Can you believe another year has come and gone since last year’s E3? Neither can I, and while this year’s showcase wasn’t spectacular in my opinion, there were still quite a few surprises I liked. I’m going to post trailers and details for each game I’m hyped for here. Let’s dive in!
The Outer worlds
Developed by Obsidian Entertainment
Available on PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date October 25, 2019
I’ll start with Microsoft who opened their show with The Outer Worlds, and it still looks great! It reminds me of if Fallout met Bioshock, so I have some high hopes for this title. What’s even better is I’ll get to play it day one with Games Pass!
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Developed by Moon Studios
Available on Xbox One, PC
Release date February 11, 2020
Ninja Theory, now part of the Xbox Games Studio family since last year, revealed their new multiplayer game called Bleeding Edge. It looks pretty zany and crazy, but I’m not sure if it’s for me to be honest. What is for me though is Ori and the Will of the Wisps—this action platformer looks even crazier in difficulty than the original. It also looks even more beautiful, which says a lot.
JEDI: Fallen Order
Developed by Respawn Entertainment
Available on PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date November 15, 2019
The more footage I see of JEDI: Fallen Order, the more excited I get, especially because it’s coming this year in November. It’s basically giving nerds everywhere the ability to live out their Jedi dreams.
Cyberpunk 2077
Developed by CD Projekt RED
Available on PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date April 16, 2020
Keanu Reeves in Cyberpunk 2077 was fucking insane—I have no idea how that was a secret for so long, but the game looks dope and I can’t wait to play it when it drops April, 16 of next year.
Battletoads
Developed by Dlala Studios
Available on Xbox One
Release date TBA
Microsoft finally revealed a new entry in the Battletoads series, but I don’t know if I have the patience for it anymore. Sure, I enjoyed the original on Nintendo, but I never got past the bullshit racing section sooooooo.
12 Minutes
Developed by Nomada
Available on PC, Consoles TBA
Release date TBA
A new smaller indie game was shown called 12 Minutes which looked interesting. It’s an interactive thriller with a top-down view about a man stuck in a time loop who’s trying to solve a murder that his pregnant wife knows something about.
Xbox One Elite Controller Series 2
Developed by Xbox
Release date November 4, 2019
Microsoft also revealed a totally redesigned Xbox One Elite controller that looks slick AF. There’s no doubt it’s expensive at $179, so if you want a deal than you may want to be on the lookout for the original Elite controller to drop in price. Rubberized grips and 40 hours of playtime do sound pretty great though, so long as this one doesn’t suffer the same reputation as it’s predecessor regarding lack of durability.
Xbox Project Scarlett
Developed by Microsoft
Release date Holiday 2020
Now that PS4 and Xbox One are six or so years into their life cycle, the next generation of consoles are on the horizon. From the sparse details we know from each platform holder, it sounds like both machines will be fairly similar. Anyway, check out Microsoft’s video of some devs saying how incredible the next Xbox will be with buzzwords like “ray-tracing” and “SSD”. Bottom line: it should be a beast.
Halo Infinite
Developed by 343 Industries
Release date Holiday 2020
I called this one from a mile away (just like I called next gen starting in 2020), but Microsoft revealed Halo Infinite will be a launch title for the next Xbox. We haven’t seen any gameplay, but I have confidence 343 and Microsoft will get this one right. And if they don’t it’s no skin off my back thanks to it being a Games Pass title.
Phantasy Star Online 2
Developed by Sega
Available on Xbox One
Release date Spring 2020
Sega is bringing Phantasy Online 2 to the West for the first time ever on Xbox and as someone who has never played the original, it totally looks like something I’d be into.
Tales of Arise
Developed by Bandi Namco
Available on PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date 2020
Oh, and to indulge my fantasy kick even further is the beautiful looking Tales of Arise. As a newcomer to the Tales series, I really enjoyed Tales of Vesperia and am really looking forward to this latest entry.
Elden Ring
Developed by From Software
Available on PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date
Feeding my need for fantasy worlds even further is Elden Ring, the new action RPG developed by From Software in partnership with George PR Martin. That’s about all we have to go on now, but hopefully it will be great.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Developed by Square Enix
Available on PS4
Release date March 3, 2020
We also finally got a release date for the Final Fantasy VII remake—March 3, 2020 and as someone who never finished the original, I’m interested in checking this classic out with a fresh coat of paint.
Gods & Monsters
Developed by Ubisoft
Available on PS4, xbox One, Switch, PC
Release date February 25, 2020
There was only one thing that stuck out me from Ubisoft’s presser and that was a new IP called Gods & Monsters which straight up looked like Breath of the Wild, and that’s definitely a great game to be compared to.
