Staff Picks: Our Most Anticipated Games of 2015
Some would argue that, so far, the new consoles haven’t really delivered anything truly “next-gen”. The release schedule this year has been somewhat stale – a few gems notwithstanding – but that’s all about to change.
While we have a stellar line-up promised for the rest of 2014 – including Dragon Age: Origins, Sunset Overdrive, Assassin’s Creed Unity and The Evil Within, to name just a few – next year is where it’s really at. 2015 could be the best year gaming has ever seen in terms of new IPs, high-powered reboots and killer sequels.
With that in mind, the team at GodisaGeek got together and made a list of our most anticipated games of next year. While certain titles are conspicuous by their absence, there are some serious powerhouses on the list. It’s safe to say we can’t wait for 2015.
MIKE STUBBSY, STAFF WRITER: STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT
As a kid I spent hours playing spilt-screen multiplayer on Star Wars Battlefront II. At least twice a week I would head to my friends house after school and we would play for hours. It’s safe to say that Battlefront II is one of my favorite games ever, so when I heard that DICE would be developing a new game in the series I was unbelievably excited.
The power of the Xbox One and PS4, combined with the talent of DICE and the Star Wars Battlefront IP is just too exciting to think about. Seriously I need to stop talking about it otherwise I will be depressed when I remember it wont be out until 2015 at the earliest… Damn…
ROBIN PARKER, SENIOR STAFF WRITER: QUANTUM BREAK
In truth, I’m still waiting for a true sequel to Alan Wake, but any project from developers Remedy is exciting. This game has nothing to do with the excellent time-travelling television series Quantum Leap, but its theme of temporal super-powers is an intriguing one.
Not only that, but it will also tie-in with a TV mini-series of the same name, that will be released concurrently – in the kind of gaming-TV synergy that Microsoft promised when they launched the Xbox One. This seems like it may be the first truly next-generation adventure for the still-young console.
CALVIN ROBINSON, EXECUTIVE EDITOR: RAINBOW SIX: SIEGE
The game I’m most excited about in 2015 is Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege. I have really fond memories of Rainbow Six from the PlayStation One era and although there have been a few hit-and-misses since then, from what I saw at E3 2014, they’re going back to the routes of Rainbow Six and focusing on strong tactical gameplay. As fun as it is to see the return of arcade shooters, it’ll be great to balance that out with a cooperative multiplayer that’s a little more tactical. Rainbow Six: Siege is going to be a thinking man’s game.
STEPHEN DUNNE, STAFF WRITER: RAINBOW SIX SIEGE
Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is in my top 10 games of all time. The sheer amount of time that I put into that game, both online and off, will surpass many people’s time on World of Warcraft. A tactical, realistic first person-shooter is something of a lost art form and with Ubisoft delivering massive games such as Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Far Cry 4 and Watch Dogs, it’ll be very interesting to see what they can pull out of the bag for the revival of one of the most underrated game series’ of all time.
DAN NAYLOR, STAFF WRITER: NO MAN’S SKY
My most anticipated game of 2015? It has to be No Man’s Sky. It’s got the randomly generated universe of Minecraft tied to the sci-fi trappings and spaceship exploration of Freelancer, which 11 years on, is still one of my favourite games. It looks fantastic, as well.
And on top of all of that, it contains dinosaurs! Drops mic, walks off stage.
ADAM COOK, EDITOR: THE WITCHER 3: THE WILD HUNT
Despite it nearly killing my PC due to the intense nature of the requirements, The Witcher 2 is easily in my top 10 of the last generation, because ultimately, I played, finished, and reviewed it via the enhanced edition released later for Xbox 360. The fracture nature of the release meant that it missed out on our Game of the Year awards when it was on PC, then again when it was on 360. I’m buggered if I’ll let that happen again, but although CDPR seem an incredible developer, full of the right kind of ideas, the scope of The Wild Hunt worries me slightly – I don’t want a huge world unless it’s full of greatness. Regardless, if I could have any game from 2015 in my greasy mitts right now, it’d be The Witcher 3.
And fuck, you get to fight massive great monsters, right? Bring it.
RICHARD SIMPSON, CONTRIBUTOR: BLOODBORNE
This is an easy one for me and a genuine reason to join the next generation: Bloodborne on the PS4.
