by ByteStixMy name’s Stix, and today I want to talk to you guys about something non-MMO related for a change.
This year has an amazing looking lineup of games set to release, and I personally look forward to playing each and every one of them.
Quick question though – what game are YOU most looking forward to this year?
Alright, so without beating around the bush – this is my list of games I’m most looking forward to that I think everyone should be playing this year!
Nioh.)
Nioh is an action role playing game created by Team Ninja for the PS4.
If you aren’t aware of whom Team Ninja are, then you may remember them from one of their more popular titles: Ninja Gaiden.
The game takes place in a dark fictionalized version of the late Sengoku Period. A time before Japan was unified. A time of war.
Amidst all the fighting, supernatural demons called Yokai have appeared and you, more or less, are sent to kill them all.
Fighting in Nioh is based around normal hack and slash combat, being able to run, dodge, sprint and combo your attacks together.
If you’re a fan of games like Dark Souls or Bloodborne, then Nioh may be right up your alley as it’s a fast, beautiful looking game that takes inspiration from,
but doesn’t actually rip off similar games.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild.)
I’m sure some of you have already played this little gem, but for those of you that haven’t, Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an open world role playing game set in the expansive Legend of Zelda universe.
Breath of the Wild is a truly huge game, taking a departure from the series’ norm and opting for an open world filled with things to do and explore.
What helps push Breath of the Wild further beyond its predecessors is the sheer freedom to do and go where you want as soon as you’re given the option to.
See that mountain off in the distance? Yeah, you can get there. You can scale it too to find out what lies atop it. Treasure? Monsters? Nothing at all? Who knows.
However actually reaching your destination is often where the fun lies.
Accompanying your exploration is an amazing soundtrack, filled with beautiful piano melodies and ambient sounds of wildlife.
Graphically, Breath of the Wild captures the colorful, fun side that Anime-inspired games can bring to the table, making the game lively and beautifully animated.
Weapons in Breath of the Wild actually wear down for the first time in a Zelda title, eventually breaking, causing you to never become too attached to a single sword or hammer, and always be ready to improvise by, say.. rolling over to that skeleton you just blew up and picking up one of its limbs!
Combat in Breath of the Wild overall is fun, dynamic, and always full of new experiences.
Persona 5.)
Persona 5 is a Japanese role playing game developed by Atlus for both the PS3 and PS4.
Although listed as number 5 in the series, it is chronologically the sixth installment in the entire Persona series.
Like its predecessors, Persona 5 takes place in Japan, or Tokyo more specifically, and follows the traditionally silent protagonist as he, and other characters around him awaken to strange powers.
In Persona 5, you take on the role of a high school student that is required to go to school, get a part time job, and mingle with the populace.
There is a large main cast – some of which are capable of becoming potential romantic interests if you’re into that kinda thing.
Accompanying your normal school life is dungeon exploration.
Your story dungeons are set within a realm called “The Palace,” whereas non-story specific dungeons are randomly generated and called “Memento dungeons”
both of which are populated by Shadows; manifestations of supressed psyches.
Like all Persona titles, Persona 5 uses a very traditional turn based combat system: Battles are initiated when you run into an enemy and all that jazz.
Mass Effect: Andromeda.)
Alright, so Mass Effect: Andromeda is an action role playing game developed by Bioware for the PS4, Xbox One and PC.
This will mark Mass Effect’s fourth entry into the series, and the first since the wildly agreed mess that was Mass Effect 3.
Mass Effect: Andromeda begins in the 22nd century, where humanity aims to populate new worlds within the Andromeda Galaxy referred to as “the Andromeda Initiative”.
You take on the role of an inexperienced military recruit named Scott or Sara Ryder, similarly to Commander Shepard, after a 600 year hibernation journeying to Andromeda.
The goal with Mass Effect: Andromeda has been to expand on popular mechanics in video games, such as utilizing a more open world, and placing a larger emphasis on player exploration.
Bioware are also changing the combat from previous installments to make it more mobile and less focused on cover.
Like previous Mass Effect games, Mass Effect: Andromeda features a romance system allowing you to.. woo some of your party members. ;^)
One thing I’m a little disappointed in however is their departure from the Paragon and Renegade morality system used in previous titles.
That was one of the things I loved most about Mass Effect. I laughed so fucking hard that I could punch Khalisah al-Jilani. Oh, god the memories.
