Summer is nearly over and more than half the year has gone by. Although many people might see this as a bad thing, gamers will no doubt be excited to see the last four months of the year. That’s because this is the time of the year when all the biggest games release just in time for Christmas.
Although there have already been several important releases this year, including the likes of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Metro: Exodus, the real heavy hitters are still very much to come. We’ve put together a list of all the most anticipated games set to release over the rest of 2019. Just make sure your wallet is prepared for what is to come.
12. Astral Chain | August 30
PlatinumGames rarely put a foot wrong so when they announced that they were working on a new Nintendo Switch game, fans quickly got excited. Astral Chain has plenty of pedigree behind it as well. It is being directed by the man responsible for Nier: Automata and supervised by Hideki Kamiya, the man who created both Bayonetta and Devil May Cry.
The action-adventure game will see players take on the role of a futuristic cop who is investigating mysterious events in a city called “The Ark.” From the gameplay shown so far, it looks as if you’ll have to solve a variety of puzzles and discover new pieces of evidence to progress in the case. If PlatinumGames’ previous work is anything to go by, Astral Chain should be stylish and filled with bombastic fun.
11. Gears 5 | September 10
Outside of the Halo series, Gears of War is Microsoft’s biggest gaming franchise. The latest installment from The Coalition has just gone gold and will release on September 10. It will also debut directly on Xbox Game Pass, meaning that subscribers can get their hands on it without having to purchase the standalone game.
Gears 5 will follow Kait Diaz as it expands her backstory. The plot will continue directly on from Gears of War 4, with Diaz trying to uncover the truth about the Locust and where the mysterious race comes from. Fan-favorite Marcus Fenix will also appear, although it isn’t clear what role he will have.
The Xbox exclusive allows co-operative play both locally and through online multiplayer and features all of the modes fans have come to expect. A new addition comes in the form of Escape, in which players have to infiltrate a Locust hive, plant a bomb, and then escape all in a matter of minutes.
10. Borderlands 3 | September 13
Fans of this series have had a long wait for a new game as the last installment, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, came out back in 2014. Set to release on September 13, Borderlands 3 will come to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in addition to a Google Stadia launch.
The story follows on from the death of Handsome Jack as a new group known as the Children of the Vault look to take control of newly discovered Vaults on other planets. The player is tasked with stopping them and defending the mysterious structures. It will also feature returning characters from the three previous main titles as well as Tales from the Borderlands.
Although it uses the same basic mechanics as its predecessors, Borderlands 3 does introduce additional skills so that players can build more varied characters. Players will also have the option of scaling enemies to their level when playing online with others. Of course, there will also be a huge variety of weapons available, with the number of gun combinations increased to more than a billion.
9. Code Vein | September 27
Code Vein is an action RPG from Bandai Namco Studios. After a lengthy delay, which was needed to sort out some major issues with the game, it will now launch in September for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
The success of the Dark Souls series has meant that developers and publishers are constantly looking to make their own mark in this new genre. Code Vein is the latest newcomer, featuring a more modern setting and a vivid anime-style look.
By all accounts, you can expect the same sort of difficulty present in FromSoftware’s titles. Players will have to experiment with different weapons and play styles when it comes to taking down the hardest enemies in tactical fast-paced battles.
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare | October 25
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was a seminal moment when it was released in 2007. It completely shifted the focus of the franchise and helped cement the dominance of the first-person shooter. 12 years on from that moment and Infinity Ward are rebooting the series with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
The developers have promised that it will be a far more mature game, dealing with complicated issues. There will also be a welcome return to modern day combat, meaning you won’t have to put up with wall running any more. A new game engine should also mean improved visuals and performance.
Expect Call of Duty: Modern Warfare to hit store shelves on October 25 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Even better is the fact that you don’t have to worry about a season pass either, as it has been scrapped in favour of free post-launch DLC.
7. The Outer Worlds | October 25
Over the course of the last two decades, Obsidian Entertainment have worked on some truly memorable games. The Outer Worlds is their latest venture and looks to be a sort of cross between Fallout and Borderlands.
Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky, who created the original Fallout series, have taken on directing duties for the game. Players should expect the same drama and dark humor associated with that series, along with a more colorful and stylized look.
