E3 2018, the biggest gaming expo on the planet, kicks off next week – bringing with it a host of brilliant new games.
From shooters to racing games, RPGs to sports sims, there’s something for everyone this year.
Here, we pick out 22 incredible titles you’d be mad not to add to your pre-order list.
The Crew 2
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: June 29
Ever wanted to park a hyper car on top of a skyscraper? Or ‘skydive’ from 36,000ft sat in the driving seat of a BMW? How about ‘ski’ a speedboat down a mountain?
For The Crew 2’s creative director Stephane Beley, fun is the driving force behind this huge open-world racer – which parks realism in favour of adrenaline-fuelled thrills the Fast and Furious series could only dream of.
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Its piece-de-resistance? The ability to transform on-the-fly from a car to a boat or plane.
“We have to say we are an arcade game,” Beley explains. “The Crew 2 is an easy-to-access game but you have a steep learning curve, too.
“If you want more of a challenge, you can get rid of all the driving assists – which really help the more causal players – to create a more simulation-like experience.”
To keep things interesting, there are four different hubs – each with their own theme and playstyle.
These range from off-road motocross events to pro-racing and drifting competitions (the latter of which takes some getting used to).
The world can be explored co-cooperatively, too – so if you’ve ever wanted to go on a virtual US road trip with a pal, this game is for you.
PES 2019
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: August 29 2018
Konami’s football game will arrive a couple of months before FIFA 19 – which may help it bag a few early sales.
This year’s game takes player individuality to the next level by introducing a variety of new skill traits. These include cross over turn, no-look pass, controlled chip, dipping shot and rising shot.
Thanks to ‘Enlighten’ software, true-to-life visual effects and 4K HDR is supported across all platforms.
Real time ‘Global Illumination’ lighting and shadows results in better crowd detail, real grass textures and the return of the popular snow weather effect.
You can read more about PES 2019 here.
Spider-Man
Platform: PS4
Release date: September 7
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.
Expect to see plenty of gameplay come out of Sony’s show.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October 12
This is the first COD to ship without a single-player campaign.
Instead it focuses on various online multiplayer experiences, including a new battle royale mode called Blackout.
Zombies will also return, with co-operative play, while Treyach also announced classic maps – such as Nuketown – will feature.
Single player was scrapped after stats revealed a tiny proportion of gamers played it – with most jumping straight into multiplayer.
Still, it seems a such shame.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October 26
Red Dead will no doubt be one of the biggest games of the year – and introduces loads 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 it looks as though it’s running on a modified version of the GTA V engine – so it’ll look pretty sweet.
Expect to see more news at E3 – most likely at the Sony press conference – as Rockstar is doing PS4-specific pre-order bonuses.
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.
That and the Champions League.
The Frostbite engine will once again return, so don’t expect a huge visual overhaul.
Check out everything you need to know about FIFA 19 here.
Rage 2
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2019
Rage 2 will run on Avalanche’s APEX engine, known for powering games such as Just Cause.
It blends Avalanche’s expertise for open-world design with iD Software’s nous for first-person gunplay.
Vehicular combat was a dominant theme in the trailer they released last month, so expect a huge variety of cars to choose from.
The trailer also highlighted the array of environments, which range from forests to barren deserts.
With its colourful, vibrant look, fans will be eagerly awaiting to find out more.
Assassins Creed Odyssey
Platform(s): Xbox One, PS4 and PC
Release date: TBC 2018
Ubisoft has kept most details under wraps, but after a leak they were forced to reveal the game – and a gameplay snippet – suggesting it’s set in ancient Greece.
After the success of Origins, expect Ubisoft to raise the bar yet again – with new characters, environments and a compelling story.
We’re almost certain the combat system, which debuted last year to rave reviews, will return.
Beyond Good and Evil 2
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One (TBC)
Release date: TBC
Not much is known about this Ubisoft title – but there’s already plenty of hype building.
You’ll start the game at the ‘very bottom of the social system’ – rising through the ranks from pirate to a legendary captain, leading ships into huge battles.
Much like the 2003 original, gameplay will be a mixture of action and adventure – with puzzle solving and stealth-based elements.
We’re a little excited for this one.
