Most Anticipated Games of 2013
Although 2013 is already underway, there is still time for staff of New Game Network to come together and come up with a list of our most anticipated titles for the upcoming year.
Votes from staff were tallied and the hottest games to look forward to in 2013 have been narrowed down to 10. So here are our picks (in alphabetical order), and at the end find out how well we did last year with our predictions. We should specify that we only voted for titles that have been announced and a solid chance of releasing in 2013.
P.S. When/if next generation of game consoles are announced and there are even MORE exciting games, this list may look incomplete. We are working with what we got, people!
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs is an upcoming survival horror video game developed by thechineseroom and produced and published by Frictional Games. The game is an indirect sequel to Amnesia: The Dark Descent. While set in the same universe as the previous game, it will feature an entirely new cast of characters and time setting. The game will feature several real interlocking storylines. Ben says, “A Machine For Pigs looks like it will continue with what worked so well in the original. The game is being developed by thechineseroom, creators of the superbly atmospheric Dear Esther. The developers seem to fit well and we can’t wait to have the hell scared out of us.”
When: Q1/Q2, 2013
Where: 
Beyond: Two Souls
Beyond: Two Souls is an upcoming psychological/spiritual/thriller video game for the PlayStation 3 console and is under development by Quantic Dream. The game is centered around questions about what happens after death. The game lets the player take Jodie Holmes through 15 (8-23) years of her life on a journey to discover the true meaning of the entity, Idan, alongside her throughout the story. The game’s producer noted that players might be able to find out “what lies beyond” after playing the game. This title was also awarded Best of E3 2012. Alex says, “The next project from the Heavy Rain developers? Yes please.”
When: Q4, 2013
Where: 
BioShock Infinite
BioShock Infinite is an upcoming first-person shooter video game and the third installment in the BioShock series. Set in 1912 during the era of American Exceptionalism, the game’s protagonist, former Pinkerton agent Booker DeWitt, is sent to the floating air-city of Columbia to find a young woman, Elizabeth, who has been held captive there for the last twelve years. Though Booker rescues Elizabeth, the two are pursued by the city’s warring factions; the nativist and elite Founders that strive to keep the city for pure Americans, and the Vox Populi, a rebel grouping representing the common people. Booker finds Elizabeth to be central to this conflict, and that she also holds strange powers to manipulate rifts in the time-space continuum that ravage Columbia. We nominated this title for our Most Anticipated Games of 2012, but it has been delayed to 2013. Christian says, “This appears to be everything Bioshock 2 should have been: lots of new environments, new polictial and religious messages, new strange characters and more.”
When: March 26, 2013
Where: 
Company of Heroes 2
As a true sequel, Company of Heroes 2 moves the battle away from the common Western Front focus of World War II and refocuses on some of history’s most brutal and devastating conflicts on the Eastern Front, challenging players to take command of the iconic Red Army and repel the Nazi invaders from the very gates of Moscow. Publisher THQ recently went bankrupt and developers Relic were picked up by SEGA – which should be a safe choice for the game, given the new publisher’s strong PC strategy roots with the Total War franchise. Tim proclaims, “This is a sequel to one of the best RTS games ever made.”
When: Q2, 2013
Where:
Gears Of War: Judgment
Gears of War: Judgment promises the most intense and challenging Gears game yet, with a campaign that takes you back to the immediate aftermath of Emergence Day – the defining event of the Gears of War universe – for the very first time, and tests your mettle in highly–competitive new multiplayer modes. This Xbox 360 franchise just keeps on rolling and will likely be remembered as one of the defining series for the console. Alex says, “I think we’ve come to expect quality from this franchise, and Judgment looks to continue this trend.”
When: March 19, 2013
Where:
The list continues on page 2….
Grand Theft Auto V
Developed by series creator Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto V heads to the city of Los Santos and surrounding hills, countryside and beaches in reportedly the largest game Rockstar has yet created. Featuring mission-based gameplay and online multiplayer, Grand Theft Auto V focuses on the pursuit of the almighty dollar in a re-imagined, present-day Southern California. With more than 114 million copies sold-in worldwide, the GTA franchise has long become one of the most popular in modern day. We nominated this title for our Most Anticipated Games of 2012, but it has been delayed to 2013.
