The PC Games Of 2016
Everything to look forward to on PC in the new year.
The best PC games of 2016 are a long way from decided, but what are the contenders? We've raked the internet in pursuit of the games due to be released over the next 12 months and assembled them into this handy list, which includes links to our preview coverage, release dates and other helpful details. If you're searching for something to look forward to in the new year, read on.
Games are eligible for the list regardless of the type of release due, which means we've included games which are coming to early access over the next 365 days as well as those planning to celebrate their final versions. The list is split into categories, and these links will take you to each of them:
Action games
Adventure games
Driving and Racing games
Exploration games
Fighting games
MMOs
Platformers
Puzzle games
Roguelikes
RPGs
Shooters
Simulation and space games
Strategy games
Survival games
The list currently contains 308 games and we've excluded hundreds we think look like guff. We've probably also failed to remember or find some great looking games too, however. What PC games are you looking forward to in 2016? Tell us in the comments below and we'll update this list throughout the year so its information and excited descriptions are always up to date.
Article by Matthew Cox and Joe Donnelly.
Action games
Lots of games feature explosions, but there is a difference between ordering a unit of soldiers to create that explosion from high above the battlefield and creating that explosion yourself then walking away from it without looking back. This section is for the latter kind.
Alekhine's Gun
Genre
Stealth, Third Person, Action
Release date
February 9th 2016
What is it?
Formerly known as Death To Spies 3 before changing its name, Alekhine’s Gun follows a similar stealth-spy-Hitman-esque format to its spiritual forerunners. Set primarily in the 1960s with flashbacks to World War II, levels take place around the globe and are based upon real historical events such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Kennedy assassiantion.
Hitman
Genre
Stealth, Action
Release date
March 11th 2016
What is it?
The sixth entry and prequel to the stealth ‘em up series that aims to recapture the wonder of earlier instalments. Adam was impressed by its Prequel and sixth entry to the longstanding stealth ‘em up series which aims to recapture the creative magic of earlier instalments. This time round, the linear levels of most recent entry Absolution have been axed with the larger, more imaginative mini-sandboxes of Blood Money set to return. Adam was impressed with the segment he saw mid-last year.
Hitman Interview.
All Hitman posts.
Dishonored 2
Genre
Stealth, Action RPG
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
First-person action, stealth, murder, supernatural skill, brutal weaponry and quirky gadgets galore. Set 15 years after its predecessor, you’ll explore coastal city Karnaca as either familiar protagonist Corvo Attano or young/now not so young Emily Kaldwin with a host of new Outsider abilities. Expect a nuanced take on what worked so well previously.
Dungeon Defenders 2
Genre
Tower Defense, Co-op, Third person, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A tower defence-meets-action RPG blend with a heavy focus on co-op multiplayer. Think Orcs Must Die with less in the way of intuitive trap setting; yet shedloads more in the shameless chaos department. Dungeon Defenders 2 currently resides in Early Access - where it’s been since late 2014 - although full release is expected anytime now.
Dunegon Defenders 2 hands on.
All Dunegon Defenders 2 posts.
Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India, Russia
Genre
Stealth, Action-Adventure
Release date
January 12 2016, February 9 2016
What is it?
The second and third instalments of AssCreed’s 2.5D spin-offs that follow last year’s China. With each entry taking place in a different era with different heroes boasting different art styles, India follows a brightly coloured Arbaaz Mir - a character from an AC graphic novel - as he takes to the Bharat streets in 1841. Russia, on the other hand, depicts a Soviet propaganda style, telling Nikolai Orelov’s story set in 1918.
All Assassin's Creed Chronicles posts.
Mafia III
Genre
Open world, Action, Third Person, Shooter
Release date
Q1 2016
What is it?
Mafia III has a new city - New Orleans; a new time period - the 60s; and a new protagonist - Vietnam war veteran Lincoln Clay. Series creators 2K Czech/Illusion Softworks are taking a backseat to debutants Hangar 13 - the latter of which promise a more engaging open world. Plus shootouts, obviously. Loads and loads of shootouts.
Strength of the Sword Ultimate
Genre
Third-person, Action, Brawler
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A third person action RPG and Kickstarter remake/PC port of PlayStation-exclusive Strength Of The Sword 3 from two-man studio Ivent Games. Imagine if MediEvil and Dark Souls conceived some sort of weird robotic-inspired offspring - from what I’ve seen so far, Strength Of The Sword MIGHT resemble that child.
All Strength of the Sword Ultimate posts.
Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr
Genre
Action-RPG
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Billed as a “persistent sandboxed action-RPG”, the tongue-twisting Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr marks Games Workshop’s first foray into action-RPG-isms. It’s being made by NeocoreGames, though, who - off the back of the Incredible Adventures Of Van Helsing trilogy - are a dab hand at the genre, thus expect considered and calculated battles with mobs of Chaos heretics while working for the Inquisition - the sacrosanct secret police of the Imperium.
All Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr posts.
Escape From Tarkov
Genre
MMO, First Person, Third Person, Shooter, Simulation, RPG(MMOFTSSRPG)
Release date
Q1 2016
What is it?
This story-oriented, survival shooter sees fictional Russian city Tarkov ravaged by war and brought to ruin, before becoming locked in military conflict. Only by exploring its 16 square kilometer open-world can you hope to escape as you seek to avoid angry factions, life-threatening injuries and illnesses, exhaustion and radiation poisoning.
Crashlands
Genre
2D, Action-RPG
Release date
January 21st
What is it?
Intergalactic delivery driver Flux Dabes has crash landed on an alien planet following the theft of an important shipment. In a bid to restore her goods, not to mention return home, she’s made to quest, fight and essentially “dominate” her new surrounds in this 2D action-RPG craft-a-thon.
Rise of The Tomb Raider
Genre
Action-Adventure
Release date
January 29 2016
What is it?
Once upon a time Xbox One exclusive, Rise Of The Tomb Raider sees Lara Croft making a welcomed return to PCs in the sequel to 2013’s reboot Tomb Raider. This means more crafting, improvised weaponry, acrobatic puzzle platforming, and incredulous acts of murder; with a nifty new weather cycle to boot.
All Rise of The Tomb Raider posts.
Hyper Light Drifter
Genre
Action
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
A favourite of Graham’s, we’d hoped Hyper Light Drifter might’ve lived up to its tentative “TBA 2015” tag this time last year but, alas, it wasn’t to be. It’s Zelda-inspired exploration is neatly complemented by intuitive combat and sewn together by its uber cool pixelated aesthetic. “2016” reads the ETA now.
Hyper Light Drifter preview.
Hyper Light Drifter interview.
Hyper Light Drifter feature.
All Hyper Light Drifter posts.
Beyond Good & Evil 2
Genre
Action-Adventure
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Another we’d hoped might’ve landed in 2015 but sadly slipped further still. Perhaps that was wishful thinking, however Ubisoft bosses did suggest they were working with Beyond Good & Evil mastermind Michel Ansel at last year’s E3 conference. Hmm, is 2016 the year we return to Jade?
Hellraid
Genre
First-Person, Action
Release date
On hold.
What is it?
First person co-op slasher Hellraid was first scheduled for release in 2013, then Early Access the following year, and now, sadly, it’s been put “on hold”. The delay might point to more sinister outcomes, but it might also mean Techand are re-tuning the fun to be had while smashing skeletons to smithereens in Elder Scrolls-inspired dungeon crawling.
Hellraid interview.
All Hellraid posts.
Bombernauts
Genre
Online, Action, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Bombernauts is like Bomberman if it washed down a pack of Pro Plus with a case of Red Bull as it swings a baseball bat above its head while strapped to a jet pack: it’s self-indulgent online multiplayer carnage. Oh, and it’s also got customisable maps. Since July 31 last year, it’s lived on Early Access where it hopes to reside for “about six months. But it could go longer and probably will.” We’re hoping that translates to some point in 2016.
Heat Signature
Genre
Roguelike, Space, RPG
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Tom Francis’ follow-up to Gunpoint is about boarding procedurally generated spaceships, sleuthing around inside them, offing the crews that run them, and stealing the gear that fills them. In doing so you’ll manipulate interconnected systems, be forced to rely on smart and timely strategy, and bash folk upside the head with spanners.
Heat Signature interview.
Heat Signature preview.
All Heat Signature posts.
Tangiers
Genre
Stealth
Release date
TBA
What is it?
An Avant Garde-influenced surrealist stealth sim that’s as dark as it is desirable. Development unfortunately hit some obstacles towards the end of last year, however lead man Alex Harvey remains decidedly positive it’ll release as soon as it’s ready.
Tangiers interview.
Tangiers feature.
All Tangiers posts.
Hidden Asset
Genre
Stealth, Action
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Drawing inspiration from X-com and Syndicate, Hidden Asset is an isometric stealth-a-thon with puzzle-like level design. Sabotage the unscrupulous corporate spectrum in a world where the assassination of character and/or life goes hand-in-hand.
No Man's Sky
Genre
Survival Game, Space
Release date
June 2016
What is it?
For a while there, it looked like No Man’s Sky might not find its way to our PCs by way of console *gasp* exclusivity. Luckily, the universe-exploring sim - with its seamlessly transitioning space-to-planet surface mechanics - will land on desktops at launch this summer.
No Man's Sky Sean Murray interview.
No Man's Sky procedural generation interview.
No Man's Sky feature.
All No Man's Sky posts.
CrossCode
Genre
Action, 2D, RPG, Early Access
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
CrossCode is a retro looking, 16-bit era-inspired ARPG set in the distant future within the bounds of an in-game MMO. If that doesn’t sound unusual enough, Marsh enjoyed “slapping a hedgehog to death with [his] balls” during his pre-release playthrough. Another from the Early Access vault that’s aiming for release in the first half of the year.
LEGO Marvel's Avengers
Genre
Creative, Action-Adventure
Release date
January 26 2016
What is it?
The second game to come from the Lego/Marvel crossover that not only follows the plots of the movies but also includes the likes of Jessica Jones. It looks hella fun and lets you free roam in several spots across the globe with Manhattan taking centre stage.
All LEGO Marvel's Avengers posts.
Orcs Must Die! Unchained
Genre
Free to Play, Multiplayer, MOBA
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The third OMD series instalment and its first MOBA outing. Like its forerunners, Unchained offers plenty in the way of traps and weapons designed to thwart enemy progress, maintains much of its tower defence heritage, while it also adds deck-building elements to facilitate character and stat progression. Unlike its series forerunners, though, it’s free-to-play.
Orcs Must Die! Unchained preview.
All Orcs Must Die! Unchained posts.
Hellblade
Genre
Hack ‘n’ Slash, Third Person
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
As a typical hack ‘n’ slasher, Hellblade lives up to its name: there’s loads of blades giving hell to whoever dares cross ‘em. Beyond the obvious, though, lies what appears to be sophisticated tale about mental illness; about the psychosis, anxiety and depression of protagonist Senua. Developers Ninja Theory have even consulted with a University of Cambridge psychiatrist on how to best implement such sensitive themes.
Dad By The Sword
Genre
Action, Swordfighting, Dad
Release date
Q1
What is it?
A first-person sword fighting adventure about a dad - YOUR dad, apparently - who fights in jeans against anti-dad monsters and...dancing hot dogs. Eh? “It’s like Gone Home meets The Walking Dead meets Heavy Rain meets Twin Peaks except you’re decapitating or otherwise chopping through armies of worm-wizards and Shorts-men and evil hot dogs,” reads the Dad By The Sword press kit. Nice.
Death's Gambit
Genre
Action, RPG, Platformer, Dark Souls
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
An impressive mix of Castlevania, Dark Souls, Strider and Shadow Of The Colossus - Death’s Gambit is a 2D sword-wielding side-scroller that looks wonderful. You’ll cautiously march through dungeons with your shield held aloft, gallop across snow-covered plains on horseback, and grapple with screen-dominating monsters - all the while marvelling at the game’s beautifully crisp pixel art.
The Deadly Tower of Monsters
Genre
Action
Release date
January 19th 2016
What is it?
If every sci-fi B-movie was rolled into one and interpreted as a stop-motion videogame, we’d arrive at something sort of similar to ACE Team’s Deadly Tower Of Monsters. Guide protagonist Dick Starspeed towards the top of a vast tower in order to escape a foreign planet while fighting an array of cliched sci-fi movie monsters en route - nuclear ants, lizard men, giant gorillas etc. - it’s as bonkers as it most definitely sounds.
All The Deadly Tower of Monsters posts.
Adventure games
Adventure games are where fans of pointing and clicking seek out their next love, but it's also an increasingly diverse genre, shucking off the old control methods in favour of games which simply focus on story, character and exciting journeys.
Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter
Genre
Adventure
Release date
Q2
What is it?
The eighth entry to Frogware’s Sherlock Holmes series introduces five new cases for Sherley and Watty to wave their well-worn magnifying glasses over and sink their inquisitive teeth into. Puzzles are matched by “fast-paced action” sequences, apparently, as you seek to halt Victorian London’s criminal cohort from its vast and explorable streets.
All Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter posts.
Where the Water Tastes Like Wine
Genre
Adventure, strategy?
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Upon first spotting Where The Water Tastes Like Wine Adam aptly described it as “like a collision between 80 Days, Van Gogh and Kentucky Route Zero”, which is to say: it looks damned gorgeous. It’s a game about travelling, exploring and storytelling inspired by classic literature such as Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Steinback’s Grapes of Wrath and Kerouac’s On the Road.
All Where the Water Tastes Like Wine posts.
Oxenfree
Genre
Release date
15 January 2016
What is it?
A stylish 2.5D adventure game from ex-Telltale and Disney devs about a group of teenagers who happen upon the supernatural while partying on a deserted island. The premise sounds rather twee, but with no dedicated cutscenes and a neat Telltale-inspired chat interface - where engaging in conversation at all is apparently optional - Oxenfree sounds interesting.
Layers of Fear
Genre
Adventure, Horror
Release date
March 2016
What is it?
The life of an obnoxious and self-assured painter can get quite lonely, it seems. A psychological horror game whereby the artistic protagonist battles creative block and is confined within his haunted and jump-scare-laden home as he struggles to keep ahold of his marbles. It’s in Early Access for now, but expected to release in full soon.
Layers of Fear review.
All Layers of Fear posts.
Batman: A Telltale Games Series
Genre
Adventure
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Telltale is making a Batman game. Not much to go on as of yet, but it will be episodic and will also focus on both the superhero and Wayne identities. “This iteration of Batman will give fans a first-hand opportunity to dive deeper into the complex life and mind of Bruce Wayne...and the struggle of responsibility in saving a city overcome with corruption and villainy,” reads the game’s announcement blurb.
All Batman: A Telltale Games Series posts.
Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series - Season Two
Genre
Adventure
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Given that Season One ended with a number of cliffhangers and unanswered questions, it seems Telltale might’ve had plans for a second season tucked up their choice ‘em up sleeves the entire time. Shortly after the first finished, Game Of Thrones Season Two was confirmed.
All Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series - Season Two posts.
