By Oscar Dayus on Mar 13, 2018 11:36 pm
Rainbow Six Siege has evolved repeatedly over its two-and-a-bit-year life, and as it heads into its third year of DLC it's about to change again. Operation Chimera is nearly upon us--as is the new Outbreak co-op mode--bringing two new Operators and more. In addition, lots of the game's Operators are going free for those who purchase the Standard Edition or above, so you'll soon have many more characters to choose from. With that in mind, you might be wondering who to play as. For those still new to Siege or planning to pick it up soon, check out our guide on the best Operators for Rainbow Six Siege beginners. For the best Operators for advanced players, meanwhile, you're already in the right place. Of course, you'll likely have your own opinions and we'd love to hear them in the comments below. For more info on Rainbow Six Siege, including our time with the game-changing Chimera expansion, check out our coverage on GameSpot.
Thermite (Attack)
Thermite's ability--a special breaching charge that can penetrate reinforced walls--make him an excellent attacking Operator. His two explosives make holes big enough to walk through, so you can make your own entry points into objective rooms. And even if you don't intend to enter an objective this way, it's a great way of distracting a defensive team. On top of that, he comes with a capable loadout. His M1014 shotgun is excellent at close-range, and is fast and great from the hip. His 556xi rifle on the other hand carries little recoil and excels at range.
Hibana (Attack)
Your other option for breaking through reinforced walls is Hibana. Her X-Kairos pellets can burn through metal walls and create openings for you to peek through. She has the advantage over Thermite of ranged breaching, and she gets three clusters of pellets to Thermite's two, so you can punch more holes in the enemy defense. Hibana's ability is also less vulnerable to being Bandit tricked (more on that later). However, each cluster doesn't create a big enough window to walk through, so you'll have to use more than one if you want to make another entry point. Despite Hibana and Thermite having similar abilities, many pro league teams roll with both in their squad as they each have such a crucial role in any team, and one being killed could be the difference between a win and a loss if the other isn't there to take up the breaching mantle.
Mute (Defense)
For most situations, one of Mute or Bandit is essential. Each can prevent Thermite or Hibana charges from activating, destroying their devices in the process. In terms of pure ability, Mute is often the best pick as his jammers can cover two reinforced walls (rather than Bandit's one per shock wire) and can jam vertically, too, meaning you can prevent enemies from breaching hatches above you. Finally, standing near a Mute jammer has the added bonus of protecting you from Lion's new drone ability and from Dokkaebi's ringing phones. He has a respectable loadout with the MP5K sub-machine gun, along with a powerful but slow firing M590A1 shotgun. His nitro cell charge can also open up walls and kill attackers behind them, making Mute as versatile an anchor as any.
Bandit (Defense)
Bandit's shock wires can electrify Thermite and Hibana charges, and while you don't get as much coverage as with Mute's electric devices, you can perform the amazing (but annoying!) Bandit trick. This involves placing a shock wire device after hearing Thermite place one of his charges--doing so will destroy the charge while not leaving your device open to being deactivated by one of Thatcher's EMP grenades. Bandit also arguably has a better loadout than Mute: his MP7 SMG is more powerful than Mute's MP5K with a rapid rate of fire--just don't let its recoil get the better of you.
Mira (Defense)
Mira is one Operator who is great in conjunction with Bandit. Since her one-way mirrors allow you to see through a reinforced wall, Bandit can see when a Thermite charge is about to be placed, making Bandit tricking easier. Even without Bandit, she can be a hugely effective Operator: putting two black mirrors next to each other and popping the window of one allows you to see an enemy approaching, strafe to the side, and take them out quickly. Alternatively, you can place a mirror low on an unreinforced wall, spot an approaching enemy, and stand up to frag them through the penetrable board. Mira has the potential to hugely weaken an attacking force, but she can do more harm than good in the hands of an inexperienced player--popping the mirror at the wrong time or allowing an enemy Twitch drone to do so for you can pierce a huge hole in your own defense.
Thatcher (Attack)
Thatcher is just an old man who hates technology, so what better character to have wield EMPs? His grenades can deactivate any enemy electronic device in their vicinity, including Mute jammers and Bandit's shock wires. This means Thatcher is the perfect sidekick to any Thermite or Hibana and makes him a near-essential pick on Secure Area and Hostage. The Bandit trick is a problem, but good communication between Thatcher and Hibana or Thermite can mean you can outsmart the dastardly opponent. He's also one of the few Operators that still carries standard breaching charges, so he can directly help punch holes in an enemy defense.
Twitch (Attack)
The alternative to Thatcher is Twitch. Her shock drones are similarly capable of taking out enemy devices, including Mute jammers, Bandit's shock wires, and defender cameras. A recent nerf means she now only has five shocks per drone so you'll have to pick your targets carefully, but she remains a potent weapon in any attacking force. In addition, her F2 assault rifle is one of the most powerful in the game--if you have steady aim, you're in with a good shot of winning any 1v1 engagement.
Valkyrie (Defense)
What do you do if a Twitch drone takes out all your cameras? Just put more cameras down, of course! Valkyrie's black eyes can give you crucial bonus vantage points over an enemy approach. Placed inside an objective room, above a common chokepoint, or outside a building to catch attackers off-guard at the start of a round, the extra cams provide Siege's most important currency: information. Valkyrie has the potential to turn the tide in the defending team's favor, even after she dies, but she requires intricate map knowledge to be used effectively. You don't want a black eye put up right next to an existing camera or in a place no enemy will go.
Dokkaebi (Attack)
Dokkaebi has somewhat fallen out of favor with many Siege players--her M14 EBR is excellent at a distance but as soon as you get to Siege's close-quarters core, its semi-auto fire rate means it struggles. Nevertheless, her ability to make defenders' phones ring loudly is an interesting one that can provide vital information in an attack, while her camera hack is the perfect counter to Valkyrie. Ringing defender phones can not only let you know exactly where enemies are, but it also distracts them--move in at the exact moment they pause to turn their phone off and you have an easy kill. Getting access to enemy cameras is then just an added bonus. Dokkaebi isn't as important to a push as Thermite or Thatcher or Hibana, but provided you have those bases ticked, she can be an excellent support Operator.
Ash (Attack)
One box that should probably be ticked is Ash. Her ability isn't the most powerful in the game--ranged breaching charges are nice, but don't really allow you to do much that, say, Zofia or Hibana couldn't also do--but her R4-C assault rifle is one of the best in the game. In addition, she's tough to inflict damage upon as her hitbox is tiny and her being one armor/three speed means she can move quickly. Nevermind her mediocre ability: in the hands of an advanced player, Ash can win a round by herself.
Ela (Defence)
Similar to Ash, Ela's ability isn't actually that great. Her concussion mines can make the difference if the attackers are making a last-minute push, but often rounds don't even get to that stage, so it's rare you'll even be able to utilize their dizzying effects. Nevertheless, she remains one of the most popular Operators because--again, similar to Ash--her hitbox is small, her speed is lightning, and her gun is remarkable. The Scorpion Evo has a rapid rate of fire and a large magazine size to compensate. Ela is getting nerfed, but she'll no doubt still be an excellent roamer.
Smoke (Defence)
Smoke is another Operator who excels when time is running out for an attacking squad. On Secure Area or Hostage in particular, his gas canisters can block an attacking route for the other team--they either charge through into the unknown and get hurt in the process, or they must find another way in. Save his smoke grenades for the final few seconds of a round and it can almost guarantee a win. In addition, Smoke is one of the best Operators to counter Finka's powerful new ability. The adrenal surge the new Operation Chimera character comes equipped with speeds up allies' breathing, meaning they'll take more damage from Smoke's deadly fog of war.
Montagne (Attack)
With lots of highly mobile characters popular at present, shield Operators are a little out of favor in Siege's meta. While Montagne isn't always the best pick, situationally he can be near unstoppable. On Bomb in particular, he can simply sit on top of a planted defuser and protect it, whittling away time. When the other team finally manage to find a gap in his armor, they'll likely have run out of time. Just don't ever let your shield down. Seriously, he's useless otherwise.
By GameSpot Staff on Mar 13, 2018 11:35 pm
The Best of the Best
Rainbow Six Siege has undergone many changes in the time since its 2015 release. From adding new Operators, maps, and weapons--along with a number of gameplay balances and tweaks--the game has evolved into a remarkable online shooter with a passionate and dedicated audience. And now with the arrival of new content for Year 3, Rainbow Six Siege will make the original first 20 Operators free for players who purchase the Standard Edition starting on March 3; Keep in mind that Starter Pack players are limited to picking and choosing six Operators. Now is the perfect time to jump into Siege and take part in the intense close-quarters shoot-outs. Still, there are a number of things to consider before starting your career. And it all starts with picking the right Operator to invest to start with or invest towards. These are our best picks for Operators for anyone starting out in Rainbow Six Siege. From understanding how to be a solid attacker by utilizing weapons in a quick fashion, to knowing how to work on defense by keeping those barricades and traps up, these characters will help ease you into the fast-paced nature of the game. While you're often encouraged as a newcomer to choose Operators that make you less of a liability to your team, we are firm believers in learning as you go, so we've highlighted choices that reflect this mentality. Of course, you'll likely have your own opinions and we'd love to hear them in the comments below. For more info on Rainbow Six Siege, including our time with the game-changing Chimera expansion, check out our coverage on GameSpot.
Ash (Attack)
Ash is an extremely fast run-and-gun attacker who can open up walls at a range without risking a close encounter. Her R4-C has a high rate of fire and often wins 1:1 engagements with defenders generally faster firing SMGs. With her unique gadget--the M120 CREM--she can fire special Breaching Rounds, allowing her to bust open walls and destroy enemy contraptions. This is especially useful when against gadgets like barbed wire and deployable shields. This particular Operator is useful for when you need to strike through an enemy defense quickly.
Blackbeard (Attack)
Although not as strong as his old self due to several nerfs, Blackbeard's unique trait, the TARS MK 0 rifle shield, gives him a decisive advantage in 1:1 gunfights. He can effectively take several shots to the upper body without damage before his shield breaks. This added defense is especially evident if his lower body is behind indestructible objects such as windows and desks, doubling his protection.
He can be an essential character for entry into the first room of almost any map, as well as that last push against the enemy. Along with his shield comes the strong mid-range Mk17 CQB, and long range SR-25. Plus, he has an effective desert eagle.
Fuze (Attack)
Fuze is a bombastic attacker due to his reliance on explosives. His Cluster Charge is one of the most deadly gadgets in the game capable of downing multiple defenders, pushing the enemy team out of a room, or outright winning a match in the right circumstances. He has a versatile loadout that allows players to choose between a ballistic shield, AK-12, and 6P41 LMG with 100 rounds.
