Our first blog series for 2020 is a brief look forward at what we can expect to sate our gaming appetites in 2020. We’ll be covering 15 games over the next 3 days, with a focus on games releasing for PC and the Nintendo Switch since that’s what we currently have to play. Rest assured however, we’ve found a fun mix of mainstream and eclectic selections to keep an eye on as the calendar marches on.

Gods and Monsters

Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
Release Date: Fall 2020
Genre: Action-Adventure
Platform: Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

From the little we’ve seen to this point, Gods and Monsters is the answer to the question “What if Disney made a God of War game?” The “painterly” look of Ubisoft’s Gods and Monsters gives game of epic greek mythology a distinctly storybook feel. I am absolutely sold on the amount of style and personality it delivers in an open world game and a host of god-like powers. Recent rumors claim Gods and Monsters is getting delayed to Fall 2020, which should give us plenty of time to learn more.

Humankind

Developer: Amplitude Studios
Release Date: 2020
Genre: 4X Strategy
Platform: PC

I don’t say this kind of thing lightly, Humankind has me reconsidering my fervent loyalties to Civilization games. Humankind looks to expand on the 4X formula with custom leaders, combat with terrain effects, and a growth system that boasts one million potential ways to develop your civilizations. It’s been a while since Sid Meier had a true challenger in the historic 4x genre, but Humankind seems to be up to the task. Here’s hoping it can avoid delays in 2020.

New World

Developer: Amazon Game Studios
Release Date: May 2020
Genre: MMORPG
Platform: PC

Amazon Game Studios’ first foray into AAA development is looking like quite the project. An MMO set in the mid-1600s, players will colonize a fictional land largely inspired by British-America. It’s the survival/resource management genre pumped on steroids, and that alone is reason for me to take interest in New World. I’ve always liked the idea of multiplayer survival games, but only a few have struck the right balance of gameplay, polish, and community to make it worth the effort. I’m hoping New World changes that.

Skull & Bones

Developer: Ubisoft Singapore, Ubisoft Blue Byte, Ubisoft Chengdu
Release Date: March 2020
Genre: Action-Adventure
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Skull & Bones’ series of delays have put a bit of a damper on my expectations for it, but there’s too much upside to a well-done pirates game to not keep an eye on it. Now expected in late-spring to summer, I’m hoping to get in on the next public beta to give things a proper try, with a particular interest in how they make multiplayer engaging for everyone when teamwork seems so vital. Ubisoft has been on a relatively strong streak lately, so quite a bit of good fortune is at stake with Skull & Bones’ launch.

Cyberpunk 2077

Developer: CD Projekt, CD Projekt RED, CDP.pl
Developer: CD Projekt, CD Projekt RED, CDP.pl
Release Date: April 16th, 2020
Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Easily my most anticipated PC game of 2020. After years of expectation and hype, we’ll finally be able to play CD Projekt’s massive action-rpg. The amount of customization and personalization options that are going into this game are pretty incredible. From creating characters, to their skills, and the ever-branching missions and stories, it seems the goal is to never play the same campaign of Cyberpunk 2077 twice and I can’t wait to plug in.