With the end of 2016 narrowly upon us and as we all say goodbye to one of the most turbulent years in recent memory, it is time to look forward to a new year. As we pop our $3.00 bottles of J. Roget from the corner store, we must also look ahead at what 2017 has on-deck for our most precious hobby. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic year for gaming in general, but for those of us who love role-playing games, we have even more to look forward to in the upcoming 365 days.
Here is a look at the most anticipated RPGs being released in 2017.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Publisher: Larian Studios
Developer: Larian Studios
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 2017
Currently in early access on Steam and receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews from users, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is the follow-up to Larian Studios’ 2014 hit. The series returns with its rich, tactical turn-based combat complete with a beautiful new world for players to explore and shape. Original Sin 2 also boasts “pen & paper freedom,” meaning that players can overcome a situation in just about any way they can dream up. Couple that with four-player drop-in co-op and I’m sold. I can’t recommend anyone purchase the early access version of the game, but when the full retail copy drops in 2017, it will definitely be worth taking a look at.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft San Francisco South Park Digital Studios
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: 2017
The sequel to Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s 2014 South Park: The Stick of Truth, South Park: The Fractured But Whole takes us on a new journey into the world of superheroes. While South Park: The Stick of Truth was developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the development reigns have been handed over to Ubisoft San Francisco for the sequel. Fear not, however, as the original South Park creators are back at the writing desk for this adventure. Originally slated for a Q4 2016 release, the game was pushed to 2017 because Ubisoft wanted to ensure it “meets the high expectations of fans.” The original was incredibly entertaining but had an overly simplistic combat mechanic that hindered its replayability. If Ubisoft fixes that and Matt Stone and Trey Parker deliver with the jokes, South Park: The Fractured But Whole could be an instant classic.
Horizon: Zero Dawn
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Developer: Guerilla Games
Platforms: PS4
Release Date: February 28, 2017
As the only original IP on this list and being one of Sony’s two major show-stoppers at this year’s E3 (let’s hope this one delivers better than No Man’s Sky), Horizon: Zero Dawn is easily one of the most anticipated games being released in 2017. Horizon’s story revolves around Aloy, a denizen of a post-apocalyptic world that has been overrun by robots after a mysterious “darkness” overcame the land. As she sets out to discover the secrets of the lush, robot-ridden world, she will have to utilize all of her abilities. Using her bow, stealth and melee weapons, Aloy is able to bring down robotic behemoths many times her size. The game looks beautiful and if it is as exciting as the E3 demo, it is sure to be a massive hit.
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: BioWare
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: Q1 2017
Mass Effect has solidified itself as not only one of the most beloved game franchises of the last decade, but also as having one of the richest sci-fi universes ever created. While many fans were a bit disappointed with the finale of the original trilogy, BioWare is back with a new cast of characters with new missions in an entirely different galaxy set 100 years after the original series. Although players can expect many similar gameplay elements from the first three games, BioWare has restructured their class system. Players will no longer need to choose a class at the beginning of the game and the fluid skill point system will allow players to reallocate their skill points at any time to experiment with different abilities without having to start the game over from the beginning. If the most recent gameplay trailer is any indication, Mass Effect: Andromeda is shaping up to be one of the best games for this coming year.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EPD
Platforms: Wii U, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 2017
Do I need to say anything about this game at all? Zelda. Done. Though, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will offer much more freedom than any of the childhood Zelda game you remember. This is the first title in the franchise to have a completely open-world. Nintendo has created a Hyrule that is twelve times bigger than the land mass of Twilight Princess and they have given Link the ability to climb up, glide over or cook and eat just about anything in the world. Nintendo rarely misses the mark with a Zelda title and if I were a betting man, I would put odds on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild selling a ton of Switch consoles when it releases in 2017.