With 2016 behind us, it’s time to explore the slate of exciting video games releasing over the next 12 months – some that we’ve waited a very long time for and can’t wait to get hands-on with! There’s a new Mass Effect, Prey is finally happening alongside a followup to Red Dead Redemption, and there's a strong mix of high profile sequels and original titles.

Rules for this list: No remasters, DLC/expansions, and no games unconfirmed for 2017. Every game on Screen Rant's most anticipated games of 2017 list has an official release date or confirmation from the publisher/developer that said game is releasing in the year. If the studio or publisher didn't give 2017 as the year, it's not included (so, no Quake Champions, The Last of Us Part 2 or PS4 Spider-Man on this).

Keep in mind, some of these games have barely begun marketing or have to to have had an official unveiling at the time of publication and the starting list began at 100. This is our own preferences and no doubt yours will be different so before you ask “why is or isn’t _____ on this list?!” you know why. Share your most anticipated games in the comments so we can compare!

30. Crackdown 3

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 30. Crackdown 3

Release Date: Confirmed for 2017

Platforms: Xbox One, PC

Developer: Reagent Games

Publisher: Microsoft Studios

A colorful and stylized, neon light heavy open-world game where you play as an agent with increasingly lethal super powers and evolving vehicles, Crackdown was a bit of a cult Xbox exclusive. The brand nearly killed itself with a half-baked and depressingly shallow sequel but after many years off and a new console, Crackdown is coming back. Crackdown 3 was teased alongside the unveiling of the Xbox One three years ago and the devs confirm it's finally arriving in 2017, perhaps alongside the Xbox Scorpio? More on that later!

29. Cuphead

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 29. Cuphead

Release Date: Confirmed for 2017

Platforms: Xbox One, PC

Developer: Studio MDHR

Years of development and beautiful hand drawn artwork in the style of 1930s animation has kept us intrigued for Cuphead for years, an ambitious project being made by Canadian brothers Chad and Jared Moldenhauer. We've played it several times in recent years (it began development in 2010!) and found the side-scrolling boss heavy shooter almost too challenging at times so here's hoping the extra time polishes up the visually stunning experience.

28. Overkill's The Walking Dead

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 28. Overkill The Walking Dead

Release Date: Confirmed for 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: Overkill Software

Publisher: Starbreeze Studios, 505 Games

It may be difficult to have any faith in a non-Telltale Walking Dead adaptation after Activision's garbage 2013 game by developer Terminal Reality, but the upcoming Overkill game should be something different. This team did wonders with their Payday co-op titles, and last year - when they got the rights back to the sequel - immediately cleaned up the weird and controversial monetization ideas that burdened the Payday 2 community. They did right by the fans though, and we can only hope they do the same for fans of Robert Kirkman's cash cow franchise, The Walking Dead.

27. Vampyr

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 27. Vampyr

Release Date: Confirmed for 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: Dontnod Entertainment

Publisher: Focus Home Interactive

What if you were a doctor, sworn to the Hippocratic oath but you also became a vampire? How do you satisfy your thirst and survive while also living up to your calling? This is the story behind the dramatic third-person action game Vampyr by the developers who previously brought us Remember Me and Life is Strange.

Based upon the 1918 London Spanish flu pandemic, Vampyr is a third-person action RPG where players can use melee and ranged weapons as the face off against their prey, other vampire, mutate vampires and yes, you guessed it, vampire hunters!

26. Sniper Elite 4

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 26. Sniper Elite 4

Release Date: February 14, 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: Rebellion Developments

Publisher: Rebellion Developments

The perfect Valentine's Day gift to yourself in 2017, Sniper Elite 4 is the direct followup to the series' third installment and brings back the third-person tactical action combined with in-scope sniping gameplay. For fans of the genre and Rebellion's previous recent titles (where they nearly alternate between zombie games and tactical shooters), Sniper Elite 4 has even bigger maps and smarter AI this time around. And yes, the X-Ray killcam is back for those gory-heavy, bone-crushing long distance kills.

25. Halo Wars 2

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 25. Halo Wars 2

Release Date: February 21, 2017

Platforms: Xbox One, PC

Developer: 343 Industries, Creative Assembly

Publisher: Microsoft Studios

It's hard to believe it's been eight (8!) years since Halo Wars originally released, developed by Ensemble Studios. That game received favorable reviews and offered a natural expansion for the Halo brand. Bringing it back and blowing it up in a big way for the sequel (which is releasing for PC from the get-go this time) is Creative Assembly (Total War series) alongside main Halo developer 343 Industries.

