By GameSpot Staff on Jan 12, 2018 11:31 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. In this gallery, we're looking ahead to the Nintendo games we're most excited about. If you're curious about the biggest games to play in 2018 on other platforms, check out our individual features highlighting the most anticipated PS4 games, Xbox One games, PC games, and Switch games. 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.
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 Kallie Plagge on Jan 12, 2018 09:30 pm
From Dragon Ball A To Dragon Ball Z
Even for the most passionate of Dragon Ball fans, there's a lot to keep track of. Outside of the manga and the anime and Funimation re-dubs and knowing what's canon, there are more video games based on Dragon Ball than most die-hard fans can probably even play. The upcoming Dragon Ball FighterZ is by Arc System Works, for example, but did you know that the developer made a few other Dragon Ball fighting games in the past? The original Dragon Ball manga began in 1984, and though the series wouldn't become popular in the West until the late 1990s, a few Dragon Ball games made their way outside Japan in the meantime. By the time the 2000s hit, Dragon Ball games came from every direction, sometimes multiple per year. This is the history of every Dragon Ball game released in the West in English. For more on Dragon Ball FighterZ, check out the full list of every confirmed fighter and the characters we hope to see come to the roster. Dragon Ball FighterZ releases for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on January 26.
That's Not Goku!
Dragon Power (NES, 1988) The first Dragon Ball game released in North America came out in 1988, though you probably wouldn't know it. Looking at the cover, you'd think Dragon Power is a generic kung fu-inspired game, but it's really a stripped-down version of the Japanese action-adventure game Dragon Ball: Shenron no Nazo. The characters' names as well as the music were changed for the NA release, and certain sexual references--mostly ones about panties, in keeping with the original Dragon Ball style of humor--were censored. While the original game loosely covered the first few volumes of the manga, in Dragon Power, the levels with the Kung-fu Tournament (the Tenkaichi Budokai) were removed. Unsurprisingly, the game was not very well-received. Every other Dragon Ball game made in the '80s was Japan-only, though not because of Dragon Power's missteps; it would be another decade before the West really began to care about Dragon Ball.
The Early 1990s Arrive...Decades Later
Dragon Ball Z: Super Butoden 2 (SNES, 1993; released in NA on 3DS Virtual Console in 2015) Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22 (PlayStation, 1995; released in NA in 2003) Skipping forward to the early '90s, Dragon Ball still hadn't made its way westward. Only two games from the first half of the decade, both fighting games, were localized in the West--albeit years later. Dragon Ball Z: Super Butoden 2 was originally released on the Super Famicom in 1993 and came to the North American 3DS Virtual Console 22 years later, in 2015. Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22 released on PlayStation in 1995 and arrived in NA in 2003.
Dragon Ball's Rise In North America
Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout (PlayStation, 1997) The first 3D Dragon Ball game, Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout, came out in 1997. It was also the last game based on the franchise to be released on the PlayStation. Every other Dragon Ball game from the '90s was either Japan-only or came to France and Spain, but not to the West in English (aside from the late releases mentioned earlier). In 1997, the Dragon Ball franchise was still relatively new to North America. The original Dragon Ball anime based on the earlier chapters of the manga had a few failed runs--an original "Lost Dub" in '89 and another dub in '95, both of which were canceled due to low popularity--before Funimation's re-dubbed version began airing in 2001. The first run of Dragon Ball Z, which was more popular and covers the later manga chapters, premiered on American TV in '96, came to Toonami in '98, and was re-dubbed by Funimation in 2005. Strangely, GT, the non-canon series on which Final Bout is based, didn't air in NA until 2003. After Final Bout, there wouldn't be another Dragon Ball game released on consoles until 2002. Since then, there has been at least one new Dragon Ball game every single year except for 2013.
Budokai Series Part 1
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai (PlayStation 2, 2002; GameCube, 2003) Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 (PlayStation 2, 2003; GameCube, 2004) Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 (PlayStation 2, 2004) Dragon Ball Z: Budokai HD Collection (PS3 and Xbox 360, 2012) Dragon Ball Z: Budokai released on PS2 in 2002, marking the beginning of an avalanche of Dragon Ball games. The Budokai fighting games are typical 3D fighters and follow the general Dragon Ball Z story. They include the ability to shoot Ki Blasts, and 3 introduced "Beam Struggles" (clashes of energy, like with a Kamehameha) between two characters. An HD collection including Budokai 1 and 3, but not 2, was released in 2012. The developer, Dimps, later worked on the Dragon Ball Xenoverse series.
