2019 is just a month old which means there is plenty to look forward to before the year is up. That, of course, will include video games with some extraordinarily exciting titles scheduled for release in the coming months. From sequels of beloved favourites to whole new worlds we are eager to try out, there are lots of new titles to be enthusiastic about. Let’s take a look at some of the most anticipated video game releases for 2019.
Jump Force
Release Date: 15 February 2019
Who would win in a fight between Goku and Yugi Muto? Typically, this argument was settled in the world of fan fiction but with the upcoming release of Jump Force, we may soon find an answer.
Developed by Spike Chunsoft, Jump Force is a multiplayer fighting game featuring characters from over a dozen different manga series. The game’s fighters come from Naruto, Bleach, and Dragon Ball with gamers able to make their own character for the single-player story mode. The game is being released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the popular Japanese magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump. Expect releases for Xbox, PlayStation 4, and PC.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Release Date: 22 March 2019
FromSoftware is the Japanese studio which created the hugely popular Souls Series and now, the publisher’s next big title is scheduled for release this year. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is set in 16th century Japan, which may have something to do with the popularity of the Souls Series in the country. According to Kotaku, this has been the case for a number of years.
In Sekiro, users play as a shinobi who is seeking revenge on a samurai. The game does not feature any role-playing element and instead tells a more classic story. ‘Sekiro’ is Japanese for “one-armed wolf,” in light of the fact that the game’s central character is a one-armed man who wears a prosthetic. Expect lots of katana sword-striking and some rather difficult enemies.
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fuelled
Release Date: 21 June 2019
It’s hard not to be excited by this remastered version of the early console classic. Crash Team Racing is back but this time it’s on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fuelled contains all of the original elements plus some brand new features like tracks, online play, and even kart customisation.
Coincidentally, research by Betway has found that June is the month in which the majority of people who vowed to be more sociable during their New Years’ Resolutions tend to give up. Video games have typically got in the way of sociability but now with the online racing feature, those doing New Year’s resolutions might just last an extra couple of months.
Anthem
Release Date: 22 February 2019
Those who remember the public criticism of the last major EA video game will be forgiven from being too excited for Anthem. The Star Wars: Battlefront II controversy cannot be ignored but neither can the genuine excitement for the intriguing Anthem. According to GameRant, EA have vowed not to make the same mistakes for this title.
Developed by BioWare Edmonton, Anthem is a multiplayer online role-playing game with a twist: players operate advanced flying suits of armour reminiscent of Marvel’s Iron Man. This appears to be a game heavily focussed on its multiplayer elements with shared world elements and missions which allow up to four players to take part simultaneously. Let’s just hope there aren’t too many loot boxes.
The Division 2
Release Date: 15 March 2019
The long-awaited sequel to Tom Clancy’s The Division hits shelves later this year with the creative title of Tom Clancy’s The Division 2. This action role-playing title takes place seven months after the events of its predecessor. Players must battle their way through Washington D.C. where a civil war has broken out amongst survivors and marauders. Raids are a new feature for this highly-anticipated title with up to 8 players able to take part simultaneously.
It promises to be yet another exciting year for video games. Whether it’s a remastered classic, a long-awaited sequel, or an exciting glimpse into a new world, there promises to be something to suit your needs. One thing which most of these titles have in common is an exciting multiplayer feature. This is nothing new, of course, but cooperative games are only getting bigger and better. Let’s hope this will be the same in another twelve months.
