2018 was a year that consisted of a variety of heavy hitters from all of the big three. The PS4 and Xbox One are in the prime of their life, and developers have had significant time to craft quality gaming experiences. Sony and Microsoft have enhanced the experiences they provide with juiced-up, 4K versions of their consoles. Nintendo has bounced back from the lull of the Wii U, and has gotten in on the action full throttle with their Switch as well. The console has seen over a year on the market, and is getting the full commitment from both its home console studios as well as their former 3DS developers finally shifting focus to the platform. Even the indie scene is producing some potential breakout hits that could stand toe to toe with the heavy hitters, and is proving to provide some of the leading examples of innovation.
As a result of this perfect storm which is brewing with an ever-strengthening intensity, the current generation lineups seem to be escalating in both quantity and quality on all fronts. What we're seeing now, leading into 2019, is an excellent culmination of software with diverse characteristics. We're seeing all new IPs and innovative ideas coming from the AAA, AA, and indie scenes, as well as a return to established franchises, both new, and some very old. We're seeing a celebration of the retro, the modern, as well as an exciting gaming future. A variety of genres are being covered, from FPS, to massive open world RPGs, to retro-tinged sidescrollers.
And if this weren't enough, we have the prospect of some potential game rumors and speculation that spark the imagination and raise the hype levels of 2019 and beyond even further. This list will cover some of the biggest, most exciting, and next-level-crazy games coming out in the next couple of years, as well as some rumored and potential heavy hitters that can further flesh out an already promising lineup.
30 Currently In Development: Gears 5
While Coalition Studios, for some reason, thought it necessary to dial back the length of the title, which is now simply Gears 5, the scope and action of this 6th installment of the Gears of War franchise looks to be anything but dialed back.
War? War never changes... But this sequel could bring a refreshing change to the series.
The game stars a female protagonist for the first time, named Kait Diaz, though it's not her first rodeo in the series, as she fought alongside J.D. and Marcus Phoenix in the previous entry. The game promises to provide an epic shooter experience, with plenty of new locus-infested environments, along with new weapons and characters.
29 Currently In Development: Dead Or Alive 6
The latest installment of this staple fighting franchise from developer Team Ninja looks to be bigger and badder than ever. You've got new mechanics, including the break gauge, as well as a "Fatal Rush," which deals a devastating blow to an opponent once your meter is full.
To bring a degree of gritty realism, the developers are also adding lingering visual damage to fighters that have absorbed hits.
In a series that's been known for a slick aesthetic, it's a tall order to raise the bar, but that's exactly what this sequel appears to be achieving with some gorgeous and crisp graphics. Look for this game to hit the PS4, Xbox One, and PC February 15th, 2019.
28 Currently In Development: Dying Light 2
The follow-up to the surprise 2015 hit, this game looks to provide another thrilling and heart-pounding survival horror experience, witdh fresh hordes of zombies looking to end you.
Notable changes from the first entry include the exclusion of zombies during the daytime, allowing for new strategies in this game. There's also going to be an increased emphasis on the story choices you make, which will alter the course of the narrative and circumstances. You'll have to rely on your wits and instincts for this zombie-killing romp!
27 Possibility: Fable 4
There have been whispers of a 4th iteration to this choice-based fantasy RPG trilogy for several years now, though they seem to have gained momentum of late. Many were convinced that the game would finally make an appearance at this years E3, but it wasn't to be.
Could this be fact or fable? I'll see myself out...
Now there are talks that developer Playground Games is working on a "major secret project," which many speculate to be a new Fable title. It seems an odd fit at first, but since they're now a Microsoft studio, and their premiere franchise, Forza Horizon, is an open world game with light RPG elements, it would seem to give credibility to this.
26 Currently In Development: Trials Rising
5 years after the last entry, Ubisoft's extreme physics-based motorcycle racer is back, and better than ever. This 2019 sequel, Trials Rising, looks to rev things up with some improved physics and slicker graphics, and a plethora of new obstacle courses all over the world, from Everest to the Eiffel Tower.
Next level Excite Bike...
There will also be new features such as customizable courses that can be shared with players online, and even an ability to partner up and control different aspects of the same bike in a heart-pounding co-op mode. Sounds pretty extreme!
25 Currently In Development: Anthem
Between Bioware's recent entry in the Mass Effect series, Andromeda, garnering mixed reviews, and its Dragon Age franchise hitting a bit of a downward slide, they're looking to rebound in a big way with the Sci-Fi RPG, Anthem.
They just might pull that off too, based off what we've seen from this epic open-world game. Containing a vast shared online world with some beautiful graphics, an original story with rich world-building, and plenty of cool gadgets and weaponry, we should be in for quite the journey.
24 Possibility: Final Fantasy VIII Remake
Square Enix appears to be in full-blown reboot and re-release mode, between their recent announcement of Final Fantasy ports on current gen consoles, and their work on the much anticipated Final Fantasy VII remake for the PS4.
The underrated successor to FFVII is definitely a contender for remake status with its passionate fan following and pretty visuals.
Though surely this would take some time to get done, as the company is hard at work on the monstrous project of the FFVII remake, it's certainly feasible that it could the next major FF remake down the line. The cinematic qualities and some gorgeous environments certainly lend themselves to a PS4 (or even PS5) reboot.
23 Currently In Development: Resident Evil 2 Remake
When the original Resident Evil got the remake treatment nearly 2 decades ago, diehard fans were salivating at the beautiful new paint job like a hungry zombie zeroing in on its prey. This sequel, which many claim to be on the same level or even better than the first, is set to wow fans all over again. Rather than being confined mostly to a mansion, RE2 takes place in a larger array of interesting environments, including the streets of Raccoon city, making for what could potentially be an even more visually appealing, immersive, and creepy survival horror.
22 Currently In Development: Devil May Cry 5
Talk about a long time coming, this fan favorite Capcom hack and slash had been in a whopping decade-long hiatus, before Dante made his return appearance in all his demon-slaying glory in a visually stunning E3 2018 trailer. This sequel looks to be as action-packed and over-the-top as ever, as Dante will be fighting off massive hordes with his Red Queen sword, revolver, as well as his newly equipped robotic arm.
Get ready to hunt some demons on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC when the game hits March 8th, 2019.
21 Possibility: F-Zero Switch
Yes, we all love Mario Kart, but what of this less-appreciated, but equally intense futuristic racer from Nintendo? While it was back in the Gamecube days, developer Sega has picked up the reigns and proven that this series can still produce a thrilling experience that still holds up.
Fast RMX on the Switch offers a tease to how awesome a new F-Zero COULD be.
Now, with the Switch's graphical prowess compared to previous Nintendo consoles, along with its online capabilities, an online F-Zero seems like a no-brainer. I'm quite sure Sega would oblige if called on to create another installment of this dormant cash cow. Make it happen, Nintendo!
20 Currently In Development: Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
Suda 51, who's one of gaming's most regarded and eccentric icons this side of Shigeru Miyamoto, has been rather quiet of late when it comes to game-related news, at least on the Nintendo front. Though he reestablished himself onto the scene in a big way when he announced that antihero Travis Touchdown was making his return, and in August 2017, the first trailer was finally showed off.
The sequel to this edgy action game looks more awesome than ever, as the trailer showed off some adrenaline pumping action laced with slick cell-shaded graphics, which are powered by Unreal Engine 4.
19 Currently In Development: Battletoads
Talk about coming out of nowhere! This announcement by Rareware and Microsoft at their 2018 E3 showing seemed to take just about everybody by surprise, even diehard fans of this 1991 classic.
These toads will bash their way onto the scene sometime in 2019.
Little is known about this game, as we were shown naught but a brief teaser containing a basic, mostly text-based cut-scene with narration. However, thanks to a sprinkling of details in this teaser, coupled with a company tweet or two, we do know that Battletoads will contain 2.5D hand drawn graphics, and is in fact a brand new game, not a remaster.
