2015 was a great gear for games, with many large franchises releasing installments, such as Fallout 4 and MGS V. 2016 is here though, and we’re sure you must be wondering what games are coming out over the next year. Well, wonder no more, because we’ve compiled a list of the most anticipated games for 2016.
Games to Look Out For In 2016
15. Gears of War 4 – (Xbox One)
Set in an Earth-like planet, the Gears of War series follows Delta team as they try and fight off an insectoid invasion coming from beneath the surface. Gears of War 4 is set on the same planet 25 years after the end of Gears of War 3, and will star the son of JD Pheonix. While there isn’t much information on what’s to come, we do know that there’s going to be a couple of new gameplay elements, such as melee, new types of weapons, a shoulder charge and allowing the enemy AI to also perform take downs.
Understandably, there’s been a lot of interest in the upcoming installment in the franchise, as it stands just below Halo in popularity when it comes to exclusive Xbox shooters. It’s actually no surprise that Microsoft announced backwards compatibility for the previous titles that came out on Xbox 360.
14. Overwatch – (Multiple Platforms)
Blizzard’s entry into the MMO Shooter category, Overwatch is set to be pretty interesting. Set in a completely new world, you are a member of the disbanded group ‘Overwatch’ which was once tasked with defeating a powerful AI that was threatening humanity. While there isn’t much information past that, the story isn’t the main interest here.
As a squad based shooter, Blizzard is focusing on co-operative play to defeat your enemies. The characters all fall under one of four different ‘classes’: Offense, Defense, Tank, Support. The game also has three modes: Assault, Escort and control, with a few more modes on the way.
Whether you’re a fan of online shooters or not, this is a game you should watch. Like all Blizzard games, it has the potential to become really big!
13. Ratchet and Clank – (PlayStation 4)
Ratchet and Clank has always been an endearing gaming franchise to gamers, constituting one of the most visible and prolific action-adventure platformers on PlayStation consoles. I’m sure most people know the franchise quite well, but for those who don’t, Ratchet and Clank follows the stories of an anthropomorphic feline and a sentient robot, as they travel across the universe fighting evil and just generally being cool. Yeah, it’s a bit out there if you aren’t familiar with the franchise!
This new entry in the series has been a long time coming, and is actually based on an animated movie of the same name. Of course, the movie isn’t released either as both game and movie are in concurrent development with shared resources. This kind of collaboration doesn’t happen often, so it will be interesting to see what the outcome is.
12. Doom – (Multiple Platforms)
For a lot of older gamers, Doom is a great bit of nostalgia. One of the first and better FPS games (alongside Wolfenstein) out on the PC at the time, it has managed to endear itself to many gamers. Featuring some weird monsters and an even weirder story, which is often simple there to support the shooter aspect.
While there’s nothing to know story-wise for the game, the game is going to be a bigger, better version of the previous Doom titles. New and insane monsters, crazy guns, and just general shooter fun is the call of the day, and we’re likely to see some insanity. If you’re a big fan of shooters, or Doom, you likely won’t want to miss out on this installment.
11. Quantum Break – (PC, Xbox One)
A game that tries to mire the two mediums of TV and Video Games, Quantum Break is a bit of a crazy story involving time travel. While the reveal was a little bit strange, with many people criticizing what Microsoft was trying to do, this should be an interesting game to watch. It will also be one of the few new games that support Direct X 12, so there’s going to be a lot hanging in the balance.
10. Mirror’s Edge Catalyst – (Multiple Platforms)
The original Mirror’s Edge is an amazing game, because it showed people how to create a first-person platform without completely destroying the mechanics and formula. Aside from that, the game looked beautiful and played really smooth, which made it stand out even more at the time. Even though it was slated to have a sequel, it was abandoned by the publisher, to the chagrin of most game critics.
It seems like the furor has worked, and that’s why we have Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, a reboot of the original, which incidentally, is a bit strange since there’s only been one title in the franchise. The game is being developed by DICE, and while they have a very strong presence in the multiplayer world, their single-player skills are yet to be truly tested. This makes me think that the game is going to have a large multiplayer aspects, although we might all be surprised.
9. The Legend of Zelda HD – (Wii U)
“You don’t play as Zelda, you play as Link” is probably a phrase that millions of people have heard over time, and each time, we feel a bit dumb for not making the obvious connection. Of course, the Zelda franchise is one of the biggest that Nintendo owns, and also the most convoluted one, chronologically speaking. So really, it’s no surprise that Nintendo wants to bring the franchise into the future.
With that in mind, The Legend of Zelda HD is, as the name implies, going to have full HD in a 3D, open world. There’s also talk of giving much more freedom to players than previous installments to the franchise, although that’s still left to be seen.
Regardless, the game is going to make waves once it releases, so keep your eyes, and your wallets, open!
8. Star Fox Zero – (Wii U)
Star Fox Zero is in a bit of a limbo, as we’re not actually sure whether it’s a sequel, a prequel, or a remake, with comments from the developers and Nintendo contradicting each other. Of course, that doesn’t really matter much if the game is great, which is very likely considering the original material. So in that regard, it’s going to be a bit of a surprise.
