Top 07 Most Anticipated Games of 2016
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Now that our Game of the Year Awards are out of the way, it’s time to take a much needed rest and…ah, who are we kidding? We might have just kissed the best of 2015 goodbye, but we’re already rearing to check out the best of 2016. As such, we’ve put our heads together to come up with our top Seven most anticipated games of 2016. With at least half of 2015’s games delayed into the year, 2016 is shaping up to be a strong year.
7. Nier: Automata
Given how mixed the reception was in 2010 when the original Nier released, it’s probably more than a little confusing to see its sequel on a “most anticipated” list. But really, it can be explained in one (conjoined) word: PlatinumGames. Even though the first game didn’t land so hot with critics, it developed a cult following among many players, so Square Enix gave the sequel project over to beloved developer PlatinumGames, makers of such fine character action games as Bayonetta, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Transformers: Devastation. You can see the PlatinumGames touch in the gameplay released so far: a diverse move set, impeccable animation and wild, chaotic action. Whether or not you liked Nier doesn’t even matter anymore; Nier: Automata is absolutely one to watch.
6. Quantum Break
It’s a scientific fact that it’s impossible not to be excited for something that has both Shawn Ashmore and Dominic Monaghan in it. Shawn Ashmore was in Animoprhs — arguably the finest young adult novel ever written on the subject of teenagers transforming into animals — and Dominic Monaghan was a hobbit. If that’s not enough, Aidan Gillen is in it, the best Littlefinger that ever was or ever will be. If Quantum Break solely consisted of these actors doing nothing more than bumping into each other in a room we’d be excited for it, but it also features one of the most riveting plots ever laid on a video game, centering around a man with time manipulation abilities. More still, it’s developed by Remedy, the studio responsible for the sensational original two Max Payne games. In yet another year with seemingly endless great Xbox One exclusives, Quantum Break is at the top of the list.
5. Gears of War 4
It’s been awhile since gamers have had a chance to chainsaw-shoot a horde of overgrown mole people. Fortunately, The Coalition looks to be working to do this right. While some have expressed concern that Epic themselves aren’t at the helm of this one, Microsoft has made it clear that all the stops will be pulled out to top the set pieces, gore, graphical quality that earned the series a place in the viscera drenched hearts of gamers everywhere. The trademark meaty, cover based engagements along with the next gen horsepower provided by the Xbox One and the Unreal 4 engine stand to make this the one to pull out to show what current gen systems can do. The only aggravating part is that both Microsoft and The Coalition are playing coy about what fans can expect later this year. Studio head Rod Fergusson has made it clear that this entry is meant to bring the story and the villains back to the unknown “things that go bump in the night” feel of the original. This only adds to the mystery that will be revealed later this year.
4. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Human Revolution was a game a lot of people were concerned about. The worry was whether or not Eidos would be able to revitalize the beloved series in a new generation, but fortunately, what was created was an absolutely engrossing open-world RPG. That was over four years ago, and players have been itching for yet another cyberpunk world to traverse, something that Mankind Divided looks to offer. We will be treated to yet another conspiracy in this futuristic setting, adding various new abilities to Adam Jensen’s ever-growing arsenal. It’s disappointing that Mankind Divided received a delay until the summer, but so long as Eidos Montreal is able to create the best experience possible, they can take all the time they need. Whether it’s going guns blazing or stealthily progressing through the environments, Mankind Divided looks to offer a little something for everyone.
3. Horizon: Zero Dawn
Guerrilla Games take on a post-apocalyptic Earth has us extremely excited for Horizon: Zero Dawn. Guerrilla is finally getting a much deserved break from the Killzone franchise to develop something new and they’re really letting their wings spread. Robotic dinosaurs, a world filled with color and a mysterious protagonist all blend to create a world we can’t wait to explore. Guerrilla Games have always been fantastic at delivering solid gameplay and stunning visuals and now they get to expand their horizons with a new genre, and hopefully, a well written story. PlayStation 4 players have a lot to be excited about in 2016 and Horizon: Zero Dawn might just be the most exciting.
2. Final Fantasy XV
Listen, we know that Final Fantasy XV exists more as a concept more than an upcoming release. If you’re one of the endless gamers who thinks this way, who can really blame you? The thing is, a 2016 release of this game would be nothing short of fascinating. In a post-Witcher 3 world, a sprawling Japanese action role-playing game with a campy story and robust, potentially cryptic mechanics is something unlike the majority of what the AAA world gives us. Final Fantasy XV is going to be spectacular, literally. 2016 is slated to give us one of the most memorable gaming experiences in recent years. Will Final Fantasy XV wind up as a masterpiece or this generation’s Duke Nukem Forever? All that matters is we are about to find out.
1. Persona 5
2016 is shaping up to be an even bigger year for gaming than 2015 was — and that’s no small matter. But with heavy-hitters like Final Fantasy XV, Deus EX, Uncharted 4, Gears of War 4, Horizon Zero Dawn, a new Fire Emblem, Platinum Games’ NiER sequel and Quantum Break, it’s clear to see why 2016 could go down in the history books as one of gaming’s most seductive years. But mixed in with all of those games — many of which are also from long-running, iconic franchises — is one that stands out above all the rest: Persona 5. Persona 1 and 2 were fan favorites, but the series didn’t really gain traction until the third game. But even then, Persona was still a name that only the most hardcore JRPG players knew of. It wasn’t until Persona 4 hit the market that the name began to have some mainstream appeal. And now with fighting and rhythm game spin-offs, it’s clear that the world loves them some Persona.
Hence why the fifth entry in the franchise is so hotly anticipated. The Persona games have always maintained a certain degree of developer integrity and panache. To be clearer, Persona is one of the few franchises out there that has not produced a single bad game. There may be certain titles better than others, but they all are wonderful. It’s no wonder then, that P5 not only is so widely desired, but has some big shoes to fill. While we knew the game was in development, it wasn’t until just a few months ago that we got a glimpse at some actual gameplay. And from those brief snippets of gameplay goodness we not only saw a totally unique world, unlike any of the other Personas, but one of the most stylish games to date. With a fresh take on interface design and mesmerizing character designs, our worries that perhaps the game wouldn’t live up to our own hype subsided completely. Though it was due out this year, the wait for Persona 5 looks like it’s going to be well-worth it. While each installment has garnered more and more popularity, it’s likely that this upcoming entry will not only be the biggest yet, but also the one that makes Persona a household name in the same way that Final Fantasy is.
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