There are plenty of great games coming out in 2019! Here are 45 titles you need to play this year...
Get ready, because 2019 is shaping up to be a special year for video games. While it's always possible for a year to take us by surprise in regards to how great it is for gaming or how bad it ends up being, you can generally tell when you're going to have a marquee year.
In the case of the formidable 2019, we get the feeling that it might be the last full year of the current console generation. Considering that the final years of consoles are often their best, there's plenty of reason to believe that 2019 is going to be the final, victorious bow for this generation's best developers.
Besides, a quick look at the best video games coming out in 2019 reveals a variety of titles that rank near the top of our most-anticipated games. From beloved RPG developers branching out into online shooters to the return of one of the greatest horror games ever made, 2019 is loaded with the kind of games that make you grateful to be a gamer.
First, though, we must share a brief explanation of our choices. While we're just as excited as you are about games that may come out this year as you are, there's no confirmation that they actually are coming out this year. As such, we are limiting this list to games that are currently scheduled for a 2019 release date.
With that out of the way, let's take a look at the best video games of 2019:
Apex Legends
February 4 | Respawn | PS4, XBO, PC
There's little doubt that Apex Legends will go down as the most surprising release of 2019. Revealed just minutes before it was released, this team-based battle royale title came out of nowhere and took the world by storm.
The best part is that Apex Legends is a genuinely great game. Its fast-paced gameplay and brilliant team mechanics make it one of the most accessible, yet challenging battle royale titles on the market and one of the most entertaining multiplayer games of the modern era. This free-to-play title could have legs if Respawn updates it the right way.
Battletoads
TBA | Rare | XBO
We were starting to think that we’d never get another Battletoads game given that it’s been over 20 years since we’ve last received a new installment, but Rare is returning to the franchise that most people remember as one of the hardest games on the NES. This new Battletoads might feature a slightly different art style and other modern improvements, but we fully expect it to be largely familiar to fans who have been waiting years for another co-op brawler from this beloved, and undeniably bizarre, series.
Blair Witch
August 30 | Bloober Team | XBO, PC
There have been Blair Witch games in the past, but it's no stretch to say they haven't exactly lived up to expectations. It would actually be more accurate to say that they've been flat out terrible.
Yet, there are reasons to be excited about 2019's Blair Witch. Not only does the initial footage look incredible, but considering that this is being developed by the same studio that made Layers of Fear, we think this might actually be the Blair Witch game that captures the atmosphere and terror of the original film.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
June 18 | ArtPlay & DICO | PS4, XBO, Switch, PC
Since its Kickstarter debut, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night's name has come second to that of its creator, Koji Igarashi. Many of you may remember Igarashi as the director of the revolutionary Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and his return with a game that is very much in the spirit of his classic Castlevania tiles has been anticipated by genre fans for many years.
While we have some concerns regarding the possibility that Ritual of the Night ends up being the next Mighty No. 9, the quality of this team's side project - the 2D action/adventure title Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon - leads us to believe that these guys know what makes this genre tick and may be prepared to deliver something special.
Borderlands 3
September 13 | Gearbox Software | PS4, XBO, PC
After years of waiting, the Borderlands series has finally returned. While many suspected that a modern Borderlands might take the form of an online multiplayer loot shooter, it appears that Borderlands 3 will indeed be a proper Borderlands experience.
That means a dark sense of humor, a ton of guns, beautiful cel-shaded graphics, single-player and multiplayer options, and hours upon hours of looting. We'll see if Borderlands 3 has what it takes to reclaim the loot shooter crown in this new world, but we think that it will reign supreme.
Cadence of Hyrule
June 13 | Brace Yourself Games | Switch
No, we didn't ask for a game that combines the hit rhythm dungeon crawler Crypt of the Necrodancer with The Legend of Zelda, but we'll gladly take it based on what we've seen so far.
Cadence of Hyrule's Zelda aesthetics look to be more substantial than mere looks, but even if it wasn't, this marks a fantastic chance for those who never played Crypt of the Necrodancer to give that excellent formula a shot.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
October 25 | Infinity Ward | PS4, XBO, PC
Call of Duty has been in need of a fresh start for quite some time. While recent games in the series have been relatively strong, it's been quite some time since we've played a Call of Duty game that felt like it was on the level of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
While literally releasing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare might not automatically do the trick, there are reasons to be excited about this soft reboot of the Modern Warfare franchise. Can it live up to the original games? We'll soon find out.
