Horizon: Zero Dawn – 2016 (PS4)
From Guerilla Games (best known for the Killzone franchise) comes Horizon: Zero Dawn, an intriguing action role-playing game in which you play as Aloy, a hunter/archer, living in a post-apocalyptic land ruled by mechanized creatures. The game is set in a future 1,000 years from now, in which human civilization has long abandoned Earth since the uprising and dominance of robotic creatures. Horizon: Zero Dawn is still in development and we’ve still seen so little of it; but, with gameplay elements comparable to a mix of Assassin’s Creed and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, it’s hard not to get excited for this one. Horizone: Zero Dawn doesn’t yet have a release date, but is expected to be one of Sony’s blockbuster PS4 exclusives this year.
Honorable Mentions:
The Last Guardian – This game has been through one heck of an emotional rollercoaster when it comes to its development. At E3 in 2015, Sony confirmed that The Last Guardian is still in the works and coming to PlayStation 4. We don’t know when, but it’s on our radar.
Ni-Oh – Koei Tecmo announced that Ni-Oh will finally be released on PlayStation 4 in the west, but we’re not sure when exactly. Nonetheless, we’re excited for the dark, samurai-centric action RPG which shows glimpses of Dark Souls-like gameplay potential.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – April 26, 2016 (PS4)
As the fourth and final installment in the Uncharted series starring Nathan Drake, it’s hard not to be excited for this one (and a little emotional). Uncharted has been a staple on the PlayStation platform and Nathan Drake has become one of the console’s most iconic characters. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is said to be the “largest Uncharted game to date,” and based on what we’ve seen, Nathan Drake is going out with a bang. The Uncharted series is known for its wonderfully crafted storytelling, magnificent set pieces, and explosive action; it’s everything you could hope for in a blockbuster franchise. Naughty Dog looks to not only deliver another explosive thriller, but improve upon it with new gameplay mechanics and a heavier emphasis on multiplayer.
No Man’s Sky – June 2016 (PS4 and PC)
No Man’s Sky is easily the most intriguing game coming to PlayStation 4 next year, mostly because of its sheer size and mystery. The space exploration game throws you into the middle of a massive, procedurally generated open universe which features over 18 quintillion planets. From there, it’s up to you to explore, gathering materials and blueprints to upgrade your equipment and ship which ultimately allows you to travel deeper into the center of the galaxy. Why? Well, we don’t know why yet, but we’re eager to find out.
MLB 16: The Show – March 29, 2016 (PlayStation)
Sony gave us our first look at MLB 16: The Show during its PlayStation Experience. It was only a brief teaser, but enough to get us hyped for the upcoming season. Considered by many as the best baseball game franchise on the market, Sony looks to expand upon MLB 16: The Show’s already stellar gameplay and presentation with a slew of new features teased in the trailer above. If you’re a fan of baseball, this is the game you’re waiting for. MLB 16: The Show will release exclusively for PlayStation on March 29th.
Ratchet & Clank – April 12, 2016 (PS4)
Developed by the wonderful Insomniac Games alongside the major motion CG-animated picture coming to theaters in 2016, Ratchet & Clank is based on elements from the original PS2 game (of the same name). So what’s not to love? Based on the movie based on the game, Ratchet, Clank, Captain Qwark and new friends battle to save the Solana Galaxy from the evil Chairman Drek, while taking a deeper look at the characters’ origin stories.
Admittedly, 2015 was a rather weak year for PlayStation exclusives. But with the promise of an “unprecedented rush of big titles” coming to the PS4 in 2016, it’s hard not to get excited for the upcoming year. Granted, surprises still undoubtedly lie ahead, but even now we have quite a few already confirmed games to get hyped about. Keep in mind, the list that follows is only confirmed PlayStation console exclusives, meaning some are still coming to PC.
Street Fighter V – February 16, 2016 (PS4 and PC)
I’m not necessarily the biggest fighting game fan, but it’s hard not to get excited for a new installment in one of the genre’s best franchises. Street Fighter V boasts an impressive roster featuring series staples like Ryu, Ken, Chun Li, and M. Bison mixed with newcomers like Necalli and Laura Matsuda. From a gameplay standpoint, SFV features the EX gauge introduced in Street Fighter III, which builds as the player lands attacks and can be used to either power up a special move or perform Critical Arts. The game also removes Focus Attacks from Street Fighter IV, and instead introduces new “V-Gauge” abilities — V-Skills, V-Reversals, and V-Triggers. Street Fighter V is said to be console exclusive to PlayStation (forever), but will also be available on PC. Even better, the game will feature cross-platform play.
