The top 25 forthcoming multiplatform videogames

This year’s E3 didn’t disappoint when it came to games. With little about hardware to get in the way this year, and the current generation well under way, the emphasis was on games, games, games. Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, and the third parties all demonstrated a plethora of new releases, some due soon, and some not with us until next year, but all interesting.

We’ve already looked at PlayStation 4, Wii U and Xbox One exclusives, so now we turn our attention to the mutliplatform release coming to our screens in the next year or so. As to be expected, there’s quite a collection of these, and no doubt some of your favourites won’t make our list, but we have to narrow things down somehow, so here are our top 25 upcoming multiplatform titles following E3.

25. Hellraid

Hellraid is going to deliver first person hack and slashery for both solo players and those who like a nice bit of co-op. One to four players will be able to repel the forces of hell using a variety of weapons and spells, which you can also craft yourself.

The game will feature three games modes, including the main story campaign, a challenging arena mode where you fight waves of increasingly deadly foes, and mission mode, where you take on specific tasks. As it’s an RPG, it’ll also feature the obligatory skill tree system and character customisation.

We like a good bit of first person pummelling, so Hellraid may well sate our desire to sink our axes into evil doers.

24. The Evil Within

With some lamenting the death of survival horror as we once used to know it – as in actually scary with a sense of tension, foreboding, and terror – the arrival of Bethesda’s The Evil Within can’t come soon enough. Whereas most other titles in the genre, including big names like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Dead Space have become shallow, action-focused shells of their former selves, this is one title that aims to reinvigorate the genre, without simply becoming YouTube bait like the myriad Amnesia clones out there.

With a focus on a horrific and gory world where you have to scavenge to survive, and enemies that are purposely difficult to kill, the game will pull no punches, and won’t simply give you big guns to mow down scores of nasties. This will hopefully be a constantly unnerving and scary title that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat as you’ll always be in danger of death around every corner.

23. Mass Effect 4

Mass Effect 4 is low on our list as it’s still very far away, and we have no real details about it at the moment. We know it’s coming, though, and it’s one series that we’re eager to see the return of. BioWare has said that it’s listened to fans, and the next game will go to new places, feature new characters, and will make use of the power of new consoles.

Given the backlash Mass Effect 3 caused, we’re hoping we can expect a game that takes on board the criticism, presenting us with a truly open and user-guided story, this time with a new hero and a new story arc. You just know this is going to be big.

22. Dying Light

Alongside Dead Island and Hellraid, it would appear as though Techland is trying to position itself as the king of the first person fighter, and with Dying Light it takes the formula created by Dead Island, and moves it to another large, open world with an emphasis on a day and night cycle.

During the daytime of Dying Light, you’re safer, with the shambling undead being just that: shambling. While still dangerous, they’re slow and can be avoided, and you can use this time to rescue others, scavenge for supplies and weapons and set traps. When the night comes, however, this changes. The undead become far more powerful, able to sprint and use stronger attacks. If you’re going to be outside at night, you’d better come packing.

Although there’s no shortage of zombie titles on the market, Dying Light still sounds interesting, and should be an absorbing, if not entirely original game when it arrives. And hey, first person zombie mashing just never gets old.

21. Call Of Duty Advanced Warfare

Another year, and another Call Of Duty. We may have admittedly become more than a little cynical after so many iterations of the ever-popular shooter, but there’s simply no denying that each game is rock solid when it comes to quality, and it can always entertain, even if it does so without much in the way of originality.

With this debut offering from Sledgehammer Games, though, we may well see a Call Of Duty that actually offers something new. A future setting is the order of the day, complete with mechs, powerful exoskeletons, jump jets and Kevin Spacey. The future thing has been done before in Black Ops II, but this time it’s much larger in scale. We’re interested.

20. Assassin’s Creed Unity

If we’re honest, following on from the excellent Black Flag, which genuinely took the Assassin’s Creed series in a new direction, in our opinion, Unity looks a little like a back step in terms of setting and mechanics, but we’re eager to be proven wrong.

It’s all about the French Revolution this time, and the key new feature is the addition of four-player co-op in the campaign, which should present fans with a myriad of new ways to take down their marks and explore another dual time line adventure.

There’s no denying that it’s one of the most impressive looking games we’ve seen, and with the promise of a thousand people onscreen at once, and a far more detailed and dense world, this could be a truly excellent entry in the franchise. At least, we hope so. It would be nice if women were invited too, though.

