Although there have been countless games that have been delayed into 2022 due to regular development issues as well as the new issues caused by the ongoing pandemic, 2021 is still shaping up to be an excellent year for video game releases. With four months still left in the year, there have already been some major releases and Game of the Year contenders including Resident Evil Village, Returnal, It Takes Two, and plenty more. The remaining months of 2022 are packed to the brim with solid titles that have fans excited. This is what's in store for gaming in the Fall of 2021.
Hades - August 13
Hades is the critically acclaimed rogue-like hack n' slash that was on plenty of Game of the Year lists for 2020. Unfortunately for Xbox and PlayStation owners, the game was only available on PC and Switch. Announced during Microsoft's E3 2021 presentation, Hades is headed to consoles including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on August 13. To top it all off, the game will be coming to Xbox Game Pass the day it releases on consoles.
Road 96 - August 16
Shown off recently during one of Nintendo's Indie World Showcases, Road 96 has players take control of people trying to flee a country run by a totalitarian dictatorship. As it's procedurally generated, no trip is the same so players will need to stay on their toes to make sure they can get out without getting caught. Road 96 will be releasing on August 16 for PC and Switch.
Marvel's Avengers: War for Wakanda - August 17
Although it had something of a shaky launch, Marvel's Avengers has had plenty of excellent free updates that have expanded the game's world and added hours of additional content. With the release of the War for Wakanda expansion, fans of the live service beat-em-up will be able to play as the Black Panther and explore Crystal Dynamics' interpretation of the titular country. Marvel's Avengers: War for Wakanda releases on August 17 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Twelve Minutes - August 19
12 Minutes has been teased for a while now, showing off its stellar cast which consists of Willem Defoe, Daisey Ridley, and James McAvoy. The game sees players take control of a man stuck in a time loop trying to solve a handful of mysteries with the day resetting every 12 minutes in real-time. Published by Annapurna Interactive, 12 Minutes is likely to be another hit for the indie publisher. 12 Minutes releases on August 19 for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S and is coming to Xbox Game Pass the day it releases.
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut - August 20
Fans of 2020's Ghost of Tsushima have been looking forward to the game's Director's Cut ever since it was announced earlier this year. Although it isn't a director's cut in the film definition of the phrase, the game will be getting an entire additional island to explore as well as other requested features like a Japanese lip-sync and DualSense features for the PS5 version. Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut releases on August 20 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Madden NFL 22 - August 20
This year's iteration of Madden NFL is nearly here. The game doesn't seem to be breaking any new ground in terms of gameplay features and modes, but it will update features from last year's Madden NFL 21 and include new players added to the NFL's roster. Madden NFL 22 releases on August 20 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite - August 24
The Aliens franchise has had a rocky history with video games. Some titles like Alien: Isolation were received very well, while others like Aliens: Colonial Marines didn't quite live up to its source material. Aliens: Fireteam Elite seems to be giving the Colonial Marines-style gameplay another shot, but it looks like it's going to be received much better based on previews. Aliens: Fireteam Elite launches August 24 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Psychonauts 2 - August 25
The original Psychonauts is something of a cult classic that fans have been requesting a sequel for ever since it was released. in 2005. After years of development and rights issues, Psychonauts 2 is finally coming out. The third-person platformer follows Raz, a recently graduated Psychonaut, on his journeys through the minds of those around him. Psychonauts 2 releases on August 25 for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S and arrives on Xbox Game Pass the day it launches.
No More Heroes 3 - August 27
The No More Heroes series has been a Nintendo staple ever since No More Heroes was released on the Wii in 2007. Now that it's been over a decade since the most recent mainline entry in the series, fans of the franchise are highly anticipating Travis Touchdown's return in No More Heroes 3. It releases on August 27 for Nintendo Switch.
Lake - September 1
In Lake, players take control of Meredith Weiss, a woman who's returned to her hometown to be a postwoman after some time away from it. It focuses on appreciating smaller moments spent with those around town as Meredith drives her truck delivering packages. The indie title was featured during E3 2021's wholesome direct and seems to be a calming experience. Lake releases on September 1 for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
The Medium - September 3
The Medium was released exclusively for the Xbox Series X/S and PC earlier this year on Xbox Game Pass, but now is getting a port to the PlayStation 5. It seems like Bloober Team's horror title will make interesting use of the PS5's DualSense controller to enhance the experience even further. The Medium releases on September 3 for PlayStation 5.
Life is Strange: True Colors - September 10
The Life is Strange series has always been in touch with its protagonists' emotions, however, with Life is Strange: True Colors, empathy seems to be at the very center of the experience. The game follows a woman with psychic, empathy-related powers named Alex Chen as she tries to solve the mystery surrounding her brother's recent death. Full of dialogue trees and plot-defining choices, True Colors is the third main series entry in the franchise. Life is Strange: True Colors releases on September 10 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
NBA 2K22 - September 10
The 2K series is one of the major tentpoles of all sports-based gaming and NBA 2K22 is this year's installment of the franchise. One major change from 2K21 is that 22 will have a much more in-depth MyNBA mode that focuses on the staff running the team almost as much as the player's team itself. NBA 2K22 releases on September 10 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
WarioWare: Get it Together! - September 10
After plenty of fan requests, the WarioWare series is back with WarioWare: Get it Together! coming exclusively to the Switch. Announced at E3 2021, the game looks to be everything fans of the series expect from another entry, but with even more madness added to the mix. With players controlling individual characters from the WarioWare franchise who all have different abilities, Get it Together! seems to be the perfect co-op game for the Fall. WarioWare: Get it Together! releases on September 10 for Switch.
