Our 20 Most Anticipated Games Of 2018

2017 offered gamers lots of amazing moments, from exploring an open-world Hyrule in The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, to battling massive mechanical beasts in Horizon Zero Dawn. But now that we're finally done handing out awards to our favorite games of 2017, it's time to look ahead at the year to come.

Thankfully, there are already plenty of games to get excited about in 2018, which we'll be shining a spotlight on over the next two weeks. You can expect a slew of genre- and platform-specific lists in the days to follow, but we're kicking things off today with our overall Top 20 Most Anticipated Games list. This list was compiled and debated by the Game Informer staff, and kicks the frivolous categorizations to the curb. The only two requirements are that the game has a 2018 release (making TBA titles like The Last of Us Part II and Ghost Of Tsushima ineligible), and that it excites the heck out of us. Our picks may change as new titles get announced and others are inevitably delayed, but as of right now, these are our most anticipated games of 2018.

20. Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Release: February 13
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Kingdom Come's sprawling forests and medieval soldiers may look straight out of the Elder Scrolls series, but you won't be wielding any magic spells or Dragon Shouts on this adventure. Warhorse Studios' open-world RPG eschews fantasy for pure historical accuracy, from authentic armor and combat techniques to historically accurate castles. Players take on the role of an unassuming blacksmith who gets swept up in a war for the Kingdom of Bohemia, though what you focus on and how you complete quests is entirely up to you.

19. Dreams
Release: 2018
Platform: PlayStation 4
We're still not entirely sure what Dreams is, but we can't wait to see more of it. Media Molecule's new game/story/art creation tool offers even more creative freedom than Little Big Planet, allowing players to craft their own environments, characters, animations, and even soundtrack. Media Molecule's continued focus on sharing and collaboration should ensure that even unimaginative gamers will have plenty of intriguing worlds to play around in.

18.  Hunt: Showdown
Release: 2018
Platform: PC
Competitive survival games are a dime a dozen nowadays, but Hunt: Showdown throws a new wrinkle into the mix in the form of terrifying A.I.-controlled monsters. Five two-player teams must scour the massive open-world map for the deadly creature while avoiding roaming packs of zombies and other human hunters alike. After killing the monster and banishing its spirit, the winning team must hightail their bounty to the nearest exit before the other surviving players can take them out and steal the reward. Hunt: Showdown's clever mix of PvP and PvE gameplay has us intrigued, as do the atmospheric (and positively gorgeous) gothic-horror hunting grounds survivors find themselves in.

17.  GTFO
Release: 2018
Platform: PC
Speaking of atmosphere, GTFO looks like the horrific mutant lovechild of Left 4 Dead and Alien, and we couldn't be more excited. The sci-fi co-op shooter tasks a four-player team of scavengers with exploring an underground complex for precious artifacts – but you must fight your way through an army of alien monstrosities if you actually want to cash them in. GTFO is the latest project from Payday designer Ulf Andersson, and sports an equal focus on teamwork. An A.I. "Expedition Director" also promises to deliver plenty of replayability via "procedural gameplay scenarios," which could make GTFO a dream (or nightmare?) come true for co-op fans.

16. Mega Man 11
Release: 2018
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Mega Man fans have had a long wait since the Blue Bomber's last adventure. Fortunately, Capcom hasn't forgotten how it's done in the interim. Mega Man 11 might look modern, but it remains true to the series' roots. Eight new robot masters give Capcom's adorable blue robot a hearty challenge, but four difficulty modes should make it easier for newcomers to adjust to Mega Man's traditionally unforgiving action/platforming. Capcom also has one new mysterious mechanic up its sleeve, which we'll hopefully learn more about later this year.

15. Pokémon Switch
Release: 2018 "or later"
Platform: Switch
Of all the games on this list, Pokémon Switch has the slimmest chances of coming out this year – an investment report pegged the release window as "2018 or later," which could literally be anytime. However, we're willing to bend our own list criteria for the sheer potential of a console Pokémon game. Fans have been dreaming about a supersized monster-catching adventure for decades, and now it's finally happening! We can't wait to see how Game Freak incorporates the added horsepower and unique features of the Switch for its next outing – even if it doesn't happen in 2018.

14. Skull & Bones
Release: 2018
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Those who couldn't get enough of the naval battles from Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag should get ready to set sail again later this year. Ubisoft Singapore is taking the tactical pirate battles established in the Assassin's Creed series and expanding them to create this standalone adventure. Players will be able to customize their own pirate captain and then loot the Indian Ocean by themselves or with up to five friends. Players can also expand their fleets with a variety of ships, including sloops-of-war, frigates, and brigantines – then outfit those vessels with mortars, broadside cannons, and rockets. Polish off your spyglasses, because you don't want Skull & Bones to drift by without a closer look.

13. Metro Exodus
Release: Fall
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
The third installment in 4A Games' post-apocalyptic FPS series, Metro Exodus has Russian protagonist Artyom setting out for greener (and hopefully less radioactive) pastures. This time around players can expect to battle Metro's horrific monsters in more open sandbox environments, in addition to the linear and claustrophobic tunnels that the series is known for. Metro Exodus also boasts dynamic weather and a day-night cycle, which should make the survival-oriented action all the more immersive. Players can start stocking up on ammo and air filters sometime this fall.

12. A Way Out
Release: March 23
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Directed by Josef Fares – whose previous work includes Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons – A Way Out follows the adventure of two convicts who escape from prison and remain on the lam. The unique twist to this prison break is that the entire game is built around split-screen co-op, and must be played with another player, either locally or online. This means that while one player is engaged in a certain task, they will always see the progress their partner is making in a separate window. For example, while one player distracts a guard, the other player might hunt around for a tool to aid their escape. We're still not sure if players can keep their attention split throughout an entire game, but we're excited to see how this oddball take on co-op actually plays.

11. Valkyria Chronicles 4
Release: 2018
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch
With a gorgeous watercolor art style, memorable characters, and intriguing mix of real-time action and tactical gameplay, Valkyria Chronicles has long been a cult favorite in the G.I. offices. That's why we're so happy to see that Sega is finally bringing the series back to consoles after two PSP sequels. In addition to a new grenadier class, Valkyria Chronicles 4 features an all-new cast of characters and a more grounded setting that harkens back to the original game. Given the missteps of the recent Valkyria Revolution spin-off, we're ready for a return to form.

Coming Up Next: 10 more games you won't want to miss in 2018...

10. Dragon Ball FighterZ
Release: January 26
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Based on everything we've seen and played so far, Dragon Ball FighterZ is the Dragon Ball fighting game that fans have always wanted. Thanks to Arc System Works heading up development, FighterZ doesn't just look amazing – it also plays like a topnotch fighting game regardless of the venerable license. If that's not enough to make you go Super Saiyan, then you don't know Dragon Ball.

09. Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life
Release: March 20     
Platform: PlayStation 4
Yakuza might have finally reached a tipping point in the west. We love the series' wacky vibe and the freeform open world. Yakuza 6 looks to give players their money's worth since it will be jam-packed with a variety of unique missions and side quests. The story centers on mainstay Kazuma Kiryu who returns to Hiroshima after a three-year prison sentence. Of course, after we're done in Hiroshima, he'll probably be on his way back.

08. Far Cry 5
Release: March 27
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Montana may not be the most exotic location in Far Cry's history, but it does offer an enticing perk: a co-op companion. For the first time in series history, players can play the entirety of Far Cry 5 with a friend, which should make all the flying, shooting, and exploding even more fun. A wide-open map allows players to take on Far Cry 5's town-occupying cult anyway they see fit – provided it includes copious amounts of mayhem.

07. State of Decay 2
Release: 2018
Platform: Xbox One, PC
The original State of Decay was ripe with technical problems, but we loved the tense atmosphere of this particular brand of zombie survival horror. Fortunately, Undead Labs' second outing looks more polished. Additionally, you now can be team up with up to three other players as you gather resources, shore up your base of operations, and fend off endless waves of the undead. However, State of Decay 2 still features permadeath, so don't expect this outing to be any less tense.

06. Anthem
Release: 2018
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Mass Effect may currently be in cryosleep, but that doesn't make us any less excited for BioWare's new sci-fi series. Up to four players can rocket around Anthem's expansive open world in jet-propelled exosuits, and the E3 demo showed off plenty of gorgeous locations, deadly weapons, and strange alien creatures. EA clearly hopes that Anthem will be its answer to Destiny, and while we have many unanswered questions, we can't wait to learn more about the game in the coming year.

05. Kingdom Hearts III
Release: 2018
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
It might star Donald Duck and Goofy, but Kingdom Hearts III is serious business. Fans have been waiting over 10 years for the next numbered sequel in Square Enix's action RPG series, which promises more party members from Disney's ever-expanding cast of characters, bigger worlds to explore, and new weapon transformations for Sora's iconic Keyblade. All that plus the long-anticipated ending to Xehanort's story arc has G.I.'s Kingdom Hearts fans jumping up and down in anticipation.

04. God Of War
Release: 2018
Platform: PlayStation 4
After putting the Greek pantheon six feet under, Kratos escapes to the frozen north, hoping to live the rest of his life in relative peace. Unfortunately, the Norse gods aren't keen on leaving Kratos alone. Players get to use Kratos' new magical axe to cut through an army of trolls and Jörmungandr, level up his rage-fueled abilities, and issue commands to his son Atreus. Despite a greater and more mature focus on storytelling, the new God of War still features plenty of larger-than-life action, which feels more personal thanks to the new camera perspective.

03. Spider-Man
Release: 2018
Platform: PlayStation 4
QTE sequences be damned, Insomniac's take on everyone's favorite wall-crawler looks like a good time. Set within its own continuity, this version of Spider-Man lets players explore an open-world version of New York as our hero battles low-rent criminals and iconic super villains. Fortunately, comic characters like Mr. Negative will give players some fresh faces to punch. Insomniac hasn't detailed all of Spider-Man's mechanic, but the brief looks we've had of the stealth and action look bombastic in all the right ways.

02. Monster Hunter: World
Release: January 26 (PS4, Xbox One), TBA (PC)
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Monster Hunter fans don't need to be sold on another Monster Hunter game, but Capcom's massive action/RPG might finally reach a wider audience in the West this year thanks to a number of quality-of-life improvements that have streamlined the action. Fortunately, the series core loop remains intact, so we can't wait to team up with several friends, hunt down massive, dinosaur-like creatures, and then use their bones to make new weapons and armor. Monster Hunter: World's giant list of weapons should make it easier than ever for newcomers to find a favorite hunting weapon. 

01. Red Dead Redemption 2
Release: 2018
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
We still don't know a whole lot about Red Dead Redemption 2; Rockstar has only released two trailers for the game since its announcement in 2016. However, those all-too-brief glimpses promise players the kind of meticulously crafted open-world experience that only Rockstar can provide. In addition to exploring the vast American frontier, we're particularly excited to see how Rockstar translates the GTA Online formula to the Wild West; we're guessing pistol duels at high-noon, backroom poker games, and high-speed train robberies are only the beginning of what Rockstar has in store.