2019 Gaming

The new year is here, which means that Kingdom Hearts III is only a few short weeks away! Yes, one of the redeeming qualities of starting a brand new year is a video game I've been waiting 13 years for. Sue me. While we're getting such a major release so early in the year, 2019 is full of quality titles, especially the first half of the year. Let's look through a few shall we?

Now, I'll also talk about games that currently don't have a release date. Hopefully, they'll be released in 2019 but if not, it's fine. And since we're dealing with over 20 games here, I'll try to keep each one short, for your sake and mine.

Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

Yay! If you're going to keep releasing remasters, I'm glad they're releasing a remaster of a game I really love. Tales of Vesperia is my favorite Tales game of all time and one of my favorite JRPGs ever. The combat system, the side quests and the music make for a great adventure. The story is normal cliche Tales-esque but it's still a great adventure. Releasing on January 11th, TOV will have the honor of being the first new game purchase of 2019. I'm looking forward to delving back into this world, as I haven't played this game since I graduated high school. Crap, it's been 10 years? Where is the time going? Thanks for this Bandai Namco. Is it time for a brand new Tales game yet?

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes

When a new No More Heroes games was announced, I was pumped. NMH is one of the best Wii series out. Both games are a blast to play as they mix comedy and gore very well. Once they started talking about this new game though, I got less and less pumped. This isn't a full fledged No More Heroes experience like the original or Desperate Struggle. It's a top down hack n slash, featuring work from other indie studios. There's nothing wrong with but I was definitely expecting something a little different. Regardless, I love the series and will show support. Gameplay differences aside, as long as they can keep the same zaniness of the first two, it should be fine. And since it's bound to be short and releasing on January 18th, it's a nice prelude for the two longer games coming after it.

Resident Evil 2

In 2017, Capcom released Resident Evil 7 at the end of January to modest acclaim. It returned the series back to its survival horror origins. Two years later, instead of making a brand new entry, they decided to listen to their fans and remake one of their most popular entries. RE2 released in 1998. If you do the math, I was 7 when it released. I wasn't ready for this type of game so I never really experienced the original for myself. Sure, I've seen it played in front of me as a child but I never got to control the tank controls. Thankfully, they're giving it the RE4 behind the camera control scheme so it's easily accessible to all players. They're also prioritizing horror over action so while it may look and play like RE4, the scares and general atmosphere will feel much like RE2. As one who hasn't experienced it yet, I'm excited. Coming out on January 25th (a few days after its 21st anniversary and on Royal Rumble weekend no less), Resident Evil 2 looks to scare in the new year. If it plays as well as the trailers and hands on videos look, we should be in for a thrilling time come the 25th.

Kingdom Hearts III

There are moments in life where time stands still. Hulk Hogan meeting Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III, Thor staring into Thanos eyes before he snaps his fingers and on January 29th 2019, where I will finally hold Kingdom Hearts III in my hands. Why am I and many other fans this excited? Little history lesson for you. The last numbered Kingdom Hearts game released in the US on March 28th, 2006. 2006. 2006!!! That's 13 years ago. Sure, there were plenty of Kingdom Hearts games released between 2 and 3 but no new numbered entries. This is a game I've been waiting my entire life for. A sequel so many years in the making, Disney has become a major conglomerate during the time between the games. Let's see, Disney bought Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel and Fox since the game was released (the Pixar deal was actually done in early 2006, before the US release of KH2 but after the Japanese release. It was finalized on in May the same year). While Marvel and Star Wars won't have a presence in Kingdom Hearts III, Pixar's movies will, as there are worlds based on Toy Story and Monsters Inc. My favorite Disney movie, Wreck It Ralph, will also be featured in the game as a summon while popular titles such as Big Hero 6, Tangled and of course Frozen will have their own worlds. Other than that, I don't know much else. I want to enter this game as clueless as possible. I just know it takes place directly after Dream Drop Distance, which I DID NOT FINISH. Disclaimer; the only side KH game I completed was Chain of Memories, and that was thanks to Game Shark! Anyway, I can't wait for this game. To wrap up this whole Xehanort saga and see what's next is going to be an absolute pleasure. The first game released in March 2002, when I was only 11 years old. 17 years, as a married 28 year old man, I'm ready for whatever Square Enix throws at us.

February 15th - Far Cry: New Dawn, Crackdown 3, Jump Force, Dead or Alive 6 and Metro Exodus

Last year at E3, it was announced that February 22nd was going to be a stacked day of gaming. Well, it wasn't formally announced but that was the time the games being released on that date were given that date. Those games were Crackdown 3, Anthem, Metro Exodus and Days Gone. As 2018 started to wind down, various games started to move from that date. Crackdown 3 moved up to the 15th, Days Gone was pushed back two months to April and Metro Exodus was completed earlier than expected and got pushed up to February 15th as well. That leaves BioWare's Anthem as the only game that kept its original release date announced at E3.

