2016 is well and truly over and we’ve all had some time to adjust to our lives in the year 2017, although still not enough time to get the year right when writing it down. A fresh new year means a fresh new batch of games to get ridiculously excited about, and there are definitely some titles this year to do that. Here are some of the titles that I’m most looking forward to getting my hands on this year:
Number One: Resident Evil 7
I may be eating my words in a few months time, but Resi 7 does look like a return to form after the disappointment of the last two games. There definitely appears to be a stronger emphasis on horror, which is what the series desperately needs, and although the demos are definitely a result of the popularity of the Silent Hills demo P.T. Released a few years ago, this is definitely the right direction the series needs to go in to survive.
Number Two: Yooka Laylee
Former employees of the company Rare, who brought us classics such as Banjo Kazooie, have come together to form a new company and bring us a brand new 3D Platformer. The visuals look gorgeous, Grant Kirkhope is back to no doubt give a new generation music they’ll remember forever, and the gameplay looks to bring fun back into the world of video games.
Number Three: Rime
I’ve been buzzing for this game since it was first revealed, presenting a game that looked like a cross between the puzzle solving of Ico and the stylized visuals of Wind Waker. This game has a lot of promise and I cannot wait to get lost in this gorgeous world and explore.
Number Four: Thimbleweed Park
Ron Gilbert, the creator of Point n Click classics Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island, is returning to the genre that fans know and love him for to bring players a new story in the very retro pixel art style that many games from the heyday of Point n Click were created in. The game is said to be heavily influenced by The X-Files, Twin Peaks and the first season of True Detective, while still having that Ron Gilbert humour. This coupled together has me hoping for a great puzzle solving experience with a strong narrative.
Number Five: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
This list isn’t in any particular order, however if it was this game would definitely be taking top spot. The art style looks gorgeous, and the addition of a more open world map is going to make exploration and adventure an even greater emphasis on your quests. I’ve no doubt that this game is going to be taking up a lot of my time in 2017, and I look forward to living on the breadline for a few months having paid for my new Nintendo Switch and copy of the game.
Number Six: Crash Bandicoot: N Sane Trilogy
Having been a fan of the originals since they were first released back on the Playstation One, I am definitely excited to be playing these games again, completely redone from the ground up. The art style of the games already have my seal of approval, provided they keep that fun, fluid control style and the spirit of the originals, I can’t see any reason not to love this game.
Number Seven: Cuphead
Much like Rime this is a game I have been following for quite some time now, eagerly waiting its release. The game is a side scrolling platformer with an art style reminiscent of the classic Disney shorts from the 30’s and 40’s. The character design looks top notch, and the aesthetic approach they’ve gone with is completely spot on, making this one of the titles I cannot wait to play this year.
Number Eight: Telltale’s Guardians Of The Galaxy
Telltale have made some fantastic games in recent years, most notably their take on the Walking Dead universe, giving players the opportunity to shape their own story and be drawn in by interesting characters and narrative. Coupling this approach to game design with the wild, fun-filled adventures of Guardians Of The Galaxy, which is definitely my favourite of the Marvel films, I’m looking forward to experiencing this universe through a story by a studio who are at the top of their game right now.
Number Nine: Red Dead Redemption 2
Oh how long I’ve waited for this sequel and the opportunity to return to the old west. The original was a perfect marriage of enjoyable gameplay and strong narrative. If they manage to bring this strong balance to their new title while also giving us visuals fit for this current generation of console then this will certainly be a memorable gaming experience. Just make sure the multiplayer is better!
Number Ten: Rain World
This Indie title for Playstation, following the classic 16-bit aesthetic and platformer gaming style, really impressed me with its strange, surreal visuals and ethereal sounding score. The game itself looks to be very dark and mysterious, and going by the trailer looks to be just my cup of tea when it comes to games of this genre.
Honourable Mention: Death Stranding
Now I’ve included this in my honourable mentions list not because it doesn’t quite cut the mustard. It’s simply because although it is very unlikely it will be released this year I can still hope it will! What they’ve revealed of the game so far definitely has me intrigued, and although we may not be able to get our hands on this game until 2018, I’m still anticipating more news and information as to what this mysterious title is about this year.
So those are just a few of the games I’m most looking forward to playing this year. Please let us know in the comments what games you’re most looking forward to this year and why.