This should be a very exciting year for next-gen console owners. There are many titles that may or may not hit the next-gen consoles but nothing stops us from listing our Top 10 Most Anticipated Next-Gen Games of 2014 (for now). There is a lot of buzz since the announcement that a new “Uncharted” and “Halo” is on the way, but will we have the privilege of enjoying the major brand titles this year?  We can expect another epic showdown at E3 2014 as the big guns role out the expected titles for their respective next-gen consoles. Bring it on Sony and Microsoft!

Xbox PR manager Rob Semsey shared a very interesting tweet suggesting that we can expect “Halo” in 2014, but there is way too much room for interpretation here, this is what he tweeted:

‏”@RobSemsey – Rest assured your next Halo journey WILL begin in 2014. #staycalm”

Anyway, only time will tell!

In the meantime, let’s take a quick look at our Top 10 Most Anticipated Next-Gen Games of 2014:

— — — —

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PS4 & Xbox One)

Expected Release Date: January 2014

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition

This is probably one of the best ways to kick of the New Year. I strongly advise any new console owners to pop by your local gaming store and pic up a copy once it’s released. “Tomb Raider” is one of the best games of 2013 for various reasons and now, it will be even better. The next-gen update will improve Lara’s character model, the environments will also receive the required attention to bring things up to speed with the new gen consoles and we can expect the DLC from the original version to be included.

Also see: Brazilian Cosplay Hottie Shermie As Lara Croft

Courtesy of xbox.com

“Armed with only the raw instincts and physical ability to push beyond the limits of human endurance, Tomb Raider delivers an intense and gritty story into the origins of Lara Croft and her ascent from a frightened young woman to a hardened survivor.”

Titanfall (Xbox One)

Expected Release Date: March 2014

Titanfall

Titanfall

Multiplayer shooter addicts will be pleased to know that a new fix is on the way. EA’s “Titanfall” is made by the creators of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” and it looks awesome. The game is set to be online multi-player only although it will inject single player elements. Expect a war-torn planet where players move freely as pilots with the ability to hijack mechs. “Titanfall” will make use of Microsoft’s cloud for dedicated servers and potentially for expanded AI capabilities.

Courtesy of xbox.com:

“Titanfall is an all-new universe juxtaposing small vs. giant, natural vs. industrial and man vs. machine. Titanfall delivers fast-paced, near-future warfare that gives you the freedom to fight your way as both elite assault Pilots and agile, heavily armored Titans. Titanfall rethinks fundamental combat and movement giving players the ability to change tactics on the fly, attacking or escaping depending on the situation. Only the Titanfall experience combines heart-pounding multiplayer action with heroic moments and cinematic presentation from traditional campaign mode.”

D4 (Xbox One)

Expected Release Date: TBA / Q1 2014

Dark Dreams Don’t Die

Dark Dreams Don’t Die

We first got wind of this new Kinect-powered adventure game when theverge.com posted a little preview of things to come. “D4” (Dark Dreams Don’t Die) is made by the director of the hit psychological horror video game “Deadly Premonition”. Imagine a murder mystery game combining the power of the Kinect to introduce a brand new concept with excellent graphics and the ability to control the game sitting down (thanks to the new Kinect’s improved skeletal recognition). This may not be for everyone but one can’t deny that D4 looks very interesting!

Courtesy of theverge.com:

“D4 is best understood as an adventure game that exploits the increased fidelity of the new Kinect sensor for a unique control scheme. Players move their arm to point at objects on screen in a way that Xbox 360 Kinect users will be familiar with, but since the new Kinect can detect finer hand movements, it’s possible to “grab” things of interest by closing a fist. Cursor movement in general seems much more responsive than anything I’ve seen on the original Kinect.”

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS4 & Xbox One)

Expected Release Date: TBA / Q2 2014

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

“The Witcher 3” is promising to be something extraordinary featuring a massive open world layout, even up to 100-times larger than past “Witcher” games and at least 25% larger than “Skyrim”. The game will also feature 36 different final gameworld states, three different playable epilogues, a Witcher Senses system bringing new tactical depth to combat and free exploration unspoiled by loading times to name a few.

Courtesy of playstation.com

“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a dark fantasy, non-linear, open world RPG that focuses on a character-driven story, player choice, tactical combat, and a rich living world. The third installment of this award-winning saga improves on every aspect of the series, with a smoother combat system, new Witcher Senses and Monster Hunting, improved alchemy, magic signs, crafting systems and many more innovations.”

Final Fantasy XV (PS4 & Xbox One)

Expected Release Date: TBA / Second half of 2014

Final Fantasy XV

Final Fantasy XV

“Final Fantasy XV” (Fifteen) use the known as “Final Fantasy Versus XIII“ which has been in development since 2006. At E3 2013 the announcement was made that “FF Versus” will be rebranded and made available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Square-Enix has remained relatively quiet since announcing “Final Fantasy XV” at last year’s E3, but for now we can expect the usual stunning visuals and a game examining the characters’ humanity and distinguish it from the fantasy setting.

Courtesy of finalfantasy.wikia.com

“Final Fantasy XV (formerly Final Fantasy Versus) is the story of a young king sworn to defend the last crystal in the world from the “hectic order” outside of his kingdom. It’s a fight between ancient and modern techonology, and the struggle of one king to protect the old ways.”

