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We are back for another year of Player 2 and what better way to start 2018 than to look ahead at what will be gracing our consoles and PC’s in the coming 12 months. With this in mind Player 2 Editor, Matt Hewson has put together a list of anticipated titles for each major genre of game, sticking with games that are likely to get released this year. The epic RPG is taking the spotlight for this entry.
The Most Anticipated RPGs of 2018
Vampyr
From DontNod, the team behind Life is Strange and the problematic, yet appealing, Remember Me comes another interesting title that aims to do something different. Vampyr tells the story of a Doctor in the Black Plague who has been turned into a Vampire. Choice plays a huge part in this one with the Doctor torn between his desire to help the ill and the need to feed. Selecting victims is said to have huge consequences in the world and will shape the entire playthrough. I am really excited to see how this one turns out, it has all the earmarks of a cult hit. Vampyr is coming in the Australian autumn so I expect this one to hit late March.
Monster Hunter World
This is a tough title to categorise. Is it open world? Is it action adventure? We settled on RPG because of the skill improvements and general nature of the gameplay. But no matter which category you place Monster Hunter in there is no doubt this is looking like a cracking game. After playing the game for a brief period I am excited and I have never played a Monster Hunter game before. I am sure fans of the franchise are chomping at the bit to get their hands on the game. Lucky for them the game comes out at the end of the month so there isn’t long to wait.
Pillars of Eternity 2
Obsidian has been hitting it out of the park with their CRPG’s lately and I expect Pillars of Eternity 2 to be no exception. Sure CRPGS are not for everyone but for those that love them this game will be number one on their most wanted list. All the hallmarks of an Obsidian game seem to be in place. Solid roleplaying, dark and humourous writing and stunning level design so this one is a no-brainer. Pillars of Eternity 2 is coming this year and barring a disaster I would think that they would be aiming for an August release date.
Lost Sphear
The Tokyo RPG Factory set about trying to recrate the 16bit RPG’s of our youth with 2016’s I Am Setsuna. It was a fairly successful attempt, but the game was held back by its adherence to the structures of the past. Lost Sphear marks their second attempt at the formula and I hope they manage to make the game feel like a 16bit RPG but still keep gameplay touches from modern eras (like the ability to save any time you want). If they can do that this should be a cracking title. The game is coming out on the 23rd of January so we won’t have to wait long to find out.
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
I have to be honest. I never played Ni No Kuni, just never reached my console. But I am assured it is a cracking JRPG. Now as for Ni No Kuni 2, well I am sure it is going to be another great game and one that I am going to endeavour to play. I had to include it on this list for fear of other Player 2 writers hunting me down and sacrificing me to the gaming gods if I didn’t. Ni No Kuni 2 is coming on the 23rd of March so there isn’t too long to wait.