The Legacy of Goku Series And More
Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku (Game Boy Advance, 2002) Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II (Game Boy Advance, 2003) Dragon Ball Z: Taiketsu (Game Boy Advance, 2003) Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury (Game Boy Advance, 2004) Dragon Ball GT: Transformation (Game Boy Advance, 2005) Around the same time as the debut of the Budokai series, developer Webfoot Technologies came out with Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku on Game Boy Advance. The action-RPG series, which also includes The Legacy of Goku 2 and Buu's Fury, received lukewarm reviews. Webfoot also made the fighting game Dragon Ball Z: Taiketsu and beat-'em-up Dragon Ball GT: Transformation, which was later bundled with Buu's Fury on the same cartridge.
Non-Fighting Handheld Games Part 1: GBC and GBA
Dragon Ball Z: Collectible Card Game (Game Boy Advance, 2002) Dragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors (Game Boy Color, 2002) Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure (Game Boy Advance, 2006) While console was dominated by the Budokai fighter series, the early 2000s saw an assortment of non-fighting Dragon Ball games on handheld. On top of The Legacy of Goku games, there was a version of the Dragon Ball CCG on the Game Boy Advance in 2002 (and of course there was a Dragon Ball CCG in 2002, when Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh cards were really taking off). There was also the turn-based Dragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors on Game Boy Color in 2002, which used in-game cards for attacks and items, and Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure, a beat-'em-up, in 2006.
Arc System Works' Supersonic Warriors Series
Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors (Game Boy Advance, 2003) Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 (DS, 2005) Arc System Works, best known for BlazBlue and Guilty Gear (and now Dragon Ball FighterZ), first made Dragon Ball fighting games in the early 2000s. Like Arc System Works' other games, the Supersonic Warriors series are 2D fighters, and they were received relatively well when they launched. In the games' story modes, you can play through individual characters' general story arcs from DBZ as well as what-if scenarios. Like Dragon Ball FighterZ, Supersonic Warriors features team fighting, where you can swap between two or three characters with their own health bars during the course of a fight.
The First American-Made Dragon Ball Game
Dragon Ball Z: Sagas (PS2, Xbox, and GameCube, 2005) In 2005, Dragon Ball Z: Sagas became the first and only Dragon Ball game to be released on the original Xbox. It was also the first American-made Dragon Ball game. Unfortunately, critics didn't particularly like it; GameSpot's review calls it "a short, ugly, slightly buggy, and brain-dead beat-'em-up that all but nullifies the good work of the Budokai games." Oops.
Super Dragon Ball Z
Super Dragon Ball Z (PlayStation 2, 2006) A year later, Super Dragon Ball Z released on PS2. Not to be confused with Dragon Ball Super, Super Dragon Ball Z is a cel-shaded 2.5D fighter that draws more heavily from the manga in its art direction. It was better received than Sagas and plays more like a '90s Capcom fighter than the Budokai series.
Budokai Tenkaichi Series Part 1
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi (PlayStation 2, 2005) Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PlayStation 2 and Wii, 2006) Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (PlayStation 2 and Wii, 2007) Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi released on PS2 in 2005, but the name is a bit misleading. The Budokai Tenkaichi series of fighting games is actually very different from the Budokai series; it uses a completely different engine and an over-the-shoulder camera perspective, and different forms (Super Saiyan versus Super Saiyan 2, for example) are treated as separate characters with distinct stats and movesets. And while the Budokai games were developed by Dimps, the Budokai Tenkaichi games are by Spike Chunsoft. The name "Budokai Tenkaichi" is a rearranged version of "Tenkaichi Budokai," a martial arts tournament in the Dragon Ball series. For some reason, they switched around "Tenkaichi Budokai" as if it were a Japanese name, even though it's not a name. It roughly translates to "Strongest Under the Heavens Martial Arts Tournament." In Japan, the series is called Dragon Ball Z: Sparking. The first Budokai Tenkaichi game is now a Greatest Hits title for PlayStation. Budokai Tenkaichi 2 and 3 are two of only three Dragon Ball games released on the Wii in North America.
