Titanfall 2
Back at the dawn of the new console generation, Respawn Entertainment (a studio born from ex-Infinity Ward developers, the team responsible for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare) wowed the world with Titanfall. A new shooter for a new generation, Titanfall’s parkour theatrics and unique asymmetrical take on multiplayer were quickly adopted by other major shooter franchises. Now the originator is back for seconds, and things are looking great.
Best interpreted as Call of Duty with mechs and a more lively disregard for gravity, the multiplayer offered by Titanfall 2 is fantastically fresh while still familiar. A new series of upgrades give serious boosts to mobility and player customization, including a grappling hook that makes any rooftop a potential battleground. The sequel will also introduce a single-player campaign, which focuses on the moral conflicts behind sending giant sentient robots out to die in the horrors of space war. Prepare for Titanfall on October 18, on XBox ONE, PS4, and PC.
Mafia III
When most people think about open-world crime games with a focus on story, they understandably land on Rockstar’s megahit Grant Theft Auto series. But there are other players in the crime game, and 2K may finally get a chance to stand out with Mafia III. In the past, the mob saga has embraced retro aesthetics and polished linear story experiences within a living open world. For the latest entry, Mafia III is turning the focus around for a ’60s revenge tale that is sure to please.
Set in the swampland paradise of New Bordeaux in 1968, Mafia III puts players in the shoes of Lincoln Clay. An African-American veteran of the Vietnam War, Clay find himself betrayed by the mob and builds a new criminal empire on a mission of vengeance. With an incredible era-appropriate soundtrack, grand attention to detail, and years of next-gen polish, it’s the year’s most exciting crime offering. Get involved on October 7, on PS4, XBox ONE, and PC.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Activision’s monstrous Call of Duty series has been all over the spectrum of war, from the beaches of Normandy to alternate futures dripping in dystopia. This series has seen it all. Now Infinity Ward is taking the definitive war shooter to the final frontier: outer space. Infinite Warfare is setting itself apart with battles that span both terra firma and the space beyond. Anti-gravity combat adds new dimensions to every fight.
Also coming alongside Infinite Warfare is a remaster of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, exclusively available in an $80 “Legacy Edition” of Infinite Warfare. This exclusivity has harbored a great deal of sour feelings towards Infinite Warfare, which (alongside strong competition in Titanfall 2 and Battlefield 1) could topple the FPS king from its throne. The battle begins on November 4.
Gears of War 4
The story of Marcus Fenix concluded in Gears of War 3, but his ultimate fate may be unwritten in Gears of War 4. Set several years after the apocalyptic events of the last game, Gears 4 follows Marcus’ son JD as he leads a new team that discovers a fresh threat to mankind. Since this is the series that popularized the cover-based shooter back in 2006, expect loads of chainsaw kills, explosive set piece moments and more chest-high walls than you can shake a stick at. With new multiplayer refinements and a re-imagined Horde experience, Gears of War 4 will be a huge shakeup to a long-beloved formula.
Get in on October 11, on XBox ONE and Windows 10.
ReCore
A new platformer/shooter hybrid from the minds behind Mega Man and Metroid Prime, ReCore is one of Microsoft’s most exciting offerings for 2016. Set in the world of Far Eden, ReCore follows the young Joule Adams in an adventure that blends third-person shooting with open-world platformer. Through a lengthy single player campaign, players will collect new cores to upgrade their robotic companion, and open up new spots in the map. It’s a charming game that should offer a joyful retreat from a sea of more traditional shooters. ReCore will hit XBox ONE and Windows 10 on September 13.
Watch_Dogs 2
For most gamers, the first glimpse at this current generation of gaming hardware came through a Ubisoft E3 presentation for a new IP known as Watch_Dogs. An open-world crime game rife with hackable options was enough of a sell to fill the heads of millions with endless cyperpunk dreams. Of course, the final product fell rather distant from such lofty goals. A limited feature set, downgraded visuals and an absolutely loathsome protagonist made it the subject of widespread mockery. For Watch_Dogs 2, Ubisoft has seemingly listened to the most critical responses and built an open-world playground that seems miles more welcoming than the dreary streets of Chicago. With a new hero (Marcus Holloway) and a fresh setting (the tech empire of San Francisco), the hope has returned in full for wannabe hackers. Join the revolution on November 15 on PS4, XBox ONE, and PC.
