20. TIE: Biomutant (PS4/XOne/PC) / Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 (PS5/PS4/XSX/XOne/PC)
Andreas Salmen: It's been quiet around Biomutant lately, but that doesn't change its promising concept, even though I'm not sure how much of the game that I played at Gamescom over two years ago is still in place. What I saw was an overtly non-traditional action RPG that wasn't afraid to go overboard when it needed to, with mutated creatures, weird enemies and bosses, and a crazy combat system. Whether it comes together into a game that is fun to play will be revealed when it releases in May 2021.
Lauren "Feffy" Hall: The World of Darkness franchise is heavy with games that are dark, intriguing and very successful, so I have a strong feeling that Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 will be no different! This game appears to have the same dark humor and disturbed nocturnal secret society in Seattle as most of the other games in the series, and I couldn't be happier about that. There's something delightfully intriguing and deviant about joining a creepy vampire society, and I love that you can choose your faction, which changes the way the story unfolds. I also love that your choices always impact the world and game endings in this universe because it lends to a few replays, at the very least. I can't wait to see what kind of crazy deeds I'll be getting up to this time!
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Adam Pavlacka: It's been more than three years since Bayonetta 3 was announced, but given the success of the first two games, I don't think anyone is worried that Platinum is going to drop the ball. Hideki Kamiya has been pretty tight-lipped so far, but he did tell Famitsu last month that Bayonetta was progressing well. If he's starting to talk to the press, then we should start hearing (and seeing) more details later this year.
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18. Bravely Default 2 (Switch)
David Silbert: As Square Enix puts out ambitious games like Final Fantasy VII Remake, titles like Bravely Default are a thoughtful reminder of the JRPGs of yesteryear. With its picture book visuals, beautiful music, and terrific combat, the series has carved out its own place in Square Enix's catalogue. The naming might be a bit obtuse — Bravely Default: End Layer already exists as a sequel — but Bravely Default 2 should be great fun all the same.
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Rhi "StormyDawn" Mitera: Baldur's Gate 3 is the RPG of my dreams. Even in early access, it's been compelling, full of beautiful landscapes and interesting characters and a story that I struggle to pull myself away from, and with every patch, it just gets better and better. Larian isn't pulling any punches, and I can't wait until the full release.
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16. TIE: Ghostwire: Tokyo (PS5/PC) / Psychonauts 2 (PS4/XSX/XOne/PC)
Redmond Carolipio: The people who made the underrated (IMO) Evil Within games now want to try their hand at a paranormal, psychic action game in the first person. Why not? From an aesthetic standpoint, instead of the typical first-person shooter stuff, we're getting more martial arts and action focused around the player's hands with Ghostwire: Tokyo. I also expect freaky, weird horror to at least make a few passing appearances. It's Tango Gameworks, after all.
Cody Medellin: Double Fine's platformer about a young psychic at camp has been both a critical and cult hit for well over a decade. We've actually seen footage of this title for several years, so we know that there's actually work being done on it. After the developer was purchased by Microsoft two years ago, we're hoping that this game will finally release, especially since the market seems ready for 3D platformers again.
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15. TIE: Twelve Minutes (XSX/XOne/PC) / Warhammer 40K: Darktide (XSX/PC)
Lauren "Feffy" Hall: Indie games make me so nervous, especially when they contain substantial darkness and gloom, but the trailers for Twelve Minutes by indie developer Luis Antonio had me gripping my seat in anticipation. An apparently interactive thriller about a man who appears to be stuck in some sort of dark, unfunny Groundhog Day time loop with a touch of "The Butterfly Effect," this game is dripping with gloom and doom. It seems to be very, very dark, and that will be great if it's paired with a great story and intuitive, non-irritating gameplay. If it's not, I'm not sure about how well the game will do, but personally, the dark, mysterious nature portrayed in the trailer made me want to try it out.
Tony "OUberLord" Mitera: Oh man, I played the hell out of Vermintide and its sequel. While I loved the gameplay, I've always been more a fan of the 40K side of Warhammer rather than the fantasy. When Darktide was announced, from the same developers of Vermintide no less, it was the closest thing that I have seen so far that made me go, "Shut up and take my money!" That you play as the more-vulnerable Imperial Guard rather than Space Marines is a brilliant choice, and I cannot contain my enthusiasm about this game.
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14. Beyond Good & Evil 2 (PS4/XOne/PC)
Adam Pavlacka: At this point, I'm convinced that Ubisoft has no idea what it wants to do with Beyond Good & Evil 2. It's not a direct sequel to the original game. Ubisoft has been crowdsourcing ideas via HITRECORD. We've seen rendered trailers. We've seen concept art. We've heard about space pirates and a weird glowy substance called Diwalite that does everything from make cool tattoos to powering any item you can think of. Of course, it's rare, valuable, and dangerous. But there's still a big mystery about how it all comes together and what it's going to feel like when you play it. Maybe there is a big grand plan and they just haven't told us. Maybe they're figuring it out as they go along. Either way, the game has an air of mystery (and a sweet cyberpunk/fantasy/sci-fi aesthetic) that has done nothing but build anticipation.
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Tony "OUberLord" Mitera: I have been a massive fan of this series for a long time, and I was sad to see the sequel get canceled a while back. The announcement of a new sequel after all this time is great news, but I cannot help but wonder if it will have the same allure of the previous games. Navigating anomalies and hideous mutants while scrounging for gear amidst a radioactive hellscape is apparently my jam, and the previous games of the series mixed up those elements in a way that few other games have done so well.
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12. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5)
Chris "Atom" DeAngelus: Ratchet & Clank games are always a blast. Combining fun old-school platforming with increasingly ridiculous collections of weapons, they tend to mesh the best parts of mascot platformers and third-person shooters with a dose of clever humor. This game involves portals that can instantly teleport Ratchet and his robot pal to different locations, allowing for long-running battles across massively distinctive environments or creative ways to attack enemies from unexpected angles. There will be a new playable character who looks like a female version of Ratchet, although we don't yet know what role she'll play in the story. Rachet & Clank never disappoints, and Rift Apart looks to continue that trend.
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11. Dying Light 2 (PS5/PS4/XSX/XOne/PC)
Redmond Carolipio: I got to see Dying Light 2 in action at E3 2019, back when conventions and people were a thing. It was one of my favorite sights at the show, mainly because of what Techland is calling a "narrative sandbox," where your choices have a real impact of how the rest of the game could pan out for you. Stunning visuals and four-player co-op round out the package.