2024 brings with it a new slate of video games. It’s hard to say for sure if 2024 will be able to live up to 2023, as the latter is going to be remembered the same as 1998 and 2007—as one of thebest years for video gamesso far. The internet was abuzz whenZelda: Tears of the Kingdomcame out in May 2023 because no one could believe it would be topped, but thenBaldur’s Gate 3struck. Between the two, fans were treated with games likeStreet Fighter 6, Diablo 4, Final Fantasy 16, Pikmin 4, andRemnant 2, while games likeSea of Stars, Blasphemous 2, Armored Core 6, Starfield, Mortal Kombat 1, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, AC Mirage, Spider-Man 2, Mario Wonder, Alan Wake 2, Like a Dragon Gaiden, and much more would continue to fill out the scene thereafter.
2023 has been a wild ride, but the 2024 calendar is continuing to form. Right now, there seem to be fewer confirmed release windows for major games in 2024 than in prior years, but that could change in an instant. There are still several major games that could release in 2024, but do not yet have a confirmed release window. For example,Hollow Knight: Silksongis easily the most anticipated gamethat could still be released in 2024, but Team Cherry hasn’t exactly confirmed any window.GTA 6is probably the most anticipated game ever, but it’s coming out in 2025 according to Rockstar. Keeping all of this in mind,these are the most anticipated games of 2024, listed in order of their currently-confirmed release dates.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Release Date: January 18
Ubisoft is kicking off the new year with the first major release of January -Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Going back to the roots of the franchise,Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownis a sidescrolling platform gamecomplete with time-related powers, but innovating on its legacy is its Metroidvania design, its brand new character Sargon, and the fact that it names the titular prince. The more Ubisoft has shown of the game, the more it has grown on fans, and it’ll be interesting to see what it’s like when it lands on January 18.
WHERE TO PLAY
Dash into a stylish and thrilling action-adventure platformer set in a mythological Persian world where the boundaries of time and space are yours to manipulate. Play as Sargon and evolve from sword-wielding prodigy to extraordinary legend as you master acrobatic combat and unlock new Time Powers and unique super abilities.UNLEASH YOUR INNER WARRIORUse your Time Powers, combat, and platforming skills to perform deadly combos and defeat time-corrupted enemies and mythological creatures.LOSE YOURSELF IN THE PRODIGIOUS MOUNT QAFDiscover a cursed Persian-inspired world filled with larger-than-life landmarks and explore a variety of highly detailed biomes, each with their own identity, wonder, and danger.LIVE AN EPIC ADVENTUREImmerse yourself in a Persian mythological fantasy through an intriguing and original story as you use your wits to solve puzzles, find hidden treasures, and complete quests to learn more about this corrupted place.
Tekken 8
Release Date: January 26
Tekken 8is kicking off the new year for fighting games, following the releases ofStreet Fighter 6andMortal Kombat 1in 2023. It takes place six months afterTekken 7, focusing on Jin Kazama’s goal of killing his father, Kazuya Mishima, to end their disastrous lineage. Gameplay-wise, fans can expect everything they love aboutTekken, with a focus on aggressive gameplay and a new “Heat” mechanic to boot.Tekken 8’s launch rosterwill feature 32 characters, with 4 more currently set to release as DLC.
Tekken 8 brings the fight to the latest generation of consoles, powered by Unreal Engine 5. Feel the power of every hit in Tekken 8, the latest entry in the legendary fighting game franchise from Bandai Namco. Utilising the power and realism of Unreal Engine 5, Tekken 8 pushes the envelope for fighting games by taking full advantage of the power of the latest generation of consoles. Ground-breaking new features, breathtakingly detailed character models and dramatic environments make this one of the most visually stunning and immersive titles in the genre yet. Tekken 8 picks up after the gruesome battle that ended in Heihachi Mishima’s defeat in Tekken 7, focusing on a new rivalry, pitting father against son as Jin Kazama stands in defiance against Kazuya Mishima in a city-shattering face-to-face showdown.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
LaDfans were treated this year with the veryemotional story ofLike a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, but it doesn’t stop there. January will see the release ofLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthwhich follows Ichiban Kasuga’s story fromYakuza: Like a Dragon.
