It’s the time of year that’s all about looking forward, why not take the opportunity to get all excited about the video games that we’re set to see in 2013.
The confirmed titles for 2013 are somewhat thin on the ground as the major publishers hold fire ahead of the new system announcements. Therefore, I’ve limited my list to those games already confirmed for 2013 (and for systems that we know exist) rather than speculate on what consoles the likes of Star Wars 1313 and Watch Dogs might eventually release on.
The Last Of Us (May)
The Last of Us follows the bid for existence of Joel and Ellie as they pick their way through the ruins of the American East Coast in Naughty Dog’s first all-original franchise since Uncharted. Joel is a survivor of the plague that destroyed modern civilization two decades prior. He remembers life before the collapse. Ellie, a streetwise young girl, only knows the brutal environment of infected mutants and ruthless gangs of outlaws. I got a chance to see the demo at Pax Prime in 2012 and was blown away.
Think ‘a zombie outbreak with a difference’ one that sees an airborne fungus transforming 99% of humanity into flesh-craving monsters. The survivors subsequently dividing into factions that, much like in Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, might not always sport the best intentions towards their fellow man. Naughty Dog has never let me down. Never.
GTA V (March)
It seems redundant to hype GTA V any further, as it is the merest whiff of a new screenshot is enough to set the internet ablaze. Still, it’s hard to select the gaming picks of 2013 without mentioning Rockstar’s opus. Three protagonists, the huge sandbox of Los Santos to play in and the series’ usual trademark black humor mean that this will sell like the proverbial hotcakes this spring. It can’t help but be successful.
Beyond: Two Souls (TBA)
Directed by David Cage (Heavy Rain), Beyond: Two Souls marks a return to the deliberate, meditative narrative-heavy role-playing that his development studio, Quantic Dream, is famous for. Its plot revolves around the formative years of Jodie Holmes (played by Ellen Page), as she escapes shadowy government agencies intent on gaining control over her ghostly protector, Idan. Expect twists, moral dilemmas and even an examination of what happens once we depart this mortal coil. I line up for psychological action thrillers. Always.
Destiny (TBA)
A sci-fi epic set 700 years in the future, and feature battles with aliens to protect the “last city on Earth” after the collapse of mankind’s efforts to colonize the Solar System. Bungie aims to create a universe ‘as deep’ as the Star Wars franchise? Well, that HALO IP did pretty, pretty good.
Remember Me (May)
‘Remember me’ is a neo-noir cyberpunk game where players can steal memories and use them against the corrupt corporations plaguing Paris (circa 2048). The gameplay looks to feature a mix of exploration, melee combat and Uncharted-esque platforming. I’ve also heard that there’s already some Capcom type flair in the game as well, with finishing moves and dodges. The premise alone has hooked me. If it’s a crap game, sounds like it would make an awesome novel or movie.
What games are you most looking forward to this year?