Crackdown 3
February 15 | Sumo Digital | XBO, PC | Review
It's been almost eight years since we last heard from the Crackdown series. There was a time when Microsoft's hidden gem open-world title provided a breath of fresh air to the subgenre. Its outlandish, superhero-like gameplay afforded players the chance to just go wild in a metro setting. The open-world genre -- and the world at large -- has changed quite a bit, though.
Crackdown 3 doesn't make quite the same impression as its predecessors, unfortunately, as it holds on to an era of game design that's long past with the Xbox 360. Still, if you're just looking for a game to blow things up in, Crackdown 3 can be a lot of fun.
Code Vein
September 27 | Bandai Namco | PS4, XBO
In a world without Dark Souls and Bloodborne (at least for the foreseeable future), the time is now for an outsider to ascend the throne and rule the kingdom that FromSoftware's titles helped establish. To that end, it's entirely possible that Code Vein may just become the next big game in this genre.
Code Vein is easily described as "anime Dark Souls." It's an over-the-top action-RPG that emphasizes an intricate combat system, character builds, and a sometimes punishing level of difficulty. It also adds a sometimes over-the-top style that is a far cry from Dark Souls' muted tones and grim atmosphere but just might be enough to help put this game over-the-top.
Control
August 27 | Remedy Entertainment | PS4, XBO, PC
Developer Remedy Entertainment remains one of the most exciting developers in gaming. What separates Remedy is the personality it infuses into its projects. There's never been a pedestrian Remedy game, even if some of those games missed the mark in terms of their overall execution.
From what we've seen of Control, we have no doubts that it will be full of Remedy's trademark personality. It's a bizarre psychological action title with supernatural elements that looks wonderfully eerie and exciting. Even better, Remedy has promised that this game will be slightly more open than its previous, very linear titles. We'll see whether or not that allows the studio to expand its creative borders.
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
June 21 | Beenox | PS4, XBO, Switch
This remake of the original Crash Team Racing has a daunting task ahead of it. Somehow, it must please fans of the original surprise hit while winning over a generation that recently experienced the brilliant Mario Kart 8. We don't envy the task ahead of developer Beenox.
Yet, we're optimistic the studio can pull it off. CTR has retained its popularity over the years because it's a genuinely great racing game. Its fantastic modes and fascinating new mechanics help the game stand out among some considerable competition, and this remake seems to feature just enough new content to justify another lap no matter how familiar you may be with the original.
Darksiders Genesis
TBA | Airship Syndicate | XBO, PC, PS4, Switch, Stadia
Darksiders 3 didn't exactly live up to expectations, but the core of the series (fascinating world, dark tones, great characters) remains as strong as ever. Perhaps that's why Genesis is retaining all of that while changing a few things.
Genesis is effectively Darksiders by way of Diablo. This action-RPG supports co-op gameplay, character building, and a whole lot of hacking and slashing in the Darksiders universe.
Days Gone
April 26 | SIE Bend Studio | PS4 | Review
Days Gone has finally arrived after several delays. While ultimately not the juggernaut PlayStation hoped for, the game is a must-have for PS4 completionists interested in owning all of the console's AAA first-party exclusives. The star of this game is tts truly hostile open-world environments, which feature all manner of monsters and men trying to end main character Deacon St. John's already troubled existence.
Dead or Alive 6
March 1 | Team Ninja | PS4, XBO, PC | Review
The Dead or Alive series has long existed in this strange plane of popularity and respect. Dating back to the brilliant Dead or Alive 2, the franchise has been seen as an often fun, sometimes excellent, sometimes sloppy, and usually beautiful experience. Yet, it's never really received the respect that series like Street Fighter and Tekken typically garner. The raunchy aesthetic of the first few games might have something to do with it...
Dead or Alive 6 is a little more grown-up and slightly more complicated, but it still retains many of the key elements that have kept fans devoted to the Dead or Alive series for all these years. The result isn't bad!
Death Stranding
November 8 | Kojima Productions | PS4
There are times when it feels like Death Stranding is more about Hideo Kojima than it is about the game itself, but that's kind of the point. Following the infamous breakup between Konami and Kojima, everyone wants to see what he'll come up with next.
