The ball has dropped as we’re all set to leave 2018 in the rearview and look toward what should be another stellar year for video games. While we’ll still celebrate God of War and the rest of the year’s best, including a wonderful cast of indie titles like Celeste that only elevated the meaning of games, we’re excited to look forward.
Though not all of these games are definitely seeing a launch this year, it’d be foolish to think we’re not going to hear about them in one way or another.
Prepare for your wallet to be in a sorry state by the time we welcome 2020.
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Release: January 18, 2019
Hard to believe Ace Combat has been soaring through the skies for over twenty years now as it nears its seventh iteration. Strap in for pant-soiling, exclusive VR missions on PlayStation, too.
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
Release: TBC 2019
Known for being a creator of Assassin’s Creed, Patrice Desilets has been hard at work for what seems like forever on Ancestors, a game that focuses on the evolution of humankind and the tribulations that came with that.
Animal Crossing
Release: TBC 2019
The mobile spin-off Pocket Camp certainly left us wanting more of Animal Crossing and thankfully we’re expected to get a full-fledged release for the Switch.
Anno 1880
Release: February 26, 2019
The next iteration in the long-enduring real-time strategy, city-crafting simulator is set to tackle industrialisation and all of the pitfalls that come with it. The forward march of progress pollutes the air while the workforce makes the most of its right to protest. How would you handle it?
Anthem
Release: February 22, 2019
Imagine all of the hallmarks of a Bioware game smashed into a shared open-world game, not unlike Destiny. Spend your morning putting aliens in the ground from the seat of your exo-suit and then spend your nights romancing them, that’s the Bioware way.
Babylon’s Fall
Release: TBC 2019
Not a lot is known about this one yet, as there’s just one brief trailer to go on. But given it’s helmed by PlatinumGames, who are responsible for the likes of Bayonetta and Nier: Automata, we’re excited to find out more.
Battletoads
Release: TBC 2019
When people were pleading with Microsoft to resurrect some old Rare properties, we’re not sure this is exactly what people meant. That being said, brutal and punishing beat ’em ups are in season, so Battletoads should be what the doctor ordered.
Bayonetta 3
Release: TBC 2019
In a surprising move, the shapeshifting witch’s third adventure is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch. After Mario’s nipple broke the internet, I couldn’t have imagined this much sex appeal would come back to Nintendo’s once wholesome console.
Beyond Good & Evil 2
Release: TBC 2019
The more we see of Ubisoft Montpellier’s extremely ambitious title, the more we’re convinced it’s not even for this generation of consoles. It’s so vast they’re banking on gamer contribution for all facets of the world-building, from art to music. It’s a huge departure from Jade’s first chapter back in 2003.
Concrete Genie
Release: Q1/Q2 2019
Inspired largely by Jet Set Radio from Sega, PixelOpus’ action-adventure game is all about bringing artsy doodler Ash’s hometown back to life by penning living portraits. It sounds odd, but it uses motion controls where a lot of games mightn’t dare, so we’re in.
Control
Release: TBC 2019
It isn’t Alan Wake or even a sequel to Quantum Break, but at the end of the day, anything from Remedy is good for gaming. Seeming to pinch a lot of the best bits from their back catalogue, Control looks like a culmination of everything Remedy has managed to perfect over their celebrated history.
Crackdown 3
Release: February 15, 2019
Can Terry Crews breathe a bit of life into this seemingly dead in the water third instalment of Crackdown? We hope so because the promise of destructible cities and killing with skill once again takes me back to chasing agility orbs in the original.
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled
Release: June 21, 2019
There’s a lot of love for Crash Bandicoot, that became evident when the N Sane Trilogy sold like hotcakes and recaptured the hearts and minds of gamers everywhere. After a lot of teasing, it’s confirmed that Crash Team Racing is getting the same treatment and we couldn’t be happier about it.
Cyberpunk 2077
Release: TBC 2019
We don’t expect to see Cyberpunk released this year, though we’re hoping to get another lengthy slab of gameplay like we were treated to last year. Not content with The Witcher being their magnum opus, CD Projekt Red is pouring everything they’ve got into this tabletop adaptation.
