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10 Most Anticipated Video Games of 2016


2016 is shaping up to be a good year for new video game releases. So far we have already had huge hits drop, such as the highly anticipated Doom release and Overwatch. What does the rest of 2016 have in store for video gamers? In no particular order, check out our list of the 10 Most Anticipated Video Games of 2016!

  1. Civilization VI

    Anticipated Release Date: October 21, 2016Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS

    It has been 25 years since the original Civilization game was released, and 6 years since Civilization V. Civilization VI is giving players a much needed graphics update. One of the most noticeable is a new day and night system. Other visual changes include a more colorful palette, real time progression of wonder construction, and a Tolkien like fog of war aesthetic.

    Pictured Above: A Civilization VI city at night

    click to enlarge

    The largest functional change introduced in Civilization VI is the way cities work. Each city will now have their own "geographic districts" where city upgrades can be built. You want to build a library? Now, you choose the part of the city to build your science district (where other related science building will go). These districts can exist outside the city walls, and can be attacked by enemy invaders. No longer can you simply place a single defensive unit in a city and protect all of its buildings. This adds more strategic depth to your military strategy and your city building tactics.

    Some parts of the game have been streamlined and simplified, such as worker units being able to instantly build improvements, as opposed to waiting 4 or 5 turns (worker units will disappear after so many improvements "charges" have been used).

    You can watch a video featuring some of the changes below:

  2. World of Warcraft: Legion

    Anticipated Release Date: August 30, 2016Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS

    Blizzard is attempting to dramatically shake things up with their sixth expansion, World of Warcraft: Legion, which is aimed at nostalgic ex-players and new players alike. In Legion, the level cap is raised from 100 to 110, introduces a new area, and adds artifact weapons to each class. The class Demon Hunter, will also be added, which players can begin at level 98. For those seeking new end game content, World of Warcraft: Legion will feature ten 5-player dungeons and two raids.

    Pictured Above: The new Demon Hunter class in World of Warcraft: Legion

    click to enlarge

    Many previous WOW players, such as myself, are weary of getting back into a game that continues to expand its level cap as far as it has. Legion will address this by giving each player a free 100 level character of their choice. Each player will also get an additional level 100 boost for every expansion they have purchased. This is a great feature that can let new and old players enjoy the thrill of all the new areas and dungeons in Legion, without having to grind their way up to level 100 first. In addition, Blizzard will also let you upgrade any number of character to level 100 for the cost of $60 each.

    You can watch an overview of the new features in World of Warcraft: Legion in the video below:

  3. Final Fantasy XV

    Anticipated Release Date: September 30, 2016Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One

    After 10 long years of waiting, Square Enix is finally releasing Final Fantasy XV, the role-playing game that could revive and revolutionize not just the franchise but the RPG industry as a whole. While the game's main story will take you roughly 50 hours to beat, it offers 200 hours of gameplay. The battle system looks fun, its world is massive and gorgeous, and having a chance to ride a flying car across the map is a cool experience. But what's a Final Fantasy game without an epic story? With an anime a CGI feature length film to back it up, Final Fantasy XV's story will surely be epic. This game will surely be a great contender for Game of the Year. 

    Pictured Above: Stunning environment scenery in Final Fantasy XV

    click to enlarge

    Final Fantasy XV will feature some of the most stunning environment scenery in the industry, making if feel like you are watching a movie as much as playing a video game. You can watch a video of some of the unique locations below:

  4. Gears of War 4

    Anticipated Release Date: October 11, 2016Platforms: Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

    Microsoft and Xbox's exclusive, Gears of War, will be launching its 4th main installment of the franchise this fall. Many were hoping for this game to be released during the early days of Xbox One; instead, we ended up getting a beautifully remastered Gears of War 3.

    Gears of War 4 will be taking place 25 years after Gears of War 3 and focuses on the son of Marcus Fenix, J.D. Fenix, and Anya Stroud, who must take on a new threat to save the planet. Much of the single player experience has yet to be revealed, but a beta of the multiplayer has been described as a solid improvement from Gears of War 3, without reinventing the wheel.

    If you plan on purchasing the game strictly for multiplayer, and enjoyed GOW3, Gear of War 4 is a solid investment. The game will most likely shine in its single player (or co-op) storyline, that has generally been well reviewed in the past. Watch a video of the online multiplayer beta below:

  5. Pokémon Sun and Moon

    Anticipated Release Date: November 18, 2016Platforms: Nintendo 3DS

    To say we are hyped for the new starter Pokémon being introduced and Sun and Moon would be an understatement. I mean, an owl with a bowtie? Yes, please! Pokémon Sun and Moon will surely be one of the most popular 3DS games of 2016. One of its recently revealed features is an all new battle mode. The Battle Royale mode will pit 4 players against each other in a free for all match in a boxing ring style showdown.