This is going to be the most expensive game I ever buy, but it will come attached to a free PlayStation 4. To be back in the fold with From Software? Absolute no brainer for me. Still embracing the Dark Souls ethos? Take my money now.
MICK FRASER, DEPUTY EDITOR: BLOODBORNE
I don’t really like the term “as hype as shit”, but I have to admit it’s pretty fitting here. Right now, my Game of the Year 2014 is still Dark Souls 2. No matter what the next few months bring, I don’t see much touching it. And despite this, there’s still part of me that thinks Dark Souls 1 was slightly better. With that in mind, the very thought of a new IP from the same team and same director is mind-blowing.
The few minutes of gameplay footage that snuck out of E3 this year were enough to hook me immediately, and the more I hear about the gore-soaked adventure, the more excited I get. I hate to wish my life away, but when you’ve also got honourable mentions like The Order: 1886 and Batman: Arkham Knight on the horizon, 2015 can’t come quick enough.
JAMES BOWDEN, STAFF WRITER: SCALEBOUND
I know we know nothing about this game, I know the main character looks a bit generic but c’mon, it’s Platinum. It’s not even just Platinum, it’s Kamiya Platinum, and that’s the best kind of Platinum. The trailer gives off some distinctive Monster Hunter vibes, which tickles my buttons enough by itself, but could you imagine a hunting game with the combat flair of a Devil May Cry or a Bayonetta? Phew! But then you throw in the possibility of riding a personal dragon into battle, as well? Give me a minute, I need to steady myself…
COLM AHERN, VIDEO PRODUCTION EDITOR: METAL GEAR SOLID V
I’m a fan of pageantry and the story of Metal Gear Solid V is full of that. From being originally shown off as a game from a different studio, to a man with a bandage on his face, the theatrical element involved in just the announcement alone, was a delight. Ground Zeroes was released earlier this year and, although it is unquestionably a very good game, it felt unfinished and left a bad taste in the mouths of many. The Phantom Pain looks to rectify that. Previous to Ground Zeroes, Metal Gear Solid 4 released with quite a number of glaring issues – despite its overall quality – such as an emphasis on action at points and unimaginative bosses. As someone that has been with the series since the first PlayStation release, I’m hoping that Kojima Productions deliver something special next year and elevate the series, once again.
LEE GARBUT, ASSISTANT VIDEO PRODUCER: METAL GEAR SOLID V
For me, it’s The Phantom Pain. Ground Zeroes may have been a short slice of gameplay, but it was enough to whet my appetite for the next Hideo Kojima epic. It feels like we’re getting closer and closer to seeing Snake fulfil his destiny of setting up the real Outer Heaven, and I feel that the possibility of this game tackling some controversial subject matter is going to lead to great things for gaming – provided it’s done in the right way, as Kojima isn’t exactly known for his tactful approach in these situations.
From what we’ve seen so far, this is going to be yet another evolution of the series, and for me personally, it’s the new generation’s first killer app. Don’t let me down, Kojima-San!
SEAN SMITH, SENIOR STAFF WRITER: THE LEGEND OF ZELDA WII U
Beneath my tough as teak gypsy exterior lurks what some may describe as a bit of a softy, prone to unexpected emotional outbursts – and no game series makes this grown man cry more than The Legend of Zelda. So, of course, the recent E3 Wii U footage saw more eyeball leakage as I was able to start envisioning how the first “next gen” Zelda was going to look.
Nintendo freshened up their beloved franchise by incorporating a looser structure to their sublime A Link Between Worlds – which is why I have no concerns about a more open-world outing for the green tunic. The mentions of ancient technology, the ability to make choices that determine your path and your overall Link-ing experience, and the return of Epona (or A. N. Other Horse), are all appetite-whetting snippets of the most tantalising order.
The Wii U is a terrific console that has not been pushed to its full potential, not by a long shot. With a pre-Christmas 2015 release more than likely, Eiji Aonuma has the best part of eighteen months to knock this out of the park. I have genuinely never been more excited for a videogame in my entire 34 and a half years upon this space rock.
There you go, folks. Those are our most anticipated games of 2015. What are yours? Any you really think we should be salivating for? Any of the above that you really aren’t interested in? Let us know in the comments!