However, his explosive charges can be harmful to hostages, so be mindful of who's nearby when getting those charges ready.
Hibana (Attack)
Hibana is one of the A-list Operators in the Siege meta with her X-Kairos launcher, which can tear through reinforced walls. Along with Thermite, she's one of only two Operators who can prevent attacking teams from getting corralled through the opposing team's prepared death funnels. Her loadout also includes the Type-89 rifle and SuperNova shotgun, along with a selection of Stun Grenades and a Claymore--making Hibana a key support player as her team moves in.
Sledge (Attack)
Sledge is one of the best characters for beginners to learn the art of breaching, thanks in large part to his trusty hammer. It can break through walls, floors, and ceiling hatches. He's perfect for breach experimentation, especially when coupled with his L85A2 assault rifle, which is ideal for picking off people through cracks and holes in the environment. However, his hammer can break if you overuse it, so don't go too wild.
Thermite (Attack)
Thermite is a top tier Operator for Rainbow Six Siege. At launch, he was the only Operator capable of breaching reinforced walls with his Exo-Thermic Charge, and remains only one of two Operators that still can. Without Thermite (or Hibana), teams are forced to funnel through defenders' well planned traps and spaces on most maps, which makes him one of the more critical members of the team. His M1014 shotgun is excellent at close-range, and is fast and great from the hip. While his 556xi rifle on the other hand can be tricky to master, but has decent recoil and excels at range.
Zofia (Attack)
Zofia is an all around versatile Operator that you can't go wrong with. She can pick herself up from a downed state in a similar manner to Doc, carries around Claymore mines, and uses a double barreled grenade launcher that fires both concussive and impact rounds. However, be mindful of when you use her launcher, as hostages behind walls can be killed if used recklessly. She has both an LMG-E light machine gun and a M762 assault rifle. Making her a huge compliment to top tier Operators like Ash who can break through several walls and fight into a building at range.
Bandit (Defense)
Bandit is one of a handful of Operators that can counter Thermite's breach charges and one of the best power roamers with his MP7 sub-machine gun. His Shock Wire gadget can electrify metal objects, such as reinforced walls, deployable shields, and barbed wire--causing damage to attackers that touch them and destroying any gadgets placed on them. Using electrified barbed wire can also destroy drones in the scouting phase, buying defenders time. Bandit is a useful character when trying to counter the attacking team's tricks, especially when they're running special Operator combos (where two Operators use their skills in tandem) that can bust though barricades quickly.
Castle (Defense)
Castle is the only Operator who can place armor panels over standard doors and windows. In some situations, he can lock an attacking team out of a final hostage room if they have used all of their explosives. By bleeding the attackers of their breaching charges, burning off time from the game, and often preventing easy access from buildings interiors, there are several encounters where Castle can turn the tide.
Frost (Defense)
Frost is an all around solid character with good speed and defense. However, what places her above other defense characters is her useful gadget called the Sterling MK2 LHT "Welcome Mat", a large bear-trap that can pin enemy attackers to the ground. This gadget can end a round entirely if it's stepped on by the final remaining attacker. The mere presence of Frost can slow down an attacking force due to the fact that they have to watch their step all the way across the map. She also has a very strong SMG--the C1--that has a slow rate of fire but is incredibly accurate.
Lesion (Defense)
As part of a wave of trap focused defenders, Lesion's hard to spot GU Mines embed in attackers legs and do damage over time resulting in distraction and potential death. Like Frost, he can occasionally end a round with a well placed trap. The GU mines are especially effective when used against fast attackers, not only slowing them down, but also poisoning them. His T-5 SMG and SIx12 SD are reliable in a firefight, but he's at his best catching defenders by surprise.
Rook (Defense)
Rook is probably the best Operator for beginners. He's one of the few Operators who's basically never a bad pick; giving extra armor to your teammates is always useful, after all. Those armor packs allow you to take more body damage, but importantly they are a passive item, not active like the majority of Siege abilities. Once you've put the armor pack down for everyone to pick from, your job is done. You can then concentrate on learning the game and on getting kills. Bear in mind the armor won't protect you from headshots, which are always a one-hit kill in Siege.
Mute (Defense)
Mute is the essential defender for preventing reinforced walls from being breached by remotely detonated gadgets. His Signal Disruptors can jam enemy frequencies, resulting in their remote gadgets--such as breach charges and explosives--not working properly. He's the more direct counter to Thermite, and can shut down drones from scouting and finding objectives.
He has a respectable loadout with the MP5K sub-machine gun, along with a powerful but slow firing M590A1 shotgun. His nitro cell charge can also open up walls and kill attackers behind them.
By Kevin Wong on Mar 13, 2018 11:10 pm
From PlayStation to the big screen.
This Friday, March 16, Alicia Vikander steps into the role of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider, the third movie based on the fictional archaeologist. Only this time, instead of toting twin pistols, she's notching a bow and arrow. The most recent video games and film constitute a reboot, and they cover Lara's younger years, when she was more of a survivor than a matured heroine. But these aren't the first new interpretations the character's had over the years. Here's a brief history of Tomb Raider's Lara Croft from her humble beginnings to today.
24. Preliminary Sketch of Lara Croft
Date: 1995 Toby Gard was the creator of Lara Croft. Here is an early sketch of what would eventually become the famous English archaeologist. Gard originally envisioned her as a South American woman named Laura Cruz, and already, signature elements of her look--her arched eyebrows, her long braid--were in place. Her breasts were also notably smaller; they got much bigger during Tomb Raider's production phase, when Gard accidentally enlarged them by 150%. The rest of the team pushed to keep the alteration, and it stuck. Image Credit: Living Tomb Raider
23. Tomb Raider
Date: 1996 The original Tomb Raider is widely considered a classic game. It combined cinematic gameplay--the type that would later be co-opted by Uncharted--with atmospheric tension. Tomb Raider was an Indiana Jones adventure serial for a new generation, and Lara became an immediate gaming icon, prompting both praise and critical think pieces. But Gard left the series after this first installment. He was displeased with how Lara's sexuality was being marketed outside of the game; he wanted to work on her characterization. He would finally get that chance one decade later. Image Credit: Square Enix
22. Nathalie Cook
Date: 1996-1997 From the very beginning, Eidos hired real-life models to play Lara Croft in photoshoots and promotional live events. Nathalie Cook was the first of these models; prior to her job as Lara, she was a live-action Snow White for Disney. She wasn't given much direction about how to perform the character--just that she was supposed to be "badass" and "kick-ass." Image Credit: Square Enix
21. Tomb Raider II
Date: 1997 Despite lacking Gard's creative input, Tomb Raider II was the equal of its predecessor, and sold close to 8 million copies. The graphics were improved, the levels were more massive, and the puzzles were more abstract. With two critically acclaimed, commercially successful games under its belt, Eidos had a booming franchise on its hands. Image Credit: Square Enix
20. Rhona Mitra
Date: 1997-1998 The next real-life model Eidos hired to portray Lara was Rhona Mitra. She even released two albums in-character as Lara Croft, with the help of Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics. This was the era of Lara Croft saturation; several years later, the bubble would burst. Image Credit: Square Enix
19. Tomb Raider III
Date: 1998 Also critically and commercially successful, Tomb Raider III was criticized by some for adhering to the same formula. Still, when the formula is this solid, why tinker with it? Tomb Raider III was also far more difficult than its predecessors. The strategy guide was a near-necessary tool to success. Image Credit: Square Enix
18. Vanessa Demouy
Date: 1998 A French actress and model, Vanessa Demouy briefly served as the Lara Croft real-life model for a handful of appearances. She would be replaced by Nell McAndrew by the end of the year. Image Credit: VSD Magazine
17. Nell McAndrew
Date: 1998-1999 Nell McAndrew portrayed Lara until she was fired by Eidos for posing in Playboy and using the Tomb Raider name to market her appearance. Eidos filed and won an injunction against Playboy, who were ordered to cover up 'Tomb Raider' on their magazine's cover with a sticker. McAndrew would subsequently go on to become a fitness model and instructor. Image Credit: Square Enix
16. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation
Date: 1999 The Last Revelation was the last commercially successful Tomb Raider of the "first era." It sold 5 million copies, which is nothing to sneeze at. But as the fourth Tomb Raider game in only four years, both the Core Design team and the audience were getting burnt out. Hoping to pivot to a different project, the team "killed" Lara at the game's conclusion, much to the chagrin of blindsided executives. Image Credit: Square Enix
15. Lara Weller
Date: 1999-2000 Dutch lingerie model Lara Weller portrayed Lara throughout the Last Revelation marketing cycle. She made her first appearance in character at the 1999 E3 Expo. Image Credit: Square Enix
14. Tomb Raider: Chronicles
Date: 2000 Designer Andy Sandham referred to Chronicles as a "load of old s**t." The fifth Tomb Raider title in five years also came at the tail end of the Sony Playstation's life cycle; the developers were working off an old engine because there was no time to develop a new one. The game sold only 1.5 million copies; fans were no longer content with getting more of the same. Image Credit: Square Enix
13. Lucy Clarkson
Date: 2000-2002 Fashion and magazine model Lucy Clarkson became the new Lara Croft real-life model when she was 17 years old. Clarkson was instrumental to the Chronicles marketing campaign, and she stayed on afterwards for two-and-a-half years total--more than any Lara model before her. Image Credit: Square Enix
12. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Date: 2001 When Lara was set to make her big-screen debut, many actresses were considered for the role, including Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ashley Judd, and Denise Richards. The filmmakers ultimately chose Angelina Jolie. But despite signing an Oscar-winning actress, they didn't have the script to match. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was a critical disaster, though it made over $250 million worldwide. Jolie was key to that popularity. Image Credit: BBC Films
11. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness
Date: 2003 At last, we arrive at the worst Tomb Raider home console game of all time--so bad, in fact, that it nearly killed off the franchise. This was the first Tomb Raider game developed for the Playstation 2, and the developers bit off more than they could chew. They attempted to add RPG elements, melee combat, and stealth mechanics, but they ran out of time to do any of these well. The Angel of Darkness shipped with multiple bugs and a half-explained story, and multiple critics described the controls as dated, especially when compared to other next-gen offerings. Image Credit: Square Enix
10. Jill de Jong
Date: 2002-2004 Jill de Jong was the Lara Croft real-life model for the Angel of Darkness marketing cycle. After getting the role, de Jong worked with a choreographer to master some basic hand-to-hand combat, and she would flip men upside down as part of her public gig. Image Credit: Square Enix
9. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider -- The Cradle of Life
Date: 2003 Angelina Jolie's second stint as Lara Croft went better than her first stint, at least critically. The Cradle of Life received mixed reviews instead of uniformly negative ones, though it did not make as much money as its predecessor. Jolie had the option of playing Lara in a third film, but she declined, and the producers chose not replace her. Perhaps they knew they could not get another starring actress with the same wattage. This would be the last feature film in the Tomb Raider franchise for 15 years. Image Credit: BBC Films
