Things To Look Forward To
These are some of the best games to play over the next year. Some are available now, some will be released later this year or next. So let’s get started.
15. Fifa 16
E3 gameplay trailer
Available in September this year, prepare for some more of the beautiful game. And no games are presented more beautifully than EA’s Fifa series. One of the biggest features of this instalment is the introduction of twelve women’s national teams. This and more controls within defence and midfield could make this one of the best Fifas yet.
14. Call of Duty Black Ops 3
Zombies reveal trailer
More fps magic from the current masters, Black Ops 3 brings more tactical, gun-toting objectives. Set in the near future, blend human teamwork and space-age technology to slide, wall run and thrust jump your way to success. With 4 player co-op and cutting edge multiplayer we expect from the CoD franchise, and of course, zombies, Black Ops 3 should be on a lot of Christmas wish lists at the end of this year. Due out in November.
13. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Gameplay video
Out on 23rd October for Xbox One and PS4, PC players will have to wait a little longer for the latest episode of Assassin’s Creed. Syndicate takes us to London in 1868. As the industrial revolution is taking off, expect some inventive weaponry to quench your thirst for undercover killing.
12. Rise of the Tomb Raider
Siberian Wilderness E3 demo
Microsoft claims that the next Tomb Raider, released on Xbox One this year, will permanently be an Xbox One exclusive. Tomb Raider’s developers at Crystal Dynamics claim that Microsoft’s monopoly “has a duration.” Well, if the online rumours have any truth, we can probably expect to see a PS4 and PC version emerge some time in 2016.
11. Mass Effect Andromeda
Official E3 reveal
This won’t be out until the holiday period of 2016, but it will be well worth the wait, I’m sure. Set many years after the original trilogy, the 4th Mass Effect is a brand new story, with brand new characters, set in a brand new galaxy, called Andromeda. I’m looking forward to finding out more about this instalment and telling you guys about it as soon as I know.
10. GTA V
GTA V 60 fps PC trailer
GTA V has been on the shelves for quite some time now, especially for console owners but, as always, the definitive PC version always comes out much later. The benchmark of sandbox games finally reached the PC in April this year, and the vibrant, living, breathing city of Los Santos never looked more beautiful. Play as Michael, Trevor and Franklin and live your own American dream.
9. Mirror’s Edge Catalyst
Official E3 reveal trailer
For those of you who haven’t played, Mirror’s Edge puts you in the role of Faith Conners, a ‘runner’ who takes messages around a dystopian futuristic city in a parkour style way. It’s visually a piece of modern art, and if the first game is anything to go by, will be a pleasure to watch and play. Catalyst promises to expand on the gameplay of the first iteration and will be released in February next year.
8. Just Cause 3
Official E3 Playthrough
Return as Rico Rodriguez as you set out to liberate your homeland, the Mediterranean island of Medici. With over 400 square miles of land, sea and air to explore, with a myriad of weapons, gadgets and vehicles, expect this game to be even more explosive and over the top as the last two. Just Cause 3 will be out on the 1st December this year.
7. Doom
Official E3 trailer
The new Doom game will be out in Spring 2016, and it looks to be a return to the original games stylistically. It’ll be a fast-paced, non-stop gore fest. None of the ‘lurking in the shadows’ style of Doom 3. There’ll be some excellent multiplayer mayhem to enjoy, and a pretty cool looking level editor called SnapMap.
6. Street Fighter V
Ken reveal trailer
Street Fighter V will be a PS4 and PC only game and will be out in March next year. Expect more stunning visuals and super fast battle mechanics in the staple of fighting games. Characters will involve old favourites, and also some new, a fresh set of fighting styles and techniques. The franchise will work cross-platform between PC and PS4, allowing for a larger roster of online fighting.
5. Tom Clancy’s The Division
official trailer
A new game in the Tom Clancy universe, The Division sees you as a sleeper agent, awakened as the technology our modern world is built on, fails and society as we know falls into chaos. Due out 8th March next year, expect more Clancy tactical and strategic gameplay, set in a world that has completely broken down.
4. Star Wars Battlefront
E3 gameplay trailer
The new Star Wars game will be available on the 17th November this year and will undoubtedly be the most realistic galaxy yet. With photorealistic graphics, wage epic battles on all your favourite planets in the Star Wars universe, as well as some intense dog fights in the air, and play as some of the franchise’s most loved (or hated) characters.
3. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
gameplay video
The next MGS V (part 2), The Phantom Pain, will be available from the 1st September this year and carries off from where Ground Zeroes (MGS V, part one) left off. Set in 1984, during the Soviet War, Snake (you) will venture on a path of vengeance, righting wrongs that happened in Ground Zeroes, and rescue your former partner, who is being held captive in Afghanistan.
2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Official gameplay trailer
Released earlier this year in May, The Witcher 3 has won over 200 awards and set a new bar for RPG gaming. You play as a witcher, a monster-killing bounty hunter, and set your own goals and destinations. Of course, there is a story to follow, but if and how you go about completing that story is up to you.
1. Fallout 4
The official trailer for Fallout 4
If you’ve played Fallout 3, or Skyrim, or any other of Bethesda’s Fallout or Elder Scrolls games, you’ll know what to expect here. This time though, it is all next-gen, and is the most highly anticipated game in the series so far. Set in post-apocalyptic Boston, it is a free-roaming, choose-your-own-path adventure. From the E3 trailer, it appears that the game starts as the nukes start dropping and then you awaken, 200 years later, around the time the other Fallout games are set. This will be out November 10th this year and as well as the regular edition, there is also a pipboy edition which comes with an exact replica of a pipboy, which you can put your smartphone in (check for compatibility first), and then wear on your wrist and use in game.
So many games, so little time
There we have it. 15 of the greatest games to play over the next 12 or so months. No doubt there’s many more I haven’t mentioned. Tell me what I missed in the comments. See you next time.
