I’ve made the most out of my gaming picks this 2018. I know, I may have cheated a bit since I also included expansions, but hey, if they add so much to the base game then they deserve to be included. In any case, I’ve decided that my picks for PC games releasing in 2019 would be just that: games. No expansions or DLC whatsoever. Don’t forget to check out our updated PC game release date list as well so you’ll know when our choices are launching.
Man Of Medan
My wife loves horror games, although far too often she just ends up giving them a go on the PlayStation. She’s had her fix from The Last of Us, Dying Light, and Until Dawn. With Man of Medan — which comes from the makers of Until Dawn — I’m hoping that she focuses on PC gaming a lot more given that the mechanics and features should be familiar.
You’re stuck in a ghost ship with friends and you encounter the terrors of the deep. Along the way, you piece together the story behind the Ourang Medan while your actions decide who lives and who dies. The common Hollywood tropes are all there to keep my S.O. excited for multiple playthroughs.
Anthem / The Division 2
I’m lumping these two together if only for the reason that they’re shared-world shooters and will be nibbling at the heels of Destiny 2. Ubisoft’s The Division 2 takes chaos, destruction, and looting to Washington DC. Meanwhile, EA’s Anthem plunges you to a vast new sci-fi universe akin to what Destiny did back in 2014.
Given that these games are both shared-world shooters with progression systems, endgame focus, and a grind to boot, time will tell if audiences are willing to wholly dedicate themselves to these games. I’m personally worried what it’d do to my brain if I’m covering these two along with Destiny as well. Zoinks!
Warhammer: Chaosbane
If you don’t know by now, I’m instantly attracted to anything related to the Warhammer universe. As a fan, you notice how certain games can truly live up to expectations, while others seem more like a wasteful handing-out of licenses by Games Workshop. For Warhammer Fantasy Battles, devs made the most out of Warhammer: Vermintide 2 and Total War: Warhammer. Both games provided long-time fans with adventures and countless gaming hours with a universe they thought would be gone for good (Games Workshop put the kibosh on WHFB several years ago, replacing it with a cross between that and 40K known as Age of Sigmar).
I digress. Now, Warhammer: Chaosbane is interesting since it takes place during the time of Magnus the Pious. Magnus led the forces of Order in a desperate attempt to stop a Chaos invasion spearheaded by The Everchosen, Asavar Kul. As an ARPG, it’s got the familiarity of Diablo except now set in the Warhammer Fantasy Battles world. Here’s hoping it does a lot better than its 40KÂ ARPG cousin, Inquisitor: Martyr.
Total War: Three Kingdoms
If there’s one thing that can take my mind off Warhammer, it’d be history. In particular, it’d be the Three Kingdoms period of China. As someone from the Philippines, my culture is steeped in tradition and history, and I’ve always wanted to know more about neighboring countries. I was around ten years old when I discovered Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. I fell in love with the characters and the story, finding these lessons relatable in a Filipino setting. From there, I devoured other media related to the Three Kingdoms period from various Koei games, movies, and even historical biographies that debunked these myths.
Seeing this time period as the centerpiece of the Total War franchise is a treat; something that deeply reminds me of how much this story enriched my childhood and love of the past. Like any Total War game, it’s probably best to have some apprehension due to possible bugs or balancing issues. Hopefully, though, Creative Assembly can get it all together to provide an amazing experience.
Godhood
I can’t remember when I bought Renowned Explorers. I don’t know if it was during a Steam sale, or if it was bundled along with other offerings from various sites. What I can remember was how much I enjoyed it. You traveled to various locations around the globe, each with their unique twist in enemies and cultures. You looked for relics and treasures to boost your score via characters with unique skillsets.
Godhood, from trailers and screenshots alone, gives you a glimpse of Abbey Games’ newest project. You’ve got the same cutesy, cartoony presentation, but of course, the gameplay would be slightly different. Instead of playing the role of explorers, you’re now a deity in search of followers. Will various denominations flock to your banner? How will you spread your influence in a world of different beliefs?
