By Chris E. Hayner on Dec 21, 2017 11:30 pm
The 14 Biggest Entertainment Stories Of 2017
From scandals, to creative shakeups, to major acquisitions, 2017 will go down as one of the most newsworthy years in entertainment history. Whether it's Kevin Spacey being completely removed from a major film--that was already finished!--or Doctor Who finally casting a woman as the show's lead, or even the future of Star Wars being revealed, there continues to be plenty to talk about. With the end of the year comes the chance to reflect on all of the craziness that happened during 2017. With that in mind, come along as GameSpot revisits the 14 biggest entertainment stories of the year.
Hollywood's Sexual Harassment Scandals
There's no doubt that 2017 will be remembered as the year sexual harassment and assault allegations rocked Hollywood to its very foundation. From powerful film moguls like Harvey Weinstein, to actors like Kevin Spacey, to TV producers like Andrew Kreisberg, many throughout the industry continue to be called out for their alleged misconduct.
James Cameron And Linda Hamilton Are Ready To Revisit The Terminator
After 16 years--and three movies--away from the franchise, both James Cameron and Linda Hamilton announced their return to the Terminator series. Hamilton will once again play Sarah Connor, with Cameron serving as producer on the next film. Thankfully, they're going to ignore the sequels that followed Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Rian Johnson Will Steer Star Wars Into The Future
The future of Star Wars is in Rian Johnson's hands. It was announced that after Episode IX, the director of The Last Jedi will develop and produce a new trilogy, completely separate from the Skywalker saga. Thankfully, people seem to like The Last Jedi, so this is good news!
That Time La La Land Didn't Win Best Picture At The Oscars
In one of the most memorable Oscar moments of all time, it was announced that La La Land had won the award for Best Picture. However, as the movie's producers gave an acceptance speech, they realized it was actually Moonlight that took top prize. It led to an incredibly awkward moment on live TV that will be made fun of for years to come.
Doctor Who Finally Catches Up To The World
Not only did Peter Capaldi announce he was leaving Doctor Who this year, but his replacement was named. For the first time ever, a woman will step into the show's title role. Finally. Broadchurch alum Jodie Whittaker will become the 13th Doctor when the series returns in 2018. Beyond that, chances are that she'll appear in the 2017 Christmas special.
Daniel Day-Lewis says goodbye to acting
He's one of the greatest actors of all time. That's why it was surprising that Daniel Day-Lewis announced he was retiring from his profession in June. The actor isn't sure why now is the right time to leave acting but says it occurred to him during filming of his final film, The Phantom Thread.
Jamie Lee Curtis Is Here To Save Halloween
Jamie Lee Curtis agreeing to play Laurie Strode once again in a Halloween movie is, perhaps, the biggest horror movie news any fan could possibly want. Not only is the actress returning to the franchise, but so is John Carpenter, writer and director of the original film. The smartest thing the new Halloween will do is disregard everything after the first movie.
Is Any Star Wars Director Truly Safe?
While Rian Johnson's future in the Star Wars universe is bright, the same can't be said for Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and Colin Trevorrow. All three were removed from Star Wars films in 2017. The moves showed Lucasfilm has a very specific vision for Star Wars, and if you don't fit, you can easily be taken out of the equation. In the case of Lord and Miller, it can even happen during production.
Goodbye Kevin Spacey, Hello Christopher Plummer
Following sexual misconduct allegations against Kevin Spacey, the actor was removed from Ridley Scott's movie All the Money in the World. Christopher Plummer was hired to replace him, reshooting all of his scenes over nine days. It was an unprecedented move to make a month before release.
Disney Buys X-Men Studio 20th Century Fox
There may be no bigger acquisition in entertainment history than Disney buying 21st Century Fox. The sale means many things for the future of Hollywood, including Marvel regaining film rights to the X-Men and Fantastic Four.
Jordan Peele Is Taking You To The Twilight Zone
Hot on the heels of his success with the horror movie Get Out, Jordan Peele is keeping things scary. It was announced that he's producing a reboot of the horror anthology series The Twilight Zone. The series will air on the CBS All Access streaming service.
Quentin Tarantino Wants To Direct Star Trek? Really?
Quentin Tarantino has said he'll only make 10 movies. That's what makes the news that he wants to direct a Star Trek film so bizarre. Still, should he actually get to make the R-rated space adventure he has in mind, it might be the most interesting thing to happen to Star Trek in ages. Sorry, Star Trek: Discovery.
Queen Biopic Cans Director Bryan Singer
When the first photo of Rami Malek in the upcoming Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody was released, it looked like everything was going well. Then reports surfaced of director Bryan Singer disappearing from the set and getting into confrontations with the cast. Shortly thereafter, Fox actually fired Singer--who directed four X-Men films for the studio--and replaced him with Dexter Fletcher.
Venom Standalone Movie Does Something To Make You Care: Cast Tom Hardy
Venom is trading up! In 2017, Sony announced that Tom Hardy would play the comic book character in his own standalone movie. Considering the only other live-action Venom was Topher Grace in Spider-Man 3, Hardy getting the role is better than anyone could have hoped for.
By Chris Pereira on Dec 21, 2017 11:18 pm
We're well into December and the holiday season, and Blizzard has marked the occasion by kicking off Overwatch's latest seasonal event. Winter Wonderland has made a return from last year, but it includes a bunch of new content--including new skins. When Blizzard first teased Winter Wonderland 2017, it only shared three characters who would be getting Legendary skins: Junkrat, Roadhog, and Hanzo, the latter of whom would be getting a "long-awaited skin from the comics." None of these were actually revealed, leaving us to wait for the event to begin to get a look. Now, with Wonder Wonderland live, we've gotten to see each and every one of the new skins. In the gallery above, you can check out all of the new looks (starting with the Legendary skins), as well as other new cosmetics and event content in this update. In addition to the aforementioned characters, there are new skins for Bastion, Ana, Sombra, and Soldier 76. There is also a new winterized version of the Black Forest map and a 5 vs. 1 Brawl mode called Yeti Hunt, as well as returning holiday-themed content from last year. Winter Wonderland is available for free on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. As is typical for these events, a seasonal loot box containing these items has replaced the standard one. You'll get a free loot box just for logging in during the event, which runs from now until January 1.
Ana - Snow Owl (Legendary)
Ana - Snow Owl (Legendary)
Bastion - Avalanche (Legendary)
Bastion - Avalanche (Legendary)
Hanzo - Casual (Legendary)
Hanzo - Casual (Legendary)
Junkrat - Beachrat (Legendary)
Junkrat - Beachrat (Legendary)
Roadhog - Ice Fisherman (Legendary)
Roadhog - Ice Fisherman (Legendary)
Soldier 76 - Alpine 76 (Legendary)
Soldier 76 - Alpine 76 (Legendary)
Sombra - Rime (Legendary)
Sombra - Rime (Legendary)
By GameSpot Staff on Dec 21, 2017 10:30 pm
The Spirit of Adventure
The action-adventure genre had quite a year in 2017. With massive worlds to explore and countless baddies to fight in some of the year's biggest games--including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and Nier: Automata--there have been plenty of games this year that channelled the spirit of adventure as they draw players into a massive and vibrant setting.
In this gallery, GameSpot is taking a look back at some of the more noteworthy action-adventure games from this year. While there have been numerous games from the genre this year, the following are the ones that made us take notice of the unique experiences they were able to bring to fruition.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch) - 10/10
"No matter how gorgeous its environments are, how clever its enemies are, and how tricky its puzzles get, the fact that Breath of the Wild continues to surprise you with newfound rules and possibilities after dozens of hours is by far its most valuable quality. It's a game that allows you to feel gradually more and more empowered yet simultaneously manages to retain a sense of challenge and mystery--which, together, creates a steady, consistent feeling of gratification throughout the entire experience. Breath of the Wild is a defining moment for The Legend of Zelda series, and the most impressive game Nintendo has ever created." [Read the full review]
-- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Gravity Rush 2 (PS4) - 9/10
"With a wealth of stories big and small to chew on, Gravity Rush 2 fulfills the needs of both a sequel and a prequel. The first Gravity Rush had enough going for it, but Gravity Rush 2 is stuffed with things to love. While its stealth missions are lame and it's disappointing to experience camera issues from time to time, Gravity Rush 2 excels in almost every other respect, making its predecessor seem quaint by comparison. This is easily one of the best video game sequels in recent memory, and an adventure truly worthy of its excellent lead character." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Horizon: Zero Dawn (PS4) - 9/10
"This is the first departure from the Killzone series for developer Guerrilla Games, and though you might think the team took a risk by stepping out of its FPS comfort zone to create a third-person open-world action game, you'd never know it was their first rodeo. For every minor imperfection, there's an element of greatness that recharges your desire to keep fighting and exploring Zero Dawn's beautiful and perilous world. Guerrilla Games has delivered one of the best open-world games of this generation, and redefined its team's reputation in the process." [Read the full review]
-- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Nier: Automata (PC, PS4) - 9/10
"Thanks to Platinum Games' knack for riveting and gratifying combat, Automata is Yoko Taro's most exciting game to date. The combat mechanics click after hurdling a low learning curve, and the end result is a skillful dance where balletic dodges complement wushu-inspired aggression. Moreover, this multi-ending trip is generously peppered with surprises and revelations, as well as easter eggs that call back to the first game and the Drakengard series from which Nier spun off. It's a meaty, often exhilarating trek that showcases Platinum Games' and Yoko Taro's unique blend of genius." [Read the full review]
-- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
Nioh (PC, PS4) - 9/10
"Although the spectre of potential failure hangs heavy over any play session, dying in Nioh is never genuinely disheartening. This is thanks in part to the various avenues of character growth and many approaches you can utilize to tackle a difficult section or boss fight. It shouldn't be surprising that the foresight and patience needed to survive a battle in Dark Souls translates well to the fundamentals of samurai combat here. Nioh's most invigorating and intimidating moments occur when you feel you're at equal footing with your opponent. And it's during these encounters that one careless move can result in your demise or the right string of thoughtful actions can make you feel invincible." [Read the full review]
-- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (PS4) - 9/10
"The Lost Legacy doesn't signify a new era for Uncharted so much as it presents an opportunity to show the series from new perspectives, for which Chloe and the AI-controlled Nadine are perfectly capable. With a new playable treasure hunter comes new settings and character motivations, wrapped in a comfortingly familiar Uncharted package. The thrill of playing through set pieces that call back scenes from the earlier games is all the more enhanced when seen through the gameplay mechanics introduced in A Thief's End. The initial hours of The Lost Legacy give an "Uncharted Greatest Hits" vibe, but it grows into a more nuanced, clever experience, ranking among the best in the series while also making its own mark as a standalone Uncharted that isn't anchored to Nathan Drake's harrowing exploits." [Read the full review]
-- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
Dishonored: Death Of The Outsider (PC, PS4, Xbox One) - 8/10
"Dishonored: Death Of The Outsider is a solid, inventive, yet somewhat subdued capper to the stories from the previous Dishonored games. While the smaller scope can be felt throughout, the approach to allowing players to express themselves as a master assassin is just as strong as ever. It's uncertain where the series can go from here, but this stand-alone release proves that Dishonored is still a remarkably designed stealth-action game with much potential, that offers players the chance to be creative in ways they'd least expect." [Read the full review]
-- Alessandro Fillari, Editor
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (PC, PS4) - 8/10
"Hellblade's most notable achievement is the handling of an incredibly sensitive subject matter within an engaging and well-crafted action/adventure game. At its heart, the story is about Senua's struggle to come to terms with her illness. In the process, she learns to find the strength within herself to endure, and to make peace with her past. And in a profound and physical way, we go through those same struggles with her, and come away with a better understanding of a piece of something that many people in the world struggle with." [Read the full review]
-- Alessandro Fillari, Editor
Yakuza 0 (PS4) - 8/10
"Unless you have a strong aversion to violence, sex, or middling graphics, you owe it to yourself to give Zero a chance. Its story will surprise you, its inhabitants will make you laugh at every turn, and its ambitious scope will redefine how you think about open-world games. It's a fascinating adventure no matter how you approach it, and it's proof positive that a game can be wildly inconsistent yet remain a great experience." [Read the full review]
-- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Yakuza Kiwami (PS4) - 8/10
"Kiwami does a great job as both a remake of the original Yakuza game and as a sequel to Zero. Despite that combat remains more of a bump in the road than a rewarding pursuit, it's a no-brainer for existing fans of the series, and shouldn't be overlooked by newcomers, even if Zero passed them by. There's nothing else quite like Yakuza, and Kiwami isn't afraid to show it." [Read the full review]
-- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
By GameSpot Staff on Dec 21, 2017 09:30 pm
Looking Forward
2017 has been a big year for Nintendo, and even though the Nintendo Switch hasn't even been out a year, it already has a strong library of games to play. But there are still more to come in 2018 on both Switch and the 3DS; from a new Fire Emblem to the next Yoshi game, Nintendo has already announced some of the upcoming year's games. In this gallery, we're looking ahead to the Nintendo games we're most excited about. If you're waiting for something to play in the meantime, don't forget to check out the rest of our Best of 2017 features.
Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night (Switch)
Castlevania has changed a lot over the years, but there was a time when game after game followed a familiar formula to great results. The developer largely credited for the series' past greatness is Koji Igarashi, who is presently working on Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, a spiritual successor to Castlevania games of yore. Early impressions of the game from events like E3 and Tokyo Game Show are positive. Igarashi's handiwork is on full display, meaning that you will explore 2D, gothic environments while fending off demonic enemies and gather new abilities to extend your reach and open new pathways. It's the familiar "Metroidvania" formula, but the fact that it's coming from the person responsible for popularizing it in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (after Super Metroid laid the foundation) eases the concerns that Bloodstained is just a simple nostalgia trip. Igarashi has been out of the game for quite a while after leaving Konami, and our hope is that his return to 2D action games comes with improvements and innovations. The sub-genre has been approached by many developers in his absence, and we can't wait to see if Igarashi is able to rekindle his old flame in the light of the many great games his earlier works inspired.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age (Switch, 3DS)
Unlike Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest games never quite reach the same fevered level of excitement in the West as they do in Japan. That's unfortunate, because it means there are a lot of people missing out on one of the most iconic and fun RPG experiences out there. And the upcoming Dragon Quest XI is set to continue the previous games' traditions of sweeping musical scores, epic stories, and turn-based combat against colorful (and sometimes wacky) enemies. DQXI already released in Japan back in July 2017 on PS4 and 3DS, but the upcoming international release is notable because it should bring the series to a new platform: Nintendo Switch. That doesn't mean you should rule out the other versions completely, though. On 3DS, the game introduces a unique twist where the lower screen is an exact representation of the regular 3D gameplay, but redone in a classic, pixelated style. And if this entry in the mainline series does well abroad, that raises the (very, very slim) possibility that the Dragon Quest MMO, Dragon Quest X, could also get a release in the West! Okay, now that might be too much Dragon Quest to ask for at one time.
Fire Emblem (untitled) (Switch)
Nintendo announced a new mainline Fire Emblem game for the Switch during a Direct presentation in January 2017. While the company hasn't given many details about the still-untitled game, it will be the first time a main Fire Emblem has been on a Nintendo console since 2007's Radiant Dawn on the Wii. Plus, it'll be playable on the go! Recent Fire Emblem games (including 2017's Echoes) have been popular on the 3DS, so the potential for a Fire Emblem experience that's both console-scale and portable-ready is exciting.
Indivisible (Switch)
Side-scrolling action RPG Indivisible comes from the same team that brought us 2012's insane fighter Skullgirls. Indivisible follows the story of the rebellious Ajna. She and her father live just outside a quiet little town, but things take a turn for the worse and a mysterious power awakens within her: the ability of "incarnations" to recruit different people to help her along her journey. Indivisible is largely inspired by a number of different cultures and mythologies, which hopefully opens the doors to positive and meaningful representation. This also means that the game could run the risk of mishandling the sources from which it draws its inspiration, but it's worth having a little faith and hope for a game that's trying to pull from perspectives we don't see often. Everyone likes to have something they can see themselves in, and Indivisible may be one of those games where its representation could make it or break it.
Kirby Star Allies (Switch)
Kirby sucks. No really, Kirby sucks--that's kind of his thing. And the next installment in the Kirby franchise, called Star Allies, is coming to Nintendo Switch next year. This new title was the same one originally announced as simply "Kirby" at E3 2017, and it looks promising. Kirby can utilize abilities such as Sword, Fire, and Water, as well as his trademark vacuum move. You can also mix those skills together to create even cooler powers. The whole game is designed for up to four-player multiplayer, with each player able to use a single Joy-Con. Alternatively, if you have enough Joy-Cons and Joy-Con grips, you can each play with a more traditional setup. Following the likes of Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Kirby Star Allies has a lot to live up to when it comes to Switch exclusives. Here's hoping it becomes the console's next big thing when it launches in Spring 2018.
No More Heroes: Travis Strikes Again (Switch)
No More Heroes and its sequel, Desperate Struggle, were some of the best action games on the Nintendo Wii, featuring gratuitous violence, crazy boss designs, a strong sense of style and attitude, as well as some, uh, interesting implementations of motion control. That was over seven years ago, and though developer Grasshopper Manufacture has had a number of cult hits (and misses) since then, talk of another No More Heroes sequel has always been a point of conversation for CEO Goichi Suda, aka Suda51. Well, now it's happening. After skipping the Wii U, protagonist Travis Touchdown is coming back to Nintendo consoles with Travis Strikes Again on Nintendo Switch. We got a quick teaser trailer at the Nintendo Indies Showcase in 2017, where we were reintroduced to Travis in all his self-referential glory and learned of the game's primary conceit: A dangerous console that sucks players into video game worlds. Though these worlds will be original game concepts, Travis Strikes Back is also collaborating with other indie game titles, though this might only be superficially in the form of the game's always-extensive t-shirt wardrobe. We always expect off-the-wall ideas from Grasshopper Manufacture, so we're looking forward to seeing what Travis Strikes Back will surprise us with.
Owlboy (Switch)
The critically acclaimed PC-exclusive Owlboy is finally making its way onto consoles. While the console ports are receiving no major changes from the original, the Switch version bears notable mention given its portability. The game's endearing 2D twin-stick shooter action seems a perfect fit to bring on the go. Given the high praise it received when it released (GameSpot gave it a 9), it's certainly one of the more highly anticipated indie ports in 2018. For the uninitiated, Owlboy is an action-adventure game set in a sky world where the lands below were torn apart by a catastrophic event many years prior. You play as Otus, an owl-human hybrid who sets out on a journey to save his village from a band of pirates. A charming and heartfelt adventure in its own right, Owlboy's upcoming console ports are well worth keeping an eye on, especially if you missed out on the original back in 2016.
Persona Q2 (3DS)
Fans of both Persona 3 and 4 were treated to an endearing collaboration between the casts of both games with Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth in 2014. In a wacky series of time-bending events, both Inaba's Investigation Team and SEES (Special Extracurricular Execution Squad) crossed paths and joined forces to back home from an alternate dimension. All characters received an adorable chibi redesign which drove home the fun, lighthearted interactions between the two squadsBut with Persona Q2 coming out next year, we're hyped up to see how the Phantom Thieves fit into the mix (and what their chibi versions will look like) and what Atlus will do with crossover casts. The only thing that was revealed for Persona Q2's announcement was a cartoony rendition of the phrase "TAKE YOUR HEART" with the Arsene top hat logo. Of course, this indicates the return of the Persona 5 crew, but whether or not Q2 involves past characters has yet to be shared. We anticipate another dip into Etrian Odyssey-style first-person dungeon-crawling where you're expected to draw out maps manually on the 3DS touch screen. The turn-based combat system also differs from the main series; in Persona Q, actions are chosen for the entire turn before anything unfolds, changing how you strategize in battle. We should also expect another stellar soundtrack. It'll be pretty tough to top the introduction song "Maze of Life" and battle theme "Light the Fire Up in the Night" from the first game, but with a bar set so high and coming off the Persona 5 soundtrack, it's hard to imagine Persona Q2 without the proper music to back it up.
Project Octopath Traveler (Switch)
Project Octopath Traveler on Switch evokes the qualities that are bound to please fans of classic Japanese RPGss. Its "HD 2D" pixelated visual style offers a unique take on the much-used JRPG aesthetic, combining 16-bit style character sprites and textures with polygonal environments and high-definition effects. Combat is involved and utilizes weakness exploitation much like the Shin Megami Tensei games. And its ensemble cast of playable characters even calls back to early SaGa games. There's already plenty of strong characteristics at play that make Project Octopath Traveler a promising adventure. It's worth noting that the game is being worked on by Tomoya Asano, a Square Enix veteran developer who served as a producer on both Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV for Nintendo DS, Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, Bravely Default, and Bravely Second: End Layer. While we've only gotten a demo of the game since its initial announcement, we're eager to see what else it has to offer. Heck, we're still curious what the game's final name will be, seeing as Project Octopath Traveler is technically a working title. Time will tell.
Yoshi (Switch)
Nintendo's upcoming Yoshi game was revealed during E3 2017. Simply titled "Yoshi" for now, the announcement trailer showed some gameplay similar to 2015's Yoshi's Woolly World but with an emphasis on flipping the stage around to see behind walls and find secrets you wouldn't be able to notice from the initial angle. It would appear from the trailer that there will be co-op as well, though that hasn't been confirmed. The papercraft style is definitely suited to the adorable feel of a Yoshi game, too, so it seems promising as a cute, feel-good platformer on the Switch in 2018.
By GameSpot Staff on Dec 21, 2017 09:30 pm
Level Up
2017 has been a remarkable year for gaming, and a significant part of that has been the year's role-playing games. Many of this year's best games have been RPGs, from Persona 5 and Divinity: Original Sin II to Golf Story and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions. Regardless of the style you like, 2017 has great RPGs for almost everyone--and across every platform. In this gallery, we're taking a look at the RPGs that got a score of 8 or above on GameSpot. Genres aren't black and white, but for this list, we've included games that are role-playing games first and foremost--while many of the year's best games include some RPG-inspired mechanics, like skill trees, we've left them off here. Click forward to see 2017's best-reviewed RPGs, and make sure to check out all our Best of 2017 features for more.
