2016 has already kicked off in a bit of style where gaming is concerned.
The launch of
Street Fighter V has delighted fighting fans, mysterious line-drawing puzzler
The Witness has scratched an itch for those who want their gaming to be more about brains than brawn, and
Far Cry Primal (reviewed here by our good pals at
JOEie) literally lets you make friends with a bloodthirsty sabre-toothed tiger.
Basically, this year is off to a flyer.
But it's not stopping there. We thought we'd round up all the games you should have marked into your calendar during the next couple of months. Just remember to apologise to your wallet later on.
Hitman (PC, PS4, Xbox One - March 11)
The latest instalment of the iconic sneaking series sees Agent 47 return to what made the
Hitman games so popular in the first place. Essentially that means you'll be assigned a target to assassinate and left to your own twisted devices when deciding how best to knock them off.
There's a huge collection of disguises at your disposal as well, because nothing says scary contract killer like a chicken suit. The trailer for the first episode of the game has landed, and it looks a bit good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i4ldqM3mjg
The Division (PC, PS4, Xbox One - March 8)
It looks undeniably miserable, but we've had our eye on
The Division for months. After an epidemic has wiped out much of Manhattan, it's up to you and your team to shoot through what is left.
With destructible environments, upgradeable weapons and an emphasis on teamwork, it's being billed as this year's
Destiny. The launch trailer landed this week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uElsBflqgYw
UFC 2 (PS4, Xbox One - March 11)
Britain has gone UFC mad in the last year or so, and there's a frenzy of excitement for the next instalment of the sport's gaming simulation.
The game features 250 playable fighters (yes, including
CM Punk) and five new modes, and allows you to mix weight classes in the 'create event' mode. Oh, and Mike Tyson's in it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGG2pVU0znI
Quantum Break (PC, Xbox One - April 5)
The people who brought you the atmospheric thriller
Alan Wake will finally release their next project on Xbox One and PC next month.
Quantum Break is exploring brand new territory for video games by merging traditional gunplay and novel time-bending mechanics with a live action TV series that progresses the story.
It's a bold move, and one that nobody can be certain will be a success, but Remedy Entertainment's ambitious game will have us riveted on launch day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4or8YE-6P4
Dark Souls 3 (PC, PS4, Xbox One - March 24)
Fans of I-want-to-claw-my-own-eyes-out-why-is-this-so-f**king-hard entertainment rejoice -
Dark Souls III is only a month from release.
After launching
Bloodborne to rave reviews last year, Hidetaka Miyazaki is returning to the series that made his name. Most of the footage released so far confirms that this game is very much a case of more
Souls, but those who worship the savage difficulty and epic boss battles won't be expecting anything else. It's very much the marmite of gaming, but nothing does reward and punishment like
Dark Souls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zDZYrIUgKE
