Top Upcoming Action-Adventure Video Games of 2018

Note: This article was updated in August of 2018.

2018 is nearly upon us and it’s about time we start marking down some of the best upcoming video games slated to launch during the new year. We’re seeing plenty of amazing titles slated or hopefully expected to launch at some point in 2018 and in this particular list, we’re going to go over the top upcoming action-adventure video game titles of 2018. Check out our picks down below and let us know if we missed a title that should be added in by dropping us a comment!

Without further ado, here’s our picks for the top action-adventure titles of 2018.

Find More Upcoming 2018 Video Game Lists on Gameranx:

Far Cry 5

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release: March 27, 2018
Platforms: PS4, XBO, PC

Far Cry 5 takes place within the United States of America this time around, though more specifically, in a fictional Hope County, Montana.

Within the narrative, Far Cry 5 pins players against Joseph Seed, a leader of a cult who has forced his way into controlling Hope County. As more innocent civilians become trapped and forced into submission under Joseph Seed’s rule, only a handful of resistance stands between Seed and his reign.

Just as before, players can expect the title to deliver as a first-person shooter in an open world environment to explore either on foot or through vehicles.

Sea of Thieves

Developer: Rare
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Platforms: PC, XBO
Release: March 20, 2018

Sea of Thieves is all about being a pirate with a crew. Scavenge for treasure, loot islands, take to the open sea, and battle against other crews that are unfortunate enough to come across your pathway.

The game has also been supported with new expansion and updates where developers have added new threats into the seas and regions to explore such as a volcanic island with the Forsaken Shores. This will likely be a title that will be supported for quite some time though its the player interactions which the game really blossoms.

A Way Out

Developer: Hazelight Studios
Publisher: EA Originals
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Release: March 23, 2018

A Way Out is an action-adventure journey from Hazelight Studios. This will be the second video game to be directed by Josef Fares who you may be familiar with from his previous title, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.

This is a unique action-adventure video game as it will require two players with the display being split-screen regardless of playing the video game locally or through online. All-in-all, the narrative is based around two prisoners who must survive and escape their incarceration. Their stories will be told simultaneously and while one character may be in a cutscene, the other will be able to freely move and execute their tasks.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Developer: Rockstar Studios
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Platforms: PS4, XBO
Release: October 26, 2018

Rockstar Games has crafted up a number of incredible pieces of work. Their beloved long-running series Grand Theft Auto, the single IP release of Bully, and of course their old western series, Red Dead Redemption just to name a few