Mages of Mystralia
Full disclosure, the awesome folks at Borealys Games gave me a free ticket into PAX this year after I won a contest on Twitter, but even if I’d never met them before I would have still been very impressed by Mages of Mystralia. The game is simply gorgeous, with bright and colorful cartoony graphics. From a gameplay standpoint, Mystralia is influenced by Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but with a twist. You character Zia can combine spells to create a huge variation of potential magical effects that you can use to fight your enemies. If you want to get a jump start on the games story, Borealys Games has taken the unique path of releasing the back story of the game via a comic that is updated every Tuesday and Thursday. Written by Brian Clevinger (Atomic Robo, 8-Bit Theater) and drawn by Carey Pietsch (Lumberjanes, Adventure Time), it’s a great way to immerse yourself in the world of Mystralia.
Release Date: Q2 2017
Hob
Hob will be the first non-action RPG that Runic Games (the company behind the Torchlight series) has worked on. After experiencing a pretty serious studio shakeup in 2014, when two of their founders left to form Double Damage Games, Runic decided to focus on something different and Hob was born. Hob is set in a mysterious unknown world. The game has no written or spoken narrative; instead, the player will uncover more about the world and it’s story by exploring and solving puzzles.
Release Date: 2017
RiME
RiME was originally announced as a PlayStation exclusive but in Spring of 2016 developer Tequila Works acquired the full rights back to the game. At the end of 2016, it was announced that the game would now be released on PC, Xbox, Playstation and possibly the Nintendo Switch. In the game, you play the part of a young boy that awakens on a mysterious island after a shipwreck. The island contains long-forgotten ruins and a massive tower that beckons you to come closer. Your mission is to coax out the secrets of the island and solve puzzles with the assistance of a helpful fox. And who doesn’t love foxes?
Release Date: May 2017
Pit People
The Behemoth is well known for never quite sticking in the same genre from game to game, but Pit People may be their biggest departure yet. Billed as an “action role-playing strategy game”, it features turned based combat on a hex grid system. That doesn’t in any way mean it takes itself seriously, though. Set in the same universe as it’s predecessor Battle Block Theater, the game features space bears, off the wall weapons and items, hilarious dialog and other surprises. I was lucky enough to play this at PAX using controllers made just for the game but also was in the private betas for both Xbox and Steam. Of the two, I probably preferred it on Steam just because there is a lot of little details and text, but it plays wonderfully with a controller. A final release date hasn’t been announced, but it’s hitting early access this week.
Release Date: January 13th, 2017 (early access)
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
I’ll be honest, Resident Evil 7 will always somehow be tied to this slightly NSFW Penny Arcade comic, but that doesn’t make we want to try it any less. Resident Evil 7 will be the first game in the series to be played from a first person perspective, getting you even closer to the action (and making it playable on PlayStation VR). Set in Lousiana four years after the end of Resident Evil 6, this game will feature a new cast of characters, including protagonist Ethan Winters. Winters is searching for his wife, Mia, which leads him to a horror-filled plantation, home of the Baker family. Puzzles, obstacles and of course horrible, terrifying creatures block your escape and force you to rely on your wits and limited resources if you want to survive. Sound like your thing? Check out the demo and see if your couch makes it.
Release Date: January 24, 2017
Horizon Zero Dawn
If you are looking for a game to really show off your new PS4 Pro and 4K TV, this might just be that game. Horizon Zero Dawn is a third-person adventure RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world ruled by robotic creatures known as “Machines”. Your character Aloy hunts, traps and hacks these mechanical animals, using their parts to create new vehicles and travel companions as you explore a giant open world as you try and discover more about your past and help save humanity. Developed by Killzone developers Guerrilla Games, the game features dynamic night and day cycles, it’s own weather system and amazing outdoor visuals. Really, just go watch the trailer, it looks incredible.
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Wildlands is set to be the tenth game in the Ghost Recon series and the first set in an open world environment. Taking place in Bolivia, your mission as part of the elite “Ghosts” unit is to take down the powerful Santa Blanca drug carter and break their ties with a corrupt government, returning the country to stability and securing US interests. One of the most interesting features of this game though is its drop-in/drop-out multiplayer. Start the game in single player mode and you’ll have three AI controlled Ghosts at your command. Take your Ghost into a friends game and you’ll keep all your single player items, upgrades, and story progression. You can also have up to three friends join your game in the same manner.
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Tekken 7
Tekken 7 is the ninth entry in the Tekken series and introduces two new interesting fighting mechanics. Rage Art, allows the player to execute critical attacks that deal 30% damage depending on the character once their health bar is critical, in exchange for inactivating the normal attack power increase. The second, Power Crush, lets the player continue their attacks even while being hit by the enemy, although they would still receive the damage dealt by the enemy’s attacks. The game will feature 36 fighters, 20 on release and other 16 that will be released over time. It will also feature character customization and a newly added practice mode.
Release Date: First half of 2017
God of War
You might expect that this entry in the God of War series would have a 4 after it. But this God of War is a little bit different and a soft reboot of the series in general. After the conclusion of God of War 3, Kratos has moved on from the Greece and into the world of Norse mythology. He now has a son and in his role as a father has had to learn to master the rage that has driven him through the series, while fighting a new mythology worth of creatures, monsters, and gods. The game will feature more RPG aspects than past games and will also feature the addition of your son as a second aspect of combat. Although you are only able to control Kratos, your son will help in fight enemies by shoot lightning arrows and distracting weaker combatants, allowing you to focus on more difficult ones. He will also be instrumental in exploration and puzzle-solving.
Release Date: 2017
The Last of Us: Part II
Ok, this one is a bit of a cheat. It doesn’t actually have a release date yet, but we can hope it’s in 2017, right? Watch the trailer over and over again and keep your finger crossed.
Release Date: 2017?
Injustice 2
The sequel to Injustice: Gods Among Us, Injustice 2 will continue its plotline. Following the defeat of High Councilor Superman, Batman and the rest of the insurgency have to fight the remains of Superman’s regime while also fighting a new risk that threatens all of earth. Featuring ten fighters – including five new ones – and a new RPG-like mechanics that will reward the winner with loot boxes after every match. This loot can be used to customize your character and enhance their skills by increasing their strength, speed, defense, health, or unlocking new moves.
Release Date: May 16, 2017
Detroit: Become Human
Detroit: Become Human is unique game for at least two reasons. First off, you play as a number of different androids, all that are sentient. Second, it’s not possible to lose, even if the character you are playing as dies. One of the characters, Kara, is an android that escapes from the factory she was created in to explore her new found sentience. You will also play as Conner, another android whose job it is to hunt down rogue androids like Kara. The story will branch out as you play, and characters will live and die based on your decisions. But their deaths won’t end your game, it will just continue in a different direction. It’s a very interesting idea, but also one that could make for a game with a high degree of replayability.
Release Date: 2017
