When 2023 is in the upper echelon of gaming years like 2004 and 1998 in terms of quality of game releases, it seems unlikely that subsequent years can top it. Regardless, 2024 is stepping up and offers plenty of major releases. From massive role-playing games and cinematic action titles to titles that should have launched aeons ago, the year is jam-packed. Even crazier is that titles like Marvel’s Wolverine, Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater, and Silent Hill 2 Remake still don’t have launch windows – they could arrive next year for even more gaming pandemonium.
For now, we’re sticking to games confirmed to launch and what makes them so exciting. Check out our 30 most anticipated games of 2024.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
RGG Studio didn’t have to do much with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. It could have offered another turn-based Yakuza experience and delivered dual protagonists with Kazama Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga. No harm, no foul. Instead, it sees the gang reunited (and newcomers introduced) in a fresh location, Honolulu City, over three times the size of Yakuza: Like a Dragon’s world.
It offers new activities like surfing, the Animal Crossing-style Dondoko Island, new Karaoke songs, and arcade games like SEGA Bass Fishing and Virtua Fighter 3tb. There’s even dedicated side content for Kiryu, new Jobs, improvements to the combat and much more, all wrapped in supposedly the longest game in the series. In a year with so many other big titles, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is making a statement right out the gate on January 26th, and we can’t wait to dive in. It launches for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered
Leaving aside the “remastered” tag – which Sony might want to consider changing since it drums up more controversy than is worth – The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is the long-awaited PS5 version of the acclaimed action-adventure. It adds developer commentary, with actors Troy Baker, Laura Bailey and Ashley Johnson joining director Neil Druckmann and writer Halley Gross, three Lost Levels that didn’t make it into the final game, and numerous improvements to the visuals, including two graphical modes.
For $49.99 ($10 if you own the PS4 version), it’s not a terrible deal. However, you also get No Return, a roguelike survival mode with ten playable characters and multiple levels to explore. Launching on January 19th, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered should be a worthy return for fans and a perfect introduction for new players to the masterpiece.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Director Hideaki Itsuno returns with a follow-up to one of Capcom’s more underrated titles. Dragon’s Dogma 2 takes players to a new world, one of Elves, Beastren and humans, as the Arisen once again ventures forth to battle the mighty dragon. Your Pawns are again here to help, and there are new Vocations, like the Trickster, which offer all kinds of new combat choices.
However, Dragon’s Dogma 2 expands and builds on the original, with day/night cycles, a much larger map, seamless load times, and much more, including massive bosses like the Talos. There’s a lot we still don’t know, but it should provide some epic fantasy fun with stellar combat, like the original. Dragon’s Dogma 2 is out on March 22nd for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Rise of the Ronin
In case you prefer a more grounded, historical action RPG experience, that too from the masocore experts at Team Ninja, Rise of the Ronin also launches on March 22nd, exclusively for PS5. Set in the Bakumatsu in 19th century Japan, players control a ronin amid multiple warring sides and can choose one for branching paths and unique story moments.
As the developer’s most ambitious project, it offers a seamless open world with gliding and mounts while combining firearms, katanas and a grappling hook for some stylishly brutal combat. Whether it rises above the rest of 2024 and sells five million copies, as Koei Tecmo hopes, or not, Rise of the Ronin is still worth keeping an eye on.
Tekken 8
Almost nine years after Tekken 7 launched, the series is finally moving forward on January 26th with Tekken 8. The story of Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima continues, with the latter seeking total global domination. However, there’s also Arcade Quest, with players on a journey to become the best. Represent your crew, face different opponents in arcades, and learn the power of friendship (or the game, whichever works better).
An extensive roster of characters is available to master, including new fighters like Reina, Victor and Azucena, and multiple new mechanics courtesy of the Heat System. Tekken 8 will be available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, and could be the most feature-packed entry yet.
