Although there are a few stragglers remaining before 2015 comes to a close, most of the year’s biggest game releases have already launched. And it’s been a great year for gaming by and large, with many of our favorite franchises returning and a few original IPs taking the industry by storm, but now it’s time to look forward to year three of the new generation.
DON’T MISS: Best Buy Black Friday 2015 ad officially released: Here’s everything you need to know
One of the most interesting storylines of the past year has been the PlayStation 4’s dominance of the market, even as it continues to fall behind the Xbox One in terms of updates and new features. As I predicted, the Xbox One got a boost from the release of Halo 5: Guardians last month, but can it maintain that momentum through the holidays?
More importantly, does the Xbox One have a chance to catch up with the PS4 in 2016? It’s going to depend heavily on the gaming lineup for each console, so let’s take a look at some of the biggest console exclusives of the coming year, as well as the most anticipated multiplatform games:
PlayStation 4
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
What should have been the primary draw of the PS4 lineup this holiday season is now due to release in March, but that hasn’t tempered the excitement for what looks to be the final entry in the Uncharted franchise.
Horizon: Zero Dawn
My game of the show from E3 2015. It’s hard to say whether or not the Killzone team will be able to pull off such an ambitious idea, but I’ll be there every step of the way.
The Last Guardian
Shadow of the Colossus is one of the best games ever made. 10 years after it released on the PlayStation 2, we finally have a follow-up from Team ICO. Here’s hoping The Last Guardian can live up to expectations.
No Man’s Sky
The game that’s on everyone’s radar, whether they care about video games or not. A nearly infinite universe filled with countless planets to discover, No Man’s Sky might be the most anticipated release of the generation.
Persona 5
Ok, technically Persona 5 will come out on the PS3 as well, but it’s a PlayStation exclusive, regardless. After Persona 4 brought the series into the mainstream, this sequel has suddenly become the JRPG to watch out for it, possibly even more so than the endlessly delayed Final Fantasy XV.
Xbox One
Quantum Break
I honestly have no idea what to expect from Quantum Break, but after two successful franchises in a row (Max Payne, Alan Wake), I’m willing to give Remedy Entertainment the benefit of the doubt.
Crackdown 3
I know that I look back at the original Crackdown with rose-colored glasses, but after seeing this video, I just can’t not be excited about Crackdown 3.
Gears of War 4
This franchise isn’t the tentpole of the Xbox like it used to be, but Gears of War 4 is still near the top of the list when it comes to most anticipated games of 2016.
ReCore
Another game that we don’t know much about yet, ReCore could be the kind of upstart project that we start seeing Microsoft invest in more regularly as the generation stretches forward.
Tacoma
Tacoma is the next game from the team behind Gone Home. What else needs to be said?
Multiplatform
Dark Souls III
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Dishonored 2
Doom
Far Cry Primal
Final Fantasy XV
Hyper Light Drifter
Mafia III
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst
