45 Best Video Games to Play in 2019

Get ready, because 2019 is shaping up to be a special year for video games. While it’s always possible for a year to take us by surprise in regards to how great it is for gaming or how bad it ends up being, you can generally tell when you’re going to have a marquee year.

In the case of the formidable 2019, we get the feeling that it might be the last full year of the current console generation. Considering that the final years of consoles are often their best, there’s plenty of reason to believe that 2019 is going to be the final, victorious bow for this generation’s best developers.

Besides, a quick look at the best video games coming out in 2019 reveals a variety of titles that rank near the top of our most-anticipated games. From beloved RPG developers branching out into online shooters to the return of one of the greatest horror games ever made, 2019 is loaded with the kind of games that make you grateful to be a gamer.

First, though, we must share a brief explanation of our choices. While we’re just as excited as you are about games like Ghost of Tsushima, Cyberpunk 2077, Halo Infinite, and The Last of Us Part II – and fully believe that they will rank amongst the year’s best video games — there is currently no confirmation that those games will be released in 2019. As such, we are limiting this list to games that are currently scheduled for a 2019 release date.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the best video games of 2019:

Apex Legends

February 4 | Respawn | PS4, XBO, PC

There’s little doubt that Apex Legends will go down as the most surprising release of 2019. Revealed just minutes before it was released, this team-based battle royale title came out of nowhere and took the world by storm.

The best part is that Apex Legends is a genuinely great game. Its fast-paced gameplay and brilliant team mechanics make it one of the most accessible, yet challenging battle royale titles on the market and one of the most entertaining multiplayer games of the modern era. This free-to-play title could have legs if Respawn updates it the right way.

Battletoads

TBA | Rare | XBO

We were starting to think that we’d never get another Battletoads game given that it’s been over 20 years since we’ve last received a new installment, but Rare is returning to the franchise that most people remember as one of the hardest games on the NES. This new Battletoads might feature a slightly different art style and other modern improvements, but we fully expect it to be largely familiar to fans who have been waiting years for another co-op brawler from this beloved, and undeniably bizarre, series.

Buy Battletoads

Blair Witch

August 30 | Blooper Team | XBO, PC

There have been Blair Witch games in the past, but it’s no stretch to say they haven’t exactly lived up to expectations. It would actually be more accurate to say that they’ve been flat out terrible.

Yet, there are reasons to be excited about 2019’s Blair Witch. Not only does the initial footage look incredible, but considering that this is being developed by the same studio that made Layers of Fear, we think this might actually be the Blair Witch game that captures the atmosphere and terror of the original film.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

June 18 | ArtPlay & DICO | PS4, XBO, Switch, PC

Since its Kickstarter debut, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night‘s name has come second to that of its creator, Koji Igarashi. Many of you may remember Igarashi as the director of the revolutionary Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and his return with a game that is very much in the spirit of his classic Castlevania tiles has been anticipated by genre fans for many years.

While we have some concerns regarding the possibility that Ritual of the Night ends up being the next Mighty No. 9, the quality of this team’s side project – the 2D action/adventure title Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon - leads us to believe that these guys know what makes this genre tick and may be prepared to deliver something special.

Buy Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Borderlands 3

September 13 | Gearbox Software | PS4, XBO, PC

After years of waiting, the Borderlands series has finally returned. While many suspected that a modern Borderlands might take the form of an online multiplayer loot shooter, it appears that Borderlands 3 will indeed be a proper Borderlands experience.

That means a dark sense of humor, a ton of guns, beautiful cel-shaded graphics, single-player and multiplayer options, and hours upon hours of looting. We’ll see if Borderlands 3 has what it takes to reclaim the loot shooter crown in this new world, but we think that it will reign supreme.

Buy Borderlands 3

Cadence of Hyrule

June | Brace Yourself Games | Switch

No, we didn’t ask for a game that combines the hit rhythm dungeon crawler Crypt of the Necrodancer with The Legend of Zelda, but we’ll gladly take it based on what we’ve seen so far.

Cadence of Hyrule‘s Zelda aesthetics look to be more substantial than mere looks, but even if it wasn’t, this marks a fantastic chance for those who never played Crypt of the Necrodancer to give that excellent formula a shot.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

October 25 | Infinity Ward | PS4, XBO, PC

Call of Duty has been in need of a fresh start for quite some time. While recent games in the series have been relatively strong, it’s been quite some time since we’ve played a Call of Duty game that felt like it was on the level of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

While literally releasing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare might not automatically do the trick, there are reasons to be excited about this soft reboot of the Modern Warfare franchise. Can it live up to the original games? We’ll soon find out.

Crackdown 3

February 15 | Sumo Digital | XBO, PC | Review

It’s been almost eight years since we last heard from the Crackdown series. There was a time when Microsoft’s hidden gem open-world title provided a breath of fresh air to the subgenre. Its outlandish, superhero-like gameplay afforded players the chance to just go wild in a metro setting. The open-world genre — and the world at large — has changed quite a bit, though.

Crackdown 3 doesn’t make quite the same impression as its predecessors, unfortunately, as it holds on to an era of game design that’s long past with the Xbox 360. Still, if you’re just looking for a game to blow things up in, Crackdown 3 can be a lot of fun.

Buy Crackdown 3

Code Vein

TBA | Bandai Namco | PS4, XBO

In a world without Dark Souls and Bloodborne (at least for the foreseeable future), the time is now for an outsider to ascend the throne and rule the kingdom that FromSoftware’s titles helped establish. To that end, it’s entirely possible that Code Vein may just become the next big game in this genre.

Code Vein is easily described as “anime Dark Souls.” It’s an over-the-top action-RPG that emphasizes an intricate combat system, character builds, and a sometimes punishing level of difficulty. It also adds a sometimes over-the-top style that is a far cry from Dark Souls‘ muted tones and grim atmosphere but just might be enough to help put this game over-the-top.

Buy Code Vein

Control

August 27 | Remedy Entertainment | PS4, XBO, PC

Developer Remedy Entertainment remains one of the most exciting developers in gaming. What separates Remedy is the personality it infuses into its projects. There’s never been a pedestrian Remedy game, even if some of those games missed the mark in terms of their overall execution.

From what we’ve seen of Control, we have no doubts that it will be full of Remedy’s trademark personality. It’s a bizarre psychological action title with supernatural elements that looks wonderfully eerie and exciting. Even better, Remedy has promised that this game will be slightly more open than its previous, very linear titles. We’ll see whether or not that allows the studio to expand its creative borders.

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

June 21 | Beenox | PS4, XBO, Switch

This remake of the original Crash Team Racing has a daunting task ahead of it. Somehow, it must please fans of the original surprise hit while winning over a generation that recently experienced the brilliant Mario Kart 8. We don’t envy the task ahead of developer Beenox.

Yet, we’re optimistic the studio can pull it off. CTR has retained its popularity over the years because it’s a genuinely great racing game. Its fantastic modes and fascinating new mechanics help the game stand out among some considerable competition, and this remake seems to feature just enough new content to justify another lap no matter how familiar you may be with the original.

Buy Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course

TBA | Studio MDHR | XBO, PC

We’d have a hard time arguing with anyone who calls Cuphead the Xbox One’s best exclusive title. Studio MDHR may have had to delay the game a few times, but the final product proved to be a gorgeous nod to both the era of 2D action titles and those classic animated adventures of the ‘30s and ‘40s.

We won’t have to wait nearly as long for our next taste of Cuphead. The Delicious Last Course may end up being the only Cuphead DLC release, but this massive second helping of Cuphead action should be enough to satisfy fans of the base game. With an entirely new island to explore and more incredible bosses to fight, The Delicious Last Course should prove to be a must-have.

Buy Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course

Darksiders Genesis

TBA | Airship Syndicate | XBO, PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Stadia

Darksiders 3 didn’t exactly live up to expectations, but the core of the series (fascinating world, dark tones, great characters) remains as strong as ever. Perhaps that’s why Genesis is retaining all of that while changing a few things.

Genesis is effectively Darksiders by way of Diablo. This action-RPG supports co-op gameplay, character building, and a whole lot of hacking and slashing in the Darksiders universe.

Buy Darksiders Genesis

Days Gone

April 26 | SIE Bend Studio | PS4 | Review

Days Gone has finally arrived after several delays. While ultimately not the juggernaut PlayStation hoped for, the game is a must-have for PS4 completionists interested in owning all of the console’s AAA first-party exclusives. The star of this game is tts truly hostile open-world environments, which feature all manner of monsters and men trying to end main character Deacon St. John’s already troubled existence.

Buy Days Gone

Dead or Alive 6

March 1 | Team Ninja | PS4, XBO, PC | Review

The Dead or Alive series has long existed in this strange plane of popularity and respect. Dating back to the brilliant Dead or Alive 2, the franchise has been seen as an often fun, sometimes excellent, sometimes sloppy, and usually beautiful experience. Yet, it’s never really received the respect that series like Street Fighter and Tekken typically garner. The raunchy aesthetic of the first few games might have something to do with it…

Dead or Alive 6 is a little more grown-up and slightly more complicated, but it still retains many of the key elements that have kept fans devoted to the Dead or Alive series for all these years. The result isn’t bad!

Buy Dead or Alive 6

Death Stranding

November 8 | Kojima Productions | PS4

There are times when it feels like Death Stranding is more about Hideo Kojima than it is about the game itself, but that’s kind of the point. Following the infamous breakup between Konami and Kojima, everyone wants to see what he’ll come up with next.

Well, Death Stranding is certainly shaping up to be a proper Kojima game. This weird tale about a splintered America at the end of the world features high-profile voice actors, directors, and a surprising amount of babies. It should prove to be one of the year’s most talked about games.

Buy Death Stranding

Devil May Cry 5

March 8 | Capcom | PS4, XBO, PC | Review

The Devil May Cry series is generally regarded as one of the godfathers of the 3D action genre, but it’s been quite some time since we’ve gotten a new game from the franchise. Even Ninja Theory’s brilliant re-imagining of the Devil May Cry concept wasn’t enough to satisfy the series’ hardcore fans.

Devil May Cry 5 marks the franchise’s return to Capcom and a return to form for a series known for its brutal difficulty and absurd cinematic set pieces. The action genre has evolved quite a bit since Capcom last delivered a proper Devil May Cry game, but this new sequel will make fans of the classic series and modern action games very happy indeed.

Buy Devil May Cry 5

Doom Eternal

November 22 | id Software | PS4, XBO, PC, Stadia

Few people expected much from 2016’s Doom, but it ended up being one of the year’s best games. Needless to say, expectations are quite high for the sequel.

It looks like Eternal is going to mee all those expectations by giving us more of what we want from modern-day Doom. That means more absurdity, more guns, more action, larger levels, and more intimidating enemies.

Buy Doom Eternal

Far Cry: New Dawn

February 15 | Ubisoft Montreal | PS4, XBO, PC | Review

The Far Cry series has taken us to exotic jungles, war-torn nations, and rural America, but Far Cry: New Dawn moves the series in a completely different direction by giving us a view of what the end of the Far Cry world looks like. In New Dawn, you must navigate what remains of Far Cry 5‘s world following a nuclear event.

New Dawn features the familiar suite of Far Cry gameplay. The hook here is the game’s fascinating premise and the way it has affected so many things in this world. New Dawn is a cruel and formidable Far Cry game that delivers on its post-apocalyptic premise.

Buy Far Cry New Dawn

Final Fantasy 8 Remaster

TBA | Square Enix| PS4, XBO, PC, Nintendo Switch

For years, we’ve seen just about every Final Fantasy game except for Final Fantasy 8 be re-released, remade, or remastered. Rumors suggest that it has to do with the game’s source code being lost.

Whatever the case, we’re finally getting a remaster of Final Fantasy 8 in 2019. Will a new generation latch onto what has so far been one of the most divisive and weird Final Fantasy games? We’ll soon find out.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

July 26 | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch

For years, the Fire Emblem series has occupied an odd corner of the Nintendo lineup. This strategy series has always been popular amongst those who play it, but it’s sometimes fallen short of really breaking into the mainstream.

Three Houses for the Nintendo Switch could change all of that. This beautiful game features Fire Emblem’s classic strategy gameplay but adds some fantastic visuals, an expanded world, and much more in-depth story. It could very well prove to be the Fire Emblem game that turns those who have always been curious about the franchise into fans.

Buy Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Gears 5

TBA | Coalition | XBO, PC

Gears of War 4 was a fascinating turning point for the Xbox exclusive franchise. While the game retread the same pure shooter grounds that its predecessors once walked, it also planted seeds for a deeper, more personal story than we’re used to seeing from Gears of War games.

Gears 5 looks to continue the advancements of the previous title by focusing on a much more intimate story about a band of soldiers trying to complete a mission of revenge and redemption. This game will likely be one of the Xbox One’s final major exclusives, and it could embody the same hope for the future that Microsoft and the Xbox brand have.

Buy Gears 5

Kingdom Hearts III

January 25 | Square Enix Co., Ltd. | PS4 | Review

It hasn’t exactly been a long time since we last played a new Kingdom Hearts game — the series is kind of infamous for its oddly named sequels, prequels spin-offs, and re-releases — but it has been about 13 years since the release of Kingdom Hearts II. Suffice it to say, that time has only made the game’s passionate fanbase even more rabid.

Fortunately, Kingdom Hearts III is the Kingdom Hearts game that we’ve all been waiting for. This strikingly beautiful title will not only finally brings classic Disney classics like Toy Story into the fold, but it improves the franchise’s already great gameplay through the implementation of a better camera and a refined combat system. A must-have for fans of fantasy RPGs!

Buy Kingdom Hearts III

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

TBA | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch

Well, this was certainly a surprise. For years, Link’s Awakening has been referred to as one of the greatest Zelda games ever made. The only problem is that the title was stuck on the Nintendo Game Boy and was therefore not easily accessible to a large number of modern gamers.

This remake should help change all of that. While it turns Link’s Awakening into a proper 3D title and incorporates some of the visual elements of The Wind Waker, it will otherwise recreate the original game and give many the chance to play one of the greatest Game Boy titles ever made or just re-experience one of Nintendo’s finest hours.

Buy The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Luigi’s Mansion 3

TBA | Next Level Games | Switch

Truth be told, the Luigi’s Mansion franchise has never been perfect. You could argue it’s never even really been truly great. Yet, as a GameCube launch title, the original Luigi’s Mansion captured that whimsical spirit of fun and creativity that has always separated Nintendo games from just about everything else on the market.

What’s going to be interesting to see in the case of Luigi’s Mansion 3 is whether or not Nintendo has found a way to filter that creativity and fun through a series of equally clever and much-improved gameplay mechanics that allow this title to exist as something more than a generally beloved curiosity. Considering Nintendo’s recent success, we’re going to guess it’ll hit that mark.

Man of Medan

August 30 | Supermassive Games | PS4, XBO, PC

The PS4 has no shortage of incredible exclusives, but Until Dawn might just be among the console’s very best. As a highly-cinematic horror title, Until Dawn took the gameplay and presentation we saw from titles like Heavy Rain and used them to tell a horror story that felt like both a tribute to the genre’s ’80s glory days and a declaration of how games are capable of scaring us.

With The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan, the Until Dawn team returns to tell another (likely very frightening) horror story. This time, though, the story will be presented in an anthology format. We certainly love a good horror anthology film or television show, and we’re interested in seeing whether that format helps alleviate some of the final act plot problems that dragged Until Dawn down just slightly.

Buy Man of Medan

Mario Kart Tour

TBA | Nintendo | iOS, Android

While we’re honestly still busy playing Mario Kart 8, but we’ll never turn down news of a new Mario Kart game. Except, this Mario Kart game is going to be a little different. As the first Mario Kart game made exclusively for mobile devices, we honestly don’t know exactly what to expect from Mario Kart Tour.

However, our gut feeling is that this is going to more or less be the same Mario Kart experience you know and love, but for mobile devices. Mobile racing games have advanced quite a lot in recent years, and we have no doubt regarding Nintendo’s ability to port the fabled racing franchise to tablets and phones everywhere.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order

July 19 | Team Ninja | Switch

Well, this is certainly a surprise. The original Marvel Ultimate Alliance games were a dream come true for Marvel fans. They were action-RPG titles that allowed gamers to build superhero dream teams and beat up just about every villain imaginable. As fun as they were, the state of the Marvel property made it unlikely we’d see another game of its kind.

Yet, here we are. Not only are we getting a third Ultimate Alliance game, but it’s being developed by the legendary Team Ninja and will be a Nintendo Switch exclusive. Outside of those curveballs, this looks like the same old great Ultimate Alliance experience that we know and love. At a time when the world needs more good Marvel games, this looks like a potentially great one.

Buy Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order

Metro Exodus

February 22 | 4A Games | PS4, XBO, PC | Review

Those who have played the Metro series know that it is one of the most atmospheric and clever first-person shooter franchises of the modern era. The problem is that it always feels like not enough people have actually played these incredible games.

Metro Exodus has expanded the notoriety of these cult classic games by expanding the Metro world itself. While Metro Exodus isn’t exactly an open-world game, this shooter introduces a much bigger scope to the Metro concept by delivering the largest and most intriguing take on the series’ fascinating look at the end of the world.

Buy Metro Exodus

Mortal Kombat 11

April 23 | NetherRealm Studios | PS4, XBO, PC, Switch | Review

Mortal Kombat 11‘s bloody battles and incredible characters represent the elements that made Mortal Kombat such a notable franchise in the first place, but it’s the game’s surprisingly deep combat system and epic story that showcase how much Mortal Kombat has evolved over the years.

Sure, Mortal Kombat 11‘s microtransaction system isn’t ideal, but it’s a relatively minor blight on what is otherwise one of the better mainstream fighting games to be released in the last several years.

Buy Mortal Kombat 11

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

January 11 | Nintendo | Switch | Review

We don’t blame you if you call the Nintendo Switch the Nintendo Wii 2.0, but don’t assume that is a bad thing. Indeed, one of the Switch’s best features is the way in which it has resurrected some of those incredible Wii U titles that were burdened with the problems of the console itself.

While Super Mario 3D World might be the Wii U’s best Mario title, it’s hard to deny that New Super Mario Bros. U is a definitive franchise experience. This deluxe version of the game takes everything that made the original great, adds in a few new features, and bundles it all together in a new package designed for the incredible Nintendo Switch.

Buy New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

Nioh 2

TBA | Team Ninja | PS4

Nioh proved to be one of the most surprising games of 2017. Many worried that the beleaguered Team Ninja was foolishly trying to capitalize on the popularity of Dark Souls and would end up delivering a copycat that took years to make. What we got instead was a confident action-adventure RPG that stood tall on its own merits.

While we doubt that Nioh 2 will try to reinvent the original, we’ll gladly settle for more of the game’s compelling mythical world, fluid action, and fascinating weapons system. Nioh 2 may not surprise as many people as the original, but it should be just as great as the 2017 sleeper hit.

Buy Nioh 2

Pokemon Sword and Shield

TBA | Game Freak | Nintendo Switch

We knew that we were going to get a proper mainline Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch, but nothing quite prepared us for the sudden reveal of Pokemon Sword and Shield. After years of waiting, Nintendo is finally making a fully-fledged Pokemon title for one of their consoles.

Sword and Shield will look to combine Pokemon traditions with some of the innovations of recent titles in the series. It will also take full advantage of the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch by offering a significantly larger (and fully rendered) world than the ones that we’ve seen in previous Pokemon games. Put it all together, and you’ve got one of the most anticipated Nintendo titles in years.

Buy Pokemon Sword and Shield

Rage 2

May 14 | Avalanche Studios, id Software | PS4, XBO, PC | Review

With its intense combat system and prevailing sense of absurdity Rage 2 certainly feels like the brainchild of the studio that brought us Mad Max and the team responsible for the brilliant Doom reboot. Those looking for their next fix of high-octane gun combat will certainly find it here.

Rage 2‘s open-world certainly feels like a chore at times (both for the developers and the player), but there’s no denying that the game’s action fundamentals are exactly what you’d hope from these studios and this franchise.

Buy Rage 2

Resident Evil 2

January 25 | Capcom | PS4, XBO, PC | Review

Rumors of a remake of Resident Evil 2 date back to the release of the Resident Evil remake for GameCube. In fact, we’ve heard about this game for so long without actually seeing it that we forgive anyone who started to feel like there was no chance this remake would ever actually be released.

Against all odds, though, Resident Evil 2’s official debut at E3 2018 managed to meet just about every expectation that we’ve assigned to the project over the years. This 2019 title is a true love letter to the horror classic.

Buy Resident 2 Remake

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

March 22 | FromSoftware | PS4, XBO, PC | Review

When FromSoftware suggested that Sekiro would not be like Dark Souls, many fans were skeptical. It looked like Dark Souls, it appeared to be as challenging as Dark Souls, and it was even presented in a very Dark Souls-like way.

Yet, there are times when something may walk and quack like a duck but isn’t a duck. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice borrows some elements from Dark Souls, but is an entirely new samurai adventure that features a brilliant weapon system as well as an increased emphasis on giving the player a second chance to recover after they have died. Get this one if you loved Dark Souls, but don’t discount it if you didn’t.

Buy Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Shenmue III

November 19 | YS Net, Neilo | PS4, PC

When we first heard that Shenmue was finally receiving the third installment that most gamers thought would never happen…well, there may have been some entirely unprofessional giddy cheers. In the years that have followed that reveal, we’ve unfortunately not been treated to many updates regarding the game’s story, gameplay features, or final visual style.

Still, we’re talking about a sequel to a franchise that was not only revolutionary but has remained in the hearts of many gamers. With any luck, Shenmue III will be the epic tale of kung-fu revenge and bizarre minigames that we’ve been waiting for.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

November 15 | Respawn | PS4, XBO, PC

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a new action-adventure game from Respawn, the fine folks responsible for the Titanfall series. It will take place between Star Wars Episode III and IV, and stars a Jedi padawan on the run named Cal Kestis. Not only will you have to avoid the Empire in the days after Order 66, but you’ll also have to complete your Jedi training, which means you should expect plenty of Force powers and lightsaber action when the game drops later this year.

Buy Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Super Mario Maker 2

June 28 | Nintendo | Switch

To the surprise of nobody, Nintendo is making another Super Mario Maker 2. Given that the original was one of the Wii U’s best experiences, Nintendo is absolutely right to revisit this concept in the form of a sequel.

What a sequel it is shaping up to be. Super Mario Maker 2 features most of the things that fans asked for from the first game as well as quite a few things (such as objective-based levels) that people didn’t even know they wanted.

Team Sonic Racing

May 21 | Sumo Digital | PS4, XBO, PC | Review

Team Sonic Racing won’t be replacing Mario Kart 8 in many people’s life anytime soon. That’s not really the point, though. The point is that Team Sonic Racing offers enough new mechanics, personality, and (most importantly) fun to justify giving it a shot even if you think that Mario has the genre on lockdown.

Buy Team Sonic Racing

The Division 2

March 15 | Massive Entertainment | PS4, XBO, PC | Review

The original Division was a fascinating game that briefly captured online shooter fans before being buried under some bad design choices and a frustrating lack of updates. The team behind The Division 2 is well-aware of the original game’s shortcomings.

As such, the developers have set out to ensure that this sequel is bigger, more story-driven, and more accommodating to groups of players. For the most part, Ubisoft has succeeded, releasing a sequel that improves on almost every system from the first game. You won’t play a more enjoyable loot shooter this year!

Buy Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

The Outer Worlds

TBA | Obsidian Entertainment | PS4, XBO, PC

2019 may be one of the most promising years in recent memory, but in the minds of many, The Outer Worlds may be the only game they really need. The Outer Worlds is basically the Obsidian-developed Fallout sequel that fans have been waiting for since New Vegas. This open-world RPG features all of the clever writing, the variety of choices, and true role-playing options that we’ve come to expect from one of the best RPG studios in the world. One part Fallout, one part Mass Effect, and more than a few dashes of new concepts, The Outer Worlds may just prove to be the best game of 2019.

The Sinking City

June 27 | Frogwares | PS4, XBO, PC

While we love a good Lovecraftian story as much as the next person, the fact of the matter is that there are too many Lovecraftian stories in gaming that either miss the mark, feel generic, or are burdened with gameplay that doesn’t quite equal the brilliance of the game’s atmosphere and plot.

The Sinking City feels like it could be different. Best described as a version of L.A. Noire that takes place in a Lovecraftian world, The Sinking City sees you play as a private investigator in the flooded city of Oakmont who is tasked with discovering the truth behind mysteries great and small. That emphasis on investigation gameplay (combined with the game’s fascinating premise and setting) leads us to believe this could be a Lovecraftian game that gets it right.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood

July 26 | MachineGames | PS4, XBO, PC

Wolfenstein II was one of those games that we couldn’t help but fall in love with. Despite its flaws, the game’s story, characters, and outlandish scenarios elevated it to a level of quality that many FPS games can only hope to reach.

While Youngblood isn’t the direct sequel to Wolfenstein II that we were waiting for, it is an interesting spin-off that adds co-op action to the incredible alternate history universe of the rebooted Wolfenstein series. We’ll gladly bring a friend along for another trip through developer MachineGames’ epic series.

Buy Wolfenstein: Youngblood

Yoshi’s Crafted World

March 29 | Good-Feel | Switch | Review

Yoshi returns in this brand new Switch adventure that sees the beloved green dinosaur trying to find the Dream Gems stolen by Kamek and Baby Bowser. His journey takes him through several different themed levels, but this isn’t your ordinary side-scrolling platformer. A new ability allows little Yoshi to “flip” elements in his 2.5D environment to find new pathways through courses. This new mechanic adds tons of replayability to the game, which you’ll be sure to enjoy on both a big TV screen as well as on the go.

Buy Yoshi’s Crafted World

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors.