WITH THE LAUNCH of the Playstation 4 and Xbox One bookmarking the end of 2013, the next twelve months will see developers having the time to get to grips with each console and really making the most of them.
On top of that, the PS3 and the Xbox 360 still have a lot of life left in them and let’s not forget about the Wii U, PS Vita and 3DS which will also see some great titles coming their way.
Here’s a taster of what you can expect this year.
South Park: The Stick Of Truth
For: PS3, Xbox 360
Release date: March 6th, 2014
Attempts at bringing the irreverent yet topical humour of South Park into a videogame has been done before with limited success, but Ubisoft’s effort not only looks like a faithful adaptation of the series, but a lot of fun too. Despite it hitting numerous delays, fingers crossed it will arrive in March like planned.
(Video: ubisoft/YouTube)
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
For: Wii U
Release date: February 2014
Donkey Kong Country Returns was a great return to form for the series and the Wii U sequel hopes to continue that success. Tropical Freeze brings Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong into the mix, offering their own unique abilities, for more classic platforming action.
(Video: NintendoAU/YouTube)
The Waking Dead – Season 2
For: Windows, PSN, Xbox Live, iOS, PS Vita
Release date: Episode 1 out now, episode 2 – 5 TBA
While the first episode of season two came out just before Christmas, it has set the standard for what could be another gripping season.
The first season was videogame storytelling at its finest and season two looks like it could easily surpass that with it switching the focus from Lee Everett to the eleven year old Clementine adds an element of vulnerability that will make future episodes tense.
(Video: TelltaleGames/YouTube)
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
For: PS3, Xbox 360
Release date: February 2014
Final Fantasy XIII got a mostly mixed reaction when it came out, but it is responsible for one of the more iconic characters from the series. Taking control of FF XIII’s protagonist Lightning, the game features an improved battle system and an open-world from the start, allowing the freedom that previous games didn’t offer.
(Video: PlayStation/YouTube)
Super Smash Bros
For: Wii U, 3DS
Release date: TBA 2014
Super Smash Bros has always been a reliable first-party title for Nintendo so it’s no surprise that the manic fighting series is making its way to both Wii U and the 3DS. New characters such as Mega Man and Animal Crossing Villager will be making an appearance so expect the same frantic gameplay previous versions offered.
(Video: Super Smash Bros./YouTube)
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
For: PS4, Xbox One, Windows
Release date: TBA Q2
The fantasy RPG series plans to finish with a bang with a very ambitious sequel. Not only is it presenting a world that’s 35 times larger than the one in The Witcher 2, it’s also offering a non-linear experience which means quests can be completed in any order, allowing as much choice as possible. If it lives up to its promise, it could easily be the game of the year.
(Video: WitcherGame/YouTube)
Yoshi’s New Island
For: 3DS
Release date: Q2 2014
Anyone who’s played the SNES’ Yoshi’s Island will attest to it being one of the best games on the platform. Yoshi’s New Island will continue the crayon styled artwork as you guide Yoshi and baby Mario across each world.
(Video: Nintendo/YouTube)
The Sims 4
For: Windows, Mac
Release date: Q3/4 2014
Not a lot has been revealed about the latest edition of the Sims, except for a greater focus on emotions, but it would be foolish to assume it won’t be as addictive and as obsessive as its predecessors.
(Video: TheSims/YouTube)
Dark Souls II
For: PS3, Xbox 360, Windows
Release date: March 14th, 2014
One of the most unforgiving games ever created, Dark Souls’ managed to be an engrossing and rewarding game. For those worried that it might ease up on the difficulty, Namco Bandai has assured fans that the sequel will be “viciously hard” so no worries there.
(Video: IGN/YouTube)
Thief
For: Windows, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Release date: February 2014
Older PC gamers may remember the first-person stealth game Thief: The Dark Project and its sequels. For those unfamiliar with it, Thief is set in a fantasy Victorian steampunk world where master thief Garrett returns to the city where he made his trade.
This time, it’s Eidos-Montreal taking the reigns so it remains to be seen whether they can recreate the magic that made Looking Glass Studio’s efforts so popular.
(Video: ThiefVideoGame/YouTube)
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
For: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Release date: Q2 2014
Ground Zeroes builds upon the foundations set by the PSP’s Peace Walker, but what separates it from other installments is the promise of an open-world, allowing you to approach missions as you see fit.
(Video: IGN/YouTube)
Titanfall
For: Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Release date: March 2014
A online multiplayer first-person shooter, Titanfall offers more than it appears with parkour, jet packs, and mechs for you to hijack and control featuring in it. The response to the game has been overwhelmingly positive and big things expected from it when it hits stores in March.
(Video: Official EA UK/YouTube)
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