Budokai Series Part 2
Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai (PSP, 2006) Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road (PSP, 2007) Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit (PS3 and Xbox 360, 2008) Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World (PlayStation 2, 2008) The Budokai series continued into the late 2000s. It made its way to handheld for the first time with Shin Budokai and Shin Budokai - Another Road. Burst Limit dropped the Beam Struggles mechanic introduced in Budokai 3, and Infinite World included Dragon Ball GT characters, since GT had been fully localized and released in North America for a few years. Infinite World was also the last Dragon Ball game released on the PS2.
Non-Fighting Handheld Games Part 2: DS
Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu (DS, 2007) Dragon Ball: Origins (DS, 2008) Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans (DS, 2009) Dragon Ball: Origins 2 (DS, 2010) Continuing the trend of the early 2000s, while Dragon Ball fighting games dominated consoles, the Nintendo DS had some genre variety. Harukanaru Densetsu and Attack of the Saiyans are RPGs, while the Origins games are action-adventures. Most notably, the Origins series is based on the early manga chapters and Dragon Ball anime, whereas most Dragon Ball games in the West adhere more closely to Dragon Ball Z.
Dragonball Evolution
Dragonball Evolution (PSP, 2009) Dragonball Evolution, a 2009 PSP game based on the widely disliked live-action film, is technically part of the Budokai series. Like the movie, the game was universally panned; GameSpot's review calls it "a cheap cash-in attempt that does a disservice to Dragon Ball fans everywhere." On the bright side, it's also the first Dragon Ball game to offer Bulma as a playable character.
Budokai Tenkaichi Series Part 2
Dragon Ball: Raging Blast (PS3 and Xbox 360, 2009) Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 (PS3 and Xbox 360, 2010) Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team (PSP, 2010) Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi (PS3 and Xbox 360, 2011) Spike Chunsoft continued its Budokai Tenkaichi series into the early 2010s, though with different (and probably less confusing) titles. The Raging Blast games, which include Ultimate Tenkaichi (okay, so this is still kind of confusing) were the first on the seventh-generation consoles. It was around this time, however, that the Dragon Ball fighting game fatigue really set in; GameSpot's review of Tenkaichi Tag Team quips, "This fighting system is almost as tired as references to 'It's over 9000!'"
The Only Wii-Exclusive One
Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo (Wii, 2009) The only Wii-exclusive Dragon Ball game, Revenge of King Piccolo, is an arcade-style beat-'em-up and platformer. It retells the Red Ribbon Army and early Piccolo Daimao story arcs from the kid-Goku era of the manga, and it was considered a kids' game with little to offer outside of an introduction to Dragon Ball and beat-'em-up basics.
RIP Kinect
Dragon Ball Z: For Kinect (Xbox 360, 2012) Just as Dragonball Evolution was a sour note on the Budokai series, Dragon Ball Z: For Kinect was a poor addition to the Budokai Tenkaichi series. Specifically, GameSpot's review notes the "sheer mind-numbing repetitiveness of the game" and "erratic motion sensing." RIP Kinect.
Battle of the Gods Promotion
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z (PS3, Xbox 360, and Vita, 2014) Action game Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z released in 2014 as a tie-in with the film Battle of the Gods. It marked the first video game appearance of Goku's Super Saiyan God form as well as the characters Beerus and Whis. And, like quite a few Dragon Ball games in the early 2010s, Battle of Z was critically panned. GameSpot's review is particularly negative: "Every moment in Battle of Z is a struggle--not to overcome challenges, but simply to enjoy the game."
Dragon Ball...On Mobile!
Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle (Mobile, 2015) While Japan got quite a few Dragon Ball games on mobile, North America got only one: Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle. It's a free-to-play, card-based puzzle fighter that reached 15 million downloads in three months in Japan alone.
