There’s nothing quite like the thrill of anticipation, especially when it comes to new gaming experiences on cutting-edge hardware. I remember the buzz surrounding the original PlayStation 5 reveal, and now, as we move through its lifecycle, the promise of truly next-gen titles is becoming a reality. The video above provides an excellent sneak peek at some of the most exciting upcoming PS5 games slated for 2021, showcasing a diverse lineup that promises to keep PlayStation 5 owners enthralled.
From epic mythological sagas to immersive open-world adventures and adrenaline-pumping racing simulations, 2021 was truly shaping up to be a landmark year for new PS5 games. While many of these titles have since seen their release dates shift, the foundational excitement they generated remains. This detailed overview dives deeper into what makes each of these featured games so compelling, building on the glimpses offered in the video to explore their unique features, development insights, and what they mean for the future of PlayStation 5 gaming.
Epic Action & Adventure on PlayStation 5
The PlayStation 5 platform is quickly becoming synonymous with grand, cinematic action and adventure titles. Many of the most anticipated releases lean into rich narratives, expansive worlds, and innovative combat systems, pushing the boundaries of what consoles can achieve. These new PS5 games leverage the console’s power for stunning visuals and seamless gameplay.
God of War Ragnarök: Concluding a Norse Saga
The chilling pronouncement, “Ragnarök is coming,” instantly sends shivers down the spine of any fan of the critically acclaimed God of War series. Developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony, God of War Ragnarök is the direct sequel to the 2018 masterpiece, continuing Kratos and Atreus’s journey through the treacherous Norse realms. While initially targeting a 2021 release for PS5, its launch was later adjusted, allowing the developers more time to craft this highly anticipated conclusion.
The first game redefined the series with its over-the-shoulder camera, emotional storytelling, and brutal, yet nuanced, combat. Ragnarök promises to expand on this foundation, bringing players face-to-face with powerful Norse deities like Thor and the Allfather, Odin, as the apocalyptic prophecy unfolds. Fans are eager to see how the unique father-son dynamic evolves and what new realms, enemies, and abilities await them in this PlayStation 5 exclusive.
Horizon Forbidden West: Aloy’s Western Frontier
Another monumental PlayStation 5 exclusive that had gamers buzzing for 2021 was Horizon Forbidden West, a direct sequel to Guerilla Games’ 2017 hit, Horizon Zero Dawn. The video highlights Aloy’s perilous mission to find a way to stop a creeping blight that is ravaging the land, turning once vibrant ecosystems into desolate graves. Her journey takes her to the mysterious Forbidden West, a dangerous frontier encompassing regions based on post-apocalyptic California, Utah, and Nevada.
Players control the intrepid machine hunter, Aloy, navigating a stunning open world teeming with new, formidable mechanical creatures and hostile tribes. The game builds upon the robust action RPG mechanics of its predecessor, introducing new traversal tools like the Pullcaster for grappling and the Shieldwing for gliding, enhancing exploration and verticality. With improved facial animations and vast, dynamic environments, Forbidden West was set to be a visual and narrative spectacle for PlayStation 5.
Ghostwire Tokyo: A Paranormal First-Person Adventure
From Tango Gameworks and Bethesda Softworks, Ghostwire Tokyo offers a truly unique spin on action-adventure, placing players in a first-person perspective in a mysteriously deserted Tokyo. The city’s inhabitants have vanished, replaced by menacing spirits and ghosts, leaving players to confront the paranormal using psychic and elemental abilities. This innovative approach to combat sets it apart from many other upcoming PS5 games.
The video teases the eerie atmosphere and the struggle against unseen forces, challenging players to “see things others can’t” and “fight when others won’t.” The game’s intricate art direction captures the iconic neon-lit streets and traditional shrines of Tokyo, transforming them into a haunting battleground. This unique premise, combined with the developers’ pedigree for horror, promised a fresh and thrilling experience for PlayStation 5 and PC players.
Deathloop: The Assassin’s Time Loop
Arkane Studios, renowned for their immersive and intricate game designs, brought a fresh take on the action-adventure genre with Deathloop, which was originally slated for a Q2 2021 release. Players step into the shoes of Colt, an assassin trapped in a repeating time loop on the enigmatic island of Blackreef. He must eliminate eight key targets before the day resets, breaking the loop and securing his freedom. The game cleverly mixes single-player storytelling with a unique multiplayer twist.
Julianna, a rival assassin tasked with preserving the loop, can invade Colt’s game, controlled either by AI or another player, adding an unpredictable cat-and-mouse dynamic. The core gameplay revolves around learning enemy patterns, discovering unique pathways, and experimenting with various abilities and weapons to optimize each run. Each death isn’t a failure but an opportunity to gather more information and refine strategies, making it a compelling entry among the new PS5 games.
Dark Knights and Magical Realms in the PlayStation 5 Lineup
Beyond traditional action, the PS5 also boasts titles that tap into beloved universes, offering rich lore and character-driven narratives. These games combine established fan bases with next-gen innovation, appealing to a wide array of players looking for depth and immersion.
Batman Gotham Knights: The Bat-Family Steps Up
In Batman Gotham Knights, developed by WB Games Montréal, a grave new threat emerges following Batman’s apparent death. The game shifts focus to the rest of the Bat-Family: Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin, who must step up to protect Gotham City from a rising tide of crime and supervillains, including a mysteriously returned Mr. Freeze. The video highlights the unique capabilities of each character and the cooperative gameplay.