Red Dead Redemption 2.)
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a stranger title, being an open world western action adventure video game developed by Rockstar Games for the PS4 and Xbox One.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the sequel to 2010’s Red Dead Redemption, and will be the third entry into the Red Dead series.
From what little information has been revealed thus far, Red Dead Redemption 2 looks to be a prequel to the first game.
We’ve recently been shown a map encompassing the game world as well, and from the looks of it, this is going to be quite a bit larger than the previous Red Dead Redemption game!
NeiR: Automata.)
Nier: Automata is an action role playing game game developed by Platinum Games for the PS4 and PC.
Nier: Automata is the sequel to the 2010 cult-hit RPG, Nier, which itself is a spin-off of the main Drakengard RPG series. If all that makes sense so far, then well done!
Now, Nier: Automata throws you right into the middle of a war between the last remnants of humanity, fighting back giant robotic aliens in an attempt to take back control of their world.
The gameplay is fast and beautifully handled, having you string together fluid combinations of attacks and forcing you to rotate between melee, gunplay, and healing, all while dodging within seconds of each other.
Regardless of whether you’re running around on foot, riding a wild animal, or piloting a mech, Nier: Automata definitely impresses.
Horizon Zero Dawn.)
Horizon Zero Dawn is an action role playing game developed by Guerilla Games for the PS4.
I swear this isn’t a PS4 fanboy’s wet dream! haha
Set at an unclear point in the future, humanity has mastered advanced robotic technologies, however shortly after, a calamity took place that caused the entire human civilization to collapse, leaving machines to dominate the planet.
The game takes place many years later, when mankind has regressed to a primitive tribal society, and follows a young orphaned hunter named Aloy, who, having been sheltered her whole life, seeks to find answers as to where she came from, and who her parents were.
The game world in Horizon Zero Dawn is absolutely insane. It is ridiculously huge and filled with beautiful landscapes, mechanical creatures, and wildlife.
Adding on to the landscapes are the different cities and towns you visit that are diverse and unique, showing different tribes and cultures scattered around the post apocalyptic world.
Like most open world RPG games these days, Horizon Zero Dawn gives you the ability to craft healing items, weapons and armor by harvesting or gathering resources from plants, animals and robots throughout the world.
The combat in Horizon Zero Dawn is great, leaving you to utilize traps like tripwires, a bow and arrow, explosives and of course traditional melee combat to name a few.
However, there are a couple moments throughout the game that throw your build out the window and all but require you to fight a specific way but that doesn’t detract from the overall great combat.
Prey.)
Prey is a first person shooter game developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks for PC, PS4 and XBox One.
Prey, although an FPS game supposedly blends in RPG elements into the game and has you take control of Morgan Yu, whose gender you are able to select, that awakes to find himself alone on a space station orbiting Earth.
Or at the very least, he thinks he’s alone. He’s not though. There are, in fact, a host of giant alien creatures that possess the ability to hide in plain sight – taking on the appearance of everyday objects like.. plants.. or cups, or chairs..
In Prey you have the same abilities as the aliens you’re fighting – having been the subject of experimentation in the past.
Therefore naturally, you’re given the option to customize Morgan Yu’s abilities and powers to suit your style of play.
Prey also features a crafting system, like most RPGs these days, although not much has been revealed on it up to this point other than the ability to find and collect resources via your Recycler Charge.
Star Citizen.)
Star Citizen is a crowdfunded space simulation game produced by Cloud Imperium Games for the PC.
Star Citizen is set in the 30th century Milky Way, and centers on the United Empire of Earth, where citizenship is earned through player actions such as completing a period of military service.
Unlike the rest of the games in this list, Star Citizen is being created with the intention of being an MMO, as opposed to a single player console game.
Similar to EVE Online, you’re thrown into a mostly player operated, player driven universe that combines space exploration, space trading, and space combat with first person shooter elements.
Players are able to complete missions to gain currency used to purchase, repair, and further upgrade their ships or to instead purchase items useable in trades.
That’s it, guys! That is my list of the best looking games coming out this year!
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What games are you looking forward to this year? Let us know in the comments section down below! We’ve love to hear from you!
Anyway guys, thank you all for watching and giving me a few minutes of your time today. I hope you leave this video looking forward to at least one of these games!
Have a great day and take care everyone. ;^)
