RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2
- RELEASE DATE: October 26
- PLATFORMS: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- DEVELOPER: Rockstar Games
- PUBLISHER: Rockstar Games
There seriously is not a lot of information out there about Red Dead Redemption 2 as of this time. We do know that the game will be a prequel by necessity since Red Dead Redemption ended in such a way that it was either go further back in time or explore a modern, not so Wild West. Gamers will play as a member of the Van der Linde gang, of which the first title’s main character, John Marston was a member. Three trailers have so far been released, but fans of the franchise have been left feeling anxious about the distinct lack of gameplay featured in these trailers. Rockstar has also revealed an online multiplayer feature - something that's been immensely successful for Grand Theft Auto 5 - but has withheld most details beyond the promise that it will not be a Battle Royale “copycat.”
OVERKILL'S THE WALKING DEAD
- RELEASE DATE: November 6
- PLATFORMS: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- DEVELOPER: Overkill Software
- PUBLISHER: Starbreeze Studios, 505 Games
Gamers grew excited for Overkill’s The Walking Dead after a series of wonderful theatrical trailers were released. Overkill - the minds behind super popular co-op shooter Payday 2 - promises real and emotional character journeys with their take on TWD, another four-player co-op shooter. Players choose from one of four characters each with unique backstories and fighting skills. This allows each character to bring their own specific skill set to the fight against the zombies as each travel through their own story arc. The gameplay looks relatively fast-paced with gamers appropriately teaming up to take out hordes of zombies using their various weapons of choice.
HITMAN 2
- RELEASE DATE: November 13
- PLATFORMS: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- DEVELOPER: IO Interactive
- PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Hitman 2 has been somewhat of an open secret for quite some time, having had various aspects and clues of the game leaked well before E3 2018. Despite the huge success of the episodic Hitman release, Square Enix parted ways with developer IO Interactive who were able to keep the IP. Hitman 2’s story will take place in the traditional (non-episodic) video game format. However, two long-form DLCs have been announced that may add to the overall story and game experience. A fun and outlandish take on assassination weapons will be present, players will be able to choose from unique items such as frying pans and fish to take out their intended targets.
FALLOUT 76
- RELEASE DATE: November 14
- PLATFORMS: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- DEVELOPER: Bethesda Game Studios
- PUBLISHER: Bethesda Softworks
Fallout 76 is not what anyone was expecting as the next installment in the beloved post-apocalyptic Bethesda franchise. As a prequel, and the first multiplayer always-online game in the series, Fallout 76 takes place in a somewhat less demolished setting that gamers are used to from this series since Vault 76 is one of the first to open in Fallout lore. While there are still plenty of well-kept secrets surrounding the latest entry to the Fallout franchise, it can certainly be said that Fallout 76 will be bigger and more ambitious than any Fallout that has come before it. It has been officially confirmed that the game will feature a map that is at least four times larger than any other map in the franchise and there will be no AI characters. All "characters" are actually other players, and you can even ... nuke them!
JUST CAUSE 4
- RELEASE DATE: December 4
- PLATFORMS: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- DEVELOPER: Avalanche Studios
- PUBLISHER: Square Enix
Just Cause 4 wasn’t supposed to be announced last month. But the infamous leak on Walmart Canada’s website led to an early announcement of the game (among many others). Since then, fans of Just Cause have gotten a better look at what to expect. Gamers are being offered an incredibly personalized experience with this sequel, based on the description of gameplay announced at E3 2018. Players will see more destructible objects, more dynamic locations and weather, a more realistic feel as objects react to the player, and the ability to drive essentially every vehicle they stumble across in the game. But... there's no multiplayer again which really hurt Just Cause 3.