It’s been an interesting year for video games. While it’s true that 2014 has seen its fair share of duds, there have also been a number of unexpected hits. At the start of the year, it seemed unlikely that Shadow of Mordor would turn out to be much more than a run-of-the-mill Assassin’s Creed clone, not only has it been a hit with Gamers but critics as well. Most recently, Dragon Age: Inquisition has been a big hit with critics.
All in all, 2015 is going to be the year the industry really kick starts itself into action, thanks to the planned releases of many of the current-gen consoles’ big exclusives. High profile sequels and long-awaited reboots are all on the cards next year, along with a number of promising indie titles.
1) Dying Light
Release date: January 30, 2015
It might be one of the most tired settings in gaming right now, but it’s still easy to get excited when you see the potential for a truly great zombie survival title. Dying Light looks to be just that, and with a multitude of exciting features, it could be the most ambitious zombie game yet.
Dying Light is set in an open world, in an original setting based on Turkish cities and slums. There will be an emphasis placed on running away from zombies rather than taking them head on, and as such the game features a fleshed-out freerunning system.
The world is far more dynamic than any zombie title we’ve seen yet, with a day and night cycle, undead that change their behaviours over time, and a detailed crafting system. Add in the four-player co-op mode, and Dying Light has the potential to be the best zombie game in years.
2. EVOLVE
Release date: February 10, 2015
Evolve might not be the most technically ambitious game on the list, but that’s not to say that devs Turtle Rock Studios don’t have their sights set high. The minds behind Left 4 Dead truly believe that Evolve is the next ‘big thing’ in multiplayer gaming, and what we’ve seen so far has done little to dissuade that opinion.
As those that were a part of the beta event a couple of weeks ago will know, Evolve is a squad-based, asymmetrical shooter. One player is put in the scaly skin of a monster, while the other four players must work together in order to hunt it down.
There’s a fantastic dynamic, wherein the monster grows larger as the game goes on, eventually transitioning from the hunter to the hunted. It’s always good to see multiplayer games that try for something a bit different, and Evolve looks like it has the potential to be a massive commercial success.
3) Tom Clancy’s The Division
Release date: 2015
You might not associate the Tom Clancy line of games with being ambitious or pioneering, especially in the last five years or so. The Division looks to change all that though, as Ubisoft look to be shaking up the franchise with a remarkable multiplayer shooter that features MMO-level exploration and player progression.
The premise is that a deadly pandemic has hit Earth hard, causing society as we know it to break down. In response, a team called The Division was set up in order to maintain some semblance of order.
The Division promises frenetic, tactical warfare in a gorgeous-looking, post-apocalyptic New York, filled to the brim with real players. Keep this one on your radar.
4) Quantum Break
Release date: 2015
Set to be one of the killer exclusives for the Xbox One, Quantum Break is an interesting project that breaks the normal mould for third-person action titles. The game is set to be intrinsically linked with an upcoming television series – “how you play the game impacts the show, and the show informs how you play the game.”
It all sounds intriguing, and the game itself will feature live-action videos to go with the gameplay. The narrative also goes a bit further than the usual ‘action hero saves the world’ story, with a heavy focus on theoretical physics and time travel. Certain characters are able to stop time, while others are able to look into the future in order to decide what to do in the present.
Whether this time manipulation mechanic will be a smoke-and-mirrors gimmick, or an important part of the gameplay is yet to be seen, but Quantum Break should be commended for forging its own unique approach to AAA gaming.
5) Metal Gear Solid 5: Phantom Pain
The release of a new Metal Gear Solid title feels more like an even of historic importance than just a simple video game launch. The series has consistently pushed the boundaries of both the technical and narrative aspects of video games, and The Phantom Pain looks like no exception.
This time around, we’re going back to the past, this time playing as a younger Big Boss, named ‘Venom Snake’ in this adventure. For the first time in a Metal Gear Solid game, Phantom Pain lets players explore a wide open world, with a graphics engine that looks absolutely phenomenal.
There’s no doubt that Phantom Pain is something for players to look forward to, but can it live up to the exceptional legacy of the games before it?
6) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Release date: February 24, 2015
The final instalment of CD Projekt Red’s beloved action-RPG series is set to be by far the largest and most ambitious yet. This time around, Geralt of Rivia will have access to a huge open world, rather than the (still pretty big) fractured levels of the previous games.
The Witcher series has been a storytelling success so far, and it’s hope that CD Projekt Red will manage to create an open, sandbox world, while maintaining a tight, narrative-driven experience. The developers are stepping into new territory with The Witcher 3 and, success or not, the studio has to be commended for branching out with each new installment.
7. Batman Arkham Knight
Release Date: June 2, 2015
With Batman: Arkham Knight, Kevin Conroy will once again voice Batman. Arkham Knight is scheduled to be released worldwide on June 2, 2015.
The game’s main storyline is set one year after the events of 2011’s Batman: Arkham City and follows Batman, at the peak of his ability, as he confronts the Scarecrow, who has returned to Gotham City to unite Batman’s enemies in a plot to finally kill the Dark Knight. Yup there is Batmobile and lots of promise from this edition of Batman Arkham Series 🙂
So here is our list of games which we are waiting for 🙂 Do let us know in the comments below for the games which you are waiting for.
