What are the best upcoming games this year?
If you’re anything like us, you’re time is already stretched trying to play all the great games out right now… but it’s not slowing down any time soon. Hope, anticipation, agony, and elation (plus exhaustion) – the endless cycle of emotions we go through during the annual PC release schedule.
Year in, year out, games are produced in such varying degrees of quality that not a single one of them is destined for certain success. Some of the best PC games of all time are released alongside utter disasters, series are born while others dwindle, and occasionally a game actually lives up to our expectations. Below you’ll find all the
upcoming PC games
you should keep on your radar, and it’s wildly varied. There are horror games, racing games, story games, a sequel for one of the most popular fighting games series of all time, and all of their expected release dates.
Here are all the best upcoming PC games:
January game releases
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Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth – January 26
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Tekken 8 – January 26
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Yes, this is the third Like A Dragon game to come out in a calendar year, but as Infinite Wealth has Ichiban as the protagonist, this marks a return to the RPG mechanics introduced in Yakuza: Like A Dragon. So far, we’ve seen Ichiban sent on a mission to Hawaii to find his mother, only to be ambushed, stripped naked, and left unconscious on a beach with nothing to his name. A new job system helps refresh combat, along with the returning Poundmates summon system to call in reinforcements. Oh, and like every other Like A Dragon/Yakuza game, you can lose tons of time in many vastly different minigames.
Tekken 8
While we got a brief taste of Tekken 8 during the Closed Network Test, this barely scratched the surface of what’s to come in the latest of Bandai Namco’s premier fighting game series. With Heihatchi Mishima seemingly dead after the events of Tekken 7, the story continues with Jin Kazama seeking to end the tyranny of his devil-wielding father, Kazuya Mishima. Many familiar faces are in the Tekken 8 roster, along with at least one brand-new fighter. New modes are also plentiful, including a unique take on the classic arcade mode. Most importantly, however, we have confirmation that the best minigame, Tekken Ball, is returning. But that begs the question: will that mode be online compatible? We can only hope.
Tekken 8 release date: Friday, January 26, 2024
February game releases
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Persona 3 Reload – February 2
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Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League – February 2
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Tomb Raider Remastered – February 14
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Skull & Bones – February 16
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Homeworld 3 – March 8 2024
Persona 3 Reload
This may seem like an odd pick for a remake, but the version of Persona 3 that’s currently on PC is based on the PSP port that severely downgraded the visuals and simplified the navigation perhaps a bit too much. Persona 3 Reload looks to be more on par with the PlayStation 2 original in terms of its gameplay style but with some more modern tweaks first found in Persona 5. It’s the best of both worlds, and Persona 3 was the RPG that put the series on the map, so an updated and readily available version of this cult classic is an exciting prospect.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
We’ve been wondering what Batman Arkham developer Rocksteady has been up to for years, and now we finally have our answer: a Suicide Squad game. We can’t say it’s the game we were hoping for, but Rocksteady has done a terrific job with the Batman license, so we’re quietly confident. We know that the game features the late, great Kevin Conroy as Batman, too, so that’s reason enough to look forward to the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League release date.
Tomb Raider Remastered
During a recent Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that Lara Croft and her pointy boobs would be returning to a PC or console near you. Yes, Tomb Raider I-III is getting remastered and rereleased in 2024, and the great thing is that you have the option to toggle between the new graphics and the old ones at will to see just how far the game has come. Even better is that the new graphics are truly just a remaster of the old, so it still has that classic Tomb Raider feel to it, unlike some more modern Tomb Raider content.
Skull and Bones
Black Flag and For Honor meet for PvP sailing, piracy, and cannon-firing in Skull and Bones. With a familiar UI and control mechanism for anyone who’s played Assassin’s Creed’s sea-bound adventure, it’s no surprise that it’s garnered a following of fans since its announcement in 2017. Unfortunately, it’s been subject to continuous delays since then, but Ubisoft has now confirmed that the game is set to launch in February 2024.
Homeworld 3
Homeworld, the beloved series of real-time strategy games, is getting a long-awaited third installation. Homeworld 2 was released almost 18 years ago, but in recent years the positive reception to the Homeworld Remastered Collection and prequel Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak has encouraged publisher Gearbox and developer Blackbird Interactive to work on an official sequel. Expect more tiny ships gracefully swooping through the vastness of space and a “ballistics-style weapon system similar to Homeworld 1”.