As the 6th installment in the franchise, it will follow the story of a group of anthropomorphic mercenaries which are led by a fox. The gameplay is going to follow similar lines as previous franchises, with a couple of new additions, such as displaying a cockpit view on the GamePad’s screen and a new vehicle which can launch a little robot to explore small spaces. You’ll also be seeing some of the previous location in the franchise like Corneria and Titania, as well as a few new locations.
Ultimately, this will be an interesting game to follow, and for fans of Nintendo and the Star Fox franchise, this is definitely an anticipated title.
7. Dark Souls III – (Multiple Platforms)
If you’ve never played a Dark Souls game, but have played Bloodborn, then you’re already familiar of the franchise. Both games are made by the same developer, and are some of the most intense Action – RPG, roguelike games out there. Dark Souls III takes place in the same world as the previous installments in the franchise, although there is a level of narrative disconnect.
Gameplay will stem closely from Dark Souls II, with some improvements here in there, such as archery, making it into the game. Of course, it will still be as brutal as ever, with maps designed specifically to kill players. Given the franchise’s history, and the developer’s experience with Bloodborn, Dark Souls III is set to be one of the most intense games of the year, so you better have a therapist handy, you might need one!
6. Final Fantasy XV – (PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
Square Enix has managed to create one of the largest and most prolific game franchises out there. Like any one would expect from such a massive franchise, some games have been big hits and others have been disappointing misses. As such Final Fantasy XV is going to be a critical game for most gamers.
Aiming to bring the Final Fantasy series to a more modern set of gamers, leaving the old turn-based combat system behind and instead focusing on live combat. Like other entries, the game will still be open-world, although now it will follow more of a road trip vibe, with bonding and adventure being the glue that holds the story together. If Square Enix can pull that off, then Final Fantasy XV might be one of the best entries into the franchise.
5. Uncharted 4: A Theif’s End – (PlayStation 4)
Included in our list of the ‘Best PS4 Exclusives’, Uncharted 4 is anticipated for the loads of action and fun that the previous installments have had. While there isn’t much information on the game, if 4 builds on the previous story and mechanics, then this game is going to be incredibly amounts of fun, and maybe even reason enough to go out and buy a PS4. (Xbox One users, don’t hate us, we love you too).
4. Mass Effect Andromeda – (Multiple Platforms)
Mass Effect 1-3 (my personally favorite franchise) follows the story of Shephard, as he/she protects humanity from an insidious and mysterious threat. Making some big waves as a third person shooter and RPG, the franchise has captured the hearts and minds of many gamers, so much so, that it even has its own major controversy, The ending. Given how much gamers love Mass Effect, the intense, child-like joy of finding out that the next installment is on the way isn’t surprising.
Of course, there isn’t really much known about the next set of games in the franchise, but we do know that it won’t be the Shephard storyline anymore and will either move to the future of the past. Regardless of where the story lies, Bioware has done an excellent job one-upping itself for every installment they’ve released for this title. If they continue at the same rate as before, Mass Effect: Andromeda is likely to blow some minds, mine included.
3. Dues Ex: Mankind Divided – (Multiple Platforms)
The Deus Ex franchise has always been an important one in the RPG world. On the one hand, it has many seminal entries which were trend setters in RPGs, and on the other, it explored some deeper philosophical questions about the progress of technology and what is to be human. Of course, there’s some intrigue in the form of the Illumanity thrown in, but who ever said no to some conspiracy fun?
There isn’t much information on the story, other than the fact that its set two years after Human Revolution, where augmentations people have are acting violently, due to a chip implanted in their augments, a plot twist we find out in the previous game. Of course, in the best form of Deus Ex, you are allowed to both complete missions and areas through stealth, or simply run around with your finger on the trigger. So all in all, if it’s anything like its predecessor, Mankind Divided is going to be a great and solid installment in the franchise.
2. No Man’s Sky – (PC, PlayStation 4)
No Man’s sky is . . . and interesting game. Primarily, it’s an exploration game that takes you across the universe, where everything is completely procedurally generated. The planets, environments, the animals and plants that inhibit them, everything is generated by the computer.
It’s a rather far-out idea, and an ambitious one at that. The question is, what is there to do in the game? Well, other than explore, we have no idea. You’ll just have to find out by playing!
1. Kingdom Hearts 3 – (PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
While I haven’t always been a massive fan of the Kingdom Hearts franchise (I’m a PC gamer and the series has mostly been on consoles), I have to say that this entry into my franchise has set my heart at quite a tizzy. Kingdom Hearts is what happens when you take a bunch of Disney licenses and smash them into a JRPG. The end result of this is surprisingly awesome and fun, and really somehow captures both the essence of Walt Disney, but also the essence of JRPGs.
Of course, this game has been a long time coming, and with Tetsuya Nomura’s leave from directing Final Fantasy XV, the game’s development has progressed dramatically. Again, like most games on this list, we aren’t very sure what’s going to be involved in regards to story and gameplay, but the Nomura’s presence at the helm should lead to a really great game that’s going to be making waves for a while.
Now don’t mind me while I go out and buy a bunch of consoles.
What do you think? Are there any games that deserve a place on this list? Let us know in the comments.
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