Torment: Tides of Numenera (PC, PS4, Xbox One) -- 9/10
"Torment wants you to dig through its hamlets and delve into its dungeons on your own. It isn't about cutting down waves of foes, it's not about being the one true hero, and it's not wish fulfillment. Narrative is an end in itself. Story is the everything, and the play that backs that story, while minimal, gives the experience a weight that's too often lost in other games. Torment defines itself as codified opposition to current trends, but that's also not all it is. Using pools of points to set limits on its players and driving player expression through curiosity are novel additions to one of gaming's oldest genres. Taken together, Torment is far more than just a phenomenal role-playing game. It's a challenge to restore the depth and nuance for which the genre was once known." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Persona 5 (PS3, PS4) -- 9/10
"Within Persona 5 is a complex set of interconnected gameplay mechanics, and in almost every aspect Atlus has executed on its vision exceptionally, barring the pacing issues towards the end. At every turn, it presents something to marvel at, whether it's the fluid combat, vibrant world, or the many memorable characters….It's stuffed to bursting point with gameplay ideas and presentation flourishes--there's an overwhelming level of artistry in every part of Persona 5, making it a truly standout entry in the series. It's a refined, effortlessly stylish RPG that will be talked about for years to come." [Read the full review] -- Lucy James, Video Producer
Dragon Quest Heroes II (PC, PS4) -- 8/10
"Dragon Quest Heroes II is a JRPG on fast forward. The gradual addition of new party members, the rollout of plot twists, and other typical genre roadmarkers come at you at a fast clip. If it normally takes 100 hours to amass a kill count of 10,000 enemies, this game lets you reach such milestones in less than 10. And, as one of the many spinoffs of the 20-year-old Dynasty Warriors series, it retains the best elements of the franchise's trademark combat, where you decimate armies with rudimentary, albeit flashy, combos. Dragon Quest Heroes II distinguishes itself from its equally great predecessor with its free roam-friendly fields of battle, which feel like an homage to the open expanses of mainline Dragon Quest games." [Read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (PS4) -- 9/10
"While its enhancements do not translate into a brand new game for existing fans, The Zodiac Age is nonetheless invigorating. For an experience that can last over a hundred hours, the subtle tweaks therein go a long way in showcasing Final Fantasy 12's grand trek in a new light. Its epic, lore-abundant story and its time-tested Gambit System should also appeal to those who missed out on the mainline series' trip to Ivalice the first time around. And thanks in part to the new audio and speed options, The Zodiac Age is an ideal definitive edition: one that improves the game over its original version across the board." [Read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood (PC) -- 8/10
"If the final fight of Stormblood's story was anything to go by, expectations for the new Savage difficulties on the horizon are also high. There are some annoying post-launch issues regarding instanced areas, as well as a new policy of kicking players in high-population worlds at peak times. However, Stormblood has already gone above and beyond the experience delivered in Heavensward, and there's no doubt that Final Fantasy XIV now has the content and longevity it needs to keep players engaged." [Read the full review] -- Ginny Woo
Undertale (Review Updated For PS4, Vita) -- 9/10
"Without spoiling the many ways it will screw with your expectations, it isn't possible to truly capture how wonderful Undertale is. You wouldn't know it with a passing glance, but it's one of the most progressive and innovative RPGs to come in a long time, breaking down tradition for the sake of invention, with great success." [Read the full review] -- Tyler Hicks
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (PS4) -- 8/10
"Even when it falters, it's hard to hate Ys VIII for long. The feel of fighting your way through a big, beautiful island of untamed wilderness to save a group of people brought together by circumstance while uncovering an ancient mystery is an absolute delight, and will compel you to keep exploring for hours on end. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the exploits of Adol Christin, you'll find a lot to enjoy in the exotic world of Ys VIII." [Read the full review] -- Heidi Kemps
Divinity: Original Sin II (PC) -- 10/10
"From lonely farmhouses through pitched battles with gods in far-flung dimensions, Divinity: Original Sin II is one of the most captivating role-playing games ever made. Its immaculately conceived and emotion-wrought fantasy world, topped by brilliant tactical combat, make it one of the finest games of the year thus far, and it has to be regarded as an instant classic in the pantheon of RPG greats." [Read the full review] -- Brett Todd
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions (3DS) -- 8/10
"When Nintendo announced a Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga remake for the 3DS, I wasn't sure I needed it. The beautiful 2D art, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and blend of action- and turn-based RPG gameplay of the Game Boy Advance original still feels every bit as vibrant and engaging today as it did when it came out 15 years ago. But after playing through Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, I'm absolutely convinced that it is the definitive way to experience one of Nintendo's best RPGs." [Read the full review] -- Heidi Kemps
South Park: The Fractured But Whole (PC, PS4, Xbox One) -- 8/10
"Fractured But Whole succeeds as an interactive South Park mini-series, while effectively emulating the show's current style of adult-targeted entertainment and satirization of political correctness. In other words, it's consistently amusing and provocative without the edginess the series used to be known for." [Read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
Golf Story (Switch) -- 8/10
"It can take a little while for the narrative to ramp up in Golf Story and for you to feel like you've really cultivated the skills of a champion, but based on the sheer scope of what the game delivers, there's likely something for everyone to enjoy whether their shtick is mini-golfing or terrorising delinquents with frisbees. It has successfully captured the trappings of yesteryear's RPGs, and the witticisms and idiosyncrasies of the characters you encounter are a great palate cleanser between rounds. Switch has had a swathe of indies hit its eShop recently, but if you're looking for something that'll give you satisfaction in terms of an interesting story and a rewarding mechanic, then Golf Story is certainly par for the course." [Read the full review] -- Ginny Woo
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (3DS) -- 8/10
"Though they aren't very different from their predecessors, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon make enough changes to stand apart as the definitive version of the seventh generation games. An overly complicated story is offset by charming details that bring even more life to the most vibrant Pokemon region to date, and small fixes iron out the shakier parts of the original journey. If you make it through Alola a second (or even first) time, you'll be rewarded with a fun-filled and uplifting Pokemon adventure with its own share of spoilery surprises in store." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth (3DS) -- 8/10
"The combination of careful, quiet exploration punctuated by fierce combat is what makes Beyond the Myth so much fun. Seeing your meticulously planned party finally take down a fearsome FOE that's been giving you trouble for hours is immensely satisfying, while little text-based side events that litter the dungeons as you explore are enjoyable in a different but no-less-engaging way. By focusing instead on small improvements to systems and ideas that already worked well, Etrian Odyssey 5 is a long and challenging RPG that sucks you in and leaves you determined to see what lies above." [Read the full review] -- Heidi Kemps
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Switch) -- 8/10
"The original version of Skyrim is still an immense, engrossing RPG, and the quality, number, and variety of its quests makes it as easy to become lost in its world as ever. With the addition of Zelda-themed gear that's actually useful--and the fact that you can play anywhere--the Switch version of Skyrim is a great excuse to revisit a much-loved RPG." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
By GameSpot Staff on Dec 21, 2017 09:30 pm
Aiming High
2017 had no shortage of great games to play. For shooter fans, this year brought a mix of bombastic action, serious tactics, and even squids. From games as different as Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and Splatoon 2 to the annual Call of Duty installment, there was a good mix of shooters this year across a variety of platforms, including VR. In this gallery, we're looking back at the shooters that got a score of 7 or above on GameSpot. While quite a few games have shooting-based combat, this list includes games that are shooters above all else. Click forward to see 2017's best-reviewed shooters, and make sure to check out all our Best of 2017 features for more.
Sniper Elite 4 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) -- 8/10
"Sniper Elite 4 feels like a natural progression for this series, as Rebellion continues to refine its systems and put a greater emphasis on the long-range shooting it does so well. Its stealth and action mechanics may be simplistic, but they're functional and regularly enjoyable. And the maps--with their impressive scale, open-ended objectives, and clever level design--coalesce these disparate systems into a creative and fulfilling whole. There are still some issues with AI inconsistency, a bland story, and some dull competitive multiplayer, but it finally feels like this series is living up to its long-standing potential." [Read the full review] -- Richard Wakeling
Ghost Recon: Wildlands (PC, PS4, Xbox One) -- 7/10
"At the outset, its appears that Wildlands' strength is in its diverse mission types. For every assassination, there's a capture or rescue assignment. Any given sortie might involve hacking, sabotaging, or even stealing a plane. You might even find yourself pulling off the ol' switcheroo with two similar looking trucks. It's never a dull moment, at least for the first 20 or so hours." [Read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition (PC, PS4, Xbox One) -- 8/10
"For longtime fans, Full Clip Edition doesn't offer much to be excited about. Additions like Overkill Mode and the upgraded visuals are certainly welcome, but fundamentally, this is the same game they already played in 2011. That said, the experience absolutely holds up: the skillshot system remains wildly fun and inventive, the weapons are still a gruesome joy, and the writing...well, it's as distinctive as ever. If you missed Bulletstorm when it originally released--and based on sales numbers, you probably did--now's the time to treat yourself to a clever if cringe-worthy blockbuster." [Read the full review] -- Scott Butterworth
Strafe (PC) -- 8/10
"At first glance, Strafe looks as if it's resting on the laurels of the old-school, hyper-fast, and gory first-person shooters from the '90s. Oftentimes, it actually does lean heavily on the likes of Doom and Quake, but working within those confines and introducing a roguelike structure, Strafe emerges as a uniquely thrilling shooter with plenty of charm in its own right. It teeters between being mindlessly fun and cautiously strategic to the backdrop of a perfectly executed electronic soundtrack, teaching you something new with each run." [Read the full review] -- Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Farpoint (PS4 via PSVR) -- 7/10
"Despite shifting gears in surprising ways and extending the life of its gunplay by remixing levels, Farpoint is more like a proof of concept than a game designed to push the envelope on its own terms. It'll give you a taste of something new for PSVR, and give you hints of what to look forward to if the Aim controller attracts wider support. It's going to be hard to go back to two Move controllers now that Sony's new toy has made a case for itself." [Read the full review] -- Justin Clark
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Zombies Chronicles (PC, PS4, Xbox One) -- 8/10
"Zombies Chronicles takes a good combination of maps and upgrades them with great attention to detail. Newer Zombies features keep the collection modern, but its greatest strength is in the lighting and audio upgrades, which make the Zombies experience that many fans obsessed over before feel creepier, more tense, and more exhilarating than ever." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Splatoon 2 (Switch) -- 8/10
"At first glance, Splatoon 2 seems very similar to the first game. But all the small changes, and even the bigger ones in single player and League Battles, make for a fresh take on the already unique shooter. If you played a lot of the original, the sequel has enough to keep you coming back, and if you're new to the game, it's a fantastic place to jump in." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Lawbreakers -- 8/10 (PC), 7/10 (PS4)
"One sign of any worthwhile team-based shooter is a level of accessibility where everyone feels they can contribute no matter their play style, and Lawbreakers succeeds in this manner. And while the lack of Deathmatch is a lost opportunity, its sufficient playlist of modes offers a viable outlet to flaunt your kill/death ratio, even if it's at the expense of team success. What counts is that its fresh anti-gravity mechanics transcends its first-glance novel appeal and creates limitless combat situations that will be new and inviting to many shooter fans." [Read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
Destiny 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) -- 8/10
"Success through strong teamwork is absolutely the best part of Destiny, and the top-to-bottom tweaks and additions in Destiny 2 make it more accessible without dampening your sense of accomplishment. Meeting the level requirement for the Nightfall or Raid and actually completing it are two very different things, and getting in sync with your Fireteam and flawlessly executing a strategy takes a lot of work. You'll most likely fail, but each failure helps you perfect your strategy incrementally, and the process of collectively achieving that goal is immensely satisfying." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (PC, PS4, Xbox One) -- 9/10
"The New Colossus never lets you forget who and why you're fighting. Nazi brutality is on full display, from the blown-out, irradiated remains of Manhattan to each of the resistance members, who all carry mental scars if not physical ones. You're never given a chance between cutscenes, missions, and even downtime on the U-boat to lose sight of the Reich's cruelty. Wolfenstein's tense gameplay elevates this further by giving you the power to truly resist--and come out of each battle ready for another fight." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Call of Duty: WWII (PC, PS4, Xbox One) -- 9/10
"Seen through the eyes of an American soldier and a few other Allies, this affecting story offers brief glimpses of how the Nazi occupation ravaged Europe and its people, including German civilians. It's emblematic of a game that--along with its multiplayer modes--delivers practically everything that one looks for in a pick-up-and-play shooter set in the Western Front of World War II while also breaking free of Call of Duty's formulaic trappings." [Read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
Doom (Switch) -- 7/10
"If you can stand to look at a lesser version of Doom's once captivating world, you'll find that the game plays well enough on Switch so long as you've got a TV in front of you and a Pro Controller in hand. There's nothing else like it on a portable system, but be prepared to face a handful of compromises, especially if you're used to playing on other platforms. It's an impressive port that begs you to consider gameplay over graphics, and it succeeds more often than not." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
By GameSpot Staff on Dec 21, 2017 09:30 pm
What's Coming In 2018
While 2017 had its share of great games on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch, 2018 is also going to be filled with a wealth of exciting new experiences. Notable standouts include Red Dead Redemption 2, Kingdom Hearts III, Crackdown 3, God of War, Project Octopath Traveller, and more. With so many games to keep track of, we've compiled all the biggest ones coming in 2018 (that we know of, as of the end of 2017). Click ahead to get a glimpse of what's coming next year. What games are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below. If you want to see our choices for the best games this year, check out our Game of the Year 2017 Top 10 List. And for more on our picks of the best games of the year across various categories, as well as features focusing on the year's performance for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch, check out our Best of 2017 hub.
A Way Out
A Way Out is the next game written and directed by Josef Fares, one of the creative forces behind the excellent Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. For those who may have missed it, Brothers gave you control of two characters, both controlled simultaneously and independently via the analogue. As a result, it featured challenging, but rewarding platforming and puzzles, and a heartwarming story to boot. Like Brothers, A Way Out leans in to the idea of telling the story of two characters and allowing you to experience them concurrently. This time, however, the two characters are prisoners trying to escape from jail and eventually live out their lives on the run. To successfully put their escape plan into action, both characters will need to work together to, for example, distract a guard while the other scopes out a route or acquires a tool that will aid them. Developer Hazelight Studios has said A Way Out will feature multiple characters to interact with, and the solutions to their problems aren't obviously prescribed. This encourages communication between the two players, who can be playing together on a couch or over the internet. From a gameplay standpoint, A Way Out is an intriguing prospect, but we're more interested in seeing its handling of storytelling.
Anthem
Announced at E3 this year, Anthem is the next game from veteran and esteemed role-playing game studio BioWare, specifically BioWare Edmonton (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic). A multiplayer action-RPG, Anthem puts players into the role of a Freelancer on a journey through a "vast open world" to explore unknown planets and protect humanity. A key element of the game are the exosuits, called Javelins. You can customise them, equipping them with a range of new gear that you either craft or acquire. BioWare has a history of masterful world-building and storytelling. While it remains to be seen how these elements will play out in an open-world setting with what looks like more shooting than past BioWare games, we have faith in the legendary developer. Publisher Electronic Arts has said Anthem will have some form of a "live service" model, and given everything that happened with Star Wars Battlefront II, it's understandable if you're feeling a little uneasy about this. But with Anthem not due out on PS4, Xbox One, and PC until fall 2018, EA has the time to get things right. From the first trailer and what we've heard, it looks like Anthem is influenced and inspired by games like Destiny and The Division, and it's exciting to think about what BioWare's spin on the online multiplayer shooter might look like.
Crackdown 3
Crackdown 3 was first announced at E3 2014 and planned for a 2016 release, but a delay pushed it back to November 2017. It was then hit with a another delay following its bold showing at E3 2017, and now it's set to launch at an unspecified date in spring 2018. Crackdown 3 is going to be one of the Xbox One's marquee exclusive games, featuring immense levels of environmental destruction in an open world--an evolution of the previous games in the series. However, there will be a difference in how this is handled between single-player and multiplayer. The mass destruction in multiplayer relies on server-based cloud technology which will provide the grand spectacle in online games. On the other hand, the single-player campaign will be more tame, akin to a Just Cause. This open-world action game focuses its narrative on taking down criminal syndicates similar to the original Crackdown. We can expect plenty of superhuman abilities for strength and speed, along with an arsenal of weapons and vehicles. It's apt to compare it to Grand Theft Auto or Saints Row, but Crackdown separates itself by instilling the feeling of being a true superhero.
Detroit: Become Human
Detroit: Become Human is the next immersive story-driven game from director David Cage and developer Quantic Dream, best known for Heavy Rain, Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy in North America), and Beyond: Two Souls. The script supposedly took Cage over two years to write and, as the name suggests, the game takes place in a futuristic version of Detroit. It follows the journey of three androids. Kara gains sentience and escapes the factory she was built in. Meanwhile, Connor is designed to hunt down rogue androids like Kara. Finally, the third protagonist, Markus, is a freedom fighter who is devoted to freeing other androids. Like Heavy Rain before it, many major characters will live and die based on player decisions, and the story will continue to progress accordingly. Those who enjoy strong performance-driven characters in their video game stories should definitely keep their eyes on Detroit: Become Human.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Matching the style and over-the-top action of the Dragon Ball Z series has been a challenge for past games. The upcoming Dragon Ball FighterZ, however, looks to be the exception, pushing the trend of average DBZ fighters aside and bringing the series to new heights. Coming from Arc Systems Works--the same developer behind Guilty Gear Xrd, BlazBlue, and Persona 4 Arena--the new game is not only looking to be a faithful adaptation of the series, but also one of the most exciting fighting games of 2018. Featuring characters from across the entire Dragon Ball Z series, and even some references from Dragon Ball Super, FighterZ is a mash-up that pits characters in intense 3v3 battles that will level environments and push the fighters to their limits of power. Moving away from the 3D arenas of Raging Blast and Xenoverse, FighterZ brings the action to the traditional 2D plane--and it looks all the better for it. With characters pulling off high-powered, screen-filling moves, and performing split-second dodges to get the upper hand against their enemy--no frame of animation feels wasted in Dragon Ball FighterZ. There's a greater level of detail here that the past games weren't even close to replicating from the TV show. Anyone who's watched Dragon Ball Z knows that it's got a style all its own, and FighterZ lovingly recreates many of the series' most iconic moments in its core mechanics. With more characters yet to be revealed, along with a surprisingly robust Story Mode, there's definitely more to this fighter that remains to be seen. But what's been shown thus far looks to be everything a DBZ fan could hope for in a game.
Far Cry 5
When reflecting on the Far Cry series' past locales, Far Cry 5's rural America seems like a refreshing and evocative choice for Ubisoft's first-person shooter series. Between the sprawling farmlands and dense forests of the fictional region known as Hope County, Montana, the place is primed to make the most of Far Cry's open world and emergent gameplay. Far Cry 5 also promises to continue the series' tradition of featuring memorable antagonists. As the leader of a doomsday cult known as Eden's Gate, Joseph Seed looks to be as calculating as 4's Pagan Min and as fanatical as 3's Vaas. What makes Far Cry 5 all the more promising is how it adapts fan-favorite features like Far Cry 4's cooperative play and Far Cry Primal's animal companionship. Along with a wealth of vehicles and weapons plus untamed animals you can turn against enemies, there shouldn't be a shortage of creative ways to take down Eden's Gate.
Ghost of Tsushima
With the superhero-inspired Infamous series, Sucker Punch Productions proved itself capable of creating beautiful, vast open worlds packed with gameplay opportunities. Its next title, Ghost of Tsushima, looks set to leverage the experience it has accumulated from other projects to deliver something completely different. Set in 1274, Ghost of Tsushima casts players as one of the last remaining samurai as he faces the ruthless Mongol Empire. What makes Ghost of Tsushima interesting is the idea that, to succeed, you will have to cast aside traditional samurai methods, and the codes that govern them, in favour of stealth and subterfuge. This means Ghost of Tsushima is essentially a story about the birth of the ninja, and the idea of an open-world stealth game is a very exciting prospect, especially for fans of Metal Gear Solid V and those begging for a new Tenchu. Although Sony and Sucker Punch haven't outright said Ghost of Tsushima will be released in 2018, it's believed the game has been in development since 2014, when Infamous: Second Son and Last Light launched. That means it's been in development for around three years, so there's a good chance the game will launch in 2018.
God of War
The upcoming God of War is a drastic departure from the style and tone of previous games in the series. Its somber, more deeply personal narrative, new combat mechanics, and aged version of series protagonist Kratos each contribute toward what looks to be an exciting new direction for the series. Taking place many years after the destruction of the Olympian gods, Kratos now lives with his son Atreus in a hostile world ruled by Norse gods. He lives in peace, but when his role in the destruction of Olympus becomes known, the Norse gods plot to kill him, forcing Kratos and Atreus to embark on an adventure for survival. While only a few trailers have been shown of God of War so far, it's already shaping up to one of the most exciting games in Sony's lineup for 2018. And with God of War II director Cory Barlog at the helm, the game could also be one of the finest in the series.
The Inpatient
The Inpatient looks to be an enjoyable experience in two areas. First, as a PlayStation VR title, it aims to scare you on a subconscious level, using psychological horror and binaural audio to worm its way into your deepest fears. Second, it serves as a prequel to 2015's choice-driven horror game Until Dawn, with the same writers and director at the helm. Set 60 years before the events of that game, you'll take control of a sanitarium patient out to reclaim their missing memories. Voice recognition and player choices affect how you interact with the other residents of the asylum, changing how the story ends. January isn't traditionally a month associated with horror, but The Inpatient is still staking a creepy claim.
Kingdom Hearts III
It's hard to count the number of reasons to be excited for Kingdom Hearts III. Maybe it's the 13-year gap between Kingdom Hearts 2 and the next numbered sequel. Maybe it's the most recent trailer for a Toy Story world, the first in the series to be based on a Pixar movie. Maybe it's because the series will be coming to Xbox for the first time, letting a whole new player base experience the Disney/Final Fantasy crossover magic. No matter the reasoning, Kingdom Hearts 3 is going to drop you into the climactic battle of the game's Dark Seeker saga, bringing together plots and characters from the many spin-offs the series has had in the interim. Along the way, you'll get to explore a batch of brand-new worlds--Rapunzel and Big Hero 6 stages have already been teased--and battle Heartless with an array of powers seemingly based on real-world Disney theme park attractions. It's hard for any game to live up to more than a decade of hype, but Kingdom Hearts 3 aims to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the war between darkness and light.
Monster Hunter World
The last few Monster Hunter games on 3DS have been terrific, and they've introduced a whole new group of players to one Japan's biggest franchises. But Monster Hunter World is poised to take the series even further. On PS4, Xbox One, and PC, the game will obviously look better than any previous version of the game, but it's the refinements in gameplay and online multiplayer that have a chance of finally pushing it into the mainstream. For the first time, you'll be able to jump into other players' hunts mid-game, meaning you can help out friends (or receive help when you need it most), without going through a lot of complicated preparation. There's a more convenient training hall that lets you easily experiment with weapons and that lays out various combos and strategies. And best of all, the game will have worldwide (although not cross-platform) multiplayer. Given how helpful and supportive the Monster Hunter community is as a whole, jumping into a game and finding fellow adventurers to take down monsters with should be easy. Make no mistake, Monster Hunter World still seems like it's going to be a complicated, complex game. But as titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne have shown, there are plenty of players who are looking for a challenging experience as long as it's equally rewarding. And with this iteration of Monster Hunter, newcomers will have a better chance than ever before to understand what makes fans so passionate for hunting.
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
After the generally positive reception of Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, it was not surprising that its sequel, Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, earned the rare spot as a "One more thing..." reveal to close out a PlayStation Experience 2016 keynote. Between the original game's heartfelt story, involving combat, and Studio Ghibli-crafted cinematics, there was a lot to love. Revenant Kingdom looks to recapture the first game's charm and engrossing gameplay, despite the array of changes in this sequel. The shift to a more active battle system looks to address the arguably complicated and cumbersome combat from the first game. Add to that a Pikmin-inspired minion system that buffs your hero for added advantages. Furthermore, Studio Ghibli is uninvolved this time around, although former Ghibli character designer Yoshiyuki Momose returns. More significantly, Joe Hisaishi returns as music composer. Given how he's provided the music to all of Hayao Miyazaki's films (save for The Castle of Cagliostro), it's hard to doubt that Revenant Kingdom will feel like an unofficial Ghibli production.
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
2017 was very good to fans of old-school, Baldur's Gate-style RPGs. Divinity: Original Sin II earned a rare 10/10 on GameSpot, and Pillars of Eternity II was announced and fully funded in the less than a day. Going into 2018, Obsidian is set to deliver on its promises of "truly living cities [and] more freedom to explore the open world." In addition to building out the world and story of Pillars of Eternity II, the sequel will also introduce an expansive multiclassing system, which will allow players to build unique characters that tie both into personal playstyles and stories. But it's the expansive worldbuilding and D&D-inspired gameplay hooks that seem the most exciting. In GameSpot's Pillars of Eternity review from 2015, we described the first Pillars as an "original fantasy universe, as well as with combat details that reduce frustration and keep the tempo moving." As long as Obsidian can build on those core elements that worked and refine the less-polished aspects of their previous isometric outing, Pillars of Eternity II seems like it'll be another RPG hit.
Project Octopath Traveler
Project Octopath Traveler on Switch evokes the qualities that are bound to please fans of classic Japanese RPGss. Its "HD 2D" pixelated visual style offers a unique take on the much-used JRPG aesthetic, combining 16-bit style character sprites and textures with polygonal environments and high-definition effects. Combat is involved and utilizes weakness exploitation much like the Shin Megami Tensei games. And its ensemble cast of playable characters even calls back to early SaGa games. There's already plenty of strong characteristics at play that make Project Octopath Traveler a promising adventure. It's worth noting that the game is being worked on by Tomoya Asano, a Square Enix veteran developer who served as a producer on both Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV for Nintendo DS, Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, Bravely Default, and Bravely Second: End Layer. While we've only gotten a demo of the game since its initial announcement, we're eager to see what else it has to offer. Heck, we're still curious what the game's final name will be, seeing as Project Octopath Traveler is technically a working title. Time will tell.
Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts 2 is the long-awaited follow-up to Double Fine's cult classic, Psychonauts. You will take on the role of Raz, a secret agent in training, as he visits the Psychonaut HQ. Once again, you will be poking around in the minds of a new and returning cast of characters. The first Psychonauts was a colorful and creative platformer, packed with humor and dozens of great characters. Even though it wasn't a huge commercial success, a sequel is something fans have been clamouring to see for years now.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Out of all the games coming in 2018, Rockstar's follow-up to Red Dead Redemption is arguably the most significant. The developer's other major franchise, Grand Theft Auto, is a cultural phenomenon, and even in 2017, over four years since it was first released, Grand Theft Auto V continues to be one of the best-selling games in the US every month. The first Red Dead Redemption was a critical success, driven by a powerful story and an inviting open-world. But what's most intriguing is finding out how Rockstar will integrate the elements that have made GTA Online so pervasive. Owning a garage full of crazy vehicles and high-tech weapons make sense in GTA's city environment, but what is there to spend so much money on in the Old West? Or will Red Dead Redemption 2 focus primarily on its standalone single-player story with the online multiplayer used as a fun, but secondary, amusement? This sequel has a lot to live up to, and succeed or fail, the story of Red Dead Redemption will be one worth following closely in 2018.
Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves has been in Microsoft's deck for quite some time, since it was announced at E3 2015, but it's set to see the light of day in 2018 with an official release. This pirate-themed first-person action-adventure focuses on multiplayer across islands and the open seas. The game is shown to have range; there's a lot going on from ship battles and navigating the seas to digging up treasures and hoarding loot. It sports a beautiful, easy-going aesthetic with a cartoonish vibe and lax physics. But that doesn't negate the intensity of large-scale battles at sea with cannonballs flying overhead or the sense of panic when trying to nail down a shot from a one-round flintlock pistol. The game isn't limited to PvP, as NPC enemies layer PvE scenarios into a shared world. Sea of Thieves is also one of the few cross-play games between the PC and Xbox One platforms, which should help sustain player count. If early gameplay is any indication, players will be building up their own characters for the long haul; this will hopefully instill more personality into a game already oozing with charm.
Shenmue III
Shenmue is a divisive franchise, but one thing that is undeniable is that the story is incomplete. The second game ends on a massive cliffhanger, and rabid fans want the series to return so much that they raised well over $6 million on Kickstarter for Shenmue III. Considering the first two games are among the most expensive of all time, Shenmue III is going to need every penny. The original released on the Dreamcast and pioneered open-world games. Not only did it and its sequel allow you to explore large cities in Japan and China, but the games were meticulously detailed. The series is predominately about its story, however. You play as Ryo Hazuki, and in the original game, villain Lan Di beats you up and kills your father in front of you. On a quest for revenge, Ryo learns martial arts and becomes stronger along the way. The 2017 teaser trailer looks like it picks up where the last game left off. In it, you see Ryo training and getting into fights surrounded by stunning vistas produced by Epic's Unreal Engine. The world of Shenmue has never looked better. The faces in the video do leave a lot to be desired, however, but famed director Yu Suzuki assures fans that they're just placeholders for now. What fans can't wait to find out is if Ryo becomes strong enough in Shenmue III to enact revenge on Lan Di. Hopefully we won't have to wait much longer to find out.
Spider-Man
While Marvel is currently trouncing long-time rival DC when it comes to their respective film universes, it's an altogether different story when it comes to games. DC characters have had an impressive run of good to great games in recent years, with highlights including Arkane's hugely impressive Batman Arkham series and the well-received Injustice fighters. In contrast, poor Marvel fans have had little to crow about when it came to high-quality, big-budget games on PC/consoles (outside of Capcom's MvC series). But Insomniac Game's upcoming Spider-Man exclusive for the PlayStation 4 might finally end the long drought. Though it's not specifically tied to Marvel's popular film universe, Spider-Man for the PS4 still looks like its getting the core of the character right: spectacularly athletic, remarkably swift, and unbelievably high-flying, Insomniac's take on Spider-Man looks to be, well, Amazing. It's about time for another great Spider-Man game, and we're hoping this fits the bill.
State of Decay 2
Perhaps the most exciting feature of State of Decay 2 is one that was sorely absent from the first game: multiplayer. The first entry in Undead Labs' and Microsoft's zombie survival game was a surprise hit, delivering a vast open-world with a robust survival gameplay and the unsettling, ever-present threat of zombies descending on you at a moment's notice. It seems like a setup that would allow players to connect with each other to collaborate, but that wasn't the case. In State of Decay 2, Undead Labs has taken inspiration from Dark Souls for its multiplayer component, giving people the ability to fire a flare into the sky to summon help. Through drop-in and drop-out cooperation, players can come together to fight the undead horde or scavenge materials and build fortifications. Of course, there's also the survivors hanging around in the wasteland, all of which are crucial to your safety. With a massive number of skills and personality types for the player to develop and nurture, these characters become essential to ensuring that their burgeoning community can not only live another day but also ensure the little family you've built thrives. Like the multiplayer, Undead Labs is doubling down on role-playing aspects of State of Decay 2, making for a sequel is giving fans pretty much everything they asked for, which is exciting.
Skull & Bones
Ever since the release of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag in 2014, there existed an audience of fans who yearned for the series to return to or iterate upon the fantastic naval combat from that game. While Assassin's Creed Rogue expanded on those mechanics to some degree, it wasn't the true successor everyone craved. Enter Skull & Bones, Ubisoft's direct successor to Black Flag. Aside from offering a traditional single-player-focused campaign, the game also offers 5v5 multiplayer modes where you and four others fight other player-controlled ships for loot. While the reveal of Skull & Bones is an exciting step towards a new series that follows in the tradition of Black Flag, it also represents a divorce of naval combat from the expectations of future Assassin's titles. Seeing Ubisoft deliberately decide to split the two into separate franchises is certainly one the most exciting aspects about Skull & Bones.
By GameSpot Staff on Dec 21, 2017 09:30 pm
What's Coming For PC In 2018
While 2017 had its share of great PC games, 2018 is also going to be filled with a wealth of heavy hitters. Notable games include Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, Pie People, World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth, Sea of Thieves, and more. With so many to keep track of, we've compiled all the biggest games coming in 2018 (that we know of, as of the end of 2017). Click ahead to see what's coming to PC. What games are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below. If you want to see our choices for the best games this year, check out our Game of the Year 2017 Top 10 List. And for more on our picks of the best games of the year across various categories, as well as features focusing on the year's performance for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch, check out our Best of 2017 hub.
A Way Out
A Way Out is the next game written and directed by Josef Fares, one of the creative forces behind the excellent Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. For those who may have missed it, Brothers gave you control of two characters, both controlled simultaneously and independently via the analogue. As a result, it featured challenging, but rewarding platforming and puzzles, and a heartwarming story to boot. Like Brothers, A Way Out leans in to the idea of telling the story of two characters and allowing you to experience them concurrently. This time, however, the two characters are prisoners trying to escape from jail and eventually live out their lives on the run. To successfully put their escape plan into action, both characters will need to work together to, for example, distract a guard while the other scopes out a route or acquires a tool that will aid them. Developer Hazelight Studios has said A Way Out will feature multiple characters to interact with, and the solutions to their problems aren't obviously prescribed. This encourages communication between the two players, who can be playing together on a couch or over the internet. From a gameplay standpoint, A Way Out is an intriguing prospect, but we're more interested in seeing its handling of storytelling.
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Super-realistic clouds. Intense dogfighting action. A melodramatic military soap-opera that only Metal Gear Solid could top. These are the things that make Ace Combat great. But if you've been a long-term fan of the series you'll likely agree that the most recent entries have been a let-down because of attempts to mimic Western-style military blockbuster games. That's all set to change with Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the first numbered entry for the series in 10 years. Using that number is a purposeful decision, too. The Project Aces team, led by Kazutoki Kono, are attempting to bring the series' original flavour back, refocusing on their hypothetical world where they can take more liberties with their stories of political intrigue and emotional character moments. That's backed by a long-term refinement of the game's accessible jet-fighting controls and intense combat scenarios to go with it. Here's hoping that the return of one of Namco's formerly beloved franchises sticks the landing well enough to reclaim its glory.
Anthem
Announced at E3 this year, Anthem is the next game from veteran and esteemed role-playing game studio BioWare, specifically BioWare Edmonton (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic). A multiplayer action-RPG, Anthem puts players into the role of a Freelancer on a journey through a "vast open world" to explore unknown planets and protect humanity. A key element of the game are the exosuits, called Javelins. You can customise them, equipping them with a range of new gear that you either craft or acquire. BioWare has a history of masterful world-building and storytelling. While it remains to be seen how these elements will play out in an open-world setting with what looks like more shooting than past BioWare games, we have faith in the legendary developer. Publisher Electronic Arts has said Anthem will have some form of a "live service" model, and given everything that happened with Star Wars Battlefront II, it's understandable if you're feeling a little uneasy about this. But with Anthem not due out on PC until fall 2018, EA has the time to get things right. From the first trailer and what we've heard, it looks like Anthem is influenced and inspired by games like Destiny and The Division, and it's exciting to think about what BioWare's spin on the online multiplayer shooter might look like.
Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night
Castlevania has changed a lot over the years, but there was a time when game after game followed a familiar formula to great results. The developer largely credited for the series' past greatness is Koji Igarashi, who is presently working on Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, a spiritual successor to Castlevania games of yore. Early impressions of the game from events like E3 and Tokyo Game Show are positive. Igarashi's handiwork is on full display, meaning that you will explore 2D, gothic environments while fending off demonic enemies and gather new abilities to extend your reach and open new pathways. It's the familiar "Metroidvania" formula, but the fact that it's coming from the person responsible for popularizing it in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (after Super Metroid laid the foundation) eases the concerns that Bloodstained is just a simple nostalgia trip. Igarashi has been out of the game for quite a while after leaving Konami, and our hope is that his return to 2D action games comes with improvements and innovations. The sub-genre has been approached by many developers in his absence, and we can't wait to see if Igarashi is able to rekindle his old flame in the light of the many great games his earlier works inspired.
Code Vein
While From Software is silent about a follow-up to Dark Souls III or Bloodborne, publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment is due to release Code Vein in 2018, an action-RPG heavily inspired by the demanding and distinct gameplay in From Software's Souls games. Equally significant is that Code Vein is being developed by the division of Bandai Namco Studios responsible for the God Eater franchise, which is also a third-person action-RPG series that features ranged and melee combat, so it's exciting to see this studio approach the Souls series formula. The "Soulsborne" genre has already seen a wide variety of settings as developers seek to stand out from the shadow of the From Software games that influenced them. For Code Vein, the simple hook is in preserving God Eater's anime aesthetic and depressingly desolate urban settings. Even if it doesn't meet the standards of Dark Souls, one can't help but think it will convert some anime fans to this genre.
Crackdown 3
Crackdown 3 was first announced at E3 2014 and planned for a 2016 release, but a delay pushed it back to November 2017. It was then hit with a another delay following its bold showing at E3 2017, and now it's set to launch at an unspecified date in spring 2018. Crackdown 3 is going to be one of the Xbox One's marquee exclusive games, featuring immense levels of environmental destruction in an open world--an evolution of the previous games in the series. However, there will be a difference in how this is handled between single-player and multiplayer. The mass destruction in multiplayer relies on server-based cloud technology which will provide the grand spectacle in online games. On the other hand, the single-player campaign will be more tame, akin to a Just Cause. This open-world action game focuses its narrative on taking down criminal syndicates similar to the original Crackdown. We can expect plenty of superhuman abilities for strength and speed, along with an arsenal of weapons and vehicles. It's apt to compare it to Grand Theft Auto or Saints Row, but Crackdown separates itself by instilling the feeling of being a true superhero.
Darksiders III
After the dissolution of publisher THQ in 2012, the future of the cult favorite Darksiders series was left uncertain. Swedish publisher Nordic Games (now known as THQ Nordic) acquired the rights to create more games in the franchise, but given how relatively unknown the company was at the time, longtime fans began to question if a new game was really coming. In the subsequent years, THQ Nordic released remasters of the first two Darksiders games, continually reassuring that a new entry was in the works. However, it wasn't until this year that the publisher finally unveiled Darksiders III. The game takes place parallel to the events of the previous entries. It follows Fury, a Horseman of the Apocalypse, as she embarks on a quest to destroy physical manifestations of the Seven Deadly Sins, who are wreaking havoc on planet Earth. It's reassuring to hear that Darksiders III is being developed by Gunfire Games, a studio comprised of several key members from original Darksiders studio Vigil Games. With a tentative release date of sometime in 2018, we're eager to hear more about what Gunfire Games has in store for us with the much-anticipated sequel.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Matching the style and over-the-top action of the Dragon Ball Z series has been a challenge for past games. The upcoming Dragon Ball FighterZ, however, looks to be the exception, pushing the trend of average DBZ fighters aside and bringing the series to new heights. Coming from Arc Systems Works--the same developer behind Guilty Gear Xrd, BlazBlue, and Persona 4 Arena--the new game is not only looking to be a faithful adaptation of the series, but also one of the most exciting fighting games of 2018. Featuring characters from across the entire Dragon Ball Z series, and even some references from Dragon Ball Super, FighterZ is a mash-up that pits characters in intense 3v3 battles that will level environments and push the fighters to their limits of power. Moving away from the 3D arenas of Raging Blast and Xenoverse, FighterZ brings the action to the traditional 2D plane--and it looks all the better for it. With characters pulling off high-powered, screen-filling moves, and performing split-second dodges to get the upper hand against their enemy--no frame of animation feels wasted in Dragon Ball FighterZ. There's a greater level of detail here that the past games weren't even close to replicating from the TV show. Anyone who's watched Dragon Ball Z knows that it's got a style all its own, and FighterZ lovingly recreates many of the series' most iconic moments in its core mechanics. With more characters yet to be revealed, along with a surprisingly robust Story Mode, there's definitely more to this fighter that remains to be seen. But what's been shown thus far looks to be everything a DBZ fan could hope for in a game.
Dynasty Warriors 9
Musou games--those large-scale beat-em-ups most commonly associated with Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors series--are finally earning respect. After years of being dismissed as shallow button-mashers whose appeal was limited to a core group of die-hard fans, the recent success of popular musou crossovers such as Hyrule Warriors and Fire Emblem Warriors has given this sub-genre new life. Who would have thought that next year's Dynasty Warriors 9--which comes almost 18 years after the release of the first true musou game in Dynasty Warriors 2 way back in the PlayStation 2 era--would be a cause for anticipation? It helps that Dynasty Warriors 9 seems to be taking a huge leap forward for the series in introducing a true, huge open-world for players to traverse. The core gameplay will likely be the same--one general against thousands of easily-dispatched soldiers--but that old formula has never seemed so sweet as it does now.
Far Cry 5
When reflecting on the Far Cry series' past locales, Far Cry 5's rural America seems like a refreshing and evocative choice for Ubisoft's first-person shooter series. Between the sprawling farmlands and dense forests of the fictional region known as Hope County, Montana, the place is primed to make the most of Far Cry's open world and emergent gameplay. Far Cry 5 also promises to continue the series' tradition of featuring memorable antagonists. As the leader of a doomsday cult known as Eden's Gate, Joseph Seed looks to be as calculating as 4's Pagan Min and as fanatical as 3's Vaas. What makes Far Cry 5 all the more promising is how it adapts fan-favorite features like Far Cry 4's cooperative play and Far Cry Primal's animal companionship. Along with a wealth of vehicles and weapons plus untamed animals you can turn against enemies, there shouldn't be a shortage of creative ways to take down Eden's Gate.
Indivisible
Side-scrolling action RPG Indivisible comes from the same team that brought us 2012's insane fighter Skullgirls. Indivisible follows the story of the rebellious Ajna. She and her father live just outside a quiet little town, but things take a turn for the worse and a mysterious power awakens within her: the ability of "incarnations" to recruit different people to help her along her journey. Indivisible is largely inspired by a number of different cultures and mythologies, which hopefully opens the doors to positive and meaningful representation. This also means that the game could run the risk of mishandling the sources from which it draws its inspiration, but it's worth having a little faith and hope for a game that's trying to pull from perspectives we don't see often. Everyone likes to have something they can see themselves in, and Indivisible may be one of those games where its representation could make it or break it.
Jurassic World Evolution
Frontier Developments' Planet Coaster is, without a doubt, one of the best theme park management games in recent years. It's the gold standard of the genre, with accessible but powerful building tools, great art direction, and a strong emphasis on community development. At Gamescom 2017, it was revealed that Frontier was working on another construction and management sim, and it had the Jurassic World license attached to it. The Jurassic franchise hasn't had a great run when it comes to video game adaptations (Lego Jurassic World was probably the best attempt in the past decade), but Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, released in 2003, arguably had the most critical success, and it too, was a construction and management sim. That's why we're excited that Jurassic World Evolution is going to provide us with a modern-day interpretation of this combination. You can expect to build your own custom dinosaur theme park filled with fun attractions a la Planet Coaster, but you'll also be dealing with the research and dinosaur breeding aspect as well. Biological experiments right next to innocent, happy families on vacation? What could possibly go wrong? Hopefully the answer to that question is "not a lot," at least when we're talking about the quality of the game, because our expectations for this one are high with Frontier at the helm.
Left Alive
Square Enix caught many people off-guard with the surprise announcement of Left Alive at Tokyo Game Show 2017, and while details remain scarce, an eye-catching trailer and a list of notable developers was all it took to grab our attention. Both the teaser trailer and gameplay trailer released at the show set the stage for a sci-fi epic with war as a central theme. With Metal Gear artist Yoji Shinkawa on board, it's no surprise that Left Alive bears some resemblance to Hideo Kojima's iconic stealth series. But don't confuse it for a spiritual successor, as the brief glimpse of gameplay we've seen so far is solely focused on gunplay. Furthermore, producer Shinji Hashimoto, a longtime Square Enix employee with a long list of beloved games under his belt, has explicitly said that another series known for examining the realities of war serves as the basis for Left Alive's setting. According to Hashimoto, Left Alive is connected to Square Enix's Front Mission series. The typical grid-based mechanics are out, obviously, but the series' iconic Wanzer mechs are back. Chances are you will eventually get to pilot one (we hope), but in an interesting twist, we know for sure that at some point in the game you will have to face towering mechs as a soldier on the ground. The odds aren't in your favor, but this is part of the appeal thus far: what will it take to come out on top? We can't wait to find out.
Metal Gear Survive
Since Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima left Konami, the status of the franchise was thrown into question. Konami reassured that it would create a new entry in the series; however, given the drama that resulted from Kojima's departure, fans began to question if they wanted a new sequel. During Gamescom 2016, the publisher announced Metal Gear Survive, a cooperative multiplayer survival-focused open-world adventure. Rather than being a new canonical entry in the series, Metal Gear Survive is instead an alternate universe spin-off. Following the evacuation of Big Boss and Kazuhira Miller from the besieged Mother Base at the end of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, the soldiers of Big Boss' Militaries Sans Frontiers are transported to a world full of hostile zombie-like entities. With little resources left to survive, those who remain must work together to quell the otherworldly threat and find a way back home. From early footage, fans have greatly doubted the quality of the upcoming adventure. But for what it's worth, what we've seen thus far does seem compelling; after all, the game is essentially a cooperative multiplayer take on the mechanics from the critically acclaimed Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Supporting up to four players, you're free to explore the game's open world and work together to complete missions. Much of what the game expands upon sounds promising, but it remains to be seen whether or not Konami can truly create a substantial Metal Gear experience on their own. In the face of these reservations, Metal Gear Survive still has the makings of being a fun and engaging game, even if it's far from what fans have wanted.
Metro Exodus
There are few games that create a post-apocalyptic atmosphere as detailed as the Metro franchise. Based on a series of books, Metro 2033 and Last Light take place after the atomic bomb has destroyed the world. The survivors find refuge under the streets in a vast and sprawling metro system where irradiated monsters and bandits roam. Survival has always been at the forefront of the series, and based on what we've seen, Metro Exodus is no different. You must conserve ammo, not only because one bullet can be the difference between life and death, but because they are the common currency underground. And when you decide to venture above ground, you must pay attention to your oxygen levels. The Metro games are brutal, haunting experiences that feel almost too real. Metro: Exodus looks to follow and expand on the ideas of its predecessors. If you have any interest in horror or first-person shooter games, this is one you won't want to miss.
Monster Hunter World
The last few Monster Hunter games on 3DS have been terrific, and they've introduced a whole new group of players to one Japan's biggest franchises. But Monster Hunter World is poised to take the series even further. On PC, the game will obviously look better than any previous version of the game, but it's the refinements in gameplay and online multiplayer that have a chance of finally pushing it into the mainstream. For the first time, you'll be able to jump into other players' hunts mid-game, meaning you can help out friends (or receive help when you need it most), without going through a lot of complicated preparation. There's a more convenient training hall that lets you easily experiment with weapons and that lays out various combos and strategies. And best of all, the game will have worldwide (although not cross-platform) multiplayer. Given how helpful and supportive the Monster Hunter community is as a whole, jumping into a game and finding fellow adventurers to take down monsters with should be easy. Make no mistake, Monster Hunter World still seems like it's going to be a complicated, complex game. But as titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne have shown, there are plenty of players who are looking for a challenging experience as long as it's equally rewarding. And with this iteration of Monster Hunter, newcomers will have a better chance than ever before to understand what makes fans so passionate for hunting.
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
After the generally positive reception of Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, it was not surprising that its sequel, Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom was announced to come to PC. Between the original game's heartfelt story, involving combat, and Studio Ghibli-crafted cinematics, there was a lot to love that could be shared with non-console players. Revenant Kingdom looks to recapture the first game's charm and engrossing gameplay, despite the array of changes in this sequel. The shift to a more active battle system looks to address the arguably complicated and cumbersome combat from the first game. Add to that a Pikmin-inspired minion system that buffs your hero for added advantages. Furthermore, Studio Ghibli is uninvolved this time around, although former Ghibli character designer Yoshiyuki Momose returns. More significantly, Joe Hisaishi returns as music composer. Given how he's provided the music to all of Hayao Miyazaki's films (save for The Castle of Cagliostro), it's hard to doubt that Revenant Kingdom will feel like an unofficial Ghibli production.
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
2017 was very good to fans of old-school, Baldur's Gate-style RPGs. Divinity: Original Sin II earned a rare 10/10 on GameSpot, and Pillars of Eternity II was announced and fully funded in the less than a day. Going into 2018, Obsidian is set to deliver on its promises of "truly living cities [and] more freedom to explore the open world." In addition to building out the world and story of Pillars of Eternity II, the sequel will also introduce an expansive multiclassing system, which will allow players to build unique characters that tie both into personal playstyles and stories. But it's the expansive worldbuilding and D&D-inspired gameplay hooks that seem the most exciting. In GameSpot's Pillars of Eternity review from 2015, we described the first Pillars as an "original fantasy universe, as well as with combat details that reduce frustration and keep the tempo moving." As long as Obsidian can build on those core elements that worked and refine the less-polished aspects of their previous isometric outing, Pillars of Eternity II seems like it'll be another RPG hit.
Pit People
Developer The Behemoth tends to take a long time between releasing games, but that reputation to not put a game out until it's ready means their releases are the most consistently fun (and funny) in the business. Pit People is a bit of an odd case where we've actually been able to try out a large portion of the game through early access over the last year. But the final, full release isn't coming until sometime early in 2018. Pit People is a different type of game than The Behemoth has made before; this time, it's going for turn-based strategy on a grid, but the game retains the distinctive style and raucous humor of previous Behemoth titles. In Pit People's world, a massive "space bear" has collided with the planet, wreaking chaos and destruction that affects not only the story but sometimes the field of battle itself. It's hard to believe this is only the fourth game from the studio, but if previous success is anything to go on, Pit People is already set up to be a game to watch out for in 2018.
Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts 2 is the long-awaited follow-up to Double Fine's cult classic, Psychonauts. You will take on the role of Raz, a secret agent in training, as he visits the Psychonaut HQ. Once again, you will be poking around in the minds of a new and returning cast of characters. The first Psychonauts was a colorful and creative platformer, packed with humor and dozens of great characters. Even though it wasn't a huge commercial success, a sequel is something fans have been clamouring to see for years now.
Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves has been in Microsoft's deck for quite some time, since it was announced at E3 2015, but it's set to see the light of day in 2018 with an official release. This pirate-themed first-person action-adventure focuses on multiplayer across islands and the open seas. The game is shown to have range; there's a lot going on from ship battles and navigating the seas to digging up treasures and hoarding loot. It sports a beautiful, easy-going aesthetic with a cartoonish vibe and lax physics. But that doesn't negate the intensity of large-scale battles at sea with cannonballs flying overhead or the sense of panic when trying to nail down a shot from a one-round flintlock pistol. The game isn't limited to PvP, as NPC enemies layer PvE scenarios into a shared world. Sea of Thieves is also one of the few cross-play games between the PC and Xbox One platforms, which should help sustain player count. If early gameplay is any indication, players will be building up their own characters for the long haul; this will hopefully instill more personality into a game already oozing with charm.
Shenmue III
Shenmue is a divisive franchise, but one thing that is undeniable is that the story is incomplete. The second game ends on a massive cliffhanger, and rabid fans want the series to return so much that they raised well over $6 million on Kickstarter for Shenmue III. Considering the first two games are among the most expensive of all time, Shenmue III is going to need every penny. The original released on the Dreamcast and pioneered open-world games. Not only did it and its sequel allow you to explore large cities in Japan and China, but the games were meticulously detailed. The series is predominately about its story, however. You play as Ryo Hazuki, and in the original game, villain Lan Di beats you up and kills your father in front of you. On a quest for revenge, Ryo learns martial arts and becomes stronger along the way. The 2017 teaser trailer looks like it picks up where the last game left off. In it, you see Ryo training and getting into fights surrounded by stunning vistas produced by Epic's Unreal Engine. The world of Shenmue has never looked better. The faces in the video do leave a lot to be desired, however, but famed director Yu Suzuki assures fans that they're just placeholders for now. What fans can't wait to find out is if Ryo becomes strong enough in Shenmue III to enact revenge on Lan Di. Hopefully we won't have to wait much longer to find out.
Skull & Bones
Ever since the release of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag in 2014, there existed an audience of fans who yearned for the series to return to or iterate upon the fantastic naval combat from that game. While Assassin's Creed Rogue expanded on those mechanics to some degree, it wasn't the true successor everyone craved. Enter Skull & Bones, Ubisoft's direct successor to Black Flag. Aside from offering a traditional single-player-focused campaign, the game also offers 5v5 multiplayer modes where you and four others fight other player-controlled ships for loot. While the reveal of Skull & Bones is an exciting step towards a new series that follows in the tradition of Black Flag, it also represents a divorce of naval combat from the expectations of future Assassin's titles. Seeing Ubisoft deliberately decide to split the two into separate franchises is certainly one the most exciting aspects about Skull & Bones.
State of Decay 2
Perhaps the most exciting feature of State of Decay 2 is one that was sorely absent from the first game: multiplayer. The first entry in Undead Labs' and Microsoft's zombie survival game was a surprise hit, delivering a vast open-world with a robust survival gameplay and the unsettling, ever-present threat of zombies descending on you at a moment's notice. It seems like a setup that would allow players to connect with each other to collaborate, but that wasn't the case. In State of Decay 2, Undead Labs has taken inspiration from Dark Souls for its multiplayer component, giving people the ability to fire a flare into the sky to summon help. Through drop-in and drop-out cooperation, players can come together to fight the undead horde or scavenge materials and build fortifications. Of course, there's also the survivors hanging around in the wasteland, all of which are crucial to your safety. With a massive number of skills and personality types for the player to develop and nurture, these characters become essential to ensuring that their burgeoning community can not only live another day but also ensure the little family you've built thrives. Like the multiplayer, Undead Labs is doubling down on role-playing aspects of State of Decay 2, making for a sequel is giving fans pretty much everything they asked for, which is exciting.
System Shock: Remastered Edition
Looking Glass Studios' System Shock was one of the earliest immersive sims, laying the foundations for a new type of FPS experience that influenced the likes of BioShock and Dishonored. Putting players in the shoes of a hacker who must contend with an evil AI known as SHODAN, you would acquire new skills and weapons while exploring a derelict space station filled with hideous creatures. While an enhanced port was released in 2015 from Night Dive Studios, the same team later launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund a full remake of the original game. While the 1994 game featured a number of impressive systems and mechanics at the time, channeling the same design from Ultima Underworld and other first-person RPG games, much of its gameplay feels a bit outdated in today's age. The upcoming remaster will largely be the same game, but with updated narrative and gameplay to fit a more modern design. In addition to some returning members from System Shock 2, veteran RPG writer Chris Avellone will be writing an updated take of the main story, which includes more background info, side characters, and crew logs. The immersive sim sub-genre has evolved in some clever ways over the years, but System Shock has left an immense impression on gamers to this day. And with the full remake coming in 2018, fans of the genre will be able to dive into a fresh take on the Hacker's confrontation with SHODAN on Citadel Station.
The Crew 2
Blasting down the freeway, roof down, hair blowing in the wind, leaving enemy racers in your wake... Is there anything cooler than fast cars? Turns out there are: fast boats and fast planes, and The Crew 2 includes all three vehicle types. Not only that, but it allows you to seamlessly switch between each one--meaning it's very easy to spawn as a speedboat on top of a skyscraper, which is pretty hilarious. All this feeds into The Crew 2's greater sense of freedom. The original game's open-world was liberating enough, but now you're afforded more flexibility in how you approach missions, with more routes available in each race. The world feels more open now. That makes it all the more upsetting that The Crew 2 was recently delayed. It will now launch in the first half of Ubisoft's 2018-19 fiscal year, which means it will come out between April 2018 and September 2018. The delay can only benefit the game though, so let's hope Ubisoft puts the extra development time to good use.
Vampyr
Vampyr looks to pair Dontnod Entertainment's knack for third-person close-quarters combat from Remember Me with the narrative-affecting dialogue options from Life Is Strange. Complementing these features is a strong emphasis on investigative exploration, making Vampyr a curious detective tale with a twist. Instead of a Parisian cyberpunk setting or a high school in the Pacific Northwest, Vampyr is set in post-Victorian London inhabited by vampires. There's an intriguing sense of normalcy where survivors of the Spanish flu live among vampires, but there's conflict nonetheless. This is exemplified in the playable protagonist, Jonathan Reid, a doctor who recently turned into a vampire. Dontnod capitalizes on his personal struggle to do no harm while satisfying his bloodlust by offering the option to complete the game without taking a life. It's a tall order when many of Reid's enemies are the more malevolent types of vampires. Moreover, taking the pacifist route will severely limit Reid's skills growth. It should be noted that, after two games that could have pigeonholed Dontnod as the "time-rewinding" studio, Vampyr appears to be devoid of any past-event-altering mechanic. Yet given Reid's powers of coercion and his talents for ranged and melee weapons, who knows what other supernatural abilities he might have up his sleeve?
World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth
New continents to explore, a higher level cap, and new dungeons to raid are the normal reasons to get hyped for a new World of Warcraft expansion. But what makes Battle for Azeroth especially notable is that it's going back to the conflict at the heart of the series: Horde vs. Alliance. After years of growing closer and closer together, the tenuous bond between the two in-game factions has been stressed to the breaking point, and that conflict will come to a head in 2018's expansion. This means that there will be no more PvP or PvE servers; instead, you choose whether you want to fight other players when you visit one of the game's primary cities. While the new races in the game are variations on existing ones, they'll introduce some welcome variety to the game's available characters. But the biggest change will be the level-scaling system that permeates the entire game. So if you ever felt like you leveled up too fast and missed out on the quests in a specific area, you'll finally have a chance, and a reason, to try out more of what Warcraft has to offer. There's no set release date, but with Legion's updates coming to a close soon, Battle for Azeroth might arrive earlier in 2018 than you'd expect.
By GameSpot Staff on Dec 21, 2017 09:30 pm
The Top Roster
Focusing on intense and riveting face-offs between rival players, fighting games are one of gaming's most celebrated and passionate genres. In addition to new updates for Street Fighter V and Killer Instinct, 2017 saw a number prolific releases from fan-favorite franchises including Tekken 7, Marvel VS Capcom: Infinite, and Injustice 2. In this gallery, GameSpot is taking a look back at the best fighting games that were released in 2017. While some of these releases are a bit unorthodox in their approach and mechanics, the core experience of intense mano-a-mano action remains intact in each of these games. Here are GameSpot's best reviewed fighting games of 2017.
Injustice 2 (PS4, Xbox One) - 9/10
"With AI battles, online and local versus matches, the diverse and ever-changing Multiverse, and an impressive story mode, Injustice 2 offers numerous ways of engaging with its characters and testing your abilities without feeling repetitive. This variety is further bolstered by gear. Despite the needlessly complex economy tied to item management, the value of customization and expression that comes with gear ultimately makes up for it. And with over 25 characters to explore, it's easy to look forward to watching your next character grow while your understanding of the game continues to expand. NetherRealm has delivered a fighting game that can be enjoyed by new players and pros alike in ways that go beyond pure competition. It's a bar that every fighting game should meet, but one that has up until now seemed out of reach." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Marvel Vs Capcom: Infinite (PC, PS4, Xbox One) - 8/10
"Capcom has understood what caused the stagnation of Marvel Vs. Capcom 3's competitive scene and, to some extent, the issues Street Fighter V currently faces. In response it has created a fighting game focused on individuality and expression, with deep systems that reward studious players but also accommodate casuals. As someone who both plays and watches fighting games, I am excited to see what the future holds for Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite." [Read the full review] -- Tamoor Hussain, Editor
Tekken 7 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) - 8/10
"Notwithstanding that ranked matches are currently a crapshoot, Tekken 7 remains an easy game to recommend. Its diverse roster is packed with a wide range of personalities and fighting styles, bolstered by a raucous attitude that begs to be taken seriously while simultaneously mocking its more peculiar whims in the process. Tekken fans will find their next favorite game--one that's the product of decade's worth of refinement. And while some of this depth will be lost or out of reach for newcomers, there's enough fun to be had outside of hardcore competition to keep players from all walks of gaming thoroughly entertained." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
ARMS (Switch) - 7/10
"Arms is a strong, substantial fighting game that takes a while to really hit its stride. Its barrier to entry is unlike anything else in the genre, but it's one worth tackling in order to get at the game's fascinating take on fighting. It may not have the same skill requirement as other fighting games, but the flexibility and fast thinking it requires secures it as one that works on its own terms and opens the genre up to a wider audience." [Read the full review]
-- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
By GameSpot Staff on Dec 21, 2017 09:30 pm
Praise To The Unsung Champions
Now that our top 10 games of 2017 and our overall GameSpot game of the year have finally been revealed, it's time to highlight the other best games this year that weren't able to me it onto the list or our category awards. Our Editor Spotlight Awards serves as a means for our global team of editors and video producers to give recognition to the games that they were most passionate about this year. Click ahead to see what each of us had to say about our favorite games this year and why they were so spectacular. It's worth noting that the Editor Spotlight Awards weren't held under the same rules and restrictions as the top 10 list, which means remasters, re-releases, and early access games were all all fair to highlight. For more details on the rules of this year's game of the year awards, check out our informative feature detailing how it all works. If you want to see our choices for the best games this year, check out our Game of the Year 2017 Top 10 List. And for more on our picks of the best games of the year across various categories, as well as features focusing on the year's performance for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch, check out our Best of 2017 hub.
Call of Duty: WWII | Eddie Makuch, Associate Editor
Call of Duty: WWII was so much better than I expected. The story doesn't have the weight or impact of Band of Brothers or Saving Private Ryan, but comparing it against those was always going to be tough. The game has many shining, memorable moments, and most of them are thanks to the standout performance of Jonathan Tucker as Private Zussman. I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed his performance. The campaign also did some new things. While guns-blazing has always been Call of Duty's modus operandi--and to be sure, this still makes up the bulk of Call of Duty: WWII's gameplay--there are quieter, stealth-focused moments in this year's game. The mission where you infiltrate a Nazi building while in disguise was tense, and you barely had to fire your weapon (until the end). Multiplayer is central to Call of Duty, and this year's game stands taller in my eyes than anything from the franchise in recent years. After years of free-running and exosuits and super-abilities in games like Advanced Warfare and Black Ops III, Call of Duty: WWII takes that all away. I love this. I never imagined a Call of Duty game would change so fundamentally so quickly. Multiplayer feels like a return to what made Call of Duty the powerhouse franchise it is today, and I expect to be playing for many months to come.
Destiny 2 | Justin Haywald, Managing Editor
Destiny 2 is far from a perfect game, but as someone who missed out the excitement and camaraderie of the first Destiny, it's an alluring ride. Primarily because of the late-game grind, I could never get into Destiny 1, but the follow-up is an action-movie event that pulled me along from the beginning and even convinced me to get two characters to near-max levels. That may be due, at least in part, to having an office full of other players ready to raid or go on Strikes together at a moment's notice, but it's also because the game is much more streamlined and polished than Bungie's first attempt. And that's without mentioning Destiny 2's technical prowess. I think it's a safe argument, regardless of how you feel about the loot mechanics or the story, that Destiny 2 has the absolute best first-person shooting mechanics, no matter what platform you're on. Now that the game has made its way to PC, it's playable by an even wider audience than when it was confined to consoles. But it'll be interesting to see if this game can carry the same undying level of fandom that the first game engendered. Even if the hype doesn't last as long, Destiny 2 is still a must-play part of the 2017 gaming zeitgeist.
Doki Doki Literature Club! | Lucy James, Video Producer
My most memorable gaming experience of 2017 involved writing poems for some cute anime schoolgirls. A sentence I never thought I'd say, but here we are. Doki Doki Literature Club! is a visual novel in which you're cast as the only male in an otherwise all-female Literature Club. Here you interact with the other members by writing poems you think they'd like, based on your conversations with them. I really don't want to reveal more than that, as the best way to experience the game is to know very little about it, but don't let its cutesy facade put you off. Not only does it grapple with some heavy, often dark, subjects, it subverts its visual style in ways that you absolutely will not see coming, and after my initial playthrough, I was utterly besotted with it. Doki Doki Literature Club! is a visual novel that not only encourages multiple playthroughs but exploration of its vast ARG, and even requires some digging into the game's source files. I've already lost countless hours to extensive Reddit threads and YouTube videos about it. I realized I haven't been this interested in the mythos of a game since P.T. Doki Doki Literature Club! is free on Steam, and if it can run on my terrible old laptop, it can run on yours. Just prepare to have that main theme stuck in your head forever… And ever.
ECHO | Rob Handlery, Video Producer
On its face value, ECHO's a sci-fi stealth game, controlling very similarly to a Hitman game (which isn't surprising, as its creators, Ultra Ultra, are ex-Hitman devs). Yet in an elevator pitch, you're better off using the game's tagline: Your ultimate enemy is yourself. It sounds cliche, but it fits perfectly; ECHO's enemies learn every action you make and turn them against you. Actions like sneaking around crouched, shooting your weapon, vaulting over railings--literally every move you make-- are regurgitated by the enemy and spat back at you. That's the best part about this ever-changing AI system. The playstyles you're familiar with are used against you forcing you out of your comfort zone in a very natural way. These enemy clones, called Echoes, are horrifyingly persistent in destroying you. Finding yourself up against three or more means instant death if they're close enough. These scenarios cause you to panic, firing your weapon in a last ditch effort to survive. Whenever you do survive a grim scenario, you reflect on what actions you just made, because that's exactly what you're up against in a few minutes. There's a surprising sense of strategy here, and coupled with unique level design, ECHO consistently makes you think differently. AI aside, ECHO scratches that sci-fi itch. There's a looming mystery in the narrative that pushes forward, studying conversations along the way. Every dark drone and crystal shimmering sound effect plays a part in keeping you alert. The setting's pristine victorian architecture, despite being a majority of ECHO's landscape, surprises you with palette changes that keep you mesmerized, while simultaneously awestruck from the scale of ceilings and glimmering marble floors. For any die-hard sci-fi fans looking for a more intimate challenge, ECHO is a must.
Echo Arena | Jimmy Thang, Technology Editor
Echo Arena might be one of the best games you've never heard of. Developed by Ready at Dawn, it's a 5v5 VR multiplayer game that plays like a cross between Rocket League and Ender's Game. You play as a robot that can fly through a large zero-gravity arena, which is designed to have two symmetrical sides with goal posts on either end. The point of each match is to pick up and throw a floating disc through your respective goal post more than your opposing team. You've got thrusters on your arms that allow you to move in zero-G, but you can also push off the environment. In addition, you have a booster, which you can use sparingly to fly faster. The game also features combat mechanics that allow you to physically punch and block attacks. You can punch and stun enemies to steal the disc, or you could just act as a bruiser the entire match. What makes Echo Arena so impressive is that it induces a tremendous feeling of presence that makes you feel like you're flying through space playing the sport of the future. While Echo Arena is easy to learn, it's extremely difficult to master. There's a ton of depth and strategy here. For instance, players can hold onto allies to boost off of for extra speed at the start of each duel. This ends up feeling like a cooperative jousting match, and the effective use of this mechanic can easily turn the tide of a game. As I alluded to, Echo Arena feels a lot like Rocket League designed for VR, but I personally enjoy it more and think it deserves recognition. Perhaps best of all is that the game is completely free for Oculus Rift owners.
Fortnite | Aaron Sampson, Senior Producer
When you've been gaming for a long time, you start to see through the gloss of the thing and into the mechanics that make you feel good. Fortnite showed up with a hot mess of menus but an infectiously positive attitude that stuck with me. Under the surface were Starhawk's build and battle systems, Borderlands' morose humor, tower defense, and loot for days. It gave me something else to do other than just shoot, reload, repeat. It turned the environments into creative puzzles to manipulate, prepare, and think my way through on the fly. Epic launched Fortnite in July, saw the success of the Battle Royale model and had a competing standalone version built by September. Fortnite quickly became a free-to-play version of PUBG that streamers flocked to. During that time Epic also put out Survive The Storm DLC. Fortnite is far from finished adding content and is expected to go fully free-to-play in 2018. There's another layer to titles like Fortnite for a gamer dad like me, short on time, constantly at risk of a toddler forcing their way onto my lap to see what I'm doing. Despite being a game with plenty of guns, explosives, zombies, and apocalyptic themes, nothing looks particularly violent. My son happily yelled "airstrike" or "come at me bro" while we built structures to stop the undead. I spent way more time with Fortnite this year than I should have, and if the end of the world is going to be this fun, I'm bringing my kids.
Gravity Rush 2 | Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
The original Gravity Rush was the surprise hit the Vita needed early on, and the remastered version for PlayStation 4 proved that the high-flying anime adventure could work just as well on a big screen. If the first game was a proof of concept--it was more than that, but bear with me--the sequel is the real deal. Gravity Rush 2 delivers the same gravity manipulation and free-form flying, but in a world far more detailed than before. Whether floating cities or alien underworlds, Gravity Rush 2's captivating visuals set the stage for wonder and excitement, and given enough time and experience, you can explore every inch of its dreamy locales by bending the laws of nature at will. It is, in a sense, a playground for the infinitely likable heroine, Kat. Her enthusiasm is infectious, but she also possesses great strength. In a very anime way, she learns how to power up and become a greater version of her already great self to face her world's growing threats, which leads to plenty of excitement and impressive set pieces, punctuated with thrilling mid-air combat and soaring acrobatics. More importantly, Gravity Rush 2 fleshes out Kat's backstory in surprising ways. Her dark-haired foil, Raven, plays a major role throughout the game, but her link to Kat stands out as one of the game's most memorable magic tricks. For all its creativity, and the effortless execution of these ideas, it's a shame that Gravity Rush 2 isn't more fondly looked-upon. It's one of the year's great successes that deserves far more recognition than it's received.
Hollow Knight | Mike Mahardy, Video Producer And Host
In a time when the Metroidvania subgenre sees new releases on a continual basis, Hollow Knight stands at the head of the pack. But to call it only a Metroidvania would be reductive--Hollow Knight is a haunting tale through a twisted, sometimes disturbing world full of otherworldly creatures and macabre sights. It's also beautiful, snaking back in on itself as you explore its every nook and cranny, helping its lonely inhabitants make sense of their lives. And on a gameplay level, it satisfies many of the same itches as the recent Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, refusing to point you in the right direction, opting instead to unfurl the world at your feet and let you explore on a whim. In such a morbid, gorgeous world, the backtracking only adds to the mystery of it all, creating one of the more moving experiences of the year. Metroidvania games often add new twists to the formula that inspired them. Hollow Knight steals that formula entirely and makes it into something wholly its own.
Injustice 2 | Joey Yee, Video Producer
In a year filled with some massive fighting game releases, Injustice 2 is the one that has left a lasting impression on me. The fighting mechanics are solid, but what really struck me are the details etched into every corner of the game. The presentation is cinematic and slick. The hits feel satisfying. The stage interactions are brutal and hilarious. The pre-battle dialogue is fun and actually keeps me from skipping the fight intros. And, somehow, the story mode is coherent and interesting enough to keep me engaged the whole way through. Many fighting games turn their attention towards 1v1 online battles, but Injustice 2 spreads your interest over a plethora of different modes. Its focus on the Multiverse, the single player mode where you can earn cosmetic gear for your characters, is a refreshing change for a fighting game, and allows your personal tastes to shine when bringing your newly decorated character online. You could spend dozens of hours playing against the CPU, gearing up your favorite hero, and get just as much enjoyment out of it as you would playing human opponents. That alone is a triumph. Injustice 2 might be one of the most diverse and accessible fighting games in a very long time, and it once and for all proves that "being good" isn't a requirement to enjoy fighting games.
Madden NFL 18 | Nick Margherita, Video Producer
Over the last decade, Madden NFL's annual releases have included subtle yet incrementally substantial differences. But players still wonder with each game, "Is it even worth upgrading from last year's title?" Now, for the first time since I can remember, I want to stand up and shout, "Madden is back!" As expected, Madden 18 looks great. The introduction of EA's Frostbite engine is a welcome change that adds to its nearly photorealistic presentation. The ways in which the sunlight bounces off NFL players' helmets and the shadows it casts around the stadium embody what it feels like to attend a Sunday afternoon game in the Meadowlands. But despite Frostbite's added graphical fidelity, Madden 18 is still littered with the hilariously bizarre glitches we've all come to laugh at and share on social media. Aside from Madden 18's small tweaks and roster updates, the introduction of a proper story mode is the most significant addition. Longshot is not just a Telltale-style experience, it's an unexpectedly deep narrative about the trials and tribulations of an NFL Draft hopeful. The movie-like quality of its storytelling is interspersed with incredible motion capture cutscenes and classic football gameplay. Longshot's RPG-like adventure succeeds in making the most minor choices feel important. Like the Longshot's "against all odds" narrative, Madden 18 as a whole breaks the monotony of the series' recent past. With the introduction of MUT squads, the updated Franchise Mode, competitive play improvements, and more, Madden 18 made the right halftime adjustments to be a winner in 2017.
Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite | Tamoor Hussain, UK Editor
Between Injustice 2, Tekken 7, Arms, and the newest season of Street Fighter V, 2017 was a good year for fighting games. But Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite stands out as my personal favourite. It'd be unfair of me not to mention that, yes, it has issues with its fairly unexciting cast and decidedly unenthusiastic presentation, but the core fighting systems are deep and satisfying, and in this genre, that's what really matters. In the lead up to its launch, I wasn't convinced by Capcom's decision to go with a 2v2 format instead of the 3v3 I'd become used to over the years, but the way it has implemented and executed the Infinity Stones won me over quickly. They add a layer of complexity to what is already a very open-ended set of mechanics. Moreover, to truly make the most of them, it required me to think about how they can be used to complement the weaknesses and strengths of each character. Like all good fighting games, it became more rewarding as I continued to sink more time into it, and with more characters being released I'm looking forward to spending more time with it over the coming year. I also thought the story was fun if a bit simple. While it doesn't stack up to Injustice 2's narrative, it keeps things light and breezy, opting to keep the focus on ensuring the characters feel true to themselves, rather than set up an intricate plot. It's good for an enjoyable evening of watching iconic Marvel and Capcom characters trade blows in the name of saving the planet.