1979 Revolution
Genre
Adventure
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Based on the Iranian Revolution, you’ll take control of a photojournalist and explore the events that led to the declaration of martial law in Tehran, and the deaths of thousands thereafter. To be part of a longer project, 1979 Revolution will be two hours long and will emphasise narrative and player choice.
Dreamfall Chapters Book 5
Genre
Adventure
Release date
TBA
What is it?
The fifth and final planned instalment to the 3D adventure exploration episodic series. Although its billed as Dreamfall Chapters: The Longest Journey, each entry has released between three and five months apart meaning it hasn’t really felt like a long journey at all. Going by this logic, Book 5 might be with us by Spring.
Dreamfall Chapters Book 2 review.
All Dreamfall Chapters posts.
Twelve Minutes
Genre
Adventure, Top down,Point ‘n’ click
Release date
Q3 2016
What is it?
In a shorter, punchier interpretation of Groundhog Day, 12 Minutes is a top-down real-time adventure game where you influence events inside, yup, 12 minute timeframes. The whole thing takes place in a three-roomed apartment whereby a series of compromising scenarios force snap decisions before the loop starts over. At prototype stage, John praised it for being “incredibly adaptable”.
Twelve Minutes preview.
Twelve Minutes interview.
All Twelve Minutes posts.
Future Perfect
Genre
Creative
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Future Perfect is a real-time multiplayer toolkit for designing your own levels, mods, scripts and even entire games, while your mates simultaneously scramble around your creations. Made by Unknown World - the guys behind Natural Selection - it’s very much a work in progress and, although offering Steam Workshop support, is only available via the game’s website at the time of writing. Expect to see this on Early Access this year.
Pathologic
Pathologic interview.
Official site
Genre
First-Person, Adventure
Release date
November 2016
What is it?
The successfully Kickstarted remake of Ice-Pick Lodge’s 2005 psychological horror game. Not to be confused with the Pathologic Classic HD remaster released at the tail end of 2015, the upcoming remake will include new quests, improved English localisation, smarter NPCs, enhanced visuals and more realistic behaviour patterns for those inflicted by the Sand Plague disease.
Return Of The Obra Dinn
Genre
First-Person, Adventure
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Lucas Pope’s follow-up to the esteemed Papers, Please, Return To Obra Dinn is a first-person adventure game played from the perspective of an investigator with the means to travel back in time. Set in 19th century Europe, it’ll be made completely in black and white - no grayscale, just black and white pixels - in 3D, like the Macintosh games of yesteryear.
All Return Of The Obra Dinn posts.
Through the Woods
Genre
Horror, Adventure
Release date
February 2016
What is it?
A mother’s re-telling of the time her son went missing in a forest that’s inspired by Norse folktales and mythology. By torchlight, obviously, you’ll uncover this third-person psychological horror tale’s “poignant” story in search of your absent kin.
Samarost 3
Genre
Adventure, Point ‘n’ Click
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The first Samorost point and click adventure game since 2005’s Samorost 2, number 3 looks positively stunning. Guiding you through a woodland world with strange beings and living landscapes, it appears to resemble a combination of Guillermo Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth and a late 90s Nickelodeon cartoon.
Samorost 3 interview.
Samorost 3 feature.
All Samorost 3 posts.
Dollhouse
Genre
Horror, Adventure
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Dollhouse is a strange film noir-esque, monochromatic game about self-exploration that asks you to “delve deep into your mind to unravel the truth.” Unfortunately, that’s coupled with the grim caveat that you should “beware that your own conscience is hunting you down, with a twist that allows you to see through its eyes at a deadly cost.” Gulp.
Ladykiller In A Bind
Genre
Visual Novel
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
To give Christine Love’s latest offering its full title - “My Twin Brother Made Me Crossdress As Him And Now I Have To Deal With A Geeky Stalker And A Domme Beauty Who Want Me In A Bind!!” - is not only a hell of a mouthful but also a bit of an SEO nightmare. Sticking to its shorthand form, Ladykiller In A Bind is an erotic visual novel about social manipulation.
Ladykiller In A Bind review.
All Ladykiller In A Bind posts.
Driving and Racing Games
Some people like driving the world's fastest car in an exciting, competitive online motorsport. Some people like driving articulated lorries along the motorways and backroads of central Europe. Whichever you are, you should find something to satisfy among the PC's driving and racing games.
BeamNG.drive
Genre
Driving, Simulation, Early Access, Physics Sandbox
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
If you like a bit of destruction in your driving sims, then BeamNG.drive might be for you. Having begun life as a physics prototype that gave its cars soft body physics, it’s now a fully-fledged racer with loads of cars, tracks and an open-world mode. Graham praised its physics engine: “If you haven’t seen BeamNG damage modelling yet, then you likely haven’t seen anything quite like it in games.”
Wreckfest
Genre
Driving/Racing
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The artist formerly known as Next Car Game that’s now known as Next Car Game: Wreckfest is the upcoming demolition derby-a-thon from FlatOut masterminds Bugbear Entertainment. It’s been an Early Access work in progress since early 2014, but has added plenty of features since including on-going tweaks to its impressive engine physics and AI, and an 18-player online multiplayer mode.
Wreckfest preview.
All Wreckfest posts.
Road Redemption
Genre
Driving/Racing, Early Access
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The younger, flashier spiritual successor to all-time motorcyclatron great Road Rash that’s been revving its engine on Steam Early Access since late 2014. Road Redemption looks set to cross lanes to full release in the first half of 2016 where you might elbow an opposing racer in the face, smash ‘em with a chain, or strap an explosive to their back.
Road Redemption preview.
All Road Redemption posts.
Thumper
Genre
Driving/Racing
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Don’t be fooled by its playful cartoon rabbit-sounding name - Thumper, from what we’ve seen, is pretty terrifying. With two rhythm game veterans at its helm, Thumper is an abstract rhythm action game that’s not only weird but rather intimidating. Think Audiosurf with ‘roid rage and you’re on the right track.
Table Top Racing: World Tour
Genre
Driving/Racing
Release date
TBA
What is it?
This timed PlayStation exclusive will see its bestest, shiniest version strut its gears and pistons on PC because, well, that’s always the case. Obvs. Table Top Racing: World Tour is essentially Micro Machines under any other guise but in 3D.
Distance
Genre
Driving/Racing, Early Access
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
Distance describes itself as “survival racing” which basically means it’s a racing game set within a time-attack obstacle course. It’s a neon-soaked Tron-like affair where cars have wings and boosts and jump mechanics soldered into their frames to allow the evasion of said obstacles that wee bit easier.
Distance review (early access).
All Distance posts.
Need for Speed
Genre
Racing
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
A “full reboot” of the series, say EA, that you might’ve noticed pop up on consoles last year. It’s been delayed on PC to accommodate its proposed unlocked framerate but will take place in an open world where it’s always night time and will follow five street racing hopefuls as they strive to catch the eye of the game’s five “icons”.
Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo
Genre
Racing, Rally
Release date
29 Jan 2016
What is it?
Nine-time World Rally Champion Séb Loeb - who apparently provided technical support on Gran Turismo 5 - lends his name to this rally racer as it looks to challenge the likes of Dirt in the driving seat. Its 50+ car models, eight rallies and 300km of tracks might do just that.
FutureGrind
Genre
Driving, Tricks, Platformer
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
FutureGrind is a totally bodacious grind-along stunt platformer that trades in skill, tricks and speed. It’s sort of like OlliOlli but set in the future with a futuristic bike instead of a skateboard. One wheel’s blue and the other’s red which, luck would have it, matches the track you’re tasked with gliding across. Awesome.
Exploration games
Gone are the days where every game with a first- or third-person perspective is about simply killing everything you see. Now there are a growing number of games about the simple pleasures of exploration - whether the reward is story, or a beautiful vista.
Californium
Genre
Exploration
Release date
Early 2016
What is it?
Drawn from the works of the late American author Philip K. Dick, Californium is a strange and wonderful first-person game about a writer struggling to separate his hallucinations from reality. It looks beautifully surreal, yet at the same time quite terrifying.
Tacoma
Genre
Exploration
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Fulbright’s follow-up to Gone Home is another non-combat exploration game this time set aboard a space station in microgravity. There are similarities to be drawn between it and its 90s domicile predecessor, say the devs, but there’s also fresh tech by way of audiologs and videologs to get your floaty mitts on.
Inner Chains
Genre
Exploration, Horror
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Inner Chains is a very pretty-looking horror-themed FPS spread across an ominous “biomechanical” world where fire sprews from the ground, industrial steam fogs the air, and dinosaur-like dogs roam around as if turned inside-out. If its substance lives up to its polish this’ll be a winner.
Firewatch
Genre
Exploration, First-Person
Release date
February 9 2016
What is it?
Assuming the role of a volunteer fire lookout tasked with preventing blazes spreading in national parks, Firewatch is the first game from Campo Santo - the studio formed of ex-Double Fine, Telltale and 2K Marin devs. John played a bit last year and praised its sense of adventure: “Its reason to exist is to tell you a story, but to go to great lengths to ensure that your experience of that story is your own.”
Firewatch preview.
Firewatch feature.
All Firewatch posts.
The Witness
Genre
Exploration
Release date
January 26 2016
What is it?
Jonathan Blow’s first-person, non-combat, puzzle-cracking, follow-up to Braid that’s been almost seven years in the making IS coming out this year. In fact it’s expected on the 26th of this month. Unless you’re reading this after that date and it’s not out yet, in which case it’s not. And then your guess is as good as mine.
Hac
Genre
Exploration, Driving/Racing
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A 90s road trip simulator set in Europe. “The closest comparison I'd imagine is Euro Truck Simulator with a narrative,” say the devs who also compare it to Blood Money meets Gone Home. Every update brings with it a distinct level of intrigue, from replacing the innards under your hood; to mundane, though regularly absent from videogames, tasks such as changing a tire.
Frontiers
Genre
Exploration, First-Person, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
After a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2013, and after arriving on Steam Early Access in late 2014, the guys behind Frontiers have very much adopted an ‘it’ll be done when it’s done’ approach to their first-person survival-cum-exploration game. As such, it might not even release this year but its lovely visuals and promise of exploration by land, sea or sky has us hoping it just might.
Frontiers review (early access).
All Frontiers posts.
Memory Of A Broken Dimension
Genre
Exploration, First-Person
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Scary. And creepy. And scary creepy. Frontiers is a first-person puzzle game set in a glitchy black and white 3D space which can only be accessed by navigating a command prompt interface named RELICS. It looks like an old, dodgy, broken VHS where the tracking is permanently broken. If none of that made sense, read: terrifying.
All Memory Of A Broken Dimension posts.
Virginia
Genre
Exploration, First-Person
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
An exploration game/walking sim/interactive drama/non-combat wandererer/whichever synonym tickles your fancy that uses jump cuts to weave its X-Files and Twin Peaks-inspired narrative around its colourful, cartoony and scant textured aesthetic. The FBI seek to locate a missing child but there’s more to the story than what first meets the eye.
Virginia preview.
Virginia interview.
All Virginia posts.
Routine
Genre
Exploration, First-Person, Horror
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
News on the sci-fi horror System Shock-esque/Amnesia-in-space game Routine has been very, very thin on the ground (or in the air) since it was first announced in 2012. This unfortunately means it still has no release date. In fact, it made this very list last year whereby devs Lunar Software only managed two written blog updates. But it’d be nice if it managed an appearance this year, wouldn’t it?
Routine interview.
All Routine posts.
Somewhere
Genre
Exploration, First-Person, Stealth
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Inspired by the works of famous writers such as Calvino and Borges, Somewhere is a game about using photos to enter other people’s heads, seeing places in new ways, and uncovering a story about a fictitious city named Kayamgadh. It’s set in “a surreal colonial India” and looks positively lovely.
Aer
Genre
Exploration, Flying
Release date
Q1 2016
What is it?
Auk, the protagonist from Aer, can fly. Which of course, by way of virtual extension, means YOU can fly. In fact, Auk can actually turn herself into a bird and “reach even the most remote places in her homeland of flying islands.” So imagine climbing to such lofty heights against Aer’s beautifully low-poly, colour-splashed backdrops. Let’s!
Aer preview.
All Aer posts.
LEGO Worlds
Genre
Creative, Exploration
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
It’s LEGO! It’s like Minecraft! It’s like Minecraft but with LEGO! LEGO Worlds is an open-world procedurally-generated building game where you can build building, vehicles and creatures. A multiplayer feature is set to come and while it currently lingers in Early Access, developer TT games is evaluating a “release candidate in early 2016”.
Terraria: Otherworld
Genre
Creative, Exploration, Sandbox
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Not a Terraria sequel, we’re told, but a game with the same name that takes place in the same universe with the same style, same interface and same mechanics. But hey, sequel or otherwise, the likeness is welcomed. And there’s a story this time as you go up against a malevolent nature-corrupting force in an alternate dimension. Best grab your pickaxe.
All Terraria: Otherworld posts.
Shape of the World
Genre
Exploration
Release date
July 2016
What is it?
A procedurally-generated exploration game where the world itself grows around you, and where your presence is the “driving force” behind said evolving environment. Unlike other walking simulators where exploration serves to guide you towards pre-conceived destinations, Shape Of The World says exploration is about “intentionally getting lost and the joy of being found again.”
Sea of Solitude
Genre
Exploration, Horror
Release date
TBA 2017
What is it?
Alice likes the look of this as it involves a protagonist who spends so much time in water that she becomes a monster. Not that Alice is a monster (I don’t think?) but she describes herself as “happiest in the murky waters, gently going numb”, you see. Shape Of The World is episodic and looks smashing. It’s also still in prototype phase, but we do hope it pops its head above the drink before the year’s out.
Medieval Engineers
Genre
Exploration, Creative
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Castle-building sandbox from the devs behind Space Engineers, Medieval Engineers is less boundless space and more deadly mace. Rely on medieval tech to construct, maintain and demolish cities, holds and fortifications within the game’s creative mode and forthcoming survival mode.
Medieval Engineers review (early access).
All Medieval Engineers posts.
Fighting games
Once upon a time, the PC was home not to the best fighting games, but the also-rans and second-string console ports. Not anymore. Nowadays we get everything there is to get, and it's always best on our chosen platform.
Cobalt
Genre
Side-Scrolling, Multiplayer, Early Access
Release date
February 2016
What is it?
It’s bullet-time galore in this quirky cyborg-sporting, action-oriented, 2D side-scrolling platformer. Cobalt’s been in the works for almost five years now but is set to finally roll onto on screens in February. It’s the most ambitious project so far from devs Oxeye Game Studio and is also published by Mojang.
Rising Thunder
Genre
Fighting
Release date
TBA
What is it?
With a dream team of virtual brawler experts behind it, Rising Thunder is an online-only free-to-play fighting game with a streamlined control system that focusses on motion and charge commands. As such, it hopes to open the genre to a more casual audience while maintaining the deep and sophisticated systems the genre tends to employ.