However, it’s much more involved than that as it introduces new story elements, takes players outside Japan to a franchise-first location in Hawaii, and brings back the belovedKazuma Kiryu as the second playable protagonist.Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthrequires a bit of homework, withYakuza: Like a DragonandGaidenat the very minimum needed to be played, but there might be a huge pay-off for fans of the franchise.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
EPIC EMOTIONAL DRAMATwo larger-than-life heroes brought together by the hand of fate, or perhaps something more sinister…Ichiban Kasuga, an unstoppable underdog who’s no stranger to crawling up from rock bottom, and Kazuma Kiryu, a broken man facing down his last days.BEST-IN-CLASS RPG ACTIONExperience one-of-a-kind combat with dynamic, fast-paced RPG battles where the battlefield becomes your weapon, and anything goes. Adapt your party’s skills to the situation with outlandish jobs and customizations to strategically subdue enemies with over-the-top moves.INFINITE ADVENTURELive it up in Japan and explore all that Hawaii has to offer in an adventure so big it spans the Pacific. Unforgettable moments await at every step of the journey with a unique mix of quests and activities to enjoy at your leisure.
Release Date: February 2
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice Leaguedidn’t start 2023 off too well, with a controversy stirring around its leaked battle pass and various other content, but momentum eventually did shift. In it, players take control of Task Force X, including King Shark, Harley Quinn, Deadshot, and Boomerang as they attempt to kill The Justice League. Facing off with Superman in a video game is a dream come true, and thegameplay ofSuicide Squad: Kill The Justice Leagueseems up to the task. It’s shaping up to be a unique DC video game, and it’ll be interesting to see if the four villains can truly become the heroes…or at least something like that.
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is an action-adventure game developed by Rocksteady Studios set in the Arkhamverse. Set a few months after Batman: Arkham Knight, players can pick from one of four antihero characters including Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, and King Shark, as they attempt to stop Brainiac and the currently brainwashed Justice League
Persona 3 Reload
Persona 5is easily the most popular title of the Atlus franchise, which really took the series to a global level. However, it also accentuates the age of its older titles, leading fans to ask Atlus to remake the older titles. Atlus is determined to ensure thatPersonais a definitive JRPG franchise, and part of that goal seems to be bringing the older titles to a new level.Persona 3tells the story of a high school protagonist coming back to his home a decade after their parents died in a car crash, using Personas to defeat shadows and uncover the Dark Hour as part of S.E.E.S.—Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad.
As a remake,P3Rfaithfully depicts the original story, with a huge focus on graphical, UI, and mechanical updates, complete with updated character designs and much, much more. In other words,P3Ris embracing the entire concept of a remake to ensure modern audiences can enjoy the series beyondP5.
Step into the shoes of a transfer student thrust into an unexpected fate when entering the hour “hidden” between one day and the next. Awaken an incredible power and chase the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fight for your friends, and leave a mark on their memories forever.Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era.Experience the pivotal game of the Persona series faithfully remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features, and signature stylish UI. Fully immerse yourself in an emotional, gripping journey with new scenes, character interactions, and additional voiceover. Choose how to meaningfully spend each day through various activities from exploring the Port Island to forging genuine bonds with beloved characters. Build and command your optimal team to take down otherworldly Shadows and climb closer to the truth.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Release Date: February 29
The second part of Square Enix’sFF7remake project,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthreimagines the world of Gaia after the first game focused entirely on the events of Midgar. This remake/sequel reimagines and re-writes multiple elements of the original game, adding more depth to character development and adjusting the overall narrative structure.FF7 Rebirthwill have more open-ended environments than Midgar, while keeping and slightly improving on the combat of the first remake. What it changes, what it keeps, andhow much of the storyFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthcoversare all big questions on fans' minds, and no doubt many are excited for February to continue this adventure.
Discover a vibrant and vast world in this standalone entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct games. Iconic heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII have escaped from the dystopian city Midgar and are now in pursuit of Sephiroth, the vengeful swordsman from Cloud’s past who was thought to be dead. This new adventure can be enjoyed by all players, even those who have yet to play Final Fantasy VII Remake or the PlayStation original. Expect a new standard of cinematic storytelling, fast-paced combat and rich exploration across a vast world.
Princess Peach: Showtime
Release Date: March 22
Princess Peach: Showtimeis the first game with the princess as the main protagonist since 2005, meaning there’s a lot of anticipation behind this title. In the same way, this title is based on a stage play similar toSuper Mario Bros. 3, keeping up the longstanding belief that the entire franchise, in-universe, is a series of plays alive. In it, players will be able to take on severaltransformations as Princess Peach, including a Swordfight, Detective, and a Kung Fu martial artist, as they team up with her sidekick, Stella, to stop the main antagonist Wicked Grape.
Princess Peach: Showtime!
Take the stage as PeachHelp Peach save the Sparkle Theater from the wicked Grape and the Sour Bunch, who have set the stage for the ultimate tragedy. Joined by Stella, the theater’s guardian, Peach is ready to save the day!Step into the spotlight!Power up with transformations and use showstopping abilities to call curtains on this tragedy. What transformations are hiding just behind the curtain?
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Fans have wanted a sequel to or remake ofDragon’s Dogmafor many years, with 2024 being the year Capcom finally fulfills these fan desires. Releasing 12 years after the original,Dragon’s Dogma 2features an Arisen as they get caught up in a conflict between two kingdoms, Vermund and Battahl.Dragon’s Dogma 2brings back the Pawn system, defining each one and their main character through returning, hybrid, and brand new vocations.Dragon’s Dogma 2also features a semi-open world that is four times bigger than the last game, emergent events akin to GTA 5, destructible environments, intensive and varied combat, and a dynamic day and night cycle.
Set forth on your grand adventure, Arisen!Dragon’s Dogma is a single player, narrative driven action-RPG series that challenges the players to choose their own experience – from the appearance of their Arisen, their vocation, their party, how to approach different situations and more. Now, in this long-awaited sequel, the deep, explorable fantasy world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 awaits.On your journey, you’ll be joined by Pawns, mysterious otherworldly beings, in an adventure so unique you will feel as if accompanied by other players while on your own adventure.All of these elements are elevated further through physics technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and the latest in graphics, to create a truly immersive fantasy world in Dragon’s Dogma 2.
Black Myth: Wukong
Release Date: August 20
Black Myth: Wukongtook the stage at The Game Awards 2023 to announce a faraway release date of August 20, but it has held eyes since its gameplay trailer in 2021.Lies of Phas proven that there is an appeal for popular stories to get Soulslike adaptations, with Neowiz and Round8 working on DLC and a sequel to a dark fairy tale soulslike world, andBlack Myth: Wukongdeveloper Game Science is doing just that withJourney to the West(which also directly influencedDragon Ball Z). In this title, players take on the Destined One, a monkey-like person named Sun Wukong, as they fight their way through massive, powerful enemies in soulslike gameplay.
Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG rooted in Chinese mythology and based on Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.You shall set out as the Destined One to venture into the challenges and marvels ahead, to uncover the obscured truth beneath the veil of a glorious legend from the past.As the Destined One, you shall encounter powerful foes and worthy rivals throughout your journey. Fearlessly engage them in epic battles where surrender is not an option.Aside from mastering various staff techniques, you can also freely combine different spells, abilities, weapons, and equipment to find the winning strategy that best suits your combat style.
Avowed
Release Date: TBD
Avowed(and the following games on this list) does not have a confirmed release date as of this writing, but one way or another, they have been confirmed to release in 2024.Avowedis Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming RPG, set in the same universe as itsPillars of Eternitygames. Players take control of an Aedyr Empire envoy, who is investigating the Living Lands and a mystery plague ravaging them. Players will be able to use magic, melee, and firearms, while building a character through dialogue and skill trees who is wholly unique to them. Essentially,Avowedis Obsidian’s fantasy take onThe Outer Worlds, and that’s exciting for many fans.
Avowed is a first-person RPG being developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Taking place in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity, players explore the world of Eora using both rune-based magic and sword combat.