19. Rise Of The Tomb Raider

Crystal Dynamics’ excellent reboot of the Tomb Raider series was a big success, even meriting a remaster on current gen consoles so soon after its initial release. It featured a different take on Lara Croft, depicting her first adventure before she became the expert Indy-alke we know her to be.

Following on from the last game, Rise Of The Tomb Raider will take us to that point, with a Lara who’s now closer to the masterful explorer and fighter she was during her previous incarnations. Not much is really known outside of the announcement trailer, and the game isn’t due until the end of next year, but this is still one that fans are already foaming at the mouth about. And if we’re lucky, it’ll actually have some tombs to raid this time.

18. Dead Island 2

It’s another one for Techland, but this time’s it the big-hitter that is Dead Island. Riptide may not have set the world on fire, being more of an expansion than anything else, but Dead Island 2 is set to make up for this.

No longer set on an island, which makes the name a little misleading, the sequel will take place on the coastline of California, so you’ll be smashing zombies upside the head around such landmarks as the Golden Gate Bridge and the Hollywood sign.

The gameplay will retain much of the same melee focus as before, with the addition of contextual attacks like backstabs, and the ability to use traps. It’ll even feature a motion-captured cat called Rick Furry (yes, really). As always, you’ll be able to craft your own weapons, and with ammo scarce, and gunfire attracting the zombie horde, silent but deadly kills will be the way to go once again.

17. Valiant Hearts: The Great War

We’re predicting big things for this truly great-looking World War I title. Valiant Hearts: The Great War should be a truly emotional adventure that’s inspired by real letters from the conflict. It’ll feature several characters, and tells the tale of their part in the great war.

The gameplay will be 2D side scrolling fare, with a decent emphasis on puzzling, and the art style looks fantastic, helped along by UbiArt Frame Work, the same engine used to power the recent Rayman games and Child Of Light.

16. Mortal Kombat X

You know that recent reveal trailer for Mortal Kombat X that was released before E3? The one that looking like a CG teaser? Well, that’s almost what the actual game looks like. Yes, seen at E3, the next outing for Mortal Kombat is looking very sexy indeed, in a brutally bloody and gore-filled way.

Mortal Kombat X brings a new generation of MK characters to the fray, and features even more cringe-worthy X-ray specials and stomach-churning fatalities, along with a new character variation system. This gives each fighter three different modes, with specific move sets and specials for each. Taking a leaf out of Injustice’s book, there are more interactive environments, and it’s all running in full 1080p at 60fps.

15. Grand Theft Auto V

There’s really no need to elaborate much on this one. Fans have been asking for a current gen GTA V, as well as a version for PC, and Rockstar is going to deliver at the end of the year with a beefed up incarnation of the record-breaking sandboxer.

From the videos we’ve seen, the current gen remaster will be notably more impressive, with all sorts of new details, graphical effects and much more highly populated world, and these improvements will also make it into the online portion of the game, which you’ll be able to transfer existing last gen characters to.

All of the existing DLC will also be included in the new version, and the PS4 is set to receive some exclusive content on the side. As it’s also arriving on PC via Steam, we can also expect a much more stable modding scene, something that gave GTA IV plenty of longevity, with crazy mods still being made for it.

14. Battlefield Hardline

EA’s E3 showing may have been mostly sports, but if there’s one action title that always manages to impress, it’s Battlefield, and the new outing, Hardline, is no exception.

The action isn’t military-based this time, but centres on police and criminals. It’ll feature all of the same Battlefield highlights, such as destructible environments, classes and plenty of vehicles, but it’ll also feature chaotic car chases and a big focus on urban combat and verticality, with more manoeuvrability thanks to additional equipments like zip lines and grappling hooks.

Game modes will revolve around heists and money grabbing scenarios, with both symmetrical and asymmetrical maps and objectives, and the range of gadgets and equipment will play a big part, both in achieving objectives and balancing out the two sides, ensuring no team has an unfair advantage.

13. Mirror’s Edge

The original Mirror’s Edge was flawed, sure, but it was also a refreshingly original and enjoyable title. The move away from simple guns and combat to a focus on landscape traversal and free running created a very memorable release. It didn’t do all that well, sadly, with fears it would never return. Well, those fears can be laid to rest, as Mirror’s Edge is back.

The new outing of the game will retain a lot of the elements that made the original so unique, from the emphasis on agile parkour and the striking white-out art style (at least, in the prototype seen at E3), but it’ll also add in a much more flexible approach. Whilst the first game was fairly linear, with little room for experimentation, the new release will offer more freedom, allowing skilful players to find routes others may miss entirely. The gameplay will also be much more varied, as the developers have fleshed out the world and the role of the the runners, a group that protagonist, Faith, belongs to.