For Honor
Genre
Melee, Online Multiplayer
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Hack and slash your way to victory in this medieval times melee combat-a-thon. Vikings? Check. Samurais? Check. Knights? Check. Tonnes of weapons, death, colonisation, human and enemy foes for the killing - either in groups on the battlefield or one-on-one via specially-activated duals? Obviously.
Gang Beasts
Genre
Fighting, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
As far as party games go, there are little more entertaining than Gang Beasts. Punch and/or throw your jelly baby-styled mates from bus rooftops, ferris wheel carriages, or into meat grinders in a purposefully clumsy physics fighter where having good hand-to-eye coordination doesn’t mean squat. In fact, standing upright is a challenge in and of itself. A genuinely laugh-out-loud-funny game that’s entertaining without taking itself too seriously.
Gang Beasts preview.
Gang Beasts feature.
All Gang Beasts posts.
Overgrowth
Genre
Fighting, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Rabbits are by and large cute little creatures, before they develop an interest in kung fu, swords and dismemberment. Overgrowth runs with the hare-raising, ahem, latter concept that was sewn in forerunner Lugaru, and adds an impressive physics-reliant animation system that best portrays how limbs detach and fall from bodies once attacked. Nice and/or gross!
Overgrowth preview.
Overgrowth interview.
All Overgrowth posts.
Treachery In Beatdown City
Genre
Fighting, Side-Scrolling
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
As Treachery In Beatdown City well knows, sidescrolling beat ‘em ups were the bee’s knees once upon a time. In a bid to relaunch the glory days, it’s a turn-based tactical take on genre champion Streets Of Rage where you steer mixed martial artist/boxer Lisa; heavyweight fighter-cum-wrestler Brad; or acrobat/lightweight brawler/dancer Bruce around town, and an overworld map, beating three shades of shite out of crime until it can’t crime no more.
Treachery In Beatdown City interview.
All Treachery In Beatdown City posts.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 4
Genre
Fighting, Third Person, Action, Anime
Release date
February 4 2016
What is it?
Never one to shy from tongue-twisting mouthfuls, the latest NARUTO SHIPPUDEN boasts a typically long name. It also has hyper-fast, super-aggressive fighting and, although difficult to say what’s going on most of the time, it’s sure to be fun and look uber cool against a stramash of oriental music, electronica beats, and electric guitar riffs.
Melee: Battlegrounds
Genre
Fighting, RPG
Release date
TBA
What is it?
As Alice once alliterated, Melee: Battlegrounds is a “medieval multiplayer murderfest”. It’s made by Donkey Crew, those of Mount & Blade: Warband cRPG fame, who’ve dubbed this one its “spiritual sequel.” You’ll forge your own fortune as a single, but no less significant, soldier. It looks lovely.
Street Fighter V
Genre
Fighting
Release date
February 16 2016
What is it?
More of what you know and love with a smattering of new characters, new movesets and the chance to one-up your smug console worshiping pals with PS4 cross-platform play. Expected to Sonic Boom its way onto your PC telly box come February.
All Street Fighter V posts.
Check-in, Knock-out
Genre
Multiplayer, Fighter
Release date
TBA
What is it?
In circumstances that should never be condoned in real life, Check-in, Knock-out is how it might sound: you’ve checked into a hotel, it’s overbooked, and the only way of securing your room is by rendering the other prospective guests unconscious. Cue a fast-paced, pixelated free-for-all brawler with garish manipulatable levels, where the winner takes the free shampoo and pillow mint.
All Check-In, Knock-Out posts.
MMOs
MMOs seemed briefly to dominate the industry, as every publisher rushed to corner a piece of the market World of Warcraft had uncovered. Not anymore. Now MMOs are few and far between, mostly expansions, and mostly imported from Korea or China. Still, if what you crave are group raids and hotbars, there are a few to watch.
World of Warcraft: Legion
Genre
MMO, RPG
Release date
September 21st 2016
What is it?
The sixth expansion to breach the esteemed MMO’s shores that will raise the existing level cap from 100 to 110. There’s a new continent named the Broken Isles, and a new hero class called Daemon Hunter. There’s orcs - obviously - and new raids and new dungeons - double obviously - and there’s also a new honour system. Neat.
All World of Warcraft: Legion posts.
Shroud Of The Avatar: Forsaken Virtues
Genre
Early Access, RPG, MMO
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Richard Garriott’s successfully Kickstarter-funded fantasy RPG that echoes Ultima in its choice-laden delivery, and that now resides on Steam Early Access. It’s been a slow process so far - a fact that’s angered some players - thus it remains to be seen if Shroud Of The Avatar: Forsaken Virtues will deliver.
Shroud Of The Avatar: Forsaken Virtues preview.
Shroud Of The Avatar: Forsaken Virtues interview.
All Shroud Of The Avatar: Forsaken Virtues posts.
Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade
Genre
MMO, Shooter
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Four factions are at war in this - deep breath - online multiplayer third-person squad-based tactical shootery doo-dah. More importantly, it’s a Warhammer 40,000 MMO that’s been threatening to dip its war-torn toes into Early Access for quite some time but is yet to do so. Maybe this is the year.
Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade interview.
All Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade posts.
EverQuest Next/Landmark
Genre
MMO, Early Access, Creative
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Whereas EverQuest Next is the third entry to the EverQuest series, it’ll be split two ways: a vanilla flavoured quest-based MMO endeavour on one side; and a world-building tool that’ll let you tear up the voxel playground any way you like on the other - the latter of which is named Landmark.
EverQuest Next/Landmark preview.
EverQuest Next/Landmark interview.
All EverQuest Next/Landmark posts.
World of Diving
Genre
MMO, First-Person, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Strap on your scuba gear and plunge into depths in this VR-optional “exhilarating underwater adventure”. World Of Diving is a combat-less multiplayer game about exploring the ocean floor, uncovering real-world wreckage, and undertaking missions such as hunting treasure, tracking marine life and surviving real life disaster simulations.
World of Diving review (early access).
All World of Diving posts.
Armored Warfare
Genre
MMO, Simulation, Online, Shooter, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Obsidian’s answer to World Of Tanks - in that there’s loads of, you know, tanks - with tonnes of customisation, five vehicle classes, and some very cool PvE missions. Given Obsidian’s RPG heritage there’s a story that’s set in the not too distant future, war fuels economic and political chaos, and vice versa.
Armored Warfare interview.
All Armored Warfare posts.
Lineage Eternal
Genre
Action RPG, MMO
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Born in 1998, the Lineage series is almost old enough to buy itself cigarettes and go drinking in most parts of the world. It may be more popular Eastward, but that doesn’t stop us looking forward to the latest and third series entry, Eternal, which marks the first South Korean-styled Lineage fantasy MMORPG since 2003.
Crossout
Genre
MMO, Driving
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A post-apocalyptic vehicular combat MMO from the same mob that brought us War Thunder and the oft-forgotten (but worth remembering) IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey. There’s not too much to go on as yet, however the little we have seen looks promising.
Platformers
Platformers are about more than simply leaping between different platforms. They're also about climbing, swinging and grappling between different platforms, and often about manipulating time, cloning yourself, manipulating large physics apparatuses, and some of the best puzzle design in all of gaming.
Unravel
Genre
Platformer, Puzzle
Release date
February 9 2016
What is it?
Yarny is a little doll-like figure made of red yarn who uses the loose parts of his body to traverse Unravel’s puzzles that lay within the its beautiful interpretation of Swedish countryside. That sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? From what we’ve seen, it looks wonderful too.
The Other Brothers
Genre
Platformer, Action
Release date
May 2016
What is it?
Super Mario-like platformer wherein two mechanics, not plumbers, run and jump around a darker, mob-run cityscape world with far less mushrooms and goombas. It’s been on mobile devices for a while now, where it’s racked up many a plaudit for its sophisticated gameplay that extends beyond its second hand facade.
Mighty No. 9
Genre
Platformer
Release date
February 9 2016
What is it?
Having successfully surpassed $4,000,000 in crowdfunding, the Keiji Inanfune-produced Mighty No. 9 is Megan Man in all but name and is also being made by an “all-star team of veteran Mega Man devs”. The hype, budget, and large fan interest means expectations are high with this one.
Rain World
Genre
Platformer
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
A sidescroller about clambering up polls, pouncing from ledges and shimmying through rainwater pipes as you take control of a travelling cat-slug hybrid referred to as, originally, a slugcat. Fend for your life and hunt to survive as you scour a stunning rainswept labyrinth of alleyways, sewers and rooftops.
Moonman
Genre
Platformer
Release date
Early 2016
What is it?
Cutesy Terraria-styled buildy, crafty, procedurally-generated-y affair. Moonman is ambitious and its devs compared its scope to other successful, randomly-spun adventures such as Spelunky, Minecraft, Knytt Stories and Binding Of Isaac as during the game’s successful Kickstarter campaign. Unlike the aforementioned, however, Moonman directs you towards an explicit goal: to find moon fragments and shed light on the game’s perpetually nocturnal world.
Night In The Woods
Genre
Platformer, Adventure
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Adam described himself as “smitten” when he first stumbled across Night In The Woods at E3 a couple of years back. Its lovely animations might have you feeling the same way, but beneath its pretty aethstetic lies an intriguing tale about a bunch of anthropomorphic animals dealing with depression, class conflict, and mental health, among other - perhaps unexpectedly - complex themes.
Move Or Die
Genre
Platformer, Online, Early Access
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
A fast-paced online multiplayer puzzle-cum-party game where your health drains if you remain stationary for too long. This in turn means, believe it or not, you must move or die. The rules change with each round, meaning quick thinking becomes as important as quick movement.
How To Be A Tree
Genre
Platformer, Puzzle
Release date
TBA
What is it?
An entertaining puzzle platformer about understanding contortionism and physics while navigating a trap-laden landscape of lasers and huge snapping teeth among other deadly obstacles. Sadly not a Being A Tree For Dummies guide book, but a lot of fun nevertheless.
Radio The Universe
Genre
Platformer, RPG
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
This time last year we noted updates following Radio The Universe’s successful crowdfunding campaign had become few and far between. The intervening period sadly hasn’t changed much; however the futuristic open-world, bullet-storming, dungeon crawler did receive a dev update in late November that reassured Kickstarter backers the game is still being developed. “Thanks for being patient people,” the update signed off with.
Cuphead
Genre
Platformer, Puzzle
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Besides its absolutely cracking name, Cuphead is also a game that’s (almost surprisingly) made in Unity that echoes the animated cartoons of the early 20th century. So far, all we’ve seen of this run ‘n’ gun platforming beauty is trailers but we’re still hella excited because, well, just look at it!
SteamWorld Heist
Genre
Platformer, Shooter
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The turn-based tactical shooter follow-up to platformer SteamWorld Dig. When John got to grips with an early build last year, he enjoyed what he played and particularly liked the fact it “clicked instantly” with him. SteamWorld Heist released on Nintendo DS at the tail end of 2015 to much plaudit and is heading to PC at some stage this year.
SteamWorld Heist preview.
All SteamWorld Heist posts.
Puzzle games
Puzzle games are those which don't simply include puzzles, as most games do, but which focus intently on the mental processes of discovery, learning and mastery, whether it be a mind-expanding brainteaser or a relaxing-with-some-tea Picross-alike.
Framed
Genre
Puzzle
Release date
May 2016
What is it?
A film noir-type interactive graphic novel endeavour wherein you’ve been framed for a crime you didn’t commit. In real-time, you’ll shift the comic’s panels to alter the story and avoid death and/or being captured. Another game that’s been available for mobile devices for a while now and one which has gathered awards hand over fist. Fingers crossed this lands on PC shores in 2016.
Mew Genics
Genre
Puzzle, Breeding
Release date
On hold?
What is it?
The cat-breeding-based follow-up to Super Meat Boy that seems to have been almost forgotten about amid the dev’s dedication to endless runners and porting SMB to other platforms beyond our beloved PCs. Mew-Genics hasn’t featured on the Team Meat blog for almost two years but here’s hoping it claws its way into 2016.
Containment Protocol
Genre
Action, Puzzle, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Zip around a secret government facility by way of a remote-controlled prototype quadcopter as you strive to uncover state secrets in relation to the release of a devastating nanovirus. Containment Protocol has successfully passed through Greenlight, hit Early Access in August last year, and is aiming to be finished “a few months” into 2016.
All Containment Protocol posts.
Soft Body
Genre
Action, Puzzle
Release date
Early 2016
What is it?
Alice once described this as “a puzzling action-y bullet hell-ish sort of meditative chillout game” which is a description that should be enough to entice you in and of itself. Ultimately, Soft Body is a wee bit hard to describe, yet is certainly a game you want to be watching out for this year as you take control of a “beautiful, gooey snake,” according to the devs.
All Soft Body posts.
Dark Train
Genre
Exploration, Puzzle
Release date
Q3 2016
What is it?
From what’s been made available thus far, there’s really not very much to go on when it comes to the elusive and enigmatic Dark Train. It’s a story-driven skill-based game, say the devs, where you’ll explore “heterogeneous environments and atmospheric events”. APPARENTLY, the train itself represents the human world too, which makes it sound profound or pretentious. Whichever it is, Dark Train sounds intriguing all the same.
SCALE
Genre
First-Person, Puzzle
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Scale is a fascinating prospect: a game where you can scale objects up or down to suit your goals by virtue of a Portal-like scale gun. Perhaps you’ll need to widen an archway to fit larger objects inside; or maybe you’ll be required to increase the length of a platform to land at an otherwise unreachable space - the possibilities the game might hold are really quite exciting.
SCALE interview.
All SCALE posts.
Miegakure
Genre
Platformer, Puzzle
Release date
TBA
What is it?
There’re not two, nor three, but FOUR dimensions at play in this puzzler/brain boggler which is sure to send your head spinning. “At the press of a button one of the dimensions is exchanged with the fourth dimension, allowing for four-dimensional movement,” explains creator Marc ten Bosch. Exactly what this means is likely something that needs to be seen and not read, which is why we’re looking forward to Miegakure.
Miegakure preview.
All Miegakure posts.
Quadrilateral Cowboy
Genre
Puzzle
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
A game about hacking from Brendon Chung, the one-man Blendo Games, that’s brought us Flotilla, Atom Zombie Smasher and the beautiful Thirty Flights Of Loving. Using an MS-DOS super duper computer you’ll hack cameras and vaults and doors at the request of whoever’s willing to cough up the most dough.
Quadrilateral Cowboy preview.
Quadrilateral Cowboy interview.
All Quadrilateral Cowboy posts.
Frog Fractions 2
Genre
Frog Fractions
Release date
???
What is it?
In 2012, developers Twin Beard released Frog Fractions, a satirical edutainment browser game that was great fun. In 2014, the same developer ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund a sequel. Watch the project video, if you haven’t already, and let us know what you think it might mean/what Frog Fractions 2 is. At this stage, we’re pretty stumped.
Frog Fractions 2 interview.
All Frog Fractions 2 posts.