8. Tomb Raider: Legend
Date: 2006 Legend was the first Tomb Raider game that Core Design did not develop. Instead, Crystal Dynamics took over development duties, and Lara creator Toby Gard returned as a creative consultant; his role eventually evolved to the point where he was a credited writer. Legend was a return to form for the franchise, and Lara's acrobatic fluidity was a vast improvement over prior games' controls. Image Credit: Square Enix
7. Karima Adebibe
Date(s): 2006-2008 One of the most popular and well-known Lara Croft real-life models, Karima Adebibe portrayed Lara for both the Legend and Anniversary marketing cycles. Not only did the Moroccan-Irish-Greek-English actress undergo basic combat training, but she also underwent etiquette and elocution lessons. Unlike many of the prior Laras, who were under Eidos orders to remain silent while in costume, Adebibe was expected to converse and interact in-character, which made her a popular media presence. Credit: Square Enix
6. Tomb Raider: Anniversary
Date: 2007 Coming on the heels of Legend, Anniversary was a extensive remake of the original 1996 game, with extended climbing sequences, animated cutscenes, and an updated Legend move arsenal. It received positive critical reviews though it was the least commercially successful Tomb Raider game, with 1.3 million copies sold. Credit: Square Enix
5. Tomb Raider: Underworld
Date: 2008 The final game in the Legend trilogy, Underworld bridged the gap between the PS3/Xbox 360 seventh generation and the PS2/Xbox sixth generation. Although the seventh generation iteration received positive reviews and praise, the older, sixth generation iteration was lambasted for its oversimplification. It would be another five years before Tomb Raider fans received a game that took full advantage of the seventh generation's processing power. Image Credit: Square Enix
4. Alison Carroll
Date: 2008-2010 Professional display gymnast and gymnastics coach Alison Carroll was the final official Lara Croft real-life model, and she represented the character during the Underworld marketing cycle. Eidos discontinued the job when they rebooted the franchise for the third time. Carroll is currently the founder and head coach of Lightning Gymnastics, and she still works with video games; she most recently performed motion capture work for Horizon Zero Dawn. Image Credit: Georges Seguin
3. Tomb Raider (reboot)
Date: 2013 The most recent franchise reboot goes back to Lara's earlier years, before she was a cool, calculated heroine. In Tomb Raider (2013), she's a young survivor from a shipwreck, and she goes through a gauntlet of physically grueling obstacles to rescue her friends and uncover the secrets of Yamatai island. Tomb Raider introduced Lara's bow and arrow, which have become as iconic as her twin pistols. The game also had a more realistic visual style than prior titles, and Lara's eyes-to-face ratio and body proportions reflected that. Image Credit: Square Enix
2. Rise of the Tomb Raider
Date: 2015 The most recent Tomb Raider game, Rise of the Tomb Raider, furthered Lara's character development and transplanted her to the frigid climate of Siberia. Rise took the revitalized formula established by its predecessor and deepened it. Now, there were crafting options and hunting options. There were also more tombs to explore, which was appropriate to the franchise's namesake. Another sequel, reportedly called Shadow of the Tomb Raider, will be released later this year. Image Credit: Square Enix
1. Tomb Raider (film)
Date: 2018 The new Tomb Raider (2018) film starring Oscar winner Alicia Vikander will release on March 16. It is clearly based off the latest "survivor" video game reboot. In the various trailers, we've seen Lara sporting both her signature bow and her climbing axe. And as she does in the Tomb Raider (2013) game, Vikander's Lara is also exploring a mysterious island off the coast of Japan. Early reviews are mixed. But hopefully, this film is the start of something greater. Image Credit: Warner Bros.
By Dan Auty on Mar 13, 2018 09:18 pm
2017 was a great year for movies, but 2018 is shaping up to be even better. Black Panther has already become a critical and commercial phenomenon, and there are another two Marvel movies to look forward to. The second Star Wars spin-off arrives in the shape of Solo: A Star Wars Story, which will focus on the early adventures of the iconic space smuggler, and Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in the sixth Mission: Impossible movie, Fallout. Beyond these big tentpole franchises, other crowd-pleasing favourites are set to return. There's more dinosaur action in the Jurassic World sequel, two more films in the X-Men universe, DC's Aquaman, and several movies from cinema's busiest star, Dwayne Johnson. Lara Croft returns to the screen, the first of Sony's Spider-Man spin-offs arrives in the shape of Venom, and we'll find out if there's life in the Predator franchise. So with more than nine months of the year to go, here's what to watch for in 2018...
Tomb Raider
While the previous two Tomb Raider movies were box office hits, neither are fondly remembered, and it's been 15 years since Lara Croft last appeared on a movie screen. But there are a number of reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming reboot. The film seems to be heavily influenced by the games--particularly the 2013 reboot--and star Alicia Vikander will bring some Oscar-winning clout to the lead role. Could this finally be the movie that breaks the cycle of terrible video game movie adaptations? Release date: March 16, 2018
Pacific Rim: Uprising
For a long time, it looked as if the Pacific Rim sequel wouldn't actually happen. The original film had a mediocre US box office performance, and despite its popularity overseas, the film was hit with a series of delays and changing personnel. But Pacific Rim: Uprising finally arrives in March. Director Stephen DeKnight is unlikely to bring the same level of dazzling visual artistry as Guillermo Del Toro, but with with Star Wars favorite John Boyega in the lead role and a whole new range of awesome Kaiju-killing Jaegers, Uprising should deliver some crowd-pleasing monster mayhem. Release date: March 23, 2018
Ready Player One
The acclaimed 2012 novel Ready Player One focuses upon a teenager who enters a virtual reality world to try to win the ultimate game, and it is packed with pop culture references to the 1980s. Who better to adapt the film version than Steven Spielberg, who defined '80s Hollywood as much as any filmmaker? The trailers released to date look spectacular, although don't expect to see much of Spielberg's own work in there. "I've cut most of my movies out," he said last year. "I was very happy to see there was enough without me that made the '80s a great time to grow up. I think one of the reasons I decided to make the movie was that it brought me back to the '80s and lets me do anything I want, except for with my own movies." Release date: March 30, 2018
A Quiet Place
This creepy-looking horror movie is the second film directed by former Office star John Krasinski (who will also be seen next year in Amazon's Jack Ryan reboot). It's got a great premise--a family forced to communicate using sign language to avoid some mysterious supernatural evil attracted to sound--and a seriously spooky trailer. Krasinski stars alongside his real-life wife Emily Blunt. Release date: April 6, 2018
Rampage
One of several movies that will star the ever-busy Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in 2018, this is an adaptation of the classic '80s arcade game. Johnson plays a scientist who must face dozens of huge, crazed mutated animals as they run amok across America. From the trailers so far it looks the wild stuff, as our hero does battle with marauding wolves, crocodiles, and gorillas. Rampage is directed by Johnson's San Andreas director Brad Peyton and also stars Naomie Harris, Malin Åkerman, Joe Manganiello, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Release date: April 20
Super Troopers 2
Hitting theaters on the very appropriate date of April 20, Super Troopers 2 is the crowd-funded sequel to the cult 2001 comedy. All the key members of the Broken Lizard comedy team return for this second movie, which sees the hapless Vermont troopers sent to the Canadian border, to a town that was thought to be Canadian soil but is actually part of the US. "We essentially have to impose US law on a bunch of Canadians that aren't at all happy about it," Broken Lizard member Paul Soter said about the movie. Release date: April 20
Avengers: Infinity War
Black Panther is amazing and Ant-Man and the Wasp looks like huge fun, but it's Avengers: Infinity War that promises to be the defining Marvel movie of 2018. The culmination of a decade of interconnected superhero storytelling, the movie will feature every major hero from the MCU to date in a fight to stop the evil Thanos and the universe-threatening Infinity Stones. Captain America: Civil War proved that directors Joe and Anthony Russo are adept at juggling multiple characters, and if the first trailer is anything to go by, this will easily be the most spectacular Marvel movie to date. Until Avengers 4 arrives in 2019 that is. Release date: May 4, 2018
Solo: A Star Wars Story
The second Star Wars spin-off has been marked by much behind-the-scenes turmoil, with original directors Chris Lord and Phil Miller being replaced during production by Ron Howard, leading to months of extensive reshoots. But last year's Rogue One emerged unscathed after similar production problems, and Howard is an experienced veteran of dozens of crowd-pleasing movies. The adventures of a young Han Solo is something that Star Wars fans have wanted to see for decades, and with a hugely talented supporting cast (Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Thandie Newton) backing up Alden Ehrenreich (Han) and Donald Glover (Lando), we're excited for this one. Release date: May 25, 2018
Deadpool 2
Deadpool was one of the 2016's biggest cinematic surprises--not only was it the most successful R-rated movie of all time, it outgrossed every other movie in the X-Men universe. So expectations are high for the sequel. The movie lost original director Tim Miller early on due to creative disagreements with star/producer Ryan Reynolds. But with John Wick co-director David Leitch on board and a cast that includes the return of Morena Baccarat, T.J. Miller, and Brianna Hildebrand, including the much-anticipated movie debuts of Josh Brolin's Cable and Zazie Beetz's Domino, everything is in place for bigger, badder, and more outrageous follow-up. The marketing campaign is already refusing to play by the rules; expect the movie to do the same. Release date: June 1, 2018
Ocean's Eight
The long-awaited reboot of the hit heist comedy series, Ocean's Eight showcases an all-female team, led by Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), sister of George Clooney's Danny Ocean from the previous trilogy. She assisted by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Helen Bonham Carter, Rihanna, and Mindy Kaling, and the first trailer suggests that it will match the fast-moving funny style of the earlier movies. It's directed by Gary Ross (The Hunger Games). Release date: June 8
The Incredibles 2
Pixar's long-awaited sequel to its 2004 superhero family smash The Incredibles was originally set for a 2019 release but having switched places with Toy Story 4, we now get it a whole year earlier. Although the first teaser gives little away, we do know a few plot details. At Disney's D23 convention this summer, director Brad Bird revealed that the movie take place immediately after the end of the first movie, and will focus more on Elastigirl's superhero adventures, while Mr. Incredible is now a stay-at-home dad, trying to deal with the increasingly powerful baby Jack-Jack. Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, and Samuel L. Jackson all reprise their roles, with Toy Story veteran John Ratzenberger playing the villainous Underminer. Release date: June 15, 2018
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Jurassic World wasn't just the fourth part in a series of big dinosaur movies; it was an absolute box office monster, and currently stands as the fourth biggest film of all time. For the follow-up, acclaimed Spanish filmmaker J. A. Bayona takes over from Colin Trevorrow, who remains on-board as producer and co-writer. Meanwhile Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard reprise their roles. Trevorrow has described the movie as a "Spanish horror thriller"(in reference to Bayona's earlier hit Mama) but most exciting is the return of Jeff Goldblum, who starred in Steven Spielberg's original Jurassic Park way back in 1993. Release date: June 22, 2018
Sicario 2: Soldado
The drug cartel thriller Sicario was one of the most gripping movies of recent years, and hopes are high for this follow-up. Director Denis Villeneuve and star Emily Blunt aren't returning, but the movie is in good hands. Director Stefano Sollima is best known for the brilliant Italian crime drama series Gomorrha, and Benicio Del Toro is set to reprise his role as a former undercover agent turned morally ambiguous enforcer Alejandro. This time the movie focuses on attempts by the CIA to incite an all-out war between rival drug gangs in Mexico; writer Taylor Sheridan has said that "if Sicario is a film about the militarization of police and that blending over, this is removing the policing aspect from it." Release date: June 29
The First Purge
The Purge series has proved to be one of the most successful horror franchises of recent years, and expectations are high for this fourth entry. The First Purge looks set to continue the mix of scares, action, and biting social commentary, and while we're yet to see any footage, the first poster certainly suggests that its satirical bite remains as strong as ever. As the title indicates, it's a prequel that looks at the creation of the single night of legalised crime known as The Purge. Release date: July 4
Ant-Man and The Wasp
The first Ant-Man was a welcome contrast to the likes of The Avengers and Captain America: Civil War. As much of a heist comedy as a superhero movie, it featured a winning lead role from Paul Rudd and put the emphasis much more on character and humor than huge CG-driven action sequences. With Avengers: Infinity War due in May, Ant-Man and the Wasp should be a good follow-up two months later. Evangeline Lily reprises her role as Hope Van Dyne, who now fights alongside Ant-Man as The Wasp, with Michael Douglas and Michael Pfeiffer as her parents. We don't know what direction the movie will go in this time, just that director Peyton Reed promises "an entirely different genre template." Release date: July 6, 2018
The Nun
James Wan's The Conjuring was one of most successful horror movies of recent years, inspiring not only a prequel, but two spin-offs focusing on spooky doll Annabelle. The latest movie in this horror series is The Nun. It's set before the other four movies in the series so far, and focuses on the investigation into the earlier life (and death) of Valak, the terrifying demon nun from The Conjuring 2. Wan co-wrote the screenplay, and it's directed by Corin Hardy, who previously helmed the acclaimed low-budget shocker The Hallow and is about to start shooting the remake of The Crow. Expect plenty of scares. Release date: July 13, 2018
Skyscraper
Another of Dwayne Johnson's 2018 action epics, this China-set thriller stars Johnson as a retired FBI hostage rescue agent who now works as a security assessor for the world's biggest skyscraper. While the first trailer doesn't reveal the specific dangers he must face while working in the world's most advanced building, we know they involve explosions, shooting, and lots of jumping. That said, it looks a bit less comedic than many of The Rock's other movies, as evidenced by the fact he has a prosthetic leg and a greying beard. All will be revealed in July. Release date: July 13
Mission Impossible 6: Fallout
The Mission: Impossible series might be more than 20-years old, but on-set injuries aside, star Tom Cruise shows no signs of slowing down. Fallout sees Rogue Nation's Chris McQuarrie return to the directors chair, with Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, and Alec Baldwin all reprising their roles from previous movies. Superman star Henry Cavill joins the cast, as does his controversial moustache. Expect plenty of insane action. Release date: July 27, 2018
The Predator
Although the original Predator is an '80s action classic, the movies that have followed have ranged from interesting but flawed (Predator 2) to completely terrible (Alien vs Predator). The Predator is writer/director Shane Black's attempt to get the franchise back on track. Black's impressive resume ranges from writing Lethal Weapon to directing Iron Man 3, and as a young actor he even had a role in original Predator. We're yet to see any footage from the movie, but the plot details we know so far suggest that it will focus upon a group of traumatised prisoners who do battle with Predators in a suburban setting. Black himself has said that he only agreed to make the film if he could do it on a big, blockbuster scale, while still delivering the sci-fi horror goods. Release date: August 3, 2018
The Meg
Based on the best-selling 1997 novel, this big-budget shark thriller has been in development for several years and finally arrives this summer. Expendables star Jason Statham plays an expert diver who faces off against a 70-foot monster shark which is causing mayhem off the coast of China. The recent shark movie The Shallows was a great small-scale thriller with a limited location, but with a budget in excess of $150 million, expect The Meg to deliver something way more spectacular. Release date: August 10
Slender Man
Slender Man is the fictional horror character that first appeared as a viral internet myth in 2009 and has gone onto become a notable part of modern pop culture. It's somewhat surprising that it's taken nearly a decade for an official Slender Man movie to be made, but 2018 finally sees Hollywood's take on this urban legend. The movie's first trailer makes it looks like a pretty traditional teen horror movie, with disappearing kids, freaky long-haired children, spooky woods, and lots of weird, quickly cut imagery. But there are plenty of horror fans who have been waiting a long time to see the character on screen, and director Sylvian White is not a newcomer to the genre, having previously directed such horror TV shows such as The Originals and Sleepy Hollow. Release date: August 24
Venom
Although the deal between Disney and Sony has ensured that Spider-Man is currently part of the former's Marvel Cinematic Universe, the movie right to the character ultimately remain with Sony. As a result, the studio is launching its own interconnected universe of characters from the canon of Spidey comic-books. Venom is first up; it stars Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, a photographer who ends up with superpowers after he is taken over by the alien parasite of title. It's directed by Zombieland's Ruben Fleischer, and the impressive supporting cast includes Michelle Williams, Woody Harrelson, and Riz Ahmed. Release date: October 4, 2018
X-Men: Dark Phoenix
There were rumours that after the relatively disappointing box office results of X-Men: Apocalypse, Fox was looking reboot the entire X-franchise. But that's proved not be the case, and all the regular cast are returning for the long awaited adaptation of the the classic Dark Phoenix storyline from Marvel's comic books. The story was tackled in a half-hearted way in 2006's X-Men: the Last Stand, but with the franchise's long-time writer/producer Simon Kinberg making his directing debut, hopes are the high that Dark Phoenix will really do the story justice. Release date: November 2, 2018
The Grinch
The classic Dr. Seuss story How the Grinch Saved Christmas was adapted into a hit Jim Carrey movie 18 years ago, and a new animated version hits the screen in November. Doctor Strange and Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch will provide the voice of the Holiday-hating title character, and the first trailer arrived last week. The movie was actually meant to be released last year, but the trailer is colourful and fun and the movie will hopefully be worth the wait. Release date: November 9
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
The Harry Potter series might have finished in 2011, but the wider movie universe goes from strength to strength. The success of 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them led to the announcement of a further four movies, the first of which arrives in November. Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander, with Jude Law as the young Dumbledore, who enlists the help of Newt to help defeat the dark wizard Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). David Yates directs once more, from a screenplay by Potter creator JK Rowling. Release date: 16 November 2018
Creed 2
While most thought that the legendary movie boxer Rocky Balboa had finally hung up his gloves, the 2015 spin-off Creed not only gave the character one of his finest movies, it paved the way for director Ryan Coogler to get the job of directing Marvel's wildly successful Black Panther. Coogler won't be back for the sequel, but star Michael B. Jordan is, once again playing the son of the original movies' Apollo Creed. Rocky creator and star Sylvester Stallone is back too, as both co-star and co-writer. Steven Caple Jr. directs this time, and it's rumoured that Creed 2 will bring back another iconic character from the original series--Rocky IV's Russian powerhouse Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren).
Release date: November 21
Ralph Breaks the Internet
The 2012 animated comedy Wreck-It Ralph was a critical and commercial hit, and the sequel arrives in November. It focuses on the arcade game villain-turned-hero of the title, who this time enters the internet after the arcade his game lives in goes online. John C. Reilly is the voice of Ralph, with Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Taraji P. Henson, and James Corden also part of the voice cast. Release date: November 21
Aquaman
The DC universe has had a bumpy ride so far, with only Wonder Woman connecting with both audiences and critics. But there's every reason to be hopeful that Aquaman could do the same. Director James Wan is a skilled genre operator, whether delivering crowd-pleasing horror (Saw, The Conjuring) or blockbuster action (Furious 7), and there's a killer cast that includes Patrick Wilson, Willem Defoe, Nicole Kidman, and '80s action icon Dolph Lungren, plus Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Amber Heard as Mera. Wan recently debunked the rumour that the film would be overstuffed with multiple villains, and promises an "emotional and powerful" origin movie. Release date: December 21
By GameSpot Staff on Mar 13, 2018 04:32 am
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 all the biggest new games coming to PC. 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 Switch games. You can also check out our feature focusing on the biggest games to play 2018 in general. Of course, there's also an assortment of exclusives coming in 2018. Check out our features on Xbox One exclusives, PS4 exclusives, PC exclusives, and Switch exclusives.
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.
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.
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.
By GameSpot Staff on Mar 13, 2018 04:29 am
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. Click ahead to check out all the biggest new games coming to Xbox One in 2018. 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, PC games, and Switch games. You can also check out our feature focusing on the biggest games to play 2018 in general. Of course, there's also an assortment of exclusives coming in 2018. Check out our features on Xbox One exclusives, PS4 exclusives, PC exclusives, and Switch exclusives.
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.
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.
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 Mar 13, 2018 04:27 am
Deities, dancing, and the undead.
As we covered in our PlayStation 2017 Report Card, 2017 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 God of War, 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. Click ahead to check out all the biggest new games coming to PS4 in 2018. If you're curious about the biggest games to play in 2018 for other platforms, check out our individual features highlighting the most anticipated Xbox One games, PC games, and Switch games. You can also check out our feature focusing on the biggest games to play 2018 in general. Of course, there's also an assortment of platform exclusives coming in 2018. If you're curious what the exclusives are on each platform, you can check out our features on Xbox One exclusives, PS4 exclusives, PC exclusives, and Switch exclusives.
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.
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.
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.
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 Mar 13, 2018 04:23 am
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, Super Smash Bros., 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 all the biggest new games coming in 2018. In this gallery, we're looking ahead to the games we're most excited about. If you're curious about the biggest games to play in 2018 on specific platforms, check out our individual features highlighting the most anticipated PS4 games, Xbox One games, PC games, and Switch games. Of course, there's also an assortment of platform exclusives coming in 2018. If you're curious about what exclusives are on each platform, you can check out our features on Xbox One exclusives, PS4 exclusives, PC exclusives, and Switch exclusives.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Octopath Traveler
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 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.