See also: why it’s great to see the return of Mirror’s Edge.

12. Evolve

Evolve is rapidly shaping up to be one of the most hotly anticipated games of the year, and will be a four-against-one multiplayer title that pits four hunters against one, evolving beast. As the developers says, it’s a constant boss battle where a player gets to be the big, bad boss.

The alien beast begins a game in a smaller, less dangerous form, but by hunting and killing wildlife (and hunters), it can evolve into larger, more powerful forms, eventually becoming a towering killing machine. Meanwhile, the four hunters, each of whom have a specialisation, have to use their tracking abilities and equipment to find and take down the monster. This should make for some excellent online action, and we’re sure this will be every bit as good as, if not better than the co-op action of Left 4 Dead.

11. Dragon Age: Inquisition

We still have the sour taste of Dragon Age II in our mouths, but we’re hoping that Inquisition will finally rinse that away with some sweet, sweet RPG goodness that lives up to the excellent original.

Far from the boring, singular city environment of the second game, Inquisition will feature a huge sprawling world powered by the Frostbite 3 engine. It’ll be a larger world than Origins, and it’ll feature Origins‘ tactical combat on all platforms, not just on PC.

It’s looking gorgeous, with a lush world, and it’s clear that this is going to be a much more open adventure, with more variety and a better story. Let’s face it, it doesn’t have to do much to improve upon the second game, but nonetheless, this could be one of the best RPGs of the year.

10. Star Wars Battlefront

We’ve still not seen all that much of the new Star Wars Battlefront, but at E3, DICE gave us a little teaser, and it’s looking very tasty. Making full use of the chance to see original movie props and assets, as well as the real filming locations, DICE is producing what could be one of the best Star Wars games ever.

Of course, it’s far too early to tell if Battlefront will be any good, and graphics don’t make a good game, but as one of the most heavily requested and rumoured titles around, there’s no denying this is one of the most intriguing upcoming releases around, and as one of the first post-Disney buyout titles, it’s worth paying attention to.

9. The Crew

One of Ubisoft’s delayed titles, The Crew is one of the most promising new racers, and it features an open world recreation of the entire United States, allowing players to race from coast to coast with no loading getting in the way. According to Ubisoft, to travel the length of the world in real time would take over two hours. Now that’s a large world, whichever way you look at it.

The core thrust of the game will be co-operative, team-based racing, with customisable cars that can be fully tailored to your own preference, and for the task at hand, such as off-road or street racing. It’ll feature RPG elements, with your car reflecting your choices and all sorts of experience and rewards to be grabbed. All we ask is that a Cannonball Run mode is included. Burt Reynolds is optional, though.

8. Far Cry 4

Improving on the already excellent Far Cry 3 is no doubt a hard task, but from what we’ve seen, Far Cry 4 won’t have any trouble in this regard. Looking like a real stunner in the visual department, it’ll take us on a tour of Kyrat, a country ruled by the unhinged despot, Pagan Min, another memorable antagonist, even more dangerous than Far Cry 3‘s Vaas Montenegro.

It’s clear that the game will follow the foundation laid by the previous games, featuring a sprawling open world with vehicles, dangerous wildlife and more enemy checkpoints than you’ll know what to do with, but the new setting looks like it’ll offer much more variety and the rather samey locations in the third game. It’ll also feature a much better co-op mode, which will make use of the open world, something that Far Cry 3 failed to deliver.

Oh, and there are elephants. We like elephants.

7. The Division

Arguably Ubisoft’s most ambitious and anticipated release, The Division is one of the more unique takes on co-operative multiplayer we’ve seen in a long time, and with each subsequent reveal we’re a little more impressed.

Taking place in a rather grim, plague-ravaged future, it’ll allow players to fight and explore in a seamless online world where you can encounter other players at any time, and others can drop into your game and help of hinder whenever they want to, including being able to play as flying UAV drones via mobile devices. All sorts of events can be stumbled into as you explore, and there’s a large range of tactical approaches you can take for every situations, using the game’s skill system and co-op team play mechanics.

6. Alien: Isolation

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of the Alien series here. And, as gamers, we’re still waiting for a truly great game based on the license. With Colonial Marines still giving us nightmares, we looked on with a new-found hope when Alien: isolation was announced. This really could be the game we’ve been waiting for.

Ditching the now trite and overused Marine aspect, Isolation instead takes us back the the 70s original, and is a survival horror in the truest sense, with avoidance and struggle against insurmountable odds being key.

