Although 2018 was a phenomenal year for video games, there are a number of long-awaited games finally being made available in 2019. Dormant series like Kingdom Hearts are making a needed return, while brand new properties like Anthem have the potential to have a major impact on the gaming world. All in all, it's shaping up to be another great year for games.
Whether 2019 manages to beat its predecessor in terms of overall quality is another matter entirely of course. Games like God of War and Spider-Man will live long in the memory, providing a punch from both a storytelling and gameplay perspective. Meanwhile, the all-encompassing behemoth that is Fortnite is gripping onto its multiplayer crown tightly, and if something topples that particular phenomenon this year it will truly be a turn-up for the books.
Related: Top 20 Video Games of 2018, According to Critics
Nonetheless, 2019 is going to be giving its best shot to top 2018. Read on to find out Screen Rant's 25 most anticipated games of the year, and remember - if there's a game missing from this list, be sure to share your most anticipated games in the comments!
25. DREAMS
LittleBigPlanet captured the hearts of many PlayStation owners, both with its co-op friendly campaigns and through the way in which players could easily build their own levels in a variety of ways. Clearly, developer Media Molecule had grander ideas in mind, and the culmination of this attempt to give users even greater control is Dreams.
To call Dreams ambitious is a serious understatement, with a much larger focus on player agency when it comes to creating levels. Taking control of an imp that acts as the player's gateway to building levels, the finished creations are then shared with the community at large to enjoy. It all sounds extremely impressive, and if Dreams actually achieves all that it sets out to do, then this will be a must-have for PS4 owners.
24. IN THE VALLEY OF THE GODS
Campo Santo is a developer on a mission. Firewatch managed to capture something incredible, delivering some of the most interesting characters the video game world had seen within a lush forest environment. Although it wasn’t for everyone, Campo Santo more than earned the interest that follow-up In The Valley of the Gods has gained, with many desperate to see how the studio handles combining its fledgling reputation for character-driven story with a setting in an Egyptian valley.
What makes this title all the more intriguing is the fact that Campo Santo has been acquired by Valve. The Steam creator is getting back into making games proper, and In The Valley of the Gods is perhaps the gaming world’s first chance to see what this might entail. So, a unique project here could set Valve on the right track with its many other projects, and point towards great things to come.
23. FAR CRY NEW DAWN
A standalone spinoff to Far Cry 5, Far Cry New Dawn will treat the post-apocalypse with a lot more color than some of its peers. Set seventeen years after a nuclear war, there’s bound to be plenty more of the same gameplay that Ubisoft Montreal has honed over the last three Far Cry games, and fans of the series will no doubt be appreciative.
These standalone features beyond the core Far Cry games have sometimes been the place where Ubisoft has truly been able to stretch its legs creatively, with Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon the prime example of this, and Far Cry New Dawn will be hoping to emulate that level of success. What’s more, it’s a chance to undo some of the criticism lain at Far Cry 5’s safe treatment of story and subject matter, and those disappointed in the end of Far Cry 5 in particular will be hoping for a palate cleanser here.
22. CRACKDOWN 3
The development of Crackdown 3 has been an arduous one. What was once promised as an exclusive for the Xbox One due to release in 2016 has instead become an awfully long wait for fans of the sandbox series, and Crackdown 3's delays have played a part in Xbox owners feeling a little aggrieved about the number of exclusive titles that the platform has received so far.
That said, all will be forgiven if the game lives up to the hype when it launches on February 15. It’s a busy month for gaming in general, but Sumo Digital and Microsoft will no doubt be hoping that Crackdown 3 can make a dent of its own, and if its potential for chaotic, open world action is realized then Xbox One and PC players will be in for a real treat. That said, there’s bound to be a bit of caution over a project that has spent so long in development hell.
21. ORI AND THE WILL OF THE WISPS
2015's Ori and the Blind Forest was a beacon of charm and creativity, showing that Microsoft was a company that could nurture smaller games with a more introspective focus. As such, there's hope that Ori and the Will of the Wisps will again allow developer Moon Studios to give players something a little bit different from the usual that Microsoft publishes.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps puts players back in the role of the guardian spirit Ori, although the title could potentially delve deeper into the overall lore of the series. Apart from that, expect more of that wonderful Metroid-style platforming and puzzle solving.
