Hello and Happy New Year all!
Admittedly, it’s a slightly shapeless-looking year at the moment.
Now, onto the games!
It’s 3D for starters, and is more of a co-op action roguelike than a purely singleplayer adventure.
What that means in practice remains to be seen, but it has the potential to be fascinating.
It’s intriguing stuff and out very soon.
It warms me just to think about it.
This could be something great.
I’m excited to return.
-Bertie
Civilization 7
Cor, a new Civ!
There’s something wonderfully lavish about a brand new Civilization game.
Plus, Gwendoline Christie as the new narrator reading out all those nice little quotes is inspired.
Time for the return of One More Turn.
-Chris
Urban Myth Dissolution Center
Murder mystery fans, listen up!
-Katharine
Date Everything!
Ever wanted to date your fridge?
No, me neither.
But after watching the trailer for Date Everything!
-Jessica
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Stealthy rooftop shenanigans (or loud samurai stomping) through feudal Japan?
After a much-discussed delay and amid turbulent times for Ubisoft itself, expectations for Shadows are through the roof.
I have a bit of a soft spot for Lara’s double denim, Parisian parkouring antics.
For me, this is more like a pyramiddream.
-Tom P
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
What’s better than being a pirate?
like its titular hunters do cooking a honking great slab of monster meat.
Let the competition for the best dino hat and pants combo commence.
There’s even promise of a dance battle with a monkey.
Errm, yes kindly!
Personally I can’t wait to see how Wanderstop manages to twist the cosy game genre.
But what a thrill to be able to rediscover this strange and singular JRPG again!
It throws up all kinds of questions - which season will player ratings be based on?
What happens to FM26?
Will March be the new regular slot going forward?
But many of those are really moot.
It’s a big gamble.
Much like the sport itself, the one thing that’s guaranteed is entertainment.
Get it into my veins, stat.
-Jessica
While Waiting
Is this a game about being patient?
Or one about doing every conceivable fidgety thing to fill the time between one event and the next?
Its wonderfully pretty art style only helps.
This new Dune project has more going for it than being a movie tie-in, then.
But these projects are big swings that depend on mass excitement to get their player base going.
This is a big deal for a genre that’s recently been having something of a renaissance.
-Chris
Farthest Frontier
Farthest Frontier has strong Manor Lords vibes.
I can’t wait to return to it for 1.0.
Is it the end of the world?
Is it a homage to the Y2K bug?
Whatever it is, I’m super keen to find out in this oddball bug life adventure.
-Katharine
Blue Prince
A roguelike-cum-puzzle game about house construction?
But when the floor plan resets at the end of every day, that’s easier said than done.
-Jessica
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2
Deja vu.
I’ve written about this game before in an articlejust like this.
This game has been in development for a long time.
But the big question is, will it be worth the protracted wait?
I remain eternally intrigued.
Oh, and it also includes a “fully dynamic onesie soilage system”, so there is that.
And presumably, go on a big walk.
This year, we find out.
It looks stunning and I can’t wait to play it in full.
I quite enjoyed what I played of Deadlock, even in its very early state.
Like I said, I quite enjoyed it.
So, just tell me when Valve.
Just tell me when.
Sign me the hell up.
And it’s possible for you to still play it solo, to be clear.
As if that wasnt bad enough, the rozzers have jailed your brother.
Promising an exotic setting, eccentric characters and voodoo, this game has Victoria Kennedy written all over it.
-Chris
Grand Theft Auto 6
What is there to say?
Here’s hoping its 2025 launch window sticks.
Hopefully, the answer will be some time this year.
There are few if any developers out there making video games quite like this.
-Katharine
Judas
The much-anticipated game from Ken Levine’s new studio, Ghost Story Games.
Yes, it does sound a lot like Bioshock in space.
Oh, and it looks stunning to boot.
), you know it’s probably going to be a grand old ride all the same.
I’ll be putting in my app forthwith.
Expect environmental puzzles, old-timey noir trappings (trenchcoat anyone?)
and some of the most sumptuous, expressive visual design in video games.
If they pull it off, it could rival Night City.
Better still, adetailed development roadmapis already pointing to a bright (and mercifully DLC-free) future.
Hopefully there will be some more time travel or dimension jumping nonsense happening too.
Only these aren’t the cute and cuddly Japanese mascots you might be familiar with already.
For all its diminutive stature, this game is a colossus.
It popularised the deck-building roguelike genre.
A sequel is a big deal.
But how do you top an idea like that?
The answer seems to be that you don’t - you build upon it.
I’m equal parts terrified it won’t work and giddy at the prospect it will.
Either way, I can’t wait.
I can’t wait to see more.
Very excited for this one.
A large, glowing eyeball and sharp teeth?
- and nope, get me out of here this instant.
How could I not?
Yes hey and thank you to everything about this.
The debut trailer looked like a deliriously good time.
I’ve got high hopes for this.
Will I make it past the first horrible boss monster?
But I’m sure as heck excited to give it a try.
Games like Hades 2, Manor Lords, and Path of Exile 2, to name just a couple.
We’re looking forward to seeing how all those develop over the coming months as well.
Needless to say, it’s going to be a big year!