Xenoverse Series
Dragon Ball Xenoverse (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC, 2015) Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (PS4, Xbox One, and PC, 2016; Switch, 2017) After the Budokai series, developer Dimps worked on the Xenoverse games. While Xenoverse didn't get the highest review scores, GameSpot's review calls it "the most interesting and involved Dragon Ball game in years." Maybe that was a low bar in 2015, but it was also a turning point for Dragon Ball games leading into the next few years, and in 2016 our Xenoverse 2 review said it it is "among the best games to emerge from this beloved franchise." (It was rated "good" on GameSpot's scale.)
Arc System Works' Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden
Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden (3DS, 2015) Arc System Works returned to the Dragon Ball fighting game scene in 2015 with Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden on 3DS. It coincided with the 3DS Virtual Console release of 1993's Super Butoden 2 and otherwise isn't that notable.
Dragon Ball Fusions
Dragon Ball Fusions (3DS, 2016) Unlike a lot of Dragon Ball games, 2016 RPG Dragon Ball Fusions follows a customizable protagonist. Like many of the games before it, Fusions received mixed-to-average reviews. GameSpot's review says: "If the progression felt a bit less stilted and fights weren't drawn out, repetitive affairs, this would be one of the strongest Dragon Ball games out there. Alas, just like Hercule in the series, Dragon Ball Fusions postures and promises more than it actually delivers."
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Dragon Ball FighterZ (PS4, Xbox One, and PC, 2018) 44 games later, the next Dragon Ball game is almost here: Arc System Works' Dragon Ball FighterZ. The 2D fighter follows a 3v3 format similar to more recent Marvel vs. Capcom games. It will feature a new story mode that seems to take place sometime after the Universe 6 Saga, and it also introduces a brand new character, Android 21.
By Array on Jan 12, 2018 05:12 pm
With the inaugural season of Overwatch League getting underway, Blizzard has released a new update for Overwatch on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Among a variety of other things, it adds a huge number of skins to the game--312, to be precise. Each of the game's 26 characters receives 12 new skins, each themed around one of the dozen teams participating in Overwatch League's first season. Unlike typical skins, you won't be grinding loot boxes in order to get your hands on these. Instead, they're sold with a newly introduced currency, League Tokens. Skins are sold individually for 100 Tokens. You'll receive 100 for free just by logging in before February 13, but past that point, you'll need to pay up. Doing so isn't cheap: 100 Tokens cost $5, although higher-priced bundles (ranging up to $100 for 2,600) will bring down the dollar-to-Token ratio. Still, amassing a complete set will run you in the neighborhood of $1,200. In the event that seems unreasonable to you, we've amassed a collection of screenshots showcasing all of the new skins. You can see all of these in the gallery above. Overwatch League Season 1's first matches began on January 10. The competition will go on for six months, with champions being named later this year. For much more on what to expect, check out our rundown on how to watch Overwatch League, a roundup of all the Overwatch League teams and rosters, and a recap of everything you need to know.
By GameSpot Staff on Jan 12, 2018 07:34 am
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 curious about the biggest games to play in 2018 on other platforms, check out our individual features highlighting the most anticipated PS4 games, Xbox One games, and PC games. You can also check out our feature focusing on the biggest games to play 2018 in general. 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.
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.
Dark Souls Remastered
We only know one thing about this Switch port of Dark Souls: it's coming out on May 25.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Continuing the tradition of updated Wii U games that get Switch ports like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Pokken Tournament DX, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is due out for Switch on May 4. The game will add a new playable character, Funky Kong, who introduces his own unique twist on the original's platforming gameplay.
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.
Mario Tennis Aces
A new Mario Tennis game from developer Camelot--the team behind the GBA game Golden Sun as well as numerous other Mario sports titles--is heading to Switch this Spring. It will be the first Mario Tennis game to include a story mode Mario Tennis: Power Tour on GBA.
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 Again 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 Again 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.
The World Ends With You
Stretching into the Nintendo DS' back catalog, the cult hit The World Ends With You is getting a re-release on Switch. The game will let you choose from either touchscreen or traditional controls, and it will include a "sizeable new scenario." No specific release date was announced, but the game will be available sometime this year.