Well, Death Stranding is certainly shaping up to be a proper Kojima game. This weird tale about a splintered America at the end of the world features high-profile voice actors, directors, and a surprising amount of babies. It should prove to be one of the year's most talked about games.
Devil May Cry 5
March 8 | Capcom | PS4, XBO, PC | Review
The Devil May Cry series is generally regarded as one of the godfathers of the 3D action genre, but it’s been quite some time since we’ve gotten a new game from the franchise. Even Ninja Theory’s brilliant re-imagining of the Devil May Cry concept wasn’t enough to satisfy the series’ hardcore fans.
Devil May Cry 5 marks the franchise’s return to Capcom and a return to form for a series known for its brutal difficulty and absurd cinematic set pieces. The action genre has evolved quite a bit since Capcom last delivered a proper Devil May Cry game, but this new sequel will make fans of the classic series and modern action games very happy indeed.
Doom Eternal
November 22 | id Software | PS4, XBO, PC, Stadia
Few people expected much from 2016's Doom, but it ended up being one of the year's best games. Needless to say, expectations are quite high for the sequel.
It looks like Eternal is going to mee all those expectations by giving us more of what we want from modern-day Doom. That means more absurdity, more guns, more action, larger levels, and more intimidating enemies.
Far Cry: New Dawn
February 15 | Ubisoft Montreal | PS4, XBO, PC | Review
The Far Cry series has taken us to exotic jungles, war-torn nations, and rural America, but Far Cry: New Dawn moves the series in a completely different direction by giving us a view of what the end of the Far Cry world looks like. In New Dawn, you must navigate what remains of Far Cry 5's world following a nuclear event.
New Dawn features the familiar suite of Far Cry gameplay. The hook here is the game's fascinating premise and the way it has affected so many things in this world. New Dawn is a cruel and formidable Far Cry game that delivers on its post-apocalyptic premise.
Final Fantasy 8 Remaster
TBA | Square Enix| PS4, XBO, PC, Switch
For years, we've seen just about every Final Fantasy game except for Final Fantasy 8 be re-released, remade, or remastered. Rumors suggest that it has to do with the game's source code being lost.
Whatever the case, we're finally getting a remaster of Final Fantasy 8 in 2019. Will a new generation latch onto what has so far been one of the most divisive and weird Final Fantasy games? We'll soon find out.
In the case of the formidable 2019, we get the feeling that it might be the last full year of the current console generation. Considering that the final years of consoles are often their best, there's plenty of reason to believe that 2019 is going to be the final, victorious bow for this generation's best developers.
Besides, a quick look at the best video games coming out in 2019 reveals a variety of titles that rank near the top of our most-anticipated games. From beloved RPG developers branching out into online shooters to the return of one of the greatest horror games ever made, 2019 is loaded with the kind of games that make you grateful to be a gamer.
First, though, we must share a brief explanation of our choices. While we're just as excited as you are about games that may come out this year as you are, there's no confirmation that they actually are coming out this year. As such, we are limiting this list to games that are currently scheduled for a 2019 release date.
With that out of the way, let's take a look at the best video games of 2019:
February 4 | Respawn | PS4, XBO, PC
There's little doubt that Apex Legends will go down as the most surprising release of 2019. Revealed just minutes before it was released, this team-based battle royale title came out of nowhere and took the world by storm.
The best part is that Apex Legends is a genuinely great game. Its fast-paced gameplay and brilliant team mechanics make it one of the most accessible, yet challenging battle royale titles on the market and one of the most entertaining multiplayer games of the modern era. This free-to-play title could have legs if Respawn updates it the right way.
TBA | Rare | XBO
We were starting to think that we’d never get another Battletoads game given that it’s been over 20 years since we’ve last received a new installment, but Rare is returning to the franchise that most people remember as one of the hardest games on the NES. This new Battletoads might feature a slightly different art style and other modern improvements, but we fully expect it to be largely familiar to fans who have been waiting years for another co-op brawler from this beloved, and undeniably bizarre, series.
August 30 | Bloober Team | XBO, PC
There have been Blair Witch games in the past, but it's no stretch to say they haven't exactly lived up to expectations. It would actually be more accurate to say that they've been flat out terrible.
