It’s almost the end of 2021! Just next week we’ll be entering September and then it’s four short months until 2022. It just goes to show how weird time has been this year. How it’s been felt extremely fast and long at the same time. That’s why we’re looking forward to some great games to end 2021 strong.
With all the understandable COVID delays, it seems that the gaming industry is back on track to launching all its hyped up games on time?. There’s plenty to look forward to in the last quarter and as usual, there’s a good mix of genres, indies and triple-As! We bet that there’s definitely one on this list that’s going to pique your fancy.
Because this list got a bit too hot and we couldn’t narrow it down enough we’ve split up this list into 2 parts! So be sure to check this page out as well as part 2 over here.
Lake by Gamious
Release Date: 1st September 2021
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC – Steam
We got hyped for Lake at this year’s Wholesome Direct 2021. A narrative game cum postal work simulator that doesn’t involve any dead babies. You play this ‘slice of life’ game as Meredith Weiss, who returns from the big city to her quiet hometown. She exchanges her busy career at a software company to fill in for her dad, the local mail carrier.
During her two-week stay in beautiful Providence Oaks, Oregon, she runs into a few familiar faces as well as plenty of new folks. Choose who to befriend, fall in love with and at the end will you return to the big city? Or stay in your hometown.
The Artful Escape by Beethoven and Dinosaur
Release Date: 10th September 2021
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC – Steam
It’s been a 4 year wait since we first saw The Artful Escape at E3 2017. But now in two short weeks, this dramatically artistic title will be out.
In an attempt to escape the musical legacy of his uncle, a teenage guitar prodigy embarks on a psychedelic journey to inspire his new stage persona, searching for who he isn’t in an adventure spanning stolen opera houses, melodic alien landscapes, and the impossible depths of the Cosmic Extraordinary.
Life Is Strange: True Colors by Deck Nine
Release Date: 10th September 2021
Platforms: PlayStation 4|5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC – Steam, Google Stadia
Life is Strange: True Colors is the next entry to the narrative adventure series Life is Strange. This is the third major instalment to the series and stars a new lead character – Alex Chen. Despite True Colors being unrelated to the past Life is Strange instalments, we still see hallmarks of the game’s signature blend of strong storytelling amongst supernatural powers and teen angst.
Alex Chen isn’t just your average teen, she possesses supernatural powers. Instead of being able to turn back time, however, she uses Empathy as her gift. With Empathy, she can both read, experience and manipulate the emotions of others. Her story is to discover the mystery about the tragic death of her brother in this small town.
Find out everything we know about Life is Strange: True Colors in the full article here.
Lost In Random by Zoink
Release Date: 10th September 2021
Platforms: PlayStation 4,N intendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC – Steam
What in the Tim Burton world is Lost in Random? From the makers of Fe comes a gothic-fairy-tale-inspired action-adventure where every citizen’s fate is determined by a roll of the dice.
Ruled by a wicked Queen, the kingdom of Random is divided into 6 shadowy realms where life is dictated by a cursed black dice. In this story you’ll join Even, a penniless girl who’s down on her luck, in a dark quest to save her beloved sister. Walk Random’s mysterious cobbled streets, meet its unpredictable residents, and take on courageous quests. Engage in fearsome battles with a unique blend of tactical combat, card collection, and explosive dice gameplay. Learn how to tip the odds in your favour, and dive into a dark wonderland where only the brave survive.
Tales of Arise by Bandai Namco
Release Date: 10th September 2021
Platforms: PlayStation 4|5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC – Steam
If you’re a fan of JRPG and anime and you haven’t played any of the Tales of series then you’re seriously missing out and need to correct it. The Tales of franchise are everything you’d want in an epic JRPG game. There’s a deep and convoluted storyline, many characters with overarching narratives and fast-action adaptable gameplay. Not to mention that all the games look stunning.
Tales of Arise follows the journey of two people born in different worlds. Alphen and Shionne from the worlds of Dahna and Rena. For 300 years, Rena has ravaged Dahna and enslaved her people. To free the Dahnans and change their fates, the two heroes form an unlikely alliance. Rena’s dominance is owed to technology and astral artes, magical abilities that draw on the astral energy in all living things. Shionne’s can manifest as a flaming sword, which she entrusts to Alphen.
Tales of Arise is unconnected to their previous titles so now’s a great time to jump in.
Deathloop by Arkane Studios
Release Date: 16th September 2021
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC – Steam
Deathloop is about two deadly rivals are trapped in an eternal kill cycle.
Colt is stuck in a loop of a single day on the island of Blackreef. But he’s not alone on that island, on it are the Visionaries. Who are there working on Blackreef on a project that will create eternal life. In order to break the loop, you’re going to have to kill them. The only thing is you’re going to have to do it in the space of 24 hours before the loop resets. And it won’t be so easy because each of the Visionaries has superpowers and of course there’s Juliana.
Juliana is a Visionary and guardian of the loop. Unlike the rest of the anchors, she’s not there to party her life away, she’s there to kill you. A fellow assassin, she’s the guardian of the loop and seems to take great pleasure in taking you down.
Find out everything we know about Deathloop in the full article here.
Eastward by Pixpil
Release Date: 16th September 2021
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam, Mac
We can never have enough charming pixel art games and Eastward has been long-awaited. Think of it as a mashup between Earthbound and Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past. Journey through society on the brink of collapse. Discover delightful towns, strange creatures and even stranger people. Wield a trusty frying pan and mystic powers on an adventure into the unknown.
In the near future, society is starting to collapse, and the human population is at an all-time low. A deadly toxic presence has spread across the land, destroying and devouring everything in its path. Those who could escape the miasma flocked to underground villages to start a new life. But for a hardworking miner and a mysterious young girl, the hope of a thriving outside world beckons.
Eastward is on our list of ‘Gorgeous Upcoming Pixel Art Games You Don’t Want To Miss’.
Aragami 2 by Lince Works
Release Date: 18th September 2021
Platforms: PlayStation 4|5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC – Steam
Aragami is back with a sequel to the stealth assassin game. If you liked the first Aragami game, Tencu or Dishonored type games then you’ll probably enjoy Aragami 2. Aragami 2 is a third-person stealth game where you play as an assassin with the power to control the shadows.
You are one of the last elite warriors of your kin, the Aragami. Victims of a supernatural affliction which corrodes the body and devours the mind, the Aragami control Shadow Essence – a mystical power that grants the ability to control the shadows. With this power the Aragami carry out their tasks and quests – assignments made all along the valley to ensure the subsistence of the village and to free the Aragami enslaved by the invader armies.
The first Aragami game was on our list of most promising E3 games back in 2016.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits by Ember Lab
Release Date: 21st September 2021
Platforms: PlayStation 4|5, PC – Epic Games
Kena: Bridge of Spirits made our list of best games announced for the PlayStation 5. In a beautiful almost Disney looking world, you’ll play as Kena, a young Spirit Guide travelling to an abandoned village in search of the sacred mountain shrine. Uncover a forgotten village and a strange curse as you draw on the power from the Spirit Realm to restore this once majestic world.
Immerse yourself in a story-driven action-adventure set in a charming world rich with exploration and fast-paced combat. Take on corrupt Spirits who are trapped and unable to move on as they challenge Kena at every turn. With your team of tiny spirits known as the Rot.
Sable by Shedworks
Release Date: 23rd September 2021
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC – Steam
Sable tells the story of a coming-of-age tale of discovery. Embark on a unique and unforgettable journey and guide Sable through her Gliding; a rite of passage that will take her across vast deserts and mesmerizing landscapes, capped by the remains of spaceships and ancient wonders.
Explore the dunes on your hoverbike, scale monumental ruins and encounter other nomads. As you navigate across a vast, tranquil alien planet filled with captivating vistas, mysterious spaceships, and other remnants of the past. Unearth mysteries long forgotten and discover who Sable really is behind her mask.
Bonus Round: Chinatown Detective Agency by General Interactive
Release Date: Fall 2021
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam, Mac
Think Cyberpunked Carmen Sandiego in Singapore and you might just get Chinatown Detective Agency. The year is 2032 in Singapore and you’re a a private detective in a country on the brink of chaos. Amira Darma, once a rising star at INTERPOL, is now a freshly minted Private Investigator in the heart of Chinatown, and your first client is about to walk through your door.
This mystery adventure game will take you across Singapore and the world in hot pursuit of criminals, witnesses and clues. Do real-world research and investigation to solve puzzles and uncover leads, and manage your time and money to solve cases from clients both well-intentioned and nefarious. Along the way, untangle a web of conspiracies and plots that threaten to push the Lion City over the edge.
Chinatown Detective Agency is featured in our games that celebrate Southeast Asian culture list.
It looks like September has an amazing mix of genres, triple A and indie titles on all platforms! Have you put any on your wishlist? Will you be getting any Day One purchases? Let us know in the comments below!
If some of these games still aren’t enough for you don’t worry we have a part 2 to this list right over here!