2018 is a big year for gaming and we’re seeing a lot of brand new titles jump into the fray. Games like ARK are getting a brand new expansion and we’re seeing a lot of new Nintendo Switch only games coming to light too. Here are 10 of the most anticipated games you can look forward to this holiday season. We’re including games being released in November & December with a few titles that are set to release this fall.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate – The ultimate roster is here as every fighter to ever appear in a Smash Bros. game will be playable in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Characters like Snake, Piku, and the Ice Climbers are making a return whereas Ridley from the Metroid series and the Inklings from Splatoon are new fighters. Also, all the DLC fighters from the Wii U and 3DS version will also round out the roster.
To be clear, this is a brand new game, not a port of the Wii U or 3DS version. The game will also apparently include over 60 different stages, a massive soundtrack and even new amiibo. Super Smash Bros Ultimate is only available on Nintendo Switch and will be released on December 7.
ARK: Extinction – The newest installment in the hit series ARK includes some new features, a new map and lets players face off against new threats known as “Titans”. One unique feature being added are electromagnetic waves and when you’re in an area with these waves present, certain items like the GPS won’t be able to be used.
A lot of new models and creatures are being added in Extinction and don’t worry, dinosaurs aren’t going anywhere. ARK is going to be experimenting with untamable dinosaurs known as the “Corrupted”. These are dinosaurs who have been tainted by the elements, are extremely aggressive and must be killed. A lot of new skins and cosmetics are also being added in this DLC. ARK: Extinction will be available on PS4, Xbox One & PC and released on November 6.
Ride 3 – The highly anticipated bike racing game is releasing with 7 different bike styles including café racer, naked bikes, superbikes, endurance bikes, sports bikes, and maxi endure bikes. 6 different tracks and races will be available on release. One of the most unique features in Ride 3 is that players will have the ability to edit their own custom livery.
You can play with your friends or challenge other players in the new multiplayer challenge mode. There will be a brand new weekly timed challenge but there’s no word on if any unique rewards will be given to the winner as of yet. The single player career mode is receiving the most significant change because they’re completely getting rid of linear story progression and making it completely volume based. Ride 3 will be available on PS4, Xbox One & PC and released on November 8.
Hitman 2 – This is one that a lot of Hitman fans have been waiting for. In this new installment, there’s going to be 6 new sandbox locations and a lot of new environments with interactable objects to carry out your assassination missions. There are also new high-target missions along with the new campaign mode. There’s supposed to be a huge plethora of content for free on the release.
You’ll walk with Agent 47 and carry out a huge list of high-stake missions and one of the most unique things about Hitman 2 is that almost every object in the game can be used as a weapon. Players will be able to choose their own assassination methods best suited for the job. This sequel will be available on PS4, Xbox One & PC and released on November 13.
Fallout 76 – In a very bold move, Bethesda is going to be doing their first shared world game. For players who are fans of DayZ, Fallout 76 will have a lot of similarities but this title is going to be far more forgiving in terms of how punishing the game is. Fallout 76 is going to be adding a lot more color and life to the world, instead of the grim and dark landscape you’re used to seeing in previous Fallout games.
Bethesda has said that it’s going to be four times larger than Fallout 4. For fans hoping for a single-player offline experience, you’ll be disappointed because Fallout 76 is entirely online. This means you’ll be seeing far more real players and a lot fewer NPCs. Fallout 76 will be available on PS4, Xbox One & PC and released on November 14.
Wreckfest – If you miss games like Twisted Metal and enjoy the clashing of steel on steel, then Wreckfest is going to be right up your alley. One of the key features that early testers are praising is the accuracy of the damage and realism of the destruction. Instead of decked out supercars, you can drive some 1970s era rust buckets with pretty accurate handling. The racing of the game is very in your face and very close, it’s definitely an adrenaline rush.
There is a career mode but we have a feeling the majority of people will primarily be interested in the online gameplay to dish it out with other players. If you’re looking for a destruction derby style of game, then you’ll want to keep an eye out for Wreckfest. Wreckfest will be available on PS4 & Xbox One and released on November 20.
Darksiders 3 – In this sequel to the action-packed Darksiders franchise, you’ll play as “Fury”, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Players can take on many different weapons and Fury plays as a battle mage. The game is a hack and slash 3rd person view with a relatively simple plot. Fury and a human must track down and kill all of the Seven Deadly Sins.
The majority of the gameplay is going to be focused on exploration because the world is rather large. There are a lot of puzzles along the way where you have to find unique ways to solve, some of which are with various weapons you obtain. Darksiders 3 will be available on PS4, Xbox One & PC and released on November 27.
Just Cause 4 – The latest sequel to the Just Cause franchise, Just Cause 4 is the newest Square Enix game and will take place in an open world environment. It’s a 3rd person action game where you play a hero by the name of Rico Rodriguez. The main objective of the game is to overthrow a corrupt military group named “The Black Hand” which is run by antagonist Gabriela.
One of the main improvements made in Just Cause 4 over its previous titles is that the AI will be seeing massive improvements. The animation system has been re-done and there’s going to be brand new physics added to the game to give it a more realistic look. Just Cause 4 will be available on PS4, Xbox One & PC and released on December 4.
Transference – This is one of the most interesting games of 2018. Transference plays like you’re in a movie on a really bad acid trip. This is mostly a mystery solving game but you have to do it from several different angles. You have to interpret everything happening for yourself and this isn’t a completely linear story progression cycle either.
Transference is set up to be a really intense virtual reality game that keeps you guessing at every turn. It’s a psychological thriller and there’s a lot of stories to unlock as you progress through the game. This is one of the most experimental open exploration games we’ve seen come out to date. Transference will be available on PS4, Xbox One, PC & Virtual Reality and released sometime this fall.
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 – NBA 2K Playgrounds is an arcade-themed action-packed game that isn’t quite realistic but adds a lot of fun features to the game. You can face off against other players in the brand new ranked mode and the season mode of the game has been completely re-worked. Some of the main features include brand new playgrounds, more match types, a three-point contest, online competitive play with four players and dedicated servers for smooth online gameplay.
You’ll more than likely find a favorite NBA player because 2K Playgrounds 2 has over 200 different unique former and current players. The models of every player have been completely re-done to be more modern. NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 will be available on PS4, Xbox One, PC & Nintendo Switch and released sometime this fall.
Sadly, some games couldn’t make this list like the highly anticipated Overkill’s The Walking Dead. While this game had amazing looking trailers, it appears that once the gameplay previews started coming out, the game was subpar and lackluster compared to what was being promised. There have been some lackluster games but overall, 2018 is looking like a great year with so many versatile titles coming for consoles and PC players, along with some great Nintendo Switch titles.
Also, be aware that several highly anticipated titles will be arriving in early 2019. The remake of Resident Evil 2 and Kingdom Hearts III are set for late January releases where as Metro Exodus and Anthem are currently planned for a later February launch.