Deathloop - September 14
Ever since it was announced, Deathloop has been many Arkane fans' most anticipated release of 2021. When it was revealed to be a timed PS5 exclusive that makes meaningful use of the console's DualSense controller, the hype went through the roof. As more and more events have showcased the stealth, shooting, and immersive sim gameplay, Deathloop's release can't come soon enough. Deathloop releases on September 14 for PlayStation 5 and PC.
SkateBIRD - September 16
With the release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 last year and the development updates on Skate 4, it looks like fans of skating video games have plenty to whet their appetites on. SkateBIRD is another title that looks to be adding to the sometimes whacky tone that skating games often go for. In it, players control different birds who skate their ways through a variety of different courses while looking cool doing it. SkateBIRD releases on September 16 for PC, Switch, and Xbox One.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits - September 21
Although it was initially meant to be released in August, fans of Kena: Bridge of Spirits will have to wait just a little bit longer following the game's month-long delay. Kena has been featured in plenty of PlayStation events and looks to be making the most out of the new PS5 hardware. With previews reviewing the game well, it seems like Kena might be a must-buy for PlayStation owners. Kena: Bridge of Spirits releases on September 21 for PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.
Death Stranding: Director's Cut - September 24
Similar to Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut, Death Stranding: Director's Cut doesn't exactly capitalize on the meaning of the phrase, but looks to be tons of fun anyway. With new vehicles, missions, and features, the Director's Cut seems to be the definitive way to experience Death Stranding with all the enhancements that come with the PlayStation 5. Death Stranding: Director's Cut releases on September 24 for PlayStation 5.
Lost Judgement - September 24
With the ever-growing popularity of the Yakuza series, the spinoff Judgement seems like the perfect thing for those looking for more Japanese crime dramas. The game's sequel, Lost Judgement, is following up on the adventures of detective Takayuki Yagami. Lost Judgement releases on September 24 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
FIFA 22 - October 1
Another annual sports title, FIFA 22 will have updated team rosters, as well as hypermotion tracking technology that will provide a truly next-gen experience. As soccer continues to grow in popularity in the US, it's possible that FIFA 22 will be the most popular EA Sports title yet. FIFA 22 releases on October 1 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Far Cry 6 - October 7
The Far Cry series is no stranger to having excellent villains and with actor Giancarlo Esposito playing Far Cry 6's Antón Castillo, the game seems like it'll be keeping that tradition of memorable villains alive. Far Cry 6 looks to be expanding the Far Cry formula by allowing players to recruit animals to fight alongside them in combat. Far Cry 6 releases on October 7 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Metroid Dread - October 8
Nintendo fans have learned the virtue of patience the hard way, but perhaps no Nintendo community is as familiar with waiting as Metroid fans. Surprisingly announced during Nintendo's E3 2021 presentation, Metroid Dread is the fifth installment in the mainline Metroid series started back when the franchise debuted in 1986. According to Nintendo, Metroid Dread will be the final chapter in Samus' relationship with the titular alien species. Metroid Dread releases on October 8 for Switch.
Back 4 Blood - October 12
When the spiritual successor to the Left 4 Dead series, Back 4 Blood was announced, fans were ecstatic. After its successful open Beta tests, Back 4 Blood seems to be shaping up to be a co-op zombie shooter on par with its predecessors. Perfect for the spooky month of October, Back 4 Blood looks like it's going to be on plenty of Game of the Year lists come December. Back 4 Blood releases on October 12 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes - October 21
The Dark Pictures Anthology has produced smaller horror experiences meant to be played with friends that change based on player choice. Each release has starred a new cast and with Ashley Tinsdale of High School Musical fame leading House of Ashes, it seems like the third chapter in the anthology has the chance to be the best one yet. Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes releases on October 21 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Battlefield 2042 - October 22
The newest entry in the Battlefield series seems to be changing things up in a way that's going to breathe fresh life into the franchise. Battlefield 2042 will have huge match sizes of 128 players on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S and will also feature Battlefield Portal, a tool that allows players to generate their own games based on three discrete pieces of Battlefield's history. Battlefield 2042 releases on October 22 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy - October 26
One of the bigger surprise announcements during E3 2021, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is Square Enix's next venture into the Marvel universe. From the limited trailers released so far, the game looks like it's taking a page out of Mass Effect's book by including squad-based abilities and story-altering dialogue options. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy releases on October 26 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Mario Party Superstars - October 29
Fall of 2021 seems to be a great time for fans of multiplayer Nintendo titles with WarioWare: Get it Together! and Mario Party Superstars. Superstars is a celebration of the classic party game series and is a stand-alone release from 2018's Super Mario Party. The game features five maps from the original Nintendo 64 edition of the game and 100 remade minigames from the series' past. Mario Party Superstars releases on October 29 for Switch.
Forza Horizon 5 - November 9
Forza Horizon 5 received an in-depth look during Microsoft's E3 2021 showcase that showed off the game's beautiful environments and tight gameplay. The racing sim's full Mexico-inspired map was revealed earlier this week and seems to be 50% bigger than Forza Horizon 4's map. Forza Horizon 5 releases on November 9 on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S and arrives on Xbox Game Pass the day it launches.
Shin Megami Tensei 5 - November 12
The Shin Megami Tensei series has blown up in popularity in recent years certainly no doubt to the massive popularity of SMT spinoff Persona 5. A remastered version of Shin Megami Tensei 3 was released earlier this year as well that's helped build the hype surrounding the JRPG series. Shin Megami Tensei 5 releases on November 12 on Switch.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - November 19
The next in the line of classic Pokemon remakes, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are remakes of the DS games set in the Sinnoh region. While technically not the first remakes on the Switch, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are the first Switch remakes that are sticking with the traditional Pokemon style instead of the catching system in Let's Go Eevee and Pikachu adopted from mobile hit Pokemon GO. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl release on November 19 for Switch.