Unlike 2020, where some release dates were pushed back for a couple of months, 2021 will see, and in fact, has already seen, more than its fair share of video game delays. With that said, we’ve decided to round up all of the big video game delays confirmed so far.
Deathloop
Release date: September 14, 2021; delayed from May 2021 While fans are understandably excited for Arkane Studios’ co-op shooter, Redfall, the developers of Dishonored has something that’s going to release much sooner in the form of Deathloop. Deathloop is looking a lot like the Dishonored games with a clever twist. In this action-adventure title, players will take on the role of Colt, an assassin who finds himself stuck in a time loop. To escape, Colt will have to take out eight different targets before midnight. Otherwise, time will reset and he’ll gave to go back to the start. Also, if Colt dies in the middle of the loop, Colt is taken back to the start of the entire loop. Deathloop is also spicing things up with a multiplayer component. This added feature lets players jump into other player’s games as Julianna, an agent sent to protect the time loop by hunting down Colt. Deathloop should’ve been out by now with a May 2021 release date. Unfortunately, this was pushed back to a later date. Now, Deathloop isn’t expected to release until September 14, 2021, which is a long way off.
Back 4 Blood
Release date: October 12, 2021; delayed from August 2021 Turtle Rock Studios’ spiritual sequel to the Left 4 Dead games won’t be available until October 12, 2021, which is a huge shame as it would have been available in August originally. But, if it gives the studio more time to polish the experience, who are we to complain? Back 4 Blood is looking every bit like a more modern version of Left 4 Dead with its own unique twist to it. Be sure to check out the latest trailer above to find out more about Back 4 Blood.
New World
Release date: August 31; delayed from May 2021 This is arguably the best move that they can make. It would be wise for them to learn from what Marvel’s Avengers did when it was released with a serious lack of endgame content - there was nothing to keep gamers around and interested in the long haul.
Far Cry 6
Release date: October 7, 2021; delayed from February 2021 It seems like players will have to wait a while to work together with the Amigos to try and take down the tyrannical rule on the fictional island known as Yara. After being confirmed to release in February 2021, Ubisoft has since stated that Far Cry 6 will instead launch before September 2021.
Halo Infinite
Release date: Fall 2021; delayed from late 2020 An expected Xbox Series X launch title, Microsoft ultimately decided to put an indefinite hold on Halo Infinite. However, as 343 themselves later confirmed, the game is indeed set to launch sooner than expected, with a Fall 2021 timeline. Now, we don’t really know just yet what prompted the delay. Unlike others who have been transparent about the difficulties brought on by the pandemic, 343 nor Microsoft have cited a reason for the delay. Either way, we are thankful that Halo Infinite will finally release after years of waiting.
Elite Dangerous: Odyssey
Release date: Late Spring (PC) and Fall 2021 (Console); delayed from early 2021 True, it’s an expansion and not a full title. But, that doesn’t mean that the delay hurts gamers any less. Frontier Developments note that the delay is the direct result of the “ongoing impact of the pandemic”, citing UK’s renewed lockdowns as one of the main reasons why they had to push their development timeline. The upcoming expansion is a big one for Elite Dangerous as it will add the much-awaited feature of being able to land and explore the game’s numerous planets on-foot.
Cyberpunk 2077 Free DLC
Release date: late 2021; delayed from early 2021 CD Projekt Red has their work cut out for them as they fight the uphill battle of salvaging their reputation and turning Cyberpunk 2077 into the game they billed it as. However, doing so by releasing DLC content will have to wait as they work hard to fix the game and make sure that it’s playable on all consoles, including the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Patch 1.2 for Cyberpunk 2077 is expected to release in March 2021.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach
Release date: late 2021; delayed from late 2020 Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach is the first big release in the FNaF series in a while. It was scheduled to release in late 2020 before it was postponed to early 2021 and eventually to late 2021. There is no specific release date available for Security Breach as of yet. Security Breach will be a timed exclusive for the PS4 and PS5, as well as PC, before coming to the Xbox platforms at a later date.
Hogwarts Legacy
Release date: 2022; delayed from 2021 Hogwarts Legacy was set to be one of the highlights of 2021 for current-gen and next-gen consoles but was instead delayed to 2022. Warner Bros. didn’t really specify a reason behind the delay. They also didn’t clarify just when exactly in 2022 the game is set to release. This means that the 2022 release date is just as much of a mystery as that of its originally planned 2021 release window.
Gran Turismo 7
Release date: 2022; delayed from 2021 Gran Turismo 7 was one of those titles that Sony seemed pretty sure would release in 2021. However, Sony has now confirmed that this is no longer the case. Instead, the game will now launch in March 2022, with Sony citing “COVID-related production challenges” forcing them to delay the first numbered Gran Turismo title in years for a full year. If it’s any consolation, Gran Turismo 7 is also coming to the PS4 on top of its expected PS5 launch.
Destiny 2: The Witch Queen
Release date: 2022; delayed from 2021 After confirming their ambitious plan to release one major expansion per year until 2022 starting with Beyond Light, Bungie had no choice but to adjust their plans due to the pandemic. As a result, the next Destiny 2 expansion, The Witch Queen, will launch during the first half of 2022 after being slated for a 2021 release. If it’s any consolation though, Bungie seems confident that 2022’s Lightfall expansion will release as planned. Or, at least, that’s what we’re getting from their lack of announcement regarding the third and final expansion from their three-year plan.
Next God of War Game
Release date: 2022; delayed from 2021 There’s not a lot of info to go on in the next God of War game. All we know is that it’s coming to the PS4 and won’t release until 2022 instead of the expected 2021 release date.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake
Release date: Later date; delayed from March 18 The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is unlikely to make an appearance this year. This is after Ubisoft has delayed it once before, after it was pushed from its original January 2021 release date to March 2021, with the title now expected to release at an unspecified later date.
Riders Republic
Release date: late 2021; delayed from February 25 Ubisoft’s “massive multiplayer playground” for sports enthusiasts, where players can bike, ski, or ride a wingsuit across heaven will not release on February 25 as initially intended. Instead, the game will arrive later in 2021, as confirmed in a recent statement.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2
Release date: Indefinitely; delayed from 2021 A delay to an unspecified date and a change in developers right around the same time a game was expected to launch never bodes well for any title. This includes Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, the sequel to the highly anticipated cult classic. Paradox Interactive made the decision to do both earlier this year, citing that they needed “a change” although they did not discuss exactly just what kind of change the development needed. At this point, the game is very well stuck in development hell. The indefinite delay is just the latest in the long line of delays and departures.