Chime Sharp
Genre
Puzzle
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Formerly known as Chime 2, Chime Sharp is the sequel to the musical grid-based isometric shape organiser that’s probably best described as free-form Tetris. From what we’ve seen so far it looks like a polished, better looking take on the original. It landed on Early Access in November 2015, where it hopes to be until February.
Hunger
Genre
Puzzle, Stealth
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Hunger is an incredibly stylish puzzle-cum-stealthy platformer with a sprinkle of sheer terror. You’ll tour a dollhouse-type industrial world called The Maw, where everything appears a little wrong. Dirty plates tower above you in commercial kitchens, as do old-fashioned cisterns in manky toilets - where the protagonist is either really small or the rooms disproportionately large.
Roguelikes
And roguelites, roguelikelikes, and all other derivations of Rogue, the dungeon crawling permadeath RPG which is still experiencing a modern renaissance. The definition of this genre is somewhat contentious, so don't expect slavish devotion to any given feature, but as a whole these games seem to share most in common with those once ASCII-only experiences.
Everspace
Genre
Roguelike, Space, Shooter
Release date
Q4 2016
What is it?
A pickup-and-play entry into the ever-burgeoning space-em-up genre that promises roguelike mechanics and “nonlinear storytelling”. Everspace was successfully crowdfunded last year to the tune of €420,252 after asking for just €225,000, so expect to see more as we head into 2016.
Cryptark
Genre
Roguelike, Shooter
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Don the role of a heavily armed privateer tasked with boarding procedurally-generated spacecrafts; blasting your way through enemy turrets, sentries, shields, and whichever other gadgetery fills thier sci-fi-inspired corridors; and destroying each vessel’s core, before moving onto the next. Made by the same folks that gave us the Grecian god-fighting and aesthetically pleasing Apotheon.
Cogmind
Genre
Early Access, Roguelike
Release date
TBA
What is it?
An ASCII sci-fi roguelike with a GUI to help make it playable without an hour's reading, Cogmind is an impressive merging of old and new school game design. Green-on-black colouring gives a low-fi feel while additional colours only show up at moments of high action.
Delver
Genre
First-Person, Early Access, Roguelike
Release date
TBA
What is it?
An unusual take on the pixelated retro-looking roguelike in that it’s first-person. That aside, Delver is very much a roguelike in the genre’s traditional sense as you hunt gold, kill baddies and down potions and turkey legs from fallen foes. Delver hit Early Access way back in the latter half of 2013 with an still currently unspecified final release date.
Delver preview.
All Delver posts.
Catacomb Kids
Genre
Platformer, Roguelike, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Sort of like Spelunky with its in its traps and bats and bombs and procedural platforming, but set in medieval dungeons with far greater onus on some pretty sophisticated RPG-style stats and leveling. Although in Early Access, Catacomb Kids is another member of the It’ll Be Done When It’s Done club. Here’s hoping that’s this year.
Catacomb Kids review (early access)
All Catacomb Kids posts.
Path To The Sky
Genre
Platformer, Roguelike
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Lovely, rather quaint looking roguelike with tonnes of wall-hopping and shooting things with a bow and arrow. It gets progressively more challenging as you clamber your way up its levels and a day and night cycle swaps more vicious enemies in and out, depending on the time of day.
Basingstoke
Genre
Stealth, Roguelike
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Tongue-in-cheek “British humour” game where you’re asked to fight off hordes of aliens with makeshift and improvised weaponry in a bid to escape the Hampshire town of Basingstoke at all costs. It looks great and is in no way meant to offend Basingstokians (Basingstokites? Basingstokers?), as Puppy Games’ director Caspian Prince once told the Basigstoke Gazette.
Curious Expedition
Genre
Survival Game, Early Access, Roguelike
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Steer all of your favourite historical explorers - like Tesla and Curie and Darwin and more - and discover new lands, meet natives, and survive dinosaur attacks. Behind the humour lies engaging party-based systems for your to sink your pixelated roguelike-loving teeth into.
Curious Expedition preview.
All Curious Expedition posts.
RPGs
RPGs have experienced a resurgence over the past two years, owing in part to the power of Kickstarter to revive old experiences. 2016 should see the release of Torment: Tides of Numenera, Divinity: Original Sin 2, and much, much more.
Dark Souls III
Genre
Action-RPG
Release date
March 24 2016
What is it?
Another Dark Souls instalment with series mastermind Hidetaka Miyazaki reinstated at the helm. From what we’ve seen so far, it’s a stunning successor to forerunner Dark Souls II and its combat appears quicker, similar in style to Miyazaki’s PS4 exclusive Bloodborne, while maintaining the majesty of series predecessors - particularly that of the much-loved original.
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
Genre
RPG
Release date
January 15 2016
What is it?
Dark Arisen marks the PC port of the hackey-slashey, dragon boasting, castle roaming, now 4K supporting Dragon’s Dogma which first landed on consoles the best part of four years ago. For enduring such a long wait, PC players have been awarded a new zone - Bitterblack Isle - not to mention all of the original’s DLC too.
All Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen posts.
Masquerada
Genre
Isometric, RPG
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
Masquerada: Songs And Shadows is a 2.5 D tactical isometric RPG set in a Venetian fantasy world. It’s a typically whimsical tale of kidnapping, exile and magic; complete with class conflicts, ancient sacrosanct groups and plenty of movements rebelling against the establishment. To top off the fantasy fare, it boasts a lovely Banner Saga-esque aesthetic.
Styx: Shards of Darkness
Genre
Stealth, RPG
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The next Styx entry that aims to refine the ambition intrigued its forerunners at times failed to live up to courtesy of a bigger budget, bigger ideas, and the fact that it’ll run on Unreal 4. Shards Of Darkness also aims to capture a wider audience with a more sophisticated narrative than immediate predecessor Master Of Shadows.
All Styx: Shards of Darkness posts.
Bards Tale 4
Genre
RPG, Turn-based
Release date
TBA
What is it?
The Bard’s Tale 4 is inXile Entertainment’s direct sequel to the mid 80s/early 90s fantasy RPG series from Interplay, and NOT the single entry inXile did themselves back in 2004. The in-engine trailer that popped up in June last year looked positively stunning as it portrayed an expected array of kobolds, goblins, sorcerers and dungeons.
Northern Shadow
Genre
RPG, Sandbox, City Building, First-Person
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Northern Shadow has some pretty lofty ambitions: to merge a medieval open-world sandbox a la Skyrim with a complex city builder like Banished. If you’ve been following the two-man developer’s updates, you’ll know it’s a game that’s shown spurts of progress, before going very quiet. That said, when it has popped its head above the parapet, it’s looked really quite spectacular. More in 2016, please.
Seven
Genre
RPG, Isometric
Release date
TBA
What is it?
As unusual as it may at first sound, Seven is a Thief-inspired isometric RPG brought by some of the folks that worked on The Witcher. It’ll take place in the Vetrall Empire, wherein its residents live in a “beyond post-apocalyptic” society.
Ashen
Genre
Action-RPG
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Ashen is a game about forging relationships that revolves around a wandering nomad who’s in search of a new home. For one reason or another there’s no sun and the land is covered in ash. There’s a distinct Ico/Shadow Of The Colossus feel to it all - aesthetically and thematically. That’s no bad thing, particularly as each new trailer seems to impress more than the last.
Vampyr
Genre
Action-RPG
Release date
TBA
What is it?
An episodic adventure from the fellows behind Life Is Strange. Set in early 20th century London, Spanish flu has swept the community and it’s on you - a surgeon named Johnathan Reid - to converse with the locals, solve clues, and rely on “vampyric” powers to get by. Similar to its previous works, developers DONTNOD have suggested Vampyr’s narrative will be steered by player choice.
Elex
Genre
RPG, Open World
Release date
Q3 2016
What is it?
Another interpretation of a post-apocalyptic world from the same chaps who made the Gothic and Risen RPG series. This “science fantasy” universe, as the developers put it, will play host to a multitude of mutated baddies, friendly characters, and moral choices.
Cube World
Genre
RPG, Sandbox
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Cube World has been quite the will it/won’t it saga that’s alternated between the two since work began on the RPG sandbox way back in 2011. A neat little alpha released in 2013, followed by some murmurs in 2014, some lengthy radio silence, and then confirmation that audio was being implemented in late 2015.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
Genre
RPG
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
It’s not the Stick Of Truth 2, but follows the familiar South Park cast as they don the roles of their superhero alter egos in another (very probably systems-lite) RPG. Although not without its problems, Stick Of Truth was good fun and - although Obsidian are handing over the reins this time to Ubisoft San Francisco - it’s likely this one will be too.
All South Park: The Fractured But Whole posts.
Sui Generis
Genre
RPG, Simulation
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Currently, developers Bare Mettle Entertainment have Exanima - a prelude to the massive open-world fantasy RPG with really involved physical interactivity, Sui Generis - on Early Access, thus it might be a wee bit ambitious to include this here. That said, they do inhabit the same universe and we can but dream, yeah?
System Shock 3
Genre
RPG, Horror
Release date
TBA
What is it?
System Shock 3 was only formally announced in December 2015, but boy did it get our sci-fi dystopia juices flowing. There’s not much to go on at the moment, but it is definitely A Thing, it’s being made by OtherSide Entertainment (those who brought us Underworld Ascendent), and original voice actor Terri Brosius is returning to voice sentinel AI antagonist SHODAN.
Eitr
Genre
Action RPG
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Since its announcement, Eitr’s trailers have went from strength to strength. It’s a pixelated Diablo-meets-Dark Souls murder-fest that throws gigantic beasts and minion monsters at you in equal measure - both of which appear to pose terrible threats, with little signs of weakness on any level. Yelp.
Moon Hunters
Genre
Action RPG
Release date
February 2016
What is it?
It looks like Titan Souls and plays like a sophisticated procedurally generated 1-4 player co-op RPG. As each quest unfolds, you’ll create your own mythology that can be rediscovered in later playthroughs. In essence, legendary tales that you might uncover down the line, could be the ones written by you in previous playthroughs. “...Each time you play,” reads the game’s blurb, “the constellation of your character’s legend carries over.”
Wayward Tide
Genre
Action RPG
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Another 1-4 player co-op game, this time from the guys behind Starbound and about pirates. Expect treachery and swashbuckling and peg legs and parrots perched on shoulders and plenty of “AARGGHH”s. You’ll team up with your fellow comrades as soon as you’ll stab one another in the back in your quest to uncover loot and hidden treasure on procedural islands that regenerate every time you die.
Grim Dawn
Genre
Early Access, Action RPG
Release date
February 2016
What is it?
An Early Access veteran that plans to make the long-awaited leap into full release come February of this year. It’s fast-paced, Diablo-esque combat where scouring the haunted Victorian-era streets for as much money, loot, weapons and armour as is (un)humanly possible is the name of the game.
Grim Dawn preview.
All Grim Dawn posts.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Genre
Early Access, RPG
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
A medieval RPG in its truest sense - Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a realist’s approach to the genre that’s dragon-lite but physical warfare heavy. Everything - from its aesthetics down to the game’s inverse kinematics combat system - is designed to depict how a life in the 15th century might’ve been. One for those who take historical accuracy seriously.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance preview.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance interview.
All Kingdom Come: Deliverance posts.
Edge of Eternity
Genre
JRPG
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
Edge Of Eternity considers itself a tribute to the JRPG classics of yesteryear. With a focus on genre features now often considered out-of-date, this game places a distinct focus on strategic turn-based combat, character building and world exploration, while adding its own idiosyncratic touches
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Genre
RPG
Release date
December 2016
What is it?
Just to be clear: this ain’t Mass Effect 4. In fact Mass Effect: Andromeda is to take place “far away from and long after the events of the original trilogy,” say BioWare. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean we can’t get excited for Andromeda ahead of its ‘holiday 2016’ release slot.
Torment: Tides of Numenera
Genre
RPG
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The ever-delayed Torment: Tides Of Numenera has pushed its stubborn self back into 2016, having never actually received a solid, set in stone release date up to now. Developers inXile Entertainment accrued one shed-load of crowdfunding cash to make this A Thing (almost $5,000,000), so perhaps taking the time to deliver the absolute best interpretation of a Planescape: Torment spiritual successor as they possibly can is a smart move.
Torment: Tides of Numenera Supporter Post
Torment: Tides of Numenera interview.
All Torment: Tides of Numenera posts.
Barkley 2
Genre
Shooter, RPG
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Barkley 2 - or to give it its Sunday name: The Magical Realms Of Tir Na nOg: Escape From Necron 7 - Revenge Of Cuchulainn: The Official Game Of the Movie - Chapter 2 Of The Hoopz Barkley SaGa - is the top-down shooter Kickstarted sequel to the genuinely laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely entertaining 2008 parody JRPG-type freeware game Barkley, Shut Up And Jam: Gaiden (which of course parodied 93’s Barkley Shut Up And Jam). If the name doesn’t already give it away: it’s bonkers but great fun.
Vagante
Genre
RPG, Roguelike, Platformer, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Permadeath and procedurally-generated darkened levels make this an easy comparison to Spelunky, but potions and stats and hit-points and the like make it identifiable as an RPG too. In fact, Graham once described it as “Spelunky: The RPG”. Imagine that. A failed Kickstarter saw Vagante enter Early Access at the end of 2014. It missed full release in 2015, but we think it might appear this year.
Vagante review (early access).
All Vagante
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
Genre
RPG, Third-Person
Release date
TBA
What is it?
An old fashioned sequel in that it plans to take everything that worked well in the original Bannerlord, improve upon what already worked well, scrap anything that didn’t make sense, and polish up absolutely everything else by running itself on a brand new engine. Where the latter is most noticeable is how better populated the world now is - the land spans a sizeable space, complete with six different cultures. Interestingly, said cultures all have their own unique board game.
All Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord posts.
Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption
Genre
RPG, Adventure
Release date
March 2016
What is it?
Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption is a point ‘n’ click/RPG crossover that’s been brewing for close to four years now. In fact it’s now two years passed its planned release as per its successful Kickstarter campaign notes. But hey, here’s hoping the latest from the creators of Quest For Glory - that’s apparently based on their now defunct email-based web game The School For Heroes - lands without issue in March as planned.
Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption interview.
All Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption posts.
Sketch Tales
Genre
RPG, Creative, First Person
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Bills itself as a D.R.A.W.I.N.G. sandbox, or Doodling Roleplay Action With Imaginative Nonlinear Gameplay sim, and while that’s a bit cringeworthy, Sketch Tales is a cool Skribblenauts-esque sandbox-cum-RPG. Draw whatever comes to mind by way of weapons and allies in your quest to rule and/or save the land.
Enter The Gungeon
Genre
Action RPG, Shooter
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Enter The Gungeon has a tacky name but an adorable look as it swaps boring melee ARPG dungeon brawling with all the projectiles and weaponry and shooty bang banging you could ever need. Shoot the world to shreds on your lonesome or with friends in two player co-op.
Super Dungeon Bros
Genre
Action RPG, Co-op
Release date
Q1 2016
What is it?
