With the rumoured release of Microsoft and Sony’s next generation consoles and a huge array of blockbuster games set to hit stores, 2013 is shaping up to be a very busy year for the gaming industry. Already confirmed for a 2013 debut are titles such as Ninja Theory’s upcoming Devil May Cry reboot, BioShock Infinite and Tomb Raider. But what about the games that still haven’t been given an official release date yet? Let’s take a look at some of the titles we’ll be seeing in the later half of 2013, and possibly 2014.
Beyond: Two Souls | Quantic Dream
Continuing on with the success of interactive psychological thriller Heavy Rain, Quantic Dream don’t seem to be straying too far away from their cinematic formula with Beyond: Two Souls. With a rumoured release date between April-June of 2013, Beyond: Two Souls promises to provide gamers with a totally unique experience to anything they’ll be seeing next year. While details regarding the storyline are still scarce, we do know that players will take control of protagonist Jodie Holmes and her spiritual companion (imaginary friend?) known as Aiden. Quantic Dream head David Cage wants to give players a more emotional and interactive experience – which ties in with Beyond: Two Souls central theme of life after death.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 | MercurySteam
A follow-up to the reboot of the Castlevania series in 2010, MercurySteam have promised that Lords of Shadow 2 will feature a deeper combat system and more non-linear worlds than its predecessor. The game has been slated for release in 2013 and will once again follow the path of protagonist Gabriel Belmont, or Dracula as he was revealed to be in Lords of Shadow. Seeking to be released from his immortal bonds to join his beloved wife, Marie, Dracula must return to the Belmont castle and face a new and potent threat.
Deadpool | High Moon Studios
With one of the best release trailers of recent times, it’s hard not to be excited over the idea of Deadpool headlining his very first video game. Whilst all we’ve seen of the title is its Comic-Con reveal, we know that Deadpool will be a third-person action game and will certainly feature a large amount of the tongue-in-cheek humour and fourth-wall breaking Deadpool is known for. With the game set for a 2013 release, the Merc with a Mouth is sure to be enjoying the limelight with a movie in the works as well.
Doom 4 | id Software
2013 will mark nine years since the release of Doom 3, and 20 years since the inception of the legendary franchise. The story of Doom 4 is rumoured to follow the aftermath of a “hell on Earth” scenario, and will look ”three times better” than id Software’s latest release, Rage, according to co-founder John Carmack. Doom 4 has a tentative 2013 release date attached to it, and for the first time will be a simultaneous multiplatform release on the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. However, with the game said to have been indefinitely postponed during different stages of development, and Carmack stating “the game will be done when it’s done”, don’t be surprised if Doom 4 is pushed into 2014.
Fortnite | Epic Games
Fortnite is the latest title in development by Epic Games and is set for a PC-only release in 2013. Fortnite will be the first game to utilise Epic’s new Unreal Engine 4. The focus of the game will be for players to be creative and collaborative during the daytime by scavenging and building their fort to protect themselves, so when night comes they can defend themselves from hordes of monsters. Fortnite will feature many sandbox elements, with players able to manipulate objects within their fort (such as roofs and windows) to suit their needs.
GTA V | Rockstar Games
Rockstar have had the gaming world on edge since the announcement of GTA V in November 2011, with each piece of new information regarding the game seemingly creating a frenzy online. GTA V will be set in San Andreas, and fans can only hope that the next installment lives up to the standards of last generation’s aforementioned classic. We know that we’ll be able to paraglide, fly planes and possibly even play tennis – yet the most anticipated question is still yet to be answered – when will GTA V be released? Opinions are divided on the topic, but we know for sure that we’ll be seeing it sometime in 2013.
The Last Guardian | Team Ico
The Last Guardian follows the story of a boy and his developing friendship and emotional attachment to a giant creature named Trico. The Last Guardian will share various similarities with director Fumito Udea’s previous titles, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, with many praising the stunning setting seen in the game’s trailer from E3 2009. However, it’s lengthy development time and issues surrounding it has seen The Last Guardian has become more of a phantom, as of late. Noticeably absent from the Tokyo Game Show in 2011 and E3 2012, the release date has now been pushed back from late 2011 (as announced in 2010) to a now indefinite TBA. Let’s hope we see the inevitably-beautiful game in 2013/14.
Metro: Last Light | 4A Games
Metro: Last Light is a sequel to 2010’s Metro 2033 and will feature a similar post-apocalyptic setting to its predecessor, in the Moscow Metro Rail System. The game will feature a dark, gritty setting and if the trailers are anything to go by, players will be facing some pretty peculiar monsters. THQ have previously announced that Metro: Last Light will be released in Q1 2013, which means that we’ll hopefully be seeing it sometime between January-March.
The Last of Us | Naughty Dog
The Last of Us is set in an almost post-apocalyptic setting in Boston, 20 years after a plague has ravaged through the human race and decimated modern society as we know it. The game will focus around its two main characters, Ellie and Joel, with the latter character being forced to look after 14-year-old Ellie after making a promise to a dying friend. The Last of Us is being developed by Naughty Dog and looks set to maintain the studio’s lofty standards created by the success of the Unchartered series. The game is set to be released sometime in Q2 2013, between April-June.
Watch Dogs | Ubisoft
Watch Dogs certainly capitalised on an underwhelming E3 2012 show by stunning the audience and viewers worldwide with its unique reveal. Little is known about the story behind the game – it is said to revolve around the world’s increasing use of technology and how all data is interconnected. Watch Dogs is set in an alternate reality of Chicago, where anti-hero Aiden Pierce is able to access a super computer to gather and manipulate information on the city’s residents and just about everything else. The game will be set in an open world and there will be a variety of ways for players to complete missions using Aiden’s different abilities.
What games do you think should be included/excluded from this list?
By Jake Galouzis