Nex Machina: Death Machine | Mat Paget, Video Producer
Nex Machina: Death Machine is one of the most intense, fun games I've played in 2017. It's a twin-stick shooter with roots deeply seeded in the arcade classic Robotron: 2084. Developer Housemarque is known for taking classic arcade games and modernizing them, but none of them have ever achieved the same excellence as Nex Machina--I'm sure working with Robotron creator Eugene Garvis helped. Nex Machina has a plot, but I'd forgive you if you didn't notice. However, that's actually what first caught my attention: the world has been taken over by robots and you're the lone hero, trying to save the planet. So of course, you ride into the scene on a cyber motorcycle before it explodes and you start shooting everything in sight. The shooting itself is simple yet exhilarating, especially when you start dashing around enemies, popping off powershots, and saving humans as you slip through a horde of robots. Once every enemy is taken care of, neon lights surround you before exploding and sending you off to the next stage. It's a feeling of success and relief after narrowly escaping an enemy's touch, knowing it's a one-way ticket back to the beginning of the stage. Similarly, the explosion and rumble of death make my stomach drop every single time--Nex Machina knows how to make losing feel bad. I've never been more sure of a game being at the top of its respective genre. For me, Nex Machina is the best twin-stick shooter out there, even topping the likes of Geometry Wars and Smash TV, a personal favorite. 2017 was a great year for games; I don't have enough time to play them all. But no matter what, I'll always make time to squeeze in a round or two of Nex Machina.
Night in the Woods | Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Of all the games I played this year, the one that best captured the overall mood of 2017 was one about cartoon animals. With a simple yet expressive art style and a ton of humor, Night in the Woods weaves together themes of disillusionment, mental illness, quarter-life crisis, and general small-town doldrums to powerfully evoke the anxieties of the modern era (and, by extension, late capitalism). It resonated deeply with me, and it's a testament to the game's narrative style that it manages to do so without being overwhelmingly depressing. Night in the Woods follows 20-year-old Mae Borowski--who happens to be a cat--after she drops out of college and returns to her small, American Midwest-ish hometown of Possum Springs. She takes things one day at a time, and she's infamous in Possum Springs for a mysterious horrible thing she did in the past. Each day, you can explore the town and talk to the same few locals, a structure that manages to feel aimless without being purposeless. Cute mini-games and dialogue filled with ironic internet humor break up the despondency and keep the heavier aspects grounded. It's a disservice to consider Night in the Woods just a "millennial" game--though it definitely has the millennial generation's sense of humor--the issues it presents address a larger system of problems that affect a much wider group. It's an especially important game in 2017, when many people feel a frustration that's hard to place or put into words.
Nioh | Miguel Concepcion, Editor
Nioh is not only a superb achievement by developer Team Ninja but also a meaningful sign that the "Soulsborne" genre has reached a noteworthy level of maturity. In a market of Dark Souls copycats that includes The Surge and Salt and Sanctuary, Nioh represents the first must-play game in this category not developed by From Software. One of the many ways Nioh stands out is in its setting: the tumultuous "warring states" Sengoku era of Japan. This is extremely familiar territory for publisher Koei Tecmo, which has milked this time period in seemingly countless games. Yet nothing it has released in the past offers the distinct action-packed challenge and combat depth of Nioh. It's as if Team Ninja made a spiritual successor to Capcom's dormant Onimusha series. Fans of Soulsborne games love the demands of moment-to-moment spatial awareness and variable juggling and Nioh resoundingly offers this experience in every mission, from boss arenas to villages that take over an hour to clear. Combat is rich in both depth and nuance, where it's gratifying to react based off enemies' poses and movements. And the tools to respond to aggression are abundant, from buffing/debuffing spells to ranged weapons to explosive gear. Even at its core melee combat gameplay, there's a wealth of useful options, from split-second weapon swaps to switching stances that affect speed and damage. When you mix this with the medieval Japanese setting, a sumptuous Diablo-inspired loot system, and a host of arduous DLC missions, you have a package that is abundant in events that rival even some of Dark Souls' most memorable moments.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 | Oscar Dayus, Staff Writer
Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 is the most satisfying football game ever. It may not be the best, but it is the most satisfying. It has flaws: visually, it is no match for the level of polish EA coats FIFA in; the lack of real-world licenses is a huge issue; and MyClub is no match for FUT. But when you get on the pitch, no other soccer game comes close. Every shot, pass, and tackle just feels so good. The game also allows far more tactical flexibility than FIFA: you can choose to pass the ball into the net with Barcelona-esque tiki-taka, press with high intensity like Liverpool, or go the old-fashioned route and lump it forward to the big man up top. But crucially, each of these tactics feels equally viable, and are equally fun to play with. Finally, PES 2018 adds in a brilliant new way to play called Random Selection Mode that has you steal all the best players off your mates. And what could be more satisfying than that?
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds | Jake Dekker, Video Producer
Even after 225 hours of playtime, every game of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds I load into is a surprise. Where will the circle end up? Did anyone land near me? What weapons will I find? Are there any vehicles close by? Managing all of the many variables necessary to come up with a game plan forces you to stay on your toes at all times. Even though there is only one map currently, there's so much going on--and so much at stake--that every single match is an exciting experience in itself. And that's what makes PUBG so great. I am constantly forced to adapt to my surroundings, experiment with different tactics, and make the best of the resources I find, all at a moment's notice. And the euphoric feeling I get when I come out on top after a heart-pounding firefight is unmatched. When things do go my way and I make it to the last 10 alive, PUBG becomes one of the most exhilarating multiplayer games I've ever played. I'm trying to think five steps ahead, constantly checking my flanks, and I have my finger on the trigger. Rarely do I snag the coveted Chicken Dinner, but when I do I feel like a king.
Prey | Jean-Luc Seipke, Video Producer
As someone who grew up on old PC immersive-sims like System Shock 2 and Deus Ex, I've always felt that while many modern games try to capture the spirit of those games, few have been able to capture the minute levels of creativity and freedom in how you interact with a carefully designed world. In this way, Prey feels like a throwback--it brings a vast level of detail to its systems for your imagination to run wild with, but with a beautifully modern presentation. The haunting space station of Talos I is a playground that demands to be poked and prodded at. Early on you are given the GLOO Cannon, a tool that allows you to shoot hardened foam on any surface. You can trap foes, or close off pipes spewing hazards. You can also create platforms on any wall; suddenly you realize you have the freedom to get to seemingly out-of-reach places, bypassing enemies and entire areas. A similarly fun weapon is the Huntress Boltcaster, a nerf gun. While at first it appears to be a joke weapon, its possibilities are numerous. It's a great, ammo-free way to test for Mimics, the deadly aliens that disguise themselves as regular objects. You can shoot locks or activate computer touch screens normally out of reach. The game is full of moments like these that I created. I remember taking every object in the room and piling it into a corner so I could use the recycler grenade to create resources. I used my mimic power to turn into an apple, roll underneath a table so I could get behind a turret and hack it. These are the elements that make Prey special to me. I enjoyed its world, characters, and story, which ended up being epitome of what the genre has to offer, and it's that freedom to experiment in its world that kept me playing.
Pyre | Tony Wilson, Video Producer
I could talk about Pyre's beautiful art style or its evocative soundtrack, but I want to focus on two key areas where this indie darling excels: the story and the sport. From your first steps into the Downside, the tale of Pyre is dour. The cast of characters have their own reasons for being there, and reasons for why they'd like to return to the land of the living. When (or if) you are able to send one of them home, it's an emotional moment. That's not just because of the joy or thankfulness that washes over your teammate's face, as their sentence in this purgatory finally ends; it's also the knot in your stomach that forms as you potentially give up your star player. As for the sport itself, the combination of 3-on-3 basketball and action-RPG skills is something that could practically stand as its own game. Everyone on your roster has analogues on your opponents' teams. They are essentially different classes: speedsters that can charge right into the goal, heavies that can camp on your own pyre, and others that have bizarre yet tactically useful abilities like seeding the ground or instantly retreating. Winning games, leveling up, and unlocking perks for each team member further accentuates the hidden depth of this made-up sport. These elements come together to chronicle an emotional journey that's also an incredibly fun game to play. Helping others to escape the Downside while slowly revealing your own fate is an experience you should have, and the game's local competitive mode means anyone can jump in for a simple pick-up game too.
Sonic Mania | Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
Created by members of the Sonic fan-hack community, Sonic Mania exudes passion and reverence in its recreation of nostalgic visuals, sounds, and levels. But the game isn't content with senselessly regurgitating the past; rather, it expands upon the familiar with new ideas of its own and delivers plenty of inventive concepts that diversify and build upon the series' fast-paced level design. Sonic Mania is smart and interpretive in its approach, leveraging the strengths of its design and visuals to craft not only the best Sonic game ever made, but an amazing platforming experience overall. Even with the game's numerous successes, what I love the most about Sonic Mania is how it feels like a true rebirth for the franchise. While Sonic Colors or Sonic Generations achieved some success, Sonic Mania offers something more. It has fundamentally changed the standards on which future entries are judged, providing an experience that anyone can adore. It's uncertain what the future holds for Sonic Mania and its creators, but what's clear is that the game supplies ample framework for a bright, new future for Sega's beloved blue blur. The Sonic series as we know could be changing, and it's that prospect that makes me love Sonic Mania even more for what it has accomplished.
Super Rude Bear Resurrection | Chris Pereira, News Editor
It's easy to handwave away games when they too closely resemble existing titles. As a tough-as-nails platformer, Super Rude Bear Resurrection might look like a knockoff of Super Meat Boy. Although that game's influence is obvious, Super Rude Bear very much stands on its own. This is true for a number of reasons, but the death mechanic referred to in the title is what's most notable. While the entire game can be finished without dying (a notion that still blows my mind, given the level of difficulty toward the end), your deaths serve a real purpose. Every dead body persists and changes the level. Deadly spikes in the way? Corpses can cover them up and make them safe to walk across. Dangerous arrows being fired at you? Let a corpse block them from hitting you. Much of my enjoyment involves simply seeing how a death (or 20) changes the dynamic of a particular section. Super Rude Bear also does something few games manage, which is to consistently introduce new challenges and obstacles from beginning to end. It never wears out its welcome; new mechanics are introduced at a steady clip, ensuring things never get stale. That's a real accomplishment, and one that--combined with the consistently novel death system--makes this a game worth checking out no matter your platforming skill level.
Tacoma | Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
Ask me what my favorite new game mechanic was this year. Okay never mind, I'll tell you: It's the digital surveillance playback in Tacoma. Exploring the abandoned space station of Tacoma and unraveling the mysteries behind its crew's fate involves tapping into pre-recorded scenes, featuring holographic representations of its now-absent crew members augmented over the game's physical space. That means if characters decide to move elsewhere, you need to follow them in order to continue hearing their conversations and witnessing their actions. You're able to rewind, fast forward, and replay these events on a whim, and this act in itself is super satisfying. But the whole system really comes together when you're observing events involving the whole crew. Characters will very often split off to different locations to do different things, and pursuing a single chain of events to find out one side of the story, then rewinding it and seeing it all from a different perspective always kept me completely intrigued. All of this is coupled with strong character writing and level design. The nuances of human interaction between crew members and understated signifiers in the environment speak volumes about who Tacoma's characters are as people and make them incredibly easy to form bonds with. But the holographic playback mechanic is such a great, logical progression of the audiolog-dependent storytelling. It's shocking it hasn't been done before, but also no wonder that the team behind Gone Home (and Bioshock 2: Minerva's Den, the best Bioshock) are the ones to execute it. Even though everything in Tacoma is optional, the system is effective in encouraging active exploration and it makes you feel completely engaged with the events and characters around you. I sincerely hope that Tacoma won't be the last time I get to use this mechanic and that future games take it as inspiration of what can be done with environmental narrative.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy | Jess McDonell, Host/Producer
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End was my game of the year in 2016. To me, it was the perfect high-octane blockbuster adventure. Perhaps the one glaring error in that game was the absense of my super crush Claudia Black who plays the sarcastic treasure hunter Chloe Frazer. Hearing that Uncharted: The Lost Legacy would be a fully-fledged standalone story starring two badass women--Chloe and Nadine--felt too good to be true, and Naughty Dog pulled it off masterfully. My most vivid memory of playing The Lost Legacy, even beyond the stunning set pieces and beautiful game world, is of the interplay between the two heroines. Hearing the protagonists' tease each other about past lovers, reveal long-hidden stories from their past, and gradually grow more fond of one another evoked appreciation for my own close female friendships. Chloe and Nadine really come into their own as a partnership and as individuals thanks to great writing. The Lost Legacy also succeeds in its balance of puzzle-solving and action. There's not a lot of new ground to cover from Uncharted 4 as far as combat goes, but puzzle-solving takes more of a front seat this time around with trials that feel significantly more more clever and challenging. The Lost Legacy closes even stronger than it opens with one of the most epic set pieces in the series. The combination of beloved old companions, a new threatening antagonist, and breathtaking locations to explore proves that Nathan Drake is not the glue holding the Uncharted formula together.
West of Loathing | Michael Higham, Associate Editor
On its face, West of Loathing is a simple RPG in a black-and-white world (literally) where stick figures roam alongside goblins and possessed cows. You hit the trail and leave home to take part in a westward expansion caricature for no other reason than to do it. When you strip away fancy graphics and cinematic flare, every other aspect of a game has to rise. And through its clever writing and grand musical score, West of Loathing delivers a uniquely comedic RPG filled with personality. The game takes on an absurdist tone that bounces between old-timey vernacular and modern day tongue. This anachronism doesn't throw you off; instead it elevates the ridiculousness of the game's situations. Your character speaks in a very matter-of-fact way in the face of cowboys, talking goblins, and cultist clowns. In true RPG fashion, you have dialogue options when engaging with some of the townsfolk, and you have multiple options to approach conflicts, depending on stat checks. Despite its aesthetic, West of Loathing has an impressively deep character building system. Muscle, Moxie, and Mysticality work as base stats, but the range of combat modifiers, skillsets, and item effects give you much more to chew on than a straightforward turn-based combat system. West of Loathing wouldn't stick as much if it wasn't for the rich, original soundtrack. Composer Ryan Ike uses marching drums, the twang of a lead guitar, and the backing of a string/horn section to create an epic western orchestration that instills a sense of grandeur in a world of surreal humour and stick figures. It even has a sweet ragtime tune and banjo-backed disco track to boot; this game's got a whole lot of moxie.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 | Kevin Knezevic, Associate News Editor
There was no shortage of breathtaking game worlds to explore in 2017, but few captured my attention like Alrest in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Monolith Soft's first Switch game stands out as a major highlight in a remarkable debut year for the system, thanks in large part to how wonderfully fantastical its setting is. The entire game takes place atop (and occasionally within) Titans, colossal beings roaming about an endless Cloud Sea, whose backs and limbs stretch far into the distance and form the earth upon which all creatures live. In this incomparably vast world, you take on the role of a salvager named Rex, a young boy who ekes out a meager living by selling any trinkets he recovers from the bottom of the Cloud Sea. Rex eventually encounters a girl named Pyra, the living embodiment of an ancient weapon called the Aegis, and together the two set off on a journey that takes them across Alrest, from lush forests to bioluminescent caverns and beyond. Like the previous two installments in the series, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a sprawling, ambitious adventure that beckons you to explore, and each area you visit is brought to life by its stunning art direction. The game is also underpinned by a satisfying battle system, which is easy to grasp but deep enough to keep battles--particularly against the many challenging named monsters roaming about the world--rewarding throughout the game's lengthy runtime. However, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 certainly isn't without its faults. New gameplay mechanics are introduced rapidly and explained poorly, particularly in the early portions of the adventure, leaving you to discover the nuances of its more obtuse systems on your own. But while the game may not be as immaculately realized as Nintendo's other major Switch titles, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is certainly just as memorable and captivating, making it one of my favorites of the year.
Yakuza 0 | Alessandro Fillari, Editor
Mixing the gritty,violent style of Japanese gangster films with the melodramatic charm of soap operas, the Yakuza series takes its narrative seriously and features a surprisingly dense storyline spanning across its ten-year franchise. While this can be a tough thing to overcome for newcomers, the prequel, Yakuza 0, offers an endearing return to the criminal underworld of Kamurocho that is a good starting point for new players, and it's one of the most exuberant experiences of this year. In Yakuza 0, we see the beginnings of Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima as twenty-something gangsters in late-1980s Japan--a time where the money was flowing and the thrills didn't come cheap. Coming from someone who admittedly has a limited view of the sprawling story of past games, jumping straight into Yakuza 0 worked in my favor. Not only did this allow me to get a handle on the upgraded and incredibly satisfying combat mechanics, I also got to see these familiar characters and locations in a new light--which all felt fresh with its 80s vibe. I would usually find it jarring when games present scenes with oddball citizens around town, followed by stoic and stern moments of political intrigue in short succession--but it ends up being Yakuza 0's greatest strength. The unpredictability of the criminal lifestyle and a light-hearted atmosphere end up complementing each other in surprising ways. One moment you're caught up in a deadly-serious murder-mystery plot, and in the next you could be helping out the Michael Jackson stand-in Miracle Johnson with a music video shoot, protecting him against zombie actors as he moonwalks down the main strip of the red-light district. And it's all OK, because all of this is what makes Yakuza so special. Even though its a prequel, and it revels in the excess of its setting and time, this game does a wonderful job showing off the growth the series has had over its lifespan. If you're ever in need of a gateway into the series, without being hit by the sprawling plot of its predecessors, then Yakuza 0 is just the game that will show you a good time.
By GameSpot Staff on Dec 21, 2017 09:30 pm
X marks the spot.
If there's any theme that stands out when poring over the 2018 line-up of announced Xbox One games, it is diversity. Yes, you could say that about most any year, but the Class of 2018 features a promising mix of new properties like Sea of Thieves, sequels like Red Dead Redemption 2, and remasters like System Shock 2. And those are only the games we know about. As publishers are getting into the habit of announcing games that are scheduled for release that same year, who knows what shows like GDC, E3, and Gamescom have in store? For now, we can be excited to hit the high seas, play a vampire doctor in London, and celebrate the returns of Psychonauts and Darksiders. If you want to see our choices for the best games this year, check out our Game of the Year 2017 Top 10 List. And for more on our picks of the best games of the year across various categories, as well as features focusing on the year's performance for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch, check out our Best of 2017 hub.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Matching the style and over-the-top action of the Dragon Ball Z series has been a constant challenge for past games. The upcoming Dragon Ball FighterZ however looks to be the exception, pushing the trend of average DBZ fighters aside for a game that brings the series to new heights. Coming from Arc Systems Works--the same developers behind Guilty Gear Xrd, BlazBlue, and Persona 4 Arena--their next game is not only looking to be a faithful adaptation of the series, but also one of the most exciting fighting games of 2018. Featuring characters from across the entire Dragon Ball Z series, and even some references from Dragon Ball Super, FighterZ is a mashup that pits characters in intense 3v3 battles that will level environments and push the fighters to their limits of power. Moving away from the 3D arenas of Raging Blast and Xenoverse, FighterZ brings the action to the traditional 2D plane--and it looks all the better for it. With characters pulling off high-powered, screen filling moves, and performing split-second dodges to get the upper hand against their enemy--no frame of animation feels wasted in Dragon Ball FighterZ, giving a greater level of detail that the past games weren't close to replicating from the TV show. Anyone who's watched Dragon Ball Z knows that it's got a style all its own, and FighterZ lovingly recreates many of the series' most iconic moments in its core mechanics. With more characters that have yet to be revealed, along with a surprisingly robust Story Mode, there's definitely more to this fighter that remains to be seen. But what's been shown thus far looks to be everything a DBZ fan could hope for in a game.
Kingdom Hearts III
It's hard to count the number of reasons to be excited for Kingdom Hearts 3. Maybe it's the 13-year gap between Kingdom Hearts 2 and the next numbered sequel. Maybe it's the most recent trailer for a Toy Story world, the first in the series to be based on a Pixar movie. Maybe it's because the series will be coming to Xbox for the first time, letting a whole new player base experience the Disney/Final Fantasy crossover magic. No matter the reasoning, Kingdom Hearts 3 is going to drop you into the climactic battle of the game's Dark Seeker saga, bringing together plots and characters from the many spinoffs the series has had in the interim. Along the way you'll get to explore a batch of brand-new worlds--Rapunzel and Big Hero 6 stages have already been teased--and battle Heartless with an array of powers seemingly based on real-world Disney theme park attractions. It's hard for any game to live up to more than a decade of hype, but Kingdom Hearts 3 aims to deliver a satisfying conclusion to war between darkness and light.
Metal Gear Survive
Since Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima left Konami, the status of the franchise was thrown into question. Konami reassured that it would create a new entry in the series; however, given the drama that resulted from Kojima's departure, fans began to question if they wanted a new sequel. During Gamescom 2016, the publisher announced Metal Gear Survive, a cooperative multiplayer survival-focused open-world adventure. Rather than being a new canonical entry in the series, Metal Gear Survive is instead an alternate universe spin-off. Following the evacuation of Big Boss and Kazuhira Miller from the besieged Mother Base at the end of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, the soldiers of Big Boss' Militaries Sans Frontiers are transported to a world full of hostile zombie-like entities. With little resources left to survive, those who remain must work together to quell the otherworldly threat and find a way back home. From early footage, fans have greatly doubted the quality of the upcoming adventure. But for what it's worth, what's on display does display does seem compelling; after all, the game is essentially a cooperative multiplayer take on the mechanics from the critically acclaimed Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Supporting up to four players, you're free to explore the game's open world and work together to complete missions. Much of what the game expands upon sounds promising, but it remains to be seen whether or not Konami can truly create a substantial Metal Gear experience on their own. In the face of these reservations, Metal Gear Survive still has the makings of being a fun and engaging game, even if it's far from what fans have wanted.
Owlboy
The critically acclaimed PC-exclusive Owlboy is finally making its way onto consoles. While the console ports are receiving no major changes from the original, the Switch version bares notable mention given its portability. The game's endearing 2D twin-stick shooter action seems a perfect fit to bring on the go. Given the high praise it received when it released (GameSpot gave it a 9), it's certainly one of the more highly anticipated indie re-releases in 2018. For the uninitiated, Owlboy is an action-adventure game set in a sky world where the lands below were torn apart by a catastrophic event many years prior. You play Otus, an owl-human hybrid who sets out on a journey to save his village from band of pirates. A charming and heartfelt adventure in its own right, Owlboy's upcoming console ports are well worth keeping an eye on, especially if you missed out on the original back in 2016.
Darksiders III
After the dissolution of publisher THQ in 2012, the future of the cult favorite Darksiders series was left uncertain. Swedish publisher THQ Nordic acquired the rights to create more games in the series, but given how relatively unknown the company was at the time, longtime fans began to question if a new game was really coming. In the subsequent years, THQ Nordic released remasters of the first two Darksiders games, continually reassuring that a new entry was in the works. However, it wasn't until this year that the publisher finally unveiled Darksiders III. The game takes place parallel to the events of the previous entries. It follows Fury, a Horseman of the Apocalypse, as she embarks on a quest to destroy physical manifestations of the Seven Deadly Sins, who are wreaking havoc on planet Earth. It's reassuring to hear that Darksiders III is being developed by Gunfire Games, a studio comprised of several key members from Vigil Games, the original studio that worked on the first two games. With a tentative release date of sometime in 2018, we're eager to hear more about what Gunfire Games has in store for us for the much awaited sequel.
Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts 2 is the long-awaited follow up to Double Fine's cult classic, Psychonauts. You will take on the role of Raz, a secret agent in training, as he visits the Psychonaut HQ. Once again, you will be poking around in the minds of a new and returning cast of characters. The first Psychonauts was colorful and creative platformer, packed with humor and dozens of great characters. Even though the original wasn't a huge commercial success, a sequel is something fans have been clamouring for years now.