Now, focusing on February 15th. 5 MASSIVE games will release on one day. If you were to purchase all five games on the 15th, you would be crazy to think you could juggle 5 games, two which are fighting games and the other three action adventure, two of those being sandbox experiences. You'd also have to spend $280. Far Cry New Dawn is the only game not $60. Thanks Ubisoft! Each game is bound to have its fans clamoring for it.

Far Cry: New Dawn is a stand alone adventure based off of Far Cry 5. I haven't played through a Far Cry to completion since Far Cry 3 so I think I'll wait for a sale on this one. Jump Force is pitting together many popular Shonen Jump characters together in one massive fighting game. While I haven't watched all of the series, I'm definitely familiar with many of them. One Piece, Naruto, Ruroruni Kenshin, Saint Seiya, Yu Yu Hakusho and Yu-Gi-Oh are all series I'm familiar with. Dragon Ball, Bleach, Fist of the North Star and my new jam, My Hero Academia are the ones I've actually watched in my life. To have Goku face off against Kenshiro is going to be legendary and to see Ichigo face Kenshin? This is an anime fan's dream come true. I'm not even the biggest anime fan but for the chance to see all these characters together, I might have to consider this as a purchase. Used, not new. DOA6 is the next entry in the long running fighting game series. Surprising, it's only on #6, even though it was first released in 1996. I don't know too much about the upcoming sequel but I did enjoy DOA5 a lot when I played it. It's not a buy from me but I will play it sometime in 2019. Metro Exodus is the third game in the Metro series. Despite playing the two games before it, I've never completed either one. I have played the original two and the updated versions on the newer consoles, still, not finished either. Metro Exodus will be another one I'll try but will most likely not finish. The big release for me is Crackdown 3. CD3 is one of the reasons I purchased a Xbox One back in 2014. The amount of delays though, has seriously killed my vibe for the game. It was to be released in 2016, got pushed back to late 2017 to release with the Xbox One X. It was delayed again to sometime in 2018 and then finally delayed to February 22nd before getting pushed up a week. Crackdown 3 will be apart of Xbox Game Pass, which means I'll only have to subscribe and pay $10 to play it, which is fair considering how long the fans have been waiting. I haven't played an Xbox exclusive since Cuphead back in 2017 so I'm looking to dusting off the ole Xbone to play this.

The only type of game missing on February 15th is a RPG. There's still time for an indie game to get squeezed in there. Regardless, this is going to be a fun day for gamers. Sucks it happens to collide with Valentine's Day weekend (and the release of Happy Death Day 2U) so please plan accordingly. I would hate for you gamers to be without your significant others because you wanted to pit Izuku versus Gon. It can wait a day or so.

Devil May Cry 5

Real talk; the only two Devil May Cry games that I got deep into and actually completed were the original PS2 classic and the much hated for stupid reasons DmC by Ninja Theory. Both are excellent hack n slash games but DmC is just my jam. Sorry haters. Devil May Cry 5 is the first game in series to be developed and released by Capcom since 2008. What's up with 2019 releasing games people have been waiting over a decade for? While not the biggest DMC fan, I'm a huge fan of over the top hack n slash action and it's definitely been awhile since I've been able to scratch that itch. With my craving to finally pick up and finish Bayonetta 2 on Switch, I'm jonesing (not a real word) to pick this up and slash some demons away. I just hope I can follow the story. I'm sure Capcom realizes a lot of newcomers will be coming in so I should be good.....

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

So much for Bloodborne 2! Apparently this is the game that was teased by FromSoftware from The Game Awards in 2018. I'm a Souls head and anytime FromSoftware releases a game, I'm on it. While I'm on board any Souls-like games coming from them, I also realize it may be time to try another genre. They've mastered the action RPG, so much so, they've basically made a genre out of it. It's time to try something else. My first thought has always been horror because playing through those games always gives me a fright, especially Bloodborne. Apparently, they've heard me and are trying their hands at a straight up action adventure game. No leveling up, no character creation, no multiplayer element. It has more in common with the series Tenchu then Dark Souls. I learned that this was suppose to be a new Tenchu game but changed in development. That makes a lot of sense. Anyway, I don't know too much about the game besides that. I saw the E3 gameplay footage and was sold. March looks like it will be the hack n slash month with this and DMC5 and with FromSoftware's track record this past decade, I'm looking forward to slashing through demons, humans or whatever is put in front of me. I wonder how long this game will be...

