2019 has been a banner year for gaming so far, but the best is still yet to come. As the year closes out and we inch closer and closer to 2020, there are still tons of hotly anticipated titles on the horizon. Whether it be remakes of old classics or totally original titles, the next few months have plenty in store for gamers. Here, we’re counting down ten of our favorite upcoming titles for 2019 (and beyond).
The 10 most anticipated games of 2019
10. Pokemon Sword and Shield
Pokemon fans, rejoice! You’ll be getting not one, but two brand new Pokemon titles this coming November. The two companion games, Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, will be loaded with all the Pokemon goodness fans have come to expect from the series. Front and center are the bright, vibrant new graphics and lush settings. In addition, players will see some exciting new gameplay changes like co-op raids and new, open-world exploration. Last but not least, Pokemon Gyms are finally making their long-awaited return. Pokemon Sword and Shield are certainly shaping up to be the best Pokemon games in recent memory.
9. Final Fantasy VII Remake
Another blast from the past, Square Enix made waves earlier this year with the surprise announcement that Final Fantasy VII would be getting a total HD remaster. The classic title is widely cited as one of the best entries in the Final Fantasy franchise, and the remaster looks like it certainly measures up to that high bar. Everything fans loved about the original is returning, from characters to plot to setting, but not much has been revealed to date about potential gameplay changes. What is known is that the remaster is going to be split across multiple episodic entries, with the first part due out next March.
8. Gears 5
Fans won’t have to wait long for Gears 5. Due out September 5th, the game is already available for pre-load on Xbox. The latest entry in the Gears of War franchises promises just as much action and co-op as earlier entries. This time around, the game will focus on newcomer Kait Diaz as she hunts for the origins of the Locust and her own mysterious past. Don’t worry, though: JD and Marcus Fenix are making a triumphant return, as well as Delmont Walker from Gears 4.
7. Jedi: Fallen Order
Jedi: Fallen Order is shaping up to be a solid entry in the Star Wars franchise. The game is set in the period between the prequel and sequel trilogy, after the fall of the Jedi order. Players will take the role of a young Jedi in hiding as he evades Imperial forces attempting to hunt him down. The game promises lightsaber combat, of course, but will also expand the Star Wars lore by taking a closer look at the rise of the Empire. It’s been a banner year for Star Wars fans, and Fallen Order looks like it will continue that trend.
6. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
2019 seems to be a good year for remakes and remasters, but Link’s Awakening is both. A remake of the 1993 classic title, the game’s stunning art style is front and center. With a bright color palette and cartoony characters, Link’s Awakening promises to be a refreshing change from all the gritty shooters and action games that also populate this list. In addition to the original’s trademark top-down gameplay, new sidescrolling and platforming sections have also been added to provide some variety to gameplay. With a combination of classic elements and a fresh new look, Link’s Awakening is sure to please all gamers, not just Zelda fans.
5. Cyberpunk 2077
Wake up, samurai. Since the title was first announced, CD Projekt Red’s massively ambitious RPG title has been stealing the headlines. As the name implies, the game is set in a cyberpunk future, with players dropping into a massive and immersive futuristic world. Starting with a jaw-droppingly detailed character creator, players will have a say in everything from combat to their dialogue choices and can interact with hundreds of fully realized NPCs. Oh, and it’s also got Keanu Reeves. What more could you possibly want?
4. Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones turned a few heads when it was first announced at E3, and certainly promises to shake things up in the gaming world. Skull and Bones will transport players back to the swashbuckling golden age of piracy. Fans of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag should take notice; the game is being built by a lot of the same team members that worked on the AC title. That means players can expect the same solid core of naval combat, and Ubisoft is also teasing some supernatural elements thrown in. Davy Jones, perhaps? Or maybe we’ll be seeing some undead pirates? Either way, this upcoming title certainly has our attention.
3. Modern Warfare
The original Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare totally changed the world of gaming, and rewrote the rules of first-person shooters. The new Modern Warfare seems set to do the same. 2019’s Modern Warfare is being billed as a “reboot” of the original. Though it shares a title, the game will have a totally different plot and focuses more on the dark side of conflict. It doesn’t shy away from the grittier side of war, and the campaign already promises to be an immersive experience. In addition, a multiplayer beta has already been released showcasing the fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping new gameplay, and is already being praised by fans and critics alike. Oh, and long-time fans needn’t worry: Captain Price is back.
2. Borderlands 3
Borderlands is exploding back onto the scene with it’s biggest entry yet. With new playable characters, tons of new and wild weapons, and a huge galaxy to explore, Borderlands 3 is already looking like a ton of fun. Borderlands 3 blends the shoot-and-loot gameplay that made the first entries stand out with a bunch of new features. Namely, players will be able to take the action off Pandora for the first time, and explore other unique planets in the massive Borderlands galaxy. Fans won’t have to wait long to get in on the action either, as the game is due out mid-September.
1. Death Stranding
We’d love to tell you but Death Stranding is about, but we don’t entirely know ourselves. In typical Hideo Kojima fashion, much of the game’s plot is still shrouded in mystery. What we do know is this: the game is set in a post-apocalyptic future, where the United States is struggling to recover from some kind of cataclysm. The survivors live in isolated cities, and couriers are responsible for shuttling supplies between the settlements. Players take on the role of one such courier, Sam Porter Bridges, played by Norman Reedus. As they explore the gorgeous and massive landscape, they’ll need to contend with ruthless mercenaries, marauders, and the extraterrestrial shadow-like entities that populate the world. Though we still don’t know much about the game, it looks absolutely amazing, and also boasts a star-studded cast with the likes of Mads Mikkelsen and Lea Seydoux. Death Stranding is due to release this November.
Though the year may be coming to a close, gamers still have plenty to look forward to. So many games, so little time.
