The gaming industry has been pretty wired lately. What do I mean by that? Well, games are coming out fast—so fast that some of them are a little…subpar. For example, we were all super psyched about Anthem. It was supposed to knock games like Destiny off of the radar (although, Destiny is doing a great job of that by itself). However, when it released, it was kinda bad. It had long load times, bugs, and things that the devs took too long to fix. People bailed pretty quick.
Thankfully, there are some games we can rely on being good. We’re going to talk about those in this roundup. This year, we got release dates for games that have been a long time coming—Cyberpunk 2077, anyone? Not only that, we got release dates on games we’ve wanted remakes for since graphics and game mechanics improved. Who else is excited about the Final Fantasy VII remake?
Basically, this year, gaming is going to be amazing. We’re going to get some great titles by amazing developers and producers. Heck, even Kojima has branched off to make his own studio, and his game is coming out! We all wanted P.T., but Death Stranding looks just as amazing.
These are 21 games you should be on the lookout for. They’ll be really amazing, and you don’t want to be behind when we all start raving about them.
Cyberpunk 2077
The release date is finally here! Gamers have been waiting for ages to hear an update on Cyberpunk 2077, and we finally got it along with a great Keanu Reeves cinematic. Coming April 16th, 2020, you’ll be able to play this long-awaited open-world dystopian game. I have no doubt that this is going to be one of the best-selling games of 2020, if not the best.
Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 has been a long time coming. Sure, sure, we got the Pre-Sequel, but it just felt weak compared to the other additions to the series. As per usual, Borderlands 3 will give us more guns, more weirdness, and more laughs. You’ll be able to play it on September 13th, 2019.
The Last of Us: Part II
We got a teaser for Last of Us: Part II ages ago, and it made us (or maybe just me?) terrified about the fate of Joel. Thankfully, the newest trailer gives us insight about where he went and what’s going on with Ellie. In this game, you’ll be able to control Ellie as she comes into conflict with a cult. Play it November 2019.
Bleeding Edge
Bleeding Edge is coming a little late as a MOBA-type title, but it could make a splash. Instead of being six versus six (like Overwatch), Bleeding Edge cuts it down to four versus four. It stands a chance since it’s made by Ninja Theory, the same developer that made Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, DmC: Devil May Cry, and Heavenly Sword. Alpha testing begins on June 27th, 2019, so the game will likely come out sometime in 2020.
Death Stranding
After P.T. was nixed, I was pretty upset. Thankfully, Death Stranding came a bit later, and it’s going to be huge. It’s Hideo Kojima’s (think Metal Gear Solid) first game since disbanding from Konami in 2015. While I still want a game made with Kojima and Guillermo Del Toro, Death Stranding isn’t going to disappoint. You can play it on November 8th, 2019.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Final Fantasy VII is undoubtedly one of the best Final Fantasy games out there—if not the best. Naturally, it had to be remade. Not only that, but the game will be a multi-volume trilogy, so we’ll probably get more content than in the original game. The first installment will release on March 3rd, 2020, and you can pre-order it now.
Watch Dogs: Legion
Even if Watch Dogs had a bit of a rocky start, it ended up being a fantastic game. During the last E3 conference, we got to see the newest addition to the series, Watch Dogs: Legion. It immediately caught everyone’s eye when Helen, the old woman, stole the show. Admit it, you want to play a sassy experienced (not old) ex-assassin.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Zelda games are always a huge hit with audiences. The new Link’s Awakening is a remake of the 1993 Game Boy title of the same name. The new game retains the top-down perspective and gameplay but upgrades the graphics to a toy-like character design. It’ll also have customizable dungeons that players can create and complete for rewards. It will release on September 20h, 2019.