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.
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.
Super Smash Bros. (Switch)
Super Smash Bros. is coming to Nintendo Switch, which Nintendo announced by way of a cool teaser trailer. And you won't have to wait all that long for it: it's coming later this year. Aside from a brief shot of characters, which includes Mario, Link, and both Inkling boy and girl, not much is known about the game. Details have been scarce, so there's speculation that this release could either be a completely new game or a port of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
By GameSpot Staff on Mar 13, 2018 04:18 am
Looking Forward
2017 was 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 Super Smash Bros. to the next Yoshi game, Nintendo has already announced some of this 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. Of course, there's also an assortment of platform exclusives coming in 2018. If you're curious about what exclusives are on each platform, you can check out our features on Xbox One exclusives, PS4 exclusives, PC exclusives, and Switch exclusives.
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.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Switch & 3DS)
The incredibly adorable puzzler, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is finally coming to Switch. It includes an added Super Mario Odyssey-themed level modeled after that game's New Donk City location. You can also play with a friend--each using one joy-con--where one controls Toad and the other can shoot turnips to attack enemies. A 3DS version that features duel-screen and touch screen support is also set to release.
Dark Souls Remastered (Switch)
We only know one thing about this Switch port of Dark Souls: it's coming out on May 25. Alongside the game itself, an Amiibo figure based on Dark Souls is on the way. A network test beta is also scheduled to occur sometime before launch.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Switch)
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.
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition (Switch)
Fans of Wii U-exclusive Hyrule Warriors will finally be able to get their hands on the upcoming Switch edition of the game this May. The game consists of all existing content released for the game, including DLC maps, characters, and missions. Two-player local multiplayer is supported, and you can play with a friend by each using a single Joy-Con.
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.
Luigi's Mansion (3DS)
If you've had a hankering to replay Luigi's Mansion, then Nintendo has you covered. A remake of GameCube classic Luigi's Mansion is set to release on 3DS. Aside from the typical 3D support, new features include a mansion map displayed on bottom screen and a new Boss Rush mode.
Mario Tennis Aces (Switch)
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.
Super Smash Bros. (Switch)
Super Smash Bros. is coming to Nintendo Switch, which Nintendo announced by way of a cool teaser trailer. And you won't have to wait all that long for it: it's coming later this year. Aside from a brief shot of characters, which includes Mario, Link, and both Inkling boy and girl, not much is known about the game. Details have been scarce, so there's speculation that this release could either be a completely new game or a port of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Octopath Traveler (Switch)
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 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 Octopath Traveler is technically a working title. Time will tell.
The World Ends With You - Final Remix (Switch)
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.
WarioWare Gold (3DS)
Similar to Mario Party: The Top 100, WarioWare is getting a similar collection that bundles up 300 microgames in a single package. Titled WarioWare Gold, there are both new and classic mini-games included, that each make use of the 3DS' touchscreen, mic, more.
By GameSpot Staff on Mar 13, 2018 03:34 am
Dream Fighters
Nintendo's latest Direct yielded an exciting announcement: Super Smash Bros. is officially coming to Nintendo Switch. And that's not all; the game is coming in 2018. Naturally, this has us pretty excited, and we're already speculating which characters we want to be on the game's roster. While characters who have been in past entries, like Ice Climbers and Star Wolf, are obvious choices for us, we're also eager to see characters from other Nintendo franchises and third-party games make appearances. Here are the 20 characters we want to see the most in Super Smash Bros. on Switch. As of yet, we don't know if this an updated version of Super Smash Bros. Wii U or a brand-new game. If it is a port, it could follow the model of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. There are plenty of other Wii U titles that deserve a second chance on Switch as well--you can see some of the ones we want most here--but Smash Bros. is undoubtedly the most obvious candidate. Nintendo has remained ambiguous about what form this game will take. Which characters do you want to see in Smash Bros. for Switch? Let us know in the comments below. For more on the recent Nintendo Direct, check out GameSpot's roundup of all the Nintendo Direct news, which includes release dates for some of the most exciting upcoming Switch and 3DS games.
Captain Toad
Super Smash Bros. rosters are generally dominated by the expected heroes and villains. What I want to see is another character like Animal Crossing's Villager who is a little more unconventional. Captain Toad may seem harmless, but the idea of him transforming into a fighter who can go toe-to-toe with Bowser, Ganon, or precious Mario (you know Captain Toad hates him and his proclivity for jumping and hogging the spotlight) would get me more interested in the Switch edition of Smash than anything else. While sure to be just one part of an expansive roster, making Captain Toad playable in Smash would help to provide Switch's Treasure Tracker re-release with some additional attention. He may not have the makings of a prototypical fighter, but to me that's what would make him more interesting. I'd be curious to see how Nintendo finds a workaround for his inability to jump--maybe he could throw his backpack into the air before leaping. He has a variety of tools and abilities at his disposal in Treasure Tracker (a pickaxe, an off-screen turnip gun, the ability to pull things out of the ground) that could be leveraged as weapons in Smash. And imagining a matching Treasure Tracker stage--one that messes with camera perspectives--is even more exciting. Captain Toad may not have the glitz and glamor of other names, but his unique nature would make him a worthwhile member of the roster. | Chris Pereira
Crash Bandicoot
Crash never made it into PlayStation All Stars, but he deserves a chance to throw down. With the N. Sane trilogy making its way to Switch, I think it's time for everyone's favorite marsupial to do the same. Crash's moveset is so easy to envision: spinning attacks, throwing wumpa fruit, and a Final Smash that slaps a golden Aku Aku mask on his face, charging him up like some kind of Australian Super Saiyan. If Crash were added to the roster, elements of his games could also be incorporated into the Smash universe. Maybe a standard mask could be picked up by anyone. Maybe the game's signature crates could be added to Smash's group of containers like barrels and party balls. One thing's for sure: making Crash a playable character should also mean Coco joining as an assist trophy. Let's talk stages. The Crash Bandicoot series has been all over the world, from the Great Wall of China to Ancient Egypt to a crazy techno-centric future. Why not take the "warped" mentality of Crash 3 and have fighters bounce between those crazy locations? I can already picture Neo Cortex floating around in the background of the outer space phase of the map. | Tony Wilson
Toon Zelda/Tetra
The Smash Bros. series has seen many Links: Young Link, Toon Link, regular Link, and now, what looks like Breath of the Wild Link. But there's only one Zelda. Zelda/Sheik is one of the standout characters, of course, but it's time for something new. Tetra is a badass pirate queen with a sword, and her Princess Zelda transformation has a bow with light arrows--among other possible weapons. (Her Hyrule Warriors incarnation has a pistol, for example.) She's scrappy, she's sassy, her pirate ship is already a Smash stage, and she already has an Amiibo. Even if she didn't transform like her standard counterpart, Tetra or Toon Zelda would both make sense among the ranks of the top Smash fighters. And it's about time. Plus, I just really want Wind Waker HD to come to Switch. | Kallie Plagge
Ice Climbers
The Ice Climbers were introduced in Super Smash Bros. Melee as representatives of the NES era of Nintendo's history. As a single entity, Popo and Nana were different from the other fighters; if the NPC-controlled Ice Climber was knocked out, you could still fight, just without team moves. Fighting as them was just really...well, cool. Popo and Nana got shafted in Smash 4. Supposedly cut due to the 3DS' limited processing power (and the fact that there probably won't be another game in their series soon, if ever, so they weren't a high priority), the Ice Climbers only appeared as a trophy. But the Switch solves one of those problems, at least! And if what Masahiro Sakurai says is true, and the Ice Climbers were fully functional in the Wii U version, it's not too much to ask to bring them back in the next Super Smash Bros. | Kallie Plagge
Geno
Since his debut in Super Mario RPG, fans have been clamoring for ♡♪!? (also known as Geno for those who struggle to pronounce his true name). While a true Super Mario RPG sequel will likely never happen, there is hope for the badass Star Road warrior to appear in Smash. When Nintendo started to release character announcement trailers for the Wii U and 3DS versions, I'd sit on the edge of my seat hoping he'd be revealed every time. When it came to the final DLC character reveal, Nintendo found a way to get my hopes up, only to crush them instantly. They showed off Geno, but not the way anyone wanted. We were told Geno was available...but as a Mii Gunner costume. While I was happy to see they acknowledged his existence, it was still disappointing to see he was still not a playable fighter. If he were to be added, he'd make an excellent ranged fighter and a welcome roster addition compared to the influx of sword-based fighters in recent games. Geno Beam (or even Geno Flash) would be perfect as a charge attack and Geno Whirl could be used similar to Samus's missile with the side-B attack. For a Final Smash, Geno Blast would look gorgeous as rays of light come flashing down to devastate his opponents.While I know deep down that it's a long shot, I'm still hoping that somehow he'll find his way onto the roster. With the inclusion of Square Enix's Cloud in the most recent version, the door is now open for Geno. I, for one, am eagerly awaiting his arrival. | Gajan Kulasingham
Isaac
One of the most exciting aspects of every Super Smash Bros. release is seeing which forgotten Nintendo characters the developers have plucked from obscurity and added to the roster. Not only is it fun to see old mascots completely reimagined on a modern console, but in many cases, an appearance in Smash Bros. heralds a revival for their series--as was the case with Kid Icarus after Pit appeared in Brawl. While Golden Sun may not be as well-known as some of Nintendo's other franchises, I'd still love to see its main protagonist, Isaac, join the fray. Despite his brief tenure in the spotlight (only three Golden Sun games have been released thus far, the latest of which starred not Isaac but his son, Matthew), Isaac is perfectly suited for Smash Bros. thanks to his special abilities. As an Adept, he's capable of wielding Psynergy, magic-like abilities that would form the basis of his moveset. To further set him apart from other fighters, he could equip different Djinn during a match, which would alter the Psynergy spells at his disposal. And for his Final Smash, Isaac could call upon one of Golden Sun's many other over-the-top summons, such as Judgment, to deliver a devastating, screen-consuming attack. Moreover, Isaac isn't a complete stranger to Smash Bros.; he appeared as an Assist Trophy in Brawl, so it would hardly be a stretch for him to make the leap to playable character. The Smash series may already have a glut of swordsmen on its roster, but I think Isaac has enough unique skills in his repertoire to make a great addition--and if it would help pave the way for a new Golden Sun game on Switch, so much the better. | Kevin Knezevic
King K. Rool
For every great hero, there is a villain that helps define them. For Batman, there is the Joker. For Mario, there is Bowser. And for Donkey Kong, there is King K. Rool. The Kremlings leader has been around since Donkey Kong Country and has frequently opposed the Kongs. Being such an iconic foe to a popular Nintendo character makes his absence in Smash Bros quite perplexing. If King K. Rool were to be added, he'd easily be classified as a heavyweight character--of which there is a significant need in the Smash Bros. games. With so many smaller, faster characters in the game, adding more powerhouse fighters would definitely be a welcome addition. He'd even have a vast array of costume options based off his various appearances in the DK Country games, such as Kaptain K. Rool, Baron K. Roolenstein, and King Krusha K. Rool. As for attacks, he has a wide amount of gadgets at his disposal, which could be attached to his basic attacks. This could make him a fun powerhouse character capable of dealing significant melee damage up close but also have the option of utilizing ranged attacks. I'd be excited to see him added, but I'm honestly surprised he hasn't been in a Smash game already. | Gajan Kulasingham
Crono
