While 2018 wasn’t a bad year for gaming, it did have some AAA Blockbusters turning out to be lacklustre. 2019 has what seems to be an exciting lineup. Here are just a few names to keep an eye out for this year.
Kingdom Hearts III
Kingdom Hearts III was first unveiled in 2013 and fans have been patiently waiting for what is supposed to be the conclusion of the story. The build-up for this encompasses a decade’s worth of games and movies. I personally cannot wait to play through the Toy Story and Monster’s Inc worlds; with Tangled, Pirates of the Caribbean and Frozen also high on that list. While Kingdom Hearts has defined the action-RPG genre in the past, I’m slightly worried that Square Enix will play it safe from a gameplay perspective. But I’m eager to see the finale and the many surprises that are in store when the game comes out on January 29, 2019.
Anthem
After the disappointing launch of Mass Effect: Andromeda, Anthem is probably one of the most important games in the company’s history. It could either revitalise their name, or they end up losing their core audience. Thankfully, the action looks great so far. The world is indeed beautiful, and the combat looks satisfying. The concept of an online shared world is ambitious, but it known to have an adverse effect on storytelling, something Bioware excels at and the fans expect from their games. I am hoping that this game breaks that trend when it launches on February 22, 2019.
Devil May Cry 5
DMC 5 has a lot of elements that will please long-time fans. The over the top style this series is known for is present in full force, along with the smooth combat and the rocking soundtrack we all expected. The set-up is more interesting and the new character opens up a lot of possibilities for the main story. The overall structure and flow of the game has not changed much. Regardless, with Nero, Dante and V playable, you will have no issues with killing hordes of demons. The game launches on March 8, 2019.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Even though it is a new IP from renowned studio From Software, Sekiro has been going under the radar for a lot of people. For some, it is too similar to the Souls series, while others are worried about how mainstream success will impact their design decisions. But, having already played it at Gamescom, I was extremely pleased with the tight combat and the new movement mechanics introduced by the grappling hook. Even though it doesn’t have RPG elements or multiplayer anymore, the core philosophy around the level design and encounter design remains the same, which is the USP of From Software. I cannot wait to see what new gigantic beasts or unsettling foes I get to take down when the game launches on March 22, 2019.
