By Chris Kavan - 01/16/13 at 05:29 PM CT
While rumors are floating around about the exact release date for the next generation of systems from Sony and Microsoft, one thing is clear, with the release of the WiiU, it's apparent that this is most likely going to be the last year for the venerable Xbox 360 and PS3. Whether it's this fall, winter, something tells me there's a good chance this upcoming holiday season will see another new system under the tree.
But you may as well go out with a bang, so what is there to look forward to this year? As I have been a PS3 fan from the beginning, it's looking like a good year. Throw in some hotly anticipated multiple platform games, and it really is looking like they did save the best for last. Here then are my most anticipated games of 2013:
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
I won't have to wait too long to check this one out, seeing as it's coming out Jan. 22 - but I have been looking forward to this since it was released in Japan last year. For one, it may be a decent RPG (something that is a big lacking this generation) and two, the visuals look absolutely stunning, thanks to the collaboration from Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. Early reviews are encouraging, so maybe, for once, a game will be worth purchasing on day one.
The Last of Us
Naughty Dog, the team behind the Uncharted series, returns with a new story about a duo - the veteran Joel and young charge Ellie, as they take a trip across a post-apocalyptic zombie-esque infested America. This type of game is right up my alley and I have been eating up just about everything I can on this game. It looks compelling and, after the great time I had with The Walking Dead, a logical next step. Will it manage to match the expectations I have set for it? Hard to say, but I can say I'm looking forward to it.
Grand Theft Auto V
Although a solid date is still kind of up for grabs, I'm guessing that sometime this year we'll be gifted with the release of the fifth game in the open world series. Returning to Los Santos once again, this is said to be the biggest game yet in the series - and, for the first time, you will switch between multiple characters, with their stories interacting. I've heartily enjoyed this series since GTA III revolutionized sandbox gameplay. I can't imagine they're going to stumble now - I expect this to be one of the best games of the year.
Beyond: Two Souls
Quantic Dream made one of the most unique games for the PS3, Heavy Rain. Instead of action and shooting, this was a modern adventure game where your decisions (and a handful of quick-time events) determined how the story would unfold. Beyond: Two Souls looks similar, though focusing more on player control. With actress Ellen Page on board, this looks to be one of the more interesting games for 2013.
Dragon's Crown
Although this was pushed back from last year following some delays, Dragon's Crown looks to be one of the best local multiplayer experiences coming for 2013. For one, you have the design, which, for those who have enjoyed games like Odin's Sphere, Grim Fandango and Muramasa: The Demon Blade, should be fantastic. Vanilla Ware is known for having some of the most impressive graphics in video games. Marry that visual style with a nearly endless action RPG adventure and I think you're going to have a winner on your hands. Hopefully the wait will be worth it.
Bioshock Infinite
Another series that have proven to me that you can still tell a great story without skimping on the gameplay, BioShock was a welcome addition to my gaming library. Now Infinite takes us to a new place - a city in the sky rather than under the ocean, but it looks like everything that made the first two games so good is going to return in fine form. The story looks crazy - what with time rifts and such - but I'm guessing this is going to turn out just fine.
Those are the big guns for me, but there are plenty of other games on my radar: Dead Space 3, Remember Me, South Park: The Stick of Truth, Star Wars 1313 (if it doesn't get pushed next-gen) and The Walking Dead: Season 2 (TBA) are all right up there. Other games that will probably soil collective breeches including Gears of War Judgement, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Pikmin 3, God of War: Ascension and Crysis 3. If nothing else, at least it's looking like 2013 is going to go out with a bang.
Comments
Nelson Schneider - wrote on 01/19/13 at 06:30 PM CT
Ha, ha, it just dawned on me that two of my anticipated games aren't even FOR 7th Gen hardware. Pikmin 3 is 8th Gen and I'll most likely get the Dreamcast (6th Gen) version of Pier Solar.
Nelson Schneider - wrote on 01/19/13 at 02:44 PM CT
I must be a terrible person. There are only 4 games I'm looking forward to in 2013 (that I know of presently):
Dragon's Crown
Ni no Kuni
Pikmin 3
Pier Solar and the Great Architects HD
(I guess I could include Pandora's Tower, since it is awesome and coming to NA in 2013, but I already completed the EU version.)
