Originally posted on https://www.musttechnews.com/taking-a-look-at-the-top-video-games-still-to-be-released-in-2019/

 

There are too many video games to play them all. With 2019 titles such as Sekiro, Apex Legends, and World of Warcraft: Classic, there’s a little something for everyone. Most gamers already have massive backlogs, their plates full.

But they’d better prepare for seconds. The top video games of 2019 have yet to come. You could miss out on some major releases if you aren’t careful.

It’s time to start getting your wallets and Christmas lists ready. Here are some of the top video games to play this holiday season.

1. One of 2019’s Top Video Games: Death Stranding

Ever since its initial announcement in 2016, Death Stranding has been one of the most talked-about video game titles in recent memory. Maybe that’s because there’s a media frenzy following Hideo Kojima and Guillermo del Toro since they departed from Konami.

Or maybe it’s because Death Stranding defies both genre and explanation. The voice and likeness of Norman Reedus portray Sam, the main character. He’s a deliveryman in a near-future setting and his package appears to be a test-tube baby.

Or something like that. Immersed in the “new weird” genre, Death Stranding promises to be a surreal experience that asks players to consider the connections they make throughout their lives. There’s a lot of bizarre gameplay mechanics, so here’s to hoping they hired a UX design agency so it’s actually fun.

We’ll all be able to discover what Death Stranding really is on November 8.

2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

The first Modern Warfare was released back in 2007. After breaking countless records, Infinity Ward remastered the title for 2016. Now they’re “rebooting” it for 2019.

It’s not clear how closely the soft reboot will mirror its predecessor. But from the gameplay shown thus far, there’s no doubting it’s a technical and graphical improvement.

One of the most poignant moments in the original release depicted the devastation of nuclear weapons from a first-person perspective. The developers appear to be bringing similar political and moral conundrums into the next title.

You’ll be asked to perform real-time threat assessments and avoid collateral damage. How this title will incorporate these gameplay mechanics remains to be seen.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare releases (for the third time!) on October 25.

3. The Outer Worlds

Retrofuturism is in full swing in The Outer Worlds. From the development team behind Fallout: New Vegas comes a first-person shooter set in a capitalist dystopia. It’s a quirky, beautiful world that harkens back to atomic age sci-fi.

After Bethesda’s disappointing Fallout 76, the announcement of The Outer Worlds brought with it a collective sigh of relief. There isn’t much here we haven’t seen before. It follows the formula of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series, but with a new set of paint.

And for most people, that’s okay. It’s another opportunity to spend hours on the character creation screen before settling on a tweaked-out monstrosity.

Prepare for launch on October 25th.

4. Pokemon Sword and Shield

The highest-grossing franchise of all time is back with another installment. As we enter Generation 8, we can expect new Pokemon, new regional variants, and a new gimmick. This time, Game Freak is introducing the Dynamax system.

For a brief period of time, you can increase the size and strength of any Pokemon on your roster. It sounds simple enough, but your opponents can do it, too. This leads to new strategies and counterplay opportunities as you battle your way through the game.

This is the first time a mainline Pokemon game is landing on an in-home console, so there are high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, it’s been part of a brewing controversy.

Some critics are upset at the game’s graphical fidelity and inability to transfer certain Pokemon. But if past titles are any indication, Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield will be just as beloved as the rest.

You can explore the England-inspired region of Galar starting on November 15.

5. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

This is the first Jedi-focused release since the beginning of the Star Wars renaissance. This is also the first time Disney has had direct control over a Star Wars title. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a third-person action-adventure that takes place after the events of the third movie.

The main character is Cal Kestis, a Jedi who evaded execution following Order 66. The developers have compared it to Dark Souls combat, but that remains to be seen.

What we do know from the gameplay demo is there’s plenty of intricate force interactions and witty Star Wars banter.

Become one with the force on November 15.

6. Luigi’s Mansion 3

Fans were disappointed when Luigi’s Mansion 2 was only available for the 3DS. They’ll be happy to know that Luigi isn’t getting the short end of the stick this time around. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a console title, joining other Nintendo Switch games.

Pull out your vacuum and flashlight and explore a haunted hotel (not actually a mansion) with kid-friendly spooks. This time around, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the entire game with a friend. It boasts an all-inclusive co-op experience if that’s your kind of thing.

So grab a pal and skip trick-or-treating, because Luigi’s Mansion 3 launches on October 31.

Get Ready to Clear Your Schedule

All the year’s top video games are dropping in a short timeframe. If you want to experience them when they’re fresh, you’d better start clearing your game backlog right away. And don’t forget: The first quarter rarely has big releases, but early 2020 is full of them.

It’s a crazy year for game releases. Don’t miss it.

For more information about your favorite games, check out the gaming category on our blog.