The Chrono series, outside of the thoroughly excellent DS re-release and the not-so-good PC port, has been silent for a long time. But aside from the business and development reasons that the seminal RPG only received one semi-sequel in Chrono Cross, a character crossover with the next Smash Bros. actually makes some weird sense. The biggest argument for Crono is that Cloud was playable in Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS. The protagonist from Final Fantasy VII is a staunchly third-party character from a Final Fantasy game that never came to a Nintendo console, so there's at least a precedent for that level of crossover. The Final Fantasy VII Remake gives a reason to elevate Cloud's profile (so maybe Aeris or Tifa would be a more-likely candidate). But Crono is such an outstanding character from developer Square's past and its long-running relationship with Nintendo. The other reason that Cloud makes a good fit is that, despite being yet another character with a sword, his reliance on multi-character attacks mean that he'd have his own unique identity, moveset, and visual flair. Crono is a long shot character, especially since unlike Final Fantasy, there isn't an official high-definition 3D model of the character available. But who would've guessed that Cloud, Ryu, and Bayonetta would ever be in a Smash game? | Justin Haywald
Professor Layton
The austere professor with his oversized hat may sound like an odd fit for Smash, but as an iconic representative of puzzle gaming on the DS, Professor Layton is long overdue for a spot on the SSB roster. The best examples for how Layton would work in a fighter is Phoenix Wright, who made an appearance in various Vs. Capcom fighting games, or a character like the peaceful Animal Crossing Villager. Not having a ready-made assortment of combat abilities doesn't rule out their effectiveness in a wacky game like Smash. And as we've seen from several of Layton's adventures, he's an accomplished fencer, so he's ready to throw down with a weapon when the situation calls for it. And Layton could also introduce fun, interactive stages that play off his previous adventures. Hand-drawn village backgrounds that open up to unlock puzzles, and maybe the characters on the screen would have to try to solve some of the simpler ones in order to avoid hazards from hitting everyone one the screen. Layton has been a dream addition to Smash for me for a long time, and figuring out how he'd fit into the game doesn't feel like a terribly difficult puzzle. | Justin Haywald
Ridley
As Samus Aran's arch-nemesis, the Space Pirate leader Ridley seems like a perfect candidate to go head-to-head with the Metroid hunter in the Smash Bros. arena as a playable fighter. Aside from the intergalactic bounty hunter and the Metroids that she hunts, the fire-breathing boss is one of the most recognizable characters in the series--who seems to always survive the last battle by the skin of its razor-sharp teeth. Despite never having been playable, Ridley has already made several appearances in past Smash games, most notably as a boss in Brawl's Subspace Emissary story mode. It's about time that Samus' nemesis became a playable character, and Ridley's fighting style, which is focused on fast, hard-hitting moves, along with a large set of wings that give it great speed and agility, can make Ridley a welcome change from the other heavy-set characters like King Dedede, Bowser, and DK. Moreover, Ridley's many appearances throughout the Metroid series also opens up the opportunity to let players choose from different incarnations of the character. I mean, who wouldn't want the chance to play as the cybernetically enhanced Meta-Ridley to battle Samus in one of the Metroid-inspired levels? | Alessandro Fillari
Tharja
Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS has no shortage of Fire Emblem characters. To be honest, by the time Corrin and Roy rolled around as DLC I was starting to get sick of them, however, Tharja could add something unique to the roster. Unlike Roy, Marth, Lucina, and Ike, Tharja is a Dark Mage and she could specialize in ranged-attack spells. Sure, Corrin and Robin had a fair amount of medium-range attacks, but in most cases, you'd still want to keep your foes close. Tharja could utilize a flashy set of dark spells to deliver powerful blows from afar, and quick on her feet to escape close range fighters. The likelihood of Tharja coming to Smash is slim, but I think she would add much more character and personality to the roster than Robin and Corrin did. | Jake Dekker
Kass
While Breath of the Wild was very much Link's show, there was one character who always knew how to make his presence known throughout the young(ish) champion's quest throughout Hyrule--and it always started off with the faint sound of an accordion in the distance. Kass, the traveling storyteller, could spin a memorable yarn about Hyrule's past, but I'd like to think he can also hold his own in a fight against other Nintendo characters. While we don't ever see Kass fight, that certainly hasn't stopped Nintendo from turning normally passive characters--like Wii Fit Trainer or R.O.B.--into powerhouses on the battlefield. As a member of the bird-like Rito tribe, Kass has the natural gift of flight, potentially making him an agile character in a fight. However, his true gifts lie with his accordion and oratory talents. Much like in Breath of the Wild, Kass can use the power of song to grab the attention of anyone nearby as they listen to him tell the tale of the surrounding environment. While this may seem a bit gimmicky, Super Smash Bros. tends to shine most when it comes to characters that has a specific purpose. And often times, those characters prove their worth and find an audience among fans. And I for one think that Kass has the potential to prove himself on the battlefield. | Alessandro Fillari
Waluigi
If Waluigi can't get his own game, he should at least be added to the Super Smash Bros. roster. Wario has been playable in two previous Smash games, but Luigi's rival, Waluigi, has never been included. Now is the time. Waluigi has already made appearances in Smash as a collectible trophy and assist trophy, and in Brawl, Luigi has a black and purple color swap to make him look similar to his arch-rival. If he's already a part of the Smash universe, then making him playable is an easy transition. Smash Bros. on the 3DS and Wii U had plenty of Nintendo heroes on their rosters and not enough villains. The Switch version's roster could only benefit from adding another fun, fan-favorite antagonist like Waluigi to liven things up with his personal brand of mischief. Throughout the years, his popularity has only been growing. He's sassy, cunning, relatably self-hating, skilled, and ridiculous. Just think about how campy and glorious his taunt would be. It's Waluigi time. | Chastity Vicencio
Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight hits things with a shovel. I want to hit Kirby with a shovel. Honestly, it's as simple as that. Shovel Knight has been one of the best 2D throwback platformers in recent years, a game that perfectly captures the spirit of the NES era while making smart tweaks to make it more palatable for modern sensibilities. That's an excellent fit for a fighting game that oozes Nintendo spirit if you ask me. The game features a wide variety of upgrades that Shovel Knight (who can be male or female) can utilize to take down foes, so there's more than enough options to make Shovel Knight a distinctly interesting Smash character if brute shovel force isn't enough. And look--he's already got an Amiibo, so that's basically his ticket to ride. It's Shovelling Time! | Edmond Tran
Rex
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was one of Nintendo's biggest games of 2017, so it would only be fitting to see it represented in the newly revealed Super Smash Bros. for Switch. Naturally, the most logical choice for a Smash fighter from the game would be its protagonist, Rex, but just as in his own adventure, he should come with a few Blades in tow to make him a truly unique addition to the roster. Whereas Shulk (Smash Bros.' other resident Xenoblade character) is able to use the Monado to grant himself different buffs, Rex could derive his abilities from the Blade he currently has equipped. Like Pokemon Trainer from Brawl, he could swap between the Blades during a match, with each granting him a different set of special attacks. Of course, Pyra would be his primary Blade, but he could also have two others--such as Roc and Nia--at his disposal, just as in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. And for his Final Smash, Pyra could transform into Mythra to rain down a powerful Sacred Arrow attack over the entire field. Not only would Rex be a fun addition to the roster, but Xenoblade Chronicles 2 would make a fitting basis for a new stage. The game is filled with beautiful vistas and fantastical fauna, which could make for some rather interesting stage hazards--imagine having a match interrupted by a powerful Named Monster that forces all players to temporarily team up with each other to take down. As the face of one of Nintendo's most ambitious Switch games to date, Rex certainly deserves a spot on the Smash roster. | Kevin Knezevic
Falco
This might seem like an odd pick considering Falco will most likely be in the game, but as a diehard Melee fan, I want the Falco of old. Super Smash Bros. Melee is my most played game of all time, and Falco was my main man...err...bird. I liked him because of his side-A attack, which acted as a super strong KO kick that would send players flying off stages at moderate percentages. Newer revisions of Falco changed his kick to a much less effective arm-swinging swipe move, which isn't nearly as potent. Falco's shine was also very useful in Melee. Players could use it to perform combos, but later revisions had the shine shoot out of him, which removed these abilities. He's just not the same. As a die-hard old-school Falco fan, I just want Nintendo to return Falco to his glory days. | Jimmy Thang
Star Wolf
Even though Melee is my most-played game of all time, I didn't particularly care for Brawl when it came out. I didn't like the slower pace of the game, and the inclusion of tripping didn't help either. One character that I did love, however, was Star Wolf. His skillset matched with my playstyle perfectly. He has a strong side-A that could finish people, decent recovery moves, an effective arial game, and is equipped with a stunning projectile laser. I was dismayed to hear that he wouldn't be in the Wii U version, considering Nintendo doesn't often remove characters from Smash. I'm hoping Star Wolf makes a comeback and retains his moves. | Jimmy Thang
Snake
Super Smash Bros. has always a been cool way to have a bunch of your favorite Nintendo characters fight it out, and the idea easily invites other game characters to join the fight. But back in 2008 my wildest dream came true. Often said as a joke amongst my friends I always wanted a character from Metal Gear, my all time favorite series, to show up and that is exactly what I got with Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It was show time. Snake is an interesting character mostly due to the fact that he is one of few realistic-looking individuals in a roster of cartoon-y ones. He pulls a lot of his attacks from Metal Gear Solid 1 and 2, but a lot of his mannerisms come from Metal Gear Solid 3. He is a very range-heavy character, but if someone gets in close, he still has a lot of great tools at his disposal to even the playing field. He is a fun character to play with lots of tricks, and I really enjoy all of the small details they put in for fans of the MGS series. They could even incorporate some new stuff from MGSV; maybe just change him to be Punished Snake! From his silly codec taunt conversations about all of the characters to his vast arsenal of weapons rivaling any of the metal Gear games, Snake deserves to come back to Smash. | Ben Janca
Porky Minch
Technically, Porky has already made an appearance in Super Smash Bros.; in Brawl, he was one of the boss characters that Ness and Lucas face while fighting in the Subspace Emissary. But that only proves that he make an excellent addition to the fighting game roster. Although Giygas is the Big Bad in Earthbound, Porky is the malevolent being's willing accomplice. And as the Earthbound sequel, Mother 3, shows, Porky is a resourceful villain who's able to rise above his previous failures to become even more powerful and dangerous. And his appearance in Smash could also bridge the gap between his sniveling uselessness in Earthbound and his powerful but decaying form in Mother 3--a Porky that's just coming into his own powers but also relies on sophisticated gadgetry to pummel his foes. Most of all, I just want Porky in the game so that there's another direct Nintendo connection to the Earthbound/Mother series. I still haven't given up hope of a Western release of Mother 3...and the Switch would be the perfect console to get that long-awaited port. | Justin Haywald
The Champions Of Hyrule
The reveal trailer for Super Smash Bros. on Switch all but confirmed that Link from Breath of the Wild will be in the game. But I hope Nintendo will include more Breath of the Wild characters, like the Champions: Revali, Daruk, Urbosa, and Mipha. It would be awesome to see them all added into the game as four separate characters, but realistically, I could see Nintendo making them a single character slot--similar to Pokemon Trainer from Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Having the ability to play and freely switch between Revali, Daruk, Urbosa, and Mipha sounds complicated to implement. After all, having access to four separate movesets seems like it would be both a mechanical and balancing nightmare, but I'm holding out for the possibility of the Champions being playable. Imagine launching an opponent upwards into the air with Revali's Gale, and then switching to Daruk to smash them down with his Boulder Breaker. You could even have Mipha revive you if you happen to accidentally get launched out of a stage. There are a ton of cool possibilities available for the Champions, and given Breath of the Wild's financial and critical success, they ought to be put in the game in some form. At the very least, I hope Nintendo incorporates their moves into Breath of the Wild Link's moveset, or creates an entire stage devoted to them and their Divine Beasts. | Matt Espineli
By Matt Espineli on Mar 13, 2018 03:29 am
This Year's Exclusives.exe
