2020 will bring a new year of games, and while there is still plenty to be revealed, it’s already shaping up quite nicely. Another factor to consider is that 2020 will provide new ways to play games, as the Xbox Series X and PS5 are set to launch in Holiday 2020. Between powerful new consoles and new games pushing the envelopes of those consoles, there’s a good chance 2020 ends with a bang.
But, well before then, there are plenty of games filling up the spring and even summer slots before the eventual fall and holiday lineup. As such, here are the most anticipated games of 2020.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (January 17)
Bandai Namco’s next foray into the world of DBZ is a single-player action RPG titled Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, a far cry from the traditional multiplayer fighting games the franchise has become synonymous with. What’s more, Bandai Namco has promised this would be the most in-depth telling of the franchise so far, complete with original and filler content. With DBZ: Kakarot’s confirmed 9 playable characters so far, it’ll hopefully scratch an itch many DBZ fans haven’t had in quite some time.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot releases January 17, 2020, for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake (March 3)
While it may just be the first part, the long-awaited Final Fantasy 7 Remake will find its way into players’ hands at launch. This full-blown remake will tell the same story with a few changes, with one example of that being players will receive summons far sooner than the original game (to account for how it is divided into parts). What’s more, players can tackle this nostalgic experience with brand new gameplay controls or even opt for more classic FF7 turn-based controls.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake launches on March 3, 2020 for PS4.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (March 11)
Ori and the Will of the Wisps, the sequel to the original 2015 game, is finally set to launch near 5 years after the original and will take players beyond the forest of Nibel on a quest to understand the Lost Ones and discover Ori’s destiny. A few changes, like autosaves, have seemingly been made over the original, with the game receiving inspiration and having similar mechanics to Hollow Knight, Rayman, and Metroid.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps will launch on PC and Xbox One on March 11, 2020.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (March 20)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is take the next entry in the fan-favorite franchise, and as such, contains a few new improvements over past Animal Crossing entries. These include, but are not limited to, a more expanded crafting system, more customizable characters, weather adjusted based on hemispheric seasons, the addition of windy weather, and up to 8-player co-op.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is set to release on March 20, 2020, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
Doom Eternal (March 20)
Once again in the role of the Doom Slayer, or Doom Guy, players will continue their battle against Hell in the franchise’s “push-forward” combat system, which is complete with various hotguns, heavy artillery, plasma rifles, the BFG 9000, the chainsaw, a Crucible Blade, and far more. Climbing, dashing, and new gameplay modes such as Invasion are also being introduced. That’s just a taste of what’s to come, meaning that Doom Eternal will likely satisfy fans of the franchise.
Doom Eternal will release on PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One in March 20, 2020, with a Nintendo Switch release set some time after 2020.
Half-Life: Alyx (March 2020 window)
While it may not be Half-Life 3, Valve has revealed a new VR game set in the same universe known as Half-Life: Alyx. It is currently set to release sometime in March, though an exact release date hasn’t been nailed down, and there’s no plans for a non-VR version of the game. It takes place before the return of Gordon Freeman, with players taking control of Alyx Vance in her fight against the Combine.
Half-Life: Alyx will release on SteamVR for PC in March 2020.
Resident Evil 3 Remake (April 3)
The remake of Resident Evil 2 received near-universal acclaim when it launched in early 2019, so Capcom appears to be trying for another GOTY contender with the release of Resident Evil 3 in April 2019. Much like its predecessor, it’s receiving a full makeover, with Capcom confirming there would be some tweaks to the story. Luckily, fans won’t have to wait much longer to experience these personally, as it is set to release in April, and Capcom has confirmed there would be no delays for the game.
Resident Evil 3 releases on April 3, 2020, for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Cyberpunk 2077 (April 16)
Perhaps one of the most anticipated games on this list is Cyberpunk 2077, the forthcoming RPG from Witcher 3 developer CD Projekt Red. In it, players take control of the protagonist V who is seemingly on the hunt for the Immortality Chip, while simultaneously being hunted by the AI projection of Johnny Silverhand, played by Keanu Reeves. And while this is a brand new IP, fans have a lot of faith in CD Projekt Red, so barring any delays, fans will get to check this out in just a couple months’ time.
Cyberpunk 2077 will be available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One on April 16, 2020.
Minecraft Dungeons (April 2020)
Strangely, Minecraft Dungeons has yet to get an official release date, though it releases in April 2020, but it stands to reason that many are excited for a dungeon crawler set in a Minecraft world. There’s no craft, building, or destroy blocks this time around, though, as players will be exploring dungeons and facing off against monsters, traps, and puzzles in 4-player co-op.
Minecraft Dungeons is schedule to release in April 2020 for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
Marvel’s Avengers (May 15)
Shortly after Phase 4 of the MCU begins with the Black Widow movie, fans will also get to play the Avengers in a new game from Marvel and Square Enix, aptly titled Marvel’s Avengers. After a devastating attack on A-Day, the Avengers are left fragmented, with Kamala Khan left to pick up the pieces, re-assemble the avengers, and take on the villainous A.I.M. There’s a lot left to be revealed, but with 6 launch characters confirmed for Marvel’s Avengers, as well as free characters post-launch, it’s shaping up to be a fantastic start to, hopefully, an entire connected Marvel gaming universe.
