With the holidays approaching (well, kinda — I’m already excited, though), the big season for video games is coming up. I always look forward to buying games for myself as the year comes to a close, and if I’m lucky, I get some time off work and can invest those hours in my new games!
Last holiday season, I played a lot of Fallout 4 and Rise of the Tomb Raider. I even remember being home and my mom, who doesn’t play games at all, helping me solve some of the tombs. There was another year when I brought my Xbox 360 home for Christmas and, after everyone had gone to bed, stayed up alone to replay BioShock Infinite. It was so much fun. I guess this is why video games have become intertwined with the holidays in my mind.
So, without further adieu, here is the big list of video games I’m looking forward to purchasing in the coming months. I’ve put them all on my personal calendar, so I can get a notification when a new one comes out. (I’m a dork like that.)
SEPTEMBER
ReCore: Though still not entirely sure what the gameplay will be like, ReCore grabbed my attention at this year’s E3. I love the idea of playing a girl in a sci-fi game with several robot companions she can whip up to help her in combat. The price point ($40) feels just right to dig into this one!
Destiny – Rise of Iron: I’ll be honest in saying that I haven’t been keeping up with all things Destiny lately. I was obsessed with the game at the beginning of the year, and while I still love it, I’m not big on multiplayer or raids, so my interest has kind of dwindled as I’m all storied out. Rise of Iron brings a new storyline and strike, so those are going to be my focus when it comes out! Any new content I can play, just me and my partner, will be awesome.
OCTOBER
Gears of War 4: Do you guys know how much I love Gears of War? I played the whole trilogy and Judgment in the past year — all co-op with my partner — and it has been incredible. Some games I’ve even played twice since then.
I’m in love with the burly, over-the-top characters; the gorgeous, destroyed settings; the enemies who growl “Grenade” when they’re flinging one at you; the humor of the squad bickering and then patting each other on the backs; the ever-presence of a character named Carmine; that sexy lancer; the radishes. This list could go on forever.
Gears of War 4 looks like it’s sticking to traditional Gears style rather than innovating too much, and I’m into that. Even though we have all-new characters and enemies now, I can’t wait to dive back into the gritty Gears gameplay again.
The Last Guardian: I really enjoyed Shadow of the Colossus. I’ve been waiting for this one for a long time — maybe not with breath as bated as some superfans, but still. This might not be a day one buy for me, but it could be a nice game to play if I get any time off for the holidays.
NOVEMBER
Dishonored 2: Recently I replayed the first Dishonored game to refresh my memory and prepare for this second installment. The first game is set in a steampunk-style world where the bodyguard Corvo turns into a silent assassin — or you can stealth your way with sleep darts and knock-outs if you prefer not to kill anyone. (I tried that twice. I failed twice. I have no patience, guys.)
Dishonored 2 has a new city setting but the same beautiful art style that makes the first so remarkable. It also features the return of Corvo — older now — as well as a new playable character, who was just a young girl in the first game. I can’t wait to try playing as both of them, though I’ll probably choose Emily for my first round. This will likely be a day one purchase for me!
Watch_Dogs 2: The first Watch Dogs game didn’t really appeal to me. While I like the idea of hacking in a game, I wasn’t captured by any real sense of story when I watched trailers. Watching my boyfriend play a little bit, it reminded me more of Grand Theft Auto than anything else, as you steal cars and drive around on missions.
However, Watch_Dogs 2 is set in San Francisco, where I live. It also features a new protagonist who looks more relatable to me than the first. Add to that the super-cool handmade weapon he brandishes, and I’m ready to play this game as soon as it comes out!
What video games are on your list this year?
— Ashley
Robo♥beat 
Good list! ReCore looks interesting, as it has some interesting ideas of including platforming mechanics and appears to be using the Metroid Prime method of aiming. The premise is neat, and sounds original too.
Watch_Dogs 2 is something that I’ll be watching considering that I actually enjoyed the first installment, though I’m still a little skeptical. Money is tight, so I might not get to buy it right away though. Obviously Forza Horizon 3 is on the schedule for me, along with Steep… I can’t think of much else, which probably makes my bank account feel better.
Yeah I agree about ReCore! So do you think you won’t like Watch Dogs 2 as much as the first? Money is tight for me as well, so in some cases I’ll have to pick and choose my day one purchases! It sounds hard to choose now, but it might be good for me considering i tend to stockpile games and should really buy fewer and finish more. :)
I’m just hesitant. I haven’t heard much on it, though I’m glad that Ubisoft haven’t been trying to overload us with hype. I like the idea of hacking being a little more intricate this time around, and nonlethal options becoming more prevalent.
We’ll see I suppose. I’ll likely end up trying to convince my wife to let me buy it.
There aren’t really a lot of upcoming games on my radar at the moment, honestly. ME: Andromeda, but that’s still aways off. Mostly gonna be occupied with WoW and SW:TOR for the next while, I think, and I still have a few games in my Steam backlog I haven’t gotten to yet.
Still tempted to pick up The Division at some point, but it’s expensive, and I’ve already got plenty to play. Also, as noted in the past, Blizzard owns my soul, so I’ll probably end up getting Overwatch sooner or later, but for now I’m trying to stay strong and remain committed to not getting it until it either drops in price or has a bit more to offer.
Speaking of Blizzard, I guess the one thing I’m really hyped about in the near future is the Nova DLC for StarCraft II. I do love me some Nova. I’ve held back on playing the first two parts because I want all three to be out so I can do them all in one go. Part three should be coming relatively soon now. They said it’d be out by December at the latest — a lot of people are saying November, if only because, well, that’s her name.
Yeah, Andromeda is the game I’m most excited for in general! Can’t wait for that one to come out. I tried The Division and really didn’t like it, but I know I’m in the minority there. That would be cool to play Overwatch, I have thought about it as well but haven’t quite gotten the motivation to spend the money on it either!
We are looking forward to a lot of the same games this Fall! ReCore, Gears 4, The Last Guardian, Watch Dogs 2 and Gravity Rush 2 are the ones I’m most excited to play the rest of the year. I do think Dishonored 2 looks awesome too. I loved all those powers they showed off in the E3 demo I watched. Looks super fun. I haven’t gotten around to playing the first one yet, so I need to get to that first.
Nice! I agree, the powers in Dishonored 2 look awesome. They’re why I liked the first game so much too! Hope you enjoy it if you play it. :)
I can’t decide between Titanfall 2, Infinite Warfare, and Battlefield 1 to fill my multiplayer itch…
Dishonored 2 and Re-Core are my top single player candidates for now!
Nice! Oh yeah, I might try Titanfall 2, I didn’t play the first one!
Me either! The fact there is a story this time is drawing me in though!
I’m so excited for The Last Guardian! Mainly because I really want my very own Trico (haha) and I can’t wait to see how the relationship between the boy and creature develops and the fun you can have interacting with one another.
Me too, I’m really curious how the story will play out! I was surprised by Shadow of the Colossus.
Final Fantasy XV was a big one on my list, haven’t gotten it yet but it looks like it could play out as a big success. Watch Dogs 2 was another one on my list, the first one seemed like a bit of a disappointment, so I was hoping and hoping that Ubisoft would learn from their mistakes and make a great game in Watch Dogs 2.
Oh yeah, I’ve heard a lot of good things about Fibsl Fantasy XV so far, I don’t have a strong desire to play it but I might get around to it sometime! Definitely curious how Watch Dogs 2 goes for the same reason you’re saying! Are you playing it now?
No, I haven’t gotten it yet, I’m hoping to read a few more reviews before I make a purchase. Just to make sure it’s actually good.