It has lost some relevance, but the first person shooter genre will stomp in 2021. These are all its releases: Halo, Battlefield, Stalker …
Surely more than one, upon seeing the title of this article, lets out a sigh of exasperation and wonders if the year of the shooter is not every year. Especially those less friends of the genre, to whom it must seem that video games live in an eternal groundhog day. Deep down they are not without reason. As our colleague Alberto Venegas said in his four fascinating specials on the history of FPS, it is the dominant genre, one whose success and popularity has never waned (“… and continues to rise thanks to the outbreak of new referents “). However, taking an in-depth look at the catalog of recent years, it is clear that their situation is not the same as a decade ago. First-person action games have lost some relevance and prominence in the PS4 and Xbox One generation. Sandboxes and third-person shooters, for example, have eaten part of the terrain. Proof of this are the following tables, in which we compare the great releases of the genre today with those of its golden age, which began with a 2007 to remember.
As seen in the images, we have lost in terms of quantity, variety and quality, characteristics that have migrated to other genres, not to mention that many of the games on the right are sequels and direct heirs of those on the left. . The most normal thing in the world. Our industry changes, burns stages and moves by fashions. It was impossible for shooters to maintain that rhythm and dominance for more than ten years. And yet, as we said, it is still one of the most prolific and successful genres. Understanding the situation they are currently going through helps to value the 2021 that is coming. Next we are going to review all the FPS that are planned for the next twelve months. It will not take long for you to realize that, if the entire list was fulfilled and there were no delays, this year has little to do with the last and could even rival 2007. Perhaps even inaugurate a new trend in the next generation, that of PS5 and Xbox Series X / S. The number of big names on the horizon is incredible, as well as the ambition of some proposals and the originality and rebellion of others. We, as lovers of the genre, cannot help but rub our hands and welcome with a smile to 2021, the great year of FPS.
Halo Infinite
- Everything we know about Halo Infinite
His first gameplay did not live up to expectations, things as they are. The barrage of criticism and ridicule, with Craig’s meme at the fore, was one of those that is not forgotten. Was that the biggest budget development in Xbox history? The news that appeared after the gameplay didn’t help either. What if it was conceived as a service game, what if ray tracing was not going to be available at the outset … Fortunately, Microsoft reacted in time. The company postponed the game to 2021, Phil Spencer apologized to fans, and project director Chris Lee resigned to leave his job to Joe Staten and Pierre Hintze, part of Bungie’s old guard and responsible for the original trilogy. Since then, 343 Industries have been working to turn it around and have stuck to one of the slogans in the series: Deliver Hope. The developer is convinced that Halo Infinite can still mark a new point within the genre and the saga. There are reasons. This new Master Chief adventure was conceived as a reboot and aims to turn everything upside down with a much longer campaign than usual, open world and with unprecedented freedom in the rest of the series. At the same time, the multiplayer will be free to play, thus forging the largest community in its history and having an exit Forge mode. A cocktail to which John-117’s new abilities (a hook), a new enemy (The Banished) and a new ring to explore (Zeta Halo, Installation 07) are added. And that’s not to mention a brand new, brand new graphics engine. A Slipspace Engine that promises ray tracing, 4K and 120 fps. From Microsoft they have come out to deny any rumor that associates the title with 2022, so we have Halo Infinite as one of the great launches of 2021.
