GAME ON: NEWCOMERS TO MATCH LAST YEAR’S GLORY
▶ Excellent releases made 2023 one of the best in the industry’s history. However, with classics rebooted and franchises expanded, the next 12 months could be even better,
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown January 18
The Prince of Persia franchise is one of the oldest series in the gaming world. Beginning with the 1989 title of the same name, the series has had some major triumphs throughout its history. While previous versions are still popular, there has not been a new mainline entry since 2010. That will change this month with the release of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
The games began as side-scrollers in which players control an adventurous prince. They evolved to become fleshedout 3D experiences that involve wall running and elaborate combat. However, this game returns to the series’ roots as a side-scrolling adventure. The Lost Crown, developed by Ubisoft, which is famous for the Assassin’s Creed franchise, will be available on multiple platforms.
Tekken 8 January 26
Fighting games continue to be extremely popular, with international tournaments offering large prize pools year-round.
One of the most popular in the genre is Tekken. The first game was released in 1995, while the most recent, Tekken 7, was unveiled in 2015.
The long wait for a newcomer will soon be over, with Tekken 8 merely weeks away from arriving on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. It will feature a roster of 32 fighters, with many characters returning from previous instalments and new ones being introduced.
The game is developed by Japan’s Bandai Namco.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League February 2
The Suicide Squad films have had a tumultuous experience at international box offices. The first one, released in 2016, received poor reviews.
The second, The Suicide Squad – released in 2021 and directed by James Gunn – garnered a much better reception.
Now the squad will have their own video game, which will be released within the Batman: Arkham series.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will feature the team from Gunn’s film and allow players to control different characters depending on the level and mission requirements.
Developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros Games, Kill the Justice League will arrive in early February on the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S.
Skull and Bones February 13
Inspired by the naval battles in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Skull and Bones is the next open-world game from French developer Ubisoft. It will follow the conquests of marauding 17th-century pirates.
Skull and Bones is set to be a tactical action game, played in third person much like the Assassin’s Creed games, with more focus on sailing in the open sea and plundering islands than targeting individuals.
The game will offer both a single-player campaign and a multiplayer option, which allows gamers to connect online and go on adventures together.
Skull and Bones will be playable on the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth February 29
The Final Fantasy franchise has become a cult favourite among gaming fans. The first three titles in the series, which were first released in 1997, are now being remade by developer Square Enix.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second remade game in the trilogy after the first was released in 2020. It will be an action role-playing game that follows protagonist Cloud Strife and his crew in their fight against the Shinra corporation.
The gameplay will involve real-time action combat as well as strategic elements to take on enemies. It is due for
release at the end of February and will be playable exclusively on the PlayStation 5.
Alone in the Dark March 20
Horror game fans can look forward to a new entry in the Alone in the Dark series, which first began in 1992.
The games are set in different locations, but the most famous is inside a haunted mansion.
The latest title is a reboot of the first and will feature the voices of actors Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) and David Harbour (Stranger Things).
Alone in the Dark is known for having a fixed camera angle for each room much like the early Resident Evil games, but the reboot will follow the main character instead.
The game has been developed by Pieces Interactive and published by THQ Nordic. The game will be playable on the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S.
Rise of the Ronin March 22
Described as having elements similar to the Assassin’s Creed games and Sekiro’s tough combat levels, Rise of the Ronin is the latest in a long line of games set in feudal Japan and will feature a samurai as a playable character.
The game is set in Edo (the former name of Tokyo) in the late 19th century and focuses on the Boshin War between the Tokugawa Shogunate and various anti-shogunate factions. The main character of the game is a customisable Ronin, a samurai without a lord or master, who the player can control.
Developed by Team Ninja, Rise of the Ronin will be exclusive to the PlayStation 5.
Black Myth: Wukong August 20
A game based on a famous Chinese mythical warrior is set to be released this year.
Black Myth: Wukong is being developed by the Chinese studio Game Science and will feature the Monkey King as the main playable character.
The Monkey King is revered in the country’s ancient culture and has previously been the subject of large-scale television productions and films, including 1986’s Journey to the West, which ran for two seasons. Netflix adapted the story for the animation The Monkey King, which was released in August.
Black Myth: Wukong is a fantastical open-world game that will allow players to fight and use magical powers such as transforming into other animals. The game will be playable on the PlayStation 4 & 5 and the Xbox Series X/S.
Star Wars Outlaws TBC
Last year, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor enjoyed huge success among gaming fans and critics alike. And the next instalment is not so far, far away.
Star Wars Outlaws, which does not have a confirmed release date, will follow Kay Vess and Nix, two smuggler thieves who take what they need to survive.
Set between episodes five and six of the film series, the game involves outlaws navigating the world to survive the scourge of the Evil Empire.
Game trailers show an interactive world more open than the one in Jedi: Survivor, with more customisation options for players.
Star Wars Outlaws has been developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft. The game will be playable on the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S.
Thank Goodness You’re Here! TBC
The next title by English game studio Coal Supper, Thank Goodness You’re Here!, looks like it will be a whimsical and eccentric gaming experience.
It does not have a confirmed release date, but will reportedly be set in a small village and feature mini games and adventures as players encounter characters.
The vibrant aesthetics of the game are reminiscent of cartoons, such as Regular Show and Adventure Time.
The game will be published by Panic Inc, the developer behind Untitled Goose Game, which became a hit on the Nintendo Switch for its simple yet memorable player experience.
When released, Thank Goodness You’re Here! will be playable on the Nintendo Switch and the PlayStation 5.