“Diesel, at the time especially, played a very large amount of ARK,” said Stieglitz. “In the Survival Evolved days, he played it as much as any ARK pro player would. Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours. Him and his kids, his partner, [they were] really good at the game. They played all the maps, they knew all the bugs, they knew all the exploits. They had their own tribe.”

As for ARK 2, Stieglitz has revealed that Diesel’s role has largely revolved around the narrative of his character – Santiago – and how he would fit into the overarching story. Interestingly, Santiago was originally conceived as “a nerd” before Diesel got involved.

“The character of Santiago existed before we started collaborating with Vin Diesel, but frankly, we kind of retconned the character a little bit to fit his archetype. The character was originally written as, like, a nerd, and we’re like… yeah, that ain’t gonna work,” Stieglitz explained. “He’s gonna be a really buff, awesome nerd who can punch out anybody?”

“So we retconned the character a little bit, but it fit because the character was also originally written as a gear head. We’re like, that tracks well enough. And so he helped us rewrite the character’s backstory a little bit.”

As for how much of Diesel’s character work has been completed, Stieglitz revealed that it has only been “a little bit”, largely for Genesis 2 and teasers for ARK 2, as well as a few lines for a planned animated series.

Since the release of ARK 2 has been pushed back all the way to 2028, Diesel’s silence on the matter was also curious. When asked about this, Rapczak said that the actor simply offered no comment on the matter.

“I think they’re used to it in Hollywood,” Stieglitz said. “I presume projects get delayed all the time, and you have projects sit on the shelf for decades, sometimes. Not that ARK 2 would sit on the shelf for that long. But we did tell them, yeah, we want to make Survival Ascended first. They were cool with it.”

Studio Wildcard had announced the 2028 launch window for ARK 2 back in December. In a statement, Stieglitz spoke about the studio needing to learn about newer technologies and gameplay mechanics for its development.

“One of the things about doing ARK 2 was that we felt we had to learn a lot more about how to make the kind of game we wanted to do, and to do it kind of in phases,” he said. “Learning about both the technology and the mechanics seemed, to us, safer than to just try to go and release a whole standalone product called ARK 2.”

Stieglitz, who also works as creative director, lead designer, lead programmer and development director at Studio Wildcard, spoke about wanting to get player feedback for some of the new gameplay mechanics that we will see in Legacy of Santiago. Much like the last time he spoke about this, he noted that this helps the studio with reducing risks for ARK 2.

“We’re taking a lot of the systems developed for ARK 2 and moving them into Legacy of Santiago because we’d like to get player feedback on them and prototype them to reduce risk,” he said. “Every game can have an expansion pack that’s a ‘miss,’ and you just move on, but if you have a whole new game that’s a miss, it can be a company-ending thing. Legacy of Santiago is a way to see how features like the new combat perform in a live environment over time.”

Just last month, Stieglitz had spoken about some of these new features coming to ARK: Survival Ascended with the release of Legacy of Santiago in Q4 2027. He noted that, while the expansion won’t feature the narrative things we can expect from ARK 2 when it finally launches, it will bring with it things like Soulslike third-person melee combat. He also noted that these systems being received well could lead to ARK 2‘s major selling point becoming its worldbuilding and narrative.

“My general view on it is that it probably comes down to content. Legacy of Santiago is going to involve a lot of the new fighting and combat mechanics that we want to experiment with, with ARK 2: Soulslike third-person combat, melee combat, and so forth,” he said. “But it’s not going to have all this like crazy narrative world build out content that we want to do with ARK 2, if the mechanics seem to work well with Legacy of Santiago, then the key selling point of ARK 2 could be that there is this giant campaign narrative that sits as a standalone product.”

Stieglitz had also spoken about the lessons that Studio Wildcard learned when it had decided to stop development on ARK: Survival Evolved to instead focus more on ARK: Survival Ascended and ARK 2. He noted how fans of Survival Evolved got angry at the developer because they wanted more content and they weren’t ready to move on to a new game just yet.

“One thing we learned is to not say goodbye until your players want you to. To be honest with you, we kind of just hard-stopped updating ARK: Survival Evolved, and we’re like, ‘OK, we’re done with it.’ And actually, players were kind of mad about that, because they weren’t ready, they wanted more content at that point,” he said.

