Last year was pretty incredible for gamers.
Assassin’s Creed Origins, COD: WWII… there was something for everyone.
Thankfully, 2018 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years for gaming in a long, long time.
A new COD Black Ops, Far Cry and a number of incredible new IP is on the horizon.
We’ve picked out the best of the bunch – 24 in total. Let’s kick off with this month’s biggest launch.
Monster Hunter World
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox, PC (later)
Release date: January 26, 2018
Monster Hunter may not be as big here as it is over in Japan, but there are still legions of loyal fans eager to play the latest instalment.
As per the last games, you team up with friends and hunt down huge beasts.
Don’t expect an easy ride, though – they’re incredibly tough to snare. Some battles last upwards of an hour, and teamwork is absolutely vital.
High-definition graphics, and a huge marketing push by Capcom, will ensure hunting season is more popular than ever.
Shadow of the Colossus
Platform: PS4
Release date: February 6, 2018
One of the most-loved games of all time is getting the full HD treatment on PS4.
Sony confirmed all Shadow of the Colossus assets will be remade but the game will retain the “feel” of the original version.
Good, because it was perfect!
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: February 13, 2018
This action RPG is like nothing we’ve ever seen – especially when it comes to combat.
Set in the medieval Kingdom of Bohemia – now the modern day Czech Republic – you play the son a blacksmith whose family has been killed by an invading army.
You then set out on a quest for revenge – killing anyone who gets in your way.
Now, here’s where the fun begins. Combat is based on a physics system using inverse kinematics to determine the reactions of both combatants based on the speed and weight of the blow.
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Put simply, enemies will react to hits as they would in real life – making for some incredibly intense sword fights.
Branching storylines and NPCs who will report you for breaking the law, means you’ll always need to be on your toes.
Sea of Thieves
Platform(s): Xbox, PC
Release date: March 20, 2018
Sea of Thieves is an upcoming pirate adventure game from Rare.
Gameplay sees you set sail with your friends in a bid to uncover lost treasure. Along the way, you’ll need to work together to keep your vessel ship shape.
Be warned, though – you won’t be only players looking for a big pay day. Expect to bump into other ships and take part in epic naval battles.
The game will also feature cross-platform play between PCs and Xbox consoles. We can’t wait.
A Way Out
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: March 23, 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 land you back behind bars… or worse.
We really can’t wait for this one.
Far Cry 5
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: March 27, 2018
Ubisoft has ditched the Far East in favour of the fictional Hope County, Montana, where a preacher named Joseph Seed has risen to prominence.
Your job is to stop him.
The massive open world is the biggest yet in the series and will be free to explore from the off.
There’s even a new character creator, which allows you to customise everything from gender to appearance.
Weapons include rocket launches and bows, not to mention a selection of brutal melee kills.
Graphically, it’s easily the most impressive of the lot – which is no mean feat, given just how good the last games looked.
Just as much attention has been given to the gameplay.
Enemies are smart and will flank and throw smoke grenades to make your life as difficult as possible.
Thankfully, you’re able to sabotage cars, or throw chunks of meat at them to attract the local wildlife (who’ll then rip them to shreds).
Luckily, there’s a fleshed out co-op mode this time – so you and a friend can tackle a vast majority of the story missions together.
If it all gets too much, you can call even go fishing at one of Montana’s sprawling lakes.
State of Decay 2
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: Q1 2018
The follow up the 2013 smash hit is already shaping up to be a killer experience.
Just like the last game, you’re stuck in a world infested with zombies. Luckily, you can team up with friends and try and survive together.
Expect tough choices, plenty of gore and a lot of fun. It’s powered by Unreal 4, too – so looks the part. Bring it on!
Detroit: Become Human
Platform: PS4
Release date: Q1 / Q2, 2018
This upcoming neo-noir thriller from the makers of Heavy Rain looks very special indeed.
Plot revolves around three androids; Kara, who has escaped a factory and trying to live like a human; Connor – a Blade Runner-style agent sent to take down deviant androids, and Markus – who wants to set all androids free.
Gameplay takes place in third person, with branching storylines and serious consequences. For example, main characters can die, which will change the narrative arc.
It’s powered by a brand new engine – built to make the most out of the PS4’s hardware.
Vampyr
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
A Victorian vampire thriller from the Life is Strange team, Dontnod.
You play a doctor who turns into a vampire at night – an interesting premise. All of your actions will have consequences with multiple fates available for characters you interact with.
We first saw the game a couple of years ago, and it looked incredibly raw – so we hope over time it’s improved.
Biomutant
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
At Gamescom earlier last year, Biomutant was the talk of the show – and it’s not hard to see why.
With colourful graphics, a vast open world and a seriously cute lead character, THQ Nordic’s latest adventure could be very special.
The world has been struck by a natural disaster, and the Tree of Life has been polluted. Your job is to save it.
Borrowing from hardcore RPGs, you’ll need to learn complex melee and ranged attacks to defeat an array of large and small foes.
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Thankfully, there’s a weapon crafting system, where ability points can be spent on upgrading gear.
To reach specific areas, you’ll need to equip items suitable to the area or borrow vehicles, such as jet skis and air balloons.
There’s also a dynamic weather system that affects enemy behaviour.
PES 2019
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October 2018
Konami’s football game will arrive a few days before FIFA 19 – which may help it bag a few early sales.
It’ll need all the help it can get. The football title was once again massively outsold by EA Sports’ offering last year – despite being arguably the better game.
We don’t know much about PES 2019, but expect a greater shift towards esports and online play – likely manifested in more leagues and tournaments.
Fox Engine will return, too.
FIFA 19
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October 2018
Need we say more?
We’re going out a limb here saying that dynamic weather will be a big feature in next year’s game.
Following the lootcrate saga with Star Wars Battlefront II, we could well see a revision of Ultimate Team packs, too.
The Frostbite engine will once again return, so don’t expect any huge visual overhauls.
Crackdown 3
Platform(s): Xbox, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
The third instalment of the popular Crackdown series was meant to be an Xbox One X launch title – but has been delayed yet again.
Gameplay sees you play as a cop tasked with ‘cracking down’ on the city’s growing crime problem.
Microsoft has promised the environments will be fully destructible, thanks to cloud computing technology. Don’t get too excited, though.
The game relies on Microsoft Azure for all the mayhem – so mass destruction will only be available in multiplayer – not in the single-player campaign.
Days Gone
Platform: PS4
Release date: TBC 2018
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: 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.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
We’re fairly certain COD: Black Ops 4 will be making an appearance next year. It’ll be developed by Treyarch, the team behind the last BLOPS games.
After COD WWII heralded a return to form, Activision will be looking to keep up the momentum.
Who knows, it may come with a remastered Modern Warfare 2?
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 – including ferocious storms.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
Red Dead will no doubt be one of the biggest games of the year – and introduces a load of new characters
RDR2 is a prequel to 2010’s incredible Red Dead Redemption and follows the story of outlaw Arthur Morgan, a member of the Dutch van der Linde gang.
That’s all we know for now – other than, like GTA V, we’d expect to control multiple characters.
Oh, and expect it to run on a modified version of the GTA V engine – so it’ll look pretty sweet.
The Last of Us: Part 2
Platform: PS4
Release date: TBC 2018
Yet another massive PS4 exclusive – and one that seems to have taken an age to materialise.
Thankfully Naughty Dog – the team behind the brilliant Uncharted games – have a reputation for making games that are well worth the wait.
Little is known about Joel and Ellie’s latest adventure but if the latest trailer is anything to go by, 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’s completely nuts.
The Crew 2
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
Ubisoft has certainly been busy this year – adding this follow-up to the 2014 racer to its ranks.
Little is known about the Crew 2 – apart from just how good it looks.
The biggest change is that you’re able to now race in the air or on the water – in cars that transform into planes and boats.
What’s not to like?
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 promises to be 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.
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.
Still, it’s got our vote of confidence.
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 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.