Author: dpugh007

With 2019 right around the corner, we’ve polled GameSpot’s staff to find out what games they are looking forward to most in the new year. To be eligible, a game must simply have a release date currently planned for 2019. Of course, we all know nothing is set in stone; there’s always a chance some games could slip into 2020. When you’re done reading this entry, follow along with all of our other end-of-the-year coverage collected in our Best of 2018 hub.

Kingdom Hearts 3 is set to conclude the Dark Seeker saga, a story that began with the original Kingdom Hearts way back in 2002. Kingdom Hearts 2, the last numbered entry, came in 2005. Over the past 13 years, the series has seen numerous spin-offs across multiple console and handheld generations, and the story has only gotten bigger and more complicated. Kingdom Hearts 3 has the unenviable task of wrapping up 16 years of lore, and for that reason, I cannot wait to play it.

This will be the first time our Avengers-esque team of heroes is fully assembled. Childhood friends Sora, Riku, and Kairi; Keyblade trainees Aqua, Terra, and Ventus; and even Mickey Mouse himself are gathering for a final battle against Xehanort. And if those names mean nothing to you, you can see why over a decade of games has made the lore a bit convoluted.

It’s not just the conclusion of a story that has me excited for Kingdom Hearts 3, though. We’ll be revisiting fan-favorite Disney worlds like Pirates of the Caribbean’s Port Royale and Winnie the Pooh’s 100 Acre Wood, and we’ll also be exploring a host of never-before-seen levels. We’ve seen worlds inspired by Frozen, Tangled, Toy Story, Big Hero 6, and Monsters Inc., and each one gives our heroes a new look and set of special attacks.

Speaking of which, combat has a few new hooks in Kingdom Hearts 3 as well. You can run up walls a la Dream Drop Distance, and Sora can even summon Disney theme park rides like Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Spinning Tea Cups to deal heavy damage to the Heartless horde. This is on top of unique weapon transformations based on the Disney world you’re currently in. I’ve enjoyed Kingdom Hearts’ fusion of real-time combat and menu-based spellcasting in the past, and based on my time playing the Toy Story and Hercules stages at E3 2018, I’ll add that it feels better than ever.

That show was the last time we went hands-on with Kingdom Hearts 3, but we’ll get a chance to experience the whole adventure on PS4 and Xbox One on January 29, 2019. If it’s the complete saga you’re after, you can grab Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far and experience the entire franchise. And if you’d rather spend far less time getting hyped for the new one, you can enjoy the game’s opening song, courtesy of Skrillex and the returning Utada Hikaru.

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I’ve been a bit of a slow convert to From Software’s work throughout the years. While I’m still learning to love Dark Souls, Bloodborne remains an all-time favorite of mine and the first (and only) game from the studio that I ever beat. Its moody gothic setting and speedy tactical combat resonated with me more than the slower, more defensive Dark Souls. But it seems the studio’s latest, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, just might dethrone Bloodborne for me in 2019.

I won’t lie to you, I’m a big fan of feudal Japan as a setting, so you can imagine why the mere sight of Sekiro has me excited. I can’t wait to experience From Software’s fantastical interpretation of Sengoku-era Japan, as well as see how it chooses to reimagine both history and myth. In addition, the premise of playing as a nameless shinobi with a weaponized prosthetic arm seeking to save his lord and get revenge appeals to me in its resemblance to ancient Japanese myths and legends.

Similar to Dark Souls and Bloodborne, Sekiro challenges you to make repeated runs through dungeons packed with fierce enemies and hidden traps. But what I find alluring about Sekiro is how it appears familiar but totally reevaluates all the mechanics you generally associate with From Software games. Absent are many of the RPG elements you’d expect, such as character creation, classes, and equipment upgrades. Instead, Sekiro is an entirely new experience set apart from the studio’s previous work that emphasizes action, stealth, and platforming.

It’s thrilling to see your progotanist use a grappling hook to string together acrobatic jumps from one ledge to the next. The emphasis on split-second attack deflection and hit-and-run assaults in combat is refreshing and exciting. Sneaking around and stabbing foes while their guard is down provides variety to your modes of attack. And then there’s the new resurrection mechanic where you can purposefully die to trick enemies, and return when their backs are turned to inflict a lethal surprise strike. There’s a bold confidence in the new mechanics From Software introduces in Sekiro, displaying a willingness from the studio to step away from its near-decade-old Soulsborne formula.

Not much more has been revealed about Sekiro since its most recent showcase at Tokyo Game Show 2018. One of the most notable news stories to come out about the project was the fact that it started life as a Tenchu game, From Software’s long-dormant stealth-action ninja series. This fact alone was more than enough to seal my interest in Sekiro, as I have many fond memories playing Tenchu in the early 2000s. Regardless, more news is bound to come in the new year–likely once we get closer to the game’s March 22 launch.

For a brief rundown on everything there is to know about Sekiro, be sure to read our feature highlighting all the essential details.

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Ever since its reveal back at E3 2018, Devil May Cry 5 has continually impressed me with every new trailer and detail we learn about it. Sure, it’s sticking close to the classic formula of battling legions of demons with gloriously over the top and somewhat impractical weapons, but Capcom’s action game series has always been in a class of its own when it comes to high-flying, stylish combat. This all works thanks to its likeable cast of characters, including lead protagonist Dante and his familiar devil-may-care attitude that’s just too fun to roll your eyes at. That sort of confidence in its identity, even after all these years, is something I’ve always loved about the series, and Devil May Cry 5 certainly aims to make up for lost time by offering the most refined and visually stunning outing yet.

Of course, fans who’ve been keeping up with the series will no doubt notice the obvious elephant in the room when looking at this game. Ninja Theory’s 2013 reboot, DmC: Devil May Cry, was a valiant effort that offered an interesting twist on the DMC mythos, but Capcom decided that there’s still more to be said with the original series. Though DmC is among my personal favorites–and I wish more players would give it a fair shake–there is something rather special about seeing classic Devil May Cry back in action, especially when many of the trailers and playables demo show that it hasn’t missed a beat since its hiatus.

With three playable characters in Devil May Cry 5–Dante, Nero, and newcomer V–and a larger campaign that can bring them all together for co-op gameplay, the next game will be upping the ante in a more extravagant way. It’s also especially satisfying to see that DMC5 has taken several cues from the stylish and modern flair that Ninja Theory brought to the series. This is most apparent with the return of dynamic battle themes that ramp up based on performance topped off with the slick slow-mo finishes to the end of an intense clash.

One of the things I’ve been really enjoying from our early looks at Devil May Cry 5 is that it seems to be keenly aware of its place in the series. Directly referencing the original games, the anime and manga, and even acknowledging the black sheep Devil May Cry 2 in some form–the next entry is aiming to be the title that brings many of the events and characters from past games full-circle. It all seems fitting for Capcom’s next stylish-action game to look back on its lineage as a whole, as it plans to finish the main story of the Sparda saga. Whether it’ll close things proper, or if it’ll lead into the next phase of the series remains to be seen, but Devil May Cry 5 will no doubt revel in the time it has–and it’ll definitely look good while doing it.

If you’re in need of a refresher with what’s new in DMC5, check out our feature on everything we know about the game so far.

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