No time to be funny or clever for this year. There’s too many games to talk about and nowhere near enough time…
Horizon Zero Dawn
Available on: PS4
Due: 1st March
What’s better than hunting dinosaurs? Why, documenting them from a distance while creating no difference to their fragile ecosystem of course… or hunting robot versions of said dinosaurs. Taking control of Aloy in this third-person action role-playing game (RPG), you get to live the life of a Techno-Neanderthal on a quest to destroy and loot all the robo-dinosaur corpses.
NieR: Automata
Available on: PS4 & PC
Due: PS4 – 10th March. PC – TBC
This is part of a game series that I’ve never heard of before, but for some reason, I’m really excited for this title. Of course, I’m excited as it’s an action RPG where you have floating swords, fight robots and everything moves really fast. It has massive Bosses and everything looks like a nightmare comprised of multiple smaller nightmares.
Shenmue 3
Available on: PS4 & PC
Due: December
This is a weird one. On one hand, the Shenmue games were fantastic, depth-filled units that began a lot of gaming trends that can still be seen today. On the other, the gaming sphere has changed and there’s a chance that it’ll be too long in the tooth and no fun to play. Hopefully, it’s the former and we get a Shenmue that reminds us why they are considered to be some of the best adventure games around.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Available on: PS4 & Xbox One
Due: TBC – Autumn 2017
Who knows what Red Dead Redemption 2 will be about. I don’t and to be honest, I don’t care. Taking the original third person mode, I’m sure it’ll be expanded to make it bigger, better and more than likely featuring an excellent online mode. It’s a game made by Rockstar, so it will be great and you can get excited about it. I wonder if John Marston will be in it…
God of War
Available on: PS4
Due: TBC
No not the original from 2002, but an entirely new game set in the world of Norse mythology. Utilising a free camera third person perspective instead of the fixed camera of the original means it’ll be more in line with most other action games, which could mean it gets lost with all the other similar styled games this year. Of course, no other game could give you the chance to take on the mighty Jörmungandr, so it has that going for it.
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Available on: Wii-U & Nintendo Switch
Due: 3rd March
So it’s finally here. The newest game in the Legend of Zelda series and it gets released on the same day as the Switch, so early adopters have something great to play on day one. Keeping the same formula but adding a few changes, like degradable weapons and a crafting system, I think that we could be seeing the new high point of Zelda titles that also brings back a lot of old elements of the franchise.
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Available on: PS4, Xbox One & PC
Due: 23rd March
The biggest and most intense space opera RPG finally returns. Set in the Andromeda Galaxy many years after the conclusion of Mass Effect 3, Mass Effect: Andromeda looks set to offer the same rich decision-based narrative mixed with third person action that we’ve all come to expect from the acclaimed series.
Persona 5
Available on: PS4 & PS3
Due: 14th February
So it’s a RPG where you take control of a silent school student. Over the course of a year, you’re balancing their school life with fighting for their life against monstrosities. I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about the Persona series but I do know that the blend of mundane and ridiculous is something I could get into. Also, the art style looks fantastic.
Prey
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360 & PC
Due: TBC
I’ve already heard people call it the “Best Game of 2017” and it’s a bit soon for that, but Prey does look like it could be a hoot for all. You take control of Morgan Yu in a first-person perspective, as you fight against shape-shifting aliens whilst confined to a space station. Also, at some point in the game, you can turn into a cup! I’m excited to be a cup.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Available on: PS4, Xbox One & PC
Due: 7th March
Wildlands is apparently the biggest open world game that Ubisoft has made, which considering the enormous Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, is a pretty big feat. I’m excited to play a tactical open world third person shooter where I take control of which mission to take, how to prepare for it and how to take the targets down. Think ‘Just Cause’ but less ridiculous and more calculated.
Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Due: TBC
It’s tag team combat again from Capcom, but this time it’s exactly the same as the last one. Seriously, though, the combo system has been changed into a more free form style, allowing for greater complexity of combos. It has been promised that unlike every other recent Capcom game, it’ll come with actual content and won’t be a terrible waste of money with everything available via downloadable content (DLC). I’m anxious but also super excited.
Injustice 2
Available on: Ps4, Xbox One, Android & iOS
Due: PS4 & Xbox One – 16th May. Android & iOS – TBC
The original Injustice was a great fighting game taking the fight style of the Mortal Kombat series and filling it full of DC superheroes. Staying pretty much the same as the first but adding a loot drop system turning the fighting game into more of an RPG, you can upgrade your chosen Superhero to near godlike levels. Don’t worry though, as all additions will be disabled for online play.
Tekken 7
Available on: PS4, Xbox One and PC
Due: February
Now I don’t mean to brag, but when I played Tekken 7 in a Japanese arcade, I won 3 whole matches against real life humans. The game is standard Tekken-fare with a few additions to core gameplay such as tweaked damage, scaling, side-stepping ability, Rage Art and Power Crush coming in as completely new abilities. Don’t worry, if you don’t understand what that means, as you can still beat up a bear with a giant man robot.
Super Mario Odyssey
Available on: Nintendo Switch
Due: TBC
The Switch has only just been announced and already it has a Mario title that makes it a must have. Looking like a throwback to Mario 64, Odyssey takes the perfect formula of big 3D worlds with outstanding level design and you to have Mario running around a replica New York or a Mexican desert. Also, Bowser wears a white suit with matching top hat.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Available on: PS4
Due: TBC
It’s all three original Crash games remade and remastered and looking amazing but keeping the same playstyle that made the Bandicoot famous. I’m excited to replay three of the best games of my childhood, especially since every recent Crash Bandicoot has been pretty bland. Hopefully, this sells really well and we get more from the orange marsupial in the future.
That’s a lot of games for one set of hands to play but hopefully, we all find time to give each and every one the time that they deserve. Also, there are lots of other games out as well, so find time for those too!
Author: Hal, Plymouth store