New Battlefield
We still do not know if it will be called Battlefield 6, but it is certain that this 2021 we will have a new installment of the DICE saga. It was the company itself that confirmed it a few months ago through several statements in which it assured that the development of the game “is progressing very well” and that it will be presented “next spring.” It is true that Battlefield V has been responsible for cooling the fervor for the series enough, but that is precisely what is fueling its creators. The developer is eager to vindicate herself and regain our trust by doing one of her best jobs. For now, from the study they are already talking about “a scale never seen before” in video games and the latest rumors point to online games for 128 players. But at DICE they are even more ambitious and also want to once again be a reference at the graphic level. That is why his intention is to make the next Battlefield one of the first games to really squeeze the new generation of consoles. It has been created with PS5 and Xbox Series X in mind, although the PC community will remain the apple of its eye. Several insiders point out, for example, that the PS4 and Xbox One version would be a simple port and could even have a completely different studio behind it. Pending confirmation, we leave you this first technical preview of what we can expect. It was taught by Electronic Arts itself, anticipating that the feebdack received by the project is “very positive.” Will they again face their greatest rival, Call of Duty? Is there still room for the Battlefield formula in an online scene dominated by arcade proposals and battle royale? Whatever the answer, a fascinating year is ahead for fans of the series, shooters and large-scale destruction.
Far Cry 6
If everything had gone well, right now we would be talking about less than a month left until the launch of Far Cry 6, initially scheduled for February 18. But of course, let’s see how many things go well with the coronavirus involved. In the end, we will have to wait several more months, and in the absence of Ubisoft confirming the new release date, the leaks mark in red on May 22, 2021. It will be then when one of the sagas that has grown the most during the last generation of consoles. Between remasters and spin offs, PS4 and Xbox One will end up with more than 5 installments of the series, and far from being less, their sales and quality do not stop increasing. That is why this Far Cry 6 is presented as one of the star shooters of 2021. As is tradition, the villain of the game will be one of its great attractions and this time it will be played by Giancarlo Esposito (Gus Fring in Breaking Bad). Esposito will take on the role of Antón Castillo, an unscrupulous politician who has just fraudulently won the elections on the island of Yara (the new region of the game). Castillo soon began a harsh repression against his own citizens and that is where we entered, in the revolt against him. A context built with the Cuban guerrillas in mind and whose influence has been such that Ubisoft have opted for an original dubbing in Latin Spanish, precisely the one that will reach Spain to provoke a greater immersion. For the rest, we can expect a new step in the usual mechanics, paradigm of sandboxes. One example is the Fangs for Hire buddy system, which was introduced in Far Cry 5 and allowed certain animals to be tamed. In Far Cry 6 it will continue to grow in numbers and possibilities, even allowing us to fight accompanied by a sausage dog named Chorizo. If it follows the upline of its predecessor, it is a safe bet.
STALKER 2
More than 14 years after the original installment, now a cult game, the STALKER saga is back. And although last year we did not have too many details about how this return will be, from GSC Game World they have always maintained that their goal is to leave in 2021. Let’s cross our fingers so that their forecasts are met and we can return sooner rather than later to the Zone. Among the novelties confirmed for the sequel is a major change regarding the graphics engine. The studio says goodbye to the X-Ray Engine that caused so many headaches and moves to Unreal Engine 4, with which the creation of mods will be even easier and more accessible. An anecdotal detail in other titles and key in this one, where the support of the community has been making a difference. In addition, the engine change will be accompanied by more things, such as the so-called A-Life 2.0, a “world simulation system” that will make Chernobyl behave more naturally than ever, adapting the behavior of its fauna and inhabitants to the continuous changes that we are causing in the Area. A unique experience is sought for each user. A more realistic, difficult and unpredictable experience if possible than that of its first installment. In the last few weeks we have also met Skif, the new protagonist, and we have seen a new gameplay trailer with new locations and dangers. Above we will have a console version, exclusive to Xbox Series X | S. Both in them and in PC it is intended to make use of the SSD to improve load times and there will be support for RTX and 4K resolution. All good news within GSC Game World, from where they declare to be pleased “to see how STALKER 2 is shaping up as the definitive experience” that they promised in their day.