Daemon X Machina
Release: TBC 2019
Beyond it being clearly a stylish mech-action title, not a lot is known about Daemon X Machina. It’s certainly gorgeous, so we’re keen to see more of it throughout the year in the lead up to its release.
Days Gone
Release: April 26, 2019
As Deacon St. John—yes, that’s his real name apparently—you’re tasked with looking like a Sons of Anarchy extra while killing a heap of Freakers, a fancy word for zombies. No really, have you seen how many shambling idiots they can fit on-screen in Days Gone? We can’t help but be impressed.
Dead Or Alive 6
Release: February 15, 2019
Despite being the sixth mainline entry, Dead Or Alive 6 is incredibly the nineteenth game in this long-enduring series. With an expressed interest in being taken seriously, expect less sex appeal as Team Ninja is going after that big esports market.
Death Stranding
Release: TBC 2019
We’re not going to embarrass ourselves by even pretending to know what Death Stranding is, but intrigue is at an all-time high. With Kojima helming a superstar cast, bloody anything could happen.
Devil May Cry 5
Release: March 8, 2019
After an exhausting wait, it’s wonderful to see Devil May Cry back in the mix. Dante and Nero return alongside a new character who goes by “V”. Having these demon hunters hack ‘n’ slash at 60 frames is going to be special, to say the least.
Doom Eternal
Release: TBC 2019
The rebirth of Doom was one of the most refreshing things this generation has offered up. id Software recaptured everything that the iconic series a classic in the first place, unrelenting speed and brutality combine to make one of the decade’s most exhilarating shooters. The sequel has laser swords, so prepare yourself.
Dreams
Release: TBC 2019
Similar to Media Molecule’s LittleBigPlanet, Dreams places its focus on the player’s ability to ‘play, create and share’. It’s a game where the possibilities are many and creativity is seriously going to be rewarded. It was Shannon’s best-in-show at E3 2018 for a reason.
Far Cry: New Dawn
Release: February 15, 2019
New Dawn is as direct a sequel as the Far Cry franchise has had with a decimated Hope County, Montana returning along with Joseph Seed, although he’ll be seventeen years older as this sequel has a significant time jump following the nuclear ending to this year’s Far Cry 5.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Release: TBC 2019
Fire Emblem has become a staple for handheld strategy, but it’s wonderful that the series is coming home to consoles for the first time in over a decade with Three Houses marking the return. My heart isn’t ready for permadeath.
Gears 5
Release: TBC 2019
The Coalition returns with another low-wall hurdling simulator that also happens to include slaughtering countless aliens. This marks the first time the series is going to be female-led with Kait Diaz searching to discover her origins and unearth her Locust descent.
Ghost of Tsushima
Release: TBC 2019
Set during the first Mongol invasion of Japan, Sucker Punch’s action-stealth title looks absolutely gorgeous in action. The developer actually has a historical sword-fighting expert on hand to ensure the game’s gameplay foundations aren’t anachronistic. Ghost of Tsushima appears to be another home run for PlayStation first-party.
Halo Infinite
Release: TBC 2019
With rumours that Infinite could be the first glimpse of a cross-gen Xbox title, it’s fitting that Master Chief returns to centre stage for this hallmark occasion. After Guardians left fans teetering on the edges of their seats, we’re excited to see how the Reclaimer trilogy wraps up, if it does at all.
In The Valley Of Gods
Release: TBC 2019
From the minds behind Firewatch, a wonderful independent title from Campo Santo comes In The Valley Of Gods. Early footage suggests it’ll share its predecessor’s sense of exploration and beautiful art direction, let’s hope it makes as big a splash as Firewatch so we can continue to be spoiled by this developer.
Jedi: Fallen Order
Release: TBC 2019
After Amy Hennig’s Star Wars project’s cancellation pulled the rug out from under us all, it’s hard to get super excited for Respawn’s take on the universe because it’s impossible to know when EA will swing the axe. There’s a lot of promise around Jedi: Fallen Order, so we’re hoping we see more of it this year.
Judgment
Release: TBC 2019
Known as Judge Eyes in Japan, where it’s already out, Judgment is a crime-thriller set in the Yakuza universe. It follows a private detective who is knee-deep in investigating a serial murder case. The word is the game is great, so this might be a spin-off worth delving into.