Mortal Kombat 11

I'm always surprised more and more when AAA games get announced and we're not waiting 10 years to play it. Mortal Kombat 11 was just announced in December and it will be releasing in April. That's only 5 months from announcement to gameplay. That's pretty good. The trailer, though obviously all CGI and not gameplay, looked vicious and gory. Many have pointed out the use of weapons in the trailer, leading many to think the weapon system from Deadly Alliance will make a comeback. Now admittedly, I'm not the biggest MK fan there is but I loved MKX. I also loved the fact that Netherrealm Studios was essentially trying to make it the horror movie fighting game we never knew we wanted. Adding Jason, Alien, Predator and Leatherface to the mix. Freddy Kruger was included in Mortal Kombat 9 on the PS3 and Xbox 360 and the mobile version of this game. It's time to go all out for this one. We need them all. Bring back all the past ones like Freddy, Jason, Leatherface, Alien and Predator and then add some new ones. We need Michael Myers y'all. I heard Spawn has been teased. Put him in. The new Child's Play will be out in June, can we get Chucky? Or Leprechaun? Hellraiser? Victor Crowley?!?! Sorry...anyway, it should be another banner and bloody title. You can tell I don't really care about the lore or story of it all, I just want guest characters and gore.

Days Gone

Man, no major PS4 exclusives until April!?!? For shame Sony! I kid but it's certainly weird that it will take until April for a big PS4 exclusive as the last two years have shown that they like to get them out quick. 2017 has Yakuza 0, Horizon, Nier and Persona 5 all in the first four months. 2018 had the Shadow of Colossus remaster, Ni No Kuni II and God of War in the first four. We just got Days Gone in 2019 and that's not a bad thing, it's just a realization that PS4 will soon be a thing of the past. Anyway, back to Days Gone! It seems like all of the first party developers for PS4 have a hit. Naughty Dog with Uncharted 4, Insomniac with Spider-Man, Guerrilla Games with Horizon: Zero Dawn and Santa Monica Studios has the best PS4 game of all time in God of War. SIE Bend Studio is probably a developer you don't hear too much from anymore and I wouldn't blame you. While working on the great Syphon Filter series back in the Playstation 1 era, they've been pretty silent, only working on other Sony exclusives for portable platforms, like Resistance and Uncharted. Days Gone is their grand return to consoles and it's an ambitious one; an open world post apocalyptic survival horror video game. This has been done before plenty of times but I feel like Sony is banking on this to be a huge hit this year. Gameplay looks fun and it looks to use crafting systems found in other great PS4 exclusives. I'm all for developers trying a new genre. Guerrilla Games knocked it out of the park with Horizon. Santa Monica did the same when they reinvented God of War from a simple hack n slash to an action RPG classic. I think SIE Bend Studios can do the same. Just...no more delays.

Rage 2

This is a shocker. When Rage first released, it wasn't on my radar at all. I ended up getting it for dirt cheap during one of my gaming binges and I found a gem. It was a great little action FPS that shouldn't have been as good as it was. Now, 8 years later (there's really a trend starting to build here), ID Software is going bigger and bolder with Rage 2. It definitely has a more vibrant look than the original and looks to focus more on the open world aspect. Also, vehicle combat is back and more focused. The original used it lightly but it seems they're turning it up a notch. There's not much else to say about Rage 2. It's a sequel that probably shouldn't exist but we're getting it anyway. ID Software (I realize that Avalanche Studios, developer behind the Just Cause series, is helping) has a great track record lately with the newer Doom title so they know what gamers want from their FPSs. I'm intrigued.

Shenmue III

Ah Shenmue. The game that changed my childhood. The game that made me want an Xbox. The game that made me ask customers if they wanted to try a game of Lucky Hit. For years, fans have begged for a sequel to the series. Shenmue II ends on such a major cliffhanger that a sequel was all but guaranteed to happen. Ryo quest to avenge his father's death went uncompleted and Shenmue received the Skies of Arcadia treatment. Mentions and appearances in other games but never again to star in his own adventure. Shenmue II was released in October 2002. It wouldn't be until E3 2015, nearly 13 years later, that we would finally be shown Shenmue III and even still, Sega wasn't making it. They licensed Shenmue to Yu Suzuki's company and they weren't even making the game with being crowdfunded first. The internet exploded, I exploded and the $2 million goal set was broken the next day. After multiple delays, Shenmue III will be released on August 27th, 2019. That's almost 17 years between releases. Someone born when Shenmue II first came out is almost eligible to vote. That's pure insanity. Anyway, upon looking at it from trailers, it does look a little dated and weird and I haven't seen any gameplay battles or anything but honestly, as long as it plays like a modern day version of Shenmue II, I won't care. I've been waiting WAY too long to be super judgmental and pessimistic about the game. The fact that we're getting this and another beloved Sega franchise this year is mind blowing. I've been waiting my whole life to play this game, I can't wait to finally finish Ryo's story.