Dying Light 2
Despite the last minute delay and the news blackout of these months, Dying Light 2 has long been in “its final phase” and has earned a vote of confidence. After all, the first installment has ended up establishing itself as one of the best zombie games of all time. An explosive combination of parkour, the undead and survival that is as fun as it is eye-catching. It might be hard to get started, but the game didn’t stop growing and was supported for years and years (the first Dying Light came out in 2015, just to give you an idea, and in 2018 it was still getting major updates and DLC). We’ll see what state this startup sequel is in, but it’s also a long-term project and Techland has promised to support it for four years. It is not the only statement that allows a glimpse of the excessive ambition of the study, which has also confirmed a mapping four times greater than the original and has admitted that it has the largest budget in its history. This installment (again with cooperative mode for 4 people) is set more than a decade after the previous one, continues its story and puts us in the shoes of Aiden Caldwell, a survivor who has been infected and thanks to that he enjoys a exceptional agility and strength. With his powers, Aiden enters where no one else dares and can change the world around him. This is one of the great novelties of the sequel, the enormous narrative freedom that we will enjoy, being able to decide if we use our “gifts” to help society or if, on the contrary, we use them for our own benefit, letting them different factions on the map fall into collapse. The future of history, the different areas and their inhabitants can be completely changed thanks to the new system of elections. Hopefully soon its scope, how it looks on next gen consoles, and its final release date. We are hungry for brains.
Deathloop
The latest genius from Arkane Studios will also be a shooter, as were Dishonored and Prey, the two works that make their resume shine. His new adventure stars Colt, a man who lives trapped in an eternal time loop from which he can only get out if he kills the eight people who keep said loop active and if he also does so before it restarts, something that will happen every time Colt dies. A game, therefore, full of action, strategy and possibilities when reaching our goal, three characteristics of the house. Knowing the environment, observing the behavior of the enemies and choosing the right tools will be essential to carry out our plan in a single life. But the rest of the traits that make Arkane one of the leading developers in the sector will also be present in Deathloop. We talked about its level design, setting and artistic finish, crystallized here on Blackreef Island, a retro-futuristic setting in which a perpetual party and full of extravagances is celebrated. Our victims roam freely around the island, but the thing will not be to arrive and kiss the saint. The game is designed to die frequently and things restart, basing its formula on trial and error. As a great novelty there will be a 1 on 1 multiplayer mode that will allow other players to invade our island and dedicate themselves, either to help us, or to hunt us down and make things impossible, in the way of the Souls. For now, its release date is reduced to “Q2 2021”, although several leaks suggest that it will be released on May 21, 2021. Hopefully we can then enjoy the premiere of this IP, created “with the new generation in mind ”. It will only be released on PC and PS5, where it will be exclusive for twelve months. On the Sony console, he’s committed to delivering 4K and 60 frames per second, as well as making the most of the Dualsense. Perfect for those who want more than sequels.
Overwatch 2
It seems incredible, but it has been five years since the launch of Overwatch and two since Blizzard announced its sequel. The developer’s famous hero shooter has been one of the great online games of the generation. During the last five years there are few names that have been so present in the competitive scene and even fewer that have also reached 91 in Metacritic that achieved the title of the Irvine company. This second part intends to strictly comply with the slogan of “more and better”, since it will maintain the initial proposal and will only expand it with dozens of new content. For now, a new game mode (Preview), a new character (Sojourn, the first Canadian heroine) and four more maps (Gothenburg, Monte Carlo, Toronto and Rio de Janeiro) have been shown, but Blizzard has promised that this is just the beginning. In any case, the great novelty will be the presence of a story mode with which to alleviate the only thing that was attributed to the original. Overwatch 2 will have its own campaign, it will drink from the delicious lore that the original created and will expand what we know about its characters. It will even have a mode called “Hero Missions”, with enormous replayability. In it, in the manner of an RPG, we will have to meet different PvE challenges that give us experience and make us level up, gaining talents, skills and customization items along the way. But the great news lies in the fact that only the campaign mode and the heroic missions will be exclusive to the sequel, with the rest of the material being free for owners of the original. It seeks not to separate and divide the community, but on the contrary, to empower it. Even progress will be preserved and there will be a visual wash of the most practical. The only doubt that the project generates at the moment is about its current state, since it has been practically silent for a year and some have begun to drop that it is progressing too slowly. Let’s see if Blizzard pronounces itself and gives us one of the joys of the year at the imminent Blizzcon 2021.
Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods – Part Two
Very occasionally, as with shooting stars, an expansion appears that dignifies the DLC. The last rare bird that serves as an example for such a strange phenomenon is The Ancient Gods – Part One, a downloadable content for Doom Eternal that, given its entity, can even be played independently and without the need for the original title. Like a sequel, this expansion lasts around five hours and is set right after the end of Eternal (suffice it to say that the story continues and even allows us to start with all the weapons of that already unlocked). But it is not satisfied with repeating the same thing again and adds new levels, more enemies (demonic turrets, spirits …) and new collectibles (such as support runes). A Mr. DLC, in short, that this 2021 should be completed with a second part (both within the season pass). If Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods – Part Two offers the same content, adding to the previous one it could almost go through a kind of Doom Eternal 2, and being the first one of the shooters of the generation, those are big words. In addition, these DLC have stepped on the accelerator a bit more in terms of difficulty, being even higher than that of the base game, and allow you to take a look (or hear) to the new soundtrack of Andrew Hulshult and David Levy, the heirs of Mick Gordon, original composer who, after his disagreements with the studio, has broken relations with Bethesda. Coffee for the most coffee growers, go. And being Doom coffee, that means it’s freshly roasted and served just the way we all like it. Let no one be fooled by its DLC status, its name or the “Second Part” catchphrase, as this is one of the key releases of the FPS genre for 2021.
Ghostwire: Tokyo
We have always liked to walk the streets of Tokyo through video games set in the Japanese country, but if those streets are infested with spirits and paranormal threats, things are even more fun. And if behind everything is the creator of Resident Evil and The Evil Within, what are we going to tell you. Ghostwire: Tokyo is the latest craze from Shinji Mikami, one of the brightest minds in the business and a guy to never lose sight of. The new proposal from his studio, Tango Gameworks, is a first-person action and horror adventure in which we will fight against all kinds of ghosts and creatures that have emerged from our worst nightmares. Children in a yellow raincoat that look like something out of IT, women who dress in the wedding attire in which they were abandoned, headless high school students, or wannabe versions of Slenderman are just a few examples. We will have to investigate where these mysterious presences have come from and to fight against them we will not have weapons, but various spells that we will have to learn to conjure with the movement of our hands. Rabidly original and crazy, Mikami’s new proposal still has a lot to clarify, but knowing him, it may not be explained until we play it. When will that be? Well, according to the latest Sony videos, we can expect Ghostwire Tokyo for October 2021 (a Halloween gift?) And only for PC and PS5, a console that will be exclusively temporary.
Bright Memory Infinite
We would never have believed that two genres as disparate as first person shooter and hack and slash were able to coexist successfully, but then Bright Memory came to shut our mouths. A game in which as soon as you are in an office building like in a medieval castle, in which a shooting can end up turning into a sword duel and in which your enemies can be soldiers, werewolves or both. time. And far from settling for that, the game also hits the ground running with a most peculiar development, since it has been created by a single person: the Chinese designer known as FYQD. With no help from anyone else, FYQD has achieved a frenetic and surprising title, both at the controls and visually, to the point of having achieved 91% positive reviews on Steam. A few months ago it came to Microsoft’s new generation consoles and we were blunt in its Reviews: “8 euros that should be in your Xbox Series X”. The only thing that was blamed on it is that it lasted so little (just 1 hour), leaving the feeling (compensated with its price) of being before a demo. This 2021 we look forward to the arrival of its sequel (or is it perhaps better to say its final version?): Bright Memory Infinite. With it, we will try to alleviate that defect and everything will feel like a complete game that expands what we tested in the original. With more staff and budget, the title looks outrageous and presents itself as a different FPS than what we have tested. To make matters worse, it will be free on PC for those who did with the previous one, so one more reason to give it a try.
