The summer of game reveals is about to unfold, and there are plenty of games we’d like to learn more about. Last week, Sony’s State of Play kicked things off with reveals like Resident Evil 4, and we’re hoping that this is just the beginning of many more fun announcements. With upcoming presentations like Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest, the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase, and the PC Gaming Show, just to name a few, there are ample opportunities for some big game reveals to happen.
Rumors and leaks about unannounced titles and long-awaited games are in abundance right now. While we would love to be surprised by the games we just don’t see coming, it’s hard to deny how exciting some of the more known possibilities are. Getting an update on dormant games like Hollow Knight: Silksong or unannounced projects like a Gears of War collection would make for a fantastic summer of game showcases. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a selection of 10 of our most anticipated dream games that we hope materialize during the upcoming events.
NetherRealm Studios’ next game
NetherRealm Studios reached a pattern of releases over the last generation whereby it would alternate between a new mainline Mortal Kombat entry and a new Injustice instalment. It’s been a few years since Mortal Kombat 11 now, but we still haven’t heard anything official about the fighting game studio’s next project. Various rumors suggest that the studio could be working on follow-ups to the Injustice and Mortal Kombat franchises.
More interestingly, there are rumors that point towards a Marvel or Marvel vs. DC fighting game. Marvel remains as popular as ever thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and sporadic but high-quality game releases. We get goosebumps just thinking about what kind of storytelling, detailed graphics, and fighting mechanics NetherRealm could bring to a suite of Marvel heroes. We’re taking these rumors with a huge grain of salt for now, but it would be a treat to see NetherRealm’s next game this summer.
Gears of War collection
The Gears of War series is overdue for a fresh coat of paint. Various gaming franchises have been treated to remasters, remakes, and collections to modernize and improve upon the original games. This includes the infamously poor release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which has since turned into a fantastic all-in-one place to play the Halo series. Journalist Nick Baker from Xbox Era claims that a similar collection is being worked on for Gears of War. If this hypothetical collection is given the same level of care and attention as Halo: MCC (or more so than its initial form), then it could be a true love letter to fans.
Remastered graphics and higher framerates would be appreciated. Plus, being able to play every game with new options to mix and match the campaign and multiplayer suites would add new life to the series. It could be just the kind of summer game reveal that Microsoft needs.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong has been out of the spotlight for a while, but what we know about it is already impressive. The sequel to the beloved Hollow Knight seems like it will significantly improve on the Metroidvania design of the original. Hopefully, that means surprising evolutions of its level design, charming art style, and deep combat system. Expanding on the world is the first step. Silksong will take place in a new kingdom that contains more than a staggering 150 new enemies to fight. We’ll be doing so in deadly environments, such as coral forests, mossy grottos, and gilded cities. As Hornet, princess-protector of Hallownest, players will get to nimbly dance through these environments and enemies alike.
Silksong will go in new directions when it comes to gameplay and progression. Brand new powers, questlines, and activities such as hunting beasts and finding treasure, should all add to the experience. Hornet can even craft an arsenal of tools, traps, and mechanisms that are useful in both combat and exploration. Award-winning composer Christopher Larkin is returning to compose the score once again, and Hornet’s voice actor, Makoto Koji, recently responded to a fan to say that her voice work for the game was complete. Hopefully, this summer will be when we receive an update on the much-anticipated game.
New Silent Hill games
The mere idea of Konami making new Silent Hill games again seems ludicrous. And yet, if recent rumors are anything to go by, we might be in for a future infested with more projects from the franchise. Reports state that a remake of Silent Hill 2 is being helmed by Bloober Team, which has previously worked on horror games like Layers of Fear. Rumors also suggest that a brand new entry is being worked on, as well as a new episodic Silent Hill adventure.
The survival horror franchise has been out of the spotlight for a very long time, but the popularity behind P.T. proved that there is still potential for it to succeed. We would enjoy nothing more than to see Silent Hill make a heroic comeback. Veteran Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka said in an interview (as reported by VGC) that his next game was “the one you’ve been hoping to hear about,” so perhaps there’s a chance that it finally shows up this summer.
Wolfenstein 3
Indiana Jones is supposedly closer to release than the next Wolfenstein game, but that doesn’t stop us from wanting it. MachineGames has proven that it can create a compelling story about colorful but tortured characters in a dark, twisted setting. The three Wolfenstein games under its watch had fast and ferocious gunplay mixed with well-oiled stealth action that rewards players for any approach they take. Levels had variety in abundance, and plot twists consistently kept things interesting.
