Some are little more than a logo, while others have an enigmatic trailer revealing nearly nothing about the gameplay or mechanics. Mystery generates hype, however, and people are certainly talking about these games, speculating about what these products will eventually become. Gamers simply cannot wait to hear more about these 10 next-generation games.
10 Starfield
Bethesda has soured its reputation these past few years due to the rocky launch and support of Fallout 76. Their next title on the horizon is the science fiction RPG Starfield. Other than a logo and short teaser, fans of the developer know nothing about the project. Will it feel like Elder Scrolls in space, or is Bethesda planning something completely different? Whatever the case, fans are hoping for a return to the developer’s former glory.
9 Project Athia
On June 11, 2020, Square Enix showed a trailer to Project Athia from Luminous Productions. Like most Square Enix products, it was visually stunning and the art direction added to the wow factor. Rarely does a game given the name “Project” anything ship with the same name, though, so some changes in the years to come are expected. Considering the company, it is possible fans won’t hear a peep of Project Athia for several years.
8 Stray
Show a cat, and a game already has a significant percent of the audience intrigued. This futuristic world seems ruled by robots and no humans are in sight. Players control the cat, but what is the feline’s mission? Is it working with humans? Can it understand other species? Whatever the gameplay turns out to be, the idea of exploring this harsh urban environment as a cat sure piques fans’ interest.
7 Halo: Infinite
343 Studios has been cooking up Halo: Infinite for several years, but not a single ounce of gameplay has been revealed.
The initial reveal came in 2018, making fans wait more than two years for some concrete information as to the story and changes to the gameplay. The lack of a number makes one think it will be a reinvention, though it is said to be part of a trilogy started with Halo 4 and 5.
6 Returnal
Roguelikes used to be relegated to smaller scale games, but the genre has increased in popularity in recent years, and larger projects are starting to take a swing at the unique gameplay loop. Housemarque, known for Super Stardust HD and Resogun, is developing the game where each death starts a new run. It is unknown what carries over between runs or if there is some sort of end goal, though the mechanic seems to play directly into the plot.
5 Grand Theft Auto V
It is incredible to think about Grand Theft Auto V receiving a next-generation port, but Rockstar cannot stop this rolling ball of success simply because new consoles are coming out. Other than the announcement, free three months of GTA Online for PS Plus Subscribers, and a free million dollars in the game every month until the PS5 version releases in 2021, no details have been revealed. What enhancements will they bring to this new version? Will it only be visual upgrades or will the gameplay receive an overhaul as well?
4 Goodbye Volcano High
The sentimental reveal trailer for Goodbye Volcano High certainly sets a tone, but it does not let viewers know anything about gameplay or mechanics. Given the 2D art style, one would not be blamed for thinking it is an adventure game, which is what the game has been described as outside of the trailer. Will it be more focused on a story, or will challenging puzzles be involved?
3 Bugsnax
The adorable trailer featuring anthropomorphic animals is as charming as it is nonsensical. Eating food-themed bugs and adopting some of their physical qualities seems to be a feature, but how it affects gameplay remains a mystery. The short and addictive theme song by Kero Kero Bonito immediately gets stuck in one’s ear upon first hearing it, almost hypnotizing viewers into buying the game without seeing any more.
2 Pragmata
What first looks like Death Stranding turns out to be Capcom’s first original IP in years. The two characters present in the trailer, a little girl and a man in a space suit, enigmatically call Earth
“freedom.” If it weren’t for the hype around Capcom delivering a completely new franchise, there would be little reason for excitement around Pragmata. However, it will be refreshing for the company to try something daring.
1 The Elder Scrolls VI
After Starfield, Bethesda promises to deliver a new entry in the legendary Elder Scrolls franchise. Other than a short teaser, fans know nothing about any new mechanics or the story. Will Bethesda deliver a more traditional first-person RPG experience, or will they try to shake up the world of Tamriel and have players experience it like never before? With no release date in sight, one should not expect the game for at least several more years.
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