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    Console games we’re looking forward to in 2016

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    While the year 2015 was simply amazing for gamers, 2016 is looking to shine even brighter. And as such the crew here wanted to get out in front of the upcoming titles and list the games they are looking forward to the most. From fighters, to racing games, rpg’s, action-adventure and much more. Here are the titles that we’re looking forward to that will release in 2016, for the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3. And if you’re looking for the games we’re looking forward to on the PC, rest assured it’s coming as we’re also huge PC gamers as well.

    But let’s get through the upcoming games for the consoles first! And as always, there’s always going to be a game or two that didn’t make the list, but not that it’s not something we’re looking forward but more along the lines of there’s no definite release date or details are still scarce.  

    And if missed a game that you think should have made the list, be sure to drop us a line in the comments below. 

    Keith: Capcom's latest installment of the Street Fighter series, Street Fighter V changes up introducing characters that fans have been asking about for quite some time, changing how previous characters played and included new game-play mechanics. Being developed for both the casual and hardcore fighting gaming fan alike, SFV will have more in-depth online abilities such as running tournaments and more.

    After playing several of the Street Fighter V betas, I'm happy to say that Capcom is definitely in the right direction, however some of those changes have upset the fighting game community. Time will only tell how the title is received when it releases on February 2016 for the PlayStation 4 and PC.
    Mark: I got into Uncharted way too late. Shortly after Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception released in 2011, I picked up the first two games for PS3 and knew not of the adventure I was about to embark upon. The witty protagonists, remarkable setpieces, and enjoyable gameplay are things that have stuck with me since my first playthrough. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End does not only look to be continuing that spectacle, but surpassing it. Every demo we've seen has blown my expectations far and away, and I can't wait to see what Naughty Dog has in store for us. This series is very much is like playing an Indiana Jones video game, but I doubt it'll be another Crystal Skull.

    Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is scheduled to release for PS4 on March 18, 2016.
    Clinton: The sequel to the widely successful Project X Zone, Project X Zone 2 brings the familiar gameplay style to a new storyline, with some new faces, including Nick and Maya from the Ace Attorney series, Axel from Bare Knuckle, Kagemaru from Virtua Fighter and more. Characters from the Capcom, Sega and Bandai Namco universes must band together to save the world from a new threat this time around, and they're bound to find themselves in some interesting spots along the way.

    While Project X Zone 2 has already been released for the Nintendo 3DS in Japan, the title is slated for a North American release in February 2016.

    Clinton: Sony Santa Monica's annual baseball series continues with MLB 16 The Show, and I've never been more excited. Not much is known about what's to come in the newest game in the long running series, however, if MLB 15's success is any indication, there's definitely some good things coming. Also, with year-to-year saves from MLB 15 to MLB 16, you can continue your quest for the National Baseball Hall of Fame across games!

    MLB 16 the Show should be making its way to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 April of 2016.

    Keith: While I would have preferred a sequel to EA's and Dice's hit title, Mirror's Edge, a reboot works just as well. Mirror's Edge Catalyst let's gamers take on the role of Faith Conners, as she users her parkour skills to run, jump and evade enemies as she attempts to complete her missions. And while EA has been pretty quiet about the title and has been hush-hush as of late, there's no doubt that fans of the original title are looking at Mirror's Edge Catalyst very closely. 

    Built on EA's latest game engine, Frost Bite 3, Mirror's Edge Catalyst should look amazing and play just as well. Though I'd love to know a little more about her story, well other than it's just a reboot. And hopefully EA won't pull any of their "Always online" crap, like they did for their recent Need for Speed titles. Seriously EA, don't do that.

    Mirror's Edge Catalyst releases for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on May 24, 2016.

    Keith: While Gears of War 4 is the follow-up to Gears of War 3, there is much else know about the title story-wise. Now that Marcus has avenged the world and his fallen friend, is he even going to be in the next title? What's more, is Gears of War 4 going to include the same split-screen action that the Gears series is known for? And who are these new people that we say in the only available video of Gears of War 4? Where's Braid, where's the Cole Train? What the heck is going on? I guess we'll all have to wait and see.

    Sadly this will also be the first time that a Gears of War title will not be available on the Xbox 360, so if you want to check it out you're going to need to upgrade to an Xbox One this time around.

    Gears of War 4 is slated for a December 2016 release date on the Xbox One. Yep, we have a long long wait in front of us.

    Carlos: Fans of Star Fox have been eagerly awaiting a release on the Wii and were sadly disappointed as no title eventually surfaced on the system. Nintendo however is making up for that mistake with the release of Star Fox Zero for the Wii U. Fox McCloud and his ragtag team of fighters are looking mighty impressive this time around, which is definitely in part to Nintendo partnering up with Platinum Games to make this the best Star Fox yet. Yes, even better than their previous Namco collab created venture.

    New vehicles, new adventures, a rock solid 60 frames per second, total and complete action, and with Platinum Games at the helm, how could this game go wrong?  Sadly we'll have to wait a little longer as the game has also been delayed well into 2016, as Platinum Games wants this to live up to it's standards (Sorry Korra). Wii U owners, if there's any game that can turn your frowns upside down, it's time one.

    Look for Star Fox Zero to grace the Wii U sometime in 2016!