CrossfireX
For some, it may be an exaggeration to put Crossfire among the novelties of 2021 … and it is normal. This free to play of Korean origin has accumulated more than 650 million registered players since its launch, which has been more than a decade (and that in Europe, because in Asia it came out much earlier, back in 2007). But let’s admit octopus as a pet. Because this “revision” of the game, with the final tag included, CrossfireX, will bring with it significant content and will mean the premiere on consoles of this famous online shooter. Consoles in which, incidentally, will be exclusive to Xbox. Without a doubt, the most important addition to Smilegate’s original work will be a brand new campaign mode developed by Remedy Entertainment (the creators of Control and Alan Wake). And while the studio has experience with third person shooters (there are Max Payne or Quantum Break), it had never worked on an FPS before, so there is a lot of desire to see them at work and see how they develop in the genre. Remedy will put us in the shoes of Louis Torres, a secret agent who starts his own crusade against the Global Risk corporation, a sinister military organization capable of perpetrating terrorist acts in search of its own benefit. The campaign will allow you to use the skills of Crossfire’s online mode (like a suit capable of making us invisible) and will be full of explosions and leaps into the void, or what is the same, adrenaline. Being from Remedy we can also take for granted a great narrative load and an enviable technical invoice, of which the graphics engine (it will run on Unreal Engine 4) and some specifications (it will reach 4K and 60 fps on Xbox Series X) have been confirmed. A perfect way to discover this online classic if we hadn’t already done so, or failing that, to enjoy the first first person shooter campaign in Remedy’s history. Both options seem great.
Shadow warrior 3
A few years ago, in 2013, the Polish developer Flying Wild Hog opened the trunk of memories to resurrect the Shadow Warrior IP, created in its day by the parents of Duke Nukem, the guys from 3D Realms. It was difficult to imagine that the studio would end up building on those foundations an FPS saga with deliveries as fun and original as Shadow Warrior 2 (2016). The series has established itself as a tribute to the shooters of yesteryear, to those unapologetic titles that offered action in the vein and a waste of blood, explosions and black humor. This 2021, PC users are preparing to receive a new chapter, Shadow Warrior 3, which should also arrive on PS5 and Xbox Series X / S later and that, seeing its most recent trailers, looks like a new festival of bullets, sword strokes and liters and liters of blood. The title will retain its acidic references to today’s society, the procedurally created maps and will touch the hundred weapons. Lo Wang, its protagonist, is fitter than ever and will face the greatest number of enemies in his history, drawn as always from the best Asian folklore and imaginary. The rest of his tricks will return, more empowered if possible. Cooperative 4, fluid combat system like few others, leveling up and unlocking of skills, powers, elemental effects … and so on. A new adrenaline rush for old school lovers that looks great, plays better, and has more and more fans and reasons to be one of the first person shooter of the year.
Back 4 Blood
The formula has had many heirs, such as GTFO and World War Z. Far from the zombies it has had even more (and some very good ones, in fact): Deep Rock Galactic, Payday 2, Killing Floor 2 … Even Turtle Rock itself Studios tried their luck with a slightly different version, with monsters and 4 vs 1, as was Evolve. But nothing has finished penetrating, or at least not as much as Left 4 Dead. That’s why we can’t be more pleased with the announcement of Back 4 Blood, with which Turtle Rock intends to return to its roots and offer a new cooperative zombie FPS that “will combine the best of Left 4 Dead with new functions and next-generation technology.” “It surpasses everything we have done before”, declares the developer, who also assures that it is the “greatest challenge in the history of the study” and that it will serve to unleash “ideas of zombies that stayed in our brains”. Come on, a kind of Left 4 Dead 3 (which, let’s face it, we have all dreamed of), but without getting into licensing problems with Valve, who did not want to know anything and still has a phobia of number three. And for greater joy, it is one of the few on this list with a confirmed departure date. Back 4 Blood is coming June 22, 2021 to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X / S.
