This year in gaming has been a bombardment of blockbuster titles such as Metal Gear Solid V, Bloodborne, and The Witcher 3. There's still more to look forward to with the upcoming releases of Fallout 4, and Star Wars: Battlefront. This rapid succession of highly anticipated games have left some wondering how they'll be entertained in 2016. Hold your heads up high because here's a quick list of reminders on how the industry will keep the momentum going into in the new year.
10. For Honor
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Release Date: TBA 2016
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC
Have you ever had a debate on who would win in a fight between a samurai, knight, or a viking? Well Ubisoft Montreal, creators of the Far Cry and Assassin's Creed series, are working on putting this hypothetical scenario into your hands. In this multiplayer online game players face off in 4v4 matches assuming the role as one of the aforementioned warriors alongside an army in an all-out brawl. The game was revealed at E3 2015 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) and impressed many, including myself, with its realistic art style and innovative gameplay mechanics.
Release Date: TBA 2016
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC
Have you ever had a debate on who would win in a fight between a samurai, knight, or a viking? Well Ubisoft Montreal, creators of the Far Cry and Assassin's Creed series, are working on putting this hypothetical scenario into your hands. In this multiplayer online game players face off in 4v4 matches assuming the role as one of the aforementioned warriors alongside an army in an all-out brawl. The game was revealed at E3 2015 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) and impressed many, including myself, with its realistic art style and innovative gameplay mechanics.
9. VR Headsets (Virtual Reality)
For years people have been questioning what impact VR headsets would bring. Is it the future of gaming? Or a phase destined to run the same course as motion-controls? These questions will begin to be answered in 2016. The long awaited Oculus Rift headset is slated release in the first quarter of next year. Just a few days ago, Sony who had previously revealed their headset code-named Project: Morpheus, now renamed Playstation VR, announced it also will be shipping in the first half of 2016.
8. XCOM 2
Developer: Firaxis Games
Release Date: February 5, 2016
Platforms: PC
A follow-up to XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012), a sci-fi turn-based strategy game, this new installment plans to refine its predecessors accomplishments with more customization options, an addition of a melee class, and an increased emphasis on story. When publisher 2K Games announced last month that XCOM 2's initial November release would be pushed back to February my heart sunk and the money I had ready to throw at the computer screen was somberly tucked away.
Release Date: February 5, 2016
Platforms: PC
A follow-up to XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012), a sci-fi turn-based strategy game, this new installment plans to refine its predecessors accomplishments with more customization options, an addition of a melee class, and an increased emphasis on story. When publisher 2K Games announced last month that XCOM 2's initial November release would be pushed back to February my heart sunk and the money I had ready to throw at the computer screen was somberly tucked away.
7. Indie Games Galore
A lot of the appeal that comes from indie games derives from the people that make them. In most cases the games are passion projects for the designers causing consumers to flock to the idea of supporting them in various manners like, Kickstarter. Here are a few indie games coming out next year that stand out.
- Mighty No. 9, is an action-platformer releasing on all platforms besides mobile devices, and is produced by Keiji Inafune, creator of the Megaman series.
- Yooka-Laylee, is a action-adventure game developed by Playtonic Games, which comprises of many members who worked on the Banjo-Kazooie games. Yooka-Laylee is set to release on PC and all current-gen consoles.
- The Witness, coming out on PC, iOS, and Playstation 4, is a puzzle game from the mind of Jonathan Blow, creator of the praised game, Braid.
6. The Last Guardian
Developer: Team Ico
Release Date: TBA 2016
Platforms: Playstation 4
The Last Guardian is being developed by Team Ico, creators of the acclaimed games Shadow of the Colossus and Ico. First revealed at E3 in 2009 for the Playstation 3, its trailer left crowds awe-struck, showcasing scenes of a boy and his mythical creature solving puzzles in a fantasy environment. What is perhaps more interesting than the game itself, is its lengthy development process. After its initial reveal the game did not show for three years. The years following its reappearance it was yet again absent at conferences leaving fans more frustrated and confused than ever. It was not until this year's E3 that Sony confirmed that the game was still happening and now moved to the Playstion 4. The last question to be answered now is whether the game will live up to people's high expectations.
Release Date: TBA 2016
Platforms: Playstation 4
The Last Guardian is being developed by Team Ico, creators of the acclaimed games Shadow of the Colossus and Ico. First revealed at E3 in 2009 for the Playstation 3, its trailer left crowds awe-struck, showcasing scenes of a boy and his mythical creature solving puzzles in a fantasy environment. What is perhaps more interesting than the game itself, is its lengthy development process. After its initial reveal the game did not show for three years. The years following its reappearance it was yet again absent at conferences leaving fans more frustrated and confused than ever. It was not until this year's E3 that Sony confirmed that the game was still happening and now moved to the Playstion 4. The last question to be answered now is whether the game will live up to people's high expectations.