18 Possibility: Perfect Dark Sequel
While Battletoads proved one of Microsoft's biggest surprise announcements in terms of a Rare sequel, it was perhaps equally surprising that another classic franchise of theirs, Perfect Dark was a no-show. Considering how well the original N64 game was received, and how shooter-friendly the Xbox One has proven itself, it's a puzzler as to what's holding Rare back from a sequel.
Hopefully, it won't be long before we see if Rare can make a comeback into the FPS scene.
As the franchise's latest release, a prequel, now sits at nearly 13 years old, the anticipation for a true sequel that follows Joanna Dark after her run-in with dataDyne, is building all the time.
17 Currently In Development: Rage 2
Watching this insane FPS and its physics-based destruction elements in action instantly makes one excited. Though, when you learn about the companies behind it, including giants Bethesda, Avalanche Studios and their juiced-up Apex engine, and FPS originators id Software, the hype levels go through the roof.
The game contains a large semi-open world, and a greater focus on vehicles with customizable cars, bikes, and even planes. There are also a variety of satisfying abilities to take advantage of, including a sort of "super saiyan" powerup called Overdrive mode.
16 Currently In Development: Just Cause 4
This over-the-top physics-based action series from Avalanche Studios is like playing in a gigantic, virtual toy box, where you can assemble, manipulate, destroy, and blow up seemingly everything in sight. As if things weren't crazy enough, the developers are upping the ante to an even more absurd degree through its new game engine, Apex. They're also throwing extreme weather conditions into the mix, such as lightning storms and twisters. Fasten your seat-belt - it's going to be a wild ride!
15 Possibility: Pokémon MMO
This one can nearly be filed under the "confirmed" category, as Nintendo recently confirmed that indeed, that highly anticipated Pokémon RPG is finally making its way on to the Switch. Yet, since there is still little known about this game, there is still plenty of room for speculation as to what extent online gameplay will play a role.
The awesome potential for an epic, MMO-style game, which could allow you to trade with and battle other Poké-masters online, invokes the imagination and opens the door for endless possibilities. It's quite possible, as the company looks to generate more hype and incentive to their paid online service.
14 Currently In Development: Generation Zero
It's man vs machine in this gritty, post-apocalyptic action survival shooter. Taking on a charming retro-80's vibe, Generation Zero takes place in a retro-future Sweden circa 1989, where machines have taken over and roam the now barren lands.
The game also utilizes dynamic weather, day-night transitions, and persistently simulated machines for an extra dimension of realism.
You can choose to team up with a group of friends, or go full rogue in eerie solitude, as you plot counterattacks, ambushes, and traps against gaggles of robots. This should make for some memorable multiplayer action, as the game encourages you to explore and carve out your own experience, and uncover story elements embedded within its vast open world.
13 Currently In Development: Cyberpunk 2077
This game's setting seems to capture what it would be like to be in the thick of a futuristic city that's wrought with both technological advances and poverty stricken turmoil.
Cyberpunk 2077 is adapted from an old tabletop game from the 80's with the now outdated title, "Cyberpunk 2020."
The game takes on a gritty, semi-dystopian vibe full of a colorful cast of characters, unique classes, and an array of weaponry that promise to make for a compelling action RPG. While there's still no official release date, we can't possibly be that far off on a release, as it's been in development for a whopping 6 years.
12 Possibility: Mario Maker 2
Standing as one of the few significant games for Wii U that has yet to be ported to Nintendo's current console, a Super Mario Maker sequel, or at the very least, a port of the original, seems to be a no-brainer. As the game relies on user-created content, there isn't much danger of the game containing "more of the same."
For starters, how about some simultaneous online multiplayer, where players can invite friends into their crafted stages?
Between Nintendo's heightened focus on its online functionality, the portability, as well as the touch-screen functionality of the Switch, this game seems about as great a fit as any.
11 Currently In Development: The Last Night
Often, some of the most groundbreaking and innovative content comes from indie studios. One need only look at this gorgeous, retro 80's-tinged 2.5D spectacle to realize that this isn't your typical platformer. The game runs with the always interesting premise of a dystopian society in which machines have taken most of the jobs, and uses it as the backdrop for an interesting looking game. It mixes basic platforming elements with shooting and stealth, which should make for an experience that's well-rounded and enriching.