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 Michael Higham on Jan 12, 2018 05:07 am
Retro-bit Bringing Back Original Sega Controllers
Retro-bit Bringing Back Original Sega Controllers
Retro-bit is known for bringing back old-school gaming with its own twist, but this year the company partnered with Sega to give us modern versions of controllers from the past. Wireless models of the Sega Genesis, Saturn, and Dreamcast controllers that are compatible with the original consoles were on display at the Consumer Electronics Show this year. And while price, release date, and exact specs have yet to be determined, we got a closer look at them.
Sega Genesis Bluetooth Wireless Controller
Sega Genesis Bluetooth Wireless Controller
The Bluetooth wireless Sega Genesis controller still has the six face buttons and eight-way directional pad. These are compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, and a separate dongle will let you use them with the old consoles.
Genesis Bluetooth Receiver
Genesis Bluetooth Receiver
This is the separate Bluetooth receiver that makes the wireless controller work with the original Sega Genesis and Sega Mega Drive consoles.
Sega Genesis USB Arcade Pad
Sega Genesis USB Arcade Pad
There will also be a wired USB version, and although it wasn't on display out of the box, we got to see it at CES.
Sega Saturn Bluetooth Wireless Controller
Sega Saturn Bluetooth Wireless Controller
When it comes to Saturn controllers, the Bluetooth wireless model stole the show. It's compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. A separate Bluetooth receiver makes it possible to use this controller on the original Sega Saturn.
Sega Saturn Bluetooth Wireless Controller Box
Sega Saturn Bluetooth Wireless Controller Box
Sega Saturn Wired USB Controllers
Sega Saturn Wired USB Controllers
Three color schemes for the wired USB Sega Saturn controllers were showcased: white, grey, and black.
The Grey Saturn Controller
The Grey Saturn Controller
The White Saturn Controller
The White Saturn Controller
The Black Saturn Controller
The Black Saturn Controller
Sega Dreamcast Controllers
Sega Dreamcast Controllers
Last but not least, Retro-bit gave the modern treatment to Sega Dreamcast controllers. Wired USB and Bluetooth wireless versions will be available with the original white color scheme, while the black version appears to only be for the original console. A Bluetooth adapter will also make the wireless version compatible with the Dreamcast.
The Black Dreamcast Controller Box
The Black Dreamcast Controller Box
The White Dreamcast USB Controller Box
The White Dreamcast USB Controller Box
By Alessandro Fillari on Jan 12, 2018 04:31 am
Which team are you rooting for?
With the upcoming season of Overwatch League kicking off on January 10, there's much anticipation brewing from esports enthusiasts and casual fans of Blizzard's popular hero shooter. Coming off of the successful pre-season, which ended this past December, the 12 teams from across the globe will vie to stake their claim for the top spot of Overwatch League, culminating in the eventual playoffs later this year. In this gallery, we'll run down the current teams and rosters set for this season of Overwatch League. From across the globe, many players will represent several teams from Pacific and Atlantic divisions, where they'll compete in several games with rival squads, and work their way up the ladder. For more info on the competition, check out our guide on everything you need to know about Overwatch League and how to watch Overwatch League. There are also new team skins to get your hands on.
Boston Uprising (Atlantic Division)
Owned by Robert and Jonathan Kraft of the New England Patriots, the Boston Uprising's name is inspired by the history of the city they represent, and the role it played during the American Revolution. Channeling a spirit of determination and resilience, the team functions on a balanced and dynamic skill-set that has strong defensive and support play.
