It’s already been a pretty special year for gaming – but if last week’s Gamescom convention was anything to go by, it’s going to get even better.
Developers use the gaming convention, which is the biggest of its kind in Europe, to show off what they have in store over the next few months.
We pick out the best titles you should be keeping your eyes on. Let’s kick off.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Release date: August 29, 2017
Thankfully the first of these brilliant games is out this week.
Mario and Rabbits Kingdom Battle takes the plumber and co. in a completely new, and welcome, direction.
Rather than platforming elements, gameplay is far more strategic and requires you to guide teams of three through combat areas. Think a child-friendly XCOM and you’ll get the idea.
You can play as eight characters – including Yoshi, Princess Peach and four different Rabbids.
It features two-player co-operative play and a host of up-gradable weapons – from laser beams and shotguns to yo-yo blasters.
Destiny 2
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: September 8, 2017
The follow up to the popular online shooter will have a much more engaging narrative this time.
Humanity has fallen to an overwhelming invasion force, led by Lord Ghaul, the imposing commander of the brutal Red Legion.
He has stripped Guardians of their power, and forced the survivors to flee their home. Your job is to take it back.
As well as a single player story, you can take on enemies with mates in six-player cooperative Raids or three-player Strikes.
From what we’ve played, we’re impressed – although there are rumours the PC version looks way better than consoles.
PES 2018
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Release date: September 14, 2017
The new game promises ‘a wide-range of improvements’ as it seeks to reclaim the football crown from its EA SPORTS rival.
PES 2018 will have more new features than any other PES title in the last decade, the publisher confirmed.
The control system will be revised to add more fluidity to the game, while a new user interface makes navigating menus and modes easier.
Matches will be played at a more realistic pace, while a new strategic dribbling system offers greater close control, including contextual shielding to protect the ball.
Similarly, simple movements of the control stick can be used to perform shimmies to wrong-foot defenders.
Konami has also implemented a ‘REAL Touch + process’, wherein players will react to receiving a ball using parts of the body, such as chest, head and legs to bring a pass under control dependent on the height and pace of the incoming ball.
Marvel versus Capcom: Infinite
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: September 19, 2017
This upcoming brawler in the long running series strives to be the most accessible yet. And thankfully it succeeds.
Combos have been refined, so even rookies can chain up impressive looking moves with a tap of single button.
There’s loads of characters to choose from – including Capcom favourites, Nemesis, Ryu and Chris Redfield – plus a host of Marvel heroes – such as Iron Man, Thor and Rocket Raccoon.
They’re all captured perfectly and have special moves that complement their unique abilities perfectly. Graphically, it packs a punch, too – with Unreal 4 allowing for lightning-fast combat.
There’s also a story mode, although we’re yet to see if it holds up to the brilliant Injustice 2. For now, though, signs are promising.
Cuphead
Platform(s): Xbox, PC
Release date: September 27, 2017
Cuphead is a classic run-and-gun action game that is heavily focused on boss battles.
Inspired by cartoons of the 1930’s, the visuals and audio are painstakingly created with the same techniques of the era.
These include traditional cel animation (hand drawn & hand inked), watercolor backgrounds and original jazz recordings.
It’s even got a cooperative mode, too.
We can’t wait.
FIFA 18
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Release date: September 29, 2017
Need we say more?
Read our everything you need know about FIFA 18 piece to find out more.
It’s worth saying, though, that FIFA 18 on the Switch is shaping up to not only be a genuinely good football game, but arguably better than the ‘full fat’ FIFA 18 on Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
Gameplay has been custom built for Nintendo’s brilliant machine – so everything feels and runs smoothly.
It’s helped by 60FPS, 1080p performance – which keeps matches feeling fast paced and responsive.
All in all, a very impressive package indeed.
Ghost Recon: Wildlands PVP
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October, 2017
Wildlands has been out for a few months – but it’s been saving its best feature for last.
The long awaited PVP mode is on the way, and – from October – you’ll be able to play four versus four competitive multiplayer across a selection of well thought out maps.
Gunplay was always solid in Wildlands but really comes alive when playing against friends. Maps are large, but not big enough to get lost – keeping you on your toes.
When teammates are down, you can revive them but if you’re quick enough the enemy will home in your location.
To make matters worse, there’s a radio beacon that, when activated, pings your location to the enemy.
It’s such a shame it didn’t launch with the game – it’s the most fun we’ve had in months.
Middle Earth: Shadow of War
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October 10, 2017
Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor was one of the greatest open-world battlers in the last decade – so a sequel was always bound to happen.
Thankfully, Shadow of War is shaping up rather nicely – offering more of the bloody, brutal combat fans have been yearning for.
Just like in the last game, you can build your own army – but thanks to the Nemesis system, which sees rival orcs level-up, you won’t be short of foes.
Combat hasn’t been messed around with too much, so it feels very much how it should.
Graphically, it’s also much lighter compared with rather drab-looking original.
The Evil Within 2
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October 13, 2017
Taking place three years after the first game, The Evil Within 2 sees protagonist Sebastian Castellanos return to battle hordes of nasties.
Expect raw horror with insane levels of blood and guts – what else would you expect from the creator of Resident Evil!
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October 17, 2017
South Park: The Stick of Truth was a surprisingly well-made game – blending well-thought out strategy with the cartoon’s trademark humour.
This time around, the game’s taking aim at the superhero genre – and sees the South Park children dress up as their favourite heroes to battle rival kids.
Having played this at a preview event last year, it’s shaping up to be a must-have for fans and newbies alike.
Expect news to ramp up as we near the game’s release date.
Super Mario Odyssey
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release date: October 27, 2017
Super Mario Odyssey will be Mario’s *proper* debut on the Switch – and it’s looking spectacular.
The game is separated into a bunch of worlds called Kingdoms – just like in Super Mario 64.
Each of these is full of Power Moons, which you’ll need to collect if you’re to progress to new worlds via your hat-shaped spaceship, the Odyssey.
Thankfully, the plumber has picked up a few more moves since his last outing – such as rolling down hills and throwing his cap to create a spring board.
The latter is meant to be a lot more fun than it sounds.
Assassin’s Creed: Origins
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October 27, 2017
After taking a break following a lukewarm reception to Unity and Syndicate, the AC team knew they needed to deliver with Origins.
Thankfully, on what we’ve seen so far, it’s shaping up to be the best AC game yet.
Set in Egypt during the Ptolemaic period, you play Bayek, a young, agile assassin who becomes Caesar’s blade for hire.
As expected in an AC game, the world is stunning to look at. Townspeople wade through rivers, vultures circle in the skies – it’s easily the most convincing open world in in the series.
Combat has been overhauled, too. It’s far more active, with the onus on the player to chain together attacks rather than defend and parry.
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Clubs, swords and knives all come in handy, while the bow allows you to take down enemies from afar.
To help give you a lay of the land, there’s also the trusty eagle – which can be instantly called upon to scout nearby areas.
Plus, get in a jam and it’ll swoop down and do its best to back you up. Talk about a good wingman.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October 27, 2017
One of the standout games of the show in nearly every aspect. Set after the events of the first game, you reprise the role of William ‘B.J.’ Blazkowicz who’s on a mission to liberate America from the Nazis.
To make matters worse, they’ve spent their time building an army of robotic super soldiers.
Luckily, running and gunning has never been so much fun or looked so good. Enemies crumple realistically as bullets tear them to shreds, or explore into chunks of meat if they’re caught near an explosion.
But it’s not all meaningless violence.
Thanks to some clever writing, expect plenty of Quentin Tarantino-inspired moments. One scene involving a strawberry milkshake is particularly memorable.
Call of Duty: WWII
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: November 3, 2017
The new COD is going back to its roots after a less-than-thrilling venture to space.
It’s being made by Sledgehammer Games – the same team behind brilliant Advanced Warfare.
Gameplay showed off vastly improved visuals that really bring the gritty war-ravaged environments to life. Zombies will feature, too, although details are thin on the ground.
There’s currently a beta going on – so check it out.
Crackdown 3
Platform(s): Xbox One, PC
Release date: November 7, 2017
Crackdown 3 has arguably the most destructive open-world ever created – thanks to the Xbox tapping into cloud computing.
It launches with the Xbox One X – so will prove incredibly popular on Micorosft’s new supercharged flagship console.
The X has come under fire for a lack of exclusives, so Crackdown has got to deliver.
Need for Speed: Payback
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: November 10, 2017
The latest Need for Speed is trying harder than ever to be a full on action blockbuster – and it mostly delivers.
In fact, the chase scene we played through provided some of the most adrenaline soaked racing moments of the year. Not to mention some eye-wateringly good crashes.
But away from the Michael Bay-inspired action sequences, NFS begins to stall – particularly when it comes to the voice acting. It’s bad. Really bad.
In fact, it almost single-handedly ruined the thrilling chase scene we played through.
Let’s hope EA can sort this out in time.
Star Wars Battlefront II
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: November 17, 2017
The Star Wars universe lends itself to deep, richly-detailed narratives but this was ignored in 2015’s Battlefront.
Thankfully, EA won’t be making that mistake this time, with a new trailer confirming that a single-player story-driven experience will play a big part in Battlefront 2.
We don’t know what the story will be, but we bet it’ll take a grittier, more adult turn – similar to Rogue One.
Graphically, it’ll be one of the best looking games ever made – again, thanks to Frostbite.
Days Gone
Platform: PS4
Release date: December 29, 2017
There may be a host of zombie games around right now, but this PS4 exclusive should be a dead cert for your collection.
You play Deacon who has the unenviable task of trying to survive in a world overrun by ‘Freakers’ – infected humans who have gone feral.
The incredible thing about this gem is just how many zombies appear on the screen at once.
And they’re all after one thing. Your blood.
God of War
Platform(s): PS4
Release date: TBC 2018
The God of War games are among the most brutal and brilliant adventures ever created.
But after 2013’s God of War: Ascension failed to blow critics away, Sony decided to go back to the drawing board for Kratos’ latest adventure.
There’s now a third-person, over-the-shoulder free camera, rather than third-person, fixed cinematic viewpoint.
Gone are Kratos’ signature double-chained blades, replaced with a magical battle axe, which can be infused with elemental abilities and lobbed at enemies.
Oh, and there are no loading screens or levels. It’s one continuous adventure that sees Kratos act as a mentor and protector to his son.
Anthem
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
This stunning sci-fi open-world RPG sees you and three friends work as ‘Freelancers’ – warriors tasked with exploring dangerous new worlds.
Graphically, it’s one of the most impressive games we’ve ever seen.
To make things more interesting, developers Bioware have added massive world-altering occurrences – from vicious ‘Shaper Storms’ to enormous beasts.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
Sadly, we’ll have to wait a little longer for this Western from Rockstar.
It’s penned for the start of next year, but may well be delayed again!
The Last of Us: Part 2
Platform: PS4
Release date: TBC 2018
yet another massive PS4 exclusive.
It may have not featured in the Sony press conference, but The Last of Us 2 is very much still on the radar.
Thankfully Naughty Dog – the team behind the brilliant Uncharted games – have a reputation for making games that are well worth he wait.
Little is known about Joel and Ellie’s latest adventure but expect brutal violence and a hard-hitting emotional storyline.
Death Stranding
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima is keeping his cards very close to his chest with regard to Death Stranding.
All we know right now is that is stars the Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Hannibal’s Mads Mikkelsen.
Oh, and that it looks completely weird.
The Crew 2
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
The Crew 2 was turning a lot of heads at Gamescom this year – and it’s not hard to see why.
The team have built the entire of the US in the game – which you can explore on land, air and sea.
Amazingly, you’re able to swap from car to plane to boat in a matter of seconds – leading to some unique results. Ever wanted to skydive in a speedboat? Well, now you can.
Cars all handle differently, and – to put you through your paces – there are plenty of events littered around the impressively detailed world.
Motorbikes make an appearance, too – just make sure to get some practice in… the handling takes a little getting used to.
Graphically, although it’s still a few months away, the Crew 2 is shaping up very nicely indeed. With a bit more polish it could end up being one of the best looking games of next year.
You can sign up for the beta here
Metro Exodus
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
One of the most striking games to be shown off this year was Metro Exodus – the third instalment in the popular first-person shooter series.
Set in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of the former Russian Federation, you must battle to survive mutated creatures and psychopathic humans.
While the last games were quite linear and adopted a traditional level system, Exodus is a lot more open world. Plus, there’s a dynamic weather system and a day / night cycle to help add a new challenge to the combat.
Perhaps our favourite feature is that the environments change depending on what season it is. Superb.
Far Cry 5
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: February 27, 2018
It may not be out until next year, but Ubisoft’s open world shooter is already shaping up very nicely indeed. Set in Montana, we had hands on with a settlement liberation – which required us to clear a small village of hostiles. How you do this is completely up to you. Fancy running in all guns blazing?
No problem. Find a vantage point and snipe with a silenced rifle? Go ahead.
The variety is extremely impressive – backed up with solid gunplay mechanics and a well balanced selection of weapons.
The dynamite sticks are a real blast – just make sure to stand well clear.
Metal Gear Survive
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
By far the strangest entry to the Metal Gear series yet.
Plot sees a team of soldiers get sucked through a wormhole and straight into an alien-infested planet.
It’s much more action-oriented than other games in the series – so is already dividing fans.
Sadly, we’ll have to wait until 2018 to get a proper look at it.
A Way Out
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
This stunning co-operative game sees you have to work together to escape a prison.
Expect puzzles, tactics and some incredibly tense moments where the smallest mistake will cost you dearly.
Spider-Man
Platform: PS4
Release date: TBC 2018
Marvel and Insomniac Games have teamed up to create a brand-new and authentic Spider-Man story.
This isn’t the Spider-Man you’ve met before, or seen in a movie.
This is an experienced Peter Parker who’s more masterful at fighting big crime in New York City.
At the same time he’s struggling to balance his chaotic personal life and career while the fate of nine million New Yorkers rests upon his shoulders.
Sounds decent.
Biomutant
Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
This action role playing game got everyone talking this year – and it’s not hard to see why.
Played in a third-person perspective you play a small raccon-like create stuck on a world with mutated animals. A natural disaster has caused the Tree of Life to begin to die, and it’s your job to stop that from happening.
Thankfully, there are other tribes on the planet that can help you – or, should you take a disliking to them, you can kill them instead.
Expect plenty of customisation, amazing visuals and an ingenious Kung-Fu combat system – allowing you to combine different weapons in-between combos.
As with any good RPG, there will be branching storylines where players will decided how the story will continue.