Warhammer 40K Darktide
The Warhammer saga adds up and goes on. His next installment, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, is scheduled for 2021 and it couldn’t look better. It will once again be a cooperative shooter for 4 people, but this time set in the hive city of Tertium and the 41st millennium of the series. Fatshark will repeat as developer after representing the Games Workshop universe in Warhammer – End Times: Vermintide and its respective sequel, Vermintide 2. The big difference with respect to them will be the importance of the multiplayer mode, because now the cooperation with our squad will be key to getting out alive from the depths of the hive, where a new and overwhelming wave of darkness resides. This time we will face a heretical sect known as Admonition that yearns to take control of the planet Atoma Prime, even if it is by killing all its inhabitants along the way. But that’s where we enter, the Inquisition, who must once again prevent the world from succumbing to chaos. Massive battles, online co-op and the delicious lore of the Games Workshop universe, can you ask for more? For Fatshark it seems so. The team has promised to tweak the gunplay (the FPS component) to make it even more complex, deep and satisfying than it used to be, finally bringing it to the level of melee and creating a hybrid combat system that takes fights to a new level. How does it sound? In addition, this installment gave up going out on PS4 and Xbox One to get the most out of the PC and the new generation, where it will be exclusive to Xbox Series X and is confirmed to be released on Xbox Games Pass. Playable show and now it seems that visual for a saga with less recognition than it has been deserving. Will 2021 be the year of your big leap?
Scorn
This is your year. It has to be. We love the work of H. R. Griger so much that we do not lose hope. And less if your new gameplay ends with a 2021 in the middle of the screen. Yes, this is definitely Scorn’s year. Ebb Software’s game has been keeping us in suspense since the summer of 2016, when we met its terrifying universe, clearly inspired by the artistic section and designs of the Alien saga. Although its playable proposal is unknown and generates certain doubts, its setting attracts us as much as the light moths. The title seems to have a contemplative approach that leads us to solve some puzzles while dodging scares, shocks and the most unpleasant situations, caused by creatures totally camouflaged with the environment to fight with weapons as surprising as they are disturbing. At the moment, Scorn is only confirmed for PC and Xbox Series X / S, consoles with which its director is delighted and in which it will reach 4K and 60 fps.
Exomecha
We took the license plate when it was announced during the Xbox Games Showcase where Microsoft unveiled the first new generation games. Exomecha is a competitive and free-to-play online shooter full of features that will arrive on PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X / S in late 2021. It is being developed by TwistedRed, a recently formed (2019) studio for which the title will serve as a cover letter. In it, we will be part of spectacular large-scale mecha battles that at times recall the latest Transformers movies. We can fight aboard these giant robots (in the shape of a spider or dragon), or fight on foot using our special suit (jetpack included) or some of the many vehicles that will be on the stage: cars, helicopters, quads and even boards. hoverboard. According to its creators, “it takes place on Omecha, a new and intact planet that is full of toxic environments. It offers an experience loaded with possibilities, gadgets and abilities and will feature a unique and objective-based battle royale mode ”. Let’s hope it doesn’t end up being delayed and we remind you that you can sign up for the beta here, to test it before anyone else.
ARK 2
Si buscas en internet listas de los mejores juegos free to play, o tops que recopilen los mejores juegos de supervivencia, hay un nombre que se repite constantemente en todas ellas: ARK Survival Evolved. El título de Studio Wildcard, lanzado originalmente en 2017, es un first person shooter en el que despertamos en una misteriosa isla llena de dinosaurios (Spielberg intensifies…) y en el que solo tenemos una misión: sobrevivir. Pero claro, para ello habrá que ponerse algo de ropa que nos evite morir congelados y construir un arma con el que cazar y no morir por culpa del hambre. Y eso solo para empezar. A partir de ahí, el título nos pone a cazar, cosechar, construir refugios, cultivar… etcétera, lo habitual en el género, con la gran diferencia de que en ARK también podremos domesticar, criar y hasta cabalgar a lomos de dinosaurios y demás bestias primitivas. Durante The Game Awards 2020 se anunció por sorpresa su secuela, ARK 2, que en principio llegará en un futuro por definir (¿2021?) y está apadrinada por Vin Diesel. No ha trascendido mucho sobre ella, a excepción de que contará con los valores de producción de un auténtico triple A y vendrá acompañada de una serie de animación que servirá como campaña de marketing y contará con estrellas como Russell Crowe, Gerard Butler, Deborah Mailman, Elliot Page y Michelle Yeoh, entre otros. Ahora sí, Survival Evolved.