Announced during Snail Games’ Investor Day in Times Square (reported by the Epic Games Store), Stieglitz confirmed that a 2028 launch was indeed “our intention.” “One of the things about doing ARK 2 was that we felt we had to learn a lot more about how to make the kind of game we wanted to do, and to do it kind of in phases. Learning about both the technology and the mechanics seemed, to us, safer than to just try to go and release a whole standalone product called ARK 2.“

Legacy of Santiago, an expansion out in Q4 2027, is one such route that the studio is taking. “We’re going to be introducing a lot of the mechanics and features that we wanted to kind of test out in ARK 2 as an expansion for ARK: Survival Ascended.

“Legacy of Santiago will allow us to explore a lot of mechanics that we want to do with ARK 2, but it kind of derisks that. Essentially, if we don’t do it right, if we don’t do it perfectly, we’re able to iterate on it with a live game and get a lot more feedback than to just release something standalone. It’s much safer for us to get a lot of that feedback in a live game where we can react much more fluidly to what players are telling us.”

This is also a way to prep players for the sequel before bidding adieu to the original. “One thing we learned is to not say goodbye until your players want you to. To be honest with you, we kind of just hard-stopped updating ARK: Survival Evolved, and we’re like, ‘OK, we’re done with it.’ And actually, players were kind of mad about that, because they weren’t ready, they wanted more content at that point,” he said.

As for whether Legacy of Santiago could risk taking some of the sheen off ARK 2 by featuring some of its mechanics, it’s something that Stieglitz didn’t “quite” have the answer to yet.

My general view on it is that it probably comes down to content. Legacy of Santiago is going to involve a lot of the new fighting and combat mechanics that we want to experiment with, with ARK 2: Soulslike third-person combat, melee combat, and so forth. But it’s not going to have all this like crazy narrative world build out content that we want to do with ARK 2, if the mechanics seem to work well with Legacy of Santiago, then the key selling point of ARK 2 could be that there is this giant campaign narrative that sits as a standalone product.”

Of course, the expansion’s narrative isn’t anywhere near as massive in scope. However, much of that will rely on Vin Diesel, who was revealed in the sequel’s debut trailer.

“We have a much more ambitious narrative built out for ARK 2. But I’m going to be blunt, it’s really going to be highly dependent on just how involved Vin Diesel is actually going to be, which is still an open question.

“The question is: How much performance are we going to get from him?” Stieglitz said. “Are we going to get one day, five days, eight hours? You don’t know. And the scope of how much performance we are going to get determines just how the narrative is going to play out. We have a narrative that’s if we get a lot of Vin Diesel, this is what we will do, and if we get a little Vin Diesel, this is what we will do.”

ARK 2 is coming to Xbox Series X/S and PC, launching on day one for Game Pass. It will reportedly be exclusive to the subscription service for three years.

In the interview, Stieglitz revealed that Studio Wildcard had made a vertical slice for Ark 2 that would showcase how its various gameplay systems would work together, the studio had since been busy with working on Ark: Survival Ascended. According to Stieglitz, “we felt that as a team, it would be very difficult to follow that all the way through to a complete game with both our experience level and [our scope] as a company.”

“We put the vertical slice on hold a couple of years ago to make [Ark: Survival Ascended], and we’ve been only nibbling at it since then,” Stieglitz explained. “A small portion of our team continues to refine the mechanics of [Ark 2‘s] combat… It’s very difficult to do soulslike combat in a multiplayer PvP context. You could probably count the number of games on one hand that have even attempted that in an actual PvP context.”

While the studio hasn’t yet been able to get back to work on the vertical slice, Stieglitz noted that it would take the team “18 months of hardcore team focus to [turn] that vertical slice into an early access game, when we get to put the vast majority of our team back on it.” Once the studio is able to break away from working on Survival Ascended, however, he noted that an Early Access release of Ark 2 might possibly come out over the next two years.

“We need to figure out how we kind of optimize all those resources to continue to generate the revenue to get all the way to the finish line with Ark 2, but also free up enough development resources to make Ark 2 at the exact same time,” he said.

Studio Wildcard has also been facing issues thanks to the constant forward march of technology, with new techniques and tools being created all the time. Stieglitz noted that, due to this, it can be easy for a game to come out that is otherwise decent, but feels outdated in some ways.

“Occasionally you’ll see a game come out where it’s actually quite solid, but it feels like it’s two or three years behind the curve,” he said. “You just feel like ‘man, if this had been released four years ago, it would have been a huge hit.’ You don’t want to be that game.”

In the interview, Stieglitz also revealed a few new details about the game, including the fact that it will feature “NPC antagonists” that were shown off in the trailer. He said that, while PvP will still be a focus of the game, more environmental threats could lead to more interesting experiences.

