With 2017 behind us, it’s time to explore the slate of exciting video games releasing over the next 12 months – some that we’ve waited a very long time for and can’t wait to get hands-on with! There’s a new God of War, in addition to an exciting mix of more high profile sequels and original titles.
Note: This list does not contain remasters, DLC/expansions, and no games entirely unconfirmed for 2017. Every game on Screen Rant's most anticipated games of 2018 list has an official release date or confirmation from the publisher/developer (even if it's been said to shareholders) that said game is releasing in the year. If the studio or publisher didn't give 2018 as the year, it's not included (so, no Age of Empire IV or Death Stranding as examples).
Related: The 30 Most Anticipated Movies of 2018
Keep in mind, some of these games have barely begun marketing or have yet to have had an official unveiling at the time of publication and the starting list began at over 100. This is our own preferences and no doubt yours will be different so before you ask “why is or isn’t _____ on this list?!” you know why. Share your most anticipated games in the comments so we can compare!
Without further ado, here are Screen Rant's most anticipated video games of 2018!
50. Left Alive
Release Date: Confirmed for 2018
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Left Alive is survival shooter that explores the human story from three main characters in war-torn Novo Slava in 2127, and it's coming from the creative minds behind the Armored Core series and the designers behind Metal Gear Solid characters and Ghost in the Shell mechs.
Experience the massive power gap between man and machine in pulse-pounding encounters: face off against powerfully armed troops, armored vehicles and towering mechs.
Choose your playing style: engage in frenetic gun battles or dispatch your enemies with stealth and wit. Set traps, collect and craft consumables to survive while exploring a devastated city ravaged by the atrocities of war.
Uncover the full story behind the war through the eyes of three different characters: as you progress through the game, experience multiple story paths each requiring bold decisions with desperate consequences.
49. Valkyria Chronicles 4
Release Date: March 21, 2018
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Valkyria Chronicles 4, only recently announced, is an tactical role-playing game developed and published by Sega. It is scheduled to be released worldwide for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch in 2018.
The continent of Europa is engulfed in the flames of the Second Europan War between the Atlantic Federation and the Autocratic Eastern Imperial Alliance. Although the Federation struggles valiantly against the Empire’s forces, the relentless imperial military machine.
48. Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Release Date: February 13, 2018
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac
Developer: Warhorse Studios
Publisher: Warhorse Studios
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an open-world action-adventure game full of quests and RPG elements where player decisions matter. It's not linear, and combat is just as dynamic as the quests and you can play ranged, stealthily, or full-on assault melee. Even the quests you can complete in different ways and there are consequences depending on what you do.
You're Henry, the son of a blacksmith. Thrust into a raging civil war, you watch helplessly as invaders storm your village and slaughter your friends and family. Narrowly escaping the brutal attack, you grab your sword to fight back. Avenge the death of your parents and help repel the invading forces!
47. Metal Gear Survive
Release Date: February 20, 2018
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Developer: Konami Digital Entertainment
Publisher: Konami
The first Metal Gear game post-Hideo Kojima is a weird thing, but certainly and intriguing on to see what the much-maligned Konami can do without the industry icon. Metal Gear Survive is an open-world survival game played as a third-person action game that can be played up to 4-player co-op (AI teammates take their place otherwise).
If the gameplay controls are smooth and fun, and the AI enemies are dynamic and challenging, this could be an unexpected hit.
46. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Release Date: Confirmed for 2018
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
Developer: ArtPlay, DICO
Publisher: 505 Games
Another Kickstarter game, players take on Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist curse which slowly crystallizes skin. Battle your way through a demon-filled castle summoned by Gebel, your old friend whose body has become more crystal than flesh.
An exploration-focused, side-scrolling platformer featuring RPG and crafting elements. Koji Igarashi, the namesake of "Igavania"-style games, is leading the project, with Michiru Yamane composing the music and Inti Creates leading the development.
45. Dragon Quest XI
Release Date: Confirmed for 2018
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Square Enix, ORCA, Toylogic
Publisher: Square Enix
Already released on Japan, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is the eleventh main series entry in the Dragon Quest video game series and is confirmed to release in North America in 2018. The beloved RPG is a character and story driven adventure with towns and villains full of lore to unravel. And in this one you can mount some iconic monsters in addition to your horse and boat.
44. Dynasty Warriors 9
Release Date: February 8, 2018
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Dynasty Warriors 9 is the next hack and slash game with stealth elements that revamps the hardcore, fast-paced gameplay of the series with the introduction of the open world environment with day-night cycles and dynamic weather systems set in China that can be explored on foot, horseback or boat, though the game will focus on livable environments such as cities and towns as well as places where large battles take place.
Invade enemy fortifications with the new grappling hook and customize and decorate hideouts with furniture bought from merchants. In this one, you can even buy food for boosting your stats.
43. Shenmue III
Release Date: Confirmed for second half of 2018
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4
Developer: Neilo, Ys Net
Publisher: Deep Silver
A heightened sense of realism, an immersive story, and the introduction of Quick Time Events made Shenmue a unique and memorable classic and thanks to Kickstarter, 14 years of planning and ideas from one of the greatest game designers of all time is finally coming to fruition in Shenmue 3.
Shenmue 3 will have familiar elements from its predecessors and new fight mechanics to achieve a new level of interactive storytelling. It aims deliver a Shenmue experience that will draw in newcomers to the series and reward diehard fans with its deep story and rich gameplay.
42. Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia
Release Date: Confirmed for 2018
Platforms: PC
Developer: Creative Assembly
Publisher: Sega
A new Total War game from Creative Assembly!
The year is 878 AD, the embattled English king Alfred the Great has mounted a heroic defence at the battle of Edington, and blunted the Viking invasion. Chastened – but not yet broken – the Norse warlords have settled across Britain. For the first time in nearly 80 years, the land is in a fragile state of peace.
Throughout this sceptred isle, the kings of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales sense a time of change approaching; a time of opportunity. There will be treaties. There will be war. There will be turns of fortune that become the stuff of legend, in a saga that charts the ascent of one of history’s greatest nations.
Kings will rise. One will rule.
41. Telltale’s The Walking Dead: The Final Season
Release Date: Confirmed for 2018
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, Xbox One, iOS, Android
Developer: Telltale Games
Publisher: Telltale Games
Clementine is back as the protagonist in the fourth and final season of Telltale's The Walking Dead. Set after the events of New Frontier, Clementine is looking for Alvin Jr. and we know a few familiar faces from the first and best season will appear as well. Even season 1 writer Gary Whitta (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) is back to round out the story - one that remains mostly a mystery.
With Telltale recently laying off a substantial chunk of its staff and aiming to focus on quality over quantity, we're hopeful this will be their best take on The Walking Dead yet.
