Each year brings with it a fresh batch of horror games to frighten gamers, and 2020 was no different. There were many great horror games released in 2020, including some brand new IP as well as new entries in well-established franchises. However, 2021 is set to be an even bigger year for fans of the horror genre.
There are quite a few big horror games releasing in 2021, ranging from big budget titles to smaller scale games that may prove to be sleeper hits. 2021’s horror games include single-player fright-fests and cooperative action experiences, ensuring that there’s a little something for horror fans of all kinds.
Here are the 10 most anticipated horror games of 2021. Keep in mind that this list only includes horror games that have a confirmed 2021 release date. Therefore, titles whose release dates are TBA or games that are only rumored for 2021, like the supposed Silent Hill PS5 exclusive, are not eligible.
Turtle Rock Studios put itself on the map with the critically-acclaimed Left 4 Dead, and while the studio has put out some high-quality work since then, it has yet to reach those same heights. But while Turtle Rock isn’t making Left 4 Dead 3, the studio is creating a spiritual successor in the form of Back 4 Blood, which is likely the closest thing to Left 4 Dead 3 that franchise fans can expect for some time.
Back 4 Blood looks and plays almost exactly like a Left 4 Dead game, but with vastly improved graphics, more zombie types, and new playable characters. Already available in closed alpha form, Back 4 Blood‘s proper release is scheduled to take place this coming summer, so Left 4 Dead fans should have something new to play within the next six months or so, barring any unforeseen delays.
Back 4 Blood launches June 22 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Dying Light 2‘s gameplay presentations have all been fairly impressive so far, with praise given to the game’s open world, branching narrative, and zombie-slaying gameplay. Originally announced during Microsoft’s E3 2018 press conference, new information on Dying Light 2 has slowed down in recent times, though the game is still expected to launch at some point later this year. More Dying Light 2 information has already been teased for 2021, so fans should keep their fingers crossed that they will learn more about the open world horror game sooner rather than later.
Dying Light 2 is in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
The original Little Nightmares was generally well-received by critics and horror gaming fans who were impressed by its macabre, Tim Burton-esque art style, disturbing imagery, and solid platforming/puzzle gameplay. Little Nightmares 2 looks as though it will be just as creepy as the original game, featuring new creatures for players to encounter and terrifying new locations to explore. A Little Nightmares 2 demo is available for fans to try if they want a taste before the game’s proper release next month.
Little Nightmares 2 launches February 11 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Martha is Dead is a bit of a strange game. Originally, it was promoted as a PS5 horror game with photorealistic graphics. Then a few months later, it seemed as though Martha is Dead would be an Xbox Series X exclusive. And finally, a few months after that, it was clarified that Martha is Dead would indeed be launching on PlayStation consoles as well. Martha is Dead‘s somewhat muddy release history aside, the game looks like it will be one of the more original horror games releasing in 2021. Set during World War 2, players take on the role of the titular Martha’s sister shortly after her brutal murder. Billed as a psychological horror game, it will be interesting to see if the full Martha is Dead game manages to be as creepy as its trailers.
Martha is Dead will launch in 2021 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
One of the first major horror games of 2021 is Bloober Team’s The Medium. Bloober Team is trying to establish itself as one of the premiere video game developers when it comes to horror titles, and The Medium may very well help it accomplish that goal. A deviation from Bloober Team’s typical brand of first-person horror games, The Medium instead takes inspiration from classic survival-horror titles like Silent Hill, all the while utilizing a next-gen only gimmick where players are able to explore two versions of the same place at the same time. The Medium‘s status as an Xbox Series X console exclusive has given it an even bigger profile than it would have had otherwise, and it’s just a matter of weeks until fans find out if it lives up to expectations or not.
The Medium launches January 28 for PC and Xbox Series X.
Over the past decade, the Outlast series has earned a well-deserved reputation for being one of the scariest gaming franchises on the market. All of the Outlast games released so far have been notable for their ability to genuinely scare players, partly thanks to their claustrophobic atmospheres and how they build a sense of isolation in the player. The Outlast Trials is going in a way different direction, embracing multiplayer gameplay over the single-player content that fans have come to expect from the series. Not much has been shown of The Outlast Trials so far, but developer Red Barrels is hoping to release it at some point later this year, with a proper Outlast 3 to follow at some point later on.
The Outlast Trials is in development for unspecified platforms.
Tactical-shooter series Rainbow Six has been known to keep itself mostly grounded in reality, but that’s going to change with the upcoming Rainbow Six Quarantine. Rainbow Six Quarantine will build on the foundation of Rainbow Six Siege to deliver a three-player co-op shooter where players have to contend with alien parasites. The Rainbow Six franchise has never really ventured into the horror genre in the past, but Ubisoft Montreal’s track record of delivering high-quality, well-received games speaks for itself.
Rainbow Six Quarantine is in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Following several entries that were more action-oriented, Resident Evil 7 took Capcom’s premiere franchise back to its survival-horror roots. The game’s use of a first-person viewpoint as opposed to the traditional third-person camera stirred up controversy prior to its launch, but Resident Evil 7 proved to be true to the spirit of the original games, with a focus on horror, exploration, and puzzle-solving.
Capcom is now following up Resident Evil 7 with the upcoming Resident Evil 8, set to launch later this year for next-gen platforms (and possibly current-gen systems as well, though that has yet to be officially confirmed). Serving as a direct sequel to Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil 8 once again features protagonist Ethan Winters as he finds himself up against all kinds of horrific monstrosities. The setting this time is a rural European village, where fans can expect to run into everything from traditional Resident Evil monsters to werewolves.
Longtime Resident Evil hero Chris Redfield will also be appearing in Resident Evil 8, though his exact role in the story has yet to be revealed. Rumor has it that the Resident Evil 8 release date will be at some point in April, so it’s likely Capcom will reveal more about the highly-anticipated survival-horror game soon.
Resident Evil 8 is in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
Housemarque is best known for stylish twin-stick shooter games, most of which have been relatively small in scale. Housemarque’s next project is something that’s much bigger in scope, with 2021’s Returnal serving as a big budget third-person shooter. Described as a psychological horror game, Returnal is a game where players have to explore a bizarre alien planet while stuck in a time loop. Like Housemarque’s previous games, Returnal makes use of bright, colorful lights, but those eye-popping visuals are being paired with some dread-inducing imagery. It’s unclear how much Returnal is going to lean into the horror genre, but its blend of sci-fi action and horror could be an intriguing combination.
Returnal launches March 19, exclusively for the PS5.
Scorn was first announced all the way back in 2016, but it’s finally expected to launch in 2021. A sci-fi horror game that’s set to be an Xbox Series X console exclusive, Scorn uses sexually-charged imagery to disturb players, a technique seen in similar media like the Alien franchise. Scorn is otherwise a first-person shooter that has players exploring a grotesque alien world. Scorn looks like it will be one of the most visually-disturbing games released in quite some time, so it should be a good choice for horror fans who can stomach it.
Scorn launches this year for PC and Xbox Series X.
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