Pacific Drive
One of my most anticipated games of the year is Pacific Drive, which mixes a rogue-lite structure with driving and survival. Set in the Olympic Exclusion Zone, where many mysterious experiments have resulted in dangerous anomalies, the player must find a way to escape. You’ll need to venture forth, scavenge resources, upgrade your ride and unravel what’s happening in the Pacific Northwest. With the mood, music and sheer surrealism of events, Pacific Drive is an unorthodox but unique mix of genres. It launches on February 22nd for PS5 and PC, so we won’t have to wait long to dive in.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Many games succeed in generating negative hype, and while Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League isn’t quite there, we’ve been skeptical of its live service machinations. Nevertheless, the combat mechanics look intriguing, with each character having a unique-ish playstyle. Metropolis is also massive and offers impressive fidelity, and there’s potential fun in slaying the Justice League. We hope. It launches on February 2nd, 2024, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
The Wolf Among Us 2
Announced in 2017, re-announced in 2019 with development restarted and now set to release in 2024 for Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, The Wolf Among Us 2 has had a long journey. Bigby Wolf returns in a new story set six months after the original in New York. The overall plot is still up in the air, but we know that characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz appear. Based on the scenes shown thus far, there’s hope that the rest of the game will channel the urban fantasy of the comics.
Sons of the Forest
After its early access launch in February 2023, Sons of the Forest is getting a full release on February 22nd, 2024, for PC. There’s plenty to be excited about, especially with the story’s cliffhanger, and actor Shawn Ashmore (who starred in Quantum Break) will have a major role in the story. New features and content are confirmed, and given all the additions in the recent patch 15 – from a new cannibal type to additional commands for Kelvin – we’re excited to see what v1.0 has to offer.
Hades 2
Hollow Knight: Silksong is probably never arriving in our lifetimes (or maybe at least for another year). Nevertheless, there is Hades 2 to look forward to, which enters early access in Q2 2024 for PC. While it may not have all the “dozens” of fully voiced characters as the full game, Supergiant Games will continually add to it with updates while refining mechanics based on feedback. With how incredible the original game was, the prospect of playing as Underworld princess Melinoe as she battles Kronos with ancient magic and various boons from Olympus, exploring new locations and playing with new systems is exciting enough.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Along with Splinter Cell and Rayman, Prince of Persia is one of those Ubisoft franchises long overdue for a return. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown embraces the series’ long-lost side-scrolling roots, mixing Metroid-style exploration with fast-paced combat and time-based powers when it launches in January. As Sargon, you’re on a quest to save the crown prince, encountering twists and turns, eventually pitting them against the hero’s former allies, The Immortals.
While boasting solid production values, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown succeeds or fails based on its game feel. Thankfully, a demo launches on January 11th before the game’s launch on January 18th for PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, so we can go hands-on early enough.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
The second part in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake saga has a lot to live up to, and it looks like Square Enix is going above and beyond to deliver. Exploring the wide world outside of Midgar, Cloud and friends will venture to new towns, meet new characters – including new additions to the party like Cait Sith – and partake in tons of new activities and mini-games, from a rhythm game with the piano and the Queen’s Blood card game to the Chocobo Ranch.
Estimated to have over 100 hours of content, it occupies two Blu-ray discs and requires a whopping 150 GB of installation space. Maybe that’s too much? Regardless, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth should be an unforgettable experience when it launches on February 29th, 2024, on PS5.
Black Myth: Wukong
In terms of action RPGs, Game Science is a relatively unknown entity. Nevertheless, Black Myth: Wukong, based on the legendary Chinese novel Journey to the West, looks impressive enough to warrant attention. As Sun Wukong, players battle various enemies and bosses, mixing magic, skills and weapons (including his signature staff) while traversing a gorgeous world. It launches on August 20th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Little Nightmares 3
Bandai Namco’s horror platformer returns with Supermassive Games as the developer. Releasing for PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC, Little Nightmares 3 follows new characters, Low and Alone, as they explore the Spiral and attempt to escape Nowhere. We’ve seen gameplay of the Necropolis, an early area where players must solve puzzles and deal with flying creatures while avoiding the ire of Monster Baby.