March game releases
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Life by You – March 5
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Dragon’s Dogma 2 – March 22
Life by You
Even with the next The Sims game, Project Rene, under production, we couldn’t be more excited about the release of Sims-like Life by You. Incredibly similar to The Sims but seemingly more detailed with more customization options, Life by You could be a real rival for whatever Project Rene becomes. It’s also developed by Paradox Tectonic, whose parent publisher, Paradox Interactive, also published Cities Skylines, so the simulation game is in good company already.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
It’s been over a decade in the making, but Dragon’s Dogma 2 finally lets us step back into the boots of the Arisen. A pesky dragon’s only gone and stolen our heart, and it’s up to us to save the kingdom and slay the beast once and for all.
While we didn’t get to experience any of the plot in our Dragon’s Dogma 2 preview, we did get to grips with the combat, and quite literally so with the larger monsters as you climb on top of them to drive a sword into their skulls. The returning pawns back up the player with a mixture of ranged weapons, spells, and swift melee strikes to fell all kinds of beasts, from minotaurs to harpies. We even chased a griffon, which went as badly as one expects. Everything we’ve seen so far has been promising, and with a much-improved engine running the RPG game, it has every potential to be one of the best of 2024.
June game releases
-
Destiny 2 The Final Shape – June 4
Destiny 2 The Final Shape
The latest Destiny 2
expansion
takes us into the Pale Heart of The Traveler to confront The Witness, in a showdown that’s set to be as nostalgic as it is memorable. While The Final Shape may seem pretty, well, final, have no fear – Bungie has since confirmed that the
multiplayer
game is set to continue beyond the conclusion of the Light and Darkness saga. It also heralds the grand return of fan-favorite Cayde, just in time to close out the storyline.
Of course, these high-stakes story developments aren’t the only new additions to Destiny 2. New locations and enemies are sure to put your build to the test, though new supers and aspects for Destiny 2 classes are also inbound. Naturally, new Destiny 2 exotics join the loot tables to enhance the best Destiny 2 builds even further. The Final Shape also comes with a massive shake-up to the live service formula, as Bungie scraps the seasonal model in favor of an episodic format split into story acts. The events of The Final Shape are a decade in the making, so be sure to brush up on the Destiny 2 system requirements if you want to take part in the end of an era.
Game releases in 2024
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Frostpunk 2 – first half of 2024
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Stalker 2 – Q1 2024
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Poppy Playtime Chapter 3 – Early 2024
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FFXIV Dawntrail – Summer 2024
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WoW The War Within – Summer 2024
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Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines 2 – Fall 2024
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Hellblade 2 – 2024
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Classified France ’44 – 2024
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Star Wars Outlaws – 2024
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The Wolf Among Us 2 – 2024
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Avowed – 2024
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Earthless – 2024
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Zenless Zone Zero – 2024
Frostpunk 2
Following on from the BAFTA-nominated Frostpunk of 2018, one of the best survival games out there, we’re heading back into the storm for another attempt at surviving the apocalypse. Frostpunk 2 takes place in the same, last city standing in which we found ourselves in the original game, but, this time, things are changing. The age of steam has come and gone and the future lies in oil – naturally, this leads to newer, more terrifying threats than before.
Stalker 2
Nearly two decades since the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R, the horror sequel is finally on its way. Okay, we were expecting it in December
2023
, and that has now been pushed back to “Q1 2024”, but looking at the trailers and the official site’s proud discussion of its use of mo-cap and photogrammetry tech, it looks like Stalker 2 should be worth the wait. Take a look at our Stalker 2 release date guide for more details.
Poppy Playtime Chapter 3
In the third chapter of the horror puzzle game Poppy Playtime, we’re taken to Playcare, having crashed a train right outside the terrifying daycare center at the end of Chapter 2. All we know from the
trailer
is that there’s a new creature coming after us, but we have no idea how threatening it is just yet.
FFXIV Dawntrail
Dawntrail is the highly anticipated expansion of Final Fantasy XIV, set to take us across the ocean to Tural – an all-new continent full of new characters to meet and territories to explore. Between the harsh wilds of the mountain ranges and expansive forests lies the golden city of Tuliyollal, the royal seat of Gulool Ja Ja. We can expect to make our acquaintance with the Mamool leader as he ponders over his successor, and factions are drawn and divided into loyal allies and fierce rivals.
Story aside, two new playable FFXIV classes are inbound: the dual-wielding Viper and the painterly Pictomancer. Dawntrail also expands the existing roster of FFXIV races with the long-awaited female Hrothgar, along with additional Tribal Alliance quests, and of course, an increased level cap. The dawn of this latest FF14 expansion is just beginning to break, so check out our FFXIV leveling guide and catch up with the conclusion to Endwalker in the FF14 patch 6.55 release date.
