2024 is shaping up to be a phenomenal year for video games. Whilst there’re numerous big hitters with firm release dates on the horizon, unusually for this time of year there’s a significant portion of upcoming titles yet to confirm their launch dates.
Frostpunk 2
Societies were pushed to breaking point in the first Frostpunk game, battling against environmental threat and existential dread in an ice-age apocalypse. It’s sequel – set thirty years after the blizzard ravaged Earth – asks not what mankind can do to survive freezing temperatures, but how they’ll avoid succumbing to a new deadly threat: the enemies and their thirst for power. Developer 11 Bit Studios have announced Frostpunk 2 will launch on PC in the first half of 2024, with an exact date or window for subsequent console release unconfirmed.
Hades 2
After Hades garnered extensive critical acclaim for its gameplay, a sequel is en route – that is, for early access on PC in Q2 2024. The exact amount of content available is unknown, but development will mirror the original. Subsequent changes will add new mechanics, new content and further updates as Supergiant Games refines the systems based on player feedback. Even if version 1.0 takes time to launch, the promise of new weapons, locations, upgrade systems and challenges to go with new mechanics is already exciting.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown
There’s high chance Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown will end 2024 as the year’s marquee driving title. Despite it appearing to copy a little too liberally from Forza Horizon’s gameplay loop, the open world, 1:1 scale recreation of Hong Kong looks absolutely spellbinding. It’ll be a joy to cruise through behind the wheel of a sports car, that’s for sure. Listed as ‘coming soon’ on Steam, it’s expected Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown will be out in 2024, with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch the playable platforms alongside PC.
Still Wakes the Deep
First-person horror Still Wakes the Deep forsakes players to a creepy oil rig whose remaining crew are fighting to survive against an unknown threat. What we’re up against remains to be seen: is it monsters, something paranormal, possessed crewmates, or something else entirely? Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like we’ve long to wait; despite there being no firm release date it’s expected The Chinese Room’s latest will launch in early 2024, with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC the announced platforms.
Silent Hill 2 Remake
The modern recreation of this bona fide survival-horror classic is on the horizon, yet despite it seeming like an age since Silent Hill 2 Remake was announced we’re still not exactly sure how close that horizon is. Whilst not making any story changes, recapturing the distinct brand of fog-strewn dread 2001’s OG release is famous for is taking Bloober Team some time. It’s a PlayStation 5 console exclusive alongside Windows when it eventually does surface, with 2024 expected to be the year.
Ark 2
All eyes are on Studio Wildcard as they put the finishing touches on the sequel to their popular survival game. Graphically, Ark 2 looks incredible, and its cast – featuring Hollywood heavyweight Vin Diesel, no less – is promising. Let’s hope we don’t have too long to wait until we can get our hands on it and see how good it really is. Ark 2 is anticipated to come out some time in late 2024, with Xbox Series X|S and PC the only confirmed platforms to date.
The Alters
Frostpunk 2 developer 11 Bit Studios has another game in the pipeline alongside their ice-aged strategy sim and that is The Alters, a science fiction base-building survival game driven by what they term ‘life-defining choices’. Protagonist Jan crash lands on an inhospitable planet and must forge clones of himself that’ll work together to escape. It’s an intriguing premise, especially seeing as all the alternate Jan’s possess sentience, with aims, emotions, and ambitions of their own. The Alters will release to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2024.
Thrasher
VR only Thrasher comes from the artist and composer behind 2016’s rhythmically violent Thumper. A mind-melting cosmic racer, Thrasher demands players swoop, dash, and thrash via gesture control across a kaleidoscopic spacetime continuum. The composer responsible, Lightning Bolt bassist Brian Gibson, has delivered a typically thumping soundtrack, syncing perfectly with the visuals to provide an experience bearing all the intensity of its predecessor. Releasing some time in 2024.
Star Wars Outlaws
Upcoming action-adventure Star Wars Outlaws is Grand Theft Auto in the outer rim territories and is a refreshingly gritty take on the Star Wars universe. Assuming command of streetwise scoundrel Kay Vess, players will shoot first and ask questions later as they stay a step ahead of the ongoing conflict between the the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire after the events of Episode VI: A New Hope. Incoming on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC this year.
Replaced
Three years have been and gone since pixelised cyberpunk platformer Replaced was announced. Sure, Belarusian-based developer Sat Cat Studios have been caught in the middle of the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe, but the most recent delay came with the awareness that releasing a sub-par experience was out of the question. Expectation is high with this one, especially after 2022’s second trailer showcasing an altogether more gothic vision akin to The Batman. Hopefully this’ll be out this year, and it’s a Microsoft exclusive meaning PC and Xbox consoles only.
Concord
Sony’s next big thing, perhaps? Concord is a PVP multiplayer FPS from first-party developer Firewalk Studios, and whilst its relatively elusive compared to PlayStation big hitters Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and The Last of Us II Remastered it does represent one of Sony’s most visible forays into live-service in the coming year. Narrative and gameplay remain mysterious, but vibrant visages of interstellar travel, moody interiors, and a retro-future aesthetic certainly pique interest. Confirmed to release in 2024 on PlayStation 5 and PC.
The Wolf Among Us 2
Telltale Games’ neo-noir murder mystery The Wolf Among Us has garnered a cultish status in the decade since its episodes were released. Fans gobbled up the superb blend of detective fiction populated by folkloric characters based on Bill Willingham’s Fables comic books, so this sequel has been hotly anticipated since the first of its two announcements in 2017. Unfortunately, whilst not officially cancelling the game, Telltale have suffered delays, mostly to avoid worker burnout but most recently due to staff layoffs. The Wolf Among Us 2 is still slated for a 2024 release, with current and past-gen PlayStation and Xbox’s still planned alongside a PC version.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Long rumoured before finally being announced in May 2023, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a remake of arguably the most adored of Metal Gear entries and barring any delays we expect this to release to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC this year. We haven’t seen anything of gameplay yet, but the cinematics look fantastic, with a Kojima-less Konami reassuring us that this remake will feature all the original voice characters, storyline, and features of combat survival, but elevated and evolved. Let’s hope they don’t keep us waiting, huh.
Little Nightmares III
Mono and Six are gone, replaced by Low and Alone. But, apart from new protagonists, Little Nightmares III exhibits the same shuffling terror of its predecessors, thus expectations are high for this more lore-heavy of sequels. Akin to Little Nightmares II, Low and Alone must work together to escape the grim locales they’re trapped in. Creeping humanoids akin to the fat guests plus an oversized baby monster in last year’s announcement trailer provide glimpses of the foes our tiny duo is up against. Coming to current and last-gen consoles, plus Switch and PC in 2024.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando
Like the plot of a dumb 80s action movie, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando follows a rag-tag band of mercenaries as they take on an eldritch Sludge God capable of turning the living into undead monsters. Expect plenty of gunfire in this co-op FPS thriller alongside slabs of over-the-top humour befitting of Carpenter’s best. Coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a planned release in 2024.
The section on Hades 2 was written by Ravi Sinha.
Share Your Thoughts Below (Always follow our comments policy!)