Fast-paced local multiplayer about storming a medieval fantasy realm named Rokheim as fictional rockstars. You and yer bros will scour dungeons for loot while fighting zombies in a quest to find out more about another apparently legendary band of rockstars. The game also offers limited crafting features.
Underworld Ascendant
Genre
RPG
Release date
November 2016
What is it?
Successfully Kickstarted subterranean first-person RPG/spiritual sequel from the creators of Ultima Underworld. Said to take place in a “living, breathing fantasy world”, Ascendant hopes to recapture the appeal of the original while improving elements of its co-op play. November 2016 is when the crowdfunding project suggests full release.
Underworld Ascendant interview.
All Underworld Ascendant posts.
The Technomancer
Genre
RPG
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Set in the same wider world as Spiders’ other game Mars: Wars Logs, The Technomancer is about exploring the Red Planet, beating the shite out of people with an elaborate combat system or by harnessing magical powers, and crafting a whole load of stuff to make the former a bit more straightforward. If you’re a lone wolf, feel free to go it alone, but a companion and lover system is in place for those who prefer company.
Fable Legends
Genre
Action RPG, Co-op, Strategy, Free To Play
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
Four heroes challenge a singular villain via online multiplayer or by virtue of AI in a prequel of sorts that takes place hundreds of year before the original trilogy. Not only will it require Windows 10 to make it tick, it’ll also be exclusive to the Windows 10 store and will have Xbox One cross compatibility.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Genre
RPG, Games British Games Critics Like
Release date
August 23rd 2016
What is it?
Sequel to previous series entry Human Revolution, Mankind Divided is set two in-game years after the Panchaea Incident meaning it takes place in 2029 - some 23 years before the original Deus Ex. This time, protagonist Adam Jensen is out to thwart terrorist sects with the aid of physical augmentation. Expect espionage, action, cyberpunkery and loads of player choices in Square Enix’s second stab at a sequel.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided feature.
All Deus Ex: Mankind Divided posts.
Expeditions: Viking
Genre
RPG, Strategy
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Expeditions: Viking is a game that’s been in the works for a while now but was only officially announced last year. Ultimately, it’s about exploring your immediate world and exacting power by way of plunder and pillage as you act like a stereotypical Nordic warrior in a quest to “carve your name into the annals of history”.
All Expeditions: Viking posts.
Exanima
Genre
RPG
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
As mentioned above in the Sui Generis posting, Exanima acts as a prelude to the former’s far more expansive world. It’s a low fantasy isometric RPG with some absolutely chilling/fantastic lighting. When taking this and Sui Generis into consideration at once, developer Bare Mettle Entertainment’s bigger picture is one worth admiring.
Exanima feature.
All Exanima posts.
StarCrawlers
Genre
RPG, Space
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
StarCrawlers is your classic dungeon crawler that swaps vacuous caves for compact spaceships; ghosts and ghouls for robotic worms; and chainmail and swords for futuristic suits and laser cannons. After landing on Early Access back in March last year, developers Juggernaut Games suggested we’d see its full release “about six months” later.
StarCrawlers feature.
All StarCrawlers posts.
Shooters
Click to fire weapon. All shooters are action games, but not all action games are shooters, so these games get a category all of their own. If what you're after is guns, lots of guns - whether top-down, 2D, first-person, third-person or anything else - then this is the category for you.
Far Cry Primal
Genre
Shooter, RPG
Release date
February 23rd 2016
What is it?
The latest island explorer from Ubisoft, this time set in the Stone Age. Trailers so far have shown spears in lieu of automatic weapons and tameable wooly mammoths instead of rideable elephants. Given the era in which Primal is set, it’ll likely contain less in the way political warfare, and more in the way of physical warfare, if its Mature rating is anything to go by.
Gigantic
Genre
Shooter, Multiplayer, Moba
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
A MOBA minus lanes and items with a distinct focus on teamwork and third-person shooting. You’ll fight alongside a guardian entity and while victory is expectedly hinged on your ability to wipe out the opposing team, you’ll want to safeguard the wellbeing of your guardian chum in doing so.
Monsters & Monocles
Genre
Top-down, Shooter, Local Multiplayer
Release date
TBA
What is it?
If a blunderbuss, a stake launcher and/or a crumpet cannon sound like your cup ‘o tea when engaging in frantic, cooperative top-down running and gunning and twin-stick shooting, then Monsters & Monocles might well be for you. Collectibles add a degree of customisation to your arsenal and your team share a pool of collective lives. Good luck staying friendly with your friends.
All Monsters & Monacles posts.
Paragon
Genre
Shooter
Release date
Early 2016
What is it?
The new project and upcoming MOBA from Epic - the guys behind Gears Of War and Unreal - that launched with much mystery before being confirmed to include “5v5. Three lanes. Jungles. Minions. Towers. Cores,” in the most MOBA-est of delayed descriptions. It’s expected to enter paid Early Access in the first half of this year before entering open beta in the summer.
Shadow Warrior 2
Genre
First-Person, Shooter
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Set fives years after the events of 2013’s Shadow Warrior, the sequel sees single player return, but is complimented this time round by a new and optional four player co-op mode. While it’s very much more of the same, the most notable difference here is that protagonist Lo Wang can now revisit past enemies to upgrade his skillset.
Umbrella Corps
Genre
Third-person, Multiplayer, Shooter, Horror
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Announced at last year’s Tokyo Game Show ahead of its planned 2016 release, Umbrella Corps is a competitive team-based shooter spin-off from the zombie-ridden world of Resident Evil. Sort of following in the footsteps of 2012’s co-op spin-off Operation Racoon City, this one’s similar-ish (although hopefully a wee bit more exciting) with an added dose of infectious competition.
LawBreakers
Genre
First-person, Shooter
Release date
TBA
What is it?
The upcoming game from Boss Key Productions and Cliff Bleszinski that’s a competitive 5v5 sci-fi FPS about the manipulation of gravity. The teams are split into two factions which fall on either side of the law and it’s all to be a little bit RPG/a little bit arena shooter.
Serious Sam 4
Genre
First-Person, Shooter
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Another one that’s been spoken of in hush tones for months, nay, years without giving us much to go on - Serious Sam 4 is the latest addition to the eponymous action-infused series. After months of little movement, it was announced last September that Talos Principle writer Jonas Kyratzes has come onboard as a screenwriter. Serious Sam ain’t normally known for its writing which makes us all the more interested in how the fourth entry turns out.
The Ship: HD
Genre
Assassination, Multiplayer
Release date
TBA
What is it?
An HD remake of 2006’s The Ship: Murder Party after developers Blazing Griffin failed to crowdfund a sequel for the original. Set upon a cruise liner that sails the seas in the 1920s, The Ship is in essence a multiplayer competitive FPS videogame interpretation of any murder mystery party you might’ve been to or heard your parents go to when you were younger. It’s a classic case of Who Done It? as you uncover the murderer and the minutiae of their crime.
Battlefield 5
Genre
First-person, Shooter, Multiplayer
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Now that Star Wars Battlefront is done and dusted, EA now turn their heads to their next war-torn, camo-donning shooter Battlefield 5: Armageddon. Not too much to go on as yet but EA CFO Blake Jorgensen said this alongside the game’s announcement last year: “What we’ve said is that our intention over the next couple of years is to have a first-person shooter as one of the core titles. This year, obviously, it’s Star Wars Battlefront. Next year, it’s another Battlefield title.”
All Battlefield 5 posts.
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3
Genre
Stealth, First-person, Shooter
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
Contrary to its budget-priced siblings, Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 wants to be the series’ “first AAA production effort,” according to CI Games’ CEO Marek Tyminski. What this means in practice is a non-linear sandbox world with open-ended maps, which means the option to sharpshoot from a distance, or to get up in your foes’ grills with less powerful weaponry and CQC.
All Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 posts.
Paladins
Genre
Third-person, Shooter, Multiplayer
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
An FPS at its core with fantasy elements. Paladins is a free-to-play first-person shooter that comes courtesy of the guys behind Tribes: Ascend and Smite and sees players test a multitude of fantasy weapons that’re complemented by a card system. It’s not deck-building per se, but the game’s cards serve to facilitate passive power-ups and abilities that add another layer to its makeup.
Titanfall 2
Genre
First-person, Shooter, Multiplayer
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The original Titanfall is said to have been played by over 10 million players since its release in 2014, thus it’s probably of little surprise a sequel is on its way. Your guess for what said sequel will entail exactly - following its announcement in March 2015 - is as good as mine as there’s been nothing bar, you know, the fact that EA and Respawn are interested in doing one and are definitely, possibly, probably working on one.
Fractured Space
Genre
Shooter, Early Access, Space
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Team-based, space-set combat with classes and customisation aplenty. It launched into Early Access towards the end of 2014 and has a rather detailed timeline which will end with its full release switching to a free-to-play model at some point in 2016. It’s an unusual tact, but one developers Edge Case Games have stood by since Fractured Space was first announced.
Spy Party
Genre
Shooter, Early Access, Stealth
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Spy Party is another Who Done It/Cluedo-type game about a two players at a party: a spy, who’s attempting to steal documents and information as per his or her remit; and a spotter who must work out who the spy is and off them for their devilish deeds. Shoot the wrong party goer and it’s game over.
Spy Party preview.
Spy Party interview.
All Spy Party posts.
BattleCry
Genre
Shooter, Early Access, Third Person
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Bethesda’s free-to-play third person melee-focussed multiplayer that’s got Dishonored’s visual director Viktor Antonov steering its art direction. It’s also class based - with the likes of Gadgeteers, Brawlers, and Archers but some of the groups holding rank - and although the free-to-play model can sometimes be a daunting prospect and of itself, Battlecry looks pretty darn exciting at this stage.
Robocraft
Genre
Shooter, Early Access, Third Person, Creative
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Expected to release fully after a year and a half stint in Early Access, Robocraft is like Robot Wars with bases and more sophisticated creations: build stuff, fight others, and bomb bases within a futuristic world and an MMO framework.
Robocraft review (early access).
All Robocraft posts.
Dead Island 2
Genre
Shooter, First-Person
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
In what’s been a bit of a saga, much remains unanswered in relation to the ongoing development of Dead Island 2. Following the original Dead Island of 2011, a sequel was announced the following year with devs Yager at the helm. It appeared at Gamescom 2014 looking pretty swish and then disappeared until July last year, when Deep Silver announced Yager were no longer in charge. An as yet unannounced team has apparently taken over, thus perhaps we’ll see more this year?
Dead Island 2 preview.
All Dead Island 2 posts.
Desync
Genre
Shooter, First-Person
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
As Ben rightly pointed out this time last year, Desync is best described as a game that’s made entirely out of Bulletstorm’s trick shot mechanic. Executing timely combos will rack up your total points as well as lay waste to your foes. It didn’t appear last year, but we think it might do in 2016.
DOOM
Genre
Shooter, First-Person
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
Alas, DOOM was a game that we had on this very list this time last year which we almost knew was wishful thinking at the time. Having it here again may well be the same but DOOM, formerly Doom 4, is SUPPOSED to arrive in the first half of 2016. No more delays, please, yeah?
Homefront: The Revolution
Genre
Shooter, First-Person
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Among all the many brilliant games 2015 gave us, it was also the year that Homefront: The Revolution reminded us it still exists. The latest trailer showed off a futuristic open-world locked in conflict that is probably best described as a darker, grittier take on Far Cry. And that ain’t no bad thing.
Homefront: The Revolution feature.
All Homefront: The Revolution posts.
Killing Floor 2
Genre
Shooter, First-Person, Early Access
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
A sequel to Tripwire’s 2009 co-op FPS where the chemical/bio-tech firm Horzine allowed a deadly outbreak to flood the streets with Zed creatures - zombie-a-likes - which are ripe for shootin’. Killing Floor 2 is much of the same only prettier, gorier, bigger, and can now be played with up to six comrades in tow.
Killing Floor 2 preview.
All Killing Floor 2 posts.
Space Hulk: Deathwing
Genre
Shooter, First-Person
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, Deathwing is an FPS-RPG independent of Full Control’s port of the Space Hulk board game, sharing only the license. It looks ambitious and showed off a neat little trailer early last year that was not only pretty but fused some mariachi beats with European rap lyrics. Nice.
All Space Hulk: Deathwing posts.
Superhot
Genre
Shooter, First-Person
Release date
Q1 2016
What is it?
Superhot began life as an entry into the 2013 7 Day FPS Challenge before completing a successful Kickstarter campaign to go full release the following year. As a concept, it’s best explained in motion as opposed to in writing but, ultimately, it turns the FPS genre on its head by preventing time from moving unless you do.
All Superhot posts.
Interstellar Marines
Genre
Shooter, First-Person, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
When Interstellar Marines first arrived on the scene many, many moons ago, it was considered one of the first indie games with AAA looks. Developers Zero Point Software’s company axiom is “for the love of the game,” thus it’s in no rush to leave Early Access, where it’s been for almost two and a half years. That said, with regular updates, not to mention the fact that it looks so pretty, this isn’t exactly an issue.
Interstellar Marines review (early access).
All Interstellar Marines posts.
Intruder
Genre
Shooter, First-Person, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
This SWAT-inspired squad-based outing is an elaborate take on Capture The Flag, or one of the many variations often offered as side ventures in other games. The rules are simple: teams start at opposite ends of the map with one tasked with blagging a predetermined item and the other, of course, must do whatever it can to stop them. Plenty of gadgets and weapons keep things interesting and allow for some pretty intricate planning and strategies.
Intruder preview.
All Intruder posts.
Reflex
Genre
Shooter, First-Person, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A cancelled (but heading for failure) Kickstarter campaign forced this revivalist arena FPS onto Early Access in late 2014 where folk seem to have taken a real liking to it. “If you sunk countless hours into the Quake or Unreal series,” reads the game’s Early Access blurb, “Reflex will feel like a welcome return of the old school shooter feel.”
Toxikk
Genre
Shooter, First-Person, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Similar to the entry immediately above, Toxikk is a throwback to the no-frills arena shooter popularised by the likes of Quake and Unreal Tournament. For those who might’ve missed it the first time round, that means running and hopping and shooting at folk and getting shot at from every angle imaginable. It’s frantic, fast and fantastic fun. It’s well overstayed its “4-6 months” prediction after hitting Early Access almost a year ago so perhaps we’ll see this sooner rather than later.
Unreal Tournament
Genre
Shooter, First-Person, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
The ninth entry to the series and latest outing since 2007’s Unreal Tournament 3. This Unreal Engine 4-running, rather boringly named Unreal Tournament may still reside in its pre-alpha state, but it’s already begun making some sizeable waves. It looks good, it feels good, and it joined the ESL last month - a move that shows its intent to deliver in the esports spectrum.
Unreal Tournament interview.
All Unreal Tournament posts.
Overwatch
Genre
Shooter, First-Person, Online
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
A team-based multiplayer FPS that marks a break from what Blizzard are best known for. It’s cartoony and objective-based with some serious likeness to Team Fortress 2. It comes with 21 heroes to mess around with straight out of the box and will apparently add new characters and maps as free updates, not DLC. Nice.