Next Page: Top 20 Most Anticipated Games of 2019
20. CONTROL
Max Payne and Alan Wake developer Remedy Entertainment is back once more, and rather than returning to one of its old properties it is instead forging ahead with something new. Based on what the gaming community has seen so far, Control is full of mind-bending action, with gravity-defying moments and Escher-esque physics-bending giving it a very unique feel.
Remedy has never shied away from taking risks, as seen with previous title Quantum Break, and as such it will be very interesting to see how Control fares. The video game world needs good, original ideas, and having them come from esteemed developers such as Remedy makes it all the better - providing that the quality is there in the end product.
19. MECHWARRIOR 5: MERCENARIES
Once one of the forerunners of PC gaming, MechWarrior fell the same way as most other mech-based games as trends moved away from what the series and the larger BattleTech intellectual property were known for. Now, the time has come for MechWarrior to make its much needed return, with MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries launching on September 10.
Already the waters have been tested for BattleTech as a whole, with 2018's turn-based strategy game being well received by fans of the franchise, and the return of MechWarrior means that a more action-heavy angle on the IP is coming. It's been in the oven a long time - will it be worth the wait?
18. SHENMUE 3
Shenmue and its sequel acted as the forerunners for so many games that followed. It had one of the first real semblances of a dynamic world and a degree of realism that had been unseen at the time, and as such the series earned its place in gaming folklore. Thanks to crowdfunding, the long wait for the third part of the series is nearly over.
There will be a lot of questions, of course. Some will wonder whether Shenmue 3 can leapfrog those games that built upon what Shenmue achieved, and whether those now-archaic moments that the series holds can be refreshed for a modern audience, but it will be fascinating to find out how Shenmue fares in a different era of gaming. Here’s hoping that it lives up to what the first two achieved, and add another worthwhile chapter to its unique story.
17. MARVEL: ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 3
2019 is going to be a major year for Marvel. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is hitting another major moment with Avengers: Endgame, and finally it seems as though the video game world is starting to receive the kind of games based on Marvel characters that it should be expecting - particularly with last year’s PS4 exclusive Spider-Man.
This year, the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance series is getting another entry in the form of Switch exclusive Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 3. It will hopefully capture the magic of those original games while also bring the series up to modern day standards. What's more, it's the perfect chance to build up to whatever is being planned with that mysterious Square Enix Avengers game.
16. RAGE 2
Bethesda has proved to be a publisher to go to for first-person shooters, with the likes of Doom, Wolfenstein: The New Colossus and Prey rewarding plenty of thrills in recent years, and 2019 will see this trend continue. While Doom Eternal's release date is still a tightly-held secret over at id Software, Rage 2 is definitely set for a 2019 launch, with the game arriving on May 14.
The first Rage was fun but unlikely to stick long in the memory - a piece of violent excitement to consume and discard - but there are hopes that Rage 2 will provide something just as thrilling with a little more substance. Taking cues from the more outrageous side of the apocalypse like Mad Max, Rage 2 looks to be an over-the-top, action heavy experience to enjoy.
Next Page: Top 15 Most Anticipated Games of 2019
15. DEVIL MAY CRY 5
The outrageous action of Devil May Cry has provided gamers with catharsis for years, and Capcom’s vibrant hack’n’slash property is back for another go in 2019. Chronologically set after the events of Devil May Cry 2, this new sequel is back on the main straight from a narrative perspective, and sees the return of Dante and Nero as playable characters when it arrives on March 8.
With that in mind, Devil May Cry 5 looks to be an attempt to unify the game's fanbase after the divisions caused by the redesigns of DMC: Devil May Cry. That said, will the series play it too safe with this entry? Ideally, the title will be both ridiculous in all the right ways and make solid steps forward to deliver refreshing and exciting gameplay.
14. DAYS GONE
PS4 exclusive Days Gone was once one of the most anticipated games for Sony’s console as a whole, and although delays have made it lose some of the lustre there’s still plenty of gamers waiting on this zombie title. Syphon Filter developer SIE Bend Studio caught the interest of PS4 owners early on with what appeared to be a tense and expansive zombie world.
Days Gone has since been subject to a few delays, the latest (and final) pushing its release date back to April 26, but there's still hope that it can give gamers what that early footage suggested. Not all games can live up to that hype, such as Overkill's The Walking Dead last year, but that bit of extra polish will ideally lead to an excellent new game for the PS4.
13. METRO EXODUS
The Metro franchise, based on the books of Dmitry Glukhovsky, has provided a tense, claustrophobic experience with a solid cult following. However, Metro Exodus promises something a little bit different, replacing a linear story with something more open-ended. This aims to give fans something that many have been asking for – a chance to explore and experience the world of Metro rather than be rushed through it.
If it works, then it could be a fantastic addition to the crammed subgenre of the post-apocalyptic shooter, and with Fallout hardly firing on all cylinders it could be Metro to swoop in and pick up disappointed gamers. What’s more, Metro Exodus could finally be a suitable replacement for the STALKER games, which would be quite something given the history that developer 4A Games has with the property.
12. LUIGI'S MANSION 3
The Nintendo Switch had a fantastic 2018, with major releases such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate taking the world by storm. However, 2019 has the potential to be another stunning year. Although not all the games that Nintendo’s console has in store have been confirmed, one that players should definitely prepare for is Luigi’s Mansion 3.
The Luigi’s Mansion games have always acted as a refreshing alternative to the standard Mario fare, and a return of the series to a main Nintendo console is much appreciated. It’s always nice to see Luigi be given the spotlight, and Luigi’s Mansion 3 could be exactly what the Switch needs this year.
11. MORTAL KOMBAT 11
Mortal Kombat 11 was one of the worst kept secrets in gaming, with fans of the fighter franchise waiting for NetherRealm Studios to announce the game, rather than wondering if such an announcement was going to come. Nonetheless, the developer obliged at The Game Awards 2018, and as such fighting fans had a date to put in their diaries of April 23.
Recent releases in the series have been exceptional, but there’s still work to be done to make sure that Mortal Kombat 11 is a great game. Many will be hoping that the game’s business model is less predatory than in previous releases, with Mortal Kombat X in particular drawing the ire of players for just how its microtransactions were treated. If NetherRealm sorts this, then Mortal Kombat 11 could be a fantastic entry in the franchise.
Next Page: Top 10 Most Anticipated Games of 2019
10. SKULL & BONES
Gamers will be hoping that it’s a pirate’s life for them in 2019. Although 2018’s Sea of Thieves started brightly, eventually things started to unravel for the game’s players, with a lack of deep content hurting the title overall. Ubisoft’s own pirate title, Skull & Bones, might fill that void nicely.
It all depends on how well it manages to capture the essence of its clear inspiration – Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Black Flag is perhaps the best of the Assassin’s Creed games, in large part thanks to just how fun its naval combat is, and if Skull & Bones is able to emulate that then it could be hugely successful. With much still up in the air about the title, though, it’s likely that potential buyers will still be cautious about this one.
9. THE OUTER WORLDS
Obsidian Entertainment picked a fantastic time to unveil new RPG The Outer Worlds. With Fallout 76 languishing, a new RPG from former Fallout gurus is coming at the perfect time, and The Outer Worlds looks like it will include some seriously fun and engaging RPG gameplay, complete with a unique universe to explore.
Obsidian has always made choices that players don’t expect, and has earned its reputation for creating some of the best narratives seen in gaming as a whole. Hopefully, the team has been given enough time to give The Outer Worlds the level of polish it deserves – after all, although Obsidian has a bit of notoriety for bugs, recent games like South Park: The Stick of Truth, Pillars of Eternity and Tyranny have easily bucked this trend.
8. JUMP FORCE
Weekly Shonen Jump is an anthology publication that includes many of the greatest characters and properties in manga. Everything from Dragon Ball to One Piece has been included in its esteemed pages, and now Bandai Namco is unleashing the characters from Weekly Shonen Jump in a 3-on-3 fighting game.
The prospect of combining the likes of Bleach, Saint Seiya and Naruto into one package is mouth-watering, and as such manga fans have had this on their wishlists since it was announced at E3 2018. What better way to celebrate fifty years of Weekly Shonen Jump than by having its best and brightest pummelling each other?
7. TOM CLANCY'S THE DIVISION 2
The Division was a strange one, as although it was initially very popular there was something of a quick backlash, resulting in a serious drop off in player numbers. Nonetheless, a multiplayer-focused game set in a very grounded reality was an interesting concept that many will be interested to see revisited.
