2021, and Diablo II: Resurrected will be released on September 23, 2021.
• New Games include Battlefield 2042, Atomic Heart, Somerville, Party Animals, The Ascent, and Replaced.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Square Enix announced well-known titles this E3 with a Guardians of the Galaxy role-play game that is reminiscent of Telltale Game’s The Wolf Within because of decisions, both small and large, that will affect the story.

Marvel's Avengers

If you want even more superhero action, Marvel’s Avengers will be getting three expansions:

• In Cosmic Cube (out now), you must defeat a supreme scientist who wants to overthrow the Avengers.
• Wasteland Patrol brings in a new patrol mode and exploration-based rewards as players must stop the apocalypse in the Wasteland Region.
• The much anticipated War for Wakanda expansion features Black Panther with new outfits, new villain Claw who wants to steal Wakanda’s vibranium. Oh, there are also robot spiders.

Life is Strange

Life is Strange is getting a remastered collection to include the first game and the prequel, Before the Storm. More notably, Life is Strange: True Colors will be released September 10, 2021, for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Google Stadia. In True Colors, Alex Chen has the power of empathy, with the ability to absorb and manipulate the strong emotions of others. After her brother is killed in an accident, she must use her power to uncover the truth.

Final Fantasy

Final Fantasy will also be getting remastered with Pixel Remaster, which will include the first to sixth games in the franchise released to PC, Android, and iOS soon.

There will also be a new title in the Final Fantasy series! Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is a spin-off, with the storyline following a cast of characters in a fantasy world facing off with the malevolent Chaos. It’s set to release in 2022 for PlayStation 4 and 5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Mobile Games

Square Enix was also the only presenter to highlight mobile games! Expect to find the following titles released:

Hitman Sniper: The Shadows

Diana Burnwood activates Initiative 426, aka The Shadows, a team of highly skilled assassins. As a member of The Shadows, players must take down high-level international targets, build reputation, and evolve into their own version of a Hitman Sniper. To be released in 2021.

Nier Reincarnation

The first mobile game in the Nier series, this game is set in a realm called The Cage. The player takes on the role of a girl guided by a ghost-like being. While it was already released in Japan this year, it will be going global on iOS and Android soon.

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius

A spin-off of the Final Fantasy series, Brave Exvius is a turn-based RPG with pixel art style. The world is filled with fantasy and two powerful forces in balance: Vision and Lapis. Vision is the manifestation of people's thoughts and feelings, and Lapis is the world where all Magic Crystals exist. As the world of Lapis is falling to its own destruction, two brave warriors stand up against the darkness with the power of Visions to bring peace back to the land. The 5th-anniversary campaign begins June 17, 2021, on iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire Tablet.

Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier

A battle royale multiplayer game set 30 years before the events of Final Fantasy VII. The First Soldier follows SOLDIER candidates and the establishment of SOLDIER by the Shinra Electric Power Company to bolster their military. The game's battles are set in a virtual reality recreation of Midgard. It will be available for free on iOS and Android in 2021.

One of the most talked about and anticipated segments of E3, Back 4 Blood was announced in March 2019 set to release June 2021; however, was delayed until October 12, 2021.

Multiplayer and first-person shooter, it is the spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead, developed by the creators of the original game, and has similar gameplay with four-player co-op and an eight-player PVP mode. What’s new to Back 4 Blood is the use of cards that affect the gameplay such as player health, damage, and stamina. And yes, the AI Director will also be able to use Corruption cards against the player that could spawn extra enemies, activate fog, and increase the size of hordes. It will be available on PC, Playstation 4 and 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

For those who don’t know, the PC Gaming Show highlights a stunning roster of upcoming games for PC. I highly recommend watching the E3 Day 2 recording to see trailers and gameplay of all the games.

Here’s a highlight list of games that stood out to me and fellow audience members:

Dodgeball Academia

(Pocket Trap/Humble Games, 2021)
Following the success of Knockout City, this is the first of many dodgeball games to come, I’m sure. Players join Otto and friends as they train, dominating on and off the courts of academia.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong

(Big Bad Wolf Studio/Nacon, 2021)
A narrative-driven single-player RPG where the player controls three vampires, harnessing their powers and following their stories. Choices decide the fate of the characters and world, which is part of the Vampire: The Masquerade tabletop and video game series.

Death Trash

(Crafting Legends, August 5, 2021)
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, players create their own character and explore the world filled with enemies and monsters. There’s a single-player campaign and a local co-op mode and features aspects of beloved classic RPGs.

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters

(Random Games Inc., 2022)
Players will lead humanity’s greatest weapon, the Grey Knights, in a fast-paced turn-based tactical RPG.

Lemnis Gate

(Ratloop Games Canada, 2021)
This is a turn-based strategy FPS taking place in a time loop. Players choose from operatives and compete in 4D battles, disrupting the past to change the future. Lemnis Gate is a multiplayer experience where players must strategize over five rounds.

RAWMEN

(Animal, LLC/TinyBuild, TBD)
Have you ever wanted a game that embodies a food fight? Welcome to RAWMEN! This is a multiplayer arena shooter that is PVP of two to eight players using culinary tools and goods for maximum destruction.

Another segment filled with games in early development for both console and PC. Below are just a few of the many wonderful and innovative upcoming releases:

A Tale of Paper

(Open House Games/Digerati)
A puzzle platformer that tells the story of Line, a character made of paper who can use origami to change shape. The demo is available right now on Steam.

Starmancer

(Ominux Games/Chucklefish)
A base-building strategy simulator based in a futuristic sci-fi world. Play as a powerful A.I. to build spaceports, laboratories, incubators, and whatever else is needed to survive while fighting off sabotage and space zombies. When in doubt, you can grow more humans. Yes, I said, “grow”.

Hokko Life

(Wonderscope/Team17)
If you have been craving an Animal Crossing game on PC, welcome to Hokko Life. I’ve personally been playing this early access adventure RPG and loving it! Take a break from the busy lifestyle in the village of Hokko where you can do everything from fishing, gardening, construction, and even furniture building! Help rebuild Hokko into a quaint rural town for yourself and its animal inhabitants.

Beacon Pines

(Hiding Spot)
Set inside a storybook, this is a creepy adventure game where you play as both the reader and the main character Luka. Find word charms to change the story, connect with other characters, and decide fate as a whole. You can even go back and change decisions at any time. A free demo is available on Steam.

Honey, I Joined a Cult

(Sole Survivor Games/Team17)
A strategy and simulation game, you must build and expand your cult. Increase faith, funds, and following to become the best cult leader you can. You can also customize your cult with uniforms and a logo to make all other cults jealous.

Immortality

(Sam Barlow)
A single-player interactive film, Immortality is a game based on fictional actress Marissa Marcel who starred in three movies that were never released. She’s gone missing, and the player must solve the mystery to figure out Marcel’s fate. It uses full-motion video and is speculated to be a horror-themed game, different from Barlow’s other games Her Story and Telling Lies.

A new video content platform is joining the ranks in 2022. Binge will have on-demand streamed video content with original series and shows inspired by the most popular game worlds and content creators. It will be free at launch and focus on content for gamers that respects the fans and games that inspire them. Binge already has development deals with popular content creators, game publishers, and studios to produce original series across retro, indie, and blockbuster titles.

There will be ads, but Cody Hackman, chief strategy officer and co-founder, says ads will be focused on gamers and be “something you’ll want to see.” While it won’t feature live-streaming, you’ll be able to watch content with friends in Squad Parties and earn rewards for watching series and shows.

You can sign up on binge.com to become a Binge Founding Member and to receive news and updates.

The only game console to be announced at E3, the Intellivision Amico is the perfect family console coming out in 2021. The system will launch with six pack-in titles and over 20 future games. Set to release October 10, 2021, it will feature mostly 2D and 2.5D games.

It has capabilities for 3D games, but they must be easy to play and learn. All games must have features exclusive to the console and rated E or E10+. There will be a lot of games available including reimaginings of well-known titles, such as, ToeJam & Earl (1991), Beauty and the Beast (1982), Breakout (1976), Dolphin Quest (based on Ecco the Dolphin in 1992), and Burgertime (1982).

Created by Mythical Games, Blankos is the video game love child of art and finance. It’s not just a party co-op game. It utilizes blockchain technology and non-fundable tokens (NFTs). What players earn and buy-in Blankos are theirs to own, including proof of verified ownership and transaction history. Each Blanko is an NFT, which means that they hold value and can be sold and bought on the marketplace. Currently, Blankos is in early access beta, but there’s plenty to explore in the Blankos universe. There’s also a level designer with different game modes for those who want to get creative!

Speaking of creative, Blankos designs are incredibly unique. Famous artists are in collaboration with Mythical Games including Quiccs, Marathon Clothing, Michael Laum, Deadmau5, and Burberry. Even better, while players sell Blankos on the marketplace, the design artists also get profit for each one sold (not just a standard commission or one-time profit). With multiple artists involved, players can encounter multiple perspectives and cultures being represented within the Blankos universe.

Indie games have come a long way in the gaming industry, which is why I felt the Indie Showcase was surprisingly lacking this year. Nevertheless, there were still some unique games shown off, including:

Fallen Aces

(Trey Powell/Jason Bond/New Blood Interactive)
A first-person shooter crime noir game that focuses on the story of one man fighting to figure out whose taking down the A.C.E.S, guardians of Switchblade City. Players can user whatever style of gaming they want: stealth or jumping right into the action (or both). There’s no release date yet.

Larcenauts

(Impulse Gear)
A 6v6 PVP game for VR. Players choose from eight Specialists with unique skills and weapons to compete in matches. There are four different maps with multiple game modes including Uplink, Deathmatch, and Refuel. It’s set to release in summer 2021.

Toy Soldiers: HD

(Signal Studios/Outer Heaven/Accelerate Games)
Popular toys from back in the day, toy soldiers are thrown into the trench-filled battlefields of Europe during WWI. Use an arsenal of weapons, tanks, and planes to defend your toy dioramas, while commanding the entire battlefield or take direct control of units. Release is planned for August 2021.

Neko, Ghost Jump!

(Burgos Games)
This is a platformer puzzle game where you can change perspectives from a 2D to 3D camera (and back again) to solve puzzles, fight enemies, and clear levels. The cute kitty protagonist also has a ghost form to help fight the along the way, too! Unfortunately, there’s no release date yet.

Freedom Games is a new video game publisher with the goal to support independent developers and bring unique games to the industry. There were a dozen games showcased, however, here is a shortlist of some favorites:

Coromon

Developed by TRAGsoft, this game reminds me of the old pixelated Pokémon games from the '90s. Set in the near future, take monsters, solve puzzles, and uncover the story that’s more mysterious than you’d expect. What makes it different from Pokémon is custom characterization, PVP online battles, and the chance to defeat six Titans. Steam currently has a free demo you can play until its non-specific 2021 release.

To The Rescue!

Created by Little Rock Games, create and run a dog shelter filled with unique dogs for patrons to adopt. You can upgrade your shelter, control disease outbreaks, learn dog preferences, and make tough decisions along the way. Even better? 20% of profits from sales of To The Rescue! will go towards real-life dog shelters through the PetFinder Foundation.

Moo Lander

The Sixth Hammer has created a 2D adventure platformer where you play as civilization’s last remaining spaceship in search for milk. You must tame the Mighty Cows, solve puzzles, and fight over 20 types of enemies. There is both a single-player campaign and a four-player multiplayer mode. The release is set for spring 2022.

Dreamscaper

Developed by Afterburner Studios, this is a rogue-lite game taking inspiration from brawlers, top-down shooters, and dungeon crawlers. Play as Cassidy as you dive into her subconscious to fight nightmares and save her from her fate. Features include permadeath of allies, bosses that embody human emotions (ex. Fear, loss, etc.), crafting, and multiple biomes. Dreamscaper is in early access with plenty of features planned for the full release on August 14, 2021.

Cat Cafe Manager

If you’re a lover of cats, Roost Games’ delightful management simulator is for you. Fix up the café, take care of stray cats, find them homes, and serve townsfolk. There’s no release date yet, but it will be available on both PC and Nintendo Switch.

One Lonely Outpost

Imagine if Stardew Valley was in space, and you’ll see Aurorian Studios’ upcoming colony simulator. Build a colony on an alien world that’s to your preference. Will you have a natural farm or a high-tech one? Go mining, socialize with colonists, fall in love, and explore alien ruins in whatever order you like. Also, you play online with up to three friends, even competing in minigames. The release is set for early 2022.

While there were no surprises for Capcom this year, there were a few announcements to get excited about.

Resident Evil: Village

Resident Evil: Village will be getting more content with additional DLC. We’ve little details yet but expansions are in development. I’m hoping for some Lady Dimitrescu backstory and VR support.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Wings of Ruin

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin will be released July 9, 2021, as a direct sequel to Monster Hunter Stories (2016). The plot centers on the player having to protect a rare egg of a species that suffered from a mass disappearance. It is said that the flightless Rathalos that are born from the egg will be the end of the world. Wings of Ruin will be available for PC and Nintendo Switch.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is an adventure game in the Ace Attorney series originally released in Japan in 2015 and 2017, that is now being released worldwide. Similar to other games in the series, there will be courtroom gameplay, as well as 3D environments and character models. New to the game is Joint Reasoning, which is special to investigations with Herlock Sholmes as the player must point out contradictions in his theories. The game is set at the dawn of the 20th century with Ryunosuke Naruhodo, ancestor of Phoenix Wright. The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is set to release on July 27, 2021, for Playstation 4, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

I’ll start this off by saying that neither the Switch Pro nor remaster of Legend of Zelda games for the 35th anniversary were announced. Many were expecting Nintendo to repeat what they did for Mario’s anniversary last year, though there is still time left in 2021 for them to surprise fans.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is getting a new character, Kazuya from Tekken on June 28, 2021. Metroid Prime 4 was confirmed as in development, but Nintendo did surprise us with Metroid Dread. Releasing on October 8, 2021, it’ll be the first 2D Metroid game in 19 years!

WarioWare: Get It Together

WarioWare: Get It Together! is a comedic, cooperative mashup of over 200 microgames. Wario must fix his latest business scheme along with his crew, each with special abilities. For the first time, you’ll be able to play with a friend either through a local or wireless connection. WarioWare: Get It Together will release on September 10, 2021.

Danganronpa

In honor of the 10th anniversary of the Danganronpa series, Nintendo announced Danganronpa Decadence. It’s four games in one with Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition, Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair Anniversary Edition, Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony Anniversary Edition, brand-new Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp. The latter is a board game-style game with new scenes and interactions between favorite characters. The games can be bought separately on the Nintendo eShop, but the bundle will be a physical exclusive. The release is scheduled for 2021.

The Legend of Zelda

As mentioned earlier, 2021 is the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series. While it wasn’t what fans wanted, Nintendo is releasing a Zelda-themed Game & Watch handheld that will include the 1986 original game, The Adventure of Link, and the Game Boy version of Link’s Awakening. Available on November 12, 2021, it will also include a remake of Vermin with Link starring as the main character. The handheld also has a playable clock and interactive timer.

There is more being released for the Zelda series, however. A re-release of Skyward Sword, originally launched for Wii in 2011, will release July 16, 2021. It was also confirmed that the sequel to Breath of the Wild is in development, which will include new weapons, abilities, and even access to the skies above Hyrule. Breath of the Wild 2 is expected to release in 2022.

Other titles coming to the Switch:

• Life is Strange Remastered Collection and True Colors
• Guardians of Galaxy
• Worms Royale
• Astria Ascending
• Two-Point Campus
• Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania
• Mario Party Superstars
• Just Dance 2022
• Cruis’n Blast

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment shared a trailer and more gameplay from the third game in The Dark Pictures Anthology, House of Ashes. Set at the end of the Iraqi War in 2003, Iraqi and American military units uncover a buried Sumerian temple beneath the Arabian desert. Players must decide whether characters will prioritize their own lives or put aside rivalry to fight together against Pazuzu and his wind demons.

There will be over 60 unique deaths and changes to the gameplay mechanics like a free camera, a new flashlight mechanic, and new difficulty and accessibility settings to customize the player’s experience. House of Ashes will release on October 22, 2021, on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Not as well-known as other studios in the United States, Yooreka Studios is China-based and focuses on helping developers publish in the Greater China region. Here are a couple of games to keep track of:

Loopmancer is a 3D rouge lite platformer focusing on Xiang Zixu, a private eye who is killed while investigating the disappearance of a famous female journalist. Players must help him break the loop and discover where this journalist is. Still in development, Loopmancer will release in 2022.

The Swordsmen X: Survival is an open-world game that involves both elements of survival and crafting. Build your unique home, discover rich storylines, start a martial art career and become a well-known martial art hero. The release is set for later this year.

Mohism is a Chinese martial art detective game where players must crack cases and bring justice to the world. An English demo is available on Steam now!

At the end of E3, a panel of gaming industry media leaders vote on the most anticipated games announced over the past week for 2021, including the best presentation.

Most Anticipated Games by Presentation

• Ubisoft: Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
• Gearbox Software: Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
• Xbox and Bethesda: Halo Infinite
• Square Enix: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
• PC Gaming Show: Songs of Conquest
• Future Games Show: Immortality
• Intellivision’s Amico: Asteroids
• Indie Showcase: Falling Frontier
• Freedom Games: Airborne Kingdom
• Capcom: The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
• Nintendo: Breath of the Wild 2
• Yooreka Studio: Loopmancer

Best Presentation: Xbox and Bethesda Showcase

Most Anticipated Game Overall: Forza Horizon 5 by Xbox Game Studios

Check out all four days of E3 here: