Most players love diving into the crisp, combo-filled combat of a top-tier action game. Iconic hack-and-slash classics like God of War and Devil May Cry have left their mark on the genre. Developers also spoiled us with GOTY action RPGs like Witcher 3 and Skyrim. Action elements find their way into new releases across the board. Gamers have a lot to look forward to if action is their go-to genre this year, and may not know where to throw their money at. Here is a list of upcoming action titles that we at Vibe are keeping an eye on.
Gotham Knights
Release Date: October 25th
Genre: Action RPG
Developer: WB Games Montréal
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Systems: Steam, Epic, PS5, Xbox Series S/X
Gotham Knights will follow the Bat family after Batman has finally died. Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin step up to take the mantle of protecting Gotham City. Players will get to play as each of these heroes and fight notorious villains to prevent the city from diving into chaos. The ultimate goal is to discover how Batman’s death came to be. There will be a lot of investigation of the kind we loved so much in the Arkham trilogy. Players will get to enjoy a huge open-world interactive city, split among five different districts filled with crimes to discover. Combat looks to be improved but also keeps to its roots from the original trilogy. What is even more interesting, however, is that all of your characters start off having mastered your style of fighting from Batman. You actually start off strong with all of your basic gadgets and stealth mastery.
Bayonetta 3
Release Date: October 28th
Genre: Action Adventure, Hack and Slash
Developer: Platinum Games
Publisher: Nintendo
Systems: Switch
We have all waited so long for the next installment of our beloved Bayonetta, and have missed watching as she tore into her enemies with her long boot guns. I mean, what with Bayonetta 1 and 2 being masterpieces with combat that rivaled Devil May Cry, we have been dying for more content. This story will take place in Tokyo, where these weird neither-demon-nor-angel lifeforms appear and ravage the streets of Shibuya. Of course Bayonetta appears, though we have not been told why she is here and even Platinum’s page teases us about it. Nevertheless we know she will come back stronger and sassier than ever, and even has new abilities like “Demon Masquerade”, wherein Platinum states she fuses with an inferno demon to wreak havoc. The combat looks crisp with a whole new arsenal of combos, and we simply can’t wait to get our hands on it.
God of War: Ragnarök
Release Date: November 9th
Genre: Action Adventure, Hack and Slash
Developer: Santa Monica Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Systems: Playstation 4, Playstation 5
God of War left us all on a huge cliffhanger with some insight into the Giants, Atreus and his real identity, and the prophecy of Ragnarök. Now that the sequel has been announced, we can finally continue the story and find some answers. Three years will have passed now. In ancient Scandinavia, Kratos sets out on an adventure with Atreus to discover who he is and how to stop Ragnarök completely. We already know Freya is hell-bent on revenge for the death of her son, but other major trials will await them as well. Since there is a decent gap until the next release, now is a great time for players to revisit or play for the first time God of War (2018).
Hogwarts Legacy
Release Date: Q4
Genre: Action RPG
Developer: Avalanche Software
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Systems: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Steam
This ambitious game has caught almost everyone’s eye – gamers and Potter-heads alike. Taking place in the 1800s, it invites player to dive into a huge open world, from Hogsmeade and Hogwarts to the Forbidden Forest and overland area. We can create our own character and use spells, potions, and herbology. So many creatures will lurk ready for battle, from trolls to goblins. Dark wizards will also pose a threat, which makes us wonder if we will see any big names. The game looks beautiful, and honestly every nerd has been waiting for something like this, since we all love the Wizarding World lore.
Saints Row
Release Date: August 23rd
Genre: Action Adventure
Developer: Deep Silver Volition LLC
Publisher: Deep Silver
Systems: Epic, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Playstation 4, Playstation 5
After an unfortunate delay, we have now been promised a release date. Saints Row finally has a fifth installment and we can’t wait to explore Santo Ileso. Santo Ileso is located in the heart of the southwestern portion of America. The world is filled with crime, and a war is raging between factions struggling for power. Your goal is to rise to the top and become “Self Made.” What I find so exciting is that the world is bigger than ever and there is so much new content to explore. It’s also a big change from the big city simulation of Steelport that we loved in Saints Row 4, not to mention we are not fighting an alien invasion as far as I can see.
Veteran gamer, tech nerd, comic addict, anime lover, and just your average introverted weeb.
