2015’s Biggest Games: Part 1
We Run Down the Biggest Releases from January - June 2015
So there it is - the Game of the Year votes are in, and as we lap up the brilliant titles that we may have missed during what has been a strong year for games, we bid farewell to 2014. The time for reflection is over and as we enter into the new year, we look ahead to the highly anticipated games that are on the horizon. It’s time to get hyped for what promises to be a killer year for video games.
January
"Grand Theft Auto V" PC
The PC elite can kick off the year in style by finally sinking their teeth into one of the most expansive, detailed and exciting open-world games ever made with GTA V’s long-awaited PC release. If previous GTA games are anything to go by, the modding community are sure to go wild with this one. Expect mind-bending creations that will change the way you play this already stellar game. Even if you're not into modding, the PC version still boasts the highest graphical fidelity and the addition of the game-changing first person mode.
"Dying Light"
"Dying Light" is yet another zombie game. Yes, I know the genre is done to death, but this survival horror from Techland could actually breathe a little life into the shambling genre. The game is all in first person and incorporates "Mirror’s Edge"-style free-running for more dynamic combat. Will this game just be another corpse on the pile of naff zombie games, or will it resurrect the true fun of games like "Dead Rising?" We’ll see.
Also out this month: "Rugby 15," "Resident Evil HD Remaster"
February
"Evolve"
"Evolve" is a team-based online shooter that sees you and a team of friends taking down incredible beasts. You can choose to take control of human warriors or the creatures themselves in a mode reminiscent of "Gears of War"’s Beast Mode. The emphasis here is on co-ordination; play as an efficient team and you will get a lot out of "Evolve", try to go it alone and you may just end up hurling your controller at your TV.
The Order 1886
Sony’s steampunk exclusive is still something of an unknown quantity. The graphics certainly look stunning, with the cinematic grain lending to the intense atmosphere. However the dreary setting reminiscent of games like "Dishonored" is perhaps not the most dynamic of ways to show off your new-gen hardware. This cover-based third person shooter has a strong-focused on seamless, cinematic action which ties in seamlessly with the horror-influenced storyline. While "The Order 1886" hasn’t blown us away, it’s still one to watch in 2015.
Also out this month: "Dragonball Xenoverse," "Dead or Alive 5: Last Round," "Kirby and the Rainbow Curse"
March
"Battlefield: Hardline"
Visceral’s cops and robbers shooter is a pretty absurd concept by all accounts. You choose to step into the shoes of either Miami’s elite police force or a team of crack criminals, but no matter which side you choose there is only one outcome: pure carnage. Yes, this open-world FPS abandons any sense of realism for pulse-pounding all out warfare on the streets of a sun-drenched American city. This is definitely one for the online gamers, as this game will be at its best when coordinating with a team to pull of heists or take down villains. It’s good to see the "Battlefield" series taking a step away from the military setting, and it will be interesting to see how this change of pace affects the series’ formula.
"Bloodborne"
The acclaimed director of such rock solid games as "Dark Souls" and "Demon Souls," Hidetaka Miyazaki, is back to show the new generation how to make a truly chilling action game. Some tweaks have come to the combat system since the aforementioned games. The action now has a faster pace, with a stronger focus on offensive play. There are opportunities to regain health during combat with well-timed strikes, encouraging a more risk-reward style of play. The game’s gothic setting looks terrifyingly gorgeous and is sure to satisfy fans of challenging Japanese action games.
Also out this month: "Final Fantasy Type-0," "Project CARS," "Resident Evil Revelations 2"
April
"Mortal Kombat X"
NetherRealm Studios bring the iconic and grotesquely violent game franchise to the new generation with "Mortal Kombat X." The convoluted "Mortal Kombat" story will be continued, 25 years in the future, but let’s face it, you’re not playing this for the story. You’re playing this for the adrenaline-fueled k/combat. Expect new characters, fatalities, and complaints from parental groups.
Also out this month: "Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin"
May
"The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt"
If you want a massive open world fantasy RPG to sink your teeth into after "Dragon Age: Inquisition," then look no further than "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt". Like previous Witcher games, one major draw of "Wild Hunt" is the in-depth story line which encompasses "Mass Effect"-style conversation trees and several branching paths. The story is sure to be immersive and authentic classic fantasy whereas the gameplay takes an action-RPG approach similar to games like "Skyrim," although expect the combat to be far more fluid that your typical fare. The game is said to be 35 times the size of "The Witcher 2," so be prepared to lose yourself in this epic adventure.
Also out this month: "Chaos Reborn"
June
"Batman: Arkham Knight"
The Arkham saga concludes in Rocksteady’s most technically advanced title. The game will once again feature a complete open-world Gotham City that can be explored by car with the iconic batmobile or by the sky, using Batman’s grapple gun and cape to soar around the dark skyline of Gotham. Details are scarce for this anticipated title, but rest assured it will be bigger and better than anything Rocksteady has produced thus far, and that’s saying something.
Also out this month: "Superhot"
There are our picks for 2015's biggest games, January through June! Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will run down the rest of 2015's biggest titles that don't yet have release dates.
Battlefield Hardline
Release: 3/17/2015 [NA]
ESRB Rating: Mature 17+
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Purchase: Amazon
Bloodborne
Release: 3/24/2015 [NA] 3/25/2015 [EU] 2/4/2015 [JP]2014 Q1
ESRB Rating: Mature 17+
Publisher: SCEA, SCE Japan Studio, SCEE
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Purchase: Amazon
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Release: 5/18/2015 [NA]
ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
Publisher: WB Games
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Purchase: Amazon
Mortal Kombat X
Release: 4/14/2015 [NA]
ESRB Rating: Mature 17+
Publisher: Warner Bros Interactive
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Purchase: Amazon