“Ark 2 has to have NPC antagonists, because that’s been implied by the trailer and has been part of our design for quite some time as an opposing force, so to speak,” Stieglitz explained. “We feel that could add a lot more threat level to the environment and the feeling of being able to enjoy a PvP-like experience, even without [fighting against other players].”

The last time we heard about Ark 2 was all the back in 2023 when the studio was aiming for a Spring 2025 launch window for the game. Since then, however, not many details have been revealed. In the meantime, check out details about how Ark 2 will be launching on Game Pass. Also check out details about Ark: Survial Ascended’s Scorched Earth update from last year.

Avowed

One of the year’s most anticipated games, Avowed, an upcoming RPG that takes place in the mystical world of The Living Lands. You must embark on a grand quest to save the world from an impending doom – and that path will be peppered with all sorts of perils. It sounds really exciting, and Avowed is easily one of the most highly anticipated games of this year. It comes out for PC and Xbox Series consoles on 18th February, 2025.

State of Decay 3

Undead Labs has been working on State of Decay 3 for quite a while now, and there’s no word on when it will be released. The only semblance of concrete information that we have at the moment is a short teaser trailer that showcases a frosty setting, infected animals, and a protagonist screeching at the top of her lungs. It looks to be taking a more mature and darker route with its general themes and vibe, which looks pretty fascinating, to be honest. Hopefully, more will be revealed in the coming weeks and months.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 will put players back in the shoes of series protagonist Senua as she tries to survive on a brutal Viking island inhabited by towering giants and other threats, both physical and the ones stemming from her twisted psyche. The gameplay will obviously revolve around exploring and taking part in frenetic encounters, though fans can expect several improvements and additions over the original. It will be released on May 21 for Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime this year.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Developer GSC Game World is rounding up work on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chorbonyl, which is primed to bring the long-forgotten post-apocalyptic franchise back into the limelight. Set in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 will task players to make a living in a world brimming with mutated creatures and factions ready to maul at the smallest of wrong steps. It looks gorgeous thanks to Unreal Engine 5, and it’s on track to release for Xbox Series X/S and PC on 5 September 2024.

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the next step in this behemoth of an open-world franchise, which transports players to a tropical paradise complete with all the bells and whistles that one would expect from such a setting. Infinite Wealth is set to star both Majima and Ichiban in one story, so you know it’s going to be a tale that’s equal parts whacky and engaging. The trailer showcases different forms of side activities ranging from bike racing to surfboarding and of course, eccentric turn-based brawls. It will be released on 26 February 2024 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Tekken 8

The Tekken series returns with a sequel that seems primed to take the franchise to the next level. The gameplay will obviously revolve around engaging in brutal brawls against recognizable characters, but Tekken 8 introduces new ideas that include but are not limited to the Heat System which should serve to make these battles fast and frenetic like never before. Add to that an Arcade Quest which lets you craft your custom avatar and embark on an epic quest punctuated by challenging battles, and Tekken 8 is looking like a worthy sequel in more ways than one. It comes out on January 26, 2024, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Still Wakes the Deep

Still Wakes the Deep is all about trying to save a ship and its crew from imminent danger all while the lines between what’s real and what’s surreal start to blur out. It’s a highly atmospheric game where the visuals and audio do a lot of heavy lifting in trying to create a compelling experience. It sounds pretty promising, and we will be checking it out when it releases sometime soon for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Helldivers 2

In Helldivers 2, a group of players drops into a galaxy ravaged by war and conflict and must serve as the galaxy’s last line of defense to save humanity from imminent extinction. It’s a third-person shooter where you take on waves of enemies, but what makes it special is the sheer scale at which the entire conflict takes place. It’s all pretty impressive and might be worth taking a look when it comes out for PC and PS5 on 8 February 2024.

Hades 2

Hades stands tall as one of the best roguelites of recent memory, so it stands to reason that the hype and anticipation surrounding its sequel is going to be of some great magnitude. Hades 2 will feature some incredibly slick action and tons of gameplay options. Hades 2 is a tantalizing sequel that many are looking forward to. It comes out on PC via early access sometime in Q2 2024.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is an upcoming RPG with unique gameplay mechanics. Set against the drop of a mystical world brimming with gargantuan creatures and magical powers, Dragon’s Dogma 2 puts you on the path of a warrior who must defeat these hostile creatures in any way they choose. The RPG promises better visuals, more open-world options, and even more flexibility in how you choose to go about encounters or how to decide to build out your character. It’s all very exciting news for RPG fans, as Dragon’s Dogma 2 will be dropping for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on 22 March 2024.