Yet, there are reasons to be excited about 2019's Blair Witch. Not only does the initial footage look incredible, but considering that this is being developed by the same studio that made Layers of Fear, we think this might actually be the Blair Witch game that captures the atmosphere and terror of the original film.
June 18 | ArtPlay & DICO | PS4, XBO, Switch, PC
Since its Kickstarter debut, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night's name has come second to that of its creator, Koji Igarashi. Many of you may remember Igarashi as the director of the revolutionary Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and his return with a game that is very much in the spirit of his classic Castlevania tiles has been anticipated by genre fans for many years.
While we have some concerns regarding the possibility that Ritual of the Night ends up being the next Mighty No. 9, the quality of this team's side project - the 2D action/adventure title Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon - leads us to believe that these guys know what makes this genre tick and may be prepared to deliver something special.
September 13 | Gearbox Software | PS4, XBO, PC
After years of waiting, the Borderlands series has finally returned. While many suspected that a modern Borderlands might take the form of an online multiplayer loot shooter, it appears that Borderlands 3 will indeed be a proper Borderlands experience.
That means a dark sense of humor, a ton of guns, beautiful cel-shaded graphics, single-player and multiplayer options, and hours upon hours of looting. We'll see if Borderlands 3 has what it takes to reclaim the loot shooter crown in this new world, but we think that it will reign supreme.
June 13 | Brace Yourself Games | Switch
No, we didn't ask for a game that combines the hit rhythm dungeon crawler Crypt of the Necrodancer with The Legend of Zelda, but we'll gladly take it based on what we've seen so far.
Cadence of Hyrule's Zelda aesthetics look to be more substantial than mere looks, but even if it wasn't, this marks a fantastic chance for those who never played Crypt of the Necrodancer to give that excellent formula a shot.
October 25 | Infinity Ward | PS4, XBO, PC
Call of Duty has been in need of a fresh start for quite some time. While recent games in the series have been relatively strong, it's been quite some time since we've played a Call of Duty game that felt like it was on the level of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
While literally releasing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare might not automatically do the trick, there are reasons to be excited about this soft reboot of the Modern Warfare franchise. Can it live up to the original games? We'll soon find out.
February 15 | Sumo Digital | XBO, PC | Review
It's been almost eight years since we last heard from the Crackdown series. There was a time when Microsoft's hidden gem open-world title provided a breath of fresh air to the subgenre. Its outlandish, superhero-like gameplay afforded players the chance to just go wild in a metro setting. The open-world genre -- and the world at large -- has changed quite a bit, though.
Crackdown 3 doesn't make quite the same impression as its predecessors, unfortunately, as it holds on to an era of game design that's long past with the Xbox 360. Still, if you're just looking for a game to blow things up in, Crackdown 3 can be a lot of fun.
Code Vein
September 27 | Bandai Namco | PS4, XBO
In a world without Dark Souls and Bloodborne (at least for the foreseeable future), the time is now for an outsider to ascend the throne and rule the kingdom that FromSoftware's titles helped establish. To that end, it's entirely possible that Code Vein may just become the next big game in this genre.
Code Vein is easily described as "anime Dark Souls." It's an over-the-top action-RPG that emphasizes an intricate combat system, character builds, and a sometimes punishing level of difficulty. It also adds a sometimes over-the-top style that is a far cry from Dark Souls' muted tones and grim atmosphere but just might be enough to help put this game over-the-top.
August 27 | Remedy Entertainment | PS4, XBO, PC
Developer Remedy Entertainment remains one of the most exciting developers in gaming. What separates Remedy is the personality it infuses into its projects. There's never been a pedestrian Remedy game, even if some of those games missed the mark in terms of their overall execution.
From what we've seen of Control, we have no doubts that it will be full of Remedy's trademark personality. It's a bizarre psychological action title with supernatural elements that looks wonderfully eerie and exciting. Even better, Remedy has promised that this game will be slightly more open than its previous, very linear titles. We'll see whether or not that allows the studio to expand its creative borders.
June 21 | Beenox | PS4, XBO, Switch
This remake of the original Crash Team Racing has a daunting task ahead of it. Somehow, it must please fans of the original surprise hit while winning over a generation that recently experienced the brilliant Mario Kart 8. We don't envy the task ahead of developer Beenox.
