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.