The Thaumaturge

Developer Fool’s Theory is hard at work on The Thaumaturge, an isometric RPG set in 20th-century Warsaw. As a person with the ability to perform miracles, our protagonist sets out on a journey to defeat villainous forces called the Salutors all while struggling to overcome his personal demons. It’s a novel concept, and those unique themes resonate with the gameplay as well which features turn-based combat where you can chain together physical and psychic attacks and make choices that significantly alter the course of your story. The Thaumaturge releases for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on 20 February 2024.

Nightingale

Inflexion Studios’ debut project Nightingale is an upcoming open-world survival crafting game where you are let loose into the magical world of Fae. It’s heavily inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, and the mystical world of Fae is brimming with monsters to fight and mysteries to solve. Nightingale tries to provide you with a balanced combination of building, exploration, and combat – and you can experience it all solo or embark on a journey with your friends. Nightingale will be released on 22 February 2024 on PC.

Pacific Drive

Currently in development at Ironwood Studios, Pacific Drive represents an excellent yet unconventional mishmash of genres – namely survival and racing. It essentially gives you a run-down station wagon, and tasks you to make it out of the Olympic Exclusion Zone. As you progress deeper and deeper into its twisted world, you will gain resources that can be used to upgrade your wagon and make it more suitable for harsher environments and unfriendly terrains. It all sounds really promising, and we will be checking it out when it releases for PC and PS5 on 22 February 2024.

Ark 2

Studio Wildcard’s Ark turned out to be a massive hit amongst fans thanks to its co-op nature and other unique ideas, and the developer will be taking those ideas and crafting something greater with Ark 2. The sequel is set to have a bigger focus on the story with a star-studded cast composed of Hollywood actors like Vin Diesel, and that combined with the survival action gameplay should make Ark 2 a game that’s worth spending dozens upon dozens of hours on. It will be released for Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime in late 2024.

Clockwork Revolution

Clockwork Revolution comes from the folks at inXile Entertainment, which is best known for its work on the Wasteland series. The team has brought its amazing world-building chops to this project as well, where players will be exploring the steampunk world of Avalon during multiple time periods and make choices that will have a compounding effect on what happens in the future. The gameplay will revolve around defeating the many mechanical monstrosities that stand between you and your objective through the use of many different weapons and special abilities. It will be released for Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Grand Theft Auto 6 (Likely)

Easily one of the most anticipated games of all time, Grand Theft Auto 6 will thrust players into a fictionalized recreation of Miami. The story seems to be heavily inspired by the adventures of Bonnie and Clyde, and will most likely combine a love story with a criminal tale which sounds like an enchanting prospect. While details on the gameplay front are scant for now, we can expect new announcements as we reach its imminent release in 2025. It’s already confirmed for PS5 and Xbox Series X | S but it will likely be arriving on PC sometime after that.

Palworld

Palworld is one of the most creative games on the list; simply due to its hook of combining cute cuddly Pokemon-like creatures with a violent world where they are forced to take up realistic weapons and fight for your cause. It takes cues from several games like Ark, and of course Pokemon, and what we get is an experience that’s equal parts fresh and recognizable. It definitely has plenty of potential, and we hope it manages to stand true to those promises. It’s now available on PC in early access.

Crimson Desert

Pearl Abyss is working on Crimson Desert, a really ambitious RPG that takes cues from genre greats to create an experience that feels equal parts fresh and recognizable. The world itself is brimming with all sorts of quests to track, magical doors to unlock, and animals to pet. In addition to its excellent gameplay variety, Crimson Desert also impresses with its visual fidelity and general art direction. Hopefully, it will be able to stand true to its promises when it comes out for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S sometime in the near future.

Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition

The trend of Sony’s first-party games making it to PC continues with Horizon Forbidden West: Complete Edition, which is being handled by Nixxes Software. This edition of the excellent post-apocalyptic sequel comes packed with the Burning Shores DLC, and players can expect a bevy of sliders and options to help them strike the perfect balance between graphics and performance – or if you have a particularly strong PC, crank the game up to even higher standards. It will be released sometime in early 2024, so we can expect an announcement to pop up in the coming weeks and months.

