10 Must-Play Games Still To Come In 2016

Think 2016 has already given us all the gaming excitement it can?

Well, fear not – there’s more to come!

So far, we’ve had No Man’s Sky, Uncharted 4, Doom, and the start of Batman: The Telltale Series (to name just a few), but what else does 2016 have in store for its final quarter?

Here are 10 of the most exciting …

Battlefield 1

Release: 21st October

The Battlefield series has a massive fan-base, and Battlefield 1 has understandably generated its fair share of anticipation. Can it live up the franchise’s best entries, or will the low-tech approach be a gamble too far?

Battlefield 1 is EA’s first World War 1-set game since their beloved Wings of Glory (waaaay back in 1994). While other first-person games like Overwatch toss players into high-tech worlds filled with all kinds of wild weaponry, Battlefield 1 dumps you in the muddy hell of the Great War – and all the primitive death-tools you’d expect.

Bolt-action rifles, flamethrowers, and even mustard gas are up for grabs, while you can beat opponents into submission with a trusty shovel. On top of this, you have biplanes, tanks, battleships, and even horses at your disposal.

The game looks absolutely gorgeous so far, but will it fly with fans of the franchise?

Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration

Release: 11th October

Rise of the Tomb Raider is already available for Xbox One and PC, but the PS4 edition is packing quite a punch.

The 20 Year Celebration Edition includes the extra content released since the game’s arrival, as well as a fresh-faced Extreme Survivor mode (ideal for a little self-torture). Want more? Okay, how about a new section titled Blood Ties, which is designed with VR-compatibility – a sweet little bonus for those of you looking to try the PlayStation VR.

Lara’s Nightmare puts our heroine up against zombies, while there’s two-player shenanigans aplenty in Endurance mode.

Mafia 3

Release: 7th October

It’s been more than six years since Mafia II hit the market, but there’s still plenty of people excited for a follow-up.

Mafia III looks stunning so far, with a glorious 1960s setting based on New Orleans and a hard-as-nails Vietnam vet in the lead. Playing as the brilliantly-named Lincoln Clay, you’ll get to set up your own criminal organization and take down the Italian mob in revenge.

Titanfall 2

Release: 28th October

The biggest news about Titanfall 2 is the inclusion of a single-player campaign, a feature many missed in the original. Titanfall 2 will also have some new Titans to choose from, and there’s a grappling hook up for grabs too, which should add a little more verticality to the game. As usual, there will be parkour and combat, while the storyline should build a stronger dynamic between the Titans and their pilots,

Want more good news? Most of the DLC will (apparently) be released for free.

Gears of War 4

Release: 11th October

Need we say anything?

The fourth instalment in the mega-hit Gears of War series takes place 25 years after the explosive third game, and focuses on J.D. Fenix, the child of Marcus Fenix and Anya. Cover-based shenanigans will make up the bulk of the action, and new weapons have been added to the mix (like the combat knife, enhancing melee brawls).

The new weather mechanics will help to make Gears of War 4 feel a little different to the original trilogy, with violent winds affecting the gameplay itself. With only a couple of weeks left, we’ll know soon enough if it’s the series’ best yet!

The Last Guardian

Release: 6th December

The Last Guardian has been in development for nearly 10 years, but numerous delays mean it’s only just about to grace our consoles.

By now, you probably know all there is to know about this potential masterpiece. The Last Guardian’s creators have impressive pedigree, with Ico and Shadow of the Colossus behind them, both of which are regarded as classics. Still, while Fumito Ueda and his team have moved on to other things since they started this game, they are still serving as creative consultants.

So far, The Last Guardian looks set to be a beautiful game, possibly unlike anything else. The story is based around an old man telling a tale from his boyhood, in which he meets an enormous bird-like creature; the game then follows their growing friendship as they work to escape their mutual entrapment.

Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon

Release: 18th November

Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon have generated plenty of excitement, and it’s no surprise given these are the first entries in the Pokemon series’ seventh generation. In the wake of Pokemon Go’s massive success, the franchise is also set deeper into the public consciousness than ever, so newcomers may jump aboard the RPG titles with this.

Sun and Moon are set in an all-new tropical region, and some of the ‘mon can take on different forms to acclimatise to the environment, providing fresh takes on classic characters.

As well as these ‘Alola’ forms, players can also expect to see Z-moves, used just once in every battle but powerful enough to make a real impact. We’ll also have the Poke Finder, which lets you snap pictures of your characters.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

Release: 4th November

Another year, another Call of Duty.

Still, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare looks set to be an entirely new kind of COD experience. With its new space-setting, the game will give you first-person shooting in zero-gravity. Sound cool? Well, throw in a grappling hook and a booster pack (for faster, steadier movement), and you might be on to a winner.

There has been some controversy around Infinite Warfare, and the new setting might leave a few players craving a return to sandy deserts and war-torn cities, but nobody can accuse the developers of not trying anything new.

Flight-based combat is also included, with a transforming ship you can customise throughout the game too (it even has a badass name: the Jackal!).

Final Fantasy XV

Release: 29th November

To say Final Fantasy XV looks amazing would be a massive understatement.

Final Fantasy XV looks to be a true next-level experience, boasting mind-blowing graphics and an immersive open world with a stunning day-night cycle.

One of the major changes Final Fantasy XV will introduce is real-time fights, a real departure from the traditional turn-based system. Powerful characters can also be summoned, and while magic’s on-hand, the long-standing MP (magic points) have been removed.

However, the weather system affects magic’s performance: using fire in windy or rainy climates will negate its effect, forcing you to think strategically.

Watch Dogs 2

Release: 15th November

Ubisoft have taken a smart approach to Watch Dogs 2: they pored over feedback from the first game to identify potential improvements, boosting their chances of creating the game fans really want to see.

Watch Dogs 2 is set in a fictional version of San Francisco, and sees Marcus, a hacker, work with a group dedicated to taking down the all-knowing surveillance system watching over their city. In this new setting, players will have double the space to play in, and plenty of different vehicles are up for grabs. Parkour’s also ideal for getting around in a hurry.

Hacking will, of course, play a major part in the game, with Marcus able to get into devices through his smartphone. This looks set to be a great title, improving on the first for a fuller, more immersive experience.

Other titles set for release before the end of the year include Dishonored 2, Batman: Arkham VR, and Star Citizen. There’s something for everyone!

Which games are you looking forward to playing in the next few months? Let us know!