So with 2016 drawing to a close, it seemed only fitting we take a look at some anticipated games due to be released in 2017, which going off what we saw at both E3 and the Playstation Experience this year is already promising to be a year of fantastic releases. Here’s 9 up-coming games we’re ready to play now.
For Honor
Currently pencilled in for a Valentine’s Day release, this was one of the most exciting titles to come out of the Ubisoft conference at this year’s E3, where we got to see footage from the single-player campaign, which will allow you to play as either a Viking, Knight or Samurai. Our excitement for this title was only further confirmed with the pre-release Beta which while locked to multiplayer still showed us a game which goes a lot deeper than being a “Dynasty Warriors” clone.
READ MORE: Game Warp covers E3, a wrap-up of the best games of the show
Shenmue 3
Seeing how “Shenmue 2” was released for the Sega Dreamcast way back in 2001, it at one point looked like we would never get to see the further adventures of martial artist Ryo Hazuki and his quest to find his father’s killer Lan Dui. However, never underestimate the power of Kickstarter with the campaign launched by serious creator Yu Suzuki at E3 2015 raising $6.6 million to make the game.
Scheduled for Christmas 2017, fans still have a wait ahead of them, but with the quicktime elements of the original games being so common now, much like its open-world interactions, it remains to be seen how Suzuki plans on updating the series to meet current gamer expectations.
Days Gone
One of the big surprises of this year’s E3 and one initially mistaken as being a sequel for “The Last of Us,” this third-person open-world survival horror truly made our jaws drop with the gameplay footage we saw during the Playstation conference, promising massive hordes of zombies as well as a day-night cycle, which will affect the various zombie types making some harder to kill and more dangerous at night than during the day. Another game scheduled for the end of 2017 but one we are already looking forward to seeing more footage from in the coming months.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Set in a post-apocalyptic (yet surprisingly green) world overrun by robots who take on the forms of various wild animals, players take control of the hunter Aloy as she travels through this new world to discover its secrets. If 2017 didn’t already seem like the year dominated by Playstation, this currently looks to be the game which might have even the most die-hard X-box / Nintendo fan wanting to pick up a Playstation, especially as every reveal that we have seen for the game only adding to the excitement surrounding its release.
Agents of Mayhem
Set in the same world as the “Saints Row” games with nods to the “Red Faction” games, here Volition take a page out of GTA V’s multiple character mechanic as you control three of the twelve playable M.A.Y.H.E.M. agents as they battle against the terrorist organization L.E.G.I.O.N. Baring all the usual whit and carefree chaos of the Saints Row games, let alone featuring characters as diverse as a former Sky Pirate and a Hollywood actor, this is unquestionably going to be one of the year’s more original titles.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
With our coverage and impressions of the Resident Evil 7 demo, The Beginning Hour, there is no doubt that RE7 is a breath of fresh air, reaching back into its roots of survival horror but keeping a certain level of action involved as well. We now know about The Bakers and the general story of what this first person horror game is throwing us into. It looks like an incredibly creepy affair even if we play without VR. For those playing with VR, the experience will probably be more immersive as RE7 carries an ominous and disturbing atmosphere. Set for release on January 24, 2017, Resident Evil 7: biohazard is one of the first AAA titles to be released in the new year. If the game plays anything like the demo, this is one with high potential of success.
Little Nightmares
We are huge fans of the odd and creative Little Big Planet series over here. It comes as no surprise that Swedish game company Tarsier Studios is on our radar. Little Nightmares has been one we’ve been anticipating since we’ve heard of it. The web demo is available to try out if you haven’t already. Little Nightmares is an adventure suspense game where we play as a little girl called Six and her attempt to escape the world of The Maw. With a dark tone and haunting art and character and world designs, it is one that is hard to resist especially when our protagonist is in an oversized yellow raincoat. Little Nightmares does not have a fixed release date yet but from what we’ve seen, the general expectation is by mid 2017.
Detention
Probably unknown to many as with a lot of independent game titles, Detention released their launch trailer just days ago in anticipation for their release on January 12. Developed by Taiwanese game company, Red Candle Games, Detention is a 2D horror side scroller set in 1960s Taiwan under martial law. Two students are trapped inside a school because of a typhoon outside except weird things start happening. Detention currently has a playable demo available. The time frame Detention is set in is refreshing and will be a intriguing look at the influences of Taiwan culture. The music is influenced with Asian instruments in their various genre. The ombre colors of the school and atmosphere could prove to be an effective horror adventure.
Cuphead
Originally rumored to be released in 2016, indie Xbox exclusive game Cuphead is now slated for mid-2017. Cuphead is a title that certainly has caught our eye with Its art and music inspired by 1930s cartoons. The game is a classic gun and run focused on boss battles. You play as Cuphead or Mugman in single-player or co-op mode. You traverse worlds, learn super moves, acquire weapons, and discover secrets. Who doesn’t like a game full of action, right?
And here’s three more we’re keeping on eye on:
- Sonic Mania
- Halo Wars 2
- Mass Effect Andromeda