The Players:
DreamKazper (Jonathan Sanchez) | Assault GamsuYoung (Jin Noh) | Defense Snow (Mikias Yohannes) | Healer NotE (Lucas Meissner) | Defense Neko (SeHyun Park) | Healer Avast (Connor Prince) | Healer STRIKER (Namju Gwon) | Assault Kalios (WooYul Shin) | Defense Mistakes (Stanislav Danilov) | Assault Kellex (Kristian Keller) | Healer
Dallas Fuel (Pacific Division)
Inspired by the state of Texas and its commitment as the energy sector of the country, and as strong as its competitive gaming community, the Dallas Fuel aims to bring that same drive to the Overwatch League. Owned by Team EnVyUs--the same group behind successful esports teams from League of Legends, StarCraft, and Counter-Strike--the operators of the Dallas Fuel are looking to make their mark within Overwatch League, just as they've done in other games. The Players: Chipshajen (Sebastian Widlund) | Healer HarryHook (Jonathan Tejedor Rua) | Healer Mickie (Pongphop Rattanasangchod) | Flexible xQc (Félix Lengyel) | Defense Seagull (Brandon Larned) | Flexible Taimou (Timo Kettunen) | Assault Custa (Scott Kennedy) | Healer cocco (Christian Jonsson) | Defense EFFECT (Hyeon Hwang) | Assault
Florida Mayhem (Atlantic Division)
Referencing their "explosive" playstyle, along with the Sunshine State's colorful and energetic vibe, the Florida Mayhem is a team made up of players who have found common ground disrupting the competition's plans. Owned by Misfit Gaming, the organization has already made an impact within Overwatch's competitive community, and they aim to go bigger within the Overwatch League. The Players: Manneten (Tim Bylund) | Flexible Logix (Andreas Berghmans) | Assault Zebbosai (Sebastian Olsson) | Healer CWoosH (Johan Klingestedt) | Flexible TviQ (Kevin Lindström) | Assault Zuppeh (Aleksi Kuntsi) | Healer
Houston Outlaws (Pacific Division)
As the second Texas-based team, the Houston Outlaws focus on taking the fight to their enemies, and doing it in their own ruthless style. With backing from OpTic Gaming, the same group that's made a name for itself in League of Legends and Counter-Strike competitions, this team brings a number skilled players that focus on quick and decisive acts to gain the upper hand against their opponents. The Players: Muma (Austin Wilmot) | Defense Bani (Christopher Benell) | Healer Clockwork (Matthew Dias) | Assault Mendokusaii (Lucas HÃ¥kansson) | Assault Boink (Daniel Pence) | Healer LiNkzr (Jiri Masalin) | Assault SPREE (Alexandre Vanhomwegen) | Assault Rawkus (Shane Flaherty) | Healer Jake (Jake Lyon) | Assault Coolmatt (Matt Iorio) | Defense
London Spitfire (Atlantic Division)
Named after the legendary British fighter planes flown during World War II's most intense battles, the London Spitfire channels that same intensity and resilience to overcome mounting pressure from their foes. Owned by Cloud9, this team is looking to make their mark within their division, while trailblazing their way to the top of the global league. The Players: Gesture (Jae-Hui Hong) | Defense birdring (Ji-Kyeok Kim) | Assault Fissure (Chan-Hyung Baek) | Defense Bdosin (Seung-Tae Choi) | Healer NUS (Jong-Seok Kim) | Healer Hooreg (Dong-Eun Lee) | Assault Rascal (Dong-Jun Kim) | Assault Fury (Jun-Ho Kim) | Fleixable HaGoPeun (Hyeon-Woo Jo) | Healer WooHyaL (Seung-Hyun Seong) | Flexible Profit (Jun-Young Park) | Assault Closer (Won-Sik Jung) | Healer
Los Angeles Gladiators (Pacific Division)
As one of two teams representing Los Angeles, the Gladiators are the polar opposite to its rival the Valiant. Owned by Stan and Josh Kroenke of the LA Rams, the Los Angeles Gladiators bring ferocity and a strong-sense of competition to their games, which they plan to bring all the way to the top of the global ladder within the Overwatch League. The Players: Asher (Jun-Sung Choi) | Assault Surefour (Lane Roberts) | Assault iRemiix (Luis Galarza Figueroa) | Defense Bischu (Aaron Kim) | Flexible Shaz (Jonas Samuel Suovaara) | Healer Hydration (Joao Pedro Veloso de Goes Telles) | Assault BigGoose (Benjamin Ville Aapeli Isohanni) | Healer
Los Angeles Valiant (Pacific Division)
