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0 It’s that time of year again, where we all get excited about all the lovely games coming up in the future. This presentation was hosted by world-class voice acting talent Laura Bailey (Gears 5, The Last of Us Part II, Marvel’s Avengers) and Troy Baker (Final Fantasy XIII, Mass Effect 3, Far Cry 4, The Last of Us).
Many of the games on show here are available to add to your Steam wishlist and some have demos available, so click here to head to the store.
So, let’s take a look at what’s in store.
Instinction
Kicking off the presentation, we have the world premiere of Instinction. Instinction was first announced in February 2021 by developers Hashbane. For those awaiting the Dino Crisis remake, this could be what you are looking for. It seems to have a survival horror theme as humans are being hunted by the very dinosaurs they are supposed to protect. The environments look lavish, dark, and detailed as your skulking around trying to hide from prehistoric predators. Instinction is set to release in 2022 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Though these are confirmed, it is also slated to release on current-gen consoles.
Grow: Song of the Evertree
Grow: Song of the Evertree is a sandbox adventure about the healing power of nature. You will grow new worlds, build towns, and bring harmony back to the land. The first thing that struck me here was its art style and how bright and colourful it was. Behind all this vibrant hue lies a dark story. Grow: Song of the Evertree is developed by Prideful Sloth and published by 505 games, and will release in 2021 on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
Jurassic World Evolution 2
You want more dinosaurs? Well, ok then! Well, this time we are treated to a tiny amount of gameplay footage. Jurassic World Evolution 2 is set after the events of the movie Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and features original voice talent including the legendary Jeff Goldblum. This small segment tells us a bit more about the game and shows us a little of the Species Field Guide. Jurassic World Evolution 2 is set to release on PC, PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One in 2021.
Virtual Show Floor
Here we have a virtual showcase of game demos available to play on Steam now. The games available are:
- A Tale of Paper
- Get Packed Fully Loaded
- Gatewalkers
- Gamedec
- Backbone
- Beacon Pines
- Trifox
- Timberborn
- The Riftbreaker
Esports Boxing Club
While the world is crying out for a new boxing game, Steal City Interactive has heard these cries. We get a glimpse into the development and gameplay where real fighters have been used for motion capture. With a roster of over 200 fighters including legends such as Muhammed Ali and Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr, current male and female fighters, is this the boxing game we have all been waiting for? Esports Boxing Club will be coming to PC and all major consoles with early access to PC in 2021.
Hell Let Loose
Hell Let Loose is a 100-player World War II shooter that has been in early access for a while and sold over a million copies. Developer, Black Matter has finally revealed that Hell Let Loose will be coming out of early access with the introduction of Soviet forces and famous battles. Hell Let Loose will be available on PC on July 27th, 2021, and PS5 Xbox Series X|S in 2021. You can check out our preview for Hell Let Loose here.
Red Solstice 2: Solstice
Think X-Com, but with 8 players. There is a mutant invasion, and it’s up to you and your friends to save the earth. We cover more on Red Solstice 2: Solstice here. In the meantime, check out this trailer.
Lake
So, you’ve had enough of the big city and want a quiet life. Why not deliver mail in your hometown? Additional to your day job, you get to enjoy hobbies such as going to the video store and renting a movie. Yeah, this game is set in the 80s and I am kind of intrigued as to what other 80’sisms (is that even a word) are in there. Developer Gamious announced Lake is coming to PC and Xbox Series X|S on September 1st, 2021.
Eldest Souls
Next up we have a pixelated souls-like game. We were treated to a story trailer setting the scene for what Eldest Souls is. Not much is given away from the trailer apart from that. What we can tell you is that it has a 16-bit retro boss rush. I must say, this hand-drawn style trailer has got me intrigued. Eldest Souls will be available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One on July 29th.
Enlisted
Time for another World War II game, this time it’s Enlisted from Darkflow Software. We managed to get our hands on a preview and you can check that out here. The game is cross-platform and out now on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S.
