Biggest Games Of E3 2021: Starfield, Breath Of The Wild 2, Elden Ring, And More

As expected, there have been a ton of new games showcased at E3 2021. However, with so many streams and presentations giving us new glimpses at what's coming next, you're likely to lose track of them all. Below we've compiled a list of the biggest games at the show.

To keep up with GameSpot's ongoing coverage of E3 2021, check out our Play For All event hub, where we'll be posting all the latest stories the moment they get announced. You can also read our E3 2021 schedule rundown, so you don't miss out on all the upcoming press conferences. You can also check out our roundup of E3 2021's best trailers so far.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2

We've seen little from the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild since Nintendo announced the project at E3 2019. At E3 2021, however, Nintendo finally lifted the veil on the highly-anticipated sequel by showing off gameplay and even announcing a release window. The recent footage offered a closer look at Link's new abilities, including the ability to phase through solid objects, shoot fire from his arm, and much more. Be sure to check out the debut gameplay footage for a closer look at everything.

Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2022

Metroid Dread

Metroid Dead came as a surprise during Nintendo's E3 2021 Direct presentation. As the first all-new side-scrolling Metroid game in nearly two decades, the upcoming sequel received much fanfare upon its debut. The game continues the story of bounty hunter Samus Aran, who is must deal with deadly robotic beings known as EMMI.

Platforms: Switch | Release Date: October 8

Mario Party Superstars

Nintendo is releasing a new Mario Party game that celebrates the series' past. Titled Mario Party Superstars, the upcoming game remasters five boards and 100 mini-games from the series' Nintendo 64 entries. All mini-games in the collection support button controls and online functionality with the option for random matchmaking. There's also the option to save progress mid-game on any board to resume at a later time.

Platforms: Switch | Release Date: October 29

Shin Megami Tensei V

With the immense popularity of the Persona games, Atlus seems like it's looking to make a big splash with the mainline Shin Megami Tensei series. The upcoming fifth installment closely follows the legacy of its bleak predecessors, putting you in control of a young high school student who discovers an alternate dimension where angels and demons wage war against one another.

Platforms: Switch | Release Date: November 12

WarioWare: Get It Together

WarioWare: Get It Together is the newest installment in Nintendo's quirky series of mini-game collections. It once again centers around Wario and his eccentric friends, with who you complete all manner of wacky mini-games. However, new to WarioWare Get It Together is the addition of local two-player co-op and multiple playable characters with unique abilities.

Platforms: Switch | Release Date: September 10

Advance Wars 1 + 2 Re-Boot Camp

Another surprise during Nintendo's Direct presentation was the return of the cult-favorite strategy game series, Advance Wars, which has been dormant for 13 years. The series will be coming back in the form of Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, a collection that remasters the first two games. Nintendo says that each game has been "reimagined and rebuilt from the ground up" for Switch, featuring enhanced graphics and controls. The game also features the full campaigns from both titles as well as a local and online Versus mode for up to four players.

Platforms: Switch | Release Date: December 3

Mario Golf: Super Rush

Mario Golf: Super Rush sees Mario and crew tee off in another sports game created by longtime developer Camelot. There are 16 different characters, each with their own strengths to leverage across several new modes, including Speed Golf, Battle Golf, and a whole lot more. For more details about the game, be sure to read our Mario Golf: Super Rush preview.

Platforms: Switch | Release Date: June 25

Far Cry 6

Far Cry 6 is the latest in Ubisoft's tenured open-world shooter franchise. Set in the fictional country of Yara, you're put in the role of a guerilla fighter working to overthrow its tyrannical dictator, portrayed by none other than renowned actor Giancarlo Esposito. As you'd expect, Far Cry 6 is looking to expand your repertoire of destructive weapons you can use to wreak havoc while also properly bringing the series into the next generation with a stunning, lush tropical world to explore.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: October 7

Back 4 Blood

Back 4 Blood is the spiritual successor of the fan-favorite Left 4 Dead series. Developed by Turtle Rock Studios--the developer responsible for creating Left 4 Dead--this new game will feature the classic cooperative zombie shooting that fans had come to adore about Valve's long-dormant series. A new card-based system will adjust the classic Left 4 Dead-style gameplay loop, introducing modifiers to your character's traits.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: October 12

Elden Ring

Elden Ring is the latest game from Dark Souls developer From Software. While we know very little about the game's dark fantasy story--written in collaboration between director Hidetaka Miyazaki and Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin--the E3 2021 gameplay trailer, at least, offers a closer look at how the game will look and play. Suffice to say: it looks brutal.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: January 21, 2022

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction

Rainbow Six Extraction, formerly known as Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Quarantine, is an upcoming squad-based tactical shooter where you'll team up with a group of players to clear out alien-infested facilities of their numerous extraterrestrial dangers. It's inspired by the limited-time Outbreak event from Rainbow Six Siege Operation Chimera. For more details on how it plays, be sure to read our Rainbox Six Extraction preview.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: September 16

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope

Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle was a pleasant surprise when it was first released to widespread acclaim in 2017, so naturally, it makes sense that Nintendo and Ubisoft would want to make a sequel. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope continues in the unexpected charm of its predecessor, expanding the tactical turn-based combat with new weapons and abilities. This time around, the Mario and Rabbid crew are on a space-faring journey to defeat a malevolent force and save magical creatures known as Sparks--entities formed by Lumas and Rabbids fusing.

Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2022

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora

Ubisoft is making a first-person action-adventure game set in James Cameron's Avatar universe called Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. It'll be a standalone experience developed by Massive Entertainment (Tom Clancy's The Division) in collaboration with Lightstorm Entertainment and Disney. You play as a Na'vi who must embark on a quest to the Western Frontier, an unexplored part of Pandora.

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Stadia, Luna | Release Date: TBA 2022

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy

The latest in Square Enix's collaboration with Marvel is none other than a Guardians of the Galaxy game developed by Eidos Montreal (Deux Ex). The upcoming single-player action-adventure has you playing exclusively as Star-Lord, fighting cosmic threats alongside the other Guardians of the Galaxy, making combat and narrative decisions for the team. But what you choose to do affects your relationships with the rest of the squad, inevitably impacting how the journey unfolds. For more details about the game, be sure to read our Guardians of the Galaxy preview.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: October 26

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is an upcoming Final Fantasy series spin-off developed by Team Ninja (Nioh, Ninja Gaiden) in collaboration with Square Enix. It's a Soulsborne-esque action-RPG where you play as Jack, a vengeful knight on a mission to destroy an evil force known simply as Chaos.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2022

Babylon's Fall

Babylon’s Fall is the latest game by famed studio Platinum Games. The upcoming cooperative fantasy-themed action RPG has you play alongside friends as knights with unique magical abilities. Another surprising detail about the game is that you can only play it online, making this Platinum's first attempt at a live service-based game.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA

Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite is quite possibly the biggest first-party exclusive on Microsoft's docket of upcoming games, and for a good reason. As the latest in the tenured first-person shooter franchise, expectations for Halo Infinite are undoubtedly high. The upcoming game is set after Halo 5: Guardians and will see the return of Master Chief as the main protagonist. This time around, the USNC needs saving from the Banished, the antagonists of Halo Wars 2.

Alongside a story campaign, Halo Infinite will also have a standalone free-to-play multiplayer mode--a first for the franchise. You can learn more about Infinite's multiplayer, including details about its upcoming beta and microtransaction policies, in our detailed explainer.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: Holiday 2021

Redfall

Redfall is the latest game from Arkane Studios Austin--the branch of Arkane that brought you Prey. It's an Xbox-exclusive open-world co-op shooter that casts players as a ragtag team of heroes fighting against a legion of vampires. The reveal trailer was reminiscent of Left 4 Dead, showcasing the different characters bantering with one another as they worked to drive off the vampiric threat.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: TBA 2022

The Outer Worlds 2

We know next to nothing about The Outer Worlds 2 aside from the fact that it's a sequel to its critically acclaimed predecessor. Developer Obsidian is back on the helm on this one, meaning we can expect more goofy, self-aware comedy and tactical action-RPG gameplay.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: TBA

Battlefield 2042

EA may not be participating at E3 2021, but it did take the opportunity to unveil Battlefield 2042 shortly before the event, as well as showcase gameplay footage at Xbox & Bethesda's big press conference. The footage gave us a closer look at the upcoming large-scale futuristic military shooter, showcasing the game's 128-player battles and the various maps where you'll wage virtual war. For more details about the game, be sure to read our Battlefield 2042 preview.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: October 22

Dying Light 2 Stay Human

For nearly two years, Dying Light 2 was absent from industry events with zero updates on its development--aside from the fact that it was still happening. But all that changed this year as we began to receive more information from developer Techland. With a new name, Dying Light 2 Stay Human is very much still a thing. Set in an isolated urban landscape during the zombie apocalypse, you play Aiden Caldwell, a freelance runner who handles various odd jobs and tasks for the city's citizens. Like the original, you'll parkour across rooftops and fight off zombie hordes, all in an effort to merely survive. This time around, a new faction system can change the way the story progresses based on who you choose to help, which should make your high-flying, zombie-killing antics exciting and unique to your experiences.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: December 7

Life is Strange: True Colors

Life is Strange: True Colors is the latest entry in the supernatural coming-of-age drama game series jointly made by Dontnod Entertainment and Deck Nine. This one, in particular, is being handled by Deck Nine, and it casts you in the role of Alex, an empath trying to solve the mystery behind her older brother's murder.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia | Release Date: September 10

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Rings of Ruin

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Rings of Ruin came as somewhat of a surprise for longtime fans of Capcom's long-running Monster Hunter series. The first game was a spin-off released on 3DS in 2016, so it's not what you'd expect to return, especially given the more considerable successes of the mainline games in the franchise recently. Still, Capcom is taking another chance on Monster Hunter Stories with a standalone sequel that puts you in the role of Red, a monster rider who must help a Wyverian girl protect a dangerous Rathalos egg.

Platforms: Switch | Release Date: July 9

Contraband

Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios is working on a new co-op open-world action game called Contraband. Briefly teased in a trailer played to the tune of Steely Dan's "Do it Again" during Microsoft's press conference, the game will be set in the 1970s in the fictional country of Bayan.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: TBA

A Plague Tale: Requiem

A Plague Tale: Innocence is getting a sequel in the form of A Plague Tale: Requiem. It once again follows Amicia and her brother Hugo as they embark on another perilous journey across a brutal world infested by rats infected by a mysterious plague.

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch (Cloud Version), PC | Release Date: TBA

Diablo 2: Resurrected

The upcoming Diablo 2: Resurrected is a remake of Blizzard's critically-acclaimed, fan-favorite isometric action-RPG from 2000. It remastered both the original game and its expansion, Lords of Destruction. The game is being co-developed by Blizzard Entertainment and Vicarious Visions.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC | Release Date: September 23

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

Gearbox and 2K announced a new Borderlands series spin-off called Tiny Tina's Wonderlands. It'll be a more fantastical take on the series' looter shooter formula and a standalone adventure set apart from the larger Borderlands series.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2022

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

For Phoenix Wright fans, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles has been a long time coming. This upcoming collection compiles two major games from the series that were only available in Japan on 3DS, releasing them to the West for the first time. Both games follow defense attorney Ryunosuke Naruhodo--the ancestor of Phoenix Wright--as we see him grow his career in criminal justice against the backdrop of Victorian-era Britain and Japan.

Platforms: PS4, Switch, PC | Release Date: July 27

Death Stranding: Director's Cut

Death Stranding is the upcoming PS5 version of Hideo Kojima's open-world adventure about a post-apocalyptic delivery person played by Norman Reedus. Not much is known about what this new version of the game will entail, but we have to imagine it'll have the standard next-gen upgrade fixings, such as improved frame rate, enhanced visuals, extra content, and more. Be sure to check out Death Stranding: Director's Cut's debut trailer, which is themed after Metal Gear Solid.

Platforms: PS5 | Release Date: TBA

Tales of Arise

Tales of Arise is the latest installment in the historic Tales action-RPG franchise. Unlike previous entries in the series, Tales of Arise stands out with more action-focused combat, resembling games like Devil May Cry and Monster Hunter. The game follows Alphen, an iron-masked knight whose home planet of Dahna has been enslaved by the planet of Rena. As Alphen fights to liberate his people, he encounters Shionne, a warrior of Rena, on the run from her countrymen. The two must form an unlikely alliance to survive a world-ending conflict brewing across both their worlds.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: September 10

Starfield

Following Redfall, Starfield will likely be the second major first-party console exclusive for Xbox Series X|S--this upcoming RPG is aiming for a November 11, 2022 release date. During the Xbox & Bethesda E3 2021 conference, we finally got our first look at Starfield in a cinematic trailer. Following the conference, Bethesda Game Studios executive producer Todd Howard said Starfield will be "very big" and a "more hardcore RPG" than past Bethesda games.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: November 11, 2022

Forza Horizon 5

Playground Games may not have had anything to show in regards to Fable, but the studio did officially reveal Forza Horizon 5. The racing series is heading to Mexico in this next installment, and rolling onto Xbox Game Pass day one. Creative director Mike Brown said that Forza Horizon 5 is the biggest game in the series' history, featuring an advanced dynamic weather system, multiple biomes, and a new challenge-based Horizon Arcade.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: November 9

Riders Republic

At Ubisoft Forward, Ubisoft Annecy revealed that Riders Republic is scheduled to launch later this year. A brand-new trailer for the upcoming sports game detailed some of the activities that you and your friends can complete in the game, including 6v6 trick battles and 50-player mass races. Riders Republic will support both cross-play and cross-progression at launch, allowing you to play with your friends regardless of the system and take your progress with you across hardware.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia | Release Date: September 2

Psychonauts 2

After being delayed several times, Psychonauts 2 is finally coming out in August. The upcoming platformer from developer Double Fine Productions continues the adventures of young psychic Raz, who's working now as a full-on Psychonaut agent after the events of series spin-off and VR-exclusive title, Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: August 25

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl

Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl is the long-awaited, much-requested sequel to the cult-favorite Stalker franchise. From its debut trailer, the game very much channels the bleak, post-apocalyptic atmosphere of its predecessors, emphasizing slow adventuring through radiated wastelands and the occasional firefight against bandits and horrifying mutants.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: April 22, 2022

Rocksmith+

Rocksmith+ is the newest installment in Ubisoft's line of guitar tutorial software. Unlike previous entries, it aims to follow more of a subscription-based model. It's also the first in the series to be completely peripheral-free, requiring nothing but your phone for the software to work. Ubisoft is currently allowing folks to sign up for a closed beta.

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Mobile | Release Date: TBA