    Keith: While this isn't the anticipated Gran Turimso 7 that PlayStation 4 owners have been waiting on, it is the first attempt from Polyphony to show the world what they can do with the PlayStation 4 hardware. While not exactly a prologue, Gran Turismo Sport is a racing game that puts it's entire focus on online racing with three different modes: Campaign, Sports Mode and Arcade Mode. 

    Gamers will be able to compete in multiple online championships, Gran Turismo Sport just may be the racing stop game that Gran Turismo fans have been waiting for and hopefully this will tide them over under Gran Turismo 7.

    Gran Turismo Sport releases in 2016, there is no exact release date as of yet.

     

    Keith: If I said I was a fan of Dark Souls, that would be a huge understatement. As someone who's logged over 600+ hours on Dark Souls 2 between the Xbox 360 and PC versions, I can't even begin to start on how much I can't wait to play Dark Souls 3. It's bigger, new items, new spells, new game-play mechanics (Battle arts) and possibly some closure to the ongoing story, FROMSOFTWARE is looking to make Dark Souls 3 perhaps the best game in the series. 

    And yes, I'm including both Demon's Souls and Bloodborne in there as well. Dying over and over? That's child's play, but figuring out the bosses attack patterns, toppling PVP invaders and not going completely insane while doing it. Now that is a challenge, one I can't wait for.

    Dark Souls 3 releases on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on April 12 2016.

    Keith: The next chapter in the rebooted Deus Ex saga, you play as Adam Jensen. The reluctant protagonist who met with a unfortunate accident and now sports some of the latest advancements in technology. Last time around you saved the world in Deus Ex Human Revolution, however the chain of events that were to follow were the after-mass of that game. You now live in a whole where mankind is divided; pure humans and those with cybernetic enhancements, and now some organization is playing both sides in an attempt to cause complete and total chaos.

    And it looks like that plan is working! 

    As a fan of the original Deus Ex titles, I fully enjoyed Human Revolution due to the shear amount of options and play-styles that game presented. And now Deus Ex: Mankind Divided looks to keep the momentum going, based on all the footage and talk surrounding the game. It's even gotten it's developer, Eidos Montreal, to but a huge delay on the title so they can make it as good.. scratch that, even better than its prequel. And it better be, because unlike Jensen, I totally asked for this!

    Deus Ex: Mankind Divided releases in August 2016 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
    William: Oh man, what not to expect from Persona 5? A new Persona entry for the current generation and how it looks already?  Can't wait to see how can we can become essentially Lupin the 3rd and be a thief. Along with its improved mechanics of dashing and sneaking in the dungeons, I want to see more of the combat and the new personas they added. Also the social links! Any romance? Any forbidden love from thief to police officer?

    After playing Persona 4 Dancing All Night, I can't wait to see the god figure we face next! Cmon ATLUS! Give us some more information please!

    Persona 5 was originally set for a 2015 release date, however has been delayed to an TBA Summer 2016 release date.

    Mark: I remember when I was a teenager and the Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy series was announced in 2006. I also remember being constantly disappointed year after year as Final Fantasy Versus XIII, the action-RPG in the subseries led by Tetsuya Nomura (of Kingdom Hearts fame) was notably absent from Square-Enix's repertoire. I had almost given up hope until 2013, when after an entire console generation had passed by, the game was re-revealed as Final Fantasy XV. With a practically confirmed release of 2016, this is a game I've been waiting on for 10 years. The demo included with Type-0 already sold me. Don't disappoint me anymore, Square.

    Final Fantasy XV is supposed to be arriving on PS4 and Xbox One sometime in 2016.
    Karl: The HD remaster of Resident Evil Remaster (redundant I know) is one of those must have games for any Resident Evil fan. Also included is the new Resident Evil Zero HD edition, a better looking and playing version of the Gamecube exclusive title, something not every Resident Evil fan has played. Frankly, if you're not buying this title, then you're dead to me.

    Resident Evil Origins releases on January 19 2015 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
    Keith: Announced during the 2015 Tokyo Game Show, Project Setsuna's trailer showed off plenty of turn-based combat game-play, some images and well that's about it. Short of knowing that the game is being developed by Tokyo RPG Factory, not much else is known about the title.But damn if it didn't have that old school JRPG vibe, similar to games such as Chrono Trigger, Dragon Quest and even Final Fantasy. Can't wait to see what happens with this title as I haven't played a RPG quite like Chrono Trigger in quite some time.

    Project Setsuna is slated for a 2016 release for the PlayStation 4 and PS Vita.
    Mark: I love Killzone 2. It, surprisingly, may be one of my favorite first person shooters, but I felt its sequel to lack guidance, and Shadow Fall to be underwhelming. Developer Guerrilla Games had been stuck on Killzone for too long, and it was starting to show. Thankfully, Horizon Zero Dawn looks nothing like Killzone. Gone are the drab warzones and assault rifles, replaced by lush, colorful environments and bows with a variety of ammunition. This is a game about a girl kicking robot-dinosaur ass. What's not to be excited about?

    Horizon Zero Dawn is expected to release sometime in 2016.
    Keith Mitchell profile image

    Keith has been a fan of geek culture and video games ever since his father gifted him his first gaming console many decades ago and has used this love of for the genres to start The Outerhaven. Keith keeps follows on the ongoings of videogames, anime, comics and technology, and while he has been writing about these topics for the past 14 years, he has been a gamer and tech guy for 30 years. In case you haven't noticed, You can find him on Twitter or you can contact him via email: Keith@theouterhaven.net