Jump Force
Release: February 15, 2019
An enormous manga-crossover event not to be missed if you’re fond of any of the series involved; so far, thirteen are confirmed. It’s a shame Death Note’s Light and Ryuk aren’t playable, though having them overlooking proceedings is sure to be a tinderbox of entertainment.
Kingdom Hearts III
Release: January 29, 2019
I’ve lost track of how many Kingdom Hearts games there are these days, all I know is that there’s 2.8 and 358/2 but I dropped math early in high school so the fractions are lost on me. A fusion of two wonderful fandoms, there’s a lot of hopefuls expecting to be stuck playing this game as long as they waited for it. (Well over a decade, for those counting.)
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Release: TBC 2019
How fortunate we are that Luigi is returning once again to unholster his Poltergust and suck up a few ghosts on the Nintendo Switch. Of Nintendo’s spin-off franchises, there’s long been something neat about a plumber-turn-Ghostbuster romping around mansions.
Man of Medan
Release: TBC 2019
The first in the planned Dark Pictures Anthology, Man of Medan could usher in a new age of horror games from the team that brought us Until Dawn, as Supermassive are expected to continue challenging the usual tired tropes and turn ‘scary’ on its head.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Release: TBC 2019
It’s been a long time between drinks for the Ultimate Alliance series and yet the strangest thing about this third iteration isn’t that it’s developed by Team Ninja, it’s that it’s exclusive to the Nintendo Switch. Hopefully, it’s a superhero game worthy of Marvel’s now infamous roster.
MediEvil
Release: TBC 2019
The return of Sir Daniel Fortesque has been long sought after, and we’re not going to have to wait much longer. The resurgence of Crash and Spyro proved nostalgia is money and we’re not surprised Sony is cashing in yet again on another classic series. Anybody got money on a Halloween release?
Metro Exodus
Release: February 15, 2019
Breaking free from the Moscow metro, Metro Exodus is a more open take on the series as Artyom boards a locomotive and heads east in search of a new life. Expect the usual amount of scavenging, mutants and horror Metro regularly serves up, as this new adventure spans the course of a whole year in the wilds.
Metroid Prime 4
Release: TBC 2019
Unless this is shown off during an early Nintendo Direct this year, we’re not optimistic about Samus returning this year. With only a logo to go off, it’s impossible to know what form this game will take. With any luck, we’ll see the original trilogy re-released to make the wait less painful.
Mortal Kombat 11
Release: April 23, 2019
We’re pretty sure what to expect from this one. Fatalities, pre-order incentives and probably a number of slash flick villains being rostered at some point.
Nioh 2
Release: TBC 2019
This is the third game to appear on this list from the very busy Team Ninja, and Nioh 2 is expected to be just as brutal as its predecessor. The game’s finer details are still under wraps, though we know Team Ninja is adding character customisation, letting players choose their gender and race.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Release: TBC 2019
I’ve not seen a more heartbreaking trailer for a game in a long time. If you didn’t want to give that poor owl a hug, then you’re as cold as ice. If you need any convincing that the follow-up to Ori isn’t to be missed, just watch the trailer in 4K. Don’t wait, go. We’ll be here when you get back.
Pokémon
Release: TBC 2019
Though Let’s Go was a nice taste test for Pokémon fans, we’re most excited about Game Freak bringing the first full-fledged role-playing games to the Switch for the first time. The series has done its best to get the most out of handhelds, so it’s time the series evolved.
Psychonauts 2
Release: TBC 2019
Double Fine’s Psychonauts 2, a follow-up to Tim Schafer’s original cult classic, has had to jump through hoops to get funded and thankfully it was because fans deserve to see this world explored and fleshed out by its obviously invested creators.
Rage 2
Release: May 14, 2019
This colourful sequel has to be the most self-aware, silly thing we’ve seen. Even after the surprise was ruined, Bethesda’s marketing has been tier one for this game. It’s going to be for Mad Max what Spaceballs was to Star Wars, a damn fun send-up that takes lunacy to the extreme.