This action RPG is built for both solo and two-player co-op, allowing players to seamlessly team up to tackle challenges. Each of the four playable characters boasts distinct fighting styles, abilities, and gear, offering diverse ways to approach combat and exploration in an open-world Gotham. The game’s innovative enemy leveling system ensures that challenges remain relevant as characters power up, promising a dynamic and engaging experience for PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC gamers.
Hogwarts Legacy: Your Story in the Wizarding World
For fans of the Harry Potter universe, Hogwarts Legacy offers an unparalleled opportunity to craft their own story within the 1800s wizarding world. This immersive, open-world action RPG from Avalanche Software and Warner Bros. Games was one of the most anticipated upcoming PS5 games. Players assume the role of a student with a unique talent, embarking on a journey through familiar locations like Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade, as well as entirely new areas.
The game emphasizes player agency, allowing extensive character customization, mastery of spell casting, potion brewing, and even taming fantastic beasts. Players can attend classes, form alliances, and unravel a mystery tied to an ancient magic, ultimately shaping their wizarding destiny. This deep dive into the rich lore of the Harry Potter books, combined with modern open-world mechanics, makes it a dream come true for many fans.
Revamped Classics and Unique Journeys for PS5 Enthusiasts
The PlayStation 5 also serves as a platform for breathing new life into beloved classics and introducing truly innovative concepts that defy traditional genre classifications. These entries demonstrate the breadth of experiences available on the console.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Enhanced Edition: A Next-Gen Upgrade
While not a new game in the strictest sense, the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Enhanced Edition was a monumental addition to the list of new PS5 games, bringing one of the most acclaimed action RPGs of all time to next-generation consoles. Originally released by CD Projekt Red in 2015, with a Nintendo Switch port in 2019, this enhanced version promised a significant graphical upgrade, faster loading times, and various quality-of-life improvements leveraging the power of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The game follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter for hire, as he navigates a war-torn continent in search of his adopted daughter, Ciri, who is being pursued by the spectral Wild Hunt. Its sprawling open world, branching narratives, memorable characters, and deep combat mechanics have garnered numerous Game of the Year awards. The enhanced edition allows both returning fans and new players to experience this masterpiece with stunning fidelity and improved performance, making it an essential title for the new console generation.
Stray: A Feline Cybercity Adventure
One of the most charming and utterly unique upcoming PS5 games previewed was Stray, a third-person cat adventure game from BlueTwelve Studio and Annapurna Interactive. The premise is delightfully simple yet deeply engaging: play as a lost stray cat, separated from its family, navigating a decaying cybercity populated by robots. This fresh perspective captivated audiences, offering a different kind of interaction with a game world.
The video showcases the cat’s nimble movements through neon-lit alleys and murky underbellies, interacting with the environment in playful and sometimes mischievous ways. Players must solve an ancient mystery to escape the long-forgotten city, using stealth, agility, and the innate curiosity of a feline. Stray promised a refreshing change of pace, offering a cozy yet poignant narrative adventure for PlayStation 5 and PC.
High-Octane Thrills and Global Conflicts on PlayStation 5
For those who crave adrenaline, strategic combat, and competitive racing, the PS5 delivered with entries that pushed the boundaries of immersion and realism. These titles are designed to exploit the console’s processing power for breathtaking environments and intense action sequences.
Far Cry 6: Revolution in Yara
Ubisoft’s Far Cry 6, which launched on February 18, 2021, continued the series’ tradition of placing players in vast, volatile open worlds ruled by charismatic villains. Set on the fictional Caribbean island of Yara, a nation frozen in time under the dictatorial rule of “El Presidente” Anton Castillo, the game thrusts players into the role of a guerilla fighter. The narrative, as highlighted in the video, explores themes of revolution and the cycle of violence, with Anton raising his son Diego to follow in his tyrannical footsteps.
As a first-person shooter, Far Cry 6 offers extensive weapon customization, a range of unique ‘Amigos’ (animal companions), and vast landscapes to explore, from dense jungles to bustling cities. Players can engage in various guerilla tactics to dismantle Castillo’s regime, facing off against his elite military forces. The game’s stunning visuals and immersive world design made it a standout entry for PlayStation 5, Xbox, PC, and Stadia.
Gran Turismo 7: The Real Driving Simulator Returns
Polyphony Digital and Sony Interactive Entertainment brought back their flagship racing simulator with Gran Turismo 7, a highly anticipated title that was teased for 2021. This eighth mainline installment in the acclaimed series builds on 22 years of experience, aiming to deliver the most comprehensive and realistic driving experience to date. The video emphasized its dedication to car culture, appealing to a wide spectrum of automotive enthusiasts.
Gran Turismo 7 introduces players to ‘GT Town’ and ‘GT World,’ providing a hub for managing garages, tuning cars in a detailed shop, and competing on circuits across the globe, including the iconic Trial Mountain. The game caters to every type of player, whether they are a serious racer, a fine-tuning builder, a collector, a livery designer, or simply an arcade fan. Leveraging the PlayStation 5’s advanced hardware, it delivers stunning graphics, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers to create an unparalleled sense of immersion, reinforcing its legacy as “The Real Driving Simulator” among upcoming PS5 games.
The diverse roster of upcoming PS5 games highlighted here demonstrates the incredible breadth and depth of experiences arriving on Sony’s next-gen console. While some release dates have shifted since these previews, the ambition and innovation behind these titles remain a testament to the exciting future of PlayStation 5 gaming.
