Between Destiny and Dragon Age: Inquisition, this year is far from over with regards to eagerly anticipated releases. For those with their eyes on the gaming horizon though, 2015 is increasingly looking like one of the best years ever for gamers.
From the latest entries in classic, beloved series to brave new IPs, there’s a lot to get excited about next year, with almost every kind of gamer catered for. 2015 is also looking like the year that the current generation of consoles will fully hit their stride, as several graphical powerhouses are priming for release to show off what the Xbox One and Playstation 4 can really do.
PC users shouldn’t feel left out though. In fact, the humble home computer has never been in a stronger position. Outside of the odd exclusive, almost every major release is hitting both PC and consoles, a far cry from the troubling situation half a decade or so ago.
This list takes a look at the 10 most anticipated games of 2015, across every current-gen platform (yes, even the Wii U!). Each one of these titles is already showing great promise, and ought to be far more than just an entertaining distraction.
10. Mortal Kombat X
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Platform: PC, Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Release Date: 2015
A new Mortal Kombat game is never a bad thing, and Mortal Kombat X is looking like a great new entry in the series. As the name suggests, this will be the tenth Mortal Kombat title, and it looks to retain the series’ classic gore and combat, along with a few new innovations.
Mortal Kombat X will once again pit two fighters against each other in a series of levels, as the battle using special abilities, attacks and the iconic fatalities (which are sure to be more spectacularly gruesome than ever). This time around, interaction with the environment will also be possible, in the same manner as NetherRealm’s Injustice: Gods Among Us. Add in the ability for every fighter to switch between three different forms with unique abilities, and Mortal Kombat X is looking like the most ambitious in the series yet.
9. The Order: 1886
Developer: Ready at Dawn
Platform: Playstation 4
Release Date: February 20, 2015
The Order: 1886 will be a Playstation 4 exclusive title, set in an alternate history London in which terrifying monsters exist. Protecting the general populace from these monsters are an ancient order of knights, who are the only thing standing between human kind and these strange creatures.
There has been some gameplay footage released for the game, and it looks absolutely stunning. The gothic London environments drip with atmosphere, with flickering torches casting prowling shadows in the dark. The gameplay looks slightly less fresh than the excellent aesthetics, appearing as a fairly standard linear action-adventure – quicktime events and all. We’ve only been shown a small vertical slice so far though, and it’s looking like The Order: 1886 will deliver a stellar narrative experience, if nothing else.
8. Batman: Arkham Knight
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Platform: PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One
Release Date: February 24, 2015
Batman: Arkham Origins wasn’t particularly great. The story was dull in comparison to its predecessors, the combat felt tired, and it smelled suspiciously like a cheap cash grab in almost every way. So why is the next entry in the Arkham series still highly anticipated?
Two words: Rocksteady Studios.
Arkham Origins was developed without Rocksteady’s direct involvement, while Arkham Knight will be, just like Asylum and City. This simple fact makes it far more likely that Arkham Knight will be able to match up to the high quality of the first two games. In this third sequel, Batman is at the peak of his abilities, fighting against the villainous Scarecrow and his forces. The levels involving Scarecrow in Arkham Asylum were the best parts in a game filled with high points, so Arkham Knight should be one for Batman fans to get excited about.
7. Tom Clancy’s The Division
Developer: Ubisoft Massive
Platform: PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One
Release Date: 2015
Tom Clancy’s The Division might sound a bit generic from the title, but it’s really unlike anything the Tom Clancy franchise has ever seen. If you haven’t seen anything about The Division yet, you might be surprised to learn that it’s an MMO third-person shooter.
The Division is set in a United States that’s been torn apart by a terrible disease, leaving the country in a semi-apocalyptic state. Players are part of the titular ‘Division’, that has been assembled in order to fight against outside threats that have come about thanks to the deadly outbreak. Enemies are made up of both AI-controlled characters and other players, across the massively multiplayer world.