Representing Los Angeles along with the Gladiators, the Valiant go about achieving their goals a bit differently compared to their city rival. Owned by the eSports team Immortals, the Valiant represents the ideals of Los Angeles being the city where imagination and hard work can make your dreams into reality. With much on the line this season, the Valiant are looking to realize their goals and overcome the competition. The Players: Silkthread (Ted Wang) | Assault Grimreality (Christopher Schaefer) | Assault Kariv (Young-Seo Park) | Healer Fate (Pan-Seung Koo) | Defense Verbo (Stefano Disalvo) | Healer Envy (Kang-Jae Lee) | Flexible Space (Indy Halpern) | Flexible Numlocked (Sebastian Barton) | Defense Unkoe (Benjamin Chevasson) | Healer Agilities (Brady Girardi) | Assault Soon (Terence Tarlier) | Assault
New York Excelsior (Atlantic Division)
Channeling the spirit of optimism, hope, and perseverance, the New York Excelsior brings the Big Apple's charm and attitude to their team's overall dynamic. Under ownership of Sterling VC, the team focuses on keeping their momentum going, even under mounting pressure. Excelsior is latin for "ever upward," and with the group seeking to reach the top spot of the global league, the team repping New York looks to keep their spirits high as they gun it for the lead. The Players: Saebyeolbe (Jong-Ryeol Park) | Assault Meko (Tae-Hong Kim) | Defense Pine (Do-Hyeon Kim) | Flexible Janus (Jun-Hwa Song) | Defense Jjonak (Seong-Hyun Bang) | Healer Mano (Dong-Gyu Kim) | Defense Libero (Hae-Seong Kim) | Assault Ark (Yeon-Jun Hong) | Healer
Philadelphia Fusion (Atlantic Division)
Owned by Comcast Spectacor, the Philadelphia Fusion have a lot to prove this upcoming season. Due to several issues, the team had to miss out on the pre-season. Without the chance to get a feel for the competition, the players will have to play catch-up with the rest of the league. Despite this, the Fusion features a number of promising players, who plan to bring the spirit of Philadelphia--with the city's innovative and diverse charm--into their team dynamic. The Players: Joemeister (Joseph Gramano) | Healer Boombox (Isaac Charles) | Healer Carpe (Jae-Hyeok Lee) | Assault Snillo (Simon Ekström) | Assault fragi (Joona Laine) | Defense Eqo (Josue Corona) | Assault ShaDowBurn (Georgii Gushcha) | Assault Neptuno (Alberto González Molinillo) | Healer DayFly (Jeong-Hwan Park) | Healer Hotba (Hong-Jun Choi) | Flexible Poko (Gael Gouzerch) | Flexible SADO (Su-Min Kim) | Defense
San Francisco Shock (Pacific Division)
Owned by NRG esports, the San Francisco Shock is the third team repping California along with the Los Angeles Gladiators and Valiant. Representing a balance between the old and new ways--balancing brute force with long-range action--the San Francisco Shock keeps the action up-close and personal, while making sure the frontline stays in top form. The Players: super (Matthew DeLisi) | Flexible BABYBAY (Andrej Francisty) | Assault sinatraa (Jay Won) | Assault sleepy (Nikola Andrews) | Healer Danteh (Dante Cruz) | Assault dhaK (Daniel Martinez Paz) | Healer Nomy (David Lizarraga Ramirez Osmar) | Defense iddqd (André Dahlström) | Assault Nevix (Andreas Karlsson) | Flexible
Seoul Dynasty (Pacific Division)
South Korea is no stranger to the esports phenomenon. With games like StarCraft and League of Legends already a pastime in the country, even landing several players sponsorships and spots on billboards, the country's passion for esports has had a major influence on the evolution of the medium as we know it. With Overwatch League, the team known as Seoul Dynasty--owned by KSV esports--is looking to dominate the competition and show that South Korea's passion for esports is still going strong. The Players: Bunny (Jun-Hyeok Chae) | Assault Miro (Jin-Hyuk Gong) | Defense XepheR (Jae-Mo Koo) | Flexible gido (Gi-Do Moon) | Flexible Wekeed (Seok-Woo Choi) | Assault Munchkin (Sang-Beom Byun) | Assault ZUNBA (Joon-Hyeok Kim) | Flexible KuKi (Dae-Kuk Kim) | Defense tobi (Jin-Mo Yang) | Healer ryujehong (Je-Hong Ryu) | Healer FLETA (Byung-Sun Kim) | Assault
Shanghai Dragons (Pacific Division)
With China becoming a bigger player in the competitive gaming scene, the Shanghai Dragons are looking to make their mark in the new Overwatch League. As one of the country's most popular games, Overwatch represents a major foothold for the Chinese competitive gaming scene. Under ownership of Chinese internet company NetEase, the Shanghai Dragons have a strong balance of support, defense, and offense skills, the team aims to make the top spot theirs. The Players: Freefeel (Peixuan Xu) | Healer Xushu (Junjie Liu) | Defense Fiveking (Zhaoyu Chen) | Healer Altering (Yage Cheng) | Healer Undead (Chao Fang) | Assault MG (Dongjian Wu) | Defense Roshan (Wenhao Jing) | Defense Diya (Weida Lu) | Assault