Star Wars: Outlaws

We knew that Massive Entertainment was working on a new Star Wars game, and the very first details of Star Wars: Outlaws have finally been revealed. The game thrusts players into setting brimming with villainous factions and other dangerous forces, and you are free to chart your own path through different means such as stealth or action. Star Wars: Outlaws will also include a notoriety system, so there’s quite a bit to look forward to. It comes out sometime this year for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Enshrouded

Enshrouded puts you in the shoes of a destined warrior known as the Flameborn who must rise to the call of duty and reclaim the former glory of your once-blooming kingdom, and doing that requires journeying through multiple biomes and crafting sprawling settlements throughout its massive world. Enshrouded is a survival game with intricate crafting and building systems, and while it might not be the most original take on the genre – it definitely sounds fun thanks to its dark fantasy roots and 16 player co-op support. It will be released in early access on 24 January, 2024.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

The Last of Us Part 2 is already a stellar-looking game, and the Remastered version further improves that. Launching on January 19th for PS5, it adds Performance and Fidelity modes like 1440p and native 4K on PS5 while improving the sampling rate of animations, shadow quality and level-of-detail distance. We’ll need detailed comparisons, but it still looks great on its own.

Tekken 8

Built from the ground up on Unreal Engine 5 for current-gen platforms, Tekken 8 is drop-dead gorgeous. From the environments with extensive details and destruction to the clothing physics on characters, it’s superb, which is saying something, given how well it performs on consoles and PC. Tekken 8 is out on January 26th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Complaints against the writing, combat and live-service elements are justified, but Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League does showcase Rockstar’s visual prowess. Metropolis looks fairly meticulous, whether it’s the superhero references or draw distance. The characters also look good, particularly the facial animations, and the chaotic combat showcases some nice effects. Whether it defies expectations or not, Suicide Squad should at least be a pretty journey.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons wasn’t exactly on top of anyone’s list of desired remakes, despite being a great game. Nevertheless, Avantgarden SRL’s remake, launching February 28th on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, is stunning. The abject detail on each brother with their revamped models, the meticulous environmental textures, and the incredible use of lighting confer a fantasy mood to the adventure without taking away the soul of the original.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Perhaps the biggest jump in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the scale of its environments. The world beyond Midgar is dotted with details, with improved levels of detail, textures, draw distances and stunning skyboxes. All of that fidelity doesn’t detract from the characters, which look better than ever, and it’s simply a feast for the eyes. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth arrives on February 29th for PS5.

Rise of the Ronin

Team Ninja’s Nioh series and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty look good but didn’t quite take that next-gen graphics leap. Cue Rise of the Ronin, exclusive to PS5 and launching March 22nd, with its realistic environments, character models and intricate effects. The detail and draw distance are also impressive, and we can’t wait to see more.

Black Myth: Wukong

While its reveal was impressive enough, Black Myth: Wukong shifted to Unreal Engine 5 several years ago. The support of 4K at 60 FPS and ray tracing is great, but its near photo-realistic environments, lighting, and effects make it a force to reckon with. It’s out on August 20th for PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S.

The Alters

This War of Mine and Frostpunk showcased 11 bit Studios as a stickler for details. While Frostpunk 2 is going for a larger, more vibrant city, The Alters opts for a more personal connection when it launches this year for PC. With protagonist Jan Dolski interacting with alternate versions of himself, the presentation with the character models, facial animations and cutscenes looks exceptional. That’s not to discount everything else, whether it’s the atmospherics of the hostile planet that Jan must escape or the sheer goings-on of the base.

Ark 2

Even after going from ARK: Survival Evolved to Survival Ascended, Ark 2 looks like a bigger step forward. Developed on Unreal Engine 5, it promises more realistic foliage, weather systems and real-time ambient lighting with its expanded sandbox and massive environment. Extensive gameplay has yet to be showcased, but Ark 2 will launch in late 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC. An extensive reveal could very well be around the corner.

The First Descendant

Nexon is known for various titles, from Dungeon Fighter Online to Dave the Diver. With The First Ascendant, it jumps into the world of looters, using Unreal Engine 5 to deliver a sci-fi third-person shooter. It has looked good thus far, from the models and the lighting to the scale of its levels, with a plan to launch this Summer for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Little Nightmares 3

If you played the previous games, you know what to expect with Little Nightmares 3, even with Supermassive Games now in charge of development. Moody lighting, intricate shadows, dilapidated levels – it’s all here and looks better than ever. There are even some impressive particle and weather effects, as seen in the Necropolis. Thankfully, we won’t have to wait long to play it, as Little Nightmares 3 launches this year for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Ninja Theory’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice has received extensive acclaim, partly due to its status as an independent studio and mostly due to its presentation. Under Microsoft, it’s stepping up in every department that matters, from its cloud-generation tech for more atmospheric scenes to its impeccable facial animations. It’s billed as the studio’s biggest project yet and launches for Xbox Series X/S and PC this year.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