Rainbow Six Quarantine
A pesar de ser una de las sorpresas del E3 2019, poco es lo que sabemos hoy, dos años después, de Rainbow Six Quarantine. Pero aún sumidos en la incertidumbre, después del buen hacer de Rainbow Six: Siege, la saga ha vuelto a ser punta de lanza de los FPS y nadie debería perder de vista sus futuras entregas. Ésta en concreto será un spinf off inspirado en el evento Outbreak, que se celebró en su día dentro del propio Rainbow Six Siege. En él nos enfrentábamos a un misterioso y letal parásito alienígena que infectaba a los humanos y los transformaba en peligrosas criaturas. Un nuevo shooter cooperativo que se disfrutará en equipos de tres personas, será PvE y sumergirá a la franquicia en la ciencia ficción por primera vez en su historia. Aquel modo Outbreak nos ponía frente a bestias como los alfa, bastajes, demoledores, erizhas y moles. Bestias que podían matar de un solo impacto y que nos obligaban a tirar de nuestras mejores tácticas, estrategias y juego en equipo para sobrevivir. Una propuesta muy bien recibida por la comunidad que Ubisoft pretende llevar a un nuevo nivel con la próxima entrega. Lo último que hemos sabido es que su horquilla de lanzamiento se ha retrasado por culpa del coronavirus y abarca ahora desde el 1 de abril de 2021 hasta el 31 de marzo de 2022. Toca aguardar con el chaleco antibalas puesto y el fusil listo.
Resident Evil 8
- Todo lo que sabemos de Resident Evil 8
Con Resident Evil uno nunca sabe hasta qué punto va a tener importancia la acción, así que hay que meterlo en este tipo de listas con asterisco. Aún así, la nueva entrega de la saga, llamada Resident Evil Village, ya ha dejado claro que esta vez contaremos con “un poco más de acción que en Resident Evil 7”, así que por si acaso, nosotros la dejamos caer por aquí como first person shooter. El juego nos pondrá de nuevo a los mandos de Ethan Winters, el protagonista del anterior. Ethan ha superado la pesadilla de la familia Baker y hasta ha logrado recuperar la normalidad en su vida. Al menos eso creía él hasta que hace acto de aparición nuestro querido Chris, Chris Redfield, para volver a poner su mundo patas arriba. Chris, que “tendrá un aspecto más oscuro que nunca”, arrastrará a Ethan hasta un pueblecito perdido de Europa, donde le aguarda un nuevo cuento de terror en el que, por primera vez en la historia de la franquicia, las brujas y los hombres lobo se suman a los zombies. Entornos nevados, mansiones, influencias de la mitología eslava, un nuevo y remozado sistema de inventario… la cosa no puede tener mejor pinta. Y eso sin mencionar a la estrella de este capítulo: el pueblo (de ahí su peculiar nombre). Para Capcom la localización en la que se ambienta todo será “un personaje en sí mismo” y buscan que la exploración (con backtracking) tenga un papel primordial. Que sea lo que tenían en mente al concebir el pueblo de Resident Evil 4, que al final se vio condicionado por las limitaciones técnicas propias de la época. En los próximos días se planean varias presentaciones sobre el título que con un poco de suerte nos dejarán su fecha de salida final. Sea una u otra, parece que de 2021 no se escapa. Parada imperdible para los amantes de los juegos de miedo, llegará a PC, PS5 y Xbox Series X/S, hará gala del RE Engine (como los recientes remakes de RE 2 y RE 3) y tendrá audio 3D y ningún tiempo de carga.
