Elden Ring

This one’s cheating a bit, but Summer Game Fest 2021 was basically E3: The Prologue, so we’re just gonna run with it! The new trailer for Elden Ring capped off Summer Game Fest with a bang, showcasing gameplay of the hotly anticipated title for the first time. A collaborative effort between game director Hidetaka Miyazaki and fantasy novelist George R. R. Martin, FromSoftware’s upcoming action-RPG promises to deliver a seamlessly connected world of fantastical gothic landscapes and complex dungeons. Yes, please.

While some fans were disappointed by a game that looks like it could be Dark Souls 4, others were enthralled that this spiritual successor will build upon the legendary series. Either way, fans won’t have to wait long to try it out themselves. The game is set for release January 21, 2022.

Metroid Dread

Metroid. Freaking. Five!!! It has been nearly 19 years since Metroid Fusion (aka Metroid 4) was released on the Game Boy Advance. Metroid Dread will finally continue the saga on Nintendo Switch, coming October 8. Developed by MercurySteam – who previously worked on 2017’s Metroid: Samus Returns – the action-adventure title was originally planned for the Nintendo DS, but that version was scrapped due to technological limitations. Samus Aran appears to have a large number of new tools at her disposal, and she’s going to need them to evade the formidable E.M.M.I. robots who stalk the intergalactic bounty hunter like prey.

WarioWare: Get It Together!

While it’s not the Wario Land entry we were hoping for, any time Wario is on screen, starring in his own game, is a good time. Especially with couch multiplayer!

Demon Throttle

Here’s one you may have missed. Revealed during Devolver Digital’s bonkers showcase (jump to 27:34 for the best skit), Demon Throttle by developer Doinksoft is a top-down shooter that sees a vampire and gunslinger team up to seek revenge. The game evokes a classic NES aesthetic that exudes personality, and looks like a total blast to play. Curiously, Demon Throttle will forgo digital distribution, and will be exclusively available on physical cartridge. We’ll jump through whatever hoops we need to in order to get our hands on this one.

Sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

We began with a game whose director was inspired by The Legend of Zelda. And we end with the upcoming entry in the storied series itself. It’s been two years since Nintendo first announced a sequel to its acclaimed Breath of the Wild. At last, we have more footage! The new trailer is brief, but it’s enough to get us excited to take to the skies and mess around with Link’s newly transformed arm. 2022 can’t come soon enough.

Be sure to check out the Anatole on Briarwood blog for more on entertainment, lifestyle advice, and information on upcoming local events!