1) Red Dead Redemption 2
Although no official release date has been officially confirmed for the upcoming Rockstar Games title, fans are hoping that this highly-anticipated title will be released at some point in 2018. Recent reports have highlighted that there has been some rumours of a June 2018 release – but nothing has yet been set in stone – so all fans can unfortunately do is wait. In addition, hints of PC release of the upcoming game have also transpired, due to the new Doomsday Heist DLC allowing players to obtain a golden double action revolver – a gun in which will be available in Red Dead Redemption 2. I personally think that Rockstar should release Red Dead Redemption 2 on the PC, due to the high amount of GTA V copies sold on the PC and the monetary success from the dreaded micro-transactions – Rockstar would be foolish not to capitalise on the PC market.
The second instalment of the fan-favourite series will be a prequel to the first Red Dead Redemption as it follows the outlaw Arthur Morgan and his travels in the infamous Van Der Linge Gang as they cause chaos across the Wild West. If you wish you to watch the the trailer for the game you can check out KeenGamer's article on it.
2) Sea of Thieves
I have wanted a new pirate game for some time now, so when I first heard about the release of Sea of Thieves I was thrilled. Sea of Thieves is a new type of multiplayer game that delivers all you need to live the free-roaming pirate life. Whether adventuring as a group or sailing solo, you'll encounter other crews. But, will they be friends or foes, and how will you respond? You will soon be able to experience the pirates life, as Microsoft have set the game's official release date for March 2018.
After seeing footage of the game at this years E3 (see video above), I was stunned about how good the game looked. It is obvious the games developers have put a lot of effort into making the game look awesome for fans. Sea of Thieves uses cartoon-inspired graphics similar to Civilisation 6 – which works really well for the game. However, the only downside for me is that it is a Microsoft game, so there is a high chance the upcoming game will not be released onto the popular PC gaming platform Steam.
3) Far Cry 5
I first started to play the Far Cry series when the third instalment of the game was released back in 2012. Developers, Ubisoft Montreal, looked set to impress once again with this upcoming title, despite concerns being raised about the game being set in America (Montana to be precise). In the game you play as a Sheriff's Deputy, in Hope County, only to realise that the entire region has been taken over by a Doomsday Cult, known as the The Project at Eden's Gate. Therefore, you must rally the local resistance and wipe out the cult, before it is to late. Far Cry 5 is set for a March 2018 release on PS4, Xbox and PC.
One of the pinnacle selling points of a Far Cry game is usually the villain – as seen in Vaas in Far Cry 3 and Pagan Min in Far Cry 4 – who were both incredible villains might I add. So, who is the villain in the upcoming title? The leader of the Doomsday Cult, is called The Father (aka Joseph Seed), it is likely he will be the highlight of the game, but the main questions is will he live up the heights of Vaas and Pagan Min? Whatever the case, Far Cry 5 looks like it could be one of the best upcoming titles in 2018.
4) Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger DLC
Despite this not being a full game, I thought it would be a great instalment onto the list, due to the high amount of additional features being added to the game. Upon its announcement, many fans thought the DLC would be available to purchase prior to Christmas, but that was not the case. Developers, Paradox, said the upcoming DLC would be available at some point in the New Year, but it can be pre-ordered from their official webpage. The new DLC, titled Waking the Tiger, focuses mainly around China, and how their failed empire left them totally unprepared for their conflict against the Japanese Empire in the late 1930s; it adds a focus tree to both the Chinese Republic, led by Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-Shek, and Communist China, led by Chairman Mao Zedong.
In addition, the new DLC will add a whole host of new features despite it mainly focusing around the Chinese conflict, including: the chain of command which allows players to unite armies under field marshals who can take advantage of generals under their direction; an updated Japanese focus tree which allows more paths for the Asian conflict and alternative history paths such as an alliance with the Soviet Union; an updated German focus tree which gives players the opportunity to oppose Adolf Hitler and replace him with the exiled Kasier Wilhelm II, and many more invigorating features.
5) God of War
Although, it was initially rumoured to be released this year, the E3 trailer for the game, finished with the words 'Early 2018'. Nevertheless, fans are eager to see what developers, SIE Santa Monica Studio, can conjure for this upcoming title. The game takes place after the events of the previous games, and sees the return of Kratos, who is now raising his son in a world with a new pantheon – The Norse Gods. Information regarding the game has been limited, with Sony and Santa Monica Studios being extremely cautious of leaks.
However, from trailers and gameplay we have seen from the game, it looks like fans will not be disappointed, as God of War looks set to continue its famous gory brutality and beat-em-up styled mechanics – which is becoming ever more uncommon in the modern age of gaming. Despite fans only having a vague idea of what the game will actually entail, the PS4 exclusive will release in Early 2018.
6) The Last of Us 2
No surprises here, as Naughty Dog's second instalment of the The Last of Us is set to be one of the most highly anticipated games of the year – if not the decade – due to the high successes of the first game, which was released on the PS3 in 2013. Recently, reports have surfaced about the game being in a 'total mess', but despite this the game is still hopefully set for a 2018 release on the PS4. Naughty Dog have been very secretive about the game, and have not released any solid information regarding its official release date.
Naughty Dog revealed that The Last of Us: Part 2 will take place five years after the first game, with a nineteen year old Ellie being the game's main character. Joel will also make a return to the game, and from trailer footage it signposts that Ellie is not very happy about something – I wonder what that could be? However, as previously mentioned, the game does not have a cemented release date – so whether it will be released next year, who knows?
Summary
Overall, 2018 looks a great year for the gaming industry, and the games in this list most definitely showcase this fact. I apologise for not being able to fit all the upcoming games on the list, as I appreciate there are some great titles coming out on the increasingly popular Nintendo Switch console such as Kirby Star Allies and the upcoming Pokemon game. So all we can do now is wait, and see what 2018 actually turns out like for gaming. In the mean time, please be sure to check out Nick's article which reviews 2017, and what kind of a year it has been for gamers.