    Pictured Above: The starting Pokémon in Sun and Moon

    click to enlarge

    Some of the noticed changes in Sun and Moon is an increase in the number of vehicles available, based on the quantity of fire engines, ambulances, and pickup trucks revealed in the concept art. The game will take place on the tropical paradise of Alola, which is reminiscent of Hawaii. 

    Check out the details of the Alola region below:

  6. No Man's Sky

    Anticipated Release Date: August 9, 2016Platforms: Playstation 4, Microsoft Windows

    Have you ever wanted to traverse a seemingly endless universe without encountering an unpassable mountain or barrier? Sean Murray, Founder of Hello Games, describes No Man's Sky as a sandbox game at a galactic scale. It will be a space exploration game that promises infinite exploration, as the game generates an unfathomable amount of terrain, planets, and more. There are a reported 18 quintillion planet iterations you can encounter. 

    Equipped with a space ship at the end of the universe, your task is to make your way to the center of the galaxy. Along the way, you will encounter new planets, animal life, and collectable resources. You can also purchase upgrades to your ship to give it defensive or offensive capabilities at space ports you encounter. The beauty of this game is that it is all seamlessly integrated. There are no loading screens between space and planets, and you can venture the stars in your spaceship at mind blowing speed, or hop on foot to worlds to collect needed materials for further explorations. The resources you collect can be used to create new products or technology that will give you new capabilities in game. 

    Pictured Above: Combat on a planet at night

    All players will actually be playing online on the same map; however, everyone spawns at a different part of the universe. According to Sean, the vastness of the universe means 99.9% of the planets or more will forever remain unvisited. One of the coolest things is discovering new animals, plants, or planets. If you are the first to discover or visit something, which is very likely given the scale, you get to name it (for everyone!).

    No Man's Sky is a visionary first of its kind video game that could become an instant classic. You can watch 20 minutes of No Man's Sky gameplay in the video below:

  7. Battlefield 1

    Anticipated Release Date: October 21, 2016Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

    FPS shooters have been trending toward futuristic Halo like gameplay for the last half decade, offering amazing abilities that most soldiers would never have in real life. While Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare announcements have left some players burned out on the prospect of another futuristic shooter, Battlefield is taking us back to the gritty times of World War I. 

    Personally, I haven't played Battlefield since Battlefield 3, which I felt was a solid game, but I am very excited for Battlefield 1. My favorite FPS to this day, remains COD: World at War, because it had a more realistic and gritty feel that made for an enjoyable game. Battlefield 1 looks and feels like the successor (or precursor) to World at War. The world gives off a realistic and grimy look, and the weapons are tarnished, imperfect, with recoil and old bullet popping sounds as if it were straight from a war documentary film.

    click to enlarge

    Battlefield 1 players will be equipped with a wide array of old school weapons, such as, bolt action rifles, automatic and semi-automatic rifles, flamethrowers, artillery, mustard gas, sabres, trench clubs, and even shovels. The game will also feature access to heavy equipment, like tanks, armored trucks, airplanes, and battleships. You can even ride a horse, because you know... it's World War 1. 

    Watch a video of Battlefield 1 gameplay below:

  8. We Happy Few

    Anticipated Release Date: July 26, 2016Platforms: Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS

    We Happy Few is an open world first person shooter with a crazy backstory. You exist in a dystopian retro futuristic world where inhabitants are given a happy pill to give themselves an illusion of good times, while reality is quite shockingly horrendous. The game has a certain Fallout 3 and 4 aesthetic to it, while still maintaining its unique character. If you are looking for an open world FPS game that has a unique story, this is definitely worth a look.

    We Happy Few is also a crowdfunded game that owes much of its development to Kickstarter fans, who raised over $250,000 with 7,000 plus backers in 2015. You can watch the opening gameplay in the video below:

  9. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

    Anticipated Release Date: August 23, 2016Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

    Cyberpunk and FPS RPG enthusiasts are finally getting a new game (sequel) in DeusEx: Mankind Divided. The game will surely deliver solid improvements from its 2011 predecessor, which won Game of the Year nods from several review sites. Forbes contributor Paul Tassi went as far as saying, "Mankind Divided has... the best live action game trailer ever."

    The game will be focusing on an immense distrust between augmented citizens with superhuman capabilities and biologically natural individuals. They are dubbing this conflict the "Mechanical Apartheid", which generated a fair amount of online controversy. With a high bar already set, and a great track record of success, we can expect great things from Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.

    Watch the live action trailer below:

  10. South Park: The Fractured But Whole

    Anticipated Release Date: December 6, 2016Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

    Ubisoft in conjunction with South Park Digital Studios will be releasing a sequel to the unexpected Stick of Truth 2014 hit. The Fractured But Whole will largely be making fun of Batman v Superman and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in their multi movie and TV show franchise cash grabs. Gameplay will be similar in style to The Stick of Truth, but will introduce a new combo attack and superpower ability.

    The Fractured But Whole will likely shine in its storytelling and hilarious character interactions. Fans of the show can expect more of the same, as it will likely play out like an extended interactive episode. You can watch a feature presentation along with selected gameplay below:

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