2017 was a banger of a year for video games; it’s going to take a mighty effort for 2018 to go one step better. Thankfully there are a myriad of jort-tightening titles scheduled for the Year of the Dog (2018), and the team here at DYEGB have each had the difficult task of narrowing down their five most anticipated titles of the year (along with five additional titles that are looking not quite as tasty but still pretty tasty). Due to the large number of titles in discussion we have split the article into two parts. So what titles are the DYEGB team hanging their hopes on in 2018? Find out below.
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
The original Ni no Kuni was a shockingly good collaboration between LEVEL-5 and Studio Ghibli, and although Ghibli are no longer involved the promise of some kind of kingdom-building mechanic and a more streamlined experience has me fiending hard.
Yakuza 6
It’s difficult to pinpoint at what precise moment the Yakuza series clicked for me, and became an obsession more than just a curiosity. At any rate, Yakuza 6 looks to turn everything great about the series up to 11 while giving fans the richest and most beautiful depiction of Kamurocho yet.
Red Dead Redemption 2
At this point it feels cliché to name RDR2 as one of my most anticipated of the year but there’s no escaping the legacy of this one. There’s a reason the world goes collectively bonkers whenever a new 60 seconds of footage hits the internet. Make the Old West great again.
Kingdom Hearts 3
There’s a huge part of me that believes KH3 won’t make it into 2018, and I’m sure most reasonable people would agree with me. Still, I’m more ready for a new entry in this series than I’ve ever been, if only to hopefully get some kind of understanding of what the hell is going on story-wise. Also, that Toy Story teaser. Chills.
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
This is probably the game on this list that I know the least about, but that’s okay. Whether it winds up being a full-fledged new entry in the series or a smaller spin-off title doesn’t phase me. I just need me some more Travis Touchdown in my life.
Also on the radar:
Dragon Quest XI, God of War, Metro Exodus, Spider-Man, The Wolf Among Us Season 2
Dragon Quest Builders 2
If you played the first Dragon Quest Builders you know that it’s far more than just a Minecraft clone in a Square Enix skin. The addictive building foundation of the game (pun intended) is supported by an awesome and accessible action RPG adventure, which fits perfectly within the established Dragon Quest lore. The upcoming sequel looks to improve on this winning formula with an all-new story, cooperative multiplayer, expanded building mechanics, the ability to go underwater and gliding! DQB2 is definitely one of my most hotly anticipated releases of the New Year.
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
Early reports of Ni No Kuni II indicate that it is quite different from its predecessor, one of my favourite RPGs on the PS3. Set centuries after the events of the original, you play as Evan, a usurped king fighting to reclaim his home alongside a cast of colourful and quirky characters. I absolutely adore the gorgeous ‘Studio Ghibli’ inspired music and visuals, plus the focus on a new battle system and a more mature story make Ni No Kuni II one to look out for.
Praey for the Gods
If you aren’t excited for Praey for the Gods you haven’t been paying attention. Imagine the gameplay and scope of Shadow of the Colossus with a dynamic weather system and survival mechanics. Although it was supposed to arrive in late 2017, I’m hoping that the extra few months of polish puts an even greater shine on this already amazing gem.
The Last Night
I would play this game just for the soundtrack and visuals alone, however it also promises a rich, pixelated, 2.5D cyberpunk adventure. I’m hoping that The Last Night manages to rise above the controversy surrounding it to deliver an experience unlike anything else in recent memory. It’s very aesthetic and very exciting.
A Way Out
I love a good online multiplayer as much as the next person, but the prospect of planning and executing an elaborate and emotional prison break with my best bud sitting next to me on the couch seems somehow both fresh and nostalgic. The development team’s previous release Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was incredible, and A Way Out has the potential to be a game that you look back on in a few years and think “Man, that really was something else”
Also on the radar:
The Last of Us Part 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, State of Decay 2, God Of War, Anthem
We Happy Few
Oh boy, We Happy Few has got to be my most anticipated release for the new year. From the moment this survival horror game was first announced I have been intrigued by it and am absolutely reeling to see what the dev team has made of it. I do own the game through early access on the Xbox One, but I can’t wait to see this game in all of its polished glory, let’s just hope it’s not a flop.
Warhammer: Vermintide 2
Oh Warhammer: Vermintide 2, how your predecessor stole my heart, and for that reason, I am beyond excited to jump back into your universe. It’s as simple as that.
Far Cry 5
Now, I can’t say that I’ve been particularly interested in previous Far Cry installations, but the fact that Far Cry 5 follow the story of a cult excites me. I’m a pretty big fan of conspiracy theories and all things alike, so I’m very excited to delve into Far Cry 5’s story.
World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth
It’s not every year that we get a World of Warcraft expansion, so that alone is enough to get me excited for World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth, but beyond that, this expansion offers so many changes and new content that I’m excited to play around with.
