The delaying of launch games for Microsoft’s next-gen console did seriously hamper the Xbox Series X/S launch, but things are looking up in 2021. Not only are key delayed games like Halo Infinite and The Medium releasing in 2021, but there are plenty of multi-platform games coming to bolster the system as well. As much as backward compatibility and cross-gen games have bolstered Microsoft’s launch thus far, it’s not until next year where Xbox’s true next-gen experience will shine. Xbox may not have as many high profile sequels coming as the PS5 does, but Microsoft’s got a lot of promising exclusive projects in the works for Xbox Series X/S as well.
Of course, a game like Halo Infinite will be the defining “Xbox” experience, but 2021 is already bringing a slew of other games to Xbox Series X/S as well. Horror fans in particular have a lot to look forward to on Xbox Series X, with games like The Medium and Scorn. Action/adventure players and Hellbalde: Senua’s Sacrifice fans have the sequel to look forward to next year as well. Not to mention Microsoft’s numerous studio acquisitions bring the likes of Bethesda’s games to Xbox (perhaps exclusively, too), though none of them have exact 2021 release dates yet. If fans are in any way disappointed by a lack of next-gen games, 2021 could be a very big year for Xbox.
2021’s game releases are divided into three distinct categories: titles with definitive release dates announced for 2021, tentative or vague release windows for 2021 that could potentially change, and to-be-confirmed games for 2021 that have a higher likelihood of a delay. Starting with definitive release dates, there are already several confirmed games releasing on Xbox Series X early next year, and they’re not all just Xbox One backward compatible or cross-gen games either. Several of the upcoming games in 2021 are next-gen exclusive titles like The Medium. These are all the currently known games that are, at the moment, releasing definitively in 2021:
- Hitman 3 – January 20
- Ride 4 – January 21
- The Medium – January 28
- Outriders – February 2
- Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood – February 4
- Riders Republic – February 25
- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake – March 18
- Tennis World Tour 2 – March (exact day to be announced)
- Back 4 Blood – June 22
- The Gunk – September (exact day to be announced)
Highlights from the coming six months (so far) for Xbox Series X/S include the exclusive psychological thriller The Medium, the next big MMO/looter-shooter Outriders, Agent 47’s next adventure in Hitman 3, as well as the long-rumored Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. The only exception to the rule in this category is Tennis World Tour 2, which has an exact month pinpointed but the specific day has not been confirmed yet.
The lion’s share of Xbox Series X/S games releasing in 2021 doesn’t have exact release dates yet. Many have opted for vague “2021” release windows, announcing a release month, release quarter, or otherwise unspecific release timing. Several have been announced for a long time, though these games have likely opted for vague “2021” release windows due to 2020’s pandemic and its ongoing effect on game development methods. Additional games are expected to utilize these vague windows of release in the near future and are subject to change. This is every Xbox Series X/S game announced with an unspecific release window:
- Aragami 2 – “Early” 2021
- Blood Bowl 3 – “Early” 2021
- Braid Anniversary Edition – “Early” 2021
- Control Ultimate Edition – “Early” 2021
- Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires – “Early” 2021
- In Sound Mind – “Early” 2021
- Black Legend – Q1 2021
- Darq: Complete Edition – Q1 2021
- King Arthur: Knight’s Tale – Q1 2021
- Mystiqa – Q1 2021
- Hunting Simulator 2 – Spring 2021
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga – Spring 2021
- R-Type Final 2 – Spring 2021
- The Stone of Madness – Spring 2021
- Foreclosed – Q2 2021
- Disco Elysium: The Final Cut – Summer 2021
- Scarlet Nexus – Summer 2021
- Grand Theft Auto 5 – Q3/Q4 2021
- Destiny 2: The Witch Queen – Fall 2021
- Halo Infinite – Fall 2021
- Animal Rescue – Q4 2021
Last are the unknowns, all of which have a “2021” release window without any further specification. These are the games that could potentially be delayed or have no official release timing yet. Games like Psychonauts 2 or Scorn, which are confirmed to exist and are planned to release in 2021 but haven’t shown much, fall into this category. Additionally, some exceptions like Dying Light 2 are also included here due to a prolonged lack of information on their release timing, but were already planned for next-gen consoles. Here’s every Xbox Series X/S game with a vague “2021” release window that’s more likely to change.
- The Amazing American Circus
- The Ascent
- Atomic Heart
- Battlefield 6
- Black Legend
- Bright Memory: Infinite
- Chernobylite
- Chivalry 2
- Chorus
- Cris Tales
- CrossfireX
- Cyberpunk 2077 (next-gen upgrade)
- The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
- Doom Eternal (next-gen upgrade)
- Dustborn
- The Elder Scrolls Online
- Evil Dead: The Game
- Far Cry 6
- Ghostrunner (next-gen upgrade)
- Gotham Knights
- Gothic Remake
- Greedfall
- Hellbalde 2: Senua’s Saga
- Hello Neighbor 2
- Hellpoint
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Little Nightmares 2 (next-gen upgrade)
- The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
- Martha is Death
- Marvel’s Avengers (next-gen upgrade)
- Metal: Hellsinger
- Metro Exodus
- Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis
- Psychonauts 2
- Quantum Error
- Resident Evil Village (rumored for April, unconfirmed)
- Scorn
- Second Extinction
- Sherlock Holmes Chapter One
- Shredders
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
- Sword of the Necromancer
- Temtem
- Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
- Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong
- The Witcher 3 (next-gen upgrade, rumored for May but unconfirmed)
As of this writing, that’s every single Xbox Series X/S game planned to release in 2021. There are still numerous additional games coming to Xbox Series X/S, like Pragmata, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and Dragon Age 4, but these games have all been announced for 2022. Any other omissions from this list (The Elder Scrolls 6, Starfield, Forza Motorsport, Fable, etc.) haven’t announced any release dates, or do not have any confirmed platforms for release at this point. This is also not including any re-releases or additions to Xbox Game Pass, which follows a different release schedule and also largely includes many Xbox exclusives.
Sure, Xbox Series X/S may not have had the exciting launch it was originally planning, but next year will truly be where the console thrives.
The Xbox Series X/S is available now.
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