Darksiders 3
Platform(s): PC, PS4, and Xbox One
Release date: TBC 2018
If you’ve never experienced Darksiders before, then now’s the time to jump in.
The series seamlessly blends third-person combat with puzzle solving and exploration in a post-apocalyptic world.
In this edition you’ll play as Fury as you try to defeat the seven deadly sins – a group of powerful enemies.
Definitely one to keep your eye on.
Biomutant
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
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.
Strange Brigade
Platform(s): Xbox, PC, PS4
Release date: TBC 2018
This 1930s co-operative survival horror game is shaping up to be one of the year’s more intriguing prospects.
Here, you and three others team up to take on a bunch of ‘strange’ supernatural forces – lurking in treacherous tombs and forgotten civilizations.
Gameplay is fast and frantic as you battle against hordes of nasties – harking back to zombie shooter, Left for Dead.
Thankfully, you’ll have plenty of weapons at your disposal – from 12 gauge ‘Krakatoa’ shotguns to sticks of dynamite and scoped ‘Westminster 1895’ scoped rifles.
There’s not much to go on right now, but Rebellion – the team behind the brilliant Sniper Elite 4 – certainly know what they’re doing.
Bring it on.
A Plague Tale: Innocence
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
If you hate rats then you may want to skip this part.
You play as Amicia and her little brother Hugo, both orphans and on the run from the terrifying Inquisition.
Along the way you need to survive supernatural swarms of rats that appeared with the great plague infecting across cities and countryside.
The technology is incredible – with thousands of the creatures appearing the screen at once.
Battlefield V
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
As suspected, Battlefield V is set during World War II.
The game has no loot boxes and all the maps will be free (well played, EA).
For the first time, you’ll be able to shoot grenades out of mid-air or drag a downed soldier out of the line of fire to heal them.
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You’ll also be able to fortify your encampments with things like sandbags or stationary weapons.
Add to the mix a new Grand Operations mode – battles set across multiple stages – and a co-operative campaign, and you’re on to a winner.
Crackdown 3
Platform(s): Xbox, PC
Release date: February 2019
The third instalment of the popular Crackdown series was meant to be an Xbox One X launch title – but has been delayed yet again to February next year.
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.
Still, expect playable code at E3 as Microsoft looks to continue momentum.
Metro Exodus
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
Metro Exodus is 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, 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.
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 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.
Bayonetta 3
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release date: TBC 2018
The witch is back, in the latest action shooter from PlatinumGames.
Weird, sexy and with hyper-stylised gameplay, Bayonetta will build on what made the last two games hits.
Be sure to check out the original and brilliant sequel, which both arrived on Switch earlier this year.
Yoshi
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release date: TBC 2018
Another big release from Nintendo will see the return of egg-gobbling dino, Yoshi.
Here, you’ll guide Mario’s trusty sidekick through a load of different worlds – all brought to life via a papercraft style.
Don’t let its childish looks fool you – this will be far tougher than it looks. Expect Nintendo to show off playable code and new levels at their conference.
Days Gone
Platform: PS4
Release date: TBC 2019
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.
It’s developed by the team behind the brilliant Syphon Filter games – so expect plenty of action and a well-paced narrative.
Sadly it’s been pushed back to 2019… hopefully it’s worth the wait.
Anthem
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2019
Another game to be pushed back to next year.
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 has added massive world-altering occurrences – including ferocious storms.
We can’t wait to learn more.
Oh, and check out the rumoured games of this year’s E3 here.
Dream Team World Cup has landed
The greatest show on Earth just got that bit more exciting.
That’s because the Dream Team World Cup game is coming ahead of this summer’s tournament.
Dream Team World Cup
- Completely free to enter
- £50m budget and 20 transfers throughout the tournament
- £175k total prizepot (for UK players only)
- PRE-REGISTER FOR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP NOW
The game officially launches on June 1 – but you can pre-register for the game now.
If you’re an existing Dream Team customer the World Cup game now appears in the app or you can enter here, but if you’re not follow these simple steps:
- Download the Dream Team app
- Create an account
- Click on the World Cup banner below in the app and follow the pre-registration instructions
From Russia with a whole lot of love.