It doesn’t feature big burly men with guns and attitudes. Instead, it feature’s Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda, against a single, terrifying alien that, in the course of a game, could attack at any moment. This constant sense of danger should present a very real level of fear, and the retro, 70s aesthetic and great attention to detail Creative Assembly has put into the sound direction could make this fantastic.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

The move to an open world has already been proven to work for the stealthy antics of Snake in MGS: Ground Zeroes, and with the actual game, The Phantom Pain, promising a huge open world around 200 times the size of Ground Zeroes with far more variety and content, we’re very excited to see how the next instalment on Kojima’s series shapes up.

The E3 trailer leaked ahead of the show, and is typically cinematic, which we’ve come to expect from the series. The game itself is going to offer the most flexible MGS stealth yet, with a day night cycle, ridable mounts and vehicles, and all of the added options granted by a more free-form open world. It’ll also feature a similar recruitment element to populate your army at Mother Base, as seen in Peace Walker. The base also has to be rebuilt after it’s fate in Ground Zeroes.

4. Rainbow Six Siege

One of the more impressive surprises of this year’s E3, Rainbow Six: Siege has instantly placed itself high in our list of anticipated titles. It’s a simple premise – cops versus hostage takers, but if the début reveal is anything to go by, and if it’s indicative of actual gameplay (we can’t help but be a little sceptical), it’s been done in a very impressive way, making use of destructible environments to make the action hugely tactical.

In the reveal we saw what was allegedly real game footage as a team of police players take on a hardened group of criminals. The bad guys are seen blockading rooms and fortifying walls, whilst the good guys plan a way to breach the house using remote controlled cameras. Once the action kicks in, tactics come thick and fast, with fluid room clearing, destruction of doors, walls and even floors to get the edge on he enemy, and a high degree of team work needed to succeed. It all looks great, and we just hope that the final game turns out to be as good as this early demonstration.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher series is one of the most prestigious RPGs around, and with two excellent outings already under its belt, developer CD Projekt Red looks like it’s going to end the Geralt of Riva trilogy with quite the epic climax.

Amping up the scale of the game in every way, including a much larger open world, Wild Hunt not only looks fantastic, but should play brilliantly too. It’s going to feature much more variety in terms of content, with monster hunting missions alongside the story missions, as well as plenty of other activities, and a better combat system, which will once again require Geralt to shift up his various styles depending on his foe.

2. Batman: Arkham Knight

If we had to pick one game of the show that truly blew us away, and demonstrated a real leap from last to current gen, it would have to be Batman: Arkham Knight. This is one of the best looking games we’ve ever seen, pure and simple, and if you add to that the flow of the game, and the way it effortlessly transitions from on-foot, to gliding, to Batmobile, you’ve got what should end up being a sublime gameplay experience. We just hope the final game is as impressive, and plays in the same manner. Given the quality of Rocksteady’s previous work, we’ve got little reason to doubt it.

The big new feature here is the Batmobile, and the E3 demo shows it in action for the first time. Used to travel around the larger world map, it can transform into a combat mode, which Batman can use to make short work of his enemies, and at any time he can catapult out of it to attack foes on foot and from the air. There are even impressive special take downs using this mechanic.

We’re not too sure about the complex-looking new Batsuit, but when he’s up against the likes of the fearsome Arkham Knight and Scarecrow, he’s going to need some armour. It’s also got what has to be the best incarnation of Scarecrow we’ve ever seen, even in comparison with the comics. We’re still scared.

1. Destiny

Taking the best elements of the mighty Halo series and mixing it with Borderlands to create a new and unique experience, Destiny is our top pick, and although some will no doubt disagree, and that’s fair enough, the open world, online design and the mixture of FPS and RPG is looking so damn good, we just can’t wait.

As the last hope for Earth, you pick a Guardian from one of three classes and embark on what promises to be a huge, open adventure that you can play solo, or with friends, with the latter option clearly being a focus. As you explore you can run into other players, and random, large-scale raids and boss fights can occur throughout, requiring teamwork to survive.

As it’s a Bungie game, it’ll also feature more traditional multiplayer components, such as map-based team and free-for-all combat alongside the main game story, and there’s going to be a wide range of weapons and customisability, so you’ll be able to create your own unique online avatar.

Yes, it does look very similar in many ways to Halo, but it’s also clearly doing a lot of new, different things, and using Halo as a basis is far from the worst thing any developer could do, as it was already a superb FPS. Destiny could take it squarely into the current generation. Space wizards for the win.

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