You want a new game to play but when trying to decide are just overwhelmed by the choice and brutal opinions being thrown at you by the gaming world? Sometimes you need to step back and look through a different lens. We have put together a list of some of the most anticipated games still to be released this year and let you know what stands out from the perspective of a complete rookie!
Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4, Xbox One)
Incredible graphics! A game I’d be quite happy just to sit and watch others play. Of all the games we are excited to see the release of this year, Red Dead Redemption 2 seems to have the most nuanced range of characters. Just as we get attached to musos we don’t know and cry in fictional movies we’ve watched 1000 times, helping our poor old outlaw in this game is going to be a quest we will probably be more emotionally attached too than we would like to admit.
Even just the trailer is a showcase in itself, of all things Old West. From the battered old towns, the vast landscape, hustling bars and bare jail cells, all with so many characters we are dying to meet…and meeting to die.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy (PS4, Xbox One)
If you aren’t someone who spends Saturday nights in a dark room on a date with your TV, but more of a social gamer who doesn’t mind dabbling in a games and pizza night with friends, then this will be right up your alley. Spyro has been zooming around since the 90s, with numerous sequels and spin offs but the three originals: Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! And Spryo: Year of the Dragon have remained the most popular. Whether it’s in the music world or the gaming world, everybody loves a “Best Of” edition. Spyro Reignited Trilogy incorporates these 3 all-time favourites to create a new edition, and to be honest I think Spyro pulls up pretty well two decades later. My eyes are quite easily pleased by pretty colours, cute creatures and an extraterrestrial setting. With Spyro ticking all these boxes, this game should appeal to kids as well as fans who have been following Spyro since the late 90s.
Forza Horizon 4 (Xbox 1)
This looks like the type of game that ends relationships. We can all imagine the poor girl slamming her head against a wall waiting for attention, while the boyfriend exclaims “WOW!!!! Did you just see my Maserati run over that flock of sheep.” This new version allows players to design their own route adding an extra dimension of boyish destruction to a classic racing game. The previous version set in Australia has been one upped by none other than good old Britain. The creators claim the focus of the graphics is on the diversity of seasons and despite Britain being ultimately gloomy, they really do create a great vision of it, regardless of the fact a lot of it is unrecognizable as Britain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmQNo8xtcAg&
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (PS4, Xbox One)
Gruesome, dark and a little bit gritty. I feel as though I should watch my back while watching the trailer despite the totally unrealistic surroundings. In some of the other games the environment just seems to be there to say, “hey look at these cool graphics we’ve made.” However, In Shadow of the Tomb Raider it seems, you really have to use the jungle, tombs, rushing water and all other surroundings to help you survive in quick time events. Also, its 2018 and who doesn’t love a strong female lead running around destroying anything in her way, even if she is the Barbie of the jungle.
Fallout 76 (PSA, Xbox One, PC)
Nothing screams video game more than John Denver singing “Take me Home, Country Roads” while post-apocalyptic West Virginia is terrorized…right? This trailer just had so much going on that I think It confused me enough that I now want to play it. Regardless of the game, the marketing guy deserves a pat on the back. The dystopian setting is also weirdly enticing and something that just looks as if it is dying to be explored. Maybe this time with a different playlist. Sorry John Denver.
This game is about the rebuilding of America. Sound familiar…?
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (PS4, Xbox One)
A new take on an old classic. Just about as much gladiatorial combat, assassination, and overdramatic armies charging at each other as you would expect in an Ancient Greek game. Alongside the brutality there does seem to be a large sense of exploration and with over 1000 Greek Islands, I think it’s best you grab a few pizzas and packets of chips before embarking on your conquest.
Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! (Nintendo Switch)
Will we ever see the end of Pokemon? Like most fad games Pokemon Go died a quick and painful death and yet I have no doubt this new installment will overcome an entirely new generation with addiction (at least for a few months.) As much as I would like to say it seems terrible, just as most of us would jump on the opportunity to relive the glory days with an updated version of Mario Kart, it’s hard to say no to the world-wide institution that is Pokemon. I think the Nintendo Switch perfectly lends itself to Pokemon despite minimal changes to the actual game it will bring a whole lot of excitement to modern gamers.
Spider-Man (PS4)
Peter Parker swinging through New York is nothing we haven’t seen before. But have you seen Peter Parker swinging through New York with hip hop beats in the background? The creators definitely are banking on the fact that they can modernize the old time classic, Spider-man. Just reading the comments on the trailer I can see fans figuratively wetting their pants in excitement, balanced with skeptics who are seeing the hip hop tracks and comedic trailer as a façade for the same old tired game. I’m sure die-hard players will have strong opinions on the ease of controlling Spider-man’s acrobatic antics and other technical specifics. However, on face value it seems like something we’ve all seen before and probably don’t need to see again.
