WITH THE THREE major consoles using 2014 to settle in, the next twelve months looks like it will be an absolute cracker as a number of anticipated titles and original games make their way to each console.
There’s quite a collection shaping up this year and whether it lives up to its potential or not, there are some very exciting titles in the works. Here are some of the more noticeable ones.
Halo 5: Guardians
For: Xbox One
Due: Q3/Q4 2015
Not much is known about the latest addition to the Halo series except (a) it will be for Xbox One and (b) it will run at 60fps. Still, it’s a Halo game and that alone is enough to get people excited. Those who bought the Master Chief collection will be able to play the multiplayer beta.
Inside
For: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
Due: Q1/Q2 2015
From the creators of the fantastic sidescroller Limbo, not much is known about Inside except the trailer, but if Playdead’s previous game is any indication, then this is going to be another memorable experience.
Legend of Zelda
For: Wii U
Due: Late 2015
A new Zelda game is always a reason to get excited and the latest one looks absolutely amazing. This time, there’s a completely open world for you to explore – reminiscent of the original NES game – and it could be the shake up the series needs after Skyward Sword.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
For: PS4
Due: TBA
The Uncharted trilogy from Naughty Dog has been one of the cornerstones of the PS3 -thanks to its slick combination of action and adventure – and its arrival on PS4 is one of many games that will give the console the kick it needs. The title suggests it may be the last quest Nathan Drake takes, and if it is, it looks like it will be quite the sendoff.
Rise of the Tomb Raider
For: Xbox One (likely to arrive on PS4)
Due: TBA
The reboot of Tomb Raider was a breath of fresh air for a series that has become rather stale and while nothing has been revealed about the sequel – except Lara is coming to terms with the events of the original game – you can be optimistic about its chances.
No Man’s Sky
For: PS4, PC
Due: TBA
While there are some heavy hitters coming up in the next twelve months, one of the biggest games of the year could come from a small British studio called Hello Games.
An uncharted universe that’s procedurally generated (read: created through the host computer), space battles and a universe that the play is free to explore makes this a rather tantalising prospect.
Grim Fandango Remastered
For: PS4
Due: 27 January, 2015
The only game in this list that isn’t new, but in the case of Grim Fandango, that’s just the way it should be. One of the best adventure games released is set in the Land of the Dead and is still as fresh today as it was in 1998. Also, Glottis is one of the best sidekicks created, just sayin’.
Star Fox
For: Wii U
Due: TBA
All we really know about the latest addition of Star Fox is it will be out before Zelda, it will use the Gamepad as the view of the cockpit in the Arwing fighter and use it to independently target enemies and there are three vehicles, the Arwing, the Landmaster tank and a helicopter-type vehicle. Essentially it’s nothing like Star Fox Adventures, which is a good thing.
Batman: Arkham Knight
For: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Due: 2 June
While Arkham Origins was a bit of a disappointment – mainly because of how high a standard previous games set – Arkham Knight looks like it could bring the series back on track. A larger open-world, the introduction of the Batmobile for travel and combat and the backing of the PS4 and Xbox One hardware could make this one of the blockbuster games of 2015.
The Order: 1886
For: PS4
Due: 20 February, 2015
If we’re giving points to original concepts, then The Order 1886 would score highly. Taking place in an alternate history London, the mixture of steampunk and magic where a group of knights protect people from humans with bestial qualities should make for an interesting game at least.
Mighty No. 9
For: PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, 3DS, PC, Mac, Linux
Due: April 2015
From the creator of Mega Man comes a game that’s very similar to Mega Man, but isn’t actually Mega Man. Still, the heart is there and those who are fans of the Blue Bomber and classic action platforming should look forward to this.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
For: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
Due: TBA
Ground Zero may not have been a particularly memorable experience, but the Phantom Pain looks like it will not only make up for that disappointment, but surpass expectations entirely. An open-world, allowing you to strategise and develop tactics on the fly, and the traditional Kojima storytelling and stealth elements makes it an intriguing concept.
Star Wars: Battlefront
For: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Due: Q4 2015
Tying in with the release of the next movie, The Force Awakens, the pressure is on for this first-person shooter to live up to expectations. DICE, the creator of Battlefield, is the developer behind this reboot, giving hope to those who are itching for an epic Star Wars game.
Tom Clancy’s The Division
For: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Due: TBA
Set in New York City after a disease causes the US to collapse in five days, you control a group of sleeper agents whose job is to restore order to chaos.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
For: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Due: 19 May, 2015
The Polish studio behind The Witcher series , CD Projekt RED, delayed the release of Wild Hunt by three months because it wanted to get things right and considering the high quality of the first two games, who would blame them? From the gameplay demo alone, it looks like it’s going to be another epic adventure that surpasses previous games.
Bloodborne
For: PS4
Due: 25 March 2015
Like Demon’s Souls, then you may like Bloodborne which brings similar action RPG elements to a Victorian setting. It’s dark, it looks scary and it could be one of the first hits of 2015.
Quantum Break
For: Xbox One
Due: TBA
From Remedy, the makers of Max Payne and Alan Wake, Quantum Break features a time travel experiment gone wrong that gives its three protagonists special abilities.
Manipulating time to avoid capture and improve your combat abilities could work, but the intriguing part is it ties into a TV show, which will combine together to give you the complete story.
Evolve
For: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Due: 10 February, 2015
From the makers of Left 4 Dead comes another co-op experience, this time your team of four take on a giant beast, the twist is that said beast is controlled by another player.
Crackdown
For: Xbox One
Due: TBA
Crackdown was one of the silliest and fun open-world action games on the Xbox 360 and if the trailer is to be believed, the reboot is going to up the ante by a significant margin. Let’s just say there will be destruction, a *lot* of destruction.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say