System Shock Remastered
As one of the early games of the immersive sim sub-genre, influencing the likes of Bioshock and Dishonored, the original System Shock from Looking Glass Studios would go on to lay the foundations of a new type of FPS experience. Putting players in the shoes of a hacker that must contend with an evil AI known as SHODAN, you would acquire new skills and weapons while exploring a derelict space station filled with hideous creatures. While an enhanced port was released in 2015 from Night Dive Studios, the same team later launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund a full remake of the original game. While the 1994 game featured a number of impressive systems and mechanics at the time, channeling the same design from Ultima Underworld and other first-person RPG games, much of its gameplay feels a bit outdated in today's age. The upcoming remaster will largely be the same game, but with updated narrative and gameplay to fit a more modern design. In addition to some returning members from System Shock 2, veteran RPG writer Chris Avellone will be writing an updated take of the main story, which includes more background info side-characters and crew logs. While the immersive sim sub-genre has evolved in some clever ways over the years, System Shock has left an immense impression on gamers to this day. And with the full remake coming in 2018, fans of the genre will be able to dive into a fresh take on the Hacker's confrontation with SHODAN on Citadel Station.
Vampyr
Vampyr looks to pair Dontnod Entertainment's knack for third person close quarters combat from Remember Me with the narrative-affecting dialogue options from Life Is Strange. Complementing these features is a strong emphasis on investigative exploration, making Vampyr a curious detective tale with a twist. Instead of a Parisian cyberpunk setting or a high school in the Pacific Northwest, Vampyr is set in post-Victorian London inhabited by vampires. There's an intriguing sense of normalcy where survivors of the Spanish flu live among vampires, but there's conflict nonetheless. This is exemplified in the playable protagonist, Jonathan Reid, a doctor who recently turned into a vampire. Dontnod capitalizes on his personal struggle to do no harm while satisfying his bloodlust by offering the option to complete the game without taking a life. It's a tall order when many of Reid's enemies are the more malevolent types of vampires. Moreover, taking the pacifist route will severely limit Reid's skills growth. It should be noted that after two games that could have pigeonholed Dontnod as the "time-rewinding" studio, Vampyr appears to be devoid of any past event-altering mechanic. Yet given Reid's powers of coercion and his talents for ranged and melee weapons, who knows what other supernatural abilities he might have up his sleeve?
Far Cry 5
When reflecting on the past locales Far Cry, Far Cry 5's rural America is one of the few regions the franchise could have gone to keep Ubisoft's first person shooter series fresh. Between the sprawling farm lands and dense forests of the fictional region known as Hope County, Montana, the place is primed to make the most of Far Cry's open world and emergent gameplay. Far Cry 5 also promises to continue the series' tradition of featuring memorable antagonists. As the leader of a doomsday cult known as Eden's Gate, Joseph Seed looks to be as calculating as Pagan Min and as fanatical as Vaas. What makes Far Cry 5 all the more promising is how it adapts fan favorite features like Far Cry 4's cooperative play and Far Cry Primal's animal companionship. Along with a wealth of vehicles and weapons plus untamed animals you can turn against enemies, there shouldn't be a shortage of creative ways to take down Eden's Gate.
Code Vein
While From Software is silent on follow up to Dark Souls III or Bloodborne, Dark Souls publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment is due to release Code Vein in 2018, an action RPG that is heavily inspired by the demanding and distinct gameplay From Software has been known for this decade. Equally significant is that Code Vein is being developed by the division of Bandai Namco Studios responsible for the God Eater series. Like Dark Souls, God Eater is also a third person action RPG series that features ranged and melee combat so it's exciting to see this studio go in this direction. From the futuristic wastelands of The Surge to the Sengoku era state of unrest in Nioh, the 'Soulsborne' genre has already seen its share of settings in releases looking to stand out from the shadow of the From Software games that influenced them. For Code Vein, the simple hook is in preserving God Eater's anime aesthetic and depressingly desolate urban settings. Even if it doesn't meet the standards of Dark Souls, one can't help but think it will convert some anime fans to this genre.
Crackdown 3
Crackdown 3 was first announced at E3 2014 and planned for a 2016 release, but a delay pushed that back to November 2017. It was then hit with second delay following its bold showing at E3 2017 and now it's set to launch at an unspecified date in Spring 2018. Crackdown 3 is going to be one of the Xbox One's marquee exclusive games, featuring immense levels of environmental destruction in an open world--an evolution of the previous games in the series. However, there will be a difference in how this is handled between single-player and multiplayer. The mass destruction relies on server-based cloud technology which will provide the grand spectacle in online games, whereas the campaign will be more tame, akin to a Just Cause. Regardless, this open-world action game focuses its narrative on taking down criminal syndicates similar to the original Crackdown. We can expect plenty of superhuman abilities for strength and speed, along with an arsenal of weapons and vehicles. It's apt to compare it to Grand Theft Auto or Saints Row, but Crackdown separates itself by instilling the feeling of being a true superhero.
Sea Of Thieves
Sea of Thieves has been in Microsoft's deck for quite some time since it was announced at E3 2015, but it's set to see the light of day in 2018 with an official release. This pirate-themed first-person action-adventure focuses on multiplayer across islands and the open seas. The game is shown to have range; there's a lot going on from ship battles and navigating the seas to digging up treasures and hoarding loot. It sports a beautiful, easy-going aesthetic with a cartoonish vibe and lax physics. But that doesn't negate the intensity of large scale battles at sea with cannonballs flying overhead or the sense of panic when trying to nail down a shot from a one-round flintlock pistol. The game isn't limited to PvP as NPC enemies layer PvE scenarios in a shared world. Sea of Thieves is also one of the few cross-play games between the PC and Xbox One platforms, which should help sustain player count. If early gameplay is any indication, players will be building up their own characters for the long haul; this will hopefully instill more personality into a game already oozing with charm.
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Super-realistic clouds. Intense dogfighting action. A melodramatic military soap-opera that only Metal Gear Solid could top. These are the things that make Ace Combat great. But if you've been a long-term fan of the series you'll likely agree that the most recent entries have been a letdown, because of attempts to mimic Western-style military blockbuster games. That's all set to change with Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the first numbered entry for the series in ten years. That number is a purposeful decision, too. The Project Aces team, led by Kazutoki Kono, are attempting to bring the series' original flavour back, refocusing on their hypothetical world where they can take more liberties with their stories of political intrigue, and emotional character moments. That's backed by a years-long refinement of the game's accessible jet-fighting controls, and intense combat scenarios to go with it. Here's hoping that the return of one of Namco's formerly beloved franchises one sticks the landing well enough to reclaim its glory.
Jurassic World Evolution
Planet Coaster by Frontier Developments is without a doubt, one of the best construction and management games in recent years. It's the gold standard of the genre, with accessible but powerful building tools, great art direction, and a strong emphasis on community development. At Gamescom 2017, it was revealed that Frontier were working on another construction and management sim, and it had the Jurassic World license attached to it. This was big. The Jurassic franchise hasn't had a great run when it comes to video game adaptations (Lego Jurassic World was probably the best attempt in the past decade), but Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, released in 2003, arguably had the most critical success, and it too, was a construction and management sim. That's why we're excited that Jurassic World Evolution is going to provide us with a modern-day interpretation of this combination. You can expect to build your own custom dinosaur theme park filled with fun attractions ala Planet Coaster, but you'll also be dealing with the research and dinosaur breeding aspect as well. Biological experiments right next to innocent, happy families on vacation? What could possibly go wrong? Hopefully the answer is "not a lot", because our expectations for this one are high with Frontier at the helm.
Indivisible
This sidescrolling action/rpg is from the same team that brought us the insane fighter that was Skullgirls in 2012. Indivisible follows the story of the rebellious Ajna. She and her father live just outside a quiet little town, but things eventually take a turn for the worst and a mysterious power awakens within her. She gains the ability of "incarnations" to recruit different people to help her along her journey. After an Indiegogo campaign that netted over $2 million, Indivisible is a refreshing case for crowdfunded video games. It finished its campaign in 2015 so its 2018 release date has been a good minute. Thankfully, it does have a prototype build on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac, and Linux out now for those itching to get a taste. Indivisible is largely inspired by a number of different cultures and mythologies, which hopefully opens the doors to positive and meaningful representation. This also means that many of the cultures and tales the title pulls from could be represented incorrectly, but it's worth having a little faith and hope for a game that's trying to pull from sources we don't see often. Everyone likes to have something they can see themselves in, and Indivisible may be one of those titles where its representation could make it or break it.
Anthem
Announced at E3 this year, Anthem is the next game from veteran and esteemed role-playing game studio BioWare; specifically, BioWare Edmonton (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic) is making the game. A multiplayer action RPG, Anthem puts players into the role of a Freelancer on a journey through a "vast open world" to explore unknown planets and protect humanity. All that fun stuff. A key element of the game are the exosuits, called Javelins. You can customise these, equipping them with a range of new gear that you either craft or acquire. Anthem absolutely has our attention. BioWare are masters of world-building and storytelling. While it remains to be seen how these elements will play out in an open-world setting with what looks like more shooting than past BioWare games, we wouldn't bet against BioWare. Publisher Electronic Arts has said Anthem will have some form of a "live service" model, and given everything that happened with Star Wars: Battlefront II, it's understandable if players are feeling a little uneasy about this. But with Anthem not due out on PS4, Xbox One, and PC until Fall 2018, EA has the time to get things right. From the first trailer and what we've heard, it looks like BioWare was influenced and inspired by games like Destiny and The Division, and it's exciting to think about what BioWare's spin on the online multiplayer shooter might look like.
Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night
Castlevania has changed a lot over the years, but there was a point in time when game after game followed a familiar formula to great results. The developer largely credited for the series' past greatness is Koji Igarashi, who is presently working on Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, a spiritual successor to Castlevania games of yore. Early impressions of the game from events like E3 and Tokyo Game Show are positive. Igarashi's handiwork is on full display, meaning that you will explore 2D, gothic environments while fending off demonic enemies, and gather new abilities to extend your reach and open new pathways. It's the familiar "Metroidvania" (or "Castleroid," if you prefer) formula, but the fact that it's coming from the person responsible for popularizing it in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (after Super Metroid laid the foundation) eases the concerns that Bloodstained is just a simple nostalgia trip. Igarashi has been out of the game for quite awhile after leaving Konami, and our hope is that all that time away from 2D action games has given him a chance to come up with improvements and innovations. The sub-genre has been approached by many developers in his absence, and we can't wait to see if Igarashi is able to rekindle his old flame in the light of the many great games his earlier works inspired.
Metro: Exodus
There are few games that create a post-apocalyptic atmosphere as detailed as the Metro franchise. Based on a series of books, Metro 2033 and Last Light take place after the atomic bomb has destroyed the world. The survivors find refuge under the streets in a vast and sprawling metro system where irradiated monsters and bandits roam. Survival has always been at the forefront, and based on what we've seen, Metro Exodus is no different. You must conserve ammo, not only because one more bullet can be the difference between life and death, but because they are the common currency underground. And if you decide to venture above ground, you must pay attention to your oxygen levels. The Metro games are brutal, haunting experiences that feel almost too real. Metro Exodus looks to follow and expand on the ideas of the first. If you have any interest in horror or first person shooter games, this is one you won't want to miss.
Skull & Bones
Ever since the release of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag in 2014, there existed an audience of fans who yearned for the series to return or iterate upon the fantastic naval combat from that game. While Assassin's Creed Rogue expanded on those mechanics to some degree, it wasn't the true successor everyone craved. Enter Skull & Bones, Ubisoft's direct successor to Black Flag. Aside from offering a traditional single-player-focused campaign, the game also offers 5v5 multiplayer modes where you and four others fight other player-controlled ships for loot. While the reveal of Skull & Bones is an exciting step towards a new series that follows in the tradition of Black Flag, it also represents a divorce of naval combat from the expectations of future Assassin's titles. Seeing Ubisoft deliberately decide to split the two into separate franchises is certainly one the most exciting aspects about Skull & Bones.
Monster Hunter World
The last few Monster Hunter games on 3DS have been terrific, and they've introduced a whole new cross-section of players to one Japan's biggest franchises. But Monster Hunter World is poised to take the series even further. On PS4, Xbox One, and PC, the game will obviously look better than any previous version of the game, but it's the refinements in gameplay and online multiplayer that have a chance of finally pushing it into the mainstream. For the first time, you'll be able to jump into other players' hunts mid-game, meaning you can help out friends (or receive help when you need it most), without going through a lot of complicated preparation. There's a more convenient training hall that lets you easily experiment with weapons and that lays out various combos and strategies. And best-of-all, the game will have worldwide (although not cross-platform) multiplayer. Given how helpful and supportive the Monster Hunter community is as a whole, jumping into a game and finding fellow adventurers to take down monsters with should be easy. Make no mistake, Monster Hunter World still seems like it's going to be a complicated, complex game. But as titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne have shown, there are plenty of players who are looking for a challenging experience as long as it's equally rewarding. And with this iteration of Monster Hunter, newcomers will have a better chance than ever before to understand what makes fans so passionate for hunting.
Dynasty Warriors 9
Not sure if you've noticed, but musuo games--those large-scale beat-em-ups most commonly associated with Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors series--are finally becoming respectable. After years of being dismissed as brainless bashers whose appeal was limited to a core group of die-hard fans, the recent success of popular musuo crossovers such as Hyrule Warriors and Fire Emblem Warriors has given this sub-genre new life. Who would have thought that next year's upcoming Dynasty Warriors 9 (almost 18 years after the release of first true musou game in Dynasty Warriors 2 way back in the PlayStation 2 era) would be a cause for anticipation? It helps, of course, that Dynasty Warriors 9 seems to be taking a huge leap forward for the series in introducing a true, huge open-world for players to traverse. Of course, the core gameplay will likely be the same--one general against thousands of easily-dispatched soldiers--but that old formula has never seemed so sweet as it does now.
A Way Out
A Way Out is the next game written and directed by Josef Fares, one of the creative forces behind the excellent Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. For those that may have missed it, Brothers gave players control of two characters, both controlled simultaneously by the analogue sticks on a controller. Since the two characters could move and interact with their environments independently, Brothers featured challenging, but rewarding, platforming and puzzles. But more than that, Brothers was a heartfelt, emotionally impactful tale of two kids on a journey to acquire the antidote to their father's deadly illness. Like Brothers, A Way Out leans in to the idea of telling the story of two characters, and allowing the player to experience them concurrently. This time, however, the two characters are prisoners trying to escape their jail. To successfully put their escape plan into action, both characters will need to work together to, for example, distract a guard while the other scopes out a route or acquires a tool that will aid them. Developer Hazelight Studios has said A Way Out will feature multiple characters that players can interact with and the solutions to their problems aren't obviously prescribed. This encourages communication between the two players, who can be playing together on a couch or over the internet. From a gameplay standpoint, A Way Out is an intriguing prospect, but what we're interested in seeing is its handling of storytelling. We could see the two characters--and by extension players--perhaps pitted against each other at some point, forcing what is pitched as a coop game to become decidedly uncooperative experience.
State Of Decay 2
Perhaps the most exciting feature of State of Decay 2 is one that was sorely absent from the first game: multiplayer. The first entry in Undead Labs' and Microsoft's zombie survival game was a surprise hit, delivering a vast open-world with a robust survival gameplay and the unsettling, ever-present threat of zombies descending on you at a moment's notice. It seems like given that players would be able to connect with each other to collaborate, but that wasn't the case. In State of Decay 2, Undead Labs has taken inspiration from Dark Souls for its multiplayer component, giving people the ability to fire a flare into the sky to summon help. Through drop-in and drop-out cooperation, players can come together to fight the undead horde or scavenge materials and build fortifications. Of course, there's also the survivors hanging around in the wasteland, all of which are crucial to your safety. With a massive number of skills and personality types for the player to develop and nurture, these characters become essential to ensuring that their burgeoning community can not only live another day but also ensure the little family you've build thrives. Like the multiplayer, Undead Labs is doubling down on role-playing aspects of State of Decay 2, making for a sequel is giving fans pretty much everything they asked for, which is exciting.
Pit People
Developer The Behemoth tends to take a long time between releasing games, but that reputation to not put a game out until it's ready means they're also one of the most consistently fun (and funny) teams in the business. Pit People is a bit of an odd case where we've actually been able to try out a large portion of the game through early access over the last year. But the final, full release isn't coming until sometime early in 2018. Pit People is a different type of game than The Behemoth has made before; this time, it's going for turn-based strategy on a grid, but the game retains the distinctive style and raucous humor of previous Behemoth titles. In Pit People's world, a massive "space bear" has collided with the planet, wreaking chaos and destruction that affects not only the story but sometimes the field of battle itself. It's hard to believe this is only the fourth game from the studio, but if previous success is anything to go on, Pit People is already set up to be a game to watch out for in 2018.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Out of all the games coming in 2018, Rockstar's follow-up to Red Dead Redemption is arguably the most significant. The developer's other major franchise, Grand Theft Auto, is a cultural phenomenon, and even in 2017, over four years since it was first released, Grand Theft Auto V continues to be one of the best-selling games in the US every month. The first Red Dead Redemption was a critical success, driven by a powerful story and an inviting open-world. But what's most intriguing is finding out how Rockstar will integrate the elements that have made GTA Online so pervasive. Owning a garage full of crazy vehicles and high-tech weapons make sense in GTA's city environment, but where is there to spend so much money on in the Old West? Or will Red Dead Redemption 2 just be a standalone single-player story that tries to one-up the emotional impact of the previous game? This sequel has a lot to live up to, and succeed or fail, the story of Red Dead Redemption will be one worth following closely in 2018.
The Crew 2
Blasting down the freeway, roof down, hair blowing in the wind, leaving enemy racers in your wake... Is there anything cooler than fast cars? Turns out there are things cooler than fast cars: fast boats and fast planes, and The Crew 2 includes all three of the vehicle types. Not only that, but it allows you to seamlessly switch between each one--meaning it's very easy to spawn as a speedboat on top of a skyscraper, which is pretty hilarious. All this feeds into The Crew 2's greater sense of freedom. The original game's open-world was liberating enough, but now you're afforded more flexibility in how you approach missions, with more routes available in each race. The world feels more open now. Which makes it all the more upsetting that The Crew 2 was recently delayed. It will now launch in the first half of Ubisoft's 2018-19 fiscal year, which means it will come out between April 2018 and September 2018. The delay can only benefit the game though, so let's hope Ubisoft puts the extra development time to good use.
By GameSpot Staff on Dec 21, 2017 09:30 pm
Deities, dancing, and the undead.
As we covered in our PlayStation 2017 Report Card, this year was good but not great for Sony Interactive Entertainment. If we're judging the PlayStation 4's future on software alone, it's a more successful 2018. From Ghosts Of Tsushima to Days Gone, a promising group of first-party games is complemented by third-party console exclusives like Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom and Left Alive. And hot on the heels of the praise-worthy Persona 5 comes a couple dancing spin-off Persona games. Having something for everyone makes for a solid approach for the new year. If you want to see our choices for the best games this year, check out our Game of the Year 2017 Top 10 List. And for more on our picks of the best games of the year across various categories, as well as features focusing on the year's performance for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch, check out our Best of 2017 hub.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Matching the style and over-the-top action of the Dragon Ball Z series has been a constant challenge for past games. The upcoming Dragon Ball FighterZ however looks to be the exception, pushing the trend of average DBZ fighters aside for a game that brings the series to new heights. Coming from Arc Systems Works--the same developers behind Guilty Gear Xrd, BlazBlue, and Persona 4 Arena--their next game is not only looking to be a faithful adaptation of the series, but also one of the most exciting fighting games of 2018. Featuring characters from across the entire Dragon Ball Z series, and even some references from Dragon Ball Super, FighterZ is a mashup that pits characters in intense 3v3 battles that will level environments and push the fighters to their limits of power. Moving away from the 3D arenas of Raging Blast and Xenoverse, FighterZ brings the action to the traditional 2D plane--and it looks all the better for it. With characters pulling off high-powered, screen filling moves, and performing split-second dodges to get the upper hand against their enemy--no frame of animation feels wasted in Dragon Ball FighterZ, giving a greater level of detail that the past games weren't close to replicating from the TV show. Anyone who's watched Dragon Ball Z knows that it's got a style all its own, and FighterZ lovingly recreates many of the series' most iconic moments in its core mechanics. With more characters that have yet to be revealed, along with a surprisingly robust Story Mode, there's definitely more to this fighter that remains to be seen. But what's been shown thus far looks to be everything a DBZ fan could hope for in a game.
The Inpatient
The Inpatient looks to be an enjoyable experience in two areas. First, as a PlayStation VR title, it aims to scare you on a subconscious level, using psychological horror and binaural audio to worm its way into your deepest fears. Second, it serves as a prequel to 2015's choice-driven horror game Until Dawn, with the same writers and director at the helm. Set 60 years before the events of that game, you'll take control of a sanitarium patient out to reclaim their missing memories. Voice recognition and player choices affect how you interact with the other residents of the asylum, changing how the story ends. January isn't known as a scary month, but The Inpatient is still staking a creepy claim.
God Of War
The upcoming God of War is a drastic departure from the style and tone of previous games in the series. Its somber, more deeply personal narrative, new combat mechanics, and aged version of series protagonist Kratos each contribute towards what look to be an exciting new direction for the series. Taking place many years after the destruction of the Olympian gods, Kratos now lives with his son Atreus in a hostile world ruled by Norse gods. He lives in peace, but when his role in the destruction of Olympus becomes known, the Norse gods plot to kill him, forcing Kratos and Atreus to embark on an adventure for survival. While only a few trailers have been shown of God of War so far, it's already shaping up to one of the most exciting games in Sony's lineup for 2018. And with God of War II director Cory Barlog at the helm, the game could also be one of the finest in the series.
Kingdom Hearts III
It's hard to count the number of reasons to be excited for Kingdom Hearts 3. Maybe it's the 13-year gap between Kingdom Hearts 2 and the next numbered sequel. Maybe it's the most recent trailer for a Toy Story world, the first in the series to be based on a Pixar movie. Maybe it's because the series will be coming to Xbox for the first time, letting a whole new player base experience the Disney/Final Fantasy crossover magic. No matter the reasoning, Kingdom Hearts 3 is going to drop you into the climactic battle of the game's Dark Seeker saga, bringing together plots and characters from the many spinoffs the series has had in the interim. Along the way you'll get to explore a batch of brand-new worlds--Rapunzel and Big Hero 6 stages have already been teased--and battle Heartless with an array of powers seemingly based on real-world Disney theme park attractions. It's hard for any game to live up to more than a decade of hype, but Kingdom Hearts 3 aims to deliver a satisfying conclusion to war between darkness and light.
Metal Gear Survive
Since Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima left Konami, the status of the franchise was thrown into question. Konami reassured that it would create a new entry in the series; however, given the drama that resulted from Kojima's departure, fans began to question if they wanted a new sequel. During Gamescom 2016, the publisher announced Metal Gear Survive, a cooperative multiplayer survival-focused open-world adventure. Rather than being a new canonical entry in the series, Metal Gear Survive is instead an alternate universe spin-off. Following the evacuation of Big Boss and Kazuhira Miller from the besieged Mother Base at the end of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, the soldiers of Big Boss' Militaries Sans Frontiers are transported to a world full of hostile zombie-like entities. With little resources left to survive, those who remain must work together to quell the otherworldly threat and find a way back home. From early footage, fans have greatly doubted the quality of the upcoming adventure. But for what it's worth, what's on display does display does seem compelling; after all, the game is essentially a cooperative multiplayer take on the mechanics from the critically acclaimed Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Supporting up to four players, you're free to explore the game's open world and work together to complete missions. Much of what the game expands upon sounds promising, but it remains to be seen whether or not Konami can truly create a substantial Metal Gear experience on their own. In the face of these reservations, Metal Gear Survive still has the makings of being a fun and engaging game, even if it's far from what fans have wanted.
Owlboy
The critically acclaimed PC-exclusive Owlboy is finally making its way onto consoles. While the console ports are receiving no major changes from the original, the Switch version bares notable mention given its portability. The game's endearing 2D twin-stick shooter action seems a perfect fit to bring on the go. Given the high praise it received when it released (GameSpot gave it a 9), it's certainly one of the more highly anticipated indie re-releases in 2018. For the uninitiated, Owlboy is an action-adventure game set in a sky world where the lands below were torn apart by a catastrophic event many years prior. You play Otus, an owl-human hybrid who sets out on a journey to save his village from band of pirates. A charming and heartfelt adventure in its own right, Owlboy's upcoming console ports are well worth keeping an eye on, especially if you missed out on the original back in 2016.
Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts 2 is the long-awaited follow up to Double Fine's cult classic, Psychonauts. You will take on the role of Raz, a secret agent in training, as he visits the Psychonaut HQ. Once again, you will be poking around in the minds of a new and returning cast of characters. The first Psychonauts was colorful and creative platformer, packed with humor and dozens of great characters. Even though the original wasn't a huge commercial success, a sequel is something fans have been clamouring for years now.
System Shock Remastered
As one of the early games of the immersive sim sub-genre, influencing the likes of Bioshock and Dishonored, the original System Shock from Looking Glass Studios would go on to lay the foundations of a new type of FPS experience. Putting players in the shoes of a hacker that must contend with an evil AI known as SHODAN, you would acquire new skills and weapons while exploring a derelict space station filled with hideous creatures. While an enhanced port was released in 2015 from Night Dive Studios, the same team later launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund a full remake of the original game. While the 1994 game featured a number of impressive systems and mechanics at the time, channeling the same design from Ultima Underworld and other first-person RPG games, much of its gameplay feels a bit outdated in today's age. The upcoming remaster will largely be the same game, but with updated narrative and gameplay to fit a more modern design. In addition to some returning members from System Shock 2, veteran RPG writer Chris Avellone will be writing an updated take of the main story, which includes more background info side-characters and crew logs. While the immersive sim sub-genre has evolved in some clever ways over the years, System Shock has left an immense impression on gamers to this day. And with the full remake coming in 2018, fans of the genre will be able to dive into a fresh take on the Hacker's confrontation with SHODAN on Citadel Station.
Vampyr
Vampyr looks to pair Dontnod Entertainment's knack for third person close quarters combat from Remember Me with the narrative-affecting dialogue options from Life Is Strange. Complementing these features is a strong emphasis on investigative exploration, making Vampyr a curious detective tale with a twist. Instead of a Parisian cyberpunk setting or a high school in the Pacific Northwest, Vampyr is set in post-Victorian London inhabited by vampires. There's an intriguing sense of normalcy where survivors of the Spanish flu live among vampires, but there's conflict nonetheless. This is exemplified in the playable protagonist, Jonathan Reid, a doctor who recently turned into a vampire. Dontnod capitalizes on his personal struggle to do no harm while satisfying his bloodlust by offering the option to complete the game without taking a life. It's a tall order when many of Reid's enemies are the more malevolent types of vampires. Moreover, taking the pacifist route will severely limit Reid's skills growth. It should be noted that after two games that could have pigeonholed Dontnod as the "time-rewinding" studio, Vampyr appears to be devoid of any past event-altering mechanic. Yet given Reid's powers of coercion and his talents for ranged and melee weapons, who knows what other supernatural abilities he might have up his sleeve?
Far Cry 5
When reflecting on the past locales Far Cry, Far Cry 5's rural America is one of the few regions the franchise could have gone to keep Ubisoft's first person shooter series fresh. Between the sprawling farm lands and dense forests of the fictional region known as Hope County, Montana, the place is primed to make the most of Far Cry's open world and emergent gameplay. Far Cry 5 also promises to continue the series' tradition of featuring memorable antagonists. As the leader of a doomsday cult known as Eden's Gate, Joseph Seed looks to be as calculating as Pagan Min and as fanatical as Vaas. What makes Far Cry 5 all the more promising is how it adapts fan favorite features like Far Cry 4's cooperative play and Far Cry Primal's animal companionship. Along with a wealth of vehicles and weapons plus untamed animals you can turn against enemies, there shouldn't be a shortage of creative ways to take down Eden's Gate.
Code Vein
While From Software is silent on follow up to Dark Souls III or Bloodborne, Dark Souls publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment is due to release Code Vein in 2018, an action RPG that is heavily inspired by the demanding and distinct gameplay From Software has been known for this decade. Equally significant is that Code Vein is being developed by the division of Bandai Namco Studios responsible for the God Eater series. Like Dark Souls, God Eater is also a third person action RPG series that features ranged and melee combat so it's exciting to see this studio go in this direction. From the futuristic wastelands of The Surge to the Sengoku era state of unrest in Nioh, the 'Soulsborne' genre has already seen its share of settings in releases looking to stand out from the shadow of the From Software games that influenced them. For Code Vein, the simple hook is in preserving God Eater's anime aesthetic and depressingly desolate urban settings. Even if it doesn't meet the standards of Dark Souls, one can't help but think it will convert some anime fans to this genre.
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
After the generally positive reception of Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, it was not surprising that its sequel, Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom earned the rare spot as a "One more thing..." reveal to close out a PlayStation Experience keynote. Between the original game's heartfelt story, involving combat, and Studio Ghibli-crafted cinematics, there was a lot to love, enough to warrant a sequel. Revenant Kingdom looks to recapture the first game's charm and engrossing gameplay, despite the array of changes in this sequel. The shift to a more active battle system looks to address the arguably complicated and cumbersome combat from the first game. Add to that a Pikmin inspired minion system that buffs your hero for added advantages. Furthermore, Studio Ghibli is uninvolved this time around, although former Ghibli character designer Yoshiyuki Momose returns. More significantly, Joe Hisaishi returns as music composer. Given how he's provided the music to all of Hayao Miyazaki's films (save for The Castle of Cagliostro), it's hard to doubt that Revenant Kingdom will feel like an unofficial Ghibli production.
Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life
Throughout the years, the cult favorite Yakuza series has often struggled to make it westward, causing many of its latter entries to launch years after their Japanese release. But after the quick localization turnaround of its most recent games, we've finally caught up with the series' latest sequel, Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. Touted as the conclusion to protagonist Kazuma Kiryu's story, it sees the ex-gangster fighting to protect his surrogate daughter, Haruka, and her infantile son from a dangerous organization hunting them. The first thing you're likely to notice about Yakuza 6 are its visuals, which are massive a step up from its predecessors. Built from the ground up with a new graphical engine, the series' major underpinnings, like storytelling, battles, and mini-games all flow seamlessly together without incessant load screens. There's also more of a rhythm to the world that responds to your actions, allowing organic and spontaneous moments to occur. Throw a thug through a restaurant window, and its owner might completely refuse you service for the next few days as repairs are made to fix the property. If you only started playing the series with Yakuza 0, it might take some time for you to ready yourself for Yakuza 6. Thankfully, given the episodic nature of Yakuza games, it's possible to jump into a new entry without too much issue; though, it never hurts to get some context from previous games. Regardless of which route you take, Yakuza 6 should definitely be on your radar, especially if you're the type who likes to beat up street thugs with bicycles and street signs.
Persona 3: Dancing Moon Night
The most exciting part of the Persona 3: Dancing Moon Night reveal trailer was seeing our old friends Yukari, Junpei, Aigis, and Minato (canonical MC name) modeled and fully animated in the modern 3D engine. Persona 3, originally released in 2006, sowed the seeds for the series' crazed fandom because of its strong social simulation elements and incredible cast of characters. To see them come back in 2018 is going to put long-time Persona fans on a feel trip, but this is a rhythm game after all. That also means remasters and remixes of songs that defined Persona 3 and completely new tracks, which is equally exciting. "When the Moon Reaches for the Stars" with Yukari or Akihiko at Paulownia Mall could bring a tear to a fan's eye. Or getting down to a "Burn My Dread" remix with Aigis or Mitsuru would call back to memories of dire moments of the original game. Atlus would be remiss if P3 Portable exclusive tracks weren't part of the playlist, like the gleeful song "Sun" that plays during Summer school days. We'd also be disappointed if the P3 female main character wasn't in the mix, given her more cheery demeanor. Some hardcore fans might find that there's a dissonance between the silly, carefree nature of a dancing game and the dark, somber tone of Persona 3's narrative. Admittedly, it is a bit odd to see the main character rocking a pair of multicolored hi-tops and Aigis do a cartwheel, but there won't be a canonical story mode (an unannounced mode will take its place). Regardless, a return to Tatsumi Port Island is more than welcome, especially with refined versions of songs we know and love.
Persona 5: Dancing Star Night
Persona 5's soundtrack is integral to its narrative; every story beat, turning point, empowering action was propelled by the songs that played at those moments. Series composer Shoji Meguro changed things up by incorporating Acid Jazz-fusion with an upbeat funk twist, chill downtempo, and fiery songwriting of rebellion without abandoning its J-rock/J-pop roots. It's difficult to pin down the game's music genre because of its range and diversity. So, why would we go to the lengths of defining it? Imagine a rhythm game with the Persona 5 cast, dancing to the tune of a truly unique, expressive soundtrack to a backdrop of the game's styled art direction. Remixes, remasters, and original songs are expected to fill up Dancing Star Night's playlist. And if the incredible composition in Persona 4: Dancing All Night is any indication, we can expect this new game to provide some of 2018's greatest tunes. This Persona 5 spinoff (along with Persona 3: Dancing Moon Night) will feature rhythm gameplay similar to the previous Dancing All Night. However, there won't be a canonical story mode this time around and it will be replaced by mystery mode that hasn't been detailed. We imagine the eccentricity of the Phantom Thieves and art-style to play well into the hands of an upbeat, light-hearted game about dancing. Seeing Makoto or Ann get down to a mix of "Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There" at the Shibuya Crossing would be something special, but we're a little concerned about Morgana's stumpy figure nailing down dance moves. Well, if Persona 4's Teddie can do it, Morgana probably can, too.
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Super-realistic clouds. Intense dogfighting action. A melodramatic military soap-opera that only Metal Gear Solid could top. These are the things that make Ace Combat great. But if you've been a long-term fan of the series you'll likely agree that the most recent entries have been a letdown, because of attempts to mimic Western-style military blockbuster games. That's all set to change with Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the first numbered entry for the series in ten years. That number is a purposeful decision, too. The Project Aces team, led by Kazutoki Kono, are attempting to bring the series' original flavour back, refocusing on their hypothetical world where they can take more liberties with their stories of political intrigue, and emotional character moments. That's backed by a years-long refinement of the game's accessible jet-fighting controls, and intense combat scenarios to go with it. Here's hoping that the return of one of Namco's formerly beloved franchises one sticks the landing well enough to reclaim its glory.
Indivisible
This sidescrolling action/rpg is from the same team that brought us the insane fighter that was Skullgirls in 2012. Indivisible follows the story of the rebellious Ajna. She and her father live just outside a quiet little town, but things eventually take a turn for the worst and a mysterious power awakens within her. She gains the ability of "incarnations" to recruit different people to help her along her journey. After an Indiegogo campaign that netted over $2 million, Indivisible is a refreshing case for crowdfunded video games. It finished its campaign in 2015 so its 2018 release date has been a good minute. Thankfully, it does have a prototype build on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac, and Linux out now for those itching to get a taste. Indivisible is largely inspired by a number of different cultures and mythologies, which hopefully opens the doors to positive and meaningful representation. This also means that many of the cultures and tales the title pulls from could be represented incorrectly, but it's worth having a little faith and hope for a game that's trying to pull from sources we don't see often. Everyone likes to have something they can see themselves in, and Indivisible may be one of those titles where its representation could make it or break it.
Dissidia: Final Fantasy NT
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT isn't the first time we've ever seen a fighter with all of our favorite Final Fantasy heroes and foes. The original Dissidia title released in 2008 on the PSP in celebration of Final Fantasy's 20th anniversary. NT, however, doesn't quite follow that same notion. It's the console port of the Japanese arcade title Dissidia Final Fantasy, and is a follow up to the original PSP title, as well as its prequel and remake Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy. The combat in this iteration of Dissidia was remade from the ground up, but does include some elements from the original titles. But unlike the originals which focused on 1v1 battles, NT shifts to 3v3 battles. Players will control one character (and can switch between those in their party) while AI controls the other two. We're excited to see even more heroes from more recent Final Fantasy games make it into the roster such as Y'shtola Rhul, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Ramza Beoulve, and Ace. The developers are aiming to fill the roster up to 50 characters, but updates to the roster will be made in the arcade version before they come to the PS4 version. Dissidia Final Fantasy NT is due out on PS4 globally on January 30, 2018.
Days Gone
If you're not watching E3 for the weird on stage stuff, you're missing out. One of the highlights this year were the single use acrobats hanging from the ceiling during the Days Gone trailer. Truly a masterpiece. Aside from that, Sony Bend Studios showed off more of their post apocalyptic action game by way of Sons of Anarchy. The game's biggest feature is the huge, dynamic hordes of enemies, called freakers, and they were shown to be crudely controllable. The protagonist Deacon St John destroyed a wall of an enemy camp, allowing the mindless eating machines to take out his enemies as he watched from across a river. The dev also showcased the dynamic mission system with two playthroughs of the same area. One took place at night time, the other during a daytime snow storm, with the difference in weather affecting the handling of Deacon's motorbike as well as the strength of the game's enemies. Missions can also be completed by going in guns blazing or sneakin' through the bushes, stealth style. At a time when it feels like single player, narrative driven games are on their way out, Days Gone is a bright light shining in the dark of an uncertain videogame future. I can't wait to get my hands on it, fingers crossed, sometime in 2018.
Shenmue III
Shenmue is a divisive franchise, but one thing that everyone who's played through the games can agree on is that the story is incomplete. The second game ends on a massive cliffhanger and rabid fans want the series to return so much that they raised well over $6 million on Kickstarter for Shenmue III. Considering the first two games are among the most expensive of all time, Shenmue III is going to need every penny. The original released on the Dreamcast and pioneered open-world games. Not only did it and its sequel allow you to explore large cities in Japan and China, but the games were meticulously detailed. The series is predominately about its story, however. You play as Ryo Hazuki, and in the original game, villain Lan Di beats you up and kills your father in front of you. On a quest for revenge, Ryo learns martial arts and becomes stronger along the way. The 2017 teaser trailer looks like it picks up where the last game left off. In it, you see Ryo training and getting into fights surrounded by stunning vistas produced by Epic's Unreal Engine. The world of Shenmue has never looked better. The faces in the video do leave a lot to be desired, however, but famed director Yu Suzuki assures fans that they're just placemarks for now. What fans can't wait to find out is if Ryo becomes strong enough in Shenmue III to enact revenge on Lan Di. Hopefully we won't have to wait much longer to find out.
Detroit: Become Human
Detroit: Become Human is the next immersive story-driven game from director David Cage and developer Quantic Dream, who helped bring fans cult classics like Heavy Rain, Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy in North America), and Beyond: Two Souls. The script supposedly took Cage over two years to write and as the name suggests, the game takes place in a futuristic version of Detroit. It follows the journey of three androids. Kara is an android who gains sentience and escapes the factory she was built in. Meanwhile Connor is an android who is designed to hunt down rogue androids like Kara. Finally, the third protagonist Markus is a freedom fighter who is devoted to freeing other androids. Like Heavy Rain before it, many major characters will live and die based on player decisions, and the story will continue to progress accordingly. Those who enjoy strong performance-driven characters in their video game stories should definitely keep their eyes on Detroit: Become Human.
Anthem
Announced at E3 this year, Anthem is the next game from veteran and esteemed role-playing game studio BioWare; specifically, BioWare Edmonton (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic) is making the game. A multiplayer action RPG, Anthem puts players into the role of a Freelancer on a journey through a "vast open world" to explore unknown planets and protect humanity. All that fun stuff. A key element of the game are the exosuits, called Javelins. You can customise these, equipping them with a range of new gear that you either craft or acquire. Anthem absolutely has our attention. BioWare are masters of world-building and storytelling. While it remains to be seen how these elements will play out in an open-world setting with what looks like more shooting than past BioWare games, we wouldn't bet against BioWare. Publisher Electronic Arts has said Anthem will have some form of a "live service" model, and given everything that happened with Star Wars: Battlefront II, it's understandable if players are feeling a little uneasy about this. But with Anthem not due out on PS4, Xbox One, and PC until Fall 2018, EA has the time to get things right. From the first trailer and what we've heard, it looks like BioWare was influenced and inspired by games like Destiny and The Division, and it's exciting to think about what BioWare's spin on the online multiplayer shooter might look like.
Ghost Of Tsushima
With the superhero-inspired InFamous series, Sucker Punch Productions proved itself capable of creating beautiful, vast open-worlds packed with gameplay opportunities. Its next title, Ghost of Tsushima, looks set to leverage the experience it has accumulated while developing those games for something entirely different from the studio. Set in 1274, Ghost of Tsushima casts players as one of the last remaining samurai as he faces the ruthless Mongol Empire. What makes Ghost of Tsushima interesting is the idea that, to succeed, the main character--and by extension the player--will have to cast aside traditional samurai methods, and the codes that govern them, in favour of stealth and subterfuge. This means Ghost of Tsushima is essentially a story about the birth of the ninja, and the idea of an open-world stealth game is a very exciting prospect, especially for fans of Metal Gear Solid V and those begging for a new Tenchu. Although Sony and Sucker Punch haven't outright said Ghost of Tsushima will be released in 2018, it's believe the game has been in development since 2014, when InFamous: Second Son and Last Light launched. That means it's been in development for around three years, so there's a good chance the game will launch in 2018.
Left Alive
Square Enix caught many people off-guard with the surprise announcement of Left Alive at Tokyo Game Show 2017, and while details remain scarce, an eye-catching trailer and list of notable developers was all it took to grab our attention. Both the teaser trailer and gameplay trailer released at the show set the stage for a sci-fi epic with war as a central theme. With Metal Gear artist Yoji Shinkawa on board, it's no surprise that Left Alive bears some resemblance to Hideo Kojima's iconic stealth series. But don't confuse it for a spiritual successor, as the brief glimpse of gameplay we've seen so far is solely focused on gunplay, and there's another series known for examining the realities of war that's confirmed to be the basis for Left Alive's setting. According to producer Shinji Hashimoto, a longtime Square Enix employee with a long list of beloved games under his belt, Left Alive is connected to Square Enix's Front Mission series. The typical grid-based mechanics are out, obviously, but the series' iconic Wanzer mechs are back. Chances are you will eventually get to pilot one (we hope) but in an interesting twist, we know for sure that at some point in the game you will have to face towering mechs as a soldier on the ground. The odds aren't in your favor, but this is part of the appeal thus far: what will it take to come out on top? We can't wait to find out.
Shadow of the Colossus
Fumito Ueda's Shadow of the Colossus is a modern classic that took PlayStation 2 owners by storm when it debuted back in 2005. It's a fascinating adventure game where isolation and solemn exploration dominate your time, but its often poignant atmosphere is disrupted by the appearance of giant creatures--so large that they are platforming/climbing levels in and of themselves. These are the only enemies in the game, but they are some of the most inventive ever seen, and feel unmatched even 12 years after their arrival. Though Shadow of the Colossus and Ico (creator Fumito Ueda's first PlayStation 2 game) received a minor facelift when ported to PlayStation 3, Sony has contracted Bluepoint Games to completely overhaul Shadow of the Colossus for PlayStation 4, and the results already look stunning. The game not only looks more detailed, with stronger lighting and a better frame rate, but it seems to deliver these improvements while maintaining the gameplay, eccentricities and all. Anything less would frankly be a disappointment. It's game that deserves to be preserved, flaws and all, as they are part and parcel of what made Shadow of the Colossus such an odd and endearing experience to begin with. You could say that about every game Ueda's made, but this one in particular remains his standout work. Thankfully, early footage of the game has given us confidence that Shadow of the Colossus is in great hands.
Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night
Castlevania has changed a lot over the years, but there was a point in time when game after game followed a familiar formula to great results. The developer largely credited for the series' past greatness is Koji Igarashi, who is presently working on Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, a spiritual successor to Castlevania games of yore. Early impressions of the game from events like E3 and Tokyo Game Show are positive. Igarashi's handiwork is on full display, meaning that you will explore 2D, gothic environments while fending off demonic enemies, and gather new abilities to extend your reach and open new pathways. It's the familiar "Metroidvania" (or "Castleroid," if you prefer) formula, but the fact that it's coming from the person responsible for popularizing it in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (after Super Metroid laid the foundation) eases the concerns that Bloodstained is just a simple nostalgia trip. Igarashi has been out of the game for quite awhile after leaving Konami, and our hope is that all that time away from 2D action games has given him a chance to come up with improvements and innovations. The sub-genre has been approached by many developers in his absence, and we can't wait to see if Igarashi is able to rekindle his old flame in the light of the many great games his earlier works inspired.
Metro Exodus
There are few games that create a post-apocalyptic atmosphere as detailed as the Metro franchise. Based on a series of books, Metro 2033 and Last Light take place after the atomic bomb has destroyed the world. The survivors find refuge under the streets in a vast and sprawling metro system where irradiated monsters and bandits roam. Survival has always been at the forefront, and based on what we've seen, Metro Exodus is no different. You must conserve ammo, not only because one more bullet can be the difference between life and death, but because they are the common currency underground. And if you decide to venture above ground, you must pay attention to your oxygen levels. The Metro games are brutal, haunting experiences that feel almost too real. Metro Exodus looks to follow and expand on the ideas of the first. If you have any interest in horror or first person shooter games, this is one you won't want to miss.
Skull & Bones
Ever since the release of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag in 2014, there existed an audience of fans who yearned for the series to return or iterate upon the fantastic naval combat from that game. While Assassin's Creed Rogue expanded on those mechanics to some degree, it wasn't the true successor everyone craved. Enter Skull & Bones, Ubisoft's direct successor to Black Flag. Aside from offering a traditional single-player-focused campaign, the game also offers 5v5 multiplayer modes where you and four others fight other player-controlled ships for loot. While the reveal of Skull & Bones is an exciting step towards a new series that follows in the tradition of Black Flag, it also represents a divorce of naval combat from the expectations of future Assassin's titles. Seeing Ubisoft deliberately decide to split the two into separate franchises is certainly one the most exciting aspects about Skull & Bones.
Dynasty Warriors 9
Not sure if you've noticed, but musuo games--those large-scale beat-em-ups most commonly associated with Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors series--are finally becoming respectable. After years of being dismissed as brainless bashers whose appeal was limited to a core group of die-hard fans, the recent success of popular musuo crossovers such as Hyrule Warriors and Fire Emblem Warriors has given this sub-genre new life. Who would have thought that next year's upcoming Dynasty Warriors 9 (almost 18 years after the release of first true musou game in Dynasty Warriors 2 way back in the PlayStation 2 era) would be a cause for anticipation? It helps, of course, that Dynasty Warriors 9 seems to be taking a huge leap forward for the series in introducing a true, huge open-world for players to traverse. Of course, the core gameplay will likely be the same--one general against thousands of easily-dispatched soldiers--but that old formula has never seemed so sweet as it does now.
Spider-Man
While Marvel is currently trouncing long-time rival DC when it comes to their respective film universes, it's an altogether different story when it comes to games. DC characters have had an impressive run of good to great games in recent years, with highlights including Arkane's hugely impressive Batman Arkham series and the well-received Injustice fighters. In contrast, poor Marvel fans have had little to crow about when it came to high-quality, big-budget games on PC/consoles (outside of Capcom's MvC series). But Insomniac Game's upcoming Spider-Man exclusive for the PlayStation 4 might finally end the long drought. Though it's not specifically tied to Marvel's popular film universe, Spider-Man for the PS4 still looks like its getting the core of the character right: spectacularly athletic, remarkably swift, and unbelievably high-flying, Insomniac's take on Spider-Man looks to be, well, Amazing. It's about time for another great Spider-Man game, and we're hoping this PS4 2018 exclusive fits the bill.