All Overwatch posts.
Tom Clancy's The Division
Genre
Shooter, MMO, Third Person
Release date
March 8 2016
What is it?
Most of what we’ve seen so far from The Division trailer-wise appears scripted, thus it’s difficult to really say exactly what it is. Sure, there’s to be multiplayer, survival elements, cool gadgets, a pretty nifty cover system, RPG-isms, but it feels so different from Ubisoft’s other stuff that getting a longer peak beyond the perfunctory velvet rope would be ideal. That’ll be possible on March 8, if all goes to plan.
All Tom Clancy's The Division posts.
Battleborn
Genre
Shooter, MOBA, First-Person
Release date
May 3rd 2016
What is it?
Disregarding the horribly cringeworthy “hero-shooter” label offered by Gearbox when the developer first revealed it, Battleborn looks pretty darn good. It’s a pretty-looking first-person MOBA from the Borderlands brigade that also includes a co-op campaign - an unusual quirk for a game in this genre.
Sub Rosa
Genre
Shooter, Online, First-Person, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Another graduate of the 7 Day FPS Challenge, Sub Rosa - from the 2012 campaign - is an uber stylish game now in Early Access about gangsters, secret agents, money, power, and thwarting organised crime. The voxel-style, blocky aesthetic, roaming nature of the game is reminiscent of classics such as the Mercenary series.
Mirror's Edge: Catalyst
Genre
Shooter, Platformer, First-Person
Release date
May 24th 2016
What is it?
The long-awaited follow-up to parkour-a-thon Mirror’s Edge which isn’t a sequel, but a reboot to the 2008 original. Catalyst will employ similar levels of running and jumping and traversing that were integral to its spiritual forerunner, however will explore lead character Faith’s origins and relationship with the unscrupulous companies that rule the city in which she lives.
Dreadnought
Genre
Shooter, Simulation, Flight
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The upcoming project from Spec Ops: The Line and one-time Dead Island 2 devs Yager Development that’s about grabbing the wheel of gigantic, hulking spacecrafts and steering them into 5v5 deathmatch combat. Sometimes fast, nippy, nimble dogfight destruction is what you’re after, but other occasions call for big bastard monolith machines slugging it out in bouts of sustained spitfire. Dreadnought’s all about the latter.
Fortnite
Genre
Shooter, Third Person
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
While the devs have said we’ve not to expect Minecraft, per se, Fortnite’s building and survival elements came on leaps and bounds over the course of 2015. The only problem is: so did many of the other games that frequent this ever-burgeoning genre. Everything is about building - be that forts and house, guns and traps, or armour and reserves. The trailers so far have seemed a touch on the complicated side, but perhaps it’ll all make better sense in practice.
Fortnite preview.
Fortnite interview.
All Fortnite posts.
Survarium
Genre
Shooter, First Person
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Another post-apocalyptic FPS that’s unashamedly reminiscent of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. It’s current Early Access state is free-to-play and consists of a PvP mode with “various different options of matches”. Developers Vostok Games promise two further game modes come full release, however are unable to say when that might be exactly.
Survarium review (early access).
Survarium preview.
Survarium interview.
All Survarium posts.
Squad
Genre
First Person, Shooter, Realistic
Release date
Q1 2016
What is it?
Squad is a standalone sequel to Project Reality - the realism mods for Arma 2 and Battlefield 2 respectively - being developed by some of the same team. As far as military sims go, this one’s the real deal: it’ll have 100-player battles, vehicles, and a chain of command communication system as it “seeks to bridge the rather large gap between arcade shooter and military sim”.
Overkill's The Walking Dead
Genre
First Person, Shooter
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Hopefully better than the last first-person Walking Dead game? Surely that’s manageable from the guys behind Payday 2, but besides zombies, there’s not a lot else to go on with this just yet. It has however been tipped to incorporate VR support.
All Overkill's The Walking Dead posts.
Black Mesa
Genre
First Person, Shooter, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
The long-awaited mod that’s wanted to bring the original Half-Life to the modern era for so long that the modern era’s since been replaced with an ever newer one. So too has Black Mesa itself and a version (separate from the free mod) is now available on Steam Early Access. Developers Crowbar Collective reckon its 85% complete. It looks fantastic.
Black Mesa review (early access).
All Black Mesa posts.
Garbage Day
Genre
Sandbox, First Person
Release date
January 19 2016
What is it?
In a Groundhog Day-type setup, Garbage Day lets you faff about for an entire 24 hours safe in the knowledge that events will be forgotten about and reset once your alarm sounds in the morning. What we’ve seen thus far has been of the ultra violent variety, but as it’s been Greenlit, we’re bound to see more in the coming months.
Eden Star
Genre
First Person, Shooter, Strategy, Survival, Tower Defense, Early Access, Everything
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A typically hostile environment awaits those who dare travel to Eden Star’s planetscape, thus gathering resources to build shelters equipped with turrets and protective shields quickly becomes essential. Where the game sounds most interesting is in its apparently fully-manipulatable landscapes.
Eden Star review (early access).
All Eden Star posts.
Arizona Sunshine
Genre
First Person, Shooter, Survival, VR
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
A zombie/survival/apocalypse/delete as applicable FPS game that all but fell off the radar in the past year. Now, it’s been “brought (back) to life with Steam VR and HTC Vive”. There probably are too many zombie games flooding our PC telly screens these days but the prospect of fighting hordes of the undead off while strapped to a virtual reality headset sends actual reality shivers down my spine.
UNLOVED
Genre
First Person, Early Access, Shooter
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A pretty shite-scary standalone that was once a Doom 2 mod by the same creators with the same name. In essence, it’s the original mod made bigger, reimagined in Unreal Engine 4, and where many-a-room is plunged into darkness and only ever lit by the flash of your automatic weapons. Gulp.
Nosgoth
Genre
Shooter, Online, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Fast-paced and team-based humans VS vampires fare with a rather triumphalist cast hellbent on destroying one another. It’s current Early Access state is free-to-play which is the model developers Psyonix maintain will stretch into the game’s full release. Shoot and/or punch the crap out of your foes to succeed.
Nosgoth review (early access).
All Nosgoth posts.
Simulation and space games
Simulation isn't simply about realism. It's about being devoted to the appearance of being real, which means games about fictional spaceships belong here just as much as American Truck Simulator.
Squadron 42
Genre
Space, Simulation
Release date
Tba 2016
What is it?
To be bundled alongside Star Citizen, Squadron 42 is a story-driven single-player branch of Cloud Imperium’s space trader-cum-fighter sim that is billed as the “spiritual successor to Wing Commander”. Most interestingly, certain events are transferable between the two games thus how you conduct yourself in Squadron’s events can have bearing on the main game’s narrative.
American Truck Simulator
Genre
Simulation
Release date
February 3rd 2016
What is it?
Like Ronseal, this Does Exactly What It Says On The Tin. It’s Euro Truck Simulator but across the pond and likely with an extra helping of maple syrup and beef jerky. If you’re into the European counterpart, it’ll probably be quite exciting touring your haulage Stateside for the first time.
All American Truck Simulator posts.
Home Free
Genre
Simulation
Release date
TBA
What is it?
The Canine Formerly Known As Dog Park is now known as Home Free, a survival sim that nearly doubled its Kickstarter campaign ask at the TAIL end of 2015. It’s an open-world action RPG that’ll have you relying on all manner of doggy means to last another day in a procedurally-generated city.
Dog Park feature.
All Dog Park posts.
Enemy Starfighter
Genre
Simulation, Early Access, Space, VR
Release date
TBA
What is it?
With the vast number of space games ever flooding the vast expanse, it’s almost odd that so few resemble StarFox more than the odd similarity here or there. With Enemy Starfighter, the likeness is more obvious but all the better for it. Its sort of roguelike makeup means you’ll level up after clearing areas of enemy craft while avoiding your permanent death.
Enemy Starfighter preview.
All Enemy Starfighter posts.
Take On Mars
Genre
Simulation, Exploration, Early Access
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Take On Mars seems to have conveniently capitalised on the Mars Madness that swept the world and popular culture towards the end of 2015 with the release of Ridley Scott’s The Martian and the sighting of water on the real life Red Planet itself. Take On Mars is a complex survival sim about considering the all of the above as you build a settlement, mine resources and set up a living up there on Mars.
RimWorld
Genre
Construction and Management Sim
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A sci-fi colony building/managing sim that looks like Prison Architect. While there are similarities between it and Introversion’s jail-runner as far as sophisticated systems are concerned, RimWorld differs from most management games with its incorporation of AI-controlled “storytellers” who dictate variations in game rules and stipulations.
Dwarf Fortress
Genre
Simulation, Management, Early Access
Release date
Beyond the end of time.
What is it?
A better question might be: what is Dwarf Fortress not? It’s been defined by its ever-popular fortress mode, yet also has an adventure mode, a fictional encyclopedia, and an arena mode. It’s updates have been known to include procedurally-generated stories, poetry, music and dance, before then stating these features are but a small part of bigger, more significant updates. It first launched its alpha in 2006 and continues to wow us with its updates. Ten years on, what’ll 2016 bring?
Dwarf Fortress feature.
All Dwarf Fortress posts.
Maia
Genre
Simulation, Management, Early Access
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
A slow burner that has scope to be really fantastic or unfortunately disappointing. Focussed on the minutiae of managing a colony, even the slightest variation on living circumstances can have vast knock-on effects down the line in Maia. Like tinkering with a virtual ant farm.
Limit Theory
Genre
Simulation, Space
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
A successfully Kickstarted space sim (at close to four times its original asking tally) by one-man dev team Josh Parnell which has an “infinite procedural world”. Limit Theory’s ambition is equally matched by Parnell’s courtesy and dedication to updating backers of his game’s progress - the last of which was in September 2015 after a few months of radio static. That said, it’s a big project with a small team so this is likely to be expected.
Limit Theory interview.
All Limit Theory posts.
Star Citizen
Genre
Simulation, Space
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Star Citizen is a beast, a goliath, a force to reckoned with. Via its own dedicated crowd-funding initiative, it’s racked up over $100 million in funds in just over three years, and launched its Alpha 2.0 at the end of last year. Procedural planetary landing from space-to-surface is the latest nifty feature to make its way into the game, but expect many more additional features to be added over the course of 2016.
VA-11 HALL-A
Genre
Bartending, Simulation
Release date
TBA
What is it?
An eclectic/entirely weird mix of robot love interest, talking dogs and bartending that’s part visual novel, part puzzle game. As you converse with pub patrons, VA-11 HALL-A also becomes somewhat of a pseudo social work simulator - which may or may not be what the devs are going for. A demo is out now with development builds expected to be distributed to those who purchase before official release.
(Please note that RPS contributor Cassandra Khaw is also part of the team developing VA-11 HALL-A)
VA-11 HALL-A feature.
All VA-11 HALL-A posts.
Turmoil
Genre
Simulator, Management
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Live the life of a 19th century Gold Rush opportunistic oil baron, as you get rich or die trying from mining the black stuff. Keep a keen eye on production values, prices and selling speeds in order to succeed. Turmoil entered Early Access in June 2015, where it planned and “hoped” to remain for six months.
Turmoil feature.
All Turmoil posts.
Strategy games
Whether turn-based or real-time, this is where you go for games about making important tactical and strategic decision. Expect orcs, men with machineguns, economic simulations and games about managing theme parks. For example...
Planet Coaster
Genre
Management
Release date
Q4 2016
What is it?
Amid the carry on that’s surrounded RollerCoaster Tycoon World’s creation, news of Frontier’s upcoming Planet Coaster - dubbed the spiritual successor to RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, also developed by Frontier - is no doubt welcomed to fans of the genre. News of player-created content, shareable via a “global village” feature sounds equally as exciting.
The Political Machine 2016
Genre
Political Simulation
Release date
Q1 2016
What is it?
Recreate the US presidential race and play as real-world candidates - yes, Mr Trump if you’re that way inclined - or create your own made-up hopefuls. You’ll canvass, fundraise, deal with the press, and set your sights on the oval office. Fun, cheap and cheerful.
The Political Machine 2016 Review (Early Access).
All The Political Machine 2016 posts.
Endless Space 2
Genre
4X
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Endless Space was an oft-interesting 4X strategy-em-up that Amplitude Studios eventually set aside and followed up with Endless Legend - a 4X fantasy game that won the coveted RPS best game of 2014 award. Now, Endless Space is back and a somewhat cryptic trailer released mid-last year sort of suggested number 2 could be in a way related to Endless Legend 2. Excitement!
Parkitect
Genre
Management
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Parkitect is another rollercoaster-em-up that’ll help satisfy our burning urge to run small, cramped cars across huge welded lengths of steel at any cost. It’s as business simulator resonant of Theme Park and, particularly, RollerCoaster Tycoon 2.
Citybound
Genre
Management, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Citybound is still inbound, it seems. Although developers aePlay kept up semi-regular updates via their company blog throughout 2015, actual solid, bricks and mortar images or videos - or even artwork - for their city builder have become few and far between. They’ve also recently lost a team member due to external commitments but here’s hoping more is revealed this year.
Worms W.M.D.
Genre
Strategy, Turn-based, Multiplayer
Release date
What is it?
The archetypal artillery annihilation simulator - it’s Worms as you know and love with a cutesy new art style, neat mechanics and new features. For example, now only players housed inside buildings can actually see their interiors meaning you’ll be forced to fire blindly if you find yourself on the outside. This might be made easier by WMD’s addition of tanks. Yup, tanks. Gung ho!
Stellaris
Genre
4X
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Adam’s favourite game from last year’s Gamescom. Rest assured, he doesn’t offer such plaudits lightly. Made by Paradox, Stellaris is a 4X strategy game about a procedurally generated and very moddable galaxy whose features have been brilliantly explained/teased via a string of engaging developer diaries. Well worth watching.
Master of Orion
Genre
4X
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Reboots are clearly in fashion nowadays, and, announced at last year’s E3 conference, Master Of Orion is another 90s classic set to get one courtesy of Wargaming and NGD Studios. In standard strategy-heavy 4X procedure you’ll explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate your way through a galaxy inhabited by your race and nine others.
Master of Orion preview.
All Master of Orion posts.
Tharsis
Genre
4X, Turn-based
Release date
January 12 2016
What is it?
Tharsis is a game about exploring Mars wherein you’re in charge of the crew’s wellbeing - making sure they stay fed, watered, and sane. It has elements of FTL in its design, a board game aesthetics/mechanics in its layout and use of dice rolling respectively, and permadeath - not to mention hints of cannibalism should things got tits up.
At the Gates
Genre
Strategy, 4X, Turn-based
Release date
Q1 2017
What is it?
From Civilisation V’s lead designer Jon Schafer, At The Gates is a strategy game designed to recreate the mastery of the all-time genre classics. As you might expect, you start out small, beginning with a tribe and expanding outward as you strive to conquer land and whoever inhabits it. It was successfully Kickstarted in 2013 and although isn’t set for full release until 2017, we can expect to see more in the coming month.