We went hands-on with Halo Wars 2 at E3 last summer and it looked great, played great, and seems perfect for fans of real-time strategy games of old. The sequel takes place nearly three decades after the original, set just after the events of Halo 5: Guardians so get ready for some potential setup to Halo 6!

24. Prey

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 24. Prey

Release Date: Confirmed for 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: Arkane Studios

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Years ago Prey 2 was easily one of our most anticipated games after seeing an impressive and unique Blade Runner-esque gameplay demo at E3. Then it all fell apart. Rumors and reports proved true that there was trouble at developer Human Head Studios and creative differences between them and publisher Bethesda (The Elder Scrolls series). The game was scrapped and development rebooted under Arkane after their wonderful work on Dishonored.

The all-new Prey is based on Arkane's own original ideas and takes place on an alien-heavy space station in an alternate timeline where President John F. Kennedy survived the assassination attempt in 1963 and invested heavily into the space program. Their tech progress in this field caught the attention of alien invaders which united Earth's forces to together to fight off the aliens (known as the Typhon) and capture them. Eventually they together build the space station Talos, where the game takes place. A few changes in ownership and a few breakthroughs in science and tech (insert player character super powers here!) and you can see where this is going.

23. For Honor

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 23. For Honor

Release Date: February 14, 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

Publisher: Ubisoft

A surprise announcement at E3 2015, For Honor is a brand new IP and brand new genre of game for developer/publisher Ubisoft. This third-person hack-and-slash title embraces medieval fantasy and brings together three factions and recognizable historical combat styles and aesthetics with the The Legion (knights), The Chosen (Samurai), and The Warborn (vikings).

Each faction has multiple classes to choose from, each with special abilities or feats that are earned in-game for wiping out enemies and performing successful combos. The game is multiplayer focused and sees players fighting other players and legions of AI controlled infantry almost like a MOBA, but one where players control every swing of their weapon and action of their character in real-time.

22. Tacoma

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 22. Tacoma

Release Date: Confirmed for 2017

Platforms: PC, Xbox One

Developer: Fullbright

If you've played Gone Home, the first game from developer Fullbright, it's easy to see why we're excited about their sophomore effort, Tacoma.

First unveiled at The Game Awards in December 2014 and delayed until 2017 as the devs rejig the game to address early playtester feedback, not much is know about Tacoma. The teaser trailer offered radio chatter between a space station and Earth and from a visual perspective there are similarities to BioShock. Given the narrative and mysterious, slow-burn style of the first-person game Gone Home, we expect a similar adventure of discover and clue-finding in Tacoma. While there doesn't seem to be interaction with "human" characters (same as in Gone Home), there are holographic projections serving as logs of previous characters on the Tacoma station who players can listen to for information of the station, space itself, and what may have happened previously.

21. Destiny 2

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 21. Destiny 2

Release Date: Confirmed for 2017

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: Bungie

Publisher: Activision

In August, during Activision's second quarter earnings call and investor Q&A, Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg revealed that the bulk of Bungie's focus has shifted to the upcoming Destiny sequel timed for 2017. That much we knew from early leaked documents from the Bungie-Activision deal but massive developmental hurdles (to the point where they scrapped much of the original story plans) delayed much of the much-needed content of original Destiny.

Since the first game debuted however, Bungie has begun righting the ship, so to speak, most notably with The Taken King expansion. They have the gameplay and aesthetic down, wonderful co-op missions, and hopefully all their learnings from the first two years of Destiny 1 to make Destiny 2 a nice reset for the brand so they can play out their 10-year plan. Where the initial idea was to keep your player character throughout all Destiny games and content, it's possible much of what you accomplished in the first two years could be pushed away for a fresh start with the followup, and we're all for it!

No grind, please.

Note: Unofficial art is from rumored leaked concept work for Destiny 2.

20. Guardians of the Galaxy

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 20. Guardians of the Galaxy

Release Date: Confirmed for 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Mobile

Developer: Telltale Games

Publisher: Telltale Games

Not much is known of the first Marvel game from Telltale, but given their success with that Batman license recently, it's difficult not to get excited about their take on the cosmic Avengers. Yes, Telltale has many projects on the go and yes they can be buggy, but there's no questioning Telltale's storytelling.