A Way Out
A Way Out is the next game written and directed by Josef Fares, one of the creative forces behind the excellent Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. For those that may have missed it, Brothers gave players control of two characters, both controlled simultaneously by the analogue sticks on a controller. Since the two characters could move and interact with their environments independently, Brothers featured challenging, but rewarding, platforming and puzzles. But more than that, Brothers was a heartfelt, emotionally impactful tale of two kids on a journey to acquire the antidote to their father's deadly illness. Like Brothers, A Way Out leans in to the idea of telling the story of two characters, and allowing the player to experience them concurrently. This time, however, the two characters are prisoners trying to escape their jail. To successfully put their escape plan into action, both characters will need to work together to, for example, distract a guard while the other scopes out a route or acquires a tool that will aid them. Developer Hazelight Studios has said A Way Out will feature multiple characters that players can interact with and the solutions to their problems aren't obviously prescribed. This encourages communication between the two players, who can be playing together on a couch or over the internet. From a gameplay standpoint, A Way Out is an intriguing prospect, but what we're interested in seeing is its handling of storytelling. We could see the two characters--and by extension players--perhaps pitted against each other at some point, forcing what is pitched as a coop game to become decidedly uncooperative experience.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
Unlike Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest games never quite reach the same fevered level of excitement in the West as they do in Japan. But that's unfortunate, because that means there are a lot of people missing out on one of the most iconic and fun RPG experiences out there. And the upcoming Dragon Quest XI is set to continue the previous games' traditions of sweeping musical scores, epic stories, and turn-based combat against colorful (sometimes wacky) enemies. DQXI already released in Japan back in July 2017 on PS4 and 3DS, but the upcoming international release is notable because it should bring the series to a new platform: Nintendo Switch. That doesn't mean you should rule out the other versions completely, though. On 3DS, the game introduces a unique twist where the lower screen is an exact representation of the regular 3D gameplay, but redone in a classic, pixelated style. And if this entry in the mainline series does well abroad, that raises the (very, very slim) possibility that the Dragon Quest MMO could also get a release in the US! Ok, now that might be too much Dragon Quest to ask for at one time.
Monster Hunter World
The last few Monster Hunter games on 3DS have been terrific, and they've introduced a whole new cross-section of players to one Japan's biggest franchises. But Monster Hunter World is poised to take the series even further. On PS4, Xbox One, and PC, the game will obviously look better than any previous version of the game, but it's the refinements in gameplay and online multiplayer that have a chance of finally pushing it into the mainstream. For the first time, you'll be able to jump into other players' hunts mid-game, meaning you can help out friends (or receive help when you need it most), without going through a lot of complicated preparation. There's a more convenient training hall that lets you easily experiment with weapons and that lays out various combos and strategies. And best-of-all, the game will have worldwide (although not cross-platform) multiplayer. Given how helpful and supportive the Monster Hunter community is as a whole, jumping into a game and finding fellow adventurers to take down monsters with should be easy. Make no mistake, Monster Hunter World still seems like it's going to be a complicated, complex game. But as titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne have shown, there are plenty of players who are looking for a challenging experience as long as it's equally rewarding. And with this iteration of Monster Hunter, newcomers will have a better chance than ever before to understand what makes fans so passionate for hunting.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Out of all the games coming in 2018, Rockstar's follow-up to Red Dead Redemption is arguably the most significant. The developer's other major franchise, Grand Theft Auto, is a cultural phenomenon, and even in 2017, over four years since it was first released, Grand Theft Auto V continues to be one of the best-selling games in the US every month. The first Red Dead Redemption was a critical success, driven by a powerful story and an inviting open-world. But what's most intriguing is finding out how Rockstar will integrate the elements that have made GTA Online so pervasive. Owning a garage full of crazy vehicles and high-tech weapons make sense in GTA's city environment, but where is there to spend so much money on in the Old West? Or will Red Dead Redemption 2 just be a standalone single-player story that tries to one-up the emotional impact of the previous game? This sequel has a lot to live up to, and succeed or fail, the story of Red Dead Redemption will be one worth following closely in 2018.
The Crew 2
Blasting down the freeway, roof down, hair blowing in the wind, leaving enemy racers in your wake... Is there anything cooler than fast cars? Turns out there are things cooler than fast cars: fast boats and fast planes, and The Crew 2 includes all three of the vehicle types. Not only that, but it allows you to seamlessly switch between each one--meaning it's very easy to spawn as a speedboat on top of a skyscraper, which is pretty hilarious. All this feeds into The Crew 2's greater sense of freedom. The original game's open-world was liberating enough, but now you're afforded more flexibility in how you approach missions, with more routes available in each race. The world feels more open now. Which makes it all the more upsetting that The Crew 2 was recently delayed. It will now launch in the first half of Ubisoft's 2018-19 fiscal year, which means it will come out between April 2018 and September 2018. The delay can only benefit the game though, so let's hope Ubisoft puts the extra development time to good use.
Jurassic World Evolution
Planet Coaster by Frontier Developments is without a doubt, one of the best construction and management games in recent years. It's the gold standard of the genre, with accessible but powerful building tools, great art direction, and a strong emphasis on community development. At Gamescom 2017, it was revealed that Frontier were working on another construction and management sim, and it had the Jurassic World license attached to it. This was big. The Jurassic franchise hasn't had a great run when it comes to video game adaptations (Lego Jurassic World was probably the best attempt in the past decade), but Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, released in 2003, arguably had the most critical success, and it too, was a construction and management sim. That's why we're excited that Jurassic World Evolution is going to provide us with a modern-day interpretation of this combination. You can expect to build your own custom dinosaur theme park filled with fun attractions ala Planet Coaster, but you'll also be dealing with the research and dinosaur breeding aspect as well. Biological experiments right next to innocent, happy families on vacation? What could possibly go wrong? Hopefully the answer is "not a lot", because our expectations for this one are high with Frontier at the helm.
Darksiders III
After the dissolution of publisher THQ in 2012, the future of the cult favorite Darksiders series was left uncertain. Swedish publisher THQ Nordic acquired the rights to create more games in the series, but given how relatively unknown the company was at the time, longtime fans began to question if a new game was really coming. In the subsequent years, THQ Nordic released remasters of the first two Darksiders games, continually reassuring that a new entry was in the works. However, it wasn't until this year that the publisher finally unveiled Darksiders III. The game takes place parallel to the events of the previous entries. It follows Fury, a Horseman of the Apocalypse, as she embarks on a quest to destroy physical manifestations of the Seven Deadly Sins, who are wreaking havoc on planet Earth. It's reassuring to hear that Darksiders III is being developed by Gunfire Games, a studio comprised of several key members from Vigil Games, the original studio that worked on the first two games. With a tentative release date of sometime in 2018, we're eager to hear more about what Gunfire Games has in store for us for the much awaited sequel.
By GameSpot Staff on Dec 21, 2017 01:25 am
Best Of 2017
GameSpot's top 10 countdown for the Best Games of 2017 is finally over. Our list was formulated by our global team of GameSpot editors and video producers, who all spent hours locked in fierce debate fighting for the recognition towards games they felt most passionate about. With 2017 offering so many fantastic games across a multitude of genres, this year was by far one of the toughest debates we've had in a long time. After numerous hours, we were able to lock in the placement of each of this year's 10 best games into a single list culminating in our overall Game of the Year choice. Our list is informed by an array of tastes and preferences, reflecting our team's diverse gaming backgrounds and opinions. Read on to see why we chose each game as one of the best for 2017. For more on our picks of the best games of the year across various categories, as well as features focusing on the year's performance for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch, check out our Best of 2017 hub.
#10. Nier: Automata
"Nier: Automata beautifully expresses and flaunts its unconventional designs right in its opening minutes. From robots forming suicide pacts to a boss fight that would've been the final scene in other games, this first half hour effectively delivers a sampler course of the many narrative and gameplay surprises you'll encounter in this 35-hour journey of android existentialism." For more on why we chose Nier: Automata as one of the best for 2017, check out our full write-up.
#9. What Remains Of Edith Finch
"What Remains of Edith Finch feels like a great page turner of a book that is full of unexpected twists and turns. It's a game that you'll want to recommend to friends as soon as you finish it. Without giving too much away, one of its greatest strengths is that it tells a story that can only effectively be conveyed through a video game. The impact is bolstered by top-notch voice acting and a surreal and magical world that is somehow still rooted in reality. If you decide to give What Remains of Edith Finch a shot, you'll be treated to one of the most surprising and riveting hits of the year." For more on why we chose What Remains of Edith Finch as one of the best for 2017, check out our full write-up.
#8. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
"In Ninja Theory's harrowing action-adventure, it isn't so much about helping its lead character overcome her demons and cure her of her troubles--but rather, it's about seeing her accept these issues as a part of who she is. In the eternal and ever-human challenge of coming to grips with who you are, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice shows us--through the lasting connections Senua has with her loved ones--that you are not alone in the struggle. By its conclusion, Ninja Theory's spellbinding jaunt through a troubled young woman's experience ultimately proves to be one of the most heartfelt and uplifting experiences of the year." For more on why we chose Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice as one of the best for 2017, check out our full write-up.
#7. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
"Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus never questions whether violence is the correct solution to oppression, giving you the tools to fight back without robbing your success of its meaning. And by staying grounded in present-day political roots, The New Colossus rounds out its most off-the-wall, fantastical elements for an experience that's both memorable and impactful." For more on why we chose Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus as one of the best for 2017, check out our full write-up.
#6. Horizon: Zero Dawn
"At a time when nobody would blame you for feeling burned out on open-world games, Horizon: Zero Dawn came along and re-lit the smoldering flame. It fell back on a few common practices seen in other games, sure, but it's predominantly defined by unique traits and accomplishments. You look back on it once the credits roll in awe of where you've been and what Aloy has become. And once you're done processing the impact of the ending, you'll wonder: where will this possibly go next? It's not immediately clear, but we can't wait to find out." For more on why we chose Horizon: Zero Dawn as one of the best for 2017, check out our full write-up.
#5. Divinity: Original Sin II
"Divinity: Original Sin II can be overwhelming, but facing its challenges, helping its inhabitants, and finding out more about yourself and your party members is the ultimate fantasy experience. Original Sin 2 exceeds the accomplishments of its predecessor as a spectacularly crafted RPG that ranks among the greats of the genre. Perhaps the game itself puts it best; 'You're at the beginning of a long journey, Godwoken. Long, but exceedingly interesting.'" For more on why we chose Divinity: Original Sin II as one of the best for 2017, check out our full write-up.
#4. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
"There was a time when Resident Evil was close to becoming irrelevant, estranged from its beloved history. But Resident Evil 7: Biohazard rediscovers its roots and, as a result, marks a return to form for the franchise. It's a bold, expertly crafted survival-horror experience and the best Resident Evil in years." For more on why we chose Resident Evil 7: Biohazard as one of the best for 2017, check out our full write-up.
#3. Super Mario Odyssey
"Super Mario Odyssey is, in effect, a massive playground that encourages you to test the limits of Mario's abilities and your own ingenuity in the face of myriad options. With throwback outfits and retro Mario levels inserted into otherwise 3D spaces, it no doubt appeals most to people with a fondness for Mario's (and Nintendo's) past. But Odyssey is the type of game that feels like a no-brainer for anyone who enjoys the act of play. It's what we at GameSpot call an "essential" game. It not only finds success in playing fast and loose with one of gaming's most recognizable mascots, it succeeds at reaffirming the reasons why Mario is held in such high regard at all." For more on why we chose Super Mario Odyssey as one of the best for 2017, check out our full write-up.
#2. Persona 5
"Persona 5 is a game about fighting wrongs; an idealistic, uplifting direction to not stand idly by while others suffer. It deals with complex, difficult issues, but does so by balancing these with moments of hope and levity. In 2017, it's a game that isn't afraid to make a statement. It's the year's most stylish game, but its beauty is far from skin-deep." For more on why we chose Persona 5 as one of the best for 2017, check out our full write-up.
#1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
"Nintendo turned an established genre on its head when it released The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild earlier this year, proving that it's still one of the most influential developers around. We may never be able to look at open-world games the same way again, and it's hard to imagine how anyone will be able to match, let alone top, what is being hailed by many to be one of the greatest games ever made." For more on why we chose The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as one of the best for 2017, check out our full write-up.
By Matt Espineli on Dec 21, 2017 01:23 am
21 Years Of Game of the Year
In honor of GameSpot's latest Game of the Year announcement, we've compiled every game that won our Game of the Year award over the years. Take a trip down memory lane with us as we recount some of the best games we've highlighted since our site's formation, which includes big names like From The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Red Dead Redemption, Soul Calibur, Journey, and more. You can also see our pick for Game of the Year 2017 at the end of this gallery. If you want to see our choices for the best games this year, check out our Game of the Year 2017 Top 10 List. And for more on our picks of the best games of the year across various categories, as well as features focusing on the year's performance for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch, check out our Best of 2017 hub.
1996 | Diablo
Score: 9.6 | Review Date: January 23, 1997 | Written by: Trent Ward "Diablo is the best game to come out in the past year, and you should own a copy. Period. If you like PC games, you should go out right now and experience what is likely to be the clone maker for the next two years."--Read the full review.
1997 | Total Annihilation
Score: 9.3 | Review Date: October 1, 1997 | Written by: Ron Dulin "If you're looking for a real-time strategy game that adds some new features without breaking from the standard formula, Total Annihilation may be too foreign to satisfy your needs. But if you're looking for a game that is challenging and rewarding on entirely new levels, Total Annihilation is highly recommended." Read the full review.
1998 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Grim Fandango
Note: Through the years 1998-2001, GameSpot gave Game of the Year awards for both Console and PC. Console: Score: 10 | Review Date: November 23, 1998 | Written by: Jeff Gerstmann "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the real thing. This is the masterpiece that people will still be talking about ten years down the road. This is the game that perfectly exhibits the 'quality not quantity' mantra that Nintendo has been touting since the N64 was released. In a word, perfect. To call it anything else would be a bald-faced lie." Read the full review. PC: Score: 9.3 | Review Date: October 30, 1998 | Written by: Ron Dulin "The one real problem with Grim Fandango is that the end comes too soon. This isn't because it's too short (it should take most a good two- to three-dozen hours), but because the designers have created a rich world that you won't want to leave, filled with memorable characters that are hard to say goodbye to. Don't be surprised if you're sad when it's over." Read the full review.
1999 | SoulCalibur, EverQuest
Note: Through the years 1998-2001, GameSpot gave Game of the Year awards for both Console and PC. Console: Score: 10 | Review Date: August 9, 1999 | Written by: James Mielke "Yes, it is a fighting game, a genre with a fairly limited scope, but insofar as fighting games go, Soul Calibur is mind-numbing perfection. Namco has taken the best and made it considerably better. The level at which the company has done so is practically unprecedented. Think state of the art. Absolutely brilliant in all aspects, as far as games of this type go, Soul Calibur is the undisputed king of the hill. It is essential in any gamer's collection." Read the full review. PC: Score: 8.4 | Review Date: August 2, 1999 | Written by: Greg Kasavin "Exploring the land, hunting monsters, fleeing from certain death - all these things are incredible fun in EverQuest so long as someone else is along for the ride. Although it might have been better in almost every respect, it is, like any good online RPG, a work in progress. And there's no question that it's the best game of its kind." Read the full review.
2000 | Chrono Cross, The Sims
Note: Through the years 1998-2001, GameSpot gave Game of the Year awards for both Console and PC. Console: Score: 10 | Review Date: January 6, 2000 | Written by: Andrew Vestal "With Square agonizing over every detail of its flagship property, the Chrono Cross team was apparently left mostly to themselves. Consequently, the game shares an all-out enthusiasm and joie de vivre found in the best 16-bit titles -- back before games became multimillion dollar properties that had to answer to glaring shareholders. Chrono Cross may not have had the largest budget, but it has the largest heart." Read the full review. PC: Score: 9.1 | Review Date: February 11, 2000 | Written by: Andrew Park "This isn't to say that The Sims isn't an enjoyable and intriguing game, because it is. If you relished the feeling of complete control of building a city in SimCity, then you will doubtless enjoy the experience of building a domestic life in The Sims. And even those who didn't will still likely find themselves engrossed in The Sims' bright-looking, real-sounding, and highly detailed world of miniature people." Read the full review.
2001 | Grand Theft Auto III, Serious Sam: First Encounter
Note: Through the years 1998-2001, GameSpot gave Game of the Year awards for both Console and PC. Console: Score: 9.6 | Review Date: October 24, 2001 | Written by: Jeff Gerstmann "Rockstar and DMA Design have obviously spent some time making sure that Grand Theft Auto III is a quality product, and that quality shows in everything, from the graphics, to the sound, to the plot points, to the gameplay itself. Unlike previous games in the series, the game is extremely fun whether you play it as it was intended to be played or eschew the game's intended mission structure and set out on your own to wreak havoc throughout the city. While the violent nature of the game will surely turn some people off and kids simply shouldn't be allowed anywhere near it, Grand Theft Auto III is, quite simply, an incredible experience that shouldn't be missed by anyone mature enough to handle it." PC: Score: 8.9 | Review Date: March 26, 2001 | Written by: Greg Kasavin "Serious Sam: First Encounter may not suit those players who prefer more deliberate, more story-driven, or otherwise more serious first-person games such as Thief: The Dark Project or Deus Ex; but even these players owe it to themselves to give the game a try. Ultimately, Serious Sam is a clear lesson in what elements are necessary to make a game enjoyable. It's an unquestionably fun game from an unquestionably talented development team."
2002 | Metroid Prime
Score: 9.7 | Review Date: November 15, 2002 | Written by: Greg Kasavin "Let's get right to the point: Metroid Prime is the best GameCube game to date. It's one of the best games on any platform this year, and, for good measure, it's also the best game yet in Nintendo's highly acclaimed Metroid series." Read the full review.
2003 | The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
Score: 9.3 | Review Date: November 21, 2003 | Written by: Jeff Gerstmann "While some may be a little put off by the late-game item fetching and the game's easy puzzles and boss battles, The Wind Waker is nonetheless a strong achievement in every way, from its stunning graphical presentation to its tight control and interesting story line. It may not have fallen too far from the tree Nintendo planted back in 1998, but the way it refines one of the polygonal generation's most important games makes The Wind Waker every bit as much of a must-own game as The Ocarina of Time was before it." Read the full review.
2004 | World of WarCraft
Score: 9.5 | Review Date: November 29, 2004 | Written by: Greg Kasavin "World of Warcraft features an overall level of quality that's typically reserved for the best offline games, which have always had a leg up on online games in their ability to present tightly-woven, story-driven settings. But World of Warcraft achieves this in the context of a massive, evolving world populated by thousands of other players who you may choose to interact with, which makes the proceedings seem that much more meaningful. This is a stunning achievement that will make you feel privileged to be a game player." Read the full review.
2005 | Resident Evil 4
Score: 9.6 | Review Date: January 10, 2005 | Written by: Greg Kasavin "You'll surely find from playing or even just watching Resident Evil 4 that all this sort of high praise is warranted, though it's worth reiterating that this is one of those games that you ought to approach with as few preconceived notions as possible. Essentially, if you've been entertained by any other mature-rated action game recently, then chances are you'll be blown away by this one. It's that good." Read the full review.
2006 | Gears of War
Score: 9 | Review Date: November 5, 2006 | Written by: Jeff Gerstmann "With a great loadout of weapons, a healthy multiplayer package, and an action-packed story mode, Gears of War is a terrific action game that, even after a full year, still stands apart from the pack. Whether you're a superfan of the first game who is looking for some additional content, or a PC buff who's been wondering what the console kids have been up to, Gears of War on the PC is most definitely worth your time and money." Read the full review.
2007 | Super Mario Galaxy
Score: 9.5 | Review Date: November 7, 2007 | Written by: Alex Navarro "Here is the game that Wii owners have been pining for, a game that has tons of appeal for both the less experienced player and the longtime gamer. A game that deftly combines accessibility and challenge, all wrapped up in a package that's both deep and addictive. Super Mario Galaxy is all of this and more. It is simultaneously one of Mario's best adventures and a game that doesn't require fandom of the portly plumber's previous engagements to appreciate." Read the full review.
2008 | Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Score: 10 | Review Date: June 13, 2008 | Written by: Kevin VanOrd "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is the most technically stunning video game ever made. It's also a fine example of storytelling prowess within its medium, combining gameplay and narrative so slickly and beautifully that it's impossible to extricate one from the other. It's likely you will emerge awestruck from your first play-through, wishing the experience would continue yet nonetheless satisfied with its conclusion. It's difficult not to sound hyperbolic when discussing MGS4 because every part of its design seemingly fulfills its vision, without compromise. There is no halfway." Read the full review.
2009 | Demon's Souls
Score: 9 | Review Date: October 6, 2009 | Written by: Kevin VanOrd "There's a lot to discover, and Demon's Souls wants you to figure it all out on your own. But while the game doesn't serve the answers to you on a gilded platter, it gives you a number of refined and inspired tools to help you succeed, and its astounding, oppressive world will cast its spell on you. If you crave true innovation, a fair but relentless challenge, and gripping exploration in which every step has consequences, then you crave Demon's Souls." Read the full review.
2010 | Red Dead Redemption
Score: 9.5 | Review Date: May 18, 2010 | Written by: Justin Calvert "This is an outstanding game that tells a great story with memorable and occasionally laugh-out-loud-funny characters. Think about great moments that you remember from spaghetti Western movies, put them all into one 20- to 40-hour epic feature, and picture yourself in the starring role. Now you have some idea of what's waiting for you in Red Dead Redemption." Read the full review.
2011 | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Score: 9 | Review Date: November 10, 2011 | Written by: Kevin VanOrd "If you've played previous Elder Scrolls games, glitches and oddities don't come as a surprise. Nevertheless, Skyrim comes in a year graced with multiple quality RPGs that feature tighter combat, fewer bugs, better animations, and so forth. But to be fair, none of those games are endowed with such enormity. Yet The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim doesn't rely on sheer scope to earn its stripes. It isn't just that there's a lot to do: it's that most of it is so good. Whether you're slashing a dragon's wings, raising the dead back to life, or experimenting at the alchemy table, Skyrim performs the most spectacular of enchantments: the one that causes huge chunks of time to vanish before you know it." Read the full review.
2012 | Journey
Score: 9 | Review Date: March 2, 2012 | Written by: Jane Douglas "It's a real accomplishment that Journey draws together so many conventional game elements, and so well, and still feels like the art piece we expect from the makers of Flow and Flower: intriguing, ambiguous, and experimental. The game's length, two or three hours on the outside, is exactly right, letting you take in the whole experience in one session. Once you've completed it, you can dip back into favorite chapters, and even without the impact of unexpected reveals, it's uncommonly enthralling. Its deliberate ambiguity brings on the urge to speculate on deeper meanings, but meaning here is bound to be personal, and best discovered for yourself. Discover it you should." Read the full review.
2013 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Score: 9 | Review Date: November 14, 2013 | Written by: Martin Gaston "Though it can be bizarre to think that something so occasionally familiar can still be so fresh and engaging, A Link Between Worlds is itself a unique experience. There's a lingering sense that by this point Nintendo is just running victory laps around a set of mechanics they perfected decades ago but, at the end of the day, none of that matters: this is simply an absolute treat to play." Read the review.
2014 | Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Score: 8 | Review Date: September 25, 2014 | Written by: Kevin VanOrd "This is a great game in its own right, narratively disjointed but mechanically sound, made up of excellent parts pieced together in excellent ways. I already knew what future lay in store for Middle-earth as I played Shadow of Mordor; I'm hoping that my own future might one day bring another Lord of the Rings adventure as stirring as this one." Read the full review.
2015 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Score: 10 | Review Date: May 12, 2015 | Written by: Kevin VanOrd "Where the Witcher 2 sputtered to a halt, The Witcher 3 is always in a crescendo, crafting battle scenarios that constantly one-up the last, until you reach the explosive finale and recover in the glow of the game's quiet denouement. But while the grand clashes are captivating, it is the moments between conflicts, when you drink with the local clans and bask in a trobairitz's song, that are truly inspiring." Read the full review.
2016 | Overwatch
Score: 9 | Review Date: May 25, 2016 | Written by: Mike Mahardy "Overwatch is an exercise in refined chaos. There are multitudes of layers hiding beneath the hectic surface, and they emerge, one after another, the more you play. This is a shooter that knows how to surprise, one that unfolds at a frantic pace, one that takes a handful of great ideas, and combines them into something spectacular." Read the full review.
2017 | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Score: 10 | Review Date: March 2, 2017 | Written by: Peter Brown "No matter how gorgeous its environments are, how clever its enemies are, and how tricky its puzzles get, the fact that Breath of the Wild continues to surprise you with newfound rules and possibilities after dozens of hours is by far its most valuable quality. It's a game that allows you to feel gradually more and more empowered yet simultaneously manages to retain a sense of challenge and mystery--which, together, creates a steady, consistent feeling of gratification throughout the entire experience. Breath of the Wild is a defining moment for The Legend of Zelda series, and the most impressive game Nintendo has ever created." Read the full review.
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