Code Vein

Code Vein was one of my most anticipated games to play in September last year but of course, it was delayed. The delay was a blessing in disguise as September 2018 was jam packed with releases. Dragon Quest XI, Spider-Man and Tomb Raider all released within 10 days of each. With no Souls or Bloodborne sequel on the horizon, Code Vein will look to scratch the itch it leaves. While the game does look very anime, the gameplay looks familiar enough for me to sink my teeth into. Even with no solid release date, I'm confidant that Code Vein will see a release in 2019.

Control

This was a major shocker when it was announced last year. Control is the next epic action adventure thriller from the people at Remedy Entertainment, who have a great history with games. These are the people responsible for Max Payne, Alan Wake and Quantum Break. Is it me or do the game titles sound alike? Anyway, Control looks to continue the weird sci fi time travelly vibe from Quantum Break. Gunplay and the behind the shoulder camera seem to return from Quantum Break as well. The main character Jesse Faden also has supernatural powers. I wonder if this game will end up taking place in the same universe as Quantum Break. QB featured a few Easter Eggs from AW so it's not completely out of the question. Control has no release date yet but it the ever cryptic 2019 window. This would make for a great late summer game before the major IPs start to drop and whenever it is released, I'll be sure to dive in.

Indivisible

Hard to believe that Indivisible first released its prototype for its crowdfunding campaign back at the end of 2015. It's been through multiple delays but it looks like the indie RPG will finally release this year. Indivisible is an indie RPG in the same style as Valkyrie Profile, so not only will there be amazing action based combat, there will also be light platforming and Metroidvania like aspects. Turn based RPG + platforming + Metroidvania? This sounds like the exact type of game I need in my life. Not only does it promise to have their own zany characters, the game will feature many guest characters from other amazing indie titles as well. I'm talking about The Drifter from Hyper Light Drifter, Shovel Knight from...well Shovel Knight, Juan from Guccamelee and many others. This has hit written all over it and you can bet this is a day one buy for me.

Streets of Rage 4

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Prayer really works ladies and gentlemen! I've been craving for a new Streets of Rage game for my entire life. Streets of Rage 3 was released back in April 1994 and there has been nothing since then. That beats out both Shenmue III and Kingdom Hearts III. With other beat em up titles receiving love in the past decade, like a 3D action adventure game for Final Fight and Golden Axe and a newer version of Double Dragon, the king of beat em ups never got any official new release. There's always been the Streets of Rage Remake, a fan game, which plays better than all three of the titles, but it's not a Sega produced title. Thanks to the people who did Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (publisher DotEmu and developer LizardCube), Streets of Rage will live again. Not much is known about it but they've shown a few seconds of gameplay and it looks great. You can't really mess up a beat em up can you? It's slated for 2019 but who knows if it will see release this year. Just as long as it does come out, I'll be fine. Lastly, Sega please get Yuzo Koshiro to do the soundtrack please. I need those funky club beats playing in the background as I destroy people with my fists.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

I love Metroidvania games. Next to turn based RPGs, they're my favorite game series. We've been blessed lately with a quality amount of titles in the genre, such as A Robot Named Fight, Guccamelee and my favorite, Hollow Knight. Castlevania 2D games have all but died, with the last release of a true Castlevania Metroidvania coming in 2008 for the DS. That's a long time. Koji Igarashi, one of the great minds behind my favorite game of all time Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, left Capcom and used crowdfunding to help produce this game, a spiritual successor to SOTN. That alone makes me insanely interested. This is another game that has suffered massive delays. This was fully funded back in 2015. I'll wait as long as it takes because I'm dying for a new game from Iga, especially since it's so similar to SOTN. Time will tell if it will live up to the hype as crowdfunded games are usually hit or miss (MIGHTY NO 9!!!) but I'm excited and I can't wait to play this, unlock double jump and get to places I couldn't when I first start this game.

There are still PLENTY of other games 2019 has to offer, like Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 (the Nintendo Switch exclusive sequel to the hit action RPG series), MediEvil (remake of the Playstation classic), Judgment (a new game from the Yakuza studio), Ori and the Will of the Wisps (sequel to one of the best Xbox One games), Ys IX (next entry in the always amazing Ys), Doom Eternal (the next gorey FPS), Ghosts of Tsushima (a new IP from Sucker Punch, developers of Sly Copper and Infamous), Shin Megami Tensei V (the next entry in my favorite RPG series, ONLY for Switch), The Last of Us Part II (Ha! Releasing in 2019; I'm a riot) and Death Stranding (HA HA HA HA HA! I crack myself up) just to name a few. There's sure to be plenty of indie titles I missed, (Like YIIK: A Postmodern RPG, looking to appeal to the Earthbound crowd) rereleases of other classics (like Onimusha, one of my favorite Capcom series growing up) and other surprises to come from all the big gaming events in the world. 2019 will be a banner year for games and my wallet hates that. I love it though!

Thanks for reading!