Games You Should Definitely Look Forward to This Year

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – TBA (Switch, Wii U)

Nintendo is bringing the highly anticipated next entry to the Legend of Zelda series to fans this year on both the Wii U and the upcoming Nintendo Switch. Adopting many of the features of most modern action RPGs while also keeping the core of what makes The Legend of Zelda so beloved, the game is primed to pull attention and quite possibly a few GotY nods as well.

Vampyr – TBA (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Vampyr is the upcoming title from Dontnod Entertainment (Remember Me, Life Is Strange) and is quite different from what the studio has brought us so far. This time you’ll be taking on the role of a new vampire who must balance being a doctor with being a blood-hungry monster. It’s an interesting take on the vampire video game, and one that you might want to keep an eye out for.

State of Decay 2 – TBA (Xbox One, PC)

State of Decay took the world by storm with its more realistic approach to the zombie apocalypse as players managed people, resources, and property. The upcoming sequel looks to give even more control to the player while providing much more variation and a larger threat to humanity.

Star Citizen – TBA (PC)

Star Citizen isn’t exactly locked into a date, and may very well drift out of 2017, as the game has been prone to delays and other issues. However, there are several possible parts that players may see finally release this year such as Star Citizen itself or the single-player Squadron 42. Sci-fi fans have been at the edge of their seats waiting for this one, so it’s definitely something to keep an eye out for in the coming months.

Scalebound – TBA (Xbox One, PC)

Scalebound, the latest game from Platinum Games, is finally set to hit Xbox Ones and PCs in 2017. Players will take control of a hero and a customizable dragon as they fight through the world of Draconis. It’s an action RPG full with powerful enemies, impossibly large bosses, and Platinum’s signature fat-paced combat.

Quake Champions – TBA (PC)

It’s been over 10 years since fans have received a new entry in the Quake series. The developers, id Software, are taking the game back to its roots with Quake Champions, an arena shooter with a large roster and tons of unique abilities and weapons, just like the good ol’ days.

Pyre – TBA (PS4, PC)

Pyre is the next action-RPG from Supergiant Games (Bastion, Transistor), and it shakes up the formula that the studio is known for. This time you’ll control multiple warriors as you employ strategy and some fast thinking in in quick battles where positioning is key and combat plays out almost like a game of soccer. It’s certainly looking interesting, but if the studio’s previous works are anything to go by, then players are in for a real treat.

Phantom Dust Remaster – TBA (Xbox One)

Phantom Dust is sort of part third-person shooter, part collectible card game. It originally released back in 2005 for the original Xbox and is considered a cult classic by many thanks to its tight combat system and fast-paced strategic gameplay. The remaster is said to bring everything that fans loved about the original properly into the current generation.

Gwent: The Witcher Card Game – TBA (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was a great game in its own right, but it also housed another great game within its confines. Gwent, the trading card game that everyone played -including royalty, servants, shopkeeps, bartenders, and yes, even witchers- is going to be made available for everyone outside of that turbulent world. Time to start building decks.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy – TBA (PS4)

Crash Bandicoot has been gone from our lives for a very long time. Fans have been crying out for the brash hero to make a return and he finally is in the form of complete remasters of his first three games. Get ready to spin through some crates as you work to take down the nefarious Dr. Neo Cortex.

Crackdown 3 – TBA (Xbox One, PC)

If you’ve played the previous Crackdown games, then you know why you should be excited for the upcoming third entry in the series. Being a cop and stopping powerful enemies is cool, but when you’re able to do so with super powers while destroying entire buildings, things become a whole lot more interesting and fun. This Xbox One exclusive was supposed to partially release last year but is now slated to reach fans some time in 2017.

Battlefront 2 – TBA (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Star Wars: Battlefront was a solid multiplayer game that did have a few shortcomings. Still, there’s no denying how epic it felt to partake in huge iconic battles while players took to the ground and the skies simultaneously. Hopefully DICE has learned a thing or two and can incorporate even more epicness (and hopefully a full single player experience) for fans to look forward to in 2017.

Absolver – TBA (PS4, PC)

Absolver is an action-RPG from Sloclap games that offers a new level of customization when it comes to combat. The combat plays out like a tight fighting game with fluid movements and custom combinations as well as weapons and other abilities you can utilize. There’s a light MMO element to the experience allowing you to train and fight other players as you endeavor to becomine a Peacekeeper in the world of Adal. It’s an interesting take on ARPGs, and one that you may want to keep on your radar.

Red Dead Redemption 2 – Q4 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Rockstar is finally ready to release a new game and it’s the much-requested Red Dead Redemption 2. The title is interesting as the first game was a follow up to Red Dead Revolver, so many expected a new name this time around as well. Perhaps the title itself is giving more insight into the upcoming story than we realize which has fans chomping at the bit as this game awaits us all at the tail end of 2017.

Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite – Q4 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite mixes things up for the franchise by bringing in components from other fighting games. The X-Factor system has been replaced with the Infinity Stone system to provide a more balanced field, teams are dropped back down to two characters like older entries, but in place of assists, players will be able to swap on the fly, including during combos to create powerful strings of attacks. Not many players have been revealed, but the addition of Mega Man X and Captain Marvel are definitely intriguing, If Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite is even half as good as its predecessors, fighting game fans are in for a real treat in 2017,

Sonic Mania – Q2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Sonic has had a rough to of things in recent years, so the announcement of Sonic Mania brought tears to fans’ eyes. It looks to be going all the way back to the series’ roots with tight, side scrolling gameplay and retro visuals. Here’s to hoping that the blue blur is back on top where he’s supposed to be.

