2015 brought forth some really progressive games – from the beautiful animation of Ori and the Blind Forest, to games that came to serve as a lesson like in Life is Strange or to revisiting old classics like Tomb Raider and Fallout 4. In 2016, I am looking for games that do all these things and more and after an amazing year for video games in 2015 as well as big announcements for 2016, I am very excited!
Here is my list for my most anticipated games of 2016, in no particular order:
Battleborn
Battleborn is a first person shooter game developed by Gearbox studios (those who brought you Borderlands). This game will mix first person style shooters with a multiplayer battle arena all set in space. You will be able to choose from 25 different characters, all with their own special abilities and weapons. The game was set to release in early February but has been pushed until May. It will be playable on PC, PS4 and XBOX One.
Hyper Light Drifter
Developer Heart Machine’s Kickstarter baby, Hyper Light Drifter, is a 2D pixel animated RPG. Players control a character named Drifter who has a mysterious illness and must search the world in order to find a cure. Aside from what looks to be some fantastic gameplay, the art and colors in this game look amazing! Set to release early this year, gamers can enjoy it on pretty much all platforms.
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst (EA DICE) looks at the origin story of Faith, a runner who is looking for freedom in the City of Glass. I’m excited to play as a Faith through this first person combat experience. The game will have different missions, but in between them, players will get to roam the city freely! The game is set to release in May and will be playable on PC, XBOX One and PS4.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 4 is probably on everyone’s most anticipated games list! Set three years after Uncharted 3, this third-person shooter follows Drake once again searching for pirate treasure with his brother (who, unfortunately, is not a zombie). The game will be released on March 18th for the PS4.
Horizon: Zero Dawn
Shown at E3 in 2015, Horizon Zero Dawn is another highly anticipated game for many in 2016. Set in the future, human beings are no longer the dominant species and are surrounded by large, robotic creatures. Been in development since 2011, Guerrilla Games has yet to announce a release date and will be a PS4 exclusive.
The Last Guardian
GenDESIGN’s The Last Guardian has been delayed for a really, really long time – since the 2009 E3, at least. The game follows a young boy who becomes friends with a giant bird/dog looking creature, and the friendship that will develop between them as they combat challenges which surround them. It is expected to be released this year on the PS4.
No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky is another highly anticipated game for 2016. Created by Hello Games, players will be able to explore an infinite world. Infinite solar systems, planets, worlds, you name it! As the player travels, more planets will be created! Because of this, each player will have a different experience. It is planned to be released in June on the PS4.
Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda is an up and coming Nintendo action-adventure game for the Wii U. Like other games, it will follow Link, and allow for players to explore the world more freely. Link can travel the open world on foot or on his horse, Epona. Nintendo originally planned to release the game in 2015, but due to delays it is expected for release this year (hopefully!).
Pokken Tournament
Pokemon Tekken was released for arcades in Japan last year and will be released worldwide for the Wii U later this year. Basically, Bandai Namco Entertainment’s new release will be similar to their original Tekken games, only with characters from Pokemon. Players should expect techniques from the Pokemon series including special moves and Megaevolutions!
Batman
Telltale Games will release an episodic Batman game! The game is said to be a look into Bruce Wayne’s life and the struggle he faces trying to save Gotham from it’s dark ways. Not much else has been revealed of the game except for the fact that it will be playable on most gaming devices and will be released this year.
Mass Effect: Andromeda
BioWare is planning on releasing it’s highly awaited fourth installment of the Mass Effect series. Mass Effect: Andromeda’s plot has been kept under wraps. The only information we have on the game so far is that it will be set within the same universe as the original trilogy but in a different galaxy. It is planned to be released on the PS4, XBOX One and PC in late 2016.
We Happy Few
Probably one of the creepiest games I’ve come to see, We Happy Few is a first-person survival game developed by Compulsion Games. Set in an alternate dystopian version of England in the 1960s where the population is kept under control through a drug called “Joy”. As the player, you are not on “Joy” and thus, must survive in a town full of people who are out to get you. The game will be released on PC, Mac and XBOX One in June.
Unravel
Coldwood Interacive’s Unravel is a puzzle-based platformer that follows a small creature made of yarn named Yarny. Players will explore the game as Yarny and use his body to interact with his world. The game’s developer, Martin Sahlin, stated that Yarny is a representation of love, which is the cutest thing ever. I am excited for this game which is planned for release in February PC, PS4 and XBOX One.
What Remains of Edith Finch
What Remains of Edith Finch is the next installment for Giant Sparrow Studios. The game centers around of young girl name Edith Finich and her short stories; all which revolve around the Finch family. Anything seems possible in this first-person perspective game which is st to release later this year for the PS4.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Square Enix’s latest installment of the Deus EX series follows a similar plan to those before it. It will be an open world game where each decision made by the player will affect the consequences later on – even the ending can change per player. Set in a dystopian future, the game is planned to be released in February for PC, PS4 and XBOX One.
Rachet & Clank
Last but not least, a new, reimagined Ratchet & Clank will be released by Insomniac Games. Like the first one (which was released in 2002), it will be a platformer with a variety of different gameplay, including weapons and strafing. The game will be a tie-in with a movie, both set to release in April! The game will be playable on the PS4.
So, what can we look forward to in 2016? Plenty of dystopian settings and space it seems. These are just a few of the upcoming games to look forward to this year. Which games are you guys looking forward too?