E3 2021 was chock-full of games we're jonesing to finally take for a test drive. Here are five of them that had us jumping for joy.
E3 2021 was, quite possibly, one of the biggest shows we've had in the gaming realm in some time. From Xbox to Nintendo, every company brought their A-game, with plenty of new games to covet and jump into as soon as they hit the shelves.
But of course, aside from some of the biggest announcements of E3 2021, there were plenty of other games we just couldn't wait to get our hands on. They look like fantastic examples of why everyone should be a gamer, and we're ready to tear into them immediately.
If you're looking for a few reasons to get excited about the gaming landscape in the next year, we've got you covered. These are the biggest E3 2021 games we can't wait to play.
Metroid Dread
Metroid Dread came out of nowhere, surprising everyone. A previously canceled title that was meant as the sequel to Metroid Fusion, this is the first side-scrolling Metroid game in nearly 20 years. It looks like an exciting new chapter in Samus Aran's impressive career, as it will follow the famous bounty hunter as she explores the mysterious planet ZDR. She'll need to escape EMMI robots by hiding in plain sight (and using her Phantom Cloak), and work to keep herself safe with a variety of melee and weapon attacks. More Metroid after nearly two decades? Yes, please.
Release Date: October 8, 2021
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is real, and we can't wait to give it a test drive. Taking inspiration from From Software's Hidetaka Miyazaki and Game of Thrones' George R. R. Martin, this austere Soulslike combines elements of Norse mythology with some truly intriguing enemy designs. It looks to bring to life everything we love about games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, while giving those beloved games a fresh coat of paint. And we can't believe it won't take that long to play it. It's already heading to consoles next year.
Release Date: January 2022
Redfall
If you've been thinking about how much you need a new co-op game to dive into with your friends, Bethesda's Redfall might scratch that itch very nicely. You can opt to play solo or with a team of three friends as you all work to stalk and kill a slew of dangerous, bloodthirsty vampires. Each character comes with their own set of unique abilities, and you all work together to own the night, by way of customizing gear and weapons and jumping into the darkness to save your fellow players. From biomedical engineer Layla to sharpshooter Jacob, you'll need to utilize each member of the group's skills if you want to stave off these vamps. All signs point to a gory good time.
Release Date: Summer 2022
The Anacrusis
If you've been missing Left 4 Dead and you want something a little more akin to the world of '70s sci-fi, you're going to want to sit up and pay attention to The Anacrusis. The very same project lead and lead writer for Left 4 Dead, Chet Faliszek, is handling The Anacrusis at his new studio, Stray Bombay. This co-op shooter promises to bring the science fiction and the flavor across a variety of episodes that are exciting and replayable, with new character voice lines and story beats to follow. Throw in a dash of humor, special AI coding that reacts to the way you play, and a massive starship to explore, and The Anacrusis is looking pretty sweet for the end of the year.
Release Date: Fall 2021
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Back on the Game Boy Advance, a little old game called Advance Wars was one of the must-have titles you could get for the system. Now, years later, the colorful first two entries in the series have returned, with a facelift, at that. Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp breathes new life into two classic strategy games that players have been clamoring to see more of for years. These military tactics games follow pint-sized tanks and soldiers as they move across maps, battle it out, claim territory, and wage warfare against each other. These new remasters do more than just clean up sprites -- they make the games look like entirely new titles. If you missed out in 2001 and 2003, now's a good time to jump in.
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Have your own thoughts on hotly-anticipated E3 games? Join the official SteelSeries Discord to chat with other gamers who can't wait for their favorite game to debut.