Yooka-Laylee – Apr. 11 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Remember how great Banjo-Kazooie was and how you’ve been longing for another game like it? Will several ex-Rare employees got together and formed Playtonic Games and developed a game that has all the nostalgia tied into beautiful new visuals that you could hope for with another animal duo waiting to capture your heart.

Persona 5 – Apr. 4 (PS4)

Persona 5 has been out for a few months in Japan already, but the west will finally get its hands on this highly anticipated RPG from Atlus. This time around you’ll join a band of thieves as you fight to uncover the secret behind a darkness spreading throughout Japan. Of course, you’ll have the help of your powerful Personas and the ability to run through a twisted alternate world to keep you locked in.

Mass Effect Andromeda – Q1/Q2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Mass Effect was one of those trilogies that fans just couldn’t let go of. So, after a long enough wait, the developers are bringing fans a new adventure in another corner of the universe as the last of humanity along with a few alien allies tries to find a home in the Andromeda galaxy. BioWare is no slouch when it comes to creating mesmerizing RPGs, so this is definitely one to look out for in 2017.

Tekken 7 – Q1 (PS4, Xbox one, PC)

Tekken 7 has been a long time coming, especially since Japan has had this game in arcades since last summer. But it’s going to be well worth the wait with its smoother combat, cinematic story, and inclusion of Akuma from the Street Fighter series, complete with his EX bar and signature moves.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole – Q1 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

South Park: The Stick of Truth surprised everyone with its tight, fantasy driven RPG action. This time around, the brash kids from Colorado are into super-heroes. You have to create your own hero as you find yourself in the middle of a civil war between Coon and Friends and the Freedom Pals. You can expect copious amounts of crude humor and deep RPG mechanics in early 2017.

Birthdays the Beginning – Mar. 7 (PS4, PC)

Birthdays the Beginning  is an upcoming game from Yasuhiro Wada (Harvest Moon) that takes simulations to another level, tasking the player with creating and shaping worlds. You can experiement with the form of these cube worlds and different factors such as temperature to alter and create entire ecosystems.

NieR: Automata – Mar. 7 (PS4, PC)

NieR: Automata is set to release on the PS4 on Mar. 7, but the PC date has not yet been locked in. Still, those looking to try out the upcoming action-RPG are in for a treat thanks to the fast-pased gameplay that PlatinumGames is known for which mixes up brutal sword action and long range attacks, as well as some large bosses and clever camera work that makes each section feel like a new game.  

Horizon: Zero Dawn – Feb. 28 (PS4)

Horizon: Zero Dawn is Guerilla Games’ is an upcoming action-RPG that is very different from what the studio is known for. Players will explore a post-apocalyptic world that is inhabited by robotic beasts as nature has reclaimed everything that humanity had built. There’re skill trees and crafting systems as well as a huge, open world for players to explored that has been beautifully rendered in the Decima Engine. It will be interesting to see what this engine can do as it’s the same engine that Kojima will be using for Death Stranding.

For Honor – Feb. 14 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

For Honor is all about war. Players will choose warriors from three distinct factions as they fight for their home against tons of AI controlled soldiers and other players. The hectic gameplay, and the class-based characters make for interesting battles that are sure to keep you locked in for hours. So, while everyone else is celebrating Valentine’s Day, why not give the gift of defeat to your adversaries.

Nioh – Feb. 9 (PS4)

Nioh is the next game from Team Ninja that places players in a supernaturally charged feudal Japan. It’s been compared to Dark Souls for all the right reasons thanks to its beautifully dark world, mesmerizing enemy designs, and brutally tight combat. If you’re sad that the Souls series is over, this is definitely something worth picking up in 2017.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard – Jan. 24 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Resident Evil hasn’t been very… scary in quite some time. Thankfully, Capcom is set to return the series to its survival horror roots with what is easily among the scariest games we’ve checked out in some time. Prepare to explore a mansion overrun with freaky monsters and a twisted family as you scavenge for what little resources there are in this horrifying world. Oh, and if you’re feeling extra brave and own a PSVR headset, why not place yourself directly in the world?

Kingdom Hearts HD II.8 Final Chapter Prologue – Jan. 24 (PS4)

Kingdom Hearts III is still far away, but at least we’ll get a bit more of the story thanks to Kingdom Hearts HD II.8 Final Chapter Prologue. It will include Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage which will link the events of Birth by Sleep to the upcoming final entry to the series. There’s also a full HD remaster of Dream Drop Distance, as well as Kingdom Hearts x Back Cover, a cinematic experience that helps tie the stories together. With 2017 being the 15 year anniversary for the franchise, it’s an exciting time to be a fan.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King – Jan. 20 (3DS)

Dragon Quest VIII is a PS2 classic that definitely should be played by anyone with a 3DS who may have missed out on the original. This remake includes improved visuals, new playable characters, and more scenarios to help flesh out the story of one of the best games in the series.

Gravity Rush 2 – Jan. 20 (PS4)

Gravity Rush was easily one of the best Vita games, as well as one of the prettiest games to grace both the handheld and the PS4 thus far. The sequel, which picks up right where the first game left off, is now a PS4 exclusive that should definitely be on every PS4 owners radar in the beginning of 2017.