Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm
The original instalment of Starcraft 2, Wings of Liberty, was one of the most hotly anticipated PC games in years when it launched back in 2010. The upcoming Heart of the Swarm expansion is likely to generate a similar reaction as its release draws nearer. With a continued story from the perspective of the Zerg and some new multiplayer units, that release date can’t come soon enough.
Total War: Shogun 2 – Fall of the Samurai
Total War: Shogun 2 was, arguably, one of the best RTS games we’ve seen in a long time, almost elevating the series back to the lofty heights of the now legendary Rome: Total War. Now we’re going to be seeing a well deserved expansion pack, one that’s set four hundred years after the original. The stand alone Fall of the Samurai expansion will thus feature new and expanded units, tactics and miscellaneous tweaks. That’s one way to make a great PC exclusive even better.
Dota 2
Awesome Warcraft 3 mod turned Valve developed strategy game, Dota 2 will be a breath of fresh air for those of you who are tired of space marines and extensive resource management. Sporting deceptively simple base attack and defence style strategy gameplay, Dota 2 could become a real time sink in the online competitive arena if Valve are able to make it accessible whilst maintaining the depth of the original. That said, this is Valve we’re talking about, so it’s likely they’ll be delivering yet another instant classic.
Firefall
Firefall seems at first like a large scale online shooter with a lot of customisation options. This description can be applied to the majority of current FPS games though, so what defines Firefall is its use of guilds, or armies, for its competitive elements, alongside an open world co-op campaign where mission objectives can be shared with countless other players. Firefall has recently entered the closed beta stage, so keep your eyes open for an imminent release.
