Millions of people were trapped inside of their homes due to the infamous COVID-19. As a result, many have turned to video games as a means for entertainment. After several months worth of trailers have been shown, here are some of the most highly anticipated video games as of now.
Sonic Frontiers
The beloved sonic franchise by SEGA is testing its mettle in the open world genre with Sonic Frontiers. Open world games contain expansive regions that give players much to explore outside the traditional linear level design. The recent trailer shows Sonic, a beloved blue hedgehog that can rival The Flash in speed, uncovering the mysteries behind an unknown evil that threatens to disrupt the world. Compared to previous titles, Sonic Frontiers offers a brand new experience for fans who have always wanted to explore parts of the environment which always seemed out of reach behind a 2D screen or invisible barriers.
RIOT Games MMO
RIOT Games is the creator of its industry titan League of Legends which continues to contest the top charts for popular multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA) since its initial Windows release in 2009. Recently, RIOT Games has unveiled its plan to put forth a massive undertaking by implementing the League of Legends universe into the genre of an MMO, also known as massive multiplayer online. Given the current popularity of the franchise, there is no doubt that the game will make waves on social media on release.
Overwatch 2
The original Overwatch developed by Blizzard Entertainment redefined the genre of ‘hero shooter’ with its colorful cast of playable heroes joining forces to complete an objective in a 6v6 competitive format. Since the announcement cinematic, many players have been curious about how Blizzard will innovate one of their most popular franchises. Overwatch 2 aims to rein in the former glory back in 2016 achieved by its predecessor that won the title of ‘game of the year’ during its peak in 2016.
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
The world-renowned Pokémon series continues to expand its mainline with the announcement of Pokémon Scarlet/Violet. This new title explores the open world genre and contains many large explorable regions and mysteries to uncover. After previously experimenting with the genre in the past with Pokémon Legends: Arceus, fans anticipate that this upcoming title will bear the fruit of the lessons learned during development. Regardless of speculation, Nintendo has always been successful in drawing both their young and old audiences together to celebrate an addition to the main series.
GTA 6
Rockstar Games has long been known for its industry titan, Grand Theft Auto 5. Since its original 2013 release, it remains one of the most popular games to date. Many media sharing platforms such as YouTube and Twitch see hundreds of thousands of unique viewers each day as various creators and personalities act out a life of crime in the virtualized world of Los Santos. Naturally, it was no surprise that social media would be booming after hearing the news of the next installment of the series undergoing development.
Diablo IV
Another franchise from Blizzard Entertainment makes the top charts. Diablo is an action-role playing game set in a catastrophe derived from demons, where your character acquires special abilities earned through combat or trade to become stronger and take on more challenging enemies. The Diable franchise has always been a smashing hit for Blizzard, so any announcement of the next generation will inevitably bring buzz throughout its fanbase. Since the release of the announcement cinematic, Diablo fans will surely be speculating until the game’s release.
Marvel’s Spider Man 2
The beloved Spider-Man franchise is expanding with its latest game slated for next-gen consoles. During the short trailer, over 25 million people watched as the likely protagonists Miles Morales and Peter Parker ‘do whatever spider man does’, until the exciting reveal of a venom symbiote to top it all off. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is set to explore another chapter in the Spider-Man Universe, all in glorious 4k.
Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong took the internet by storm for the second time when it released its second gameplay trailer. This brand new IP inspired by the mythology of Sun Wukong offers breathtaking vistas and action-packed combat. The main character is presumed to be Sun Wukong and pockets a variety of special abilities and transformations along with a dexterous hand for the staff he wields. The combat is stamina-based, where the player must time their abilities appropriately to get value. Not much is known outside the trailers, but even the small crumbs scattered by Game Science, the developing studio, have left the internet in awe while craving for more.
God of War: Ragnarok
In 2018, the original God of War for the Playstation 4 developed by Santa Monica Studio competed against some of the industry’s most highly acclaimed games, including Read Dead Redemption 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and Monster Hunter: World, and returned with the title of ‘2018 game of the year’. Four years later, Santa Monica Studio has carefully crafted the sequel to a game that many consider to still be among the best today. God of War is a riveting journey from innocence to experience as Kratos, a Greek god of war and single father, attempts to hide from his past all while raising his son Atreus in a world inhabited by dangerous enemies and eccentric gods. In a recent trailer, God of War: Ragnarok is shown to take place several years after the events of its predecessor, where Kratos and grown-up Atreus embark on another journey, this time to stop the literal end of the world.