Marvel’s Avengers
Marvel has dominated movie theaters, so why not tap into the video game market? After Spider-Man’s success, Marvel’s Avengers was released (along with recently leaked footage of the single-player campaign). Supposedly, it’s going to be multi-player, and that’s something I’m personally rooting for. We haven’t had enough multi-player games release lately. Marvel’s Avengers will release May 15th, 2020.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Action games not your style? Animal Crossing: New Horizons may be more up your alley. This is the first Animal Crossing game on the Switch, and there’s a lot of new mechanics added to keep the series fresh. You’ll be able to even build up the island this time! You’ll be able to play it starting March 20th, 2020.
Gods and Monsters
Gods and Monsters grabbed people’s eye because it looks a lot like Breath of the Wild. Add that to the fact that it’s from the makers of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and I’m down. This game focuses on Greek mythology, and gamers will likely have to defeat monsters from the myths like gorgons and harpies. Gods and Monsters will release on February 25th, 2020.
Halo Infinite
Some people may not be psyched about a new Halo addition, but I am. Halo Infinite released at E3, and we got to see Chief for the first time since 2015. The story follows the events of Halo 5: Guardians and will tell a “much more human” story of Chief. I’m also happy to say that Halo Infinite will also be split-screen, something they removed from the previous game. You can play the new installment in late 2020.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Blind Forest is one of the most beautiful games that ever released. The game blew up on Steam and became one of the best titles on the platform. Now, we’ve been blessed with a gameplay trailer of the sequel. Ori and the Will of the Wisps will focus on exploring the world beyond the forest of Nibel and uncover Ori’s true destiny. You can play it on February 11th, 2020.
System Shock Remake
System Shock was a breakthrough in its genre and is often considered the predecessor of today’s story-based action games. Since it’s so well-loved, a Kickstarter was created to remake the original. It ended with over $1.3 million pledged. Now, we’ll be able to play System Shock with upgraded graphics and mechanics in early 2020.
Pokémon Sword and Shield
Anytime a Pokémon game releases, it’s a huge deal. This one is going to have co-op raids similar to what players already experience in Pokémon Go. It’ll also have gyms like the classic games, something which I personally miss. The two versions will have exclusive elements, such as gym leaders and the Pokémon available to catch. The new games will release on November 15th, 2019.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
In 2004, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines released. That was 15 years ago. Let that sink in. Since vampire games have been few and far between (and since the original was so good), this one could be huge. In the second, you’ll be able to create a vampire and select a background that explains who they were as a human. Games with personalization are always ace in my book. This one releases in March 2020.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Dragon Ball was my jam when it first started showing on Cartoon Network. Any time something new happens with it, I’m all ears. DBZ: Kakarot will have multiple playable characters in what looks like an open-world action RPG. Hold up, though. It’s also part fighting game, as made clear by any fighting scene you see from the game. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot will release in 2020.
Minecraft: Dungeons
Have you ever wondered what Minecraft would be if it was more like Diablo? Me neither, but some people are excited about this combination. Minecraft: Dungeons allows up to four players fight monsters in dungeons and will be playable in mid-2020. This game is definitely going to be a hit with younger audiences.
Psychonauts 2
Who is excited for Psychonauts 2? The first was inarguably one of the best games ever released, and the sequel will likely be the same. The second will pick up after the ending of Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin. It’ll feature the characters we love and maybe new Psi-Powers…please? Psychonauts 2 releases in 2020.
Dying Light 2
Dying Light gave us everything we wanted from a zombie game. Well, it gave us the one thing we wanted from zombie games—parkour. This time around, the map is supposedly four times larger than the first game, but I’m a little bummed it’ll feature a new protagonist. Guess that’s expected considering what happened to Kyle Crane, but still. Dying Light 2 releases early 2020.
Outriders
Outriders is a co-cp sci-fi shooter from the same people who made Bulletstorm and Gears of War. The story is about three buddies who battle against aliens that are determined to kill all humans (the ‘ush). It looks dark and gritty, something I always love from video games. The game devs say there’s a strong narrative that propels it forward, and that’s something we’ll see in spring 2020 when it releases.