Duelyst
Genre
Strategy, Turn-based, Card Game
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Duelyst is probably best described as a card game, like, say, Hearthstone, but without feeling as restricted as most other card games. It’s maybe more traditional turn-based role-playing with the addition of cards, an ultra-fast 90-second turn limit, and quicktime strategy a la Hearthstone. .It’s also free-to-play and is currently in its beta phase.
Stars Beyond Reach
Genre
4X
Release date
March 2016
What is it?
Those responsible for AI War and The Last Federation, Arcen Games’ upcoming 4X strategy game sees you crash land on a foreign planet with next to nothing to your name. You’re then expected to assimilate with the locals, learn their native tongues, explore, build and do whatever needs doing to get back on home soil.
Chronicle: RuneScape Legends
Genre
Card Game
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A collectable card game that’s based on the RuneScape universe that has unsurprisingly been compared with Blizzard’s PvP-focussed Hearthstone on occasion. Unlike Hearthstone, however, Chronicle places far greater distinction on its single-player elements which bleed into RPG territory. It’s similar, yes, but not quite the same.
All Chronicle: RuneScape Legends posts.
Hex: Shards of Fate
Genre
Card Game
Release date
TBA
What is it?
After settling its once overhanging lawsuit in September, Hex now stands on the precipice of becoming something rather special. The Kickstarted card game is not only the first card-trader of its kind in that it’s an MMO, but it also have scope to fuse the prettiness/slickness of the likes of Hearthstone with the intricacies of the time-tested Magic The Gathering.
Hex: Shards of Fate preview.
Hex: Shards of Fate preview.
Hex: Shards of Fate feature.
All Hex: Shards of Fate posts.
Ultima Ratio Regum
Genre
Early Access, 4X, Roguelike
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The roguelike created by developer Mark Johnson in 2011 that he took on as full time project in 2014. In scope, it could be massive - even bigger than it’s already becoming - perhaps similar to the aforementioned Dwarf Fortress. The last year and a bit has seen castles and cathedrals, procedural people, cities and fortresses and coins added. 2016 will undoubtedly bring more.
Ultima Ratio Regum interview.
All Ultima Ratio Regum posts.
RollerCoaster Tycoon: World
Genre
Management
Release date
Early 2016
What is it?
RollerCoaster Tycoon World’s development has been volatile to say the least - it’s had three different sets of developers and has been pushed back on a few occasions due to bugs and other unfortunate occurrences, such as complaints following open testing. Atari remain assured things are on track for a timley and successful release this year.
All RollerCoaster Tycoon: World posts.
Westport Independent
Genre
Management
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Hauntingly - although apparently entirely coincidental - similar to the real world goings on that have engulfed the British press over the past few years, Westport Independent is about censorship and the complicated relationship the media often shares with the political spectrum. It looks sort of like Papers, Please too which only adds to its potential.
All Westport Independent posts.
Blitzkrieg 3
Genre
Real-Time Strategy
Release date
March 2016
What is it?
The third instalment to the real time strategy Blitzkrieg series which is based on the events of World War II. You’ll take control of one of three factions: Axis, the Western Allies, and the USSR. Although DLC is expected further down the line, an MMO component is expected to come free of charge surplus to single player.
Blitzkreig 3 preview.
All Blitzkrieg 3 posts.
Salvaged
Genre
Real-Time Strategy
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A dual-screen outing which has you tracking the movements of your crew via first person perspectives as they clamber around a monster-ridden ship, and a separate top-down view on a touch-activated device like, say, a tablet. This could go either way: it could be a fantastic idea or a disappointing gimmick. Here’s hoping it’s the former.
Nantucket
Genre
Real-Time Strategy
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
A beautifully hand-drawn strategy game set years after the events of literary classic Moby Dick. It’s sentiment, on the other hand, might be a little less wonderful as Nantucket tells its tale of Ishmael's revenge - you’ll guide him and crew across the Seven Seas to hunt whales. From what we’ve seen so far there’s plenty in the way of systems and strategy to complement the game’s lovely art style.
Call To Arms
Genre
Real-Time Strategy, Early Access
Release date
Q1 2016
What is it?
A spiritual successor to one of Jim’s all-time strategy favourites: Men Of War. Old war is out, this time round, with modern warfare taking the shape of two factions and over 20 vehicles. You’ve also got the option to play god as you command your entire troop from above; or perhaps you’d rather fight individually from third-person, on the ground level. Call To Arms arrived on Early Access in July of last year to which the devs said then: “We estimate the game to be in Early Access until Q1 2016.”
Call To Arms interview.
All Call To Arms posts.
Plague Inc: Evolved
Genre
Real-Time Strategy, Early Access
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Plague Inc: Evolved is Stephen King’s The Stand-meets-28 Days Later where you design, manufacture, and unleash devastating chemical weapons of mass destruction upon the world with the intention of killing the world. Sounds grim because it is but it’s also strangely addictive and compelling strategy game. Still lurking in Early Access but expected to escape to full release this year.
Plague Inc: Evolved preview.
All Plague Inc: Evolved posts.
Shallow Space
Genre
Real-Time Strategy, Early Access, Space
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Inspired by classic space simulations Homeworld and Nexus: The Jupiter Incident, Shallow Space wants to leave its own mark on the ever-growing space sim genre by showing off its looks and its highly customisable ships and loadouts. Landed on Early Access late last year with very little to play with, but expect more from the following 12 months.
Flagship
Genre
Real-Time Strategy, First-Person, Space
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
A first-person take on the normally stand-offish RTS formula. Normally, you’d command crews from above, but here you’re forced to interact one-on-one and on a personal level. You’re also made to watch everything turn to shit through the eyes of a commander as you peer out through the front windshield at an army of enemies out to end you. It’s a great idea that really changes the complexion of how these games are normally played. The Feels, man.
Clockwork Empires
Genre
Real-Time Strategy, Management, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Set in a “Steampunk world of science, industry and cosmic horror” Clockwork Empires is a Sim City-meets-Cthulhu-type game about growing a community, overseeing some hard-working pilgrims and allowing them to thrive or die. It’s spend a tad longer in Early Access than first planned, however developers Gaslamp Games have kept on top of regular blog updates over the past several months.
Clockwork Empires preview.
All Clockwork Empires posts.
Stonehearth
Genre
Real-Time Strategy, Management, Early Access, Creative
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A lovely looking Minecraftian-Terrarian lovechild where voxel building and enormous ambitions - be that from you in-game, or from the devs outwith - go hand-in-hand. The Early Access offering is pretty accomplished as it stands, however full release promises a multiplayer mode, extra biomes, and variable seasons.
All Stonehearth posts.
SpellForce 3
Genre
Real-Time Strategy, RPG
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Details are REALLY thin on the ground currently on this one, but it is said to be an upgrade on previous SpellForce games, with its Wiki claiming it to have three playable races, four basic unit types and it to be more complicated - which in the context appears to be a good thing - “even compared to SF1”. You’ll know more as soon as we do!
Oh My Gore!
Genre
Real-Time Strategy, Tower Defense
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Going on looks alone, Oh My Gore! is the quintessential interpretation of a modern pixel-favouring indie game. Going deeper, it’s a mash of genres covering RTS, regular Tower Defence and “reverse Tower Defence”, which I guess is Tower Offence? Story-wise you’re an evil god who’s been banned by the goodie gods thus bundles of bloodshed is your only obvious recourse.
Super Roman Conquest
Genre
Side-Scrolling, Strategy, Early Access
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
A touch reminiscent of the land battles of the original console-dwelling JRPG Suikoden in that Super Roman Conquest asks you to plan battles by virtue of considered strategy, yet does so via a side-on perspective. You’ll organise and equip your troops from a more user-friendly map interface. It’s lighthearted, but it’s fun!
All Super Roman Conquest posts.
Galactic Princess
Genre
Space 4X
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
A side-on and ever-so-pretty looking take on FTL whereby you pilot a pirate ship in a sandbox world. Interestingly, enemy fire isn’t all you’ll look out for: enemies can easily jump ship should they get close enough and do with little reservation. Galactic Princess was successfully Kickstarted in 2014 and all backers received access to the alpha last month.
The Mandate
Genre
Space 4X, RPG
Release date
Q1 2016
What is it?
So as to stand out from the ever-burgeoning space-crowding crowd, modern space sims appear to be merging genres whether they fit together or not. The Mandate, fortunately, chooses to combine its 4X strategy with RPG elements to its benefit. Fight interstellar rebels, individually control all members of your crew and seek to board enemy ships. All in day’s work.
The Mandate interview.
All The Mandate posts.
FAR Colony
Genre
Turn-Based Strategy
Release date
TBA
What is it?
FAR Colony is a gritty, nuts and bolts, hard-sci-fi game about the first man-man colony in space and, most interestingly, it’s split into two parts. Part is one influences part two in that the choices you make in the first in-game year determine how viable your colony is long term. You get a score that correlates with the difficulty of the sandbox strategy game offered up in part two in which you must sustain your colony.
Hearts Of Iron IV
Genre
Turn-Based Strategy
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
The latest entry to the World War II-based Hearts Of Iron series that will lean heavily on its sandbox elements. First announced two years ago, it’s been put back on a couple of occasions as developers Paradox continue to tinker with its innards. First entry to the series since Crusader Kings II rose to prominence, thus Paradox have also states their desire to make Hearts Of Iron IV more accessible that previous instalments.
Hearts of Iron IV preview.
All Hearts Of Iron IV posts.
Twilight Struggle
Genre
Turn-Based Strategy
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Typically stylish videogame interpretation of the board game of the same name, Twilight Struggle is a game about the Cold War as it ran from post WWII right through into the early 90s. Players pick a side between America and the USSR and engage in socio-political warfare; reenacted historical events such as the Nuclear Arms Race and the Space Race.
Antihero
Genre
Turn-Based Strategy, 4X
Release date
March 2016
What is it?
A microscopic take on inter-city warfare, Antihero is a 4X strategy game about competing thieve's guilds slugging it out on the cold hard streets to take over their city’s wealth. Send your agents into the concrete jungle and have them perform Robin Hood-style duties while keeping a mindful eye on rival assassins.
All Antihero posts.
Battle Brothers
Genre
Turn-Based Strategy, Early Access
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Turn-based affair set in a medieval fantasy world with X-com-esque unscripted mission selection on a procedurally generated world map. Travel freely on the latter, before diving into the minutiae in tactical maps where combat takes place. Developers Overhype Studios plan to implement modding support upon full release.
All Battle Brothers posts.
Homeworld: Shipbreakers
Genre
Real-Time Strategy, Space
Release date
January 2016
What is it?
Once known as Hardware: Shipbreakers and merely inspired by the Homeworld franchise, Blackbird Interactive’s Homeworld: Shipbreakers is now fully supported by Gearbox who’ve also helped out with its funding. This has ultimately led to Shipbreakers switching from an originally slotted free-to-play model to full release which should make for a much more enjoyable end product.
All Homeworld: Shipbreakers posts.
The Banner Saga 2
Genre
Strategy, RPG
Release date
Q4 2016
What is it?
No matter how often you feast your eyes upon mere stills of anything Banner Saga-related it’s tough not to be impressed. That cracking art style returns in the proposed sequel and, from the little information available since its announcement, it seems like more tactical RPG-ing a la the original Kickstarter success.
The Banner Saga 2 interview.
All The Banner Saga 2 posts.
Total War: Warhammer
Genre
Strategy
Release date
28 April 2016
What is it?
The Total War/hammer hype train continues to push on forward as Creative Assembly’s strategic take on the Warhammer fantasy world gathers steam. It ain’t arriving till April but, typically, there’s already much talk of pre-order incentives and what DLC may or may not land first. Fret not, though, as all will be dissected here at the Hivemind as and when we receive it.
Battlefleet Gothic: Armada
Genre
Strategy
Release date
March 2016
What is it?
It’s orcs in space! Mostly due to the fact the spaceship spin-off to Warhammer 40,000’s real life models were never really that popular, there was never really any calls for a videogame adaptation. Until now, because, well, orcs in space! There hasn’t been an inordinate amount of footage released since it was announced last year, but what has made it to light has looked rather wonderful.
Battlefleet Gothic: Armada preview.
All Battlefleet Gothic: Armada posts.
Ashes of the Singularity
Genre
RTS
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
An RTS that operates on a vast scale where there tends to be lots of things going on at once at any given time. It can be quite daunting if you let it be, but it can be rather brilliant too. Not made by the Supreme Commander team - or even Command And Conquer - but you might be forgiven for thinking so. Either way, that’s not a bad thing.
All Ashes of the Singularity posts.
XCOM 2
Genre
Strategy
Release date
February 5th 2016
What is it?
The second entry to the XCOM reboot series which is set two decades after the events of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, rather, events where XCOM lost the war (you might’ve WON the war yourself, but that doesn’t matter now, sadly). The rural and suburban screenshots that’ve surfaced thus far look lovely and Adam was really impressed with his hands-on towards the end of last year. Previously delayed but looked good for its proposed February launch.
XCOM 2 preview.
XCOM 2 feature.
All XCOM 2 posts.
Cossacks 3
Genre
RTS
Release date
April 2016
What is it?
GSC Game World’s (those of STALKER notoriety) remake and sequel to the classic now 15 years old (!). Straightforward but thoroughly enjoyable RTS-ing in 17th century Europe where a keen Sun Tzu understanding of the lay of the land will serve you well as you conquer all that lies in front of you.
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Nexus Arena
Genre
MOBA, Early Access
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Games Workshop seem determined to dish out as many official licenses as humanly (or orcly) possible these days, thus Warhammer 40,000 has received a MOBA. It’s only just been let loose on Steam Early Access where it’s accrued mixed initial reviews due to its work-in-progress manner. Long term, this arguably makes the Warhammer 40K all the more worth watching as it grows into 2016.
All Warhammer 40,000: Dark Nexus Arena posts.
Total War: Arena
Genre
RTS, Early Access, Free To Play
Release date
TBA
What is it?
If you’re into huge, sprawling historical battles where teams of up to ten players control different elements of the one huge, sprawling battle, then Total War: Arena is most likely for you. Each player will also control three units, each comprised of up to 100 men. Sheesh.
Total War: Arena preview.
All Total War: Arena posts.
Survival games
Survival games have survived and thrived over the past year, as more have tumbled into early access and hope to reach the finish line over the next 12 months. If you want desert islands to search, dinosaurs to tame, zombies to barricade against, and many, many broken and unfinished games to contend with, then these are for you.
7 Days To Die
Genre
Shooter, Survival Game, First-Person, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Still in its alpha phase on Early Access, 7 Days To Die hasn’t been the fastest of development processes, but it has been an enjoyable one due to attentive dev blog posts and updates. It’s another zombie survival sim but places greater importance on crafting and scavenging instead of blundering and butchering. Definitely one to watch.
7 Days To Die preview.
All 7 Days To Die posts.
