By IGN Staff

It’s time to close the books on what was easily one of the best years of gaming in quite some time. So with 2017 behind us, join us in looking forward to what’s in store. With everything from much-anticipated sequels to new takes on familiar genres just over the horizon, there are a ton of exciting games headed our way. Here are 41 big games coming in 2018, with the caveat being that some of these might be delayed.

A Way Out

Developer Josef Fares’ second game is a split screen co-op multiplayer action-adventure that focuses on two convicts who must break out of a prison together and avoid the authorities. Use stealth, solve puzzles, and stick to the plan as you try to make your way to freedom. – Christian Holt, Custom Content Editor

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

As the first proper numbered entry in the Ace Combat Series in ten years, Ace Combat 7 is finally delivering that arcade-y flight action to current-gen consoles. In a genre that’s admittedly begun to wane on home consoles, Ace Combat has arguably been the most accessible franchise for would-be fighter pilots. And having briefly played Ace Combat 7 both on console and in VR (which is exclusive to the PS4), it’s safe to say we’re ready to strap back in and go wheels-up. – Brandin Tyrrel, Editor

Anthem

BioWare’s debut of an all-new franchise sets up a strong multiplayer premise with a massive open world. Considering the developer’s history with deep stories and complex characters, we’re hopeful Anthem could be a great, sweeping epic on par with that of the Mass Effect series. – Cassidee Moser, Social Producer

The Bard’s Tale 4

One of the first dungeon crawlers of its time, The Bard’s Tale series stirs a lot of strong, nostalgic memories for those who remember the early days of cRPGs. After a brief action role-playing spin-off in the early aughts, The Bard’s Tale 4 is finally bringing a true first-person, dungeon-crawling sequel to the series, completely modernized in Unreal Engine 4 on the back of its massive Kickstarter success. From everything we’ve seen, it’s looking beautiful, fraught with puzzles and fantastical peril, and delivering a classic ethereal soundtrack. There’s so much to be excited for in this return to the series that we’re hoping the tentative 2018 release date sticks. – Brandin Tyrrel, Editor

Biomutant

Experiment 101 is such a fitting name for the developer behind Biomutant, because from everything we’ve seen, the game is looking like a grand experiment in action, traversal, and unique world-building. Its blend of martial arts action, peppered with shooting, mutational abilities, and magic, all set in a fantasy world where tribal critters battle monstrous behemoths is a concoction of crazy that should have everyone excited. Doesn’t hurt that it’s pretty easy on the eyes too. We’re definitely keeping this one securely in our sights heading into the new year. – Brandin Tyrrel, Editor

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

What can you say about Bloodstained that hasn’t already been said? A spiritual successor to the Castlevania series, helmed by Koji Igarashi (Castlevania series producer), with stunning 2.5D visuals and a whole bunch of classic gothic charm. We’ve seen and heard a lot about Bloodstained over the years, so fingers crossed the expected 2018 release date holds true, and this is the year we finally get to dive in. – Brandin Tyrrel, Editor

Code Vein

With the Souls series seemingly lying dormant after Dark Souls 3, Bandai Namco’s Code Vein looks to pick up the mantle of the Soulsborne genre. An anime aesthetic immediately sets the game apart from its inspirations, but Code Vein also introduces AI companions that each have their own fighting styles and can be swapped in and out based on what the situation calls for. Leading up the development of the game is Hiroshi Yoshimura, known for his work on the God Eater series, and if early footage is any indication, Yoshimura and his team seem to have a firm grasp on what makes the Soulsborne genre so appealing to fans. – Mitchell Saltzman, Associate Gameplay Producer

Crackdown 3

2017 was an odd year for Crackdown 3, after it was scheduled to launch alongside the Xbox One X but then delayed following a mixed reception at E3. It’s been quiet ever since, so here’s hoping that when your Agent is finally able to hit the streets of Crackdown 3 in 2018 that this long-delayed sequel will channel the good vibes of the original game. – Ryan McCaffrey, Executive Editor, IGN Previews

The Crew 2

Looking to improve on the weaknesses of its ambitious 2014 predecessor, The Crew 2 applies several attractive tweaks to the racing formula established by the original. This means an increased focus on off-road racing and the addition of boats and planes to the racing roster (which we can transform between on-the-fly). The Crew 2 is again set across a scaled-down caricature of the entire continental USA but we can expect the map to boast increased detail and more vegetation. – Luke Reilly, Editor

Darksiders 3

After an uncertain future due to studio closures surrounding the THQ bankruptcy filing of 2012, Darksiders 3 finally came to rest in the hands of Gunfire Games and THQ Nordic (previously Nordic Games.) Starring Fury, the third sibling of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, we finally get another crack at the post-apocalyptic earth as she hunts down the Seven Deadly Sins. One of the best elements of the Darksiders series is the interpretation and implementation of iconic theological characters, themes, and events, and Darksiders 3 is shaping up to have a ton to offer on that front. – Brandin Tyrrel, Editor

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