Warhammer: Eternal Crusade
Warhammer 40k is the poster child for dystopian science fantasy. If collecting miniatures is a little too niche for you, Warhammer: Eternal Crusade hopes to bring the grimdark fantasy of fighting in the 41st millennia to life in an MMO format. You can play as the hardy Space Marines, ruthless Chaos, cunning Eldar or unrelenting Orks. Each faction struggles to fight against one another, as well as the unrelenting Tyranid Swarm, to control an ancient planet with powerful secrets.
In this third-person shooter, players choose their faction and fight with an array of futurists weaponry and vehicles, while leveling up and customizing their 41st millennia warriors. Besides the main player-versus-player gameplay, the game also has all factions fighting against the AI-controlled Tyranid Swarm in both dungeons and the main game world.
Get ready to drop on September 23 on PC, Xbox One, and Playstation 4. If you’re strapped for cash, the Orks will be free to Waaagh!
Battlefield 1
World War I was a strange time for warfare. Technology and weapons advanced far faster than anyone’s tactics could adapt. Leave it to the Battlefield franchise to create an over-the-top version of the war featuring battle zeppelins, horse combat, bulletproof armor and all manner of early 20th-century flavor. Choose from five classes, three elite classes and an arsenal of prototype weapons and vehicles to do battle all across Europe in this installment of the classic first-person-shooter series. While it might be a little less than authentic, Battlefield 1 promises to capture The Great War in its own unique and exaggerated way.
You can join the war on October 21 on PC, Xbox One, or PlayStation 4.
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game
When The Witcher 3 first came out, many players spent more time in the game’s taverns playing Gwent, an extensive in-game strategy card game, rather than slaying monsters like a proper Witcher. CD Projekt RED decided to run with the idea of a Witcher-themed card game and will soon be releasing a free stand-alone version of the game.
The game is based entirely on characters and factions from the Witcher franchise and will feature competitive and single-player game modes. The game itself plays almost identically to the previous version with players trying to exhaust one another’s resources and claim victory by winning out over three rounds. Players will be able to earn new cards in-game by playing competitively and completing the extensive single-player campaigns.
The open beta starts on October 25 on PC and the game will arrive to smartphones and tablets later on.
The Last Guardian
Team Ico excels at surreal environments and subtle storytelling in a way that few other development teams have managed. Its latest game involves the tale of a boy and his new pet, Trico the Large Man-Eating Eagle, as they attempt to escape captivity in The Last Guardian.
The game will attempt to capture a realistic portrayal of interacting with a wild animal, such as luring it with food, pulling arrows and spears from its hide and using its natural instincts to discover secrets. With Team Ico’s track record of atmospheric games like Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, this is sure to be an unforgettable gaming experience.
The adventure starts on October 25 as a PlayStation 4 exclusive.
Dishonored 2
Corvo Attano and Empress Emily Kaldwin are back to explore the surreal world of the Empire of the Isles that the last game only saw fit to tease us with. The Empire is once again in chaos and it’s up to an assassin, with or without the powers of the mischievous Outsider, to put things back in order. The supernatural stealth RPG returns with Dishonored 2. Get ready for new powers, smarter enemies and a new plague of Blood Flies to keep players thinking about where they leave those pesky bodies.
You can start exploring the Isles once again on November 11 on PC, Xbox One and Playstation 4.
Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy games can be hit-or-miss for even long-time fans of the series, but after eight years of development, the latest installment of the classic franchise has some of the most skeptical fans turning their heads. With a pseudo-real-time RPG combat system, a working day/night cycle and a variety role-playing elements like requiring players to make sure their characters are properly fed and rested, Final Fantasy XV looks to be one of the most immersive titles in the franchise.
The new fantasy starts on November 29 for Xbox One and Playstation 4.