We want to see what MachineGames could do next with the structure and shooter mechanics of a new Wolfenstein entry. The cooperative premise of Wolfenstein: Youngblood was met with a mixed reception, but it did advance the story and allowed us to see William “B.J.” Blazkowicz as an older and more haggard man. The next chapter of the Nazi killer promises to be worthwhile based on the previous pedigree.
Project 007
Players who beat Hitman 3 know that the final level is a lot more linear and action-heavy than a typical Hitman sandbox map. There’s been speculation that this level was a test run for what a more focused action-adventure game could look like from IO Interactive. And it would be easy to imagine a James Bond game in this style. In many respects, IO is the perfect team to tackle the Bond IP.
The studio has a record of creating games with a stealth focus and in which infiltrating areas undetected is paramount to success. A third-person mixture of action and stealth with the large and complex levels that accommodate these playstyles sounds perfect for James Bond. The property would also allow IO room to get creative with inventive new gadgets and vehicles that are expected from the Bond franchise. With any luck, we’ll see the game in action this summer.
Mass Effect 4
BioWare has had a rough go of things over the last decade. Mass Effect: Andromeda was disappointing for fans of the series, and the less said about Anthem, the better. Finally, the renowned RPG studio is developing single-player RPGs once more, and it has already confirmed that Mass Effect will continue. It may be a long way off, especially since Dragon Age: Dreadwolf will likely release before it. But the early teaser trailer has left us with enough tantalizing clues to get excited about.
The return of fan-favorite characters like Liara T’soni seems certain. But what does the cryptic image of a Geth-shaped crater signify? Whether Shepard will return as the lead character is still up in the air, but a story that is continuing after the events of Mass Effect 3 leaves the door open for countless possibilities. If BioWare can prove that it still has the writing chops to craft a grand sci-fi adventure with complex and loveable characters once more, then the future of Mass Effect looks brighter than a Mass Relay.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is one of the most celebrated games in the Star Wars franchise. BioWare crafted a deep RPG that made use of an underexplored timeframe in the Star Wars universe. It introduced fans to brand new and memorable characters to its story, which culminated in a brilliant plot twist that no one saw coming. A remake of KOTOR brings with it some hefty expectations. Completely reworked modern graphics are a given, but what will developer Aspyr do with the design of the game?
A faithful remake would undoubtedly be appreciated by fans. But games like Resident Evil 2 have proven that smart and creative changes can enhance a game and add meaningful new content to expand on the original experience. Aspyr could add more flexibility to the combat mechanics or customization, as well as include new story content in a manner that doesn’t intrude on the original tale. Disney has been letting more Star Wars video games be canon to the lore, so there could be some changes that make KOTOR fit more naturally with other current Star Wars media.
Haunted Chocolatier
It’s no secret that Stardew Valley has been a resounding success. The farming simulation-based RPG has been a hit for many players over the last decade, and it’s time for creator Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone to finally create his next game. Haunted Chocolatier is centered around the premise of players setting up a business that sells chocolate with the help of friendly spirits. The developer wants to delve into more fantastical elements that stray away from the ordinary farming life that Stardew Valley was known for.
You’ll gather ingredients to make chocolate for your shop, and while it may look spooky, the developer makes clear that it is still a positive and uplifting experience. One area in which it differentiates itself from Stardew Valley is with a bigger focus on combat. Various equipable items will allow for varied approaches to combat, and shields can be used to block or stun enemies. Haunted Chocolatier has such an intriguing atmosphere with its blend of coziness and the supernatural, so it will hopefully be worth the wait.
Wonder Woman
Licensed superhero games were once thought of as mere cash grabs, but games like the Batman: Arkham series and Marvel’s Spider-Man have proven what the genre is capable of. Yet, one concern that still remains is whether developers can craft a superhero adventure about an overpowered character like Superman or Wonder Woman. Balancing player abilities with difficulty and the narrative seems like an impossible task, which is why we’re extremely curious about how Monolith Productions plans to bring Wonder Woman to life.
We can make a guess that Monolith Productions’ patented Nemesis system from its Middle Earth games will return. A dynamic hierarchy of enemies that shifts depending on who you defeat could be an ideal way of introducing scores of minor DC villains to Wonder Woman. Deflecting bullets with her Bracelets of Submission and capturing foes with her Lasso of Truth also have the potential to be truly interesting gameplay mechanics.
The summer season of game events is bound to have some dream surprise announcements that no one sees coming. With any luck, some of the games we’ve talked about here will have fantastic showings during the upcoming showcases.
Published: Jun 7, 2022 05:45 pm