The RPG takes place in an alternate reality where giant corporations are in charge of everything. Players will have access to their own ship to explore nearby colonies as well as a collection of companions to take with them on quests. The Outer Worlds is coming to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in October with a Nintendo Switch version following later.
6. Need for Speed: Heat | November 8
It is hard to know what to think when a new Need for Speed game comes around. The series has largely been left behind in the gaming world with a series of poor entries. The latest instalment comes in the form of Need for Speed: Heat, which was only announced at the beginning of August.
Taking place in Palm City, the game once again puts the player in the shoes of a street racer. You’ll have to make your mark by winning races against the established figures all while avoiding a somewhat totalitarian police force.
An integrated day/night cycle also switches up the action, allowing you to race relatively hassle free during the day. However, once night rolls around, you will have to be on guard against any cops. You can get your hands on Need for Speed: Heat in November on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
5. Death Stranding | November 8
After leaving Konami under a shroud of controversy, Metal Gear Solid developer Hideo Kojima set up his own development studio in the form of Kojima Productions. His first game since is Death Stranding, an open-world action game that the designer is hoping will launch a new type of genre.
The story appears to be a tense and mysterious affair that will connect life and death. You’ll take control of Sam Porter Bridges as he attempts to reconnect people who have isolated themselves around the world. Actions in the upside world that you find yourself in after dying will affect the living world as you return.
As we have come to expect from Hideo Kojima, Death Stranding is certain to have a strong cinematic feel to it. Actors like Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, and Mads Mikkelsen have provided motion-capture performances, as well as director Guillermo del Toro. It will be released exclusively on the PlayStation 4 on November 8.
4. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order | November 15
EA’s tenure in charge of the Star Wars video game rights hasn’t been a huge success. So far they have only released two mediocre Battlefront games and canceled the story-focused title that Visceral Games and Uncharted writer Amy Hennig were working on.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is the publisher’s chance to redeem themselves to show fans and Disney they deserve to keep hold of the license in the future. Developed by Titanfall and Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment, the game will be released on November 15 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
The story will follow Episode III – Revenge of the Sith as one of the few surviving Jedi evades the Imperial forces hunting him. Players take control of Cal Kestis and will be able to use a lightsaber in combat as well as numerous force powers.
3. Pokémon Sword and Shield | November 15
Every mainline Pokémon release is a big event, but Pokémon Sword and Shield should cause even more of a stir. That’s because the games are set to release on the Nintendo Switch rather than a handheld console for the first time.
After the success of Pokémon Sun and Moon’s move outside of Japan to a region based on Hawaii, Sword and Shield will take place in Galar. This is a new modern land that takes inspiration from the United Kingdom. As usual, it will follow a young trainer as they set out to become a Pokémon Master by collecting gym badges.
While much of the gameplay will be similar to previous entries in the series, there are some new mechanics. These include a co-op based raid system that has been influenced by Pokémon Go and jobs that involve completing small tasks to get access to rare items. The games are due to arrive worldwide on November 15.
2. Shenmue III | November 19
There was a feeling following the demise of the Dreamcast that a third game in the Shenmue franchise might never happen. Yet, developer Ys Net, along with several designers from the original games, brought the series back in 2015 as they launched a crowdfunding campaign. Having become one of the most successful Kickstarter projects ever, Shenmue III raised $7 million and was picked up by Deep Silver.
The story will see Ryo Hazuki travel to China as he attempts to locate his father’s killer. This means there will be a new setting in Guilin as well as a cast of fresh characters. Players can expect updated fighting mechanics and features to bring the experience up to modern standards. Shenmue III will launch worldwide for both PC and PlayStation 4 on November 19.
1. Doom Eternal | November 22
2016 saw developer id Software and Bethesda release Doom. The game essentially rebooted the series and included a significant revamp of the gameplay from Doom 3. Many felt that it was a welcome return to the fast pace of the original games. Critical acclaim and strong sales followed, making a sequel likely.
Doom Eternal will release on November 22 and continue the story as a direct sequel. Players can expect more of the same in terms of gameplay, in addition to stunning new graphics thanks to the fact that it has been developed in the brand new id Tech 7 engine. As well as coming to all three major consoles and PC, Doom Eternal will also launch on Google Stadia.
MORE GAMING:
– The Biggest New Games of 2019 & Beyond
– 20 Best PS4 FPS Games You Should Play
– 15 Best PS4 Action Games You Should Play
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