It’s astounding that GSC Game World is offering the kind of scope and scale of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl despite the ongoing issues. It’s even more incredible when you consider how good the game looks, leveraging Unreal Engine 5 to deliver exceptional effects, animations, lighting and shadows. The fact that it’s targeting 60 FPS in Performance Mode on Xbox Series X with this level of fidelity is just the cherry on top. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is planned to launch in Q1 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Star Wars Outlaws

The Snowdrop Engine has provided great success for Massive Entertainment, from its introduction in Tom Clancy’s The Division to its recent use in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Star Wars Outlaws is the latest title to leverage its lighting, rendering system and fidelity to deliver its visuals. Thus far, it’s looking good, with seamless planet-to-space transitions and impressive draw distances, en route to its launch for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

It may not beat out Forza Motorsport or Gran Turismo 7, but Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown sports detailed vehicles (with their chassis offering realistic reflections), weather effects and environments. Offering a 1:1 recreation of Hong Kong Island, from extensive foliage to sharp skylines, the sensation of racing is also on point. Launching in early 2024 for PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown should be a worthwhile resurgence for the franchise.

The Chinese Room’s next big horror, Still Wakes the Deep, launches in 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC. Inspired by Suspiria and The Thing, it’s set on an oil rig amid a storm, with a hostile presence hunting the player. Its claustrophobic environments and pathways offer plenty of opportunity for the lighting and textures to shine, to say nothing of the realistic water. As harrowing as it looks, Still Wakes the Deep could be one of the better-looking first-person horror titles this year.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

You can’t count out Ichiban Kasuga, and his adventure to Honolulu City is shaping up to be the series’ biggest yet when Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth launches on January 26th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC. Visuals and presentation have never been an issue for the Like a Dragon franchise, but the new locales allow for all kinds of flexing, from the aquatic life to the realistically rendered ocean. Everything else looks fantastic, from the characters and facial expressions to the towns, cities and over-the-top summons.

Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 maintains the first game’s four-player co-op and unforgiving shooting, right down to the friendly fire. The visual fidelity is something else, especially from the new third-person perspective. The environments feel like proper alien worlds with unique vegetation and realistic textures, while the bugs are downright terrifying. It’s out on February 8th for PS5 and PC.

Skull and Bones

To say that Skull and Bones is cursed would be an understatement, simply due to the sheer number of delays and rumored reboots. It’s launching on February 16th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, and say what you will, but at least the graphics look nice. The gorgeous ocean, lighting and material details sell the pirate fantasy. Now, the rest of the game has to measure up.

Pacific Drive

Part supernatural adventure, part rogue-lite driving title, Pacific Drive launches on February 22nd for PS5 and PC. The usage of lighting and atmospherics is impressive, alternating between moody and over-the-top, as players navigate the Olympic Exclusion Zone, avoiding anomalies and diving into its surreal lore.

Nivalis

ION LANDS’ Nivalis may not win the award for most realistic-looking humans, but that doesn’t matter. The slice-of-life sim uses voxels to excellent effect, mixing ambient neon lighting and weather effects (including snow blanketing the city). There is a lot to love, whether managing a restaurant or fishing on the docks, and it’s out this year for PC.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is reportedly coming out this year if we can believe PlayStation’s trailer. Based on the in-engine look from last October, it’s coming along nicely, capturing the essence of the original while updating the visuals. Realistically drying and dripping mud, intricate vegetation and wildlife – it’s all here, and coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Silent Hill 2

You can say plenty about Bloober Team’s approach to horror games (I know I have), but there’s no denying its visual prowess. Silent Hill 2 is built from the ground up on Unreal Engine 5 and features Lumen and Nanite with dynamic global illumination that realistically interacts with the environment. Of course, there’s more to Silent Hill than lights and shadows, and that’s where motion capture comes in, offering the “best facial expressions” in the series per creative director Mateusz Lenar. PlayStation hyped a release window for this year. If true, Silent Hill 2 could be one of the best-looking games on PS5 and PC.

Death Stranding 2

Kojima Productions is again using Decima Engine for Death Stranding 2, which is perfect given how the first game delivered on every front. If anything, the sequel will look even better since it’s a current-gen exclusive. However, it also utilizes Unreal Engine 5’s MetaHuman, meaning the character models will look even more realistic than before. A release window is still up in the air, but 2024 could be the year when we see more.

Unrecord

One of the most intriguing and controversial games revealed last year was DRAMA’s Unrecord, a tactical FPS using the perspective of a police officer’s bodycam. Its photo-realistic visuals (courtesy of Unreal Engine 5) gained significant attention, though there’s also been scrutiny over its legitimacy and unsettling realism. Time will tell if the game delivers this level of fidelity, but thus far, it’s impressive, if nothing else.