Including online co-op for the first time and a Friend Pass, which means only one person needs to own a copy to play friends, Little Nightmares 3 is still perfectly playable solo. Time will tell if it can channel the creepy atmosphere the series is known for without Tarsier, but it looks pretty good.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake
Perhaps one of the least expected remakes, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is based on a 2013 Josef Fares-directed adventure. Developed by Avantgarden SRL, it offers overhauled visuals, an orchestral soundtrack and updated gameplay as players control the two brothers on a quest to find the Water of Life and save their father.
Single-player still allows for controlling each brother individually, but it also supports local co-op for two players, which 505 Games introduced in the original game’s Switch version. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake launches on February 28th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
Announced in 2019, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 from Ninja Theory is a long time coming. It’s launching sometime next year for Xbox Series X/S and PC, after a few other first-party titles, with protagonist Senua venturing to Viking Iceland to save, as the developer calls it, “those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny.”
There’s a heavy implication about taking revenge on the Northmen from the first game, but Senua must also deal with her psychosis while fighting to survive. Based on the gameplay and performance from actor Melina Juergens, it looks like a brutal but gorgeous experience.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown
The first new title in the series since Test Drive Unlimited 2 in 2011, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown ventures to Hong Kong Island, recreated in a 1:1 scale with over 600 kilometers of roads, perfect for bouts of racing and luxury. After joining one of two factions, the Streets or the Sharps, players can indulge in leisurely drives or competitive bouts across 14 districts.
Each faction has a unique style, clothing and cars, and you’ll be able to instantly challenge other players on the road or complete different challenges to get ahead. Launching in early 2024, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.
Helldivers 2
The Helldivers return, intent on bringing democracy and freedom to “hostile” alien planets once more. Helldivers 2 launches on February 8th, 2024, for PS5 and PC, and all the classic mechanics are here, from stratagems to friendly fire and support for up to four players in co-op. You’ll once again complete missions, battling gigantic bugs and sentient murderbots with various weapons. The twist is that it’s now in third-person with vastly improved fidelity over the original, making for an immersive but even more over-the-top experience.
Frostpunk 2
In Frostpunk, the world was annihilated by the Great Frost, with the player heading up a small settlement to try and survive. It’s 30 years later in Frostpunk 2, and while society is thriving, it’s also back to its old ways. Different factions vie for power, and it’s up to you, the Steward, to ensure the City grows. A larger scale with multiple districts, new laws, conflicts in the Council, and much more await in the city-builder, which is out in 2024 for PC. We’re yet to see extensive gameplay, but based on the first game’s moral trials, expect a similar post-apocalyptic societal struggle.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
GSC Game World’s long-awaited sequel in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series embraces everything that made the previous games great. Whether it’s the immersive sim and survival elements, as you venture into the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone and deal with Mutants, Anomalies, and other S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s, or a branching story that takes about 40 hours to complete, Heart of Chornobyl could be a dark horse amid all the big-budget releases next year. It launches in Q1 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Star Wars Outlaws
Massive Entertainment has been on a roll lately, with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora being better than expected. While it has plenty of other projects, Star Wars Outlaws is perhaps the most appealing by catering to the space scoundrel fantasy. As outlaw Kay Vess, players venture to locations like Tatooine, Toshara and more, dealing with different factions and garnering reputation (or throwing caution to the wind and gaining a Wanted status).
Space-to-planet travel is seamless, and each world is large without the game being too big to complete. Star Wars Outlaws is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, and despite a release date, its branching dialogue, multiple paths and adherence to the series’ tone look incredibly enticing.
Still Wakes the Deep
The Chinese Room is no stranger to psychological horror, and Still Wakes the Deep looks to be its most terrifying adventure yet. It features an oil rig in the North Sea embroiled in a storm while some strange monster hunts protagonist Caz McLeary. With parts of the facility damaged and no means to defend himself, Caz must move around undetected and stay sane.
Still Wakes the Deep is inspired by horror classics like John Carpenter’s The Thing, Annihilation, Suspiria and more, with a tense, oppressive atmosphere and air of mystery. It launches in early 2024 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Lost Records: Bloom and Rage
Another announcement that came out of nowhere is Lost Records: Bloom and Rage. Developed by DON’T NOD, specifically the minds behind Life is Strange, it’s a brand new IP set in the Summer of 1995 with Swann, Nora, Autumn and Kat discovering something strange out in the woods. After not speaking for 27 years, they reunite and finally decide to confront their past. With that same magical realism that defined the studio’s hit adventure series, Lost Records: Bloom and Rage looks to offer another emotional journey when it launches in late 2024 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.
Destiny 2: The Final Shape
Bungie has seen better days, whether it’s layoffs or reportedly underwhelming pre-orders for Destiny 2’s The Final Shape. Nevertheless, there’s plenty of reason to be hyped for this expansion, from concluding the Light and Darkness Saga to its three new Light sub-classes and newish location inside the Traveler.
Best of all, the campaign is linear, with the Pale Heart of the Traveler opening up once it’s complete, though you’ll need to finish the raid to deal with The Witness once and for all. The Final Shape launches on June 4th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC, and whether it’s make-or-break for Bungie, this is certainly an end of an era that fans won’t want to miss.
Replaced
Amid all the cyberpunk titles that have come and gone over the years, Sad Cat Studios’ Replaced still looks gorgeous. The 2.5D sci-fi platformer focuses on R.E.A.C.H., an A.I. in alternate retro-futuristic Phoenix City where corruption runs rampant. It’s your job to unravel its secrets, engaging in sleek combat and platforming. Replaced launches in 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC, and while it’s been some time since we’ve seen new gameplay, development updates have been steady. Perhaps a proper date will be announced early in the new year.
The Alters
If the post-apocalyptic survival fantasy of Frostpunk 2 isn’t for you, then maybe 11 bit studios’ sci-fi survival fantasy The Alters will suffice. Launching in 2024 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, it sees a singular man, Jan Dolski, attempting to survive in a far-off world. Just him, himself and all the alters created to help him.
As you mine resources to build and run a mobile base, Jan must forge relationships with his other selves and make choices to survive. With the emotional turmoil of facing himself and a race for survival ongoing, The Alters promises a survival base-building adventure unlike any other.
Ark 2
While Studio Wildcard works on updating Ark: Survival Ascended’s many maps for the current generation, it also has Ark 2 cooking. The sequel launches in late 2024, exclusively for Xbox Series X/S and PC, and features Vin Diesel as Santiago, venturing forth across epochs while attempting to survive among dinosaurs.
Almost everything about the original has been completely revamped, from gear crafting and more Souls-like combat to traversal with mantling, sliding and free-climbing introduced. Set in a new massive world with dynamic events and an enemy PvE faction with their own tamed dinosaurs, Ark 2 looks like a big step forward for the franchise.
Skull and Bones
“Skull and Bones has a new release date” is probably a tale as old as time. Reportedly in development for over ten years, it’s supposedly launching on February 16th, 2024, for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. As a pirate sailing the Indian Ocean, you can customize your ship in various ways, partaking in PvE with bounties, World Events and story missions or indulging in PvP. Maybe the development team will pull it off and deliver a compelling experience. Maybe it’ll be a disaster. Regardless, we’re eager to see how it plays out (barring another delay).
The First Descendant
Nexon has a litany of new projects, spearheaded by The First Descendant. The Unreal Engine 5 title is a free-to-play action RPG, with players teaming up to fight against invading forces as a Descendant (though in typical sci-fi fashion, the heroes have a secret). Though it’s a third-person shooter, several playable characters offer different moves and traversal abilities, including grappling hooks.
Co-op for up to four players is also supported, with scenario and World Missions available, and there’s plenty of loot to collect. It launches in Summer 2024 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Earth Defense Force 6
Enough about all the other blockbusters – 2024 is the year Earth Defense Force 6 finally launches in the West. Arriving in Spring for PS4, PS5 and PC in the West, the sequel sees humanity in ruins after their war against the Primers. While the remnants rebuild, there are still plenty of alien threats to deal with.
On top of new missions, hundreds of new weapons and online co-op for up to four players, Earth Defense Force 6 offers new abilities and equipment for its returning classes. Even if it’s more of the same horde-slaying action, the improved fidelity looks to be worth the price of admission alone.
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