Severed Steel
Next up we have this chaotic stunt shooter where you play as a protagonist with only one arm. Just that sentence alone makes me want to play it. Set against the sonic backdrop of Waltz from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky, the contrast of calm and chaos is almost comical but amazing. Severed Steel is coming soon to PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
Future Hits for 2021
- Dice Legacy
- Gestalt Steam & Cinder
- Iron Corbo Kung Fu Janitor
- Definitely Not Fried Chicken Inc
- Ranch Simulator
- Schim
- Silt
- Dome-King Cabbage
Sonic Colours Ultimate
For the first time, Sonic Colours will be available on something other than a Nintendo Product. We are treated to some gameplay as our favourite hedgehog darts his way through the Tropical Resort Act 2. I just can’t get enough of the little guy, despite being nearly 40 years old so I am hyped for this. Sonic Colours Ultimate is set to release on September 7 for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Starmancer
Have you ever wanted to manage your own space station? Starmancer makes that possible, but this is a management game unlike any other. You are the station AI and how you play is up to you. Will you be a good AI, or will you disobey your protocol and go rogue? I know which playstyle I’m going for. Starmancer will be zipping its way to you on August 5th, 2021.
Keywee
So here we have our second game about the postal service. Keywee is about Jeff and Debra, two birds that work at the post office. Yes…I said birds. Not a lot of information on this but it looks to be a two-player co-op game. If you’re a fan of Overcooked! then this might be for you as you work together to piece words together with a variety of hazards. Keywee is set to release on PC and consoles on August 31st, 2021.
DeathRun TV
Next up we have another world premiere set in a seriously disturbed future where likes are everything 👍. Hey, that kind of sounds like now! My first thought was that this is basically Smash TV, but 30 years later. If Smash TV and Hotline Miami had an illegitimate love child, it would be DeathRun TV. It’s a game show where death means nothing as you murder your way to victory to gain the crowd’s favour. It looks frantic and chaotic but a hell of a lot of fun. You can currently play the Pilot Episode here on Steam. DeathRun TV is set to release on September 7 for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch but no release date has been specified.
Chernobylite
Here we have a little presentation from developers Farm 51 about the upcoming survival game Chernobylite which features a 3D scanned recreating of the exclusion zone. Secret codes for early access would have been found earlier in the presentation during the Virtual Show Floor segment. Chernobylite is set to release on PC on July 28th, and PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One later on.
Team 17 Showcase
- Hell Let Loose
- Super Magbot
- Hokko Life
- Honey, I Joined A Cult
- King of Seas
- Greak Memories of Azur
- Sheltered 2
- Overcooked! All You Can Eat free update
Harold Halibut
Next up, developers Slow Bros showcase their stop-motion game Harold Halibut. Everything here has been made by hand and scanned into the game. This has to be one of the most labour intensive games I have seen to date. Harold is a scientist aboard a huge ship that has crashed onto a planet while in search of somewhere habitable to live. While others live on the ship carefree, Harold is compelled to keep searching. Harold Halibut will be available “soonish” on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
Happy Game
Talk about leading you into a false sense of security, this is anything but happy…and I love it. It’s just my cup of tea. Amanita Design brings is something cheerful and equally twisted. It seems a boy falls asleep into a nightmare and it is up to you to make him happy again. The imagery is quite striking in its juxtaposition. Happy Game is set to release in autumn 2021 on PC, Mac, and Nintendo Switch.