Resident Evil 2
Release: January 25, 2019
Just ask staffer James is he’s excited for this. It’s a game so nice, he’s probably pre-ordered it thrice. This remake is shaping up to be one of the year’s best horror games with its stunning new visuals, namely the wet gore that is, in some cases literally, jaw-dropping.
Sea of Solitude
Release: TBC 2019
Another title to come from the EA Originals program, Sea of Solitude looks like a sombre tale of loneliness and what it does to people. It seems typical of indies to aim for the heart, but this one certainly looks like it’s going to destroy us like a Pixar flick. Kudos to the creators who pour their most real emotions out in their art like in Sea of Solitude.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Release: March 22, 2019
You’d be forgiven for thinking this is going to be just another Souls game given it’s by the team at From, but Sekiro looks like an artful story of revenge that highlights the beauty and grace of sword-fighting. As a disgraced shinobi with a go-go gadget prosthetic arm, it’s up to you to rescue your kidnapped lord and look good doing it.
Shenmue III
Release: August 27, 2019
The original Shenmue was the most expensive game ever developed at the time of its release, though that was at the turn of the millennium. A sequel followed shortly after, but since there’s been nothing but development hell. The series’ devout cult following are sure to eat this long-awaited third iteration when it launches this year.
Skull & Bones
Release: TBC 2019
Though it’s not for everybody, the naval warfare first made popular in Assassin’s Creed has been essentially turned into an entire game featuring genuine swashbuckling pirates, booty to claim as your own and, of course, a Kraken to scare the absolute life out of you. Imagine Sea of Thieves but far more tactical.
Super Meat Boy Forever
Release: April, 2019
Super Meat Boy was one of the real first big blow-up hits of indie gaming and it’s taken some time for a successor to emerge. Instead of a brutal, savage twitch platformer, Forever appears to be a brutal, savage twitch endless runner, which might upset purists and fans of the original but trust in Team Meat.
Team Sonic Racing
Release: May 21, 2019
This one comes from the team behind the criminally underrated Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, so we’re expecting this kart racer to actually be pretty capable. Whether it can snatch the attention from Crash and his four-wheeler remains to be seen, but we’re hopeful they’ll recapture the magic.
The Last of Us Part II
Release: TBC 2019
Naughty Dog are the masters of their craft and we’re so excited to see the benchmark they can set with The Last Of Us Part II. Masterful is how I’d describe what we’ve seen so far, plus with Ellie on the warpath, we’re expecting this sequel to be absolutely barbaric.
The Outer Worlds
Release: TBC 2019
Fallout: New Vegas always seems to top people’s lists of favourite role-players and for good reason, Obsidian’s know-how shines through where Bethesda’s perhaps didn’t in other instalments. They’re the old guard of the genre and The Outer Worlds looks outta this world. Sorry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGLTgt0EEqc
Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
Release: March 15, 2019 (March 12, 2019 for Lincoln Edition)
The most exciting thing about this sequel is that its developer, Massive Entertainment, are acutely aware of the original’s shortcomings and are addressing them head-on. The Division 2 will offer a more exciting endgame, a lot more content during the game’s launch and it’ll have eight-player raids. Oh, yes.
Trials Rising
Release: February 26, 2019
As if Trials wasn’t hard enough at its utmost cruellest, Rising is adding to its multiplayer portion a mode called Tandem Bike where, you guessed it, two players are tasked with controlling the same damn bike. If that isn’t worth the price of admission, I don’t know what is.
Wolfenstein: Youngblood
Release: TBC 2019
After the series hit a new high with The New Colossus, we’re excited to see the next Blazkowicz generation rescue their father from a Paris occupied by Nazis. The best part? Youngblood is set in the 80s, so expect it to be pulpy and, as we say on our podcast, ‘synthy’. If BJ has a mullet, we’re going to lose it.
Yoshi’s Crafted World
Release: TBC 2019
Much like Yoshi’s Woolly World and Kirby’s Epic Yarn, Crafted World is a side-scroller with a twist. The world is made entirely from kraft paper, and it looks cute as heck. Developed by Good-Feel, who developed the aforementioned adorable titles, we’re expecting this one to please the kids.