Yet, we're optimistic the studio can pull it off. CTR has retained its popularity over the years because it's a genuinely great racing game. Its fantastic modes and fascinating new mechanics help the game stand out among some considerable competition, and this remake seems to feature just enough new content to justify another lap no matter how familiar you may be with the original.
TBA | Airship Syndicate | XBO, PC, PS4, Switch, Stadia
Darksiders 3 didn't exactly live up to expectations, but the core of the series (fascinating world, dark tones, great characters) remains as strong as ever. Perhaps that's why Genesis is retaining all of that while changing a few things.
Genesis is effectively Darksiders by way of Diablo. This action-RPG supports co-op gameplay, character building, and a whole lot of hacking and slashing in the Darksiders universe.
April 26 | SIE Bend Studio | PS4 | Review
Days Gone has finally arrived after several delays. While ultimately not the juggernaut PlayStation hoped for, the game is a must-have for PS4 completionists interested in owning all of the console's AAA first-party exclusives. The star of this game is tts truly hostile open-world environments, which feature all manner of monsters and men trying to end main character Deacon St. John's already troubled existence.
March 1 | Team Ninja | PS4, XBO, PC | Review
The Dead or Alive series has long existed in this strange plane of popularity and respect. Dating back to the brilliant Dead or Alive 2, the franchise has been seen as an often fun, sometimes excellent, sometimes sloppy, and usually beautiful experience. Yet, it's never really received the respect that series like Street Fighter and Tekken typically garner. The raunchy aesthetic of the first few games might have something to do with it...
Dead or Alive 6 is a little more grown-up and slightly more complicated, but it still retains many of the key elements that have kept fans devoted to the Dead or Alive series for all these years. The result isn't bad!
November 8 | Kojima Productions | PS4
There are times when it feels like Death Stranding is more about Hideo Kojima than it is about the game itself, but that's kind of the point. Following the infamous breakup between Konami and Kojima, everyone wants to see what he'll come up with next.
Well, Death Stranding is certainly shaping up to be a proper Kojima game. This weird tale about a splintered America at the end of the world features high-profile voice actors, directors, and a surprising amount of babies. It should prove to be one of the year's most talked about games.
March 8 | Capcom | PS4, XBO, PC | Review
The Devil May Cry series is generally regarded as one of the godfathers of the 3D action genre, but it’s been quite some time since we’ve gotten a new game from the franchise. Even Ninja Theory’s brilliant re-imagining of the Devil May Cry concept wasn’t enough to satisfy the series’ hardcore fans.
Devil May Cry 5 marks the franchise’s return to Capcom and a return to form for a series known for its brutal difficulty and absurd cinematic set pieces. The action genre has evolved quite a bit since Capcom last delivered a proper Devil May Cry game, but this new sequel will make fans of the classic series and modern action games very happy indeed.
November 22 | id Software | PS4, XBO, PC, Stadia
Few people expected much from 2016's Doom, but it ended up being one of the year's best games. Needless to say, expectations are quite high for the sequel.
It looks like Eternal is going to mee all those expectations by giving us more of what we want from modern-day Doom. That means more absurdity, more guns, more action, larger levels, and more intimidating enemies.
February 15 | Ubisoft Montreal | PS4, XBO, PC | Review
The Far Cry series has taken us to exotic jungles, war-torn nations, and rural America, but Far Cry: New Dawn moves the series in a completely different direction by giving us a view of what the end of the Far Cry world looks like. In New Dawn, you must navigate what remains of Far Cry 5's world following a nuclear event.
New Dawn features the familiar suite of Far Cry gameplay. The hook here is the game's fascinating premise and the way it has affected so many things in this world. New Dawn is a cruel and formidable Far Cry game that delivers on its post-apocalyptic premise.
TBA | Square Enix| PS4, XBO, PC, Switch
For years, we've seen just about every Final Fantasy game except for Final Fantasy 8 be re-released, remade, or remastered. Rumors suggest that it has to do with the game's source code being lost.
Whatever the case, we're finally getting a remaster of Final Fantasy 8 in 2019. Will a new generation latch onto what has so far been one of the most divisive and weird Final Fantasy games? We'll soon find out.
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