The Division 2 pivots the action to Washington D.C. but looks set to continue the same kind of gameplay as before, pitting players against different factions in a city on the brink of collapse. Hopefully, Massive Entertainment will be able to build upon what worked about The Division and tweak what failed in order to give a returning player base what it wants.
6. KINGDOM HEARTS 3
Kingdom Hearts crosses over the properties of Disney and Square Enix in a bombastic masterclass of RPG gameplay, and so it’s easy to see why the franchise picked up such a tremendous following. It makes it all the stranger that Kingdom Hearts 3 has been so long in development, but as of the game’s release on January 29 the wait will finally be over.
Once again, classic Disney characters will be thrown into a game that offers up some of the best that the JRPG genre can offer. Things have changed an awful lot in gaming since the last main Kingdom Hearts title released, but Kingdom Hearts 3 promises to be a magical new entry to make up for those lost years.
Next Page: Top 5 Most Anticipated Games of 2019
5. SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE
Dark Souls developer FromSoftware is back, this time with something that looks a little different. Rather than the fantasy of Dark Souls or the gothic horror of Bloodborne, instead Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice transports players to 16th century Japan, taking on the role of a shinobi on a quest of revenge.
It's not just the setting that is different about this FromSoftware offering, though, as it seems as though the gameplay has had something of a shake-up as well. There's a greater emphasis on stealth this time around, although the combat itself still requires players to hone their craft and look for openings where possible. Look for another tough, gorgeous action game when it releases on March 22.
4. RESIDENT EVIL 2 REMAKE
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard may have made some radical changes to the Resident Evil formula, but Capcom hasn’t forgotten about the roots of the series. As such, there are a lot of expectations for the Resident Evil 2 remake that will be infecting many a gamer’s device of choice when it arrives on January 25.
Seen as perhaps the best of the classic Resident Evil games, returning to Raccoon City is an enticing prospect. Former Resident Evil titles have handled the remake treatment well – exemplified by the stunning GameCube remake of the original game – and so far Capcom’s showing of the ground-up remake of Resident Evil 2 has made it look like a fantastic new version of the acclaimed title. It will need to be nigh-perfect to avoid disappointing those rosy-eyed over the original, but signs are good that it will live up to the hype.
3. GEARS 5
War may have been dropped from the name of Gears 5, but that doesn’t mean that the title is likely to be any less bloody. Gears of War is due to return in 2019, with The Coalition once again at the helm. The main characters of Gears of War 4 are set to be back, with the focus turning to Kait Diaz this time around.
What’s it going to be like this time? The developers have been relatively quiet about it so far, but expect some major set pieces and some Gears trademark action. It's also worth remembering that Gears POP! is on the way for those after a game that's a little more light hearted, as well as PC exclusive turn-based strategy game Gears Tactics for something a little different.
2. ANTHEM
BioWare has earned its place as one of the standout creators of great narratives in gaming, but Anthem sees the developer go out of its comfort zone and enter a more free, multiplayer world. This has piqued the interest of many, intrigued to see whether BioWare is able to deliver that rare thing of a solid story in a multiplayer-centric game. Those a little skeptical over such a move will also be hoping that none of the BioWare magic is lost in translation, so more than any other game in 2019 this could be the one with most eyes on it.
BioWare itself has a lot riding on the success of Anthem, too. A pivot to a Destiny-esque format was certainly an eyebrow-raiser, and with the failure of BioWare Montreal’s Mass Effect Andromeda in 2017 still raw the success of Anthem is extremely important. After all, even the biggest of names can rarely afford to have two disappointments in a row.
1. THE LAST OF US: PART II
Although Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series has been a breathtaking ride, for many fans the developer’s magnum opus was 2013's post-apocalyptic adventure The Last of Us. The wait for the sequel has been a long one, but in 2019 it will finally be over, and players will be reunited with Ellie in The Last of Us: Part II.
There are plenty of unanswered questions, though, and players will be eager to see how Naughty Dog has managed to advance the story in light of such impressive narrative-led games of 2018 such as God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2. If that E3 2018 showing is anything to go by, though, then The Last of Us: Part II will definitely be a must-have.
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That brings our list of the most anticipated games of 2019 to a close. There are bound to be some surprises in store - after all, there are plenty of games that are yet to be announced that could release this year - and hopefully some titles not currently on the radar will prove to be among the best that 2019 has to offer. Here's to another fantastic year of gaming ahead.