Minute of Islands
Minute of Islands is an eye-catching hand-drawn puzzle platformer from Studio Fizbin. The story follows a mechanic called Mo as attempts to fix everything in the world with her Omni Switch. Minute of Islands has been nominated for a number of indie awards and the best part is, it is out now on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human
Next up we have a Q&A with the developers. Here they specify more about the mechanics of the game including choice and consequence and a bit more about the narrative and co-op. It is currently set to release on December 7th, 2021 on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
OlliOlli World
Next up we have a bit of an in-depth look at Roll7’s next skater game, OlliOlli World. Here we get a decent glimpse of gameplay including new moves and tricks to add to your sick repertoire. Previous players will know how steep of a learning curve this can be but OlliOlli World promises to get everyone on their deck in no time. OlliOlli World is set to release in the winter of 2021 on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Tails of Iron
As soon as this story trailer started I knew I recognised that voice. It was none other than Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher series. Based on this I was already intrigued. This trailer sets the scene of the game where you see Prince Redgi take over the throne of the Rat Kingdom and is tasked with protecting it from the amphibian army of Greenwart. The narrative has already piqued my interest as well as it promising to be a brutal RPG. There is no confirmed released date as of yet but it will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and the Nintendo Switch.
Movie Games
God of War director David Jaffe spends a few minutes with us you talk about Movie Games’ upcoming projects. These include Lust from Beyond, Fire Commander, and Winter Survival Simulator.
XSEED Games
Here we have another short showcase looking at upcoming projects from XSEED including:
- Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed
- Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle
- Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
- Rune Factory 4 Special
- Rune Factory 5
Batora: Lost Haven
Batora: Lost Haven is an Action RPG with hack-and-slash and twin-stick shooter elements. Choices will inevitably lead to consequences in the retro sci-fi world. The game launches in alpha on July 21st.
Two Point Campus
The guys at Two Point are back and they have ditched healthcare in favour of the education system. Some city-builder-style upgrades have been made, making it easier to sculpt your campus. One of the key things here is that, unlike patients, you are dealing with students and you are a part of their education. You get to watch them grow and develop and even make the attend Knight School. Yes, Knight School, where you train to be a knight of course. It wouldn’t be a Two Point game without any craziness.
The game will be released in 2022 and it will be available on PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch Xbox One, and Xbox Series S|X.
Project Ferocious
Back with the dinosaurs. If you’re still looking for something to scratch that Dino Crisis itch, then maybe keep an eye on Project Ferocious. To say this is being developed by a single person is nothing short of amazing, it looks incredibly detailed and very fun. Why are the dinosaurs on this island? Why is it a secret? I for one can not wait to find out. Check out the trailer below. Project Ferocious is currently aiming for a 2023 release. So far only PC, PS4, and Xbox One have been confirmed.
Warcry Challenges
A short presentation here from Dream Powered Games, but it packs a hell of a lot into it. My first impression was that it is reminiscent of the recent Doom games with its fast-paced FPS action. With over 180 challenges to complete and a number of abilities such as slow-motion and a grappling hook at your fingertips, there seems to be plenty here to keep you busy.
Conway: Disappearance at Dahlia View
White Paper Games who made Ether One and The Occupation unveiled their latest game which is a detective thriller set in the 1950’s. This is quite a unique approach to sleuthing as it is all done from the confines of your apartment. A young girl has gone missing, and observation is your greatest tool as you watch your neighbours go about their daily lives. What secrets do they have? Check out the trailer below.
Immortality
The final game in the Future Games Presentation is Immortality. The trailer doesn’t give away too much except this is the story of a young actress who dreams of fame, and she stars in three films that were never released. The actress, Marcel has gone missing and it is down to the player to find out what happened. Apparently this will be a bit more horror-oriented with director Sam Barlow quoted as saying;
“I am particularly interested in a kind of horror that exists on the periphery of your vision, one that once injected into your brain isn’t easily flushed out when you turn the screen off.”
Sam Barlow also directed Telling Lies and Her Story. There seems to be quite the pedigree among the writers as well with Barry Gifford (Lost Highway, Wild at Heart), Allan Scott (Don’t Look Now, The Queen’s Gambit), and Amelia Gray (Maniac, Mr Robot).
Wow!! That was a lot to get through. Anything there you like the look of? Let us know in the comments below. Also, you can check out the whole presentation below.
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