FF14 Dawntrail release date: Summer 2024
WoW The War Within
First revealed during Blizzcon 2023,
World of Warcraft
: The War Within takes us into the subterranean world that lies below the land of Azeroth itself, where Xal’atath, The Harbinger of the Void, lies in wait. It’s also the long-forgotten seat of the Nerubian Empire – if you’ve got arachnophobia, be sure to turn back now. However, we won’t be consigned to the depths forever. We can also expect to explore the Isle of Dorn, the Earthern capital located just off the western shore of Pandaria. The Earthen also serve as The War Within’s new playable Allied race, available after completing their dedicated questline.
Naturally, a variety of new dungeons and raids are due to arrive with the expansion, though Blizzard is also expanding the MMORPG’s endgame with the introduction of Delves. This latest system consists of 13 self-contained adventures to retrieve rare treasure from underground vaults as part of the Dragonscale Expedition and can be completed either solo or as part of a group. New WoW talents, quests, and epic loot await, and that’s just scratching the surface – we haven’t even mentioned what’s going on with Anduin and Thrall.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
It’s been nearly 19 long years, but we finally have a sequel to the cult classic bloodsucker. The sequel takes us to Seattle, but the land of coffee and grunge has been given a coagulated coat of crimson as you unravel another rich mystery.
While the original is remembered fondly for its engrossing narrative, it remained rife with bugs and disappointing combat. Luckily, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2’s gameplay plunders immersive sims such as Dishonored 2 and Deus Ex to make its vampiric fisticuffs just as engaging as its story. Following a switch of developers, the release date has been pushed back, but we’re more than ready to sink our teeth in when it finally arrives.
Hellblade 2
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is a direct continuation of the eponymous Senua’s journey following the events of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. The troubled Pict warrior returns to overcome the darkness both within and without – but this time, she’s not alone. Senua has accrued a warrior tribe of her own, which she’s set to lead on a brutal journey to survive the desolate cold and folkloric horrors of Viking Iceland. BAFTA Games Award winner Melina Juergens reprises her role as Senua for the sequel, and familiar staples return, including the unnerving binaural whispers baked into Hellblade’s sound design.
Classified France ’44
Despite a fairly confident “2023” listed as the release date on the Classified France 44 Steam page, there is still no set date for the turn-based strategy game. Hopefully, it will see the light of day this year, especially since there is still regular communication on the game’s
Twitter/X profile
and plenty of new trailers and content released on a near-daily basis.
- Classified France ’44 release date: 2024
Star Wars Outlaws
Become a space outlaw in this open-world Ubisoft Star Wars game, which follows lead character Kay Vess on a mission to free herself from her fugitive status. Accompanied by the very classy android ND-5 and the adorable Nix, you’ll never be short of company in Star Wars Outlaws, which has been narrowed down for a release date sometime in 2024.
The Wolf Among Us 2
One of the more surprising updates from The Games Awards 2019 was the return of The Wolf Among Us 2. You can expect the same choice and consequence-style narrative experience of previous Telltale games. While the original trailer confidently boasted a 2023 release date, don’t expect The Wolf Among Us 2 anytime soon, as developer LCG Entertainment has hit the reset button.
-
The Wolf Among Us 2 release date: 2024
Avowed
We got our first proper glimpse of Avowed during the Xbox Games Showcase, and while everyone’s attention may have been on a Bethesda-developed space game, Obsidian’s fantasy RPG adventure has all the hallmarks of a fun romp across the Pillars of Eternity world. Will you use your magic powers and competent swordsmanship for good, or will you terrorize the land with evil intent? It may be a while until Elder Scrolls 6, so this is the next best thing, even if it’s not an open-world game.
Zenless Zone Zero
Though we expect Zenless Zone Zero to release sometime in 2024, this hasn’t been fully confirmed by HoyoVerse yet, so we’re keeping it in the ‘beyond’ section for now. That said, players are currently testing out the most recent ZZZ closed beta and getting to grips with the satisfying combat, unique dungeon-crawling similarities, and cute ZZZ Bangboos.
Earthless
A sci-fi, roguelike deckbuilder? Yes, please. Earthless is a unique deckbuilder in which your cards will help (or hinder) your journey through space on a mission to save mankind. The space game will be released into early access sometime in 2024, so if you want to be part of the Earthless development, you can
wishlist now
.
- Earthless release date: 2024
Game releases in 2025 and beyond
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Grand Theft Auto 6 – 2025
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Marvel’s Blade – TBC
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Silent Hill 2 – TBC
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XDefiant – TBC
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The Outer Worlds 2 – TBC
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The Sims 5/Project Rene – TBC
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The Elder Scrolls 6 – TBC
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Dragon Age 4 – TBC
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The Witcher 4 – TBC
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Haunted Chocolatier – TBC
Grand Theft Auto 6
The long and short of it is, while we’ve seen leaks of this hotly anticipated action game, we know next to nothing else about it for sure. We know it’s coming sometime between 2024 and 2025 and is likely to have a Vice City setting as well as two playable protagonists with a Bonnie and Clyde relationship, but that’s it. We’ll bring you more when the game is officially announced.
