19 massive games still to come this year
These are the games you absolutely have to play over the next three months...
The 19 most anticipated games of 2017
2016 was a great year for gaming, but this one is turning out to be up there with the best of all time.
We’ve already had some brilliant releases, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Horizon: Zero Dawn, and there’s still plenty more ahead. Here are 19 more to add to your wish list before the year is out.
1. Super Mario Odyssey
Mario has always inhabited strange worlds, but Nintendo’s creative energy hits new heights in this Switch exclusive, as Mario’s hat can now possess nearly anything around him. That means you’ll be able to control a dinosaur, a flagpole, a tank, and many of the classic franchise foes from over the years. We called it "big and risky and creative" after we finished the demo at E3 – Odyssey seems like a total delight.
Due: 27 October on Nintendo Switch
2. Assassin’s Creed Origins
Set in ancient Egypt, this open-world precursor tells the story of how the Assassins were founded, and does so while reinvigorating the familiar historical action. Egypt feels very alive and full of fun possibilities, thanks in part to the new eagle scouting ability, while the Dark Souls-esque combat and glossy facelift are also intriguing.
Due: 27 October on PS4, Xbox One and PC
3. Star Wars Battlefront II
If there was one key complaint about EA’s first Star Wars Battlefront, it was the lack of a true story-driven campaign – but Battlefront II has that covered. You’ll fill the boots of Empire commander Iden Versio, who sees the second Death Star go boom in the sky and vows revenge. Multiplayer returns too, with 40-player showdowns spanning all three film eras and a larger focus on space combat.
Due: 17 November on PS4, Xbox One and PC
4. Call of Duty: WWII
After several years of modern and futuristic battles, Call of Duty is finally going back to its roots, with a campaign that focuses on Europe in the last years of the war. Besides the cinematic campaign, we’ll see a return to boots-on-the-ground multiplayer – no more jetpacks, thanks to the era rollback. And even if the campaign aims for historical accuracy, the Nazi Zombies mode is back for some undead antics.
Due: 3 November on PS4, Xbox One and PC
5. The Sims 4
It’s been years since EA has released a new Sims game for consoles but The Sims 4 is coming to PS4 and Xbox One, three years after the original PC release. The core of the famed life simulation remains largely unchanged, but there’s more of a focus on emotions, more ways to create the Sim of your choosing, and a lot more possibilities for living your life.
Due: 17 November on PS4 and Xbox One
6. Sky
Sky is the latest game from brilliant indie studio thatgamecompany – the folks behind the essential Journey, plus the wondrous Flower before it. But this will be its first-ever mobile game. Sky looks as though it shares some DNA with Journey, at least as far as collaborative play experiences go, albeit now in the clouds as little flying creatures. It’s coming first to iOS and Apple TV, but it will definitely be a multiplatform release beyond that.
Due: TBA 2017 on iOS
7. Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Looking for an elaborate, extensive time sink on the Switch later this year? Xenoblade Chronicles 2 should do the trick. Don’t worry if you missed the previous Wii and Wii U entries: XC2 features a fresh world with new characters, and from the looks of the trailer, it’s packed with plenty of JRPG drama and excitement. Sadly, it’s unclear if the giant playable mech suits return in this one – but really, why wouldn’t they?
Due: Q4 2017 on Nintendo Switch
8. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon piggyback off of last year’s Sun and Moon, offering up a new storyline set in the same world along with fresh Pokémon and other play elements. It’s insane that this isn’t on the Switch, but we can’t turn down some Pikachu-packed fun, wherever it is.
Due: 17 November on Nintendo 3DS/2DS
9. Need for Speed: Payback
EA may not have the Fast and the Furious film licence to play with, but Need for Speed: Payback certainly seems to mirror the action-car-flick franchise’s ethos. This story-driven new entry focuses on a crew attempting to take down an underground cartel, and it promises big action set-pieces amidst the heart-pounding racing.
