Most Anticipated Games of 2016
After recovering from the great video-game hangover induced by the relentlessly impressive releases of 2015, the staff at New Game Network have put their heads together to mold a list of twelve of the most promising titles that are likely to come out in the coming year. Could 2016 possibly be better than 2015? Well if these games ultimately live up to our lofty expectations, it just might be. Here is our list, in alphabetical order!
Adr1ft
ADR1FT is an immersive First Person Experience (FPX) that tells the story of an astronaut in peril. Floating silently amongst the wreckage of a destroyed space station with no memory and a severely damaged EVA suit, the only survivor struggles to determine the cause of the catastrophic event that took the lives of everyone on board. The player fights to stay alive by exploring the wreckage for precious resources, and overcomes the challenges of an unforgiving environment to repair the damaged emergency escape vehicle and safely return home.
When: March 28, 2016
Where: 
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
The year is 2029, and mechanically augmented humans have now been deemed outcasts, living a life of complete and total segregation from the rest of society. Now an experienced covert operative, Adam Jensen is forced to operate in a world that has grown to despise his kind. Armed with a new arsenal of state-of-the-art weapons and augmentations, he must choose the right approach, along with who to trust, in order to unravel a vast worldwide conspiracy.
When: August 23, 2016
Where:
Dishonored 2
Dishonored 2 is set 15 years after the Lord Regent has been vanquished and the dreaded Rat Plague has passed into history. An otherworldly usurper has seized the throne from Empress Emily Kaldwin, leaving the fate of the Isles hanging in the balance. Play as either Emily Kaldwin or Corvo Attano and travel beyond the legendary streets of Dunwall to Karnaca – a once-dazzling coastal city that holds the key to restoring Emily to power. Armed with the mark of the Outsider and powerful new supernatural abilities, hunt down your enemies and forever alter the fate of the Empire.
When: 2016
Where:
Firewatch
In Firewatch, you play as a man named Henry, who’s retreated from his messy life for the summer to take a job as a Wyoming forest fire lookout. You are in constant radio communication with your supervisor Delilah — your only remaining link to the outside world. But as the hot, dry summer progresses, increasingly strange events draw you out of your tower and into the wilderness to explore an unknown environment.
When: February 9, 2016
Where:
Homefront: The Revolution
Homefront: The Revolution throws players into a near future dystopia. Catastrophic events have brought the United States to its knees and enabled the Korean People’s Army forces to impose a brutal military occupation. Trapped in this American nightmare, Philadelphia has become a police state, where surveillance drones and armored patrols keep her once-proud citizens at heel, crushing any dissent with totalitarian force. But in the badlands of the Red Zone, in the bombed out streets and abandoned subways, a Resistance is forming. A guerrilla force, determined to fight for their freedoms despite overwhelming odds and ignite the second American Revolution.
When: May 17, 2016
Where:
Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn is set in a lush open world where nature has reclaimed the ruins of a forgotten civilization. It is a world where mankind is not the dominant species, and highly advanced machines sit at the top of the food chain. You play as Aloy, a young outcast from a tribal society, who has learned to hunt the machines. Intent on unraveling the many mysteries that surround her, Aloy embarks on a quest that will lead her to discover her own destiny.
When: Q4, 2016
Where:
Mass Effect Andromeda
Mass Effect Andromeda is a new adventure, taking place far away from and long after the events of the original trilogy. You will play a human, male or female, as you explore an all-new galaxy, Andromeda, and pilot the new and improved Mako. And through it all, you will have a new team of adventurers to work with, learn from, fight alongside of, and fall in love with. This upcoming action RPG will run on the Frostbite engine.
When: Q4, 2016
Where:
Quantum Break
In the aftermath of a split second of destruction that fractures time itself, two people find they have changed and gained extraordinary abilities. One of them travels through time and becomes hell-bent on controlling this power. The other uses these new abilities to attempt to defeat him – and fix time before it tears itself irreparably apart. Quantum Break follows Jack Joyce, as he desperately struggles to prevent the end of time, while the TV show that runs alongside the game revolves around the conspiracies and intrigue within the villainous corporation called Monarch Solutions, Jack’s main enemy.
When: April 5, 2016
Where:
The Division
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 a conspiracy, forced to combat not only the effects of a manmade virus, but also the rising threat of those behind it.
When: March 8, 2016
Where:
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Several years after his last adventure, retired fortune hunter, Nathan Drake, is forced back into the world of thieves. With the stakes much more personal, Drake embarks on a globe-trotting journey in pursuit of a historical conspiracy behind a fabled pirate treasure. His greatest adventure will test his physical limits, his resolve, and ultimately what he’s willing to sacrifice to save the ones he loves.
When: April 26, 2016
Where:
Unravel
Unravel introduces Yarny, a new character made from a single thread of yarn, that slowly unravels as you move. Inspired by the unique environments of Northern Scandinavia, Unravel is a physics-based puzzle platformer. Using yarn to Swing from tree branch to tree branch or hitch a ride on a flying kite, no feat is too big. Yarny is brought to life as the representation of the ties that bind loved-ones together. Embark with Yarny on an adventure to reconnect the long-lost memories of a family.
When: February 9, 2016
Where:
XCOM 2
In XCOM 2, the roles have been reversed, and XCOM is now the invading force. They are hampered by limited resources and must constantly evade the alien threat in their new mobile headquarters. Players must use a combination of firepower and stealth-like tactics to help XCOM recruit soldiers and build a resistance network, while attempting to expose the evil alien agenda and save humanity.
When: February 5, 2016
Where:
We look back at how our predictions turned out in 2015 on Page 3…
Now, it is time to see how well our predictions played out a year ago. Let’s take a look at our most anticipated games for 2015 and how they turned out!
Bloodborne
87/100: “If you can get into its bloody, visceral and unforgiving rhythm, Bloodborne grabs and never lets go. Not until you’ve seen it all and triumphed over every abomination.” Bloodborne won our Best Gameplay and Best PS4 Exclusive categories during Game of the Year Awards 2015.
Evolve
68/100: “Evolve can be good fun. But between those moments of entertainment, the experience is often interrupted by unbalanced mechanics and matches that are over before they begin.”
Halo 5: Guardians
81/100: “Halo 5: Guardians marks a strong debut on Xbox One for the long running franchise, with great gameplay and solid multiplayer and in spite of a weak campaign.”
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
61/100: “Only saved by its incredible style and often intriguing storylines, Hotline Miami 2 is too riddled with poor design choices, gameplay issues and various bugs and glitches.”
Hyper Light Drifter
The game was delayed to 2016.
Just Cause 3
76/100: “Just Cause 3 is a big, messy, slightly-samey sandbox that excels at destructive physics experimentation and not much else. Good for unwinding, but gets old sooner rather than later.”
Killing Floor 2
The game continues development in Early Access program. Expected to release in 2016 for PC and PS4.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
86/100: “Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain offers an excellent gameplay and presentation package, and if not for a few weakness, it could have been one of the all-time bests. Instead, it’s just really, really good.”
Persona 5
The game is expected to release in 2016 for PS3 and PS4.
Tom Clancy’s The Division
The game is expected to release on March 8, 2016 – this marks the second time this multiplayer shooter has appeared on our Most Anticipated list!
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
The game is expected to release on April 26, 2016 – a delay from 2015 release window has pushed the action adventure title into this year’s Most Anticipated list for the second time.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
91/100: “The Witcher 3 is an incredible achievement by CD Projekt Red, with a huge world to explore, seemingly endless hand-crafted quests and a central story that holds the experience together marvelously.” The Witcher 3 also won our 2015 Game of the Year Award.
Thanks for reading!