6. Rise Of The Tomb Raider
Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Platform: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Playstation 4
Release Date: Holiday 2015
Square Enix’s Tomb Raider from 2013 was a solid reboot of a dying franchise, somehow managing to make Lara Croft and her adventures relevant again. Rise of the Tomb Raider is the sequel, set after Lara’s journey of discovery and survival in the last game.
There hasn’t been much in the way of official information just yet, although Crystal Dynamics have promised that they’ll be “putting the tombs back in Tomb Raider”. If the polished gameplay and great looks of the first game could be combined with some classic tomb environments, then Rise of the Tomb Raider might be exactly what fans have been waiting for.
5. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Developer: Naughty Dog
Platform: Playstation 4
Release Date: 2015
The Tomb Raider reboot might have been an impressive offering, but even its greatest moments couldn’t quite match up to the cinematic glory of the Uncharted series. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End will be an exclusive for the Playstation 4, and a direct continuation of the original trilogy.
Again, there hasn’t been a huge amount revealed about Uncharted 4, although Naughty Dog have stated that the narrative will test Drake’s, “physical limits, his resolve, and ultimately what he’s willing to sacrifice to save the ones he loves.” Judging from its predecessors, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End will be a true test of the Playstation 4′s capabilities, throwing players on an exciting ride along the way.
4. The Legend Of Zelda Wii U
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: 2015
A new Zelda game is always a big event for Nintendo fans, and The Legend of Zelda Wii U is looking like the biggest shakeup for the series since The Wind Waker back in 2003. The game will once again return to a cel-shaded look, although Zelda Wii U takes a far more detailed approach than the minimalistic Wind Waker.
Another hotly touted feature is the large, open world environment, intended to give players the similar feel of freedom they have when playing the earlier 2D games. Intriguingly, producer Eiji Aonuma has also stated that his team is looking in ways to reinvent the puzzles that the series is known for, beyond just “moving blocks so that a door opens.” It looks like Wii U owners could be in for a treat.
3. Bloodborne
Developer: From Software
Platform: Playstation 4
Release Date: 2015
All at once, PS4 owners rejoiced and everyone else sighed when it was announced that Bloodborne would be an exclusive for Sony’s console. Directed by Dark Souls and Demon’s Souls’ Hidetaka Miyazaki, Bloodborne looks to bring the Souls games’ tight gameplay into a fresh new setting.
Bloodborne takes place in a ruined city, housing weaponry far more technologically advanced than swords and shields. This time around, players are able to wield gunpowder weapons along with the usual assortment of grandiose melee weaponry, along them to attack weapons at range with devastating attacks. Anything by From Software is worth keeping two eyes on, and the prospect of playing a Souls-like game in a brand new universe is easy to get excited about.
2. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Developer: Kojima Productions
Platform: Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: 2015
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes was only the starter in a sumptuous feast cooked up by Hideo Kojima, and The Phantom Pain is the main course. An open-world action stealth title, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain just might be the most anticipated title from the acclaimed series so far.
The graphics are already shaping up to be pretty incredible, featuring some of the smoothest animations we’ve ever seen. The addition of a day-and-night cycle, a massive world and several drivable vehicles ought to lend to an even more open-ended gameplay experience than ever before. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is looking to be one of the first ‘true next-gen’ games when it comes to gameplay. Which brings us nicely on to our number one most anticipated 2015 title…
1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Developer: CD Projekt RED
Platform: PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One
Release Date: 24 February, 2015
Playing through the Witcher series has been like watching CD Projekt RED grow and develop as game creators. The first game was ambitious and well-written, but the developers just couldn’t quite deliver on what they wanted to accomplish. Then, along came the second game, which offered an incredible cinematic narrative, beautiful graphics and challenging gameplay.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is looking like a culmination of everything CD Projekt RED have learned across their journey in creating this brilliant franchise. Judging from gameplay footage, the graphics and animations are better than ever, and this time the game will take place in a huge open world. Combat has never been a strong point of the Witcher games, but it’s looking like the devs have been working hard to hone this aspect in Wild Hunt. Vast, compelling and beautiful, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt looks like the first game in a long time that could genuinely take the elusive title of ‘best RPG ever made’.
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