JASON SAVIO

This year is shaping up to be a big one for the world of video games. With new XBOX and Playstation consoles on the horizon in late 2020, this year will likely go down as a benchmark in gaming history. But, before that, there will be plenty of great titles hitting the shelves to keep us busy while we wait. What’s old is new again in this fresh decade while another game or two is likely to push the envelope and take us to the next level.

DOOM ETERNAL:

It’s time to do some more ripping and tearing in the follow up to 2016’s DOOM. In this sequel, Earth has been taken over by demons who don’t have plans on leaving anytime soon. You’ll be playing once again as the one and only “Doomguy,” but this time around our hero is going by the moniker “DOOM Slayer” following the seismic events that transpired in the previous game. If you’re not up to speed on the story, don’t worry. Like every other DOOM game, the main attraction is kicking as much demon butt as possible to the sound of badass metal music. New weapons—including a gnarly looking sword—are sure to make DOOM Eternal a blast. An added bonus if you pre-order DOOM Eternal is a digital copy of DOOM 64 for all you old school gamers. Release Date: March 20.

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE:

One of the most popular video games of all time is getting a 2020 makeover (no, we’re not talking about Resident Evil 3, although that is, too). Final Fantasy VII, which was originally released in 1994 for the very first Playstation console and gained world-wide success, is returning. The story is staying true to the original for the most part with some twists and turns, but you’ll once again have a chance to play as Cloud and try to save the world. Classic Final Fantasy mechanics will be featured in the gameplay, such as the command-based Final Fantasy combat that we already know so well. But there will be some changes as well, including advanced character customization. Conjuring up some magic to bring in otherworld beasts to help in the fight should look awesome in this updated version. Release Date: April 10.

THE LAST OF US PART II:

The highly anticipated sequel to 2013’s The Last of Us is finally here. Taking place five years after the events in the first entry in the series, The Last of Us Part II sees an older Ellie living in peace until a violent event sends her on a journey back across a post-apocalyptic United States, according to a description on the game’s website, where she runs into some shady characters who she refuses to back down to. It sounds like a revenge story if there ever was one, and judging by the trailer and images we’ve seen so far, it looks like the intensity and action in The Last of Us Part II is going to be off the charts. If you like the Walking Dead but never played The Last of Us, then you should give this a try. It has the same tone and similar approach to storytelling that the popular zombie show has. Release Date: May 29.

MARVEL’S AVENGERS:

It feels like it has been a long time coming for a proper Avengers console game to hit the scene. You’d figure with the success of the movies, Disney would’ve pushed one in our hands sooner, but all we’ve been getting is Lego games of Iron Man and his friends. Thankfully this year we’ll be getting one that doesn’t involve bricks and is instead closer to an actual Avengers movie. Featuring an original story, Marvel’s Avengers captures our heroes in a not-so-good place. Captain America has apparently been killed, and the Avengers have disbanded following a terrible accident that they were (unfairly?) blamed for, resulting in super heroes becoming outlawed. When the world later finds itself in a dire situation, the group must–you guessed it–reassemble. Marvel’s Avengers looks like it will give us a chance to play as each member of the super hero team and also promises an online multiplayer option that allows you to assemble your own four-person team for clobberin’ time. Release Date: September 4.