5. Dead Space
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Release Date: January 27
- Studio: EA Motive / Publisher: Electronic Arts
This might seem like a cheat entry because this is a remake of the sci-fi survival horror classic from 2008. However, Motive have completely rebuilt the game from the ground up and added a new mechanic to combat, allowing for even more gory spectacle. Dead Space is an intense game set on a claustrophobic space station which manages to balance terror and atmosphere with the giddy glee of using a plasma cutter to slice off enemies’ legs. With the exceptional quality of recent remakes like Demon’s Souls and Final Fantasy 7 really showing off what the current gen of gaming tech can achieve, this is sure to be a treat for horror and action fans alike.
4. Octopath Traveler 2
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Switch, PC
- Release Date: February 24
- Studio: Square Enix/Acquire / Publisher: Square Enix
A follow-up to the critically acclaimed HD-2D RPG, Octopath Traveler 2 will also follow 8 seemingly separate but interwoven stories of eight protagonists. The distinct art style, combining 2D character sprites with a rich 3D world, captured hearts and the sequel looks to continue to capitalise on it. This is a smart plan because the style supports the world and story in a way that is hard to pinpoint. Octopath Traveler boasted an exciting twist to its turn-based combat that made it feel fresh and engaging, and spirits are high around the sequel, especially as it is releasing across platforms simultaneously.
3. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Release Date: March 17
- Studio: Respawn Entertainment / Publisher: Electronic Arts
The highly anticipated sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Survivor continues the story of Cal Kestis five years after the end of Fallen Order. Time and circumstance have been hard on Cal and we find him more rugged and mature than we left him. Fallen Order was perhaps the first really good sci-fi action-adventure game to make waves in the “souls-like” subgenre with its quick-paced parry-based combat, and fans of difficult but rewarding combat are polishing their lightsabers in anticipation.
2. Diablo 4
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
- Release Date: June 6
- Studio: Activision Blizzard / Publisher: Activision Blizzard
The Diablo Series has been a staple of Blizzard (now part of Activision Blizzard) since its first iteration back in 1996 and it has now been over ten years since the last game in the series was released. Diablo 4 promises its classic action-RPG characters, hack-and-slash combat, set in an open world with a bleak and gothic atmosphere. The developers have said that they will continue to add content and support the game “for years to come”, and given their track record it’s safe to believe that they will follow through on that.
1. Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Platforms: Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
- Release Date: Before June, exact date TBA
- Studio: Team Cherry / Publisher: Team Cherry
Silksong is the long, long-awaited sequel to one of the most successful indie games of all time, Hollow Knight. It has extremely large shoes to fill, and the gameplay and teaser trailers all paint a vivid picture of lush, well-realised environments, fast-paced and challenging combat, and enemies and NPCs with unique, quirky designs. Hollow Knight won huge acclaim for its precise combination of platforming, combat, and Metroidvania exploration, and the tiny studio of three, Team Cherry, show every sign of taking care to ensure Silksong does not let fans down.
Featured Image Credits: Electronic Arts; Square Enix; Activision Blizzard; Team Cherry
Student journalist & freelance writer
You must log in to post a comment.