There's an abundance of great-looking games coming exclusively to PC this year. To help you keep track of everything, we've compiled a list of all the exclusive titles coming to PC this year. Be sure to check back often, as we'll continue to update our placeholder entries with confirmed release dates and information when new announcements are made. Thanks to all the independent developers set to launch their projects, PC platforms like Steam and GOG are set to receive hundreds of exclusive games this year. Since rounding them up would prove unwieldy, we've narrowed the field down to this list of some of the most high-profile exclusives. If you're curious about other platforms, you can check out our features on PS4 exclusives, Switch exclusives, and Xbox One exclusives. 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.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a remaster of the iconic history-based real-time strategy game from 1997. Developer: Forgotten Empires | Release Date: February 20
Hunt: Showdown
Hunt: Showdown is a competitive first-person PvP bounty hunting game with heavy PvE elements. It takes thrill of survival games and combines it with the action of a match-based shooter. Developer: Crytek | Release Date: February 22 (Early Access)
Pit People
Pit People is the latest game from the creators of Castle Crashers and Battleblock Theater. It's a turn-based, co-op game where you explore, find loot, customize your fighters, and recruit allies. Developer: The Behemoth | Release Date: March 2
Long Gone Days
Long Gone Days is a 2D RPG that follows the adventures of Rourke, a soldier who decides to abandon his post, which leads him on a journey where he'll collaborate with allies from different parts of the world to overcome the peril of an inescapable war. While a traditional RPG at its core, the game also features elements from visual novels, puzzlers, and shooters. Developer: BURA | Release Date: March 2018 (Early Access)
Agony
Agony is a first-person horror game that forces you to survive the depths of Hell. Developer: Madmind Studio | Release Date: March 30
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
Pillars of Eternity II is the successor to the critically acclaimed 2015 original. It features an expansive multiclassing system, which allows players to build unique characters that tie both into personal playstyles and stories. It also gives you access to a ship that you can sail across the game's world and continually upgrade to better survive perilous encounters. Developer: Obsidian Entertainment | Release Date: April 3 | Watch the Trailer
Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia
Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia is the latest spin-off game in the popular Total War franchise. In contrast to the mainline games, Thrones of Britannia is a turn-based strategy game that takes place in the aftermath of the Viking invasion of Britain. Developer: Creative Assembly | Release Date: April 19
Chuchel
Chuchel is a puzzle game developed by Jaromir Plachy & Amanita Design, the creators of Botanicula, Machinarium, and Samorost. Developer: Amanita Design | Release Date: Early 2018
Griftlands
Griftlands is the latest game by developer Klei Entertainment, the studio behind Don't Starve and Mark of the Ninja. Unlike its previous efforts, Griftlands is an action-RPG that emphasizes player choice and charting your own journey through an in-depth negotiation system. Developer: Klei Entertainment | Release Date: Early 2018
Dauntless
Dauntless is a free-to-play action-RPG that plays similarly to Capcom's popular Monster Hunter series. It takes place in a world where a cataclysmic event has torn the world apart, releasing monster-like Behemoths that prey on the surviving humans. You play as a Slayer, a special warrior tasked with taking down the Behemoths. Developer: Phoenix Labs | Release Date: Q1-Q2 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Total War: Three Kingdoms
Total War: Three Kingdoms takes developer Creative Assembly's long-running real-time strategy series to the turbulent Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history. Developer: Creative Assembly | Release Date: Fall 2018
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is the first numbered mainline entry in the once popular mech-sim series to be released in nearly 16 years. In keeping with MechWarrior tradition, you customize and pilot your own personal BattleMech across a new conflict set within the universe of the popular BattleTech franchise. Developer: Piranha Games | Release Date: December 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Anno 1800
Anno 1800 is the latest entry in the long-running real-time strategy Anno series. It takes the series back to the past, allowing you to build and manage metropolises during the industrial revolution. Developer: Ubisoft Blue Byte | Release Date: Winter 2018
Aquanox: Deep Descent
Aquanox: Deep Descent is a first-person shooter where you control a submarine through undersea caverns in the dystopian world of Aqua. Developer: Digital Arrow | Release Date: TBA 2018
Quake Champions
Quake Champions revives the classic Quake style of arena shooter gameplay but with a new character/class system. While not a major factor, these characters do feature their own distinct movement speeds, health pools, and a special ability. Developer: id Software | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Underworld Ascendant
Underworld Ascendant is an action-RPG made by developers that worked on the Ultima Underworld series. Like those games, it focuses on player choice while taking you on a journey across a fantasy realm packed with danger and intrigue. Developer: Otherside Entertainment | Release Date: TBA 2018
Xenonauts 2
Xenonauts 2 is a strategy game where you command a multinational organization defending Cold War-era Earth from an alien invasion. Developer: Goldhawk Interactive | Release Date: TBA 2018
By GameSpot Staff on Mar 13, 2018 03:27 am
Nintendo's Newest
After failing to make people fall in love with Wii U, Nintendo is back and Switch is a household name--not to mention the fastest selling console in US history. In 2017, games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey proved that Nintendo understands the strengths of its franchises and the importance of taking risks, but they are only two of the many games that have kept Switch owners entertained since the system's March launch. Already, 2018 looks like another promising year for Switch owners, and there are some great-looking games coming to the system that you won't find anywhere else. But for an overview of all the Switch games we reviewed last year, head over to our Switch review page. We've compiled a list of all the exclusive games coming to Switch in the coming months, and as new announcements are made, we will continue to update our entries with specific dates and info. If you're curious about other platforms, you can check out our features on PS4 exclusives, Xbox One exclusives, and PC exclusives. 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.
Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2
At the same time that Nintendo revealed Bayonetta 3 at The Game Awards, it also confirmed a popular rumor: Bayonetta 2 and the original Bayonetta are on their way to Switch. The two games are coming early in the year on February 16. The sequel will headline the physical copy of the game, but every copy of Bayonetta 2 will include a download code for the original. Developer: PlatinumGames | Release Date: February 16 | Watch the Trailer
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby's Switch debut is a multiplayer twist on traditional Kirby action, allowing four players to party up and tackle platforming stages and boss battles using powers absorbed from lesser enemies. The game was announced at E3 2017, and was further discussed in a September 2017 Nintendo Direct. It's currently scheduled to release sometime in 2018. Developer: HAL Laboratory | Release Date: March 16 | Watch the Trailer
Runner3
The Bit.Trip games from developer Choice Provisions rank among some of the best throwback experiences of the past decade. Later this year, Nintendo Switch owners will have exclusive access to the series' newest game, Runner3, which continues the tradition of linking rhythmic timing and platforming, with plenty of new tricks promised to surprise returning players. Developer: Choice Provisions | Release Date: April 24 | Watch the Trailer
Donkey Kong 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. Developer: Retro Studios, Monster Games | Release Date: May 4
Nintendo Labo
Nintendo Labo is a series of kits that include cardboard cut-outs and other materials that are assembled in combination with the Switch and its Joy-Cons to be played with special game software and vice versa. The series' first two kits--the Variety Kit and the Robo Kit--are set to release in April. Developer: Nintendo | Release Date: April 20
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
The revamped version of Hyrule Warriors for Switch comes with all of the maps, missions, characters, and DLC from both the original Wii U release and the expanded 3DS version, including Yuga and Ravio from A Link Between Worlds. It also introduces some new content in the form of Breath of the Wild-themed costumes for Link and Zelda. Developer: Omega Force | Release Date: May 18
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. Developer: Camelot | Release Date: June 22 | Watch the Trailer
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
The incredibly adorable puzzler, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is finally coming to Switch. It includes an added Super Mario Odyssey-themed level modeled after that game's New Donk City location. You can also play with a friend--each using one joy-con--where one controls Toad and the other can shoot turnips to attack enemies. Developer: Nintendo | Release Date: July 13
Octopath Traveler
Square Enix and developer Acquire are in the home stretch of development on Octopath Traveler, a retro RPG that mixes 2D and 3D graphics in an effort to bridge the gap between 16-bit and HD graphics. A demo was released on the Nintendo eShop earlier this year, but the release date is still listed as "2018." Developer: Square Enix, Acquire | Release Date: July 13 | Watch the Trailer
Light Fingers
Light Fingers is a turn-based multiplayer board game where your goal is to gather loot and progress across the board, all while your opponents play cards and manipulate mechanical obstacles in an effort to trip you up. The game is coming to Switch sometime early in 2018. Developer: Numizmatic | Release Date: Early 2018
Fire Emblem for Nintendo Switch (working title)
Fire Emblem was born on Nintendo's first console (in Japan) in 1990. But in recent years, it's been an exclusively handheld series (barring Fire Emblem Warriors) since Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn landed on Nintendo Wii almost a decade ago. Nintendo announced that a new Fire Emblem game is in the works for Switch, though little else is known beyond its broad "2018" release date. Developer: Intelligent Systems | Release Date: TBA 2018
No More Heroes: Travis Strikes Again
The third game in the No More Heroes series from infamous developer, Goichi "SUDA 51" Suda, is scheduled to land on Switch later this year. The debut trailer presents a revenge tale against frontman Travis, who finds himself confronted by Badman, father of Travis' first assassination target, Bad Girl. Before they get into a scuffle, both characters are drawn into a video game system. From within, they will have to confront a handful of fictional video games, supposedly inspired by real-world hits like Hotline Miami. Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Yoshi for Nintendo Switch (working title)
Yoshi's debut standalone adventure on Switch is another platformer, but Nintendo is utilizing a new art style to define the game's distinct gameplay twist. With each stage appearing similar to a diorama, you can view stages from the "front," or look behind the scenes from a new perspective to reveal the inner workings of seemingly one-sided buildings and environments. The new Yoshi game will also support two-player local co-op. Developer: Good-Feel | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Dragon Marked For Death
The latest game from the team behind Mega Man Zero, Mega Man 9 and 10, and Azure Striker Gunvolt is coming exclusively to Switch this year. Dragon Marked for Death looks like another action-packed 2D side-scroller with intricate sprites, but Inti Creates is experimenting by adding in four-player local co-op and progression systems that give the game an action-RPG feel. Developer: Inti Creates | Release Date: TBA 2018
The World Ends With You - Final Remix
The hi-res version of Square Enix's The World Ends With You is coming to Switch, along with a "sizable" new story scenario. It was announced during January's Nintendo Direct Mini, and is due sometime in 2018. Developer: Square-Enix | Release Date: TBA 2018
SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy
This new brawler from NIS is heavy on fan service, but should also please fans of the classic SNK fighting series. Battles will focus entirely on the female fighters from SNK's various fighting game series. Developer: NIS/SNK | Release Date: TBA 2018
Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros. is finally coming to Nintendo Switch. And you won't have to wait all that long for it: it's coming later this year. Aside from a brief shot of characters, which includes Mario, Link, and both Inkling boy and girl, not much is known about the game. Developer: Nintendo | Release Date: TBA 2018
By Matt Espineli on Mar 13, 2018 03:24 am
A Growing Library Of Exclusives
In 2017, Microsoft managed to enhance its latest and a few pre-existing games with upgraded visuals thanks to the release of Xbox One X. However, the publisher's roster of exclusives last year 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. If you're curious about other platforms, you can check out our features on PS4 exclusives, PC exclusives, and Switch exclusives. It's worth noting that there are a few games in this gallery that 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.