Honor of Kings World

Also developed in Unreal Engine is Honor of Kings World, which has improved significantly since its initial reveal trailer years ago. The fantasy aesthetic looks great, and the environments are almost surreal. There’s a realistic vibe to the overall flow and combat but backed by more realistic characters and effects. It doesn’t have a release window, but given how clean the latest gameplay trailer looked, it could receive more details this year.

Crimson Desert

Pearl Abyss is no stranger to exceptional visuals – see Black Desert Online – and with Crimson Desert, it’s focusing its efforts on a single-player experience. Based on the latest gameplay trailer, there’s much to love, from the impressive destruction to the effects and foliage. Even the sheer scale of the fantasy countryside is something to behold, complete with realistic lighting and fantastic character models. Crimson Desert doesn’t have a release window – it’s reportedly delayed to Q2 2025 – but it’s coming to consoles and PC.

Phantom Blade Zero

From an art perspective, Phantom Blade Zero is intriguing, utilizing greyer tones and darker atmospherics. There’s a subtlety to the lighting while environments, characters and weather effects are painstakingly rendered. It’s almost tough to believe that it’s targetting 2K/60 FPS and 4K/30 FPS on PS5 (with a PC release confirmed), but still exciting.

Grand Theft Auto 6

While it’s only received one barely two-minute-long trailer, Grand Theft Auto 6 has already proven itself in the graphics department. Character models are a massive leap over Grand Theft Auto 5, realistically interacting with lighting effects and shadows. The draw distance and level of detail in environments are also eye-watering. It’s out in 2025 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, and while there’s a way to go, Grand Theft Auto 6’s graphics are already looking great.

Light No Fire

Hello Games finally revealed its next big title, set on an Earth-sized planet. Light No Fire promises a fantasy adventure with no boundaries, packed with survival mechanics and RPG elements, but we’re already impressed by its various biomes, creatures and aesthetics. The shrubbery, dynamic lighting, shadows – everything comes together. With no release window and only a PC version announced it may be a while before it launches.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Ninja Theory delivered an emotionally charged narrative with 2017’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, a game that not only tackled heavy themes like psychosis in an appropriate fashion but also paved the way for many AA games in the future. The developer is hard at work on the sequel Senua’s Saga, which looks to be one of the best-looking games with its excellent use of Unreal Engine 5. The game will continue the story of Senua as she faces all manner of dangers like towering giants in an Icelandic setting, and we can’t wait to dive into it when it releases for Xbox Series consoles and PC sometime this year.

Everwild

Rare is one of the most well-known developers thanks to its ability to consistently deliver innovative games time after time again. Everwild looks to be a really ambitious game for even a developer with such a pedigree, but the development itself hasn’t been the smoothest with multiple direction changes and reboots in just a couple of years. Everwild’s release date isn’t set in stone at the moment, but it will be releasing for Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime in the near future.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series is marching towards a grand return with the imminent release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. GSC Game World’s upcoming post-apocalyptic adventure has all the markings of a great sequel, ranging from spectacular visuals to smooth modern gameplay and a brutal-looking post-apocalyptic world. It will be released for Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime this year.

The Elder Scrolls 6

Now that Bethesda has rounded up work on Starfield, the developer will now be focusing its efforts on the next entry in The Elder Scrolls series. Rumored to be set in Hammerfell, The Elder Scrolls 6 will thrust players into a fantastical world brimming with quests to do, people to meet, and factions to befriend – much like how is the case with its predecessors. It’s still in the earliest stages of development, so it’s wise to not expect much from the game in the coming months – but we do know that it will be releasing exclusively for Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Contraband

Currently in development at Avalanche Studios of Just Cause fame, Contraband is an upcoming co-op game that is set to feature an open world along with systemic game design. It’s being built using the developer’s in-house Apex Engine and will include elements like tactical vehicular combat among others. If the developer’s previous works are anything to go by, Contraband will be a beautifully chaotic game when it releases for Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime in the near future.

Marvel’s Blade (Likely Exclusive)

Arkane Studios has announced that it is working on a Marvel-licensed game called Blade, but all we have seen from the studio is a brief teaser showcasing its art style. The gameplay will be in a third-person perspective, which is a big departure from Arkane’s previous titles. We also know that the game will feature an original story, but details other than that are clouded in mystery at the moment. Marvel’s Blade will be released for Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime in the future. There may be a PlayStation 5 release but nothing is confirmed at this point.