Perfect Dark
- Todo los que sabemos sobre Perfect Dark
Bueno, vale, sabemos que esto es un deseo más que una realidad, pero… ¿y si el Instituto Carrington abriera sus puertas en 2021? Perfect Dark sería el broche de oro a esta lista. A decir verdad, entre las pocas cosas que hay confirmadas sobre el juego, una es que mantendrá la cámara en primera persona del original, contradiciendo así los rumores que predecían un nuevo TPS. El resto es un misterio en manos de The Initiative, la nueva desarrolladora de Xbox Game Studios, creada específicamente para tomar el relevo de Rare y hacerse con los mandos de la serie. Un auténtico dream team del videojuego que ha pescado en Naughty Dog, Rockstar Games y Santa Monica Studio, entre muchas otras compañías top. No es para menos, la tarea de sus integrantes es de órdago: resucitar la saga que posee el segundo título con más nota de Metacritic (a ver quién es el listo que tose a Ocarina of Time). Es pensar en ver a Joanna convertida en el nuevo rostro de Xbox y ponérsenos los pelos de punta. Ese universo a la altura de Blade Runner, sus alocadas ideas (alienígenas llamados Elvis, inteligencias artificiales que cobraban la forma de ordenadores con ojos y alas, visitas al Área 51…) y qué decir de esos niveles de dificultad que cambiaban por completo los objetivos de las misiones y ofrecian experiencias que parecían provenir de juegos distintos. Salga cuando salga, Perfect Dark está llamado aser uno de los grandes shooters de su año. Ojalá sea éste.
¡Y aún quedarían más!
Faltarían nombres importantes por sumar a la lista, pero de los que no hay apenas información, ni siquiera para dedicarles un párrafo. Es el caso de la saga Call of Duty, a la que caracteriza su hermetismo antes de cualquier anuncio oficial. Sabemos que habrá nueva entrega, que su menú seguirá conectando con Warzone y es de suponer que vuelve a estar desarrollada por Infinity Ward, quienes firmaron el estupendo reboot de Modern Warfare, pero nunca se sabe. Quizás sea Sledgehammer (Call of Duty: WWII) la que tenga una nueva oportunidad de brillar solitario. Tocará tener paciencia y esperar, pero es una apuesta segura de este año. Lo mismo ocurre con Destiny 2, que tiene su expansión para 2021: The Witch Queen. Llegará a partir de septiembre y confirma que Bungie no tiene planes para una tercera entrega a corto plazo. En su lugar seguirá dando apoyo y soporte a la comunidad con contenidos descargables a la altura. No hay más detalles sobre Destiny 2: The Witch Queen al margen de esa intención, la de consolidar el camino iniciado por Beyond Light y seguir manteniendo a los guardianes en boca de todos. ¡Y nos reíamos cuando decían, allá por 2012, que Destiny duraría diez años! Pero hablando de expansiones y DLC, pasa lo mismo con uno de los mejores looter shooters de los últimos años. El éxito de Borderlands 3 ha convencido a Gearbox Software de sacar un segundo pase de temporada y, presumiblemente, tres nuevos DLC que amplíen un título ya de por sí descomunal. Así que este año tocará volver a Pandora y los planetas de su galaxia. Pero en estos tiempos que corren no solo se vive de DLC, sino también de ports y accesos anticipados (aunque es difícil atribuírselos a un único año). Juegos como Prodeus (un maravilloso shooter de raíces noventeras) y Second Extinction (un “Left 4 Dead con dinosaurios”) deberían salir de early access este año e incluso atreverse a dar el salto a consolas. Por su parte, Dusk, “el mejor heredero moderno de Quake” espera aterrizar de una vez en Nintendo Switch. Más y más nombres que sumar a un año que puede suponer un punto de inflexión para el género, que amenaza con volver a invadirlo todo y que hasta se atreve a rivalizar con aquel 2007 de ensueño.