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: February 28 (Early Access) | Watch the Trailer
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
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: May 22 | 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: Spring 2018 | 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
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
By Peter Brown on Mar 13, 2018 03:22 am
Only on PlayStation
Last year was an amazing year to be a PlayStation 4 owner. On top of an well-rounded selection of multi-platform games like Nier: Automata, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, and What Remains of Edith Finch, you also had access fantastic exclusives like Persona 5, Yakuza 0, and Horizon: Zero Dawn. And for those with any interest in virtual reality, the release of PlayStation VR was the icing on the cake. Looking ahead to 2018, there are plenty of new PlayStation 4 exclusives on the way that are well worth getting excited about. We've compiled every one we know of so far here, and will continue to update this gallery with new games as they get announced. Be sure to check back often as we update this gallery with more exclusives, and if you're curious about other platforms, you can check out our features on Xbox One exclusives, PC exclusives, and Switch exclusives. Of course, there's 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.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth - Hacker's Memory
The latest game in the long-running Digimon series presents the mysterious backstory to the events that transpired in the first Cyber Sleuth game, and features 320 Digimon from the animated series. Developer: Media.Vision | Release Date: January 19
Iconoclasts
Iconoclasts is a Metroidvania-inspired action puzzler where you play as Robin, an unlicensed mechanic in a world ruled by a corrupt theocracy that rules the world by controlling technology. When Robin's actions inevitably provoke the powers that be to hunt down everyone she loves, she becomes embroiled in a conflict that threatens not only the safety of her family but the entire world. Developer: Joakim Sandberg | Release Date: Janaury 23
The Inpatient
The Inpatient is an unlikely prequel to Supermassive Games' 2015 horror gem, Until Dawn. It's a PSVR experience set 60 years prior to the first game, inside the foreboding halls of Blackwood Sanatorium. Developer: Supermassive Games | Release Date: January 23 | Watch the Latest News
Dissidia: Final Fantasy NT
The Dissidia games found a lot of fans back during the PSP's heyday, and more recently in Japanese arcades. The latest in the series is coming to PlayStation 4 courtesy of Team Ninja, and promises wild mid-air battles between Final Fantasy's most beloved and infamous characters. Developer: Team Ninja | Release Date: January 30 | Watch the Trailer
Shadow of the Colossus
The magical PS2 game Shadow of the Colossus has been given a new lease on life, and the upcoming PS4 remake looks to be in good hands at Bluepoint Games, a team known for top-notch ports and remasters. Developer: Bluepoint Games | Release Date: February 6 | Watch the Trailer
Moss
Moss is a fetching adventure in a magical world starring a daring and capable mouse named Quill. Early footage shows a game with a lot of heart, and its storybook whims can only be experienced through a PSVR headset. Developer: Polyarc | Release Date: February 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Frantics
Frantics hopes to entertain you and a few of your closest friends with 15 oddball mini-games. Designed for PlayLink support, you use your smartphone, rather than a DualShock, to participate. Developer: NapNok Games | Release Date: March 6
Bravo Team
Supermassive's other PSVR game is a tactical shooter designed for two-player co-op, either locally or online; teamwork and communication will be key to your success. Developer: Supermassive Games | Release Date: March 6 | Watch the Trailer
MLB The Show 18
The next game in Sony's annual baseball series is on the way, and this year's cover features the formidable New York Yankee, Aaron Judge. Developer: Sony San Diego Studio | Release Date: March 27
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
Sega's serious-meets-slapstick open-world series continues its onslaught on the West with Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. It's also the first game to take advantage of the new Dragon Engine, which helps the game's lifelike renditions of Tokyo and famous Japanese actors look more convincing than ever. Developer: Ryu ga Gotoku Studios | Release Date: April 17 | Watch the Trailer
God of War
With the pantheon of Greek gods behind him, Kratos' latest adventure takes him to the frozen Norse wilds. Though the series' familiar action appears to remain intact, Kratos must now also care for his son, Atreus, as the two work together to overcome brutal obstacles and new opponents. Developer: Sony Santa Monica Studio | Release Date: April 20 | Watch the Trailer
Dragon's Crown Pro
The sumptuously illustrated beat-em-up from Vanillaware is making a comeback, and the Pro version of the game will feature new support for 4K (on PS4 Pro) and a newly recorded orchestrated soundtrack. Developer: Vanillaware | Release Date: April 24 | Watch the Trailer
Detroit: Become Human
The next game from David Cage (Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls) aims to examine the potential complications that may arise if artificial lifeforms advance far enough to not just appear human, but to convince us they feel human as well. Expect incredible production values and multiple outcomes based on choices made during calm and heated scenes alike. Developer: Quantic Dream | Release Date: May 25 | Watch the Trailer
Fighting EX Layer
Fighting EX Layer is a fighting game developed by Arika, a studio most known for its work on the cult-classic Street Fighter EX series. It includes many of the original characters from those games, as well as similar fighting mechanics. Developer: Arika | Release Date: June 2018
Megadimension Neptunia VIIR
Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is essentially a rerelease of Megadimension Neptunia VII, but the new version comes with special-made PSVR sections created in an entirely new engine for VIIR. Developer: Compile Heart | Release Date: Spring 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Star Child
Star Child is a dreamy, narrative-driven platformer from a team of self-admitted sci-fi junkies that's coming to PSVR sometime later this year. Developer Playful Corp. is best known for the two Lucky's Tale games: Lucky's Tale for Oculus Rift and Super Lucky's Tale, an early Xbox One X game. Developer: Playful Corp. | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Spider-Man
Based on its previous projects, Insomniac Games seems like a perfect fit for a new Spider-Man game. Early footage has shown the upcoming PS4 game to be both great looking and action packed, but we'll have to wait until later this year to see if the experience at large delivers the Spider-Man experience Marvel's biggest fans are waiting for. Developer: Insomniac Games | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Golem
Golem is a PSVR game that will give you the power to create and control creatures made of stone. At first, you will be limited to the confines of your virtual bedroom, but as you grow more familiar with your powers you will eventually end up in the middle of an ancient abandoned city controlling massive, 15-foot giants. Developer: Highwire Games | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Blood and Truth
Blood and Truth is a PSVR game poised to build on The London Heist portion of Sony's PlayStation VR Worlds, with more immersive environments and massive shootouts. Developer: Sony London Studios | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Dreams
Like Little Big Planet before it, Dreams aims to give you the power to create worlds with ease and share them with other players. Media Molecule claims that players, rather than the developers, will define what Dreams ultimately becomes. Developer: Media Molecule | Release Date: TBA 2018 | Watch the Trailer
By Array on Mar 13, 2018 02:58 am
Rainbow Six Siege's new Operation Chimera update has arrived, bringing new Operators and the limited-time Outbreak mode to the game. It also features some other significant changes to the game, as well as the addition of a new type of loot box called an Outbreak pack that features exclusive weapon skins, uniforms, headgear, and charms. In the images above, we've collected all 50 new items available through Outbreak packs. You'll receive four packs for free just by logging in during the Outbreak event. Beyond that, you'll have to purchase additional ones for 300 R6 Credits ($5 gets you 600 Credits); a few other newly added items are obtained through specific gameplay challenges. Until you've obtained everything available through Outbreak packs, you're guaranteed a new item each time you open one--there are no duplicates. Operation Chimera is a major update for Siege, and its release marks the start of Year 3 for the game. Unlike a typical expansion, it features two Attacker Operators (Lion and Finka) and no new competitive multiplayer map. There are, however, three new maps designed specifically for Outbreak, which is a cooperative mode for up to three players. In it, you play as select Operators as you deal with a zombie-like virus that threatens to wipe out life near the US-Mexican border. Both Outbreak and the Outbreak packs are only available for a limited time, running from now until April 3. It and the broader Chimera update are available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, but be aware that it's encountered some launch issues, including those related to the free Ash Sidewinder Elite skin and the ability to view the collection screen, among other things.
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