Marvel’s Avengers releases May 15, 2020 on PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
Last of Us Part 2 (May 29)
Following a short delay, fans of the Last of Us will finally get their hands on the sequel in May 2020. This time around, Ellie is the main character in a world set 5 years after the first game. This means there could be new stages of the Cordyceps virus that she has to contend with, though the game’s trailers have focused on human enemies.
The Last of Us 2 releases May 29, 2020, exclusively for the PS4.
Dying Light 2 (Early 2020)
Reportedly set to release sometime in early 2020, Dying Light 2 players will take on the role of a new protagonist named Aiden Caldwell in a world set 15 years after the original game. The game’s replayability is said to be incredibly high, as most players will not be able to experience but half of Dying Light 2 in one runthrough, as the city in which it takes place is four times bigger than the original. It is also broken down into seven distinct regions and subject to change based on player choice.
Dying Light 2 releases in 2020 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Ghost of Tsushima (Summer 2020)
Ghost of Tsushima is set to release as a PS4 exclusive, likely meaning that it will launch sometime before the holidays. At the time, it doesn’t have a release date, but given its recent trailer, it stands to reason many are excited to see what comes of this game. Players will take on the role of Jin Sakai, the last samurai on Tsushima Island in 1274 as he masters the way of the Ghost to defeat the Mongol Empire and defend the independence of Japan.
Ghost of Tsushima will launch in Summer 2020, exclusively for the PS4.
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance (Fall 2020)
The future of Dungeons & Dragon-based games look bright, with Dark Alliance set to be among the first of 8 games in the works to release. Players will be taking on the roles of the Companions of the Hall, including Drizz’t Do’Urden, throughout their adventures in Icewind Dale, a fitting spiritual successor to Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance. Speaking of, Baldur’s Gate 3 is also in development as one of the 8 aforementioned games, but it doesn’t yet have a confirmed release date.
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is set to release in fall 2020 for PC and consoles.
Assassin’s Creed 2020 (Fall 2020)
While the next entry in the franchise is rumored to be titled Assassin’s Creed Ragnarok with a focus on Vikings, what’s known for sure is that a new Assassin’s Creed game will launch in Fall 2020. It hasn’t been officially revealed yet, but traditionally, Ubisoft teases the game (or has a few leaks) early in the year prior to an E3 reveal. Of course, another rumor points to Assassin’s Creed 2020 being shown off at a PS5 event in February, acting as a flagship for the console in a manner similar to Assassin’s Creed Odyssey for Google Stadia. That remains to be seen, but this next entry will hopefully keep breaking the mold and not be a return to franchise fatigue for Ubisoft.
An Assassin’s Creed game is in development and expected to launch in Fall 2020.
Godfall (Holiday 2020)
The first officially announced PS5 exclusive is Godfall, a relatively mysterious “looter slasher.” Players will have 3 effective classes, which are influenced by their armor, and there have been a few details as to combat. There’s currently little more known about Godfall, but it has the shaping to be the next Destiny, which would be high praise for an exclusive title.
Godfall is set to release on PC and PS5 in Holiday 2020.
Halo Infinite (Holiday 2020)
Microsoft’s flagship, Halo Infinite, will find itself on current and next-gen versions of the Xbox come holiday 2020 and has been described as Master Chief’s “greatest adventure yet to save humanity.” The storyline has also been described as human, so players should expect Master Chief front and center as opposed to his role in Halo 5. Yet, for now, fans of the franchise will just have to wait and see what else comes from this next entry.
Halo Infinite will launch on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X in Holiday 2020.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 (Q4 2020)
Now confirmed to be a Xbox Series X console exclusive, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 will be one of the first games to grace the next-gen console, putting this game into the same basket as PS5 exclusive Godfall. Given that the original Hellblade was a major success, without the backing of Microsoft, it’ll be interesting to see what Ninja Theory can now do as an first-party Xbox studio. While the rest of the next-gen launch lineup has yet to be revealed, Xbox Series X is off to a good start.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is coming to PC and Xbox Series X in late 2020.
Tales of Arise (2020)
The next entry in the Tales franchise, Tales of Arise, is an action JRPG which retains the basic franchise battle system. Players will find themselves in in the role of two characters, Alphen and Shionne, from and tore between the medieval world of Dahna and the more technological world of Rena, respectively.
Tales of Arise will launch sometime in 2020 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Watch Dogs Legion (2020)
Watch Dogs: Legion, alongside a handful of other Ubisoft titles, were delayed further into 2020 for some housekeeping. While that is disappointing and a new release date has yet to be set, it’s worth mentioning that this shows Ubisoft’s dedication to quality over quantity. As such, the promises of Watch Dogs: Legion are still there, taking place in a post-Brexit London complete with a unique gameplay mechanic to take over various NPCs throughout the game, so fans should keep an eye out for the official release date for what appears to be a worthwhile threequel.
Watch Dogs: Legion will be available for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One sometime in 2020.