When: Q2/Q3, 2013
Where:
The Last of Us
The Last of Us is an upcoming survival horror action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog for the PlayStation 3. The story is set two decades after a cordyceps-type fungus has killed millions, with nature gradually retaking the abandoned cities and towns. The survivors are hemmed inside quarantine zones, completely under the heel of the United States military, with order and screening for any Infected being viciously maintained under martial law. Joel, a hardened black-marketeer within one of the quarantine zones, goes through an event which makes him promise an old friend that he will get a young girl, Ellie, away from the harsh regime. Christian says, “The focus on character and survival, rather than the combat or the ‘zombies,’ has me quite excited for this gorgeous looking game.”
When: May 7, 2013
Where:
Metro: Last Light
Metro: Last Light pitches the player into the midst of a desperate civil war for control over a doomsday device that threatens to destroy humanity forever. Previously announced as Metro 2034, the game is a sequel to Metro 2033, and although author Dmitry Glukhovsky has apparently been working with the developers, it bears no relation to the book Metro 2034. Due to THQ’s bankruptcy and dissolution in January 2013, publishing rights to the Metro franchise (and Last Light) were acquired by Koch Media. There is no word on how this will affect the game. Tim commented, “Metro Looks to maintain the atmosphere of the original while fixing some of the gameplay weaknesses.”
When: Q2/Q3, 2013
Where:
Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider is an Action-Adventure game that introduces players to the origin of one of the most identifiable video games icons of all-time, Lara Croft. The game features a blend of survival, stealth, melee and ranged combat, and exploration gameplay as a young Lara Croft is forced to push herself past her know limits to survive and unravel the dark history of a forgotten island. In the process she will unlock the adventurer within her. This title has been selected last year, but was delayed to 2013. Annie says, “One of the few series that I’ve been playing since the first game, hopefully it will be a successful reboot.”
When: March 5, 2013
Where:
Watch Dogs
In Watch Dogs, players enter the dangerous world of Aiden Pearce, a new class of antihero whose ability to hack into any connected system could be his most powerful weapon. Whether it’s triggering a 30-car pileup by manipulating traffic-lights to trap an enemy during a downtown shootout or tapping into the city’s omnipresent security cameras to access anyone’s personal information, Pearce is capable of coercing and controlling almost every element of the world around him. The game was also selected for our Best of E3 2012 awards. Alex says, “One of the bigger surprise announcements of E3 2012, this is a very insteresting IP thanks to impressive visuals and clever gameplay possibilities. We can’t wait to see more.”
When: Q4, 2013
Where:
See how our predictions panned out for the year that was. Go to page 3….
Now, it is time to see how well we stargazed a year ago. Let’s take a look at our most anticipated games for 2012 and how they turned out!
BioShock Infinite
Delayed to 2013. Find out how good the game is in March!
Darksiders 2
84/100: “Darksiders II does so much so well that it’s easy to forgive the porting issues and occasional bugs that pop up, making it one of the best adventures of the year so far. While death may not be proud, the team at Vigil certainly should be.”
Diablo 3
80/100: “Diablo 3 brings back monsters, weapons and locations from the previous games to maintain the addiction. Not much has changed in ten years and there is only a minor shift in focus. Random dungeons, multiplayer and difficulty levels provide great replay value.”
DOTA 2
It will be free to play, and release some time in 2013.
Far Cry 3
86/100: “After a mediocre second outing, Far Cry 3 returns with a vengeance. Offering great open world gameplay and no huge problems to deter from the experience, this is one trip to paradise you don’t want to miss.”
Grand Theft Auto 5
Delayed to Spring 2013.
Guild Wars 2
86/100: “More streamlined and accessible than most games before it, this is an evolution of the genre. Guild Wars 2 brings simple yet dramatic changes to the stale gameplay formula that result in an easily enjoyable experience for any MMO fan out there, and a great point of entry for all curious enough to step into Tyria.”
Max Payne 3
78/100: “Depending on of how you feel about the character and his past noir setting, Max Payne 3 can be a mixed bag, with uneven difficulty but sold mutliplayer providing further factors for your consideration.”
Mass Effect 3
86/100: “If it weren’t for the ending and lack of overall polish, Mass Effect 3 would have been hands down the best game in the trilogy. As it stands, it is instead just a very strong entry with a lot of memorable moments. “
Metro: Last Light
Delayed to 2013!
Prey 2
Sadly the game seems to be in development hell, and we have no info to share on when/how it will release.
Tomb Raider
Delayed to 2013. Find out how good the game is in March!