Darksiders III
Much like my excitement regarding Warhammer: Vermintide 2, Darksiders and Darksiders II stole my heart and I am over the moon excited for the release of Darksiders III. For those who haven’t played the predecessor to Darksiders III, I strongly urge you to do so before the latest installment drops because if you love action-adventure games, this is one series that won’t disappoint.
Also on the radar:
Kingdom Hearts III, Vampyr, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, Soul Calibur 6, Dragonball Fighter Z
Monster Hunter: World
Monster Hunter: World trades the traditional handheld portability for a more super sleek home console release – amping up the co-op, third-person hunts for the modern market. I am incredibly psyched for this game, as the series has always been just outside of my range of accessibility, and the changes made to the formula for World have lowered the bar for entry but kept the exceptional ‘big game hunter’ content entirely intact. Simply to play, difficult to master – Monster Hunter World is my prime candidate for good times in 2018.
Darksiders III
I probably think about this game at least once a day. It seems like only yesterday we lived in a world where Vigil software ceased to exist, and the Darksiders series was doomed to forever lie unfinished. But somehow fate smiled on the incredible journey taken by the Darksiders team, and the very people that made the original games are now in a position to pick up old, familiar tools and continue the saga. Running on the ultra robust Unreal Engine 4, and seemingly going back to its original Darksiders’ roots, Darksiders the Third looks incredible by any definition of the word.
Sea of Thieves
Grand Theft Auto V has proven that a large-scale, online sandbox multiplayer experience can work. Just swap the roads for water, the cars for ships and BAM! That’s Sea of Thieves.
Right?
Maybe there is a bit more to it than that, but the concept is solid. Giving players the right tools to embrace a life of keelhauling and skullduggery works brilliantly in concept, and the team at Rare have embraced all the right kind of player interactions you’d want to encourage. Here’s hoping that 2018 sees this ship come into port intact and ready to buckle some serious swashes.
A Way Out
Every bit of media surrounding A Way Out has painted a picture of what I hope to be a compelling co-op narrative experience. The persistent split-screen presentation allows for some very well coordinated teamwork, and a much higher level of awareness for your gaming partner – if only because you can’t miss what they are doing without some serious effort. It also seems to be a passion project from the studio, with every interview with the creative director just oozing with excitement. Check him out at the 2017 Game Awards.
God of War
God of War is the reason I bought a PS2, and sure enough it was a heavy contender for buying a PS3. But my PS4 has sat without a dedicated God of War title… until now. Digging into the Norse mythology is entirely by jam, and I love the idea of a Kratos that is happy to beat up legit ANY god that crosses him. Not to mention, I am positive something tragic is going to happen to that kid of his. Or his beard.
Soul Calibur 6
Yeah, the Soul Calibur series is a guilty pleasure of mine, what of it? I actually genuinely enjoyed the series before it became known for incredibly lewd ladies, and the latest entry had some weird time skip storyline, so all my favourite characters were suddenly too old to be fighters – I was crushed. That’s why I am so massively keen on SC6. They appear to have brought some of the old favourites back, and that works for me on so many levels. I’ll likely still be rubbish at the game, but at least I’ll be rubbish at my old faves.
Also on the radar:
Indivisible, Spider-Man, The Last of Us Part 2, Agony, Far Cry 5
Age of Empires IV
Yes, I know Relic are a shadow of their former self. Yes, I know Dawn of War III sucked a huge choad. Yes, I also know that this game will suck too. But it’s Age of fucking Empires. And it’s back this year…probably.
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries
You know what games need more? Mechs. No, Titanfall is a mecha game. Completely different. We need thick, lumbering blocks of steel with stiff parts and even stiffer cockpits. The one true king has returned to us after a 17-year gap between core games. Let him usher in a new age of the mech.
Super Meat Boy Forever
Super Meat Boy is a fantastic game. The firm-but-fair difficulty, the airtight controls and the kickass soundtrack are those first three slices of an amazing pizza. Now, we’ve taken the rest out of the fridge, immaculately re-heated it in the oven, and are ready for round two.
Mega Man 11
The blue fighting robot is back, in a new core game! I’ve pinched myself to death, which still hasn’t confirmed that I’m not dreaming. I can’t freaking wait for what should be my game of the year unless something mind-blowing comes along.
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
YEAH BOI! SUDA 51 IS BACK IN THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
OH GOD TRAVIS TOUCHDOWN IS BACK I’M SO HAPPY
I BETTER DIG OUT MY WII SO I CAN PLAY THE ORIGINALS AGAIN
LET’S FUCKING GO
2018 IS A GREAT YEAR ALREADY
Also on the radar:
Valkyria Chronicles IV, Civilization VI: Rise and Fall, System Shock, Kingdom Hearts III, The Last Night
How did we do? Anything you think we missed? Let us know in the comments what games you’re looking forward to in 2018.
