There are plenty of Xbox One games to look forward to this year. If this list is any indication, 2015 is far from over.
Fans cannot get enough of Assassin’s Creed. Syndicate is the ninth installment in the series. The game takes place in 1868 at the end of London’s Industrial Revolution. For the first time in the history of the franchise, the game allows players to freely switch between two main protagonists. The heroes are twins, a brother, and a sister, who are tasked to infiltrate and unite the criminal underworld against the nefarious Templars. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate features its trademark, third-person open-world gameplay. Right away, fans will notice improvements in the graphics and gameplay mechanics. Fans of the franchise will appreciate developer Ubisoft’s return to single-player glory. Fans can look forward to a new combat system that includes vehicles. And because London is such a large city, each borough has its own aesthetic personality, which will keep players fully engaged.
Halo 5: Guardians (October 27)
Be very afraid.
Halo 5: Guardians is the newest installment in the Halo franchise. Instead of focusing solely on our beloved Master Chief, the campaign starts off with Spartan Locke and his squad. Their mission is to track down the missing and possibly treacherous Master Chief. But rest assured: Players will later get to play as Halo’s popular protagonist. Halo 5: Guardians‘ campaign will take place in several worlds, including three new ones. The game expands ever so slightly with their multiplayer and co-op gameplay, which brings new life into a franchise that has been around for 14 years. Players can play intense 4v4 matchmaking in Halo 5‘s Arena Mode. One of the most anticipated game modes is Warzone, which features 24-player battles. Some of the players will include a seamless mix of friendly and enemy AI. And let’s not forget their always-addicting Forge mode, which is expected to take level creation to new extremes.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III (November 6)
Would you like some guns with a side of explosions?
Need a little more Call of Duty in your life? If you don’t mind 13-year-old boys screaming obscenities in your ear for hours on end, then get ready for Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The newest COD title takes place in a dystopian future: 2065. The game is a continuation of its predecessor’s storyline. When it comes to dystopian futures in military first-person shooters, there’s always a good chance that technology and superhumans will be involved. Call of Duty: Black Ops III delivers on both fronts. Unlike previous titles, Black Ops III has open level designs that don’t rely so much on corridor shooting, and up to four players can play in cooperative mode. When it comes to COD, there’s always zombies lurking around. Black Ops III features two original zombie storylines that don’t relate to the overarching story. Of course, there is plenty of multiplayer modes and lots of customization options. Die-hard fans of COD will appreciate Treyarch heading back to the future.
Fallout 4 (November 10)
Boston never looked so lively.
Imagine of Skyrim took place in a post-apocalypse Boston. With Fallout 4, you won’t have to imagine much longer. Set 200 years after a nuclear war, Fallout 4 introduces a player character who emerges from an underground bunker known as the Vault. Together with his or her canine companion appropriately named “Dogmeat,” the player is able to explore the open world, defeat monsters with large guns, earn experience and level up specialization perks. Players can even customize their guns using over 50 base guns with various modifications. Fallout 4‘s in-depth crafting system is one of the most noticeable additions to the Fallout series. The possibilities are seemingly endless. When players are not busy customizing absolutely everything, they can construct and deconstruct buildings, items, and even settlements. But who cares about all of that? You have Dogmeat, and Dogmeat cannot be killed — so it’s perfectly acceptable to go nuts in Fallout 4. We won’t blame you.
Star Wars: Battlefront (November 17)
Needs more force.
Players got a chance to get their hands on Star Wars: Battlefront‘s long-awaited beta, which included but wasn’t limited to a Walker Assault mode on Hoth, which featured teams from the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire. Seriously, the battle on Hoth is amazing with fully functional and deadly AT-AT walkers. How about Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader appearing on the battlefield, chasing after you and destroying everything in their path? In any event, Star Wars: Battlefront is an action game that can easily alternate between first-person and third-person gameplay. Players can navigate across large maps in ground and air vehicles from the Star Wars universe. Battles take place on several known planets, including Endor, Hoth, Tatooine, Sullust, and Jakku. Characters, weapons, gear, and abilities are fully customizable. Players who enjoy the Battlefield series and love Star Wars will definitely enjoy Star Wars: Battlefront. The force is strong with this game.
Just Cause 3 (December 1)
Fear of heights? Nope.
Rico Rodriguez returns to cause more mayhem in Just Cause 3, a third-person action game set in an open world. Just Cause 3 takes place on the fictional Mediterranean island of Medici, which is under the control of a brutal dictator named General Di Ravello. It’s up to Rico Rodriguez, the famed protagonist from Just Cause 2, to stop Di Ravello’s plans of world domination. Unlike most action games, Just Cause 3 takes place on one very large map with 400 square miles (1,000 km2). The volumetric terrain allows players to explore the tallest peaks and the deep subterranean caverns. The map is composed of five major biomes that have unique landmarks and landscapes. Just Cause 3 features the return of the franchise’s iconic grappling hook and parachute. Players can unleash their creative and destructive sides with Just Cause 3 as they are able to destroy many objects in several unique ways. Nothing rings in the new year better than blowing tanks and statues up in Just Cause 3. Just saying.
Aaron is an ordinary, baby-faced man. He plays video games. Please presume he’s extremely good at it. He’s a singer-songwriter that doesn’t have a bard character in any MMORPG. He’s also a moderately successful entrepreneur who regularly provides advice to people who don’t ask for it.