Marvel’s Blade
If you missed the glory days of Blade, back when Wesley Snipes portrayed the legendary Daywalker, you’re in luck as Arkane Lyon is bringing the series back. In this single-player game, players assume the role of Eric Brooks, the half-man, half-vampire who has no problem confronting problems head-on with his sword equipped. Blade is a third-person game, marking a big change from Arkane Lyon’s last games, Dishonored and Deathloop.
Silent Hill 2
We all know it, Silent Hill 2 is one of the best horror games of all time, and, as such, there has been some concern about rebooting the game in 2023, especially given that Bloober Team is behind the new release. That said, we enjoyed Layers of Fear, and we can’t wait to see
James
, Pyramid Head, and Silent Hill itself in their all-new, updated glory.
XDefiant
Ubisoft’s upcoming arena shooter will see 6v6 teams of ‘Defiants’ duke it out, using customized loadouts and powerful abilities unique to the ‘faction’ you choose. You can change your loadout each time you respawn to adapt to the fast-paced battles as they develop. Following recent beta tests, Ubisoft’s Mark Rubin released
a statement
on the delay of XDefiant, stating there is more work to do with compliance before the game passes the submission process. As such, he’s still keeping us waiting for a release date.
The Outer Worlds 2
Obsidian’s hit retro-futuristic roleplaying game is getting a sequel. The teaser trailer doesn’t tell us much, simply showing off exotic alien landscapes and futuristic combat, but its wry, self-aware voiceover tells us “the developers haven’t finished the [main character’s] design, or finished the story, or finished any gameplay that’s actually ready to show”. At least it’s honest.
The Sims 5/Project Rene
EA still hasn’t gone into great detail about how The Sims 5 will look, but in the Sims Summit video above, we did get a small glimpse of the early ideas following the Project Rene reveal. This “new era of The Sims” features more detail, more customizability, and a greater focus on community then ever before, and while there’s no set release date yet, we can’t wait to see what’s in store for The Sims.
The Elder Scrolls 6
Bethesda finished its E3 2018 conference in the best way possible by announcing the upcoming PC game we all wanted: The Elder Scrolls VI. With only a teaser trailer of some rocky hills, ruined castles, and coastlines to go on, we’re still waiting on a setting and a launch window.
With Starfield now in orbit, we can assume (from Todd Howard’s previous comments) that attention turns to Elder Scrolls 6 as the next Bethesda game to see the light of day. Just when that will be, though, is still a mystery.
Dragon Age 4
Otherwise known as Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, it should come as no surprise to long-time Dragon Age fans that Solas – the Dread Wolf himself – is set to return, in a new high fantasy adventure set after the events of Dragon Age Inquisition. While BioWare has remained tight-lipped on the development of Dragon Age 4 thus far, lead writer Patrick Weekes says that Dreadwolf’s story explores “what happens when you don’t have power” – a question that may have startling implications for Dreadwolf’s protagonist. Regardless, we can anticipate BioWare to deliver an expansive RPG complete with politics, romance, and elves. Lots of elves.
The Witcher 4
The Witcher 4 is slated to be the first installment of a brand-new saga, so there’s a high chance that it won’t actually be called The Witcher 4. However, CD Projekt Red’s official reveal includes a School of the Lynx medallion half-buried in snowIt’s possible that this brief tease is a nod to The Witcher 4’s protagonist, though the particulars are still unclear. While The Witcher 4 is likely years away, we can’t wait to experience the follow-up to one of the best PC games of all time.
Haunted Chocolatier
The next game from Stardew Valley developer Eric ‘Concerned Ape’ Barone has been announced, and it’s set in an enchanting fantasy town with plenty of spooky goings-on. It shares Stardew Valley’s charming pixel-art style, though the gameplay focuses on combat rather than farming. As the eponymous chocolatier, you’ll be tasked with fending off slimes to harvest ingredients for intricate chocolate creations, which you can sell and display in your own chocolate shop. There’ll also be plenty of characters to meet along the way, though relationships may play out slightly differently than in Stardew. Unfortunately, there’s been no further word on when we can expect to get our sticky hands on Barone’s upcoming game, but one thing’s for sure: the day we open our chocolate shop can’t come soon enough.
That’s a lot of games to get excited for – luckily, our anticipation levels are boundless already. I mean, there are life games, RPG games, pirate games, and so much more on this list. Of course, it’s tough to keep up with games as they come out, let alone remember the games we should save for. If you’re not looking to break the bank, we list the best free PC games you could be playing while you wait.
VIA:
.pcgamesn.com