5. Overwatch
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Release Date: TBA
Platforms: PC
Overwatch won “over” the hearts of many with its Pixar-esque art style when it was unveiled at Blizzcon 2014. The game is a multiplayer first-person shooter involving combat between two squads of six people each. As of now a 2016 release is yet to be revealed . However, since demos and betas are common for these types of games, it should be safe to assume we'll be playing it in some form next year. At this point, it's hard to believe Blizzard, creators of World of Warcraft and StarCraft, could steer us wrong. Currently, it appears the company is on a hot-streak of sorts, with recent games such as Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm gaining rapid popularity.
Release Date: TBA
Platforms: PC
Overwatch won “over” the hearts of many with its Pixar-esque art style when it was unveiled at Blizzcon 2014. The game is a multiplayer first-person shooter involving combat between two squads of six people each. As of now a 2016 release is yet to be revealed . However, since demos and betas are common for these types of games, it should be safe to assume we'll be playing it in some form next year. At this point, it's hard to believe Blizzard, creators of World of Warcraft and StarCraft, could steer us wrong. Currently, it appears the company is on a hot-streak of sorts, with recent games such as Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm gaining rapid popularity.
4. Dark Souls III
Developer: FromSoftware
Release Date: March 24, 2016 Japan, TBA U.S.
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC
For those that recognize the origin of the current design for this blog can obviously tell that I am a fan of the Dark Souls series. With each new installment the franchise has become more popular, capturing those with its brutally difficult action RPG combat. Despite critical acclaim, some are concerned if the game's can still impress since they've seemingly have had short development periods.
Release Date: March 24, 2016 Japan, TBA U.S.
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC
For those that recognize the origin of the current design for this blog can obviously tell that I am a fan of the Dark Souls series. With each new installment the franchise has become more popular, capturing those with its brutally difficult action RPG combat. Despite critical acclaim, some are concerned if the game's can still impress since they've seemingly have had short development periods.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Wii U
Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: TBA 2016
Platforms: Wii U
Given Nintendo's track record and the lack of an official title, it wasn't a big surprise when they announced that the intended 2015 release date of the next Legend of Zelda game would be delayed til 2016. Nevertheless, my eagerness to play the game has not diminished. Although the game is still shrouded in so much mystery, the few bits of gameplay are more than enough to fuel the hype. After all, it is a Zelda game.
Release Date: TBA 2016
Platforms: Wii U
Given Nintendo's track record and the lack of an official title, it wasn't a big surprise when they announced that the intended 2015 release date of the next Legend of Zelda game would be delayed til 2016. Nevertheless, my eagerness to play the game has not diminished. Although the game is still shrouded in so much mystery, the few bits of gameplay are more than enough to fuel the hype. After all, it is a Zelda game.
2. A Big Year for Square-Enix
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Final Fantasy XV Trailer | Final Fantasy VII Teaser | Kingdom Hearts III Trailer |
Square-Enix held their own press conference this year at E3 and surprised many fans with a sleuth of game announcements including a new installments in the Hitman and Deus Ex series. Aside from the releases to come in 2016, fans patiently await for more information on the company's most esteemed franchises.
- Final Fantasy XV: Is a game in a similar position to The Last Guardian or perhaps an even more severe case. It was revealed all the way back in 2006 under the name Final Fantasy Versus XIII. The game has gone through an on-going ten-year journey of rewrites, switching of platforms, and game engine changes. Final Fantasy XV is set to drop sometime in 2016, it is very unlikely that it will be delayed but there's no such thing as being too cautious when it comes to Square-Enix.
- Final Fantasy VII remake: This year Square finally confirmed the development of a remake for the 1997 classic with a small teaser. It's difficult to predict when the game will come out since we don't what extent the company plans to update and tweak the game. The only advice I can give Square is to tread lightly, because for some your working with the Bible of video games.
- Kingdom Hearts III: Kingdom Hearts II was released in 2005 and since then the series has only received games about side-stories on handheld devices. It's safe to assume players will have to wait even past next year to get their hands on the action-adventure game featuring a mash-up of Disney characters. But you can be sure every trailer and details received in 2016 will be coveted with the utmost of appreciation.
1. Nintendo NX
Earlier this year Nintendo announced its new hardware platform codenamed “NX.” The news of possibly a new console took many off guard because the company's most recent hardware, the Wii U, only being in its third year cycle. The only thing known for sure about NX is that Nintendo and mobile game publisher DeNA are working together on developing this console that targets the usage of smart devices. While we wait for official news from the company sure to come 2016, people have already begun to speculating, spreading rumors, and uncovering possible concept designs.
All rights reserved to respective image owners.
All rights reserved to respective image owners.