AA’s Top 3 Most Anticipated Games Per Editor

Well, its been a while since E3 now, and we have finally taken the time to marinate our thoughts and decided which games got us most amped for the coming years. E3 2013 was among the best showings we’ve seen in years – not just because the next gen has been unbelievable hyped – but because games, glorious games, have showcased, detailed, and teased for our very own pleasure. Without further ado, Analog Addictions’ top three most anticipated games, per editor!

Ryan Livingstone

Watch_Dogs: This game has the potential to be game of the year. It looks to be a fantastic open-world game, with intelligent game play. Being able to kill people without touching them and hacking into everything with and control anything to your advantage is just awesome.

InFamous: Second Son: I have played the previous two games and enjoyed them immensely. When I heard that there was going to be another one, I thought it was going to be a milker. But when I learnt about what it was and saw the gameplay, I was impressed. It looks to be a great game with fresh ideas, a new protagonist, and fun new powers.

The Division: This game looks like it could be my next online multiplayer shooter that I will pour dozens of hours into. The setting of the world looks fantastic, and the gameplay looked like it handles well with some new aspects. I really look forward to trying this game out.

Jamie Briggs

Watch_Dogs: I have been excited for this game since E3 last year, and the excitement hasn’t died down for me. I am at the point where I don’t think I could be more excited for the games release, Watch_Dogs sold itself the day it was revealed. I think many feel the same, we are just at the point where we want to play the game already. Bring it on.

InFamous: Second Son: I have been obsessed with the InFamous series since I first started Cole’s first adventure. Back in the day when I was an Xbox 360 owner, I dreamed of playing InFamous and did so on the first day I purchased a PlayStation 3. Sucker Punch looks to have lifted their game and the gameplay we were shown at E3 astounded, the small details added to the world look amazing. Here’s hoping Delsin can become an iconic character alongside Cole, he has big shoes to fill.

Quantum Break: I am excited due to the potential this title has. If it can truly pull off what Remedy has explained at E3 it could become a very memorable experience. We have seen Trion Worlds try to link a TV series and a game before (Defiance), but with great pedigree like Remedy behind the idea, this could truly be something to behold. It could very easily fail, but ideas like this push the industry forward and I hope it is able to succeed.

Eric Pepper

Need For Speed Rivals: The seamless transition from single player to playing against your friends as you both work towards completing your campaigns is a phenomenal concept that I can only hope works as smoothly as they’re suggesting. It may lead to some bruised friendships if there’s a significant skill difference between the two players, but they did say that there is the option to turn off “drop-in” playing.

Thief: This is a game that didn’t really have my attention before E3, but after seeing some of the gameplay, I’m incredibly eager to see how this title looks by the time it releases. I’m not a huge stealth gamer, but I can definitely appreciate what the game is hoping to accomplish, and the fact that they aren’t going to completely hold your hand during the game makes it that much more enticing.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Did you honestly expect nobody to put this game on their list? Anyone who has played either of the previous two Witcher titles can attest to how enjoyable they are to play, and the third looks to continue that streak. It’s also been stated that this will be the final game for Geralt, so I fully expect CD Projekt Red to give gamers a fitting finale to this epic saga.

George Sinclair

Knack: I’d have to say first up is Knack because that game looks exactly like a Pixar film and it looks visually stunning. It appears to be a simple platformer it’s made by Mark Cerny who’s also behind Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank so that’s motivation enough.

Killzone: Shadow Fall: I really want to get my hands on Killzone: Shadow Fall. Being a long-time fan of the series, I can’t wait to dive back into the universe after what happened at the end of Killzone 3. Aside from that, the game looks so different to past games. It’s much more colourful and vibrant with the new setting of Vekta not to mention how good it looks on a new platform.

Destiny: Lastly, I really can’t wait for Destiny. I’m a fan of Halo, so I’m eager to see what Bungie can do with another game and Destiny is shaping up to look seriously impressive. Out of what I saw from E3, it looks like the truest step into the next-gen.

Rob Gisbey

Mirror’s Edge: Coming into E3, there was a great deal of speculation that a sequel to DICE’s first-person free runner was to be shown. As a HUGE fan of the original, I was anticipating EA’s press conference with bated breath and let me tell you, I didn’t walk away disappointed. Not only does the game look absolutely stunning with its crisp, pristine aesthetic, but it seems to have retained its laser-focus on the parkour and hand-to-hand combat that made its predecessor so exhilarating and utterly unique. I really cannot wait to see more!