By Matt Espineli on Jan 12, 2018 12:43 am
A Growing Library Of Exclusives.exe
With the release of the Xbox One X last year, Microsoft managed to enhance its latest and a few pre-existing games with upgraded visuals. However, the publisher's roster of exclusives in 2017 was small. Fortunately, Microsoft is kicking off this year with a solid array of exclusive triple-A and independent games. With so many great-looking games coming to the console that you won't find anywhere else, we've compiled a list of all the exclusive games coming to Xbox One in the coming months. Make sure to check back often, as we'll continue to update our entries with specific dates and info when new announcements are made. It's worth noting that some of the games you see this gallery are also on PC. Given Microsoft's Play Anywhere program and the company's hand in both console and PC gaming, these games have been included. There's also a wealth of exciting games coming out in 2018 that aren't necessarily exclusive to one platform or another, so be sure to check out our individual features highlighting the most anticipated PS4 games, Xbox One games, PC games, and Switch games for a broader look at the year ahead.
Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves is the first original, non-Kinect game by iconic developer Rare in years. It's a first-person multiplayer action-adventure game that allows you to live out the life of a pirate with your friends. You'll be able to work together to navigate the sea by ship while hunting down treasure and fending off competing players. Developer: Rare | Release Date: March 20 | Watch the Trailer
Ashen
Ashen is an action-RPG where you play a wanderer in search of a place to settle. However, the game's hostile world filled with malicious scavengers and deadly creatures ensures you won't stay in one place for long. Ashen challenges you to explore the world, create settlements, and seek out other adventurers to join you and improve your chances of survival. Developer: Aurora44 | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Black Desert Online
The incredibly popular PC MMORPG Black Desert Online is making its way onto Xbox One this year as a timed-exclusive. Thanks to the power of the Xbox One X, the upcoming console port can be played in 4K. Developer: Pearl Abyss | Release Date: Early 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Crackdown 3
Crackdown 3 is an open-world action-adventure game that has you stopping crime in a futuristic city where everything is destructible. Its main protagonist is voiced by famous actor, Terry Crews (White Chicks, Idiocracy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine). Developer: Sumo Digital, Reagent Games, Ruffian Games, and Cloudgine | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic is a first-person cooperative sci-fi shooter where up to four players explore procedurally generated, destructible environments to complete a variety of missions. As a team of Dwarven space miners, you work together to blow up cave walls and mow down enemies. Developer: Ghost Ship Games | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
The Darwin Project
The Darwin Project is a third-person competitive multiplayer battle royale game with an emphasis on survival. In order to win, you must endure extreme weather conditions, while tracking opponents and setting up traps. Developer: Scavenger Studio | Release Date: TBA 2018
The Last Night
The Last Night is a 2.5D cinematic platformer where you play as Charlie, a lower-class citizen in a society where computers and machinery have taken over menial work. You explore the city, talk with its various inhabitants, and discover its secrets. Developer: Odd Tales | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
State of Decay 2
State of Decay 2 is a multiplayer zombie survival game featuring an open-world environment and co-op gameplay with up to three other players. Unlike the original, the game allows you to control anyone in your crew of survivors, who each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Developer: Undead Labs | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Recent Articles:
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment