The E3 2021 showcase has passed, giving us loads of new games to pre-order and obsess over. With COVID forcing the event online for the second year running, everyone had equal opportunities to see the games revealed in real-time – assuming you lived in a suitable time zone.
This year’s E3 provided some real surprises, like our first look at Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, along with some surprising absentees: Gotham Knights, Perfect Dark, Pokemon Legends and the rumoured Nintendo Switch Pro.
Still, there was plenty of great stuff to see. Without PlayStation participating, Xbox stole the show with its long list of upcoming exclusives. Many of which you can take in below. So, without further delay, scroll down and check out our pick of the ten unforgettable games that elevated E3 2021:
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1. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Ubisoft finished its press conference with our first look at Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. The upcoming game is inspired by the sci-fi world brought to life by James Cameron, and it looks absolutely stunning. By the visuals presented in the trailer, it’s safe to say that Avatar is capitalising on the next-gen power of the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Ubisoft is keeping details close to its chest for now. What we do know is that you play as a 9-foot tall blue Na’vi who explores the lush jungles of Pandora while fending off human colonists looking to steal natural resources. So expect ‘unobtainium’ to rear its poorly named head once more. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora will be played in the first person and is expected to release sometime in 2022.
Developer: Massive Entertainment
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: 2022
2. Elden Ring
During the Bandai Namco livestream, we scored our first look at Elden Ring gameplay. The long-awaited sequel/successor to Dark Souls was revealed with a dark and foreboding trailer. The gameplay will appear familiar to anyone who has survived the previous FromSoftware games, but Elden Ring promises a few enticing additions. Mounted combat for one which looks awesome, plus aspects of the faster, action-focused combat seen in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin provided world-building and detailed background for the Japanese developers. There’s no word on whether Elden Ring will include quick-witted dialogue and loads of nudity, but we do expect to play the game long before we get our hands on a copy of The Winds of Winter.
Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Release date: January 21, 2022
3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel
E3 2021 is now the second time Nintendo has shown off footage of its upcoming Zelda sequel, which still lacks an official title and a set in stone release date.
The Breath of the Wild sequel was shown off with new footage at the closing of Nintendo’s livestream. In the new trailer, we see Link free falling through the skies above Hyrule before using a unique ability to pass through solid objects. We also see an arrangement of floating islands before Hyrule castle is lifted into the sky. Whatever’s going on, the Zelda sequel looks gorgeous and has 2022 Game of the Year written all over it.
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Switch
Release date: 2022
4. Halo Infinite Multiplayer
Halo multiplayer is back, and it’s going free to play. 343 Industries revealed this enticing fact during the Xbox stream at E3 2021. The multiplayer portion of Halo Infinite will be available free to everyone who owns an Xbox or PC.
The debut multiplayer trailer was a highlight reel of familiar, yet impressive action. We had to head elsewhere to find out the nitty-gritty, like the long-awaited return of Big Team Battle and a battle pass that never expires. Expect to see classic weapons, maps, an upgraded Razorback and new additions like the grappling hook for advanced tactical play. In addition, 343 Industries is making this the most accessible Halo to date, with a new academy training area with tutorials of varying difficulty for easing new players into the online battles. You can be first to try out the upcoming multiplayer beta by signing up for the Halo Insider program.
Surprisingly, Halo Infinite’s campaign was absent from the livestream. However, additional details are expected to arrive between now and the estimated late 2021 release date.
Developer: 343 Industries
Publisher: Microsoft
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Release date: 2021
5. Starfield
E3 2021 gave us our first look at the upcoming Sci-fi epic Starfield. The space RPG is developed by Bethesda, who is best known for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4.
Described as “Skyrim in space” and a “Han Solo Simulator,” Starfield lets you create any character you want and then sends you on a journey through the stars as you strive to answer humanity’s greatest mystery. Bethesda has revealed little more beyond the description above, but it’s great to see some progress, finally! We were even treated to a release date! Albeit, it’s over a year away.
Microsoft’s purchase of Bethesda in 2020 cemented the fact that Starfield will be an Xbox/ PC exclusive. So it might be time for PlayStation owners to spread their wings or invest in a new PC graphics card.
Developer: Bethesda Game Works
Publisher: Bethesda/Microsoft
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: November 11, 2022
6. Forza Horizon 5
Microsoft stole the show this year, and Forza Horizon 5 was just the icing on the cake. Described as the largest Forza game to date, Forza Horizon 5 is heading south of the border for breathtaking expeditions through Mexico. Players will race through lush jungles, across secluded beaches, hidden ruins and even up an active volcano.
Forza is known for its varied selection of rides, and although only a few were shown, we expect the vehicle count to be in the hundreds. We see Jeep and Mitsubishi in the trailer, and it’s the impressive Mercedes-AMG Project One that secures the spot on the cover. And it’s no surprise. This F1 has a top speed over 350km/h!
Developer: Playground Games
Publisher: Microsoft
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Release date: November 9, 2021
7. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
Square ENIX provided our first look at the upcoming Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy game. Launching later this year, players will be mastering the skills and attitude of Star-Lord to a soundtrack full of iconic 80’s hits while calling forth the skills of each Guardian – Gamora, Rocket Racoon, Groot and so on.
Little is known about the gameplay itself, but the accompanying press release says choice-driven dialogue between Quill and the other Guardians will affect the bonds of this space-faring family.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is created by Eidos-Montréal, the studio best known for its acclaimed Deus Ex games. The team are said to have worked closely with Marvel Entertainment and were inspired by over 50 years of Guardians lore. Let’s hope this one fares better than the 2020 Marvel’s Avengers game.
Developer: Eidos-Montréal
Publisher: Square ENIX
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Release date: October 26, 2021
8. Metroid Dread
Two years ago, at E3, Nintendo teased Metroid Prime 4. Fast track to E3 2021, and instead of following up on the past announcement, we instead got our first taste of a brand new game titled Metroid Dread. In Metroid Dread, Samus Aran returns for her first 2D Metroid story in 19 years. The intergalactic bounty hunter is sent to investigate a remote planet overrun by hostile alien lifeforms and chilling mechanical menaces.
From the trailer, it looks as though Samus is more agile than ever and capable of heavy firepower and parkour-like moves. Nintendo is promising an action-packed, nostalgic trip with this one, which should satisfy gamers who grew up playing Metroid on the SNES and Game Boy Advance.
There is still no word on when we can expect Metroid Prime 4, but Metroid Dread looks like it’s the next best thing.
Developer: Nintendo, MercuryStream
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Switch
Release date: October 8, 2021
9. Redfall
Redfall is a new co-op, open-world shooter from the team behind Prey and Dishonored. It looks like a cross between Left 4 Dead and I Am Legend.
Up to four players will face off against a legion of vampires that has overtaken the once quaint island town of Redfall. You will select between a roster of heroes, all of whom have unique skills and customisable weaponry. Then choose a path and blast your way across the island and through the vampire masses as you discover what caused this plague of bloodsuckers, then put an end to the threat.
The reveal trailer doesn’t show off any gameplay, but it should provide a fair indication of the tone. Redfall is another Xbox exclusive expected in 2022.
Developer: Arkane Austin
Publisher: Bethesda
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: 2022
10. Rocksmith+
One final surprise from E3 2021 was the return of Rocksmith. Unlike Guitar Hero and Rock Band, Rocksmith is an underappreciated experience that lets you plug a real guitar into your console and then teaches you how to play music.
Rocksmith+ will launch later this year as an “interactive music learning subscription service.” Compatible with acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, Rocksmith+ will start with thousands of songs and grow to millions in the future, covering genres like rock, alternative, hip-hop, metal, country and more. Every song in the library will be playable with chord charts for players to hum and strum to. This one sounds rad, but you will need to supply your own instrument.
Developer: Ubisoft San Francisco
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Release date: 2021
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General FAQ
Some of the big announcements included Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora from Ubisoft, Starfield from Bethesda, Forza Horizon 5 from Xbox, Guardians of the Galaxy from Square ENIX and Nintendo revealed a new Metroid game titled Metroid Dread. That’s just a small taste of the games shown at E3 2021.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is an upcoming first-person game inspired by the sci-fi world created by James Cameron. There’s no set in stone release date, but all signs point to 2022. Developer Ubisoft will likely tie the game’s release to the upcoming Avatar film sequel expected in 2022.
It has been confirmed that Starfield will be an Xbox and PC exclusive. Microsoft purchased Bethesda Softworks in 2020 for around AU $10 billion, securing all future games for their platforms. PlayStation owners have lucked out on this one. Still, there are plenty of quality PS5 exclusives to play instead.
