While 2019 was a great year for video games, 2020 is shaping up to be even better. Big-name developers have been teasing new titles for months. Some have been providing trailers and screenshots for years! Thanks to the anticipated release of new consoles and even more powerful PC components, these titles are set to start the new decade off with a bang.
To keep the hype train rolling, we’ve rounded up a collection of five of the most anticipated games to come out next year. All of these titles have been years in the making. Trailers have already showcased stunning graphics that we can expect from games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Watch Dogs: Legion. If you’re a fan of visually pleasing game titles, check out Game Gavel’s list of high-quality 240 Hz gaming monitors.
Cyberpunk 2077
Without a doubt, Cyberpunk 2077 is the title that gamers want most. The developers behind this game, CD Projekt Red, first teased this title back in 2013. Now, almost seven years later, we finally have a release date! It’s set to come out for PC, Xbox One, and PS4 on April 16th of 2020.
Cyberpunk 2077 promises an exciting story in a unique futuristic setting. Not much is known about the game from a storyline perspective. However, we can gather from the trailers and artwork that the game is set in the not-so-distant future where technology and body modification are the norms. Oh, and did we mention that Keanu Reeves makes an appearance? Not that we needed any more reasons to get excited, but seeing the beloved actor in all his digital glory certainly adds to the hype.
In terms of graphics, CD Projekt Red has gone all out. Motion capture technology provides a nice touch of realism to the characters. Pair that with a cinematic world that’s ready to be explored and you have the makings of something great.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Gamers of the 90s rejoice! The Final Fantasy VII remake is set to finally come out in March of 2020. This is a unique move for developers Square Enix. The original Final Fantasy VII came out in 1997 on the very first Playstation. Despite the Final Fantasy franchise producing some of the most compelling and graphically impressive games in history, Final Fantasy VII was always regarded as one of the best.
The remake follows the same exact story as the original. However, it’s being built from the ground up with new character models, environments, and gameplay mechanics. According to Square Enix, the remake is going to dive a bit deeper into the game’s lore and will expand certain parts of the story.
The developers’ vision is so large that the game is set to be released in multiple parts, the first of which will come out in early 2020. For now, the game is exclusive to Playstation consoles. While the first part will release for the PS4, we wouldn’t be surprised if a version for Sony’s next-generation console makes an appearance, too. The Playstation 5 is said to use an AMD 8-core Zen 2 CPU and have support for 8K resolution, so expect the game to look great!
The Last of Us Part II
During this past decade, zombies were all the rage. Take a stroll through any game store and you’re bound to find countless titles that take on the craze to varying degrees of success. While there’s no shortage of zombie apocalypse games to play, there’s one that stands out from the rest. The Last of Us was released in 2013 by Naughty Dog. The Last of Us Part II will continue this story in 2020.
The thing that sets The Last of Us apart from others is the focus on storytelling. Naughty Dog managed to create an emotional story about loss and redemption while also throwing in plenty of zombie-bashing action. Part II takes place five years after the first game. You will take control of Ellie and make your way through another gripping tale in post-apocalyptic America.
While the game has been in development for several years, Naughty Dog only announced it in 2016. It’s set to be a PS4 exclusive. The developers continue to release screenshots and concept art to get fans hyped, even after delaying the game a bit for further polishing. You won’t have to wait long to get your hands on the title. It’s set to come out on May 29, 2020.
Watch Dogs: Legion
Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs franchise had a bit of a shaky start. The first title is often regarded as a disappointment for the last generation of consoles. But, Watch Dogs 2 proved to be a big hit. Releasing on sometime during 2020, Watch Dogs: Legion aims to continue that positive trajectory.
This game continues with the theme of resistance and authoritarianism. In the world of Watch Dogs, citizens are under a massive surveillance program. The protagonists are a group of hackers who aim to take the program down. While the previous titles had a central playable character, Legion has a more ambitious approach. You get to recruit and control several characters. This adds a whole new gameplay mechanic and introduces the risks of permadeath.
According to the developers, Watch Dogs: Legion is heavily inspired by Brexit, hence its UK setting. The story is said to have a unique story that’s heavily inspired by the current political climate.
Watch Dogs: Legion has been delayed several times, but is expected to release during Ubisoft’s 2021 fiscal year, which starts after April of 2020. It will be available for PC, PS4, Xbox One, Google Stadia, and next-generation consoles. In the past, Ubisoft has partnered with Samsung and Nvidia for promotions. While nothing has been announced, we’re hoping that the game is bundled with graphics cards like it was in the past so that PC gamers can put those settings on max.
Marvel’s Avengers
From Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix is Marvel’s Avengers. While Square Enix is known for publishing massive RPG titles, Marvel’s Avengers is a new project that has piqued the interest of comic and gaming fans around the world. This particular title is not part of the long-running film franchise. However, it is inspired by the comic series.
In this game, you’ll have the opportunity to play as one of the many Avenger characters. Most of the story is played offline in a single-player story mode. Though, there are supposed to be several multiplayer aspects throughout where you can team up with your friends to progress the story and save the fictional world.
The game is set to be released on May 15th, 2020. It will be available for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia. Marvel has had several successes in the realm of gaming. However, this Avengers title marks a big push into the industry. With Crystal Dynamix and Square Enix at the helm, it’s sure to be a smash.
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2020. Most of these titles are coming out during the first half of the year, so who knows what the rest of the year will hold. With 2020 being just around the corner, it’s time to start saving your dollars and preparing for hours of immersive play.
