The Summer Game Fest is the kick-off event of the gaming industry’s biggest week. Coming before E3, several publishers and indie game developers are using the Summer Game Fest this year to debut games that either can’t run at other events – most of which are publisher-hosted – or would be overshadowed there.
This year, the Game Fest nabbed some big early reveals, including From Software’s much-anticipated new IP, Elden Ring. First revealed at E3 2019, this From Software title practically vanished after that event. No news beyond the teaser trailer was revealed… until the Summer Game Fest.
Here are the biggest game reveals from the Summer Game Fest 2021.
Elden Ring Gameplay Trailer
The feather in the Summer Game Fest’s cap is undoubtedly Elden Ring. At this event, not only did publisher Bandai Namco reveal a gameplay trailer, but it also revealed a release date. Elden Ring will launch on January 21, 2022, for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC.
Elden Ring’s lore was written, at least in part, by Song of Ice and Fire author George R. R. Martin, and tells the tale of the Tarnished, an exile from the Lands Between who seeks the Elden Ring, the source of something called the Erdtree. According to the story gleaned so far, the goal is to find the pieces of the broken Elden Ring and wield it, becoming an Elden Lord. Players can presumably see more of the game at Bandai Namco’s big show during E3.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Reveal Trailer
The first reveal of the Summer Game Fest was a game that looked, at first glance, like a typical fantasy adventure. It’s only when the cell-shaded protagonist whips out a gun and shoots a dragon that it becomes obvious that the game is Gearbox’s next entry in the Borderlands franchise. It appears to be a spin-off of the series, inspired by “Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep,” the Dungeons & Dragons-themed DLC expansion of Borderlands 2.
According to voice actress Ashly Burch, who voices Tiny Tina, Wonderlands is a fantasy looter-shooter, rather than an RPG. The game’s cast is full of familiar names: Andy Samberg, Wanda Sykes, and Will Arnett will be joining Ashly Burch. It’s set to launch on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC at some point in 2022.
Jurassic World Evolution 2 Reveal Trailer
Summer Game Fest founder and host Geoff Keighley got a very familiar guest in to introduce the new Jurassic World game: Jeff Goldblum, who played Dr. Ian Malcolm in the original Jurassic Park film. Jurassic World Evolution 2 is a new park management game that launches for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC sometime in 2021.
Evolution 2 is the sequel to the original Jurassic World Evolution, which launched in 2018 and tasked players with managing the titular doomed park. Goldblum will reprise his role as Dr. Malcolm, while Bryce Dallas Howard will appear as Claire Dearing. Players will be able to build new parks away from the original park location, and a new mode called Chaos Theory will give players the chance to avert the disasters that befell the parks in the movies.
Death Stranding Director’s Cut Reveal Trailer
Hideo Kojima made an appearance at the Fest in a pre-recorded interview with Keighley. He vaguely alluded to working on a new project, but what he showed was a trailer for the Director’s Cut of Death Stranding. It’s unclear right now exactly what extras this game will contain – the trailer was basically one big shout-out to Metal Gear Solid and nothing else – but it’ll be coming to the PS5 “soon.”
Metal Slug Tactics Reveal Trailer
The Metal Slug franchise is a classic shoot-em-up series from the 90s that’s coming back as a grid-based tactical RPG with roguelike elements. The trailer shows that the Tactics title retains several familiar characters as well as pixel graphics. Players didn’t get a release date, but the game is available to wishlist on Steam.
Among Us Future Roadmap
Inner Sloth showed off a sneak peek of the future of Among Us. Among the updates players can expect some time in the near future are a new hide-and-seek mode, a new map, new colors, and visor cosmetics. Inner Sloth also mentioned that new roles would be added to the game, including Sheriff and Scientist.
According to the developer’s roadmap, the next thing they’re working on is 15-player support, coming soon.
Two Point Campus
From the creators of Two Point Hospital comes a school spin-off. Leaked earlier this year, Two Point Campus is a time management game that puts players on the titular school campus. They can take classes like jousting, cooking, or robotics to become knights, chefs, etc. The game is due sometime in 2022 on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
The Anacrusis
This game is a Left 4 Dead style co-op shooter set on a 70s-style space station. Four people must fight through a huge horde of monsters. This is not a coincidence, as one of the creators of The Anacrusis is Chet Faliszek, project leader and writer on both Left 4 Dead games. The game is set to launch this fall on PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Xbox Game Pass.
Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodhunt
While the other Vampire the Masquerade game in development, Bloodlines 2, appears to be delayed indefinitely, another game in the same universe is coming to PC sometime this year. Bloodhunt is a battle royale game in which players can select their clan and loot weaponry they can use to take out the other characters. The game will be free to play, with a closed alpha coming in July.
Tales of Arise
The Tales series of JRPGs has been around since the 90s, and the latest one in the series is Tales of Arise. The Summer Game Fest trailer highlights two new party members who can join the quest: A soldier named Kisara and a noble named Dohalim. Tales of Arise is set to launch on September 10 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.
Planet of Lana
A handful of indie games appeared at the Summer Game Fest, and the most notable is probably Planet of Lana. Its stunning art and tranquil atmosphere made it stand out in the crowd. The player character, Lana, must go on a mission with her animal companion to save her sister. The game launches on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S sometime in 2022.
The games players saw at the Summer Game Fest are just the first batch of titles at E3 2021. Elden Ring and Tales of Arise are most likely to appear again at the Bandai Namco show on June 15.
