Top 5 Anticipated Games of 2016By Matthew Murphy
2015 was an absolutely amazing year for gaming. With masterpieces such as The Witcher 3 and Bloodborne, along with hidden gems including Undertale and Dying Light, it was hard to not be happy with how last year turned out for the video game industry. Somehow 2016 appears to be even better than last year, with a stacked lineup ranging from brand new IP’s to franchise conclusions. Here is my list for the top 5 most anticipated games for the rest of 2016.
5. Mirror’s Edge: CatalystWhen Mirror’s Edge came out in 2008, we were all amazed by the three-dimensional platform game that EA DICE created. Though it was not perfect, people still wanted to learn more about the main character, Faith’s, story and how she became to be a ‘runner’, a courier who transmits messages while trying to avoid government surveillance. That is exactly what you are going to get with Mirror’s Edge Catalyst. The game looks to reveal more on Faith’s origin story, while also redefining the gameplay with a brand new free-flowing melee combat system. Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst releases on May 24 for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
4. Gears of War 4The hype behind a new Gears of War game has been over the top. With the fifth major installment in the series, it is hard to not only be excited but also a little skeptical about Gears of War 4. It is the first main installment in the franchise being developed by The Coalition, who helped release Gears of War Ultimate Edition back in 2015. GOW4 takes place 25 years after the events of Gears of War 3 and focuses on the character JD Fenix, who is the son of Marcus Fenix, as they deal with a new threat to the human race. Gears of War 4 releases on October 11 exclusively on Xbox One.
3. No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky is a brand new IP from the developer Hello Games. Originally announced back in 2014, this game has been considered to be the biggest game of all time. Allowing you to freely explore universes that are randomly generated, the galaxy is basically endless. Building your own spaceship, taking it into battle, and building settlements is just some of the things that you can do in this game. A space adventure survival video game that never really ends? Count me in. No Man’s Sky comes out on Playstation 4 and PC on June 21.
2. Dark Souls III
After the stunning game that was Bloodborne, FromSoftware hopes to continue its success with the next game in the Dark Souls franchise, Dark Souls III. Considered to be the final installment in the franchise, DSIII looks to raise the boundaries from previous games while also living up to the hype. There are some similarities to Bloodborne such as a faster paced combat compared to previous Dark Souls games, as well as much more engrossing levels to explore in the world. Dark Souls III releases March 24 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. And make sure to not forget about praising the sun!
1. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
For me, the most anticipated game of 2016 is an absolute no brainer. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is the final installment in the Uncharted series that has become a staple for anyone who has a PlayStation. Originally scheduled for release in the 2015 holiday season, Uncharted 4 has been pushed back, with the developer Naughty Dog making sure that the finale to such a beloved series ends absolutely perfectly. Featuring old characters such as Sully, and Elena, while also introducing the new character of Sam, Nathan Drakes brother, A Thief’s End does not look to disappoint at all. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End will finally release May 10 exclusively for the PlayStation 4.
Unfortunately I could only fit five games on this list, but I know that there are many more games in 2016 that people are excited for, such as The Legend of Zelda Wii U, and Mass Effect: Andromeda. No matter what type of games you like to play, this upcoming year is going to bring something for everyone.