Metal Gear Solid V: Despite feeling a little dejected over longterm voice actor David Hayter being replaced by 24’s Kiefer Sutherland, I was completely and utterly blown away by The Phantom Pain this E3. I’ve been a fan of the series since its PlayStation debut in 1998 and Kojima’s latest effort seems be one of the few genuine next gen experiences we’ve been presented with. Its graphics are unparalleled, its grim narrative radiates emotion and its open-world stealth-based gameplay appears nothing if not immersive. This is undoubtedly the single next gen project I am most excited about.

inFamous: Second Son: Up until E3 I was quietly looking forward to the third instalment in the inFamous series, but didn’t exactly consider Second Son to be a system seller. However having seen both the new story trailer and actual gameplay footage for the first time, I can safely say that THIS is the PS4 exclusive that is going to persuade me to invest in Sony’s new system. Sucker Punch have taken this project to the next level, not only in terms of the game’s gorgeous visuals, but in its character-driven, more personal storytelling. A vibrant real-world city, a conduit who willing embraces what he is and a whole host of new super powers to play with; I really think this title is going to be something truly special.

Vlad Pintea

Mirror’s Edge: One of the three titles that I’m hugely anticipating is Mirror’s Edge. We don’t know much about it, since EA only showed a trailer, but we DO know that it’s going to be a prequel, showcasing Faith’s origins as a runner. I am a big fan of the first one, mainly because DICE absolutely nailed the first person mechanic, combining it with smooth parkour elements. There still are a few things which the developer needs to take care of in the sequel (a more interesting story, and characters, and smoother combat mechanics), but I have complete confidence.

Watch Dogs: Then there’s Watch Dogs. Not only does it look absolutely gorgeous, but it’s also a very interesting new IP. Having the entire city of Chicago at your disposal via the smart-phone can lead to interesting possibilities. It looks like GTA combined with Splinter Cell, and a bit of Assassin’s Creed as well. If the story, and characters are as interesting as the gameplay, then I’m SOLD.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Lastly, my #1 most anticipated title has to be, without any doubt, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The game’s graphics speak for themselves from the trailer, but having experienced its prequel, I already know what I’ll be getting into in The Witcher 3: complex, loveable, and sometimes morally ambiguous characters, interesting side-quests, varied locales, monsters, and items, lots of hours of awesome gameplay, and all of these in a world which is 20% BIGGER than Skyrim. The Witcher 2: Assassin’s of Kings is my all-time favourite RPG, but I’m more than confident that its sequel will take the crown.

Jaime “Paco” Sifontes

Final Fantasy XV: I make no secret that Final Fantasy Versus XIII has been my most anticipated title for quite some years. And seeing it become Final Fantasy XV doesn’t surprise me either – it deserves to be main entry. Sure, that means we might have to wait a little longer for whatever Hiroyuki Ito (Final Fantasy VI, IX, XII) is working on, but Tetsuya Nomura (Kingdom Hearts) has quite literally put his entire heart and soul into this title, something I commend. I know the gameplay will be stellar based on his previous works, but the story is what I am concerned with, and it looks to be my kind of jazz. The atmosphere just explodes with the same kind of feeling I got from Final Fantasy VIII, and among all settings in FFs, VIII was the one that really stuck with me. Will it rejuvenate the franchise in the face of its fans? I absolutely think it will.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: How about that Witcher 3? While I am admittedly more excited for CDPR’s Cyberpunk, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the most exciting things to come out of E3 this year. The massive open world filled with the mature fantasy lore of “The Witcher,” expanded with numerous possible endings, and hours upon hours of gameplay. If there truly was only one other western RPG that could dethrone the Elder Scrolls from its high horse, its The Witcher. And believe you me, this game looks primed just to do that. Believe it.

The Division: Whats up with Ubisoft and their surprises. The Division came out of nowhere, threw me a beautiful post-apocalyptic Tom Clancy world filled with desease, guns, and killer drones. Honestly, the premise is fantastic, but nothing strikes me more than seeing all of New York, open for exploration, and  against hundreds of other players. Will it be awesome? I’d like to think so. Is it next-gen? Hell yes.

Honorable Mention – Everquest Next: Okay, I cheated and threw this in here because some media outlets got to actually see the next iteration of Everquest. We know next to nothing about the game, but I stand here with raw excitement due to its high praise from select outlets. I have played EQ over the span of a decade, and knowing that a third iteration is but a month from reveal (and after receiving its only “Best of E3″ award from MMORPG.com) I can say it may very well be my most anticipated title from E3, if only because it wasn’t technically shown to the public is the E3 capacity.And there you have it! Analog Addiction’s most anticipated titles coming out of E3. If for any reason you are baffled by why we didn’t include other titles on our list – dont be. It is not that we aren’t excite by said games, its just that these games looks to be right up our particular alleys. But you’ve just read our most anticipated titles. What are yours!? Let us know in the comments below!