Top Ten Games Hitting the First Half of 2016

The follow up to 2013’s Lego Marvel Superheroes, Lego Avengers, being released today, not only looks to replicate its success, but is looking to be one of many games that will be making an impact this year.Гидроизоляция бассейнов своими руками

Street Fighter 5 (PC, PS4)
Release Date: February 16
What It Is: Classic fighters such as Ken and Chun Li meet new fighters such as F.A.N.G and Necali to do battle.
My Thoughts: While Xbox One owners will no doubt be disappointed, this is why I?m glad to be a multiplatform user. I can?t wait to see if the new characters can hold their own with the classic brawlers, and I?m intrigued as to where this takes place in terms of the franchises?s storyline. While SF 4 made it by on nostalgic value, SF5 looks to take the franchise in a bold new direction.

EA Sports UFC 2 (Xbox One, PS4)
Release Date: March 15th
What It Is: The Sequel to EA?s first try with the UFC license. Featuring a host of new gameplay modes including a create-an-event, new knockout physics, and a roster of 250 fighters, including CM Punk and Mike Tyson (despite the former having yet to have a match and the latter being a boxer), EA UFC looks to surpass its predecessor on every level.
My Thoughts: EA UFC was fun, but several issues, not the least of which being overly complicated gameplay, held it back from true greatness. Here?s hoping the new improvements extend to the gameplay. If it does, EA could have the definitive MMA fighter on its hands.

Project X Zone 2 (Nintendo 3DS)
Release Date: February 16
What It Is: A sequel to 2013?s surprise hit. Once again, the storyline will bring together players from Capcom, Sega, and Namco. Players will encounter characters from Street Fighter, Streets of Rage, Xenosaga, Tales of Vesperia, Yakuza, and more. This time, Nintendo gets into the act, as players will also encounter characters from Fire Emblem and Xenoblade Chronicles.
My Thoughts: This is going to be pure Roleplaying goodness. Most players will likely only be familiar with a third of the game’s cast, but no doubt the game will be full of surprises.

Fire Emblem Fates (Nintendo 3DS)
Release Date: February 2016
What It Is: The follow up to 2013?s Awakening. Playing as a user-created avatar, you intervene in a war between two kingdoms. The game?s story will be told in two chapters, Birthright and Conquest each having their own game. Shortly afterwards, a third chapter, Revelations, will be made available to players as downloadable content.
My Thoughts: With it?s permadeath option, deep storyline, and strategic gameplay, Fire Emblem is one of the few first party Nintendo titles geared towards core gamers. Despite the fact that it?s going to be a 3ds game, Fates seeks to be one of the biggest turn-based strategy RPGS ever.

Far Cry Primal (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
Release Date: February 23
What it is: The most recent entry in the Far Cry series will take players to the prehistoric age as they step in the role of Takkar, a hunter in the fictional land of Oros as they attempt to hunt, survive, and eventually become leader of their tribe.
My Thoughts: This is no doubt an interesting direction for UbiSoft?s shooter. No doubt the graphics will be something to behold, but can Far Cry?s signature gameplay hold up without guns and vehicles? Only time will tell, but so far, all signs are pointing to yes.

Tom Clancy?s The Division (Xbox One, PC, PS4)
Release Date: March 8
What it is: He might have been dead for nearly 3 years, but that isn?t stopping UbiSoft from continuing to slap his name on every quasi-military game they make. The Division is the latest title to carry the Tom Clancy name. The Division is a massively multiplayer online shooter that takes place in a New York city that?s been ravaged by a virus. Playing as a division agent, you are assigned to bring order and hopefully find the source of the virus. The game will feature day/night cycles, upgradable skills and equipment, and destructible environments.
My Thoughts: The Division was one of several games coming this generation that was hyped ever since it began. With its March 8th release date edging closer and closer, now is the time for UbiSoft/Red Storm to put up or shut up. Hopefully The Division can redeem the Tom Clancy name after Rainbow Six Siege.

X-Com 2 (PC, Linux, Mac OS)
Release Date: February 5
What It Is: The Sequel to 2012?s successful reboot. X-Com 2 takes place in a world where the X-Com organization failed and the council of nations surrendered to the alien invaders. X-COm is now a resistance group set to turn the tide against the invaders.
My Thoughts: 2012?s X-Com reboot was an awesome surprise and a great re-visitation of the classic strategy series, and X-Com 2 looks to deliver the same deep strategy. If nothing else, prepare to get attached to your squad only to see them die again and again.

Quantum Break (Xbox One)
Release Date: April 5
What It Is: Created by Remedy (Max Payne 1 & 2, Alan Wake), Quantum Break is a much hyped Xbox One exclusive. Playing as Jack Joyce (played by X-men 2?s Shawn Ashmore, you use your time travel powers to halt a sinister plot by rival Paul Serene (played by AIdan Gillen of the Wire fame). The series will launch alongside a live action TV series featuring Serene as he makes decisions that affect the game?s plot.
My Thoughts: Like the Division, Quantum Break has been hyped up since before the release of the Xbox One. As its early APril release date looms closer, it will be time to see if Quantum Break?s gameplay can stand up to its ambition. If it does, Quantum Break could be yet another sleeper hit for Remedy just as how Alan Wake was during the Xbox 360 era.

Mighty Number 9 (ps4, ps3, ps Vita, Wii U, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Linux, Pc, Mac, Nintendo 3ds)
Release Date: February 5 TBD Spring 2016
What It Is: Keiji Inafune?s spiritual successor to Mega Man. Taking control as Mega Man Beck, you and your partner Roll Call set out to take down several robots gone bad. Once they are defeated, you take their abilities.
My Thoughts: As of yesterday, we learned that this game will be delayed for the third time to a tentative Spring 2016 release date. Though disappointing, at least Inafune is committed to ironing out the bugs. When and if it finally does hit, players everywhere will be interested in knowing if this game will be able to carry on the legacy Inafune started with Mega Man.

Doom
Release Date: TBD Spring 2016
What It Is: A Reboot of the classic genre-defining FPS game. Formerly known as Doom 4, Bethesda went back to the drawing board in hopes of delivering a classic FPS experience. There is not gonna be any automatic health recovery system (instead players will have to seek out health pickups like back in the old days), several demons from the series will return in new forms, while the storyline will take a backseat to the gory FPS action. Of course what would Doom be without player mods? Players will be able to construct and share their own multiplayer maps and content by way of a feature called snapmaps.
My Thoughts: Can Doom 2016 redefine the genre the way its predecessor did over 2 decades ago? Highly doubtful. However, as Wolfeinstein, Skyrim, and Fallout 4 have proven, Bethesda is adept at retooling classic franchises. Even if it doesn?t reinvent the wheel, it will provide excellent shooter action for those weary of the Call of Dutys and Battlefields, and introduce ID Software?s classic to a new generation of triggermen.

Other Titles Scheduled for Q1 & 2 Release:
Banner Saga 2
Hitman
Battleborn
Dark Souls 3
Unravel
Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2
Tekken 5
Pokken Tournament

If this wasn’t awesome enough, even more hits are schedulated for the second half, including the Final Fantasy 7 remake, Crackdown 3, Chikara Action Arcade Wrestling, and the Legend of Zelda Wii U. Not to mention the VR titles coming to the Occulus Rift and Playstation VR. Anything you are looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.