Due: 10 November on PS4, Xbox One and PC
10. Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds
Horizon Zero Dawn is this year’s must-play PS4 original, and The Frozen Wilds is its first must-have expansion pack. Along with a frosty setting, The Frozen Wilds promises a fresh storyline, a new area populated by unseen machines, and hopefully a hearty chunk of additional gameplay. We don’t know much more at this point, but it’s more Horizon, so we’re sold.
Due: 7 November on PlayStation 4
11. South Park: The Fractured But Whole
Read the title super fast. Got it? Yeah, this is South Park alright. This time, Cartman is trying to earn a heap of cash by making his own superhero film franchise, and naturally that leads to all sorts of vulgar, violent shenanigans. Whatever you do, don’t play this one with the kids around. If you missed The Stick of Truth, it comes free with pre-orders.
Due: 17 October on Xbox One, PS4 and PC
12. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Set in an alternate reality where the Nazi’s won the war, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus doesn’t seem like it’ll break from The New Order‘s entertaining formula. Here, you’ll take charge of BJ Blazkowicz as you attempt to free America from the Nazi grip, using an array of odd futuristic technology and weapons to destroy the evil bar stewards in as many gruesome, over-the-top ways as you can think of.
Due: 27 October on PS4, Xbox One and PC
13. Gran Turismo Sport
With Project Cars 2 and Forza 7 already out on the track it’s been a good year for racing fans – and it’s about to get even better. As always, Gran Turismo Sport is targeted at racing die-hards, but the multiplayer aspect is enhanced with new online championships governed by the real-life FIA racing body. Also, it will have PlayStation VR support via a special VR Tour Mode, but sadly not throughout the entire game.
Due: 17 October on PS4
14. Fire Emblem Warriors
We’ll have to wait until next year to get a proper new Switch entry in the much-loved, mostly-handheld Fire Emblem strategy franchise, but maybe Fire Emblem Warriors can keep fans sated in the meantime. Koei’s Dynasty Warriors template is used again here, for a wild hack-and-slash affair against hundreds upon hundreds of generic soldiers.
Due: 20 October on Switch and New Nintendo 3DS
15. Battle Chef Brigade
Battle Chef Brigade comes with an uncommon premise: it’s a cooking game, but also a beat-’em-up of sorts, but also a puzzle game – with a fantasy setting. This upcoming indie gem has been on the horizon for a few years now and was crowdfunded, but now with the finish line in sight, Adult Swim Games on as publisher, and a Nintendo Switch version out at launch, we’ll soon be able to savour this intriguing treat.
Due: Holiday 2017 on Switch and PC
16. LA Noire
Another one of Rockstar’s excellent last-gen originals is making the move to current consoles. All three editions of the 1940s-set cinematic detective game will include all of the previous downloadable content, as well. And if you have an HTC Vive, L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files is also coming at the same time, delivering self-contained cases from the original game, albeit without the open world around it.
Due: 14 November on PS4, Xbox One, Switch and HTC Vive
17. Doom VFR
Last year’s Doom reboot was pretty awesome, so adding a VR element is fine by us. That first-person shooter would be a little too frenzied for virtual reality, so Doom VFR keeps the energy of the original experience with a bit less movement. It sounds awkward, and there’s definitely a learning curve, but we’ve tried it and it looks and feels pretty great on HTC Vive. Hopefully it’s the same on PlayStation VR.
Due: 1 December on HTC Vive and PlayStation VR
18. Okami HD
This stunning, Legend of Zelda-esque quest puts you in the paws of wolf goddess Amaterasu as you try to protect the land from approaching darkness. The game’s one-of-a-kind brush style will look better than ever thanks to this hi-def remaster, which supports 4K resolution and widescreen. But where’s the Switch version? It’d be perfect for Nintendo’s go-anywhere console.
Due: 12 December on PS4, Xbox One and PC
19. Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2
Like many of you, we’ve probably played a few too many Lego games over the years – but Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 wins some favour by serving up a diverse array of locales, from Wakanda to Asgard, along with fan-favourite characters like Ms. Marvel and Howard the Duck.
Due: 14 November on Switch, PS4, Xbox One and PC
