2017: What can we look forward to?

By Matt Trant – So, with 2016 firmly in the rear view mirror and with us moving swiftly toward the horizon that is 2017 it felt like an appropriate time to look forward at a few things 2017 has for in store for us in the gaming world. Here’s a list of some of the things I’m looking forward to.

Firstly let’s a take a look at Xbox one:

Project Scorpio: Ok let’s begin with the obvious. For any Xbox fan, the biggest release of 2017 is probably going to be Project Scorpio. Microsoft’s new console will add 4K and will be VR ready, presumably  ready for the imminent release of the Oculus Rift along with a whole host of new features and tech upgrades, Project Scorpio promises to revolutionise the way we look at console generations. Is it all talk? We’ll just have to wait and see but either way, it’s an exciting release.

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The future is coming!

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State of decay 2: A follow-up to the critically acclaimed Xbox exclusive, SOD2 sees the return of the not at all walking dead like theme with all the gory zombie goodness coupled with the real sense of survival brought to you by the constant looming Boogey man that is, permadeath! Add that to some updated graphics, gameplay and the debut of an online multiplayer, SOD2 looks set to be a real contender for game of the year.

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Crackdown 3: Reagent games have gone pretty quiet on this one since the game’s unveiling and eventual delay from a 2016 release date but there have been enough details to make this next-gen sequel an exciting prospect. With the game maintaining its familiar style of cel-shaded, sandbox crime-fighting ridiculousness, the big feature and potential game changer, is the shiny new multiplayer mode. Cloud powered fully destructive cities and co-op crime fighting means you and your buddies will be levelling whole skyscrapers and busting bad guys in ridiculous style.

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Let’s us hope that it hits it’s 2017 release date

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Now onto Playstation 4

Horizon – Zero Dawn: My interest in this one is more intrigue than anything, this post-apocalyptic action RPG puts you, a female hunter who appears to be something out of the ice age, against a harsh open world long ruled by huge mechanical beasts, add to that the stunning graphics and the old meets new theme, this looks to be an interesting new addition to the RPG Genre.

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Crash Bandicoot remastered: Crash Bandicoot! I don’t think I need to say anymore but in the interest of fairness to the other entries and the added fact that it’s my JOB to write stuff, I will. Crash Bandicoot is one of mine and many others childhood favorites, the PlayStation 1 era platformer classic is a game that even all these years later, never gets old, add a giant dollop of nostalgia and a combo of 3 Crash games being packaged into one, you have a recipe that will transport you back to your nineties childhood.

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Sometimes developers ask the question “why can’t we all just get along?” and refuse to pick sides in the eternal struggle that is the console war by releasing a game for everyone to enjoy. I Thought I’d wrap things up with a couple of those best of both word titles we know as cross-platform games.

Mass Effect – Andromeda: With a 3rd instalment that was generally regarded as a disappointing sequel, fans of the Mass Effect Saga will be hoping that Andromeda will return the series to the former glory of Mass Effect 2. The Latest addition to the space action RPG will see us move away from the story of Commander Shepard and Co in favour of an entirely new band of alien buddies to explore the galaxy with. In addition to that Bioware have said that the Mass Effect universe you will see this time round will be will be less of a “Frontier” style and will focus more on bigger alien battles. All in all, fans will be excited for their latest journey into the Mass effect universe.

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Do you really believe the Reapers will let us live?

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Red Dead Redemption 2: Probably the biggest announcement of the past few months, if not 2016 in its entirety, was the announcement of Red Redemption 2. Little is known about our impending return to New Austin but the rumour mill is in overdrive. Rumours suggest that we will be returning into the cowboy boots of John Marston in his gang days before the events of RDR 1. Others suggestions are the possibility of a multi-character system like the one featured in GTA V’s story. Of course a feature we will all be looking forward to will be the new Red Dead Online mode, with the success of GTA Online and the constant barrage of free updates, it will be interesting to see what they come up with for RDR2.

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