The Legend of Zelda Link’s Awakening
Developed by Nintendo
Available on Switch
Release date September 20, 2019
An adorable remake of a Zelda classic? Sign me up! I never played the GBA original, but holy hell does this remake look absolutely wonderful! I have my copy preordered (ew, I know, don’t preorder) and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Trials of Mana
Developed by Square Enix
Available on Switch
Release date Early 2020
I’ve never played any of the games from the Mana series, but my newfound RPG kick has me taking a look at the series. I remember being interested in the Secret of Mana remake on Vita, but I never pulled the trigger. Well, Trials of Mana looks like a title that’s right up my alley now and I can’t wait to check it out.
The Witcher III
Developed by CD Projekt RED
Available on Switch
Release date 2019
Ahhhhhh, The Witcher. More specifically, The Witcher III. I never got anywhere near beating this title. I recently picked it up on Xbox One and was at a crossroads—I wanted badly to experience that world from my bed or on the go, so I was playing The Witcher III on Xbox One X while also playing Dragon’s Dogma on Switch….both games are great, but now my wish has been fulfilled! I will 100% be picking up this game on Switch as long as the gameplay isn’t absolutely atrocious. Knowing the team at CD Projekt RED though, I don’t think that will be an issue.
Astral Chain
Developed by Platinum Games
Available on Switch
Release date August 30, 2019
Platinum Games really fucking disappointed me with TMNT Mutant in Manhattan. I remember seeing the trailer and screens leak at 4am (I don’t remember why I was awake) and I couldn’t believe how incredible it looked. Finally, it seemed as if we were going to get the TMNT game fans have deserved. Instead we got a mediocre game that was very repetitive. Even still, I snagged a copy at my local LameStop a few months back for next to nothing just to have because it is the Ninja Turtles after all. Like I was saying, Platinum’s newest IP for Switch looks like a pretty slick action adventure game with mechs and fun sci-fi elements. I guess all I can do now is wait and see how this game shakes out.
Cadence of Hyrule
Developed by Brace Yourself Games
Available on Switch
Release date June 13, 2019
Ok, so this title is definitely different. I’ve actually had the original title, Crypt of the NecroDancer, in my Switch’s wishlist for a couple of months now, but I could never pull the trigger. Now, the title is available on the eShop for $5 or less but it’s too late now because Cadence of Hyrule is about to drop! What’s Cadence of Hyrule you ask? Imagine a rhythmic Zelda game. “What?!” Yes. Imagine playing The Legend of Zelda but the battle system is timed to the beat of kickass tracks from the series. You know what, just watch the damn trailer.
Animal Crossing New Horizons
Developed by Nintendo
Available on Switch
Release date March 20, 2020
If you want an absolutely adorable and wonderful game to play, then an Animal Crossing game should be on your list right next to Stardew Valley. In Animal Crossing your job is to pay back Tom Nook for the house you had zero bells to build while also forming friendships with locals and enticing others to move into your little town. You pick weeds, dig up fossils, plant flowers, and more. Again, just watch the video. This is one game I wish wasn’t pushed back to 2020, but I can wait because a proper Animal Crossing game will be worth it.
Spyro Re-ignited Trilogy
Developed by Activision
Available on Switch
Release date September 3, 2019
I shouldn’t have anything more to say other than “It’s Spyro”. I played the original many time over on my PS One when I’d go to my dad’s house on the weekends. It holds a special place in my heart and the remaster looks stunning in 4K, but being able to have a comparable title to play on my TV while also being able to take it with me on the go makes this a no-brainer.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
Developed by Square Enix
Available on Switch
Release date July 12, 2019
I put in a lot of hours into the original Dragon Quest builders between the so-so Vita version and the far superior Switch version. Think of Dragon Quest Builders as Minecraft with quests and battles from Dragon Quest. It’s a fun little game and it looks like it’s been expanded upon even further with new dungeons, the ability to swim under water, the addition of multiplayer, and more.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel
Developed by Nintendo
Available on Switch
Release date Not Soon Enough
Okay, so Breath of the Wild is one of my top favorite games ever. Even now, with games like Gods & Monsters coming out, nothing even comes close to the wonder that is BoTW. It’s just so god damn mesmerizing and easy to get lost in it’s gorgeous worlds. Nintendo released a trailer teasing a sequel is in development. What’s even better than that is the fact that this title doesn’t have to work on the Wii U, so Nintendo can pull out all the tricks to really make it shine and run even better on Switch. Needless to say, I can’t fucking wait, and neither can millions of others around the world.
