PS4 offerings will also see expansion, with the addition of Monster Hunter Stories (PS4) and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (PS4) just a month before the release of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. Other games coming to the subscription service are racing game Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown (PS5), narrative action adventure games Neva (PS5) and Season: A Letter to the Future (PS4, PS5), indie title Venba (PS5), and sports game Rugby 25 (PS4, PS5). These games will be available for PlayStation Extra and Premium tier subscribers. The PlayStation Classics catalog will see the addition of Disney Pixar Wall-E (PS4, PS5), which was originally released on PS2 in 2008.

Along with this, Sony has also confirmed new additions to its PlayStation Plus Classics catalog for next month. The line-up, only available to Premium tier subscribers, includes PSP fighting game Tekken Dark Resurrection, and PlayStation classic rail shooter Time Crisis, as caught by Gematsu.

This announcement comes just a few days after rumors first popped up of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 coming to the subscription service. The 2023 action-adventure title revolves around Peter Parker and Miles Morales taking on a host of new foes from Spider-Man’s rogues’ gallery. A key element of the story is the presence of the Symbiote.

While Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 coming to the service makes sense given its 2023 release date, Monster Hunter Stories and its sequel coming to PlayStation Plus is especially interesting since the third game in the turn-based RPG franchise is slated for release on March 13th.

While the Stories series has largely focused on telling their own standalone stories (no pun intended), they tend to have a throughline in the form of their combat systems that blend the traditional Monster Hunter gameplay loop with turn-based action with an emphasis on befriending monsters as well as fighting them.

For those looking to check out Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection before release, a demo was released earlier this month offering some early-game sections. Capcom has also confirmed that players will be able to carry over their progress into the full game when it finally comes out.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection also got a trailer earlier this week, offering an overview of the story and the history of the Riders. The trailer features narration by Elizabeth Rose Bloodblame of Hololive English, and focuses quite a bit on the bonds between Riders and their Monsties (Monster Besties). Along with the wide roster of monsters that the series is known for, Stories 3 will also feature newer ones from Monster Hunter Wilds, like Rey Dau and Arkveld. Among the returning monsters, Monster Hunters 2‘s Yama Tsukami has also been confirmed for the game.

Released in 2023, the sequel follows both Peter Parker and Miles Morales as they battle various new threats, including the Symbiote and Venom. The former eventually falls victim to its influence, resulting in new powers and a much more vicious attitude. You can also look forward to new abilities, collectibles, and activities alongside fresh locations. With over 11 million copies sold, this would be a great deal for anyone who hasn’t already dived in.

Other notable releases supposedly include Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, an open-world racer from KT Racing. Despite facing middling reviews at launch, it’s been updated with several new features and content. Believe it or not, it’s currently in the middle of Season 5, which added several new vehicles, car resale, and taxi missions to the Contracts.

There’s also Neva from Nomada Studio (of Gris fame), which will reportedly be available for PS4 and PS5 players. Check out our review for the title, which offers a narratively rich and aesthetically gorgeous side-scrolling adventure.

Other titles are bound to be announced though, including more PlayStation Classics for Premium subscribers, so stay tuned for the official announcement.

The First Descendant

NEXON Games’ The First Descendant is an upcoming looter shooter where players assume the role of Descendants who are the last line of defense for humanity in the war against alien invaders. Each Descendant has different active and passive abilities, and you can use a bunch of items and weapons to customize your character with whatever feels best suited for your purposes. The First Descendant comes out for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on July 2nd.

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.

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.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

When paragons of virtue like Superman and The Flash have fallen under Brainiac’s control, and the Earth is facing invasion, the Squad is called in to clean things up. The Game Awards provided our first real look at the open world third person shooter with each character having unique abilities, whether it’s Harley’s melee combos and explosives or Deadshot’s jetpack and firearms. Though co-op is available, it can also be played solo as one switches between different squad members. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League doesn’t yet have a release date but it’s slated to release in 2022 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Nacon and KT Racing unveiled a new trailer for Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown, the series’ first true sequel since Test Drive Unlimited 2. It’s an open world racing title which promises “dream cars, customization, avatars” and much more. It will be coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.

The goal is the Solar Crown and players are essentially betting all their odds on winning. There’s freedom of progression though the classic open championship also makes a return. A release date wasn’t mentioned but there will be more details in July. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown was announced at last year’s Nacon Connect. While there isn’t much by way of gameplay, the title’s theme of racing luxury cars in gorgeous sandbox environments seems intact. Brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Koenigsegg, Apollo, Dodge and Bugatti are all confirmed, though you’ll need to earn the right to race them.

Nacon has some new details for its current and upcoming racing titles to reveal as part of Nacon Racing Week. Over the next 10 days, it will provide news for WRC 9 along with its follow-up WRC 10. Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown and RiMS Racing are also set to receive new information.

WRC 9 released last year to decent critical acclaim (check out our review here) so there may be details on new content or paid expansions. Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown was unveiled in July 2020 and confirmed to focus on luxury cars while providing 1:1 recreations of islands to explore. It’s being developed Kylotonn which also handles the WRC series.

Meanwhile, RiMS Racing is a motorcycle sim racer which looks to offer a super-realistic experience and precise riding controls. Developed by Raceward Studio, it’s currently slated to release in Summer 2021 for the UK on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC. Stay tuned for more details and, hopefully, new gameplay for all of the above in the coming days.

Buckle up racing fans because we have some thrilling news over the next 10 days! #NaconRacingWeek pic.twitter.com/HxWFtPngtP

— Nacon (@Nacon) April 12, 2021

At the first ever Nacon Connect earlier today, we got a little bit of a tease at something quite luxurious. It was confirmed that we would be seeing a new entry in the Test Drive Unlimited series not long before the event happened, and that ended up being Solar Crown.

It’s been almost 10 years now since Test Drive Unlimited 2 was released. The Unlimited part of the franchise focused on luxury cars and bigger areas which included 1:1 aimed recreations of real life islands. As you can see from the teaser below, they definitely are looking to invoke that with some slick looking visuals. The game will be developed by Kylotonn, who develops another racing series, WRC.

Unfortunately, that’s really all we have outside statements that the game will again look to recreate a real life island as the setting. No time frame or platforms were announced, though presumably it will at least come to PC and next generation consoles. We’ll just have to wait for this one to drive by with more information.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is here. Follow our journey and get involved…

Discord: https://t.co/8kH1xwjfGM
Twitter: @TestDrivehttps://t.co/jX10UIQ53F#NaconConnect pic.twitter.com/8xp0giILnK

— Nacon (@Nacon) July 7, 2020