2019: The Year of Video Game Fame

The current generation of consoles and video games have been a bit lackluster, it has been so bad that I went ahead and built myself a high-performance gaming computer out of sheer boredom of not being able to decide which one of the consoles was right for me. If you are still confused let me be the first to tell you that PlayStation 4 works great, however, XBOX ONE-X is more powerful thanks to AMD supplying both the processors and GPU. To be honest it wasn’t exactly boredom that led to me build my own machine but the fact that a current-generation gaming computer has more processing power than both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox combined and all components can be sourced from an online retailer or purchased from a physical store. Thanks to the existence of Micro Center and NewEgg selecting the right components and snapping them together like Legos (however in a more delicate manner) has become quite simple. 2019 is turning out to be an exciting year for gaming with multiple AAA titles hitting the shelf in the first quarter

One thing that every avid gamer needs is reliable high-speed internet connectivity such as Spectrum internet. The most wonderful thing about video gaming is the online experience including the communities. Here are some upcoming AAA titles eagerly awaited by online gaming fans.

ANTHEM

Ever since the Anthem gameplay trailer was released, every single gaming enthusiast has been looking forward to the online gameplay. The game is from BioWare; the studio behind the popular Mass Effect series. The earlier editions of the franchise had a strong storyline and did justice to core RPG elements. However, the most recent edition Mass Effect: Andromeda tanked in terms of revenue due to poor gameplay. BioWare has never done a looting team-based shooter. The concept of piloting a Mechatronics suite with team play and looting elements sounds interesting coupled with the gameplay has caused a lot of hype and I for one predict it to be a success where hours upon hours will be devoted to mastering the different class and ability to vary Mechatronics. Will BioWare deliver? Time will tell, but the expectations are high.

DAYS GONE

The gameplay trailer released during E3 2018 just makes you want to scoop up Sony's new IP. This post-apocalyptic setting includes hordes of Freakers, fast zombie-like creatures that have retained their sense of sights and sound yet feel no pain. Imagine other survivors with base camps and biker gangs that ride the road and then add on some online gameplay. The game might just have enough tweaks to set it apart from all the others. Days Gone will make you want to purchase a PlayStation 4 if you haven't already since it is a PlayStation 4 exclusive title.

KINGDOM HEARTS III

When it comes to Kingdom Heart nostalgia takes over bringing back the hours devoted to the game a long time ago. Kingdom Hearts II came out in 2005 on the PlayStation 2 but Square Enix has assured us that Sora, Goofy, Donald, and company are coming back and fans will be treated to the long overdue third iteration of this beloved franchise. Modern Disney elements are placed throughout the game with many old allies also making an appearance. The announced release date of January 29, 2019, seems far away, but we hope it’s worth the wait. The reason for the delay is Disney’s insistence to build up a completely new array of characters and feature them along with the old favorites. The game will be available on the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One.

CYBERPUNK 2077

The global success and massive fan following of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt makes me look forward to Cyberpunk 2077. Currently, there is no official release date from the development team, CD Projekt Red, but they did receive a $7 million grant from the Polish government to fund their project. Fans are optimistic about a June 2019 release because the developers haven’t filed an extension request yet. The game is based on a paper-based role-playing game by the name of Cyberpunk 2020. Looking at what CD Projekt Red has done for The Witcher franchise, get ready for the worlds to be magnitudes larger. CD Projekt Red has over 400 people currently working on the game and the fact that Cyberpunk 2077 has been in development since 2012 makes me believe that the release is on the horizon. Much wasn’t being said about the game, however, the teaser trailer speaks volumes and doesn’t leave much to the imagination except the release date. As far as we know, the game will be released when CD Projekt Red is ready.

METRO: EXODUS

If you haven’t experienced this amazing post-apocalyptic survival and skill-based first-person shooter franchise then you are missing out. Metro: Exodus will be released in 2019 that means you still have time to catch up with Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Night. The first two games in this franchise suffer from glitches, but more than makes up for it with a gritty brutal atmosphere and realistic survival elements. The bullets are limited and you have to make each one count. The newest game will feature real-time gameplay and gives you a chance to exit the subway tunnels and head on out to a more challenging semi-open world. A single level is ten times larger than the combined maps for the first two games. So prepare to spend hours of gameplay on a single level scavenging materials, crafting and looting bullets, and trying to survive. Metro: Exodus is gearing up to be the truest iteration of survival gameplay with real weather cycles and ultra-realistic day-to-night transitions.

GEARS OF WAR 5: The Gears of War franchise is coming back with its a slight twist. The fifth iteration, Gears 5, features a female protagonist, which is a welcome change and will likely attract a larger audience. Marcus Fenix and his son will make a comeback and the title will most likely appear as a spin-off rather than a continuation of the previous installment. The story will dive deeper into the mysterious origins of the Locusts. I will take more Gears of War because I simply get more gameplay with the dock and cover shooting alongside the active reloads. The 4th was well revived and I have no doubt that Microsoft will do the Gears’ franchise justice. Kait Diaz will appear as our female protagonist who is a newcomer from Gears of War 4, a former Outcast who rose to the occasion when called upon.

TRAILS RISING: The ultimate motorcycle platforming game where the original iteration was better than the later makes an attempt at a comeback. Ubisoft knows this and thus spent the first half of E3 demoing the physics of the game and the remaining time showing various wipeouts. The gameplay was smooth and might just be the thing again if it adds enough challenges and variations. A new dual-player mode called Tandem Bike is being introduced where a single dirt bike controlled by two people takes on challenging trails winding through exotic locales such as Paris and Mount Everest. These tough challenges coupled with a touch of craziness is the reason fans are looking forward to picking up Trails’ once it’s released in 2019.

ORI AND THE WILL OF THE WISPS:

An action-adventure sidescrolling game, Ori and the Blind Forest, looks more stunning than most of the souped-up ultra-realistic 3D games out there. The sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, manages to improve on the already beautiful environment. Step into the dreamy natural forest once again and help Ori along on his adventures. This time you have an adorable traveling companion, a plucky little owl. The latest trailer debuted at E3 2018 revealed new bosses and fighting abilities. As a major fan of Metroidvania-style games, I am eagerly waiting for the 2019 release.

DEATH STRANDING: Hideo Kojima and the Metal Gear Series, which has constantly delivered with each iteration, needs no introduction and neither does Snake. It was unfortunate what came to pass Konami and Kojima studios, which led to the abandonment of Kojima studios as a subsidiary. This is Kojima’s first release since the incident of 2015 with the newly reformed Kojima studios. The game stars Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead franchise, includes Guillermo Del Toro at the video production helm and Hideo Kojima is in charge of gameplay and story. A collaborative effort from such a talented trio is bound to exceed all our expectations. The trailer raises and answers a lot of questions; making us want more. I predict Death Stranding will be well received by the gaming community and will be one of the major hits of 2019. This game is another PlayStation 4 exclusive title.

The games lineup set for release in early 2019 looks exciting, to say the least. I am looking forward to testing out all the titles, especially the action-packed Metro: Exodus and the enigmatic Death Stranding. Here is hoping 2019 turns out to be an amazing year for gamers and game developers.

Jonathan Carter is an amazing blogger and Lifehacks enthusiast with a vast experience of writing on different aspects of life. He has been writing on different aspects of daily life on different platforms.