The game is inspired by the films and tied with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 opening in theaters in May, but it is their own take, so don't look for the movies or source material for this story. It could take what you know and twist it in exciting ways!

Update: Guardians of the Galaxy plot details revealed.

19. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 19. Ghost Recon Wildlands

Release Date: March 7, 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: Ubisoft Paris, Ubisoft Reflections, Ubisoft Bucharest, Ubisoft Annecy, Ubisoft Milan, Ubisoft Montpellier

Publisher: Ubisoft

After Ghost Recon 2 and its standalone expansion, Summit Strike, won over the hearts of couch co-op players many years ago (original Xbox era), Ubisoft took this Tom Clancy brand further and further into the future with Advanced Warfighter games followed by Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. With Wildlands, the series comes back to present day and veers right into Far Cry territory with an open-world, co-op game where players can tackle whatever missions they desire in any way they see fit, from vehicle and approach choice, to weapon loadouts.

If they pull it off, it could be the ultimate co-op shooter this generation of consoles has been waiting for. But, we did play a demo on Xbox One at E3 2016 that was buggy so here's hoping it's not as dated and choppy as that early, incomplete build, and that the ambitious title can run on current-gen consoles.

18. Little Nightmares

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 18. Little Nightmares

Release Date: Confirmed for 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: Tarsier Studios

Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment

A horror-themed puzzle-platformer from the perspective of a child, Little Nightmares earned a lot of praise for its gameplay demos in 2016, and its wonderful art and design only help to make it look and sound more impressive.

A nine-year old girl named Six is kidnapped from her home and taken to work in The Maw – a surreal underwater resort catering to the whims of the powerful elite. When an unexpected twist of fate offers her a chance at freedom, Six takes a journey through the bizarre and unpredictable world of The Maw, and catches a glimpse at the corrupt heart of modern happiness.

17. Star Trek: Bridge Crew

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 17. Star Trek Bridge Crew

Release Date: March 14, 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4

Developer: Red Storm Entertainment

Publisher: Ubisoft

One of the most exciting licensed VR games announced to date, Star Trek: Bridge Crew is being developed exclusively for VR headsets and lets multiple players live out their fantasies as officers on the bridge of a United Federation starship! Unveiled at E3 2016 with a gameplay demo feature actual stars from the various television shows and films, players are able to take on the roles of Captain, Helm, Tactical, and Engineer.

In Star Trek: Bridge Crew, the Federation dispatches you and your crew to command the new vessel U.S.S. Aegis as part of a critical initiative. Your mission: explore a largely uncharted sector of space known as The Trench, in hopes of locating a suitable new home world for the decimated Vulcan populace. The Trench contains stunning beauty and undiscovered wonders, but also strange anomalies and dangers yet unknown. The Klingon Empire is also active in the region, and their purpose is undoubtedly a threat to the Federation’s plans. It’s up to you and your crew to chart the sector to determine the Klingons’ aims, and to secure a peaceful Federation presence.

This could be the ultimate proof of concept co-op VR experience, and for users bummed by lack of content or depth in VR games to date, Star Trek: Bridge Crew also features an "Ongoing Missions" mode which procedurally generates missions.

16. Below

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 16. Below

Release Date: Confirmed for 2017

Platforms: PC, Xbox One

Developer: Capybara Games

Publisher: Microsoft Studios

Below is a rogue-like adventure video game in development by Capybara Games, announced way back at E3 2013. Given Capy's award-worthy hit after hit in recent years, the acclaimed Canadian developer's top-down adventure game is a must-play for any gamer. As a rogue-like about a "tiny warrior exploring the depths of a remote island" the game does feature permanent death and "brutal but fair" combat.

The neat art style combined with another score from Jim Guthrie (who did Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP for Capy) makes Below one of the most artful and intriguing games on this list.

15. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 15. Resident Evil 7

Release Date: January 24, 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: Capcom

Publisher: Capcom

Resident Evil 5 won over many new fans to Capcom's long-running flagship franchise but lost some of the franchise's survival-horror appeal, but the developer and publisher failed to build off the success of this game, by almost killing the franchise with RE6 and some awful spinoffs. With RE7 though, Capcom is not only going back to the horror roots of the brand and including the Japanese title in the main title ("Biohazard"), but they're changing up the formula to offer a first-person experience that can be played entirely in VR.

The demo is already out there so see for yourself! With the Resident Evil film franchise coming to an end, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard could mark an entirely new direction and fresh start for the franchise as a whole.