Clockwork Revolution

Clockwork Revolution is the latest project from inXile Entertainment. It’s a game set against the backdrop of a steampunk city by the name of Avalon, and you must embark on a journey to free the city from its many troubles. The gameplay is best described as a mix of Prey and Fallout, and it looks amazing to say the least. Clockwork Revolution is slated to release in 2025 for Xbox Series consoles and PC.

OD

Hideo Kojima’s Kojima Productions recently announced its upcoming project OD which is being developed in partnership with Xbox Game Studios. OD is a survival horror project that will leverage cloud technology to create a unique experience that’s apparently against the current of modern gaming trends. It will also be using Unreal Engine’s MetaHuman technology for facial models and animations, and the trailer definitely looks impressive with its cryptic messages and awesome visuals. OD will be released for Xbox Series X/S and probably on PC sometime in the near future.

State of Decay 3

State of Decay 2 might not have had the perfect start, but Undead Labs was able to turn the game’s fate around with a consistent influx of meaningful updates. With State of Decay 3, the developer will most likely be taking important lessons from its past pitfalls and will deliver a game that’s bigger and better than what came before in almost every regard. Of course, not a lot is known about it at the moment – so we are keeping our fingers crossed for now.

Perfect Dark

A number of developers are hard at work on a Perfect Dark reboot, a game that will supposedly tell an “eco sci-fi” story in a futuristic dystopia. The announcement trailer doesn’t give much away, but it definitely looks intriguing nevertheless. It’s also in the earlier stages of development, so it’s going to be quite a bit of time before we get to see more about the gameplay and other details. Perfect Dark reboot releases for PC and Xbox Series X/S sometime in the near future.

Fable

Playground Games has been delivering one racing hit after another, but the developer is also entering uncharted territory with the upcoming Fable reboot. The announcement trailer showcased a fantastical world brimming with thick jungles along with a generally sarcastic tone in the writing department. Much of what the game would entail is still shrouded in mystery, so we will be keeping an eye out when Fable will release for PC and Xbox Series X/S sometime in the near future.

South of Midnight

Compulsion Games, the team behind We Happy Few, is working on a dark action-adventure game called South of Midnight. It takes place in a dreary world dominated by all sorts of creatures, and the story will put players in the shoes of Hazel as she rises to the call of duty when her hometown is invaded by evil. Gameplay details are scant at the moment, but the art style and the concept look pretty impressive nevertheless.

Towerborne

Towerborne is all about embarking on an epic adventure with your friends in a highly stylized environment that pops brightly with color. It’s a 2D game with a simple combat loop, but Towerborne will also feature elements like different enemy types and consistent player progression in an effort to make it a fresh experience. Towerborne is being developed by Stoic and will be releasing for Xbox and PC at some point in the future.

Robots at Midnight

Robots at Midnights revolves around the protagonist Zoe trying to regain her lost humanity in a brutal world inhabited by all manner of mechanical monstrosities. Featuring a cartoony art style, Robots at Midnight’s gameplay is all about exploring the vast world and fighting a whole host of different robots that stand between you and your goal. It looks simple yet solid, and Robots at Midnight will be releasing for PC and Xbox Series consoles at a future date.

Starfield: Shattered Space

While Starfield is far from a perfect game, it was a compelling space odyssey with plenty of merits to its name. Fans are obviously having a good time exploring the furthest reaches of space, and Starfield is set to receive an expansion in the form of Shattered Space sometime this year. The DLC will include new story content, locations, gear, and much more – so there’s quite a bit to look forward to with this expansion.

Project Odyssey

Developer Blizzard is hard at work on a survival game that’s currently codenamed Project Odyssey. Details on what the game might entail are shrouded in mystery, but there are rumors that it would include first-person combat and a cartoony art style similar to Overwatch. It’s quite some ways out from release, so it might be better to not expect much information to be released in the coming months – but it is definitely something worth looking out for. According to rumors it may be coming to Xbox and PC.

Ark 2

Ark: Survival Evolved was an excellent survival game that managed to capture the hearts of thousands upon thousands of loyal fans, and Ark 2 looks to be building upon that already-established goodwill with a star-studded cast of Hollywood actors like Vin Diesel and a bevy of improvements in the gameplay department. Ark 2 will be released in 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC.

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.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

GSC Game World’s upcoming S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is all about surviving and thriving as a lone wolf in the radiation-infested Exclusion Zone all while you try to make your way to the Heart of Chornobyl. The open world is full of NPCs to meet and opportunities to pursue, and your decisions have the potential to affect the world and the people around you. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has endured a tough development cycle complete with all sorts of delays and pushbacks, but the game finally seems to be on track to release this December for PC and Xbox Series X/S.