DayZ
Genre
Shooter, Survival Game, Online, First-Person
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The once mod, now standalone zombie survive-em-up feels like it’s been around for a long time. In the last year we sort of expected it to enter into its beta stages and while that wasn’t the case, it is something that’ll likely happen in 2016. When it does, expect new features and the possibility of an engine overhaul. Recently teased plans to introduce predatory animals to its desolate world.
DayZ preview.
DayZ feature.
All DayZ posts.
Sheltered
Genre
Survival Game, Early Access
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
A lovely pixelated post-apocalyptic survival game that’s went from strength the strength since embarking on Early Access last year. Besides the obvious threat of nuclear fallout radiation, angry factions, temperamental nomads, and fires can now ravage your humble underground abode. Expect substantial updates this year.
Stranded Deep
Genre
Survival Game
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A Castaway-meets-The Beach type endeavour that sees you stranded on an isolated desert island with only you, yourself and you for company. You’ll need to hunt food, build shelter, and craft transport if you’re to survive this survival sim. John returned to it towards the end of last year and, while he still had fun, noted some basic issues needed refined, re-tuned or fixed entirely. The developers had hoped to have it out of Early Access by now, so it’ll be interesting to see how it fares in full release whenever that may be.
Stranded Deep review (early access).
Stranded Deep video.
All Stranded Deep posts.
The Long Dark
Genre
Survival Game
Release date
Q2 2016
What is it?
A wonderfully stunning open world survival game about surviving a plane crash and then braving the Canadian wilderness. The last 12 months has seen many impressive updates arrive at its snow dusted door, not to mention an uber stylish teaser trailer for its upcoming story mode.
The Long Dark video.
The Long Dark preview.
The Long Dark feature.
All The Long Dark posts.
Darkwood
Genre
Survival Game, Early Access
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
An unassuming top-down survival nightmare with hints of surrealism that oozes style. There’s not been an abundance of new information coming from developers Acid Wizard of late, however they have recently announced a new recruit who’ll help flesh out Darkwood’s story. RPS horror man Adam said: “My internal organs are swimming in terror-juice.” Yuck.
Darkwood preview.
All Darkwood posts.
Eternal Winter
Genre
Survival Game, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
What could be more terrifying that freezing your arse off in a perpetual wintertime? Nothing, according to Eternal Winter which is a less-obvious game of survival against the elements in lieu of scary monsters and zombies and what not. Rely on your four huskies to whisk you around in the snow and scavenge to survive.
Eternal Winter review (early access).
All Eternal Winter posts.
Proven Lands
Genre
Survival Game, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
It’s Don’t Starve meets The Sims meets Terraria meets Starbound. Proven Lands is about scouring an alien planet with the company of an AI storyteller who shapes your overarching experience. “Archaeology” is said to play a part which if implemented with any degree of depth will be a welcomed and nuanced take on the scavenge to survive genre formula.
Rust
Genre
Survival Game, Early Access
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The project that followed Garry’s Mod for Facepunch Studios is a survivalist sandbox ruled by the community - much like its spiritual forerunner. Given the vast and continued input provided by the game’s community, it’s quite difficult to say exactly what RUST is. Each player could, can, and often does have a wholly different experience to another. In essence: you’ll make of it what you will.
The Forest
Genre
Survival Game, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A survival game about cannibals. Right, I’m out, sorry, too scary. The Forest joins the multitude of survival games that entered Early Access towards the end of 2014 but is set apart by its gorgeous visuals, detailed environments, impressive physics engine and, yes, terrifying themes of cannibalism.
The Forest preview.
The Forest feature.
All The Forest posts.
The Flame In The Flood
Genre
Survival Game, Exploration, Early Access
Release date
July 2015
What is it?
A stylish survival game about rafting your way around flooded American backwater towns that have been ravaged by catastrophe. Alongside your companion canine you’ll craft, forage and evade predators in a world where dry land poses as much of a threat as the river-swept streets.
The Flame In The Flood review (Early Access).
All The Flame In The Flood posts.
Salt
Genre
Survival Game, First-Person, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Not the Angelina Jolie 2010 film of the same name, but the RPS Bestest Best Exploration 2014 award winning survival game. By removing all the overblown hyperbole often associated with the genre, Salt is in essence a walking simulator where you’re encouraged to explore but not dally in your search for food and water.
Salt preview.
Salt feature.
All Salt posts.
Subnautica
Genre
Survival Game, First-Person, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Set on a foreign planet that houses whole hosts of underwater nasties, Subnautica is a survival sim that plants you in the shoes of a scientist and gives you the means to get by using your skills and expertise. A massive mid-year update to the Early Accessor in 2013 introduced a host of practical and decorative tweaks that make this well worth a re/visit in the new year.
Subnautica review (early access).
All Subnautica posts.
Draugen
Genre
Survival Game, First-Person, Horror
Release date
TBA
What is it?
From the Dreamfall devs who once billed it ‘Gone Home meets Amnesia.’
Inspired by Scandinavian literature, Norse mythology and Icelandic sagas, Draugen depicts a remote 1920s fishing island where all of its residents have mysteriously vanished. Enter you, on your tod, and expected to work out what’s happened. Such luck.
Draugen preview.
All Draugen posts.
Phantasmal
Genre
Survival Game, First-Person, Horror, Early Access
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Phantasmal’s foes use an Amnesia-esque sanity draining mechanism that leaves you completely defenseless before exacting brutal murder upon your helpless self. Lovely. Add that to a roguelike procedurally generated house within which you’re expected to scavenge to survive, and Phantasmal presents a pretty darn terrifying experience.
Narcosis
Genre
Survival Game, First-Person, Horror, VR
Release date
March 2016
What is it?
It’s unusual to see a game about deep sea exploration depict the claustrophobic elements of the vast expanse quite so well. Narcosis is about surviving in the drink as you helplessly scour for oxygen and a way to reach the surface. Add VR support to that mix and prepare to be terrorised.
Narcosis preview.
All Narcosis posts.
Project Zomboid
Genre
Survival Game, RPG
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
One of the founding fathers of early access games that was doing it before Steam made the initiative cool. Thus, Project Zomboid enters its fifth year in development as it pushes towards its 1.0 release. Last year saw the introduction of the neat Creative Mode which suggests developers Indie Stone still have valid ideas up their sleeves, if not a full release date in mind.
Starbound
Genre
Survival Game, RPG
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
The ‘Terraria in space’ comparison was always going to become misguided as Starbound added updates over the course of development. Last year’s highlights included pets, story quests, the introduction of colonisation and class structures, hoverboards and loads of new weapons. It’s unlikely to slow down this year and is increasingly becoming a game worth returning to/visiting for the first time.
Starbound preview.
All Starbound posts.
Space Pirates And Zombies 2
Genre
Survival Game, Space
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Stick its awful, awful, awful name to one side and find that Space Pirates And Zombies 2 upgrades almost every aspect of its forerunner to pretty good effect. The zombie threat has been defeated but the world’s in awful state. You’ll explore space, upgrade your ship and out-survive all the others hanging on. Enemy AI has been vastly improved meaning they can do anything that you can. Good luck.
All Space Pirates And Zombies 2 posts.
ADR1FT
Genre
Survival Game, First-Person, Space, VR
Release date
Q1 2016
What is it?
The age-old, tried and tested protagonist with amnesia card is dealt in ADR1FT as you try to figure out what catastrophic event has wrecked your space station. Hunt for oxygen, supplies, and signs of life against dazzling visuals that make this survival adventure one that’s destined for VR-support.
Planets3
Genre
Survival, RPG
Release date
TBA
What is it?
That’s Planets cubed, not the third entry to a series you hadn’t previously heard of. Similar to Minecraft in that its about blocks and building and vibrant colours, but different in that a pre-determined but procedurally-spun plot guides you around the world’s sprawling confines. Received $300k in Kickstarter funds in 2014.
Interstellar Rift
Genre
Survival, Space
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Starbound-ish in the looks department and a shit-sight more entertaining than the 2015 movie of the same name which I can’t be sure actually praises the game in any way. Typical lost in space survival fare as you explore, trade and fight for your life. You’re also expected to maintain your ship’s wellbeing and feed yourself as you go.
Interstellar Rift review (early access).
All Interstellar Riftposts.
We Happy Few
Genre
Survival
Release date
June 2016
What is it?
A weird and wonderful Clockwork Orange meets A Brave New World set in an alternate 1964 English town where everyone’s high on state-supplied medication and you, rightly, need out. Stealth in We Happy Few takes the form of pretending you are actually okay with everything, thus is a wonderfully nuanced take on the stealth mechanic. Ran a successful Kickstarter in 2015.
We Happy Few feature.
All We Happy Few posts.
ARK: Survival Evolved
Genre
Survival, Early Access
Release date
June 2016
What is it?
The pseudo-prehistoric survival sim that Alice just can’t seem to get enough of. Every update to the dinosaur out-runner-a-thon that launched in 2015 was more intriguing and entertaining than the last. It’s since developed a strong and ever-growing community, thus don’t expect the momentum to slow down this year.
Survival Evolved feature.
Survival Evolved interview.
All ARK: Survival Evolved posts.
Resident Evil Zero HD
Genre
Survival Horror
Release date
January 19th 2016
What is it?
Following the success of the original Resident Evil HD that launched on Gamecube in 2002 but launched on PC last year, Resident Evil Zero is an HD remake of the Gamecube iteration from 2003. The game’s original director is on board but seeing as Zero wasn’t quite as well received the first time round, compared to the remake, it’ll be interesting to see how it fairs.
All Resident Evil Zero HD posts.
Ashen Falls
Genre
Survival Horror
Release date
On hold.
What is it?
Still very much planted in its concept stage, Ashen Falls is a supernatural horror game about an abandoned town, a lost axe-wielding teenage girl and ghosts with oversized fire helmets and gaping hoods and twisted and bound skin - if the concept drawings are anything to go by. Again, not much to go on as yet but looks promising so far.
H1Z1
Genre
Survival, Early Access
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Daybreak Games’ (formerly Sony Online Entertainment) big-budget zombie survival sandbox MMO about lasting the pace amid a zombie apocalypse where everything has ultimately turned to shit. Hostile humans, hostile conditions, and hostile zombies stalk your every move.
VR
VR Games are cool.
EVE: Valkyrie
Genre
Simulation, First-Person, Space, VR
Release date
Q1 2016
What is it?
At this stage, VR works best in games where you’re sat in a chair with your feet planted on the ground. EVE: Valkyrie, which its own developers have dubbed “Top Gun in space”, is therefore very well suited to the medium as you twist and turn and swoop and glide your way through space stations and dogfights. It’s really rather wonderful!
EVE: Valkyrie preview.
EVE: Valkyrie interview.
EVE: Valkyrie feature.
All EVE: Valkyrie posts.
Lucky’s Tale
Genre
VR, Third-person, Exploration
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A made for VR whimsical platformer that Oculus has decided will ship with every headset. In a style akin to how certain movies depict 3D - the way the tiger lashes out at the screen in the Life of Pi, for example - Lucky’s Tale has been meticulously designed with VR in the forefront of its mind. The result looks great and shows how VR could appeal to a far wider audience than first anticipated.
Job Simulator
Genre
VR
Release date
TBA
What is it?
One of the first games to be announced on the SteamVR headset, Job Simulator takes the monotony of the 9-5 rat race and plants you bang smack in the middle of it. It’s fun, tongue-in-cheek and not to be taken overly seriously. Although comical, it does perhaps show where the medium could head in recreating scenarios outwith spaceship and fighter jet cockpits.
Job Simulator preview.
All Job Simulator posts.
Eagle Flight
Genre
VR, Action
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
What was once an Ubisoft flight simulation prototype is now an actual game being made for the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. Eagle Flight is exactly how it sounds - it’s a game designed purposely for VR about soaring, gliding and swooping your way across the skies; and weaving and waving in and out of buildings to your heart’s content. It won’t be for everyone in that it’s quite limited in scope, but it looks fantastic nevertheless.
Valiant
Genre
VR, Multiplayer, Melee fighting
Release date
TBA
What is it?
Valiant is a melee fighting simulator designed for VR where you’ll fight enemies upon horseback, engage them in arrow fights, or challenge them to jousting duels. It’s in its early stages so naturally looks a little rough around the edges, but looks to pack quite a punch.
Darknet
Genre
VR, Puzzle
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A VR-exclusive cyberpunk hacking game that asks you to “enter cyberspace” to solve its puzzles. Darknet’s trailer seems to show you clearing out the bank accounts of unknown individuals which might suggest you assume the role of an antihero. Either way, puzzle games often demand vast amounts of concentration, thus doing so strapped to a VR headset sounds intriguing.
Chronos
Genre
VR, Third-person, Action-RPG
Release date
March 2016
What is it?
An upcoming atmospheric RPG with VR support. Tour around an ancient labyrinth, meet weird beings, fight bad guys, uncovers myths and secrets. How Chronos will incorporate VR remains to be seen, besides mention of the “level of immersion, scale and detail” as “incredible” on the game’s website.
Edge of Nowhere
Genre
VR, Third-person, Action-adventure
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Very pretty looking third person action adventure game about an explorer who quickly discovers the foreign land he’s happened upon doesn’t want him to be there. Expect strange creatures and ever stranger goings on as he tried to escape. The next game from Sunset Overdrive developers Insomniac Games.
VR Sports Challenge
Genre
VR, Sports
Release date
Q1 2016
What is it?
Sanzaru Games’ VR Sports Challenge was available to play at last year’s E3 conference and is essentially Wii Sports for VR. Ice Hockey was the only sport on show in Los Angeles back in June, however Sports Challenge plans to include nine sports in total come full release. While Wii Sports handled its motion-sensor setup with aplomb, utilising VR is naturally a very different one so it’ll be interesting to see how this one works out.
All VR Sports Challenge posts.
The Climb
Genre
VR, First-person
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
Absolutely stunning virtual reality first-person climbing simulator for those unafraid of heights. In development by Crytek, The Climb whisks you away to an idyllic setting in a tropical climate, presents with you a craggy limestone cliff face and ask that you don’t look down. Using the technology’s motion controllers to simulate hand movements appears to work as you never seen your feet on screen.
Loading Human
Genre
Exploration, First-Person, VR
Release date
TBA
What is it?
A sci-fi exploration adventure game that’s set in the distant future. It’s a bit cryptic at this early stage, but the game’s site says you are granted “the life of Prometheus, a pilot that will travel across the galaxy to retrieve the quintessence, the most powerful energy source of the known universe in order to save his father.” Walking simulators that place onus on exploration are cut out for VR, thus Loading Human will almost definitely be one of the first in a very long line.
Loading Human preview.
All Loading Human posts.
Get Even
Genre
First-Person, VR
Release date
TBA 2016
What is it?
There’s not much to go on as yet with regards to how VR will be implemented in upcoming first-person adventure-cum-shooter Get Even, besides the fact that the protagonist uses virtual reality devices in-game to jump between alternate realities. What the developer’s video logs seem to suggest, is that this process could be emulated in reality as the player switches between normal play and VR headset play. This is a really interesting idea and one which we’ll be keeping an eye on.