“The game’s focus is to examine the characters’ humanity and distinguish it from the fantasy setting in other titles in the series. Nomura is “trying to propose new vision of how a Final Fantasy game can be. The game’s going to be more human than the science-fiction caricature… and will focus around current world events – in that sense it’s darker.”

Deep Down (PS4)

Expected Release Date: TBA / Second half of 2014

Deep Down

Deep Down

“Deep Down” will be Capcom’s new flagship, based on the Panta Rhei graphics engine. Panta Rhei was announced to replace MT Framework as Capcom’s game engine of choice, the new graphics engine is promising to be the holy grail of visual effects.

Capcom shows Graphic Engine : Panta Rhei for Playstation 4 HD

“Deep Down” will feature a new brand of freedom to explore next-gen architecture with gameplay that consists of that of a dungeon crawler. The story takes place partly in a traditional dungeons and dragons fantasy setting and partly in a futuristic New York, set in 2094. Expect lots of teleporting, dungeons, monsters and treasures, count me in!

Courtesy of playstation.com

“Capcom is pleased to announce that it has decided to develop the first title, “deep down -working title-.” This title is to be developed using “Panta Rhei,” Capcom’s proprietary software development engine to provide the optimum game development environment for next-generation game consoles. “Panta Rhei” supports the latest graphics, enhances work flow to bring down development costs, and improves development efficiency in order to raise game quality.”

“Deep Down is an action-packed real-time RPG epic from Capcom.Though the game is filled with swordplay, magic and dragons, the story defies expectations as it is not set in the past but instead in New York in the year 2094.”

The Evil Within (PS4 & Xbox One)

Expected Release Date: TBA / Second half of 2014

The Evil Within

The Evil Within

“The Evil Within” is in development for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC if you are prepared to stick around with your current-gen systems. Also known as Psycho Break in Japan, “The Evil Within” is an interesting survival-horror video game developed by Tango Gameworks and published by Bethesda Softworks. “Resident Evil 4” helmer Shinji Mikami is behind the wheel directing the anticipated video game which utilizes the popular id Tech 5 engine.

Courtesy of xbox.com

“Shinji Mikami, the father of survival horror, is back to direct The Evil Within™ – a game embodying the meaning of pure survival horror. Highly-crafted environments, horrifying anxiety, and an intricate story weave together to create an immersive world that will bring players to the height of tension. The Evil Within is slated for release in 2014.”

The Crew (PS4 & Xbox One)

Expected Release Date: TBA / Q3 2014

The Crew

The Crew

“The Crew” is the next-gen open world racing game we have been waiting for! Expect a huge world stretched over the USA that covers over 90 minutes worth of road-time to cross “The Crew’s” game world. Expect to battle it out to move up the ranks, jump in and out of other’s games, fully customize your car, and lots more.

Courtesy of thecrew-game.ubi.com

“Take part in a relentless ride to infiltrate and overtake the 510s, a gang grown around Detroit’s illegal street racing scene. Your plan? Get a rep on the underground-racing scene and sabotage their activities city-by-city all across the United States. Maneuver through the bustling streets of New York City and Los Angeles, cruise down sunny Miami Beach or trek through the breathtaking plateaus of Monument Valley. Each locale comes with its own set of surprises and driving challenges to master. On your journey you will encounter other players on the road – all potentially worthy companions to crew up with, or future rivals to compete against. This is driving at its most exciting, varied and open.”

Tom Clancy’s The Division (PS4 & Xbox One)

Expected Release Date: TBA / Q4 2014

Tom Clancy's The Division

Tom Clancy’s The Division

“Tom Clancy’s The Division” is an online co-op shooter that takes place in an open world post-apocalyptic New York. The game is fueled by the Snowdrop graphics engine which was created specifically for the game. The graphics engine provides the necessary power to bring to life the elements of illumination, property destruction, changing weather, day and night cycle, and so forth. As for the storyline, a dangerous virus got unleashed during Black Friday leaving NYC in chaos. You take on the role as a pseudo sleeper agent assigned to sort out the mess.

Check out The Division – Snowdrop Engine Trailer

Courtesy of tomclancy-thedivision.ubi.com:

“A devastating pandemic sweeps through New York City, and one by one, basic services fail. In only days, without food or water, society collapses into chaos. The Division, a classified unit of self-supported tactical agents, is activated. Leading seemingly ordinary lives among us, The Division agents are trained to operate independently of command, as all else fails.

Fighting to prevent the fall of society, the agents will find themselves caught up in an epic conspiracy, forced to combat not only the effects of a manmade virus, but also the rising threat of those behind it. When everything collapses, your mission begins.”

Sunset Overdrive (Xbox One)

Expected Release Date: TBA / Q4 2014

Sunset Overdrive

Sunset Overdrive

This might be the hidden bomb in Microsoft’s arsenal with gaming company Insomniac taking arms to deliver their new open-world shooter, Sunset Overdrive. Prepare for a very colourful city infested with zombie creatures while your character utilizes a plethora of interesting weapons, including a gun that shoots vinyl records and one that runs on energy drinks.

Courtesy of xbox.com

“Sunset Overdrive is an always changing, open-world game set in the not-so-distant future. A catastrophic event has left your city overrun by mutants. While the majority perish or transform, you flourish. It turns out your calling isn’t picking up trash or serving food, it’s mutant destruction. With an arsenal of kick-ass, overpowered weapons and a knack for traversing the city with hyper agility, it’s not the end of days for you. Your story is just beginning.”

Additional Source: thesixthaxis.com