14. What Remains of Edith Finch

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 14. What Remains of Edith Finch

Release Date: Confirmed for 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4

Developer: Giant Sparrow

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment, Annapurna Pictures

What Remains of Edith Finch is a collection of short stories about a cursed family in Washington state and it's coming partly from Annapurna Pictures (Sausage Party, 20th Century Women, American Hustle, Joy) which goes to show just how cinematic and narrative-focused the game will be.

Each story offers a chance to experience the life of a different family member with stories ranging from the early 1900s to the present day. The gameplay and tone of the stories are as varied as the family members themselves. The only constants are that each is played from a first-person perspective and that each story ends with that family member's death. It's a game about what it feels like to be humbled and astonished by the vast and unknowable world around us. You'll follow Edith Finch as she explores the history of her family and tries to figure out why she's the last one in her family left alive. It's being made by Giant Sparrow, the studio responsible for the surreal first-person painting game The Unfinished Swan.

13. Injustice 2

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 13. Injustice 2

Release Date: May 16, 2017

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS

Developer: NetherRealm Studios

Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Injustice 2, now confirmed for release in May, is the upcoming fighting video game sequel to 2013's Injustice: Gods Among Us. Players of the first game will recognize the returning features whihc include environment interaction, stage transitions, clashes, character traits, and super moves. Building on that formula, the sequel adds the ability to use the meter to perform an evasive move to dodge or break out of an opponent's combo.

There's also an RPG element now with loot called the "Gear System" which can grant players with cosmetic items (costume pieces, etc.) and equipment which can affect the status of characters. The idea of another layer of customization is a great on for a DC Comics based game, but loot boxes and the accompanying micotransactions have been such a burden and turn-off for many games as of late (see: Gears of War 4) that this is the one major concern we have with the followup. Still, Injustice 2 promises to have the biggest DC roster of heroes and villains ever seen in a fighting game which has us sold.

12. LEGO Worlds

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 12. LEGO Worlds

Release Date: Possibly 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: TT Games Publishing, Traveller's Tales

Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Think about Minecraft if it were made on a modern game engine, with better graphics and more interactive objects to build? That's almost what LEGO Worlds was when it launched on early access for PC players. While this game has the potential to be everything Minecraft is and so much more, it also can completely fail by getting bogged down in licensed limitations. The inability to build our own working vehicles and houses in our own style (instead you built pre-fab kits, ugh!), could ruin this idea before it gets off the ground. Still, LEGO has never made LEGO game as good as Minecraft and this could finally be where they get it right. Let us build our own vehicles or go home, TT.

The good news is, the game is very affordable and is offered at a significant discount compared to full retail games.

In LEGO Worlds, players uncover hidden treasures in environments that range from fun to the fantastical, where worlds come to life with a dizzying variety of vehicles and creatures – from cowboys riding giraffes and vampires scaring Yetis, to steamrollers, racing cars and colossal digging machines. Gamers can embark on a quest to become a Master Builder by helping other LEGO characters along the way – find a sword for a king, protect a farmer from a zombie invasion, or build a home for a caveman. Environments and creations are brought to life in any way fans can imagine, either by building brick by brick, placing down enormous prebuilt LEGO structures, or by using wondrous tools that let you paint and shape the landscape. LEGO Worlds’ online multiplayer functionality allows players to explore each other’s worlds together, create together, and engage in cooperative and competitive play experiences that players can build themselves.

11. Unannounced Assassin's Creed Title

Most Anticipated Games 2017 - 11. Assassins Creed Empire

Release Date: Confirmed for 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: Ubisoft

Publisher: Ubisoft

Ubisoft is in a bit of a rough patch with their flagship franchise. The annualization and inconsistent naming structure of Assassin's Creed titles, coupled with the abandonment of the one major through-line narrative of the games, painted an ugly and confusing picture of the series which once dominated the video games industry. This lead to a broken game with 2014's Unity, a too-basic game with 2015's Syndicate, followed by the first ever "we're taking a year off" from the developer. And in that year, the Assassin's Creed movie opened in theaters worldwide to critical and box office disappointments.

More: Enough of Your Assassin’s Creed

With that being said, the devs made a video taking to heart all the feedback of the previous games, and are hoping to do right by fans and the Assassin's Creed brand in 2017 with a game that's rumored to be set in Egypt. Here's hoping for innovative gameplay, a story we can care about, and a fresh new start for the property which at one time full captured our imaginations and excitement for the future of the series.