There are still many months to go in 2018, and that gives us plenty of time to think about those upcoming sci-fi games that both look promising and have at least the possibility of being released in 2018. From much-anticipated titles to lesser-known franchise entries, here we've compiled a list of six upcoming sci-fi games that we can't wait to get our hands on.
Cyberpunk 2077
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Platforms: PC, possibly PS4 and Xbox One
Release date: TBA
The developers of The Witcher series, one of the most acclaimed series in the PC industry, have been relatively quiet about the development of Cyberpunk 2077 since it was first announced in May of 2012. The most recent information, posted about a month ago, came from the game's official twitter account that contained a mere *beep*.
The piece of "information," if it can even be called that, gained a lot of traction within a short amount of time, and there is no surprise as to why. The high expectations are fueled both by the quality of CD Projekt Red's titles and by the user-friendly commercial practices of the company. The Witcher series has seen a steady improvement in quality, while at the same time the developers have abstained from shadowy commercial products like lootboxes and microtransactions.
The game takes place in a futuristic, cyberpunk open world that bears a resemblance to the world of Blade Runner. Cyberpunk 2077 will also feature a multiplayer component, though not much else has been announced,
You can check out the trailer below.
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries
Developer: Piranha Games
Platforms: PC
Release date: December 2018
MechWarrior is one of those franchises that most probably wouldn't have heard of aside from the most veteran players. As the name indicates, the central theme of these titles is centered on mech-versus-mech combat.
Set 1,000 years in the future, Mechwarrior 5: Mercenaries will put you in the boots of a mercenary mech pilot who will travel star systems and take contracts from the various political entities embroiled with one another in a conflict known as the Third Succession War.
Unlike the predecessor in the franchise, Mechwarrior Online, Mechwarrior 5 is the first game in 16 years that will feature a single-player campaign as its centerpiece. Along with this, it has also been confirmed to feature four-player co-op gameplay.
Check out the gameplay teaser below.
Metro Exodus
Developer: 4A Games
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release date: Q4 2018
The Metro series puts you in the shoes of post-nuclear-stricken Russian Federation citizens that survived the initial massacre by finding refuge in the subway system of Moscow. Set in the near future, the games are based on a combination of survival, stealth, and FPS mechanics.
After two games of almost exclusively closed quarters and dark rooms, Metro Exodus will take us to a more habitable part of Russia while continuing the plot of the main character, Artyom. The game's story will cover a time span of a whole year, feature weather and daily life cycles, and combine a mix of linear and sandbox levels.
The gameplay trailer, featuring the 28 Days Later soundtrack, was released in June of 2017 and can be seen below.
System Shock Remastered
Developer: Night Dive Studios
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Mac, Linux
Release date: Q2 2018
Unlike some of the other titles on this list, System Shock Remastered is not a sequel to any game nor a new IP. It is instead a complete remake of the original title bearing the same name. The original game, along with its sequel, System Shock 2, became renowned for their original storyline, futuristic setting, and gameplay mechanics that combined FPS and RPG elements.
Set aboard a space station controlled by a rogue AI, the player (a hacker who played a part in contributing to the present situation), awakes from being in a coma and must battle mutants, cyborgs, and the AI itself to find a way out and survive.
The studio working on it already has experience with the franchise by having contributed to the development of System Shock: Enhanced Edition and has already acquired IP rights for System Shock 3. The remake is being done with Unreal Engine 4, and you can see some of their work in the video below:
Consortium: The Tower
Developer: Interdimensional Games
Platforms: PC
Release date: 2018
Probably the easiest way to captivate your interest in Consortium: The Tower is to think of it as a blend between Die Hard and Deus Ex. Think of another FPS with RPG mechanics, like System Shock, only instead of being surrounded by a spooky space station and mutants, you start by freefalling onto a tower in the year 2042.
The tower is occupied by different mercenary factions with whom your relationship will vary depending on the actions and decisions you make throughout the game. As part of the RPG experience, you'll have the options of deciding how to proceed, allowing you to blast your way through, sneak around, or simply charm the NPCs through sweet talk.
The game is already in an Early Access stage on Steam.
Star Citizen
Developer: Cloud Imperium Games
Platforms: PC
Release date: TBA
Even if you're not a fan of space flight simulators, chances are you've heard of Star Citizen because of the insanely successful crowdfunding campaign. To date, the developers have raised a whooping $178 million dollars. To give you an idea, vanilla World of Warcraft cost about $80 million adjusted to today's inflation.
There are two reasons why you would want to keep an eye on this game. First, the ambition, vastness, and ridiculous amount of features that are being developed. The game will feature both space and FPS combat; will have a single-player component (Squadron 42) that will be voiced with celebrities such as Mark Hamill; and will include a persistent online multiplayer mode like that of an MMO.
The second reason is the same as the first, but if it goes wrong. If Star Citizen fails to deliver, it's going to become one of, if not the, major stories of game development failures in all the history of video games. After all, how many developers get their hands on 178 million dollars without corporate and publishers' strings attached? Hopefully, though, it'll be a success and will deliver one of the most impressive and vast games ever made.
A feature trailer, released just a few weeks ago, can be seen below:
Naturally, this list isn't final and shouldn't be taken as the only sci-fi games coming out in 2018. These are merely some of those we think have at least the potential to become hits either due to their setting, gameplay, and/or story.
Some of these might not even be released this year, but since the developers haven't explicitly stated otherwise ... fingers crossed.
Are there any sci-fi games you think should be on the list? Let us know in the comment section below.
Published: Feb 13, 2018 10:42 am