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2021 has seen some major game delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of the year’s biggest titles being pushed to 2022 and beyond.
2021 has been an exciting year for gaming. While many gamers are still struggling to get their hands on the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S, there’s been no shortage of excellent games to play on consoles new and old. Between the return of classic franchises thanks to Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Metroid Dread, as well as exciting new IPs like Deathloop and Kena: Bridge of Spirits, it feels like there’s been something for every kind of gamer.
However, alongside all the great announcements and new releases, 2021 was also full of game delays. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, development studios across the globe have been forced to push back some of their biggest titles to 2022 and beyond. It’s impressive that 2021 has come through with such a solid library of games despite these conditions, but let’s take a look back at some of the biggest delays of the year.
Cyberpunk 2077 & The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Editions
Despite the well-documented controversy and criticism over the game’s poor state at launch, CD Projekt Red still believes it will be able to save Cyberpunk 2077. One thing that may help it reach that potential is its next-gen upgrade, which was pushed back from its previously-announced 2021 launch along with that of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
However, while CD Projekt Red had said both upgrades would release this year, it seems the studio is keeping in mind the lessons it learned from Cyberpunk‘s release by never committing to a specific date. Currently, Cyberpunk‘s upgrade is set to come in the first quarter of 2022, while The Witcher 3‘s will release sometime during the second quarter.
Dying Light 2 Stay Human
Since its initial announcement during Xbox’s E3 2018 conference, Dying Light 2 Stay Human has dealt with myriad development issues, including losing writer Chris Avellone in June 2020 due to allegations of sexual misconduct. Originally set for an early 2020 release, developer Techland announced an indefinite delay in January 2020. After a period of radio silence, the game finally resurfaced this year with a December 7, 2021 release date.
However, in September, Techland announced that Dying Light 2 Stay Human would be pushed back to February 4, 2022. In the announcement, Techland noted that the game is complete and in a period of playtesting, but that it needs more polish to reach the level of optimization that the team wants to deliver at launch.
Horizon Forbidden West
One of the biggest Sony exclusives, Horizon Forbidden West is the sequel to 2017’s critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn. Early impressions of the gameplay have been positive, and it looks to provide more of the fantastic combat and thrilling environments that the previous game showcased.
Developer Guerrilla Games initially hoped that the game would be ready for a 2021 release date. However, Herman Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios, noted that development was impacted by COVID, as the team was having trouble accessing performance capture talent. Finally, during Gamescom Opening Night 2021, it was officially announced that Horizon Forbidden West had been delayed to February 18, 2022. The game will release on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, with a free next-gen upgrade being offered.
Sifu
Announced in early 2021 during PlayStation’s February State of Play, Sifu has turned heads with its unique art style and intense kung-fu combat, feeling like a fresh approach to beat ’em up action gameplay. Early impressions make it look like a big evolution from developer Sloclap’s previous game, 2017’s Absolver.
Initially given a loose 2021 release date, Sloclap announced that the game would be delayed, not only to ensure its polish but to protect the development team’s health and avoid crunch, a move that worked wonders for fellow PlayStation game Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Now, the game is set to release on February 8, joining a packed month that includes the aforementioned Dying Light 2 Stay Human and Horizon Forbidden West, along with FromSoftware’s Elden Ring.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction
The next installment in the Tom Clancy series was announced at E3 2019 as Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Quarantine, a spinoff featuring characters from Rainbow Six Siege. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the term “Quarantine” had to be removed from the title. The name would be changed to Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Parasite, then finally to Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction.
Originally set to release on September 16, 2021, Ubisoft announced that the game would be delayed. The company noted that the change would provide more time for playtesting and feedback. Now, Rainbow Six Extraction is set to launch on January 20, 2022.
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