Most Anticipated Video Games for the First Half of 2019

This is a guest post from Contributor Chris Nunes

The award season for 2018 is now officially behind us. Unbelievable titles such as God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Spider-man have given us endless hours of gaming pleasure. However, we are gamers and with that comes the need to know what is next big thing we can get our hands on. I am no different, so as I sat back to look at the gaming landscape these are my top five most anticipated game for the first half of 2019.

Kingdom Hearts 3

It’s been thirteen years (and numerous non-linear games later), but here we are, a new Kingdom Hearts is finally back on console. Of the five games listed this is my most anticipated. The Disney magic of Sora, Donald, and Goofy are what hooked me in the original. The game remains one of my fondest gaming experiences of the PS2 era. Nomura has poured love into this epic closing of the trilogy and I just hope that the game can live up to all the expectations its die-hard fans have for it. No doubt that Kingdom Hearts is for a niche audience, but you haven’t experienced true passion like being on message boards anticipating this game since its sequel released.

The Division 2

I’ll be the first to admit that Massive had me the moment the E3 2013 Division trailer was dropped. So much so that I purchased the game on both Xbox and PS4 just to play with friends. However, the main campaign was just ok for me and the Dark Zone broke my experience. I’ve been away from the Division for some time, but Massive has gone to great lengths to listen and adjust to its community. Their communication with an ever-hungry community is what has me so hopeful for the Division 2. The additions of raids, reworked Dark Zone, and new enemies has me excited. I’m looking forward to hopping back in with friends to team up in this post-apocalyptic world.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Let me start out by saying Fromsoftware games typically don’t speak to me. The slow-paced nature and punishing combat are not the style of game I am into. However, reading more about the gameplay (think a quicker Bloodborne), traversal with the verticality of the grappling hook, a story based in Ancient Japanese culture; and you have my attention. For longtime Dark Souls fans, the game will still have the tactical feel, mini bosses, and skill trees that Fromsoftware is known for. The feather in Fromsoftware’s cap is the ability to iterate on these games, while maintaining a core audience that is satisfied. I am looking to getting my hands on this, and hoping that this is the one that will bring me in.

Days Gone

No game has gone through more transitions since its initial rumors then Sony Bend’s Days Gone. The game checks all the boxes for me. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic open world, motorcycles, you fight freakers (zombies), and it gives off a very Last of Us in style of game play. However, there’s an uneasiness with how Sony has pitched this game. The early Game Informer release and changes in style/tone from its showings at E3 2017 and 2018 have some worried. I am still on board, as SIE Bend has spoken time and again that the story is a huge part of this game. Sony’s first parties have had nothing but bangers the last three years and I see no reason why this doesn’t continue. The expectations are high for SIE Bend Studio and I’m excited to see how this one turns out.

Anthem

Bioware is like the family member you love but are always mad at. The team in Edmonton has been hard at work creating their next big epic adventure and are hoping that some of the early Mass Effect magic rubs off on this one. Since the initial E3 trailer, the thought of playing in a world where I can be Iron Man has been intriguing.  I initially thought there is no way they can keep up the graphical pace and game play, yet here we are. Bioware has taken a lot of heat for Mass Effect:Andromeda, and deservedly so. The game (while not terrible) didn’t live up to the critical success and anticipation of its core fan base. EA and this team have put a lot of eggs in the shared world/games as service experience basket with Anthem. The hope is that players will want to share a world with others but won’t be interested in Iron Man PVP. I am a believer in Bioware. I think they get a mulligan for Andromeda and have learned a few lessons along the way. With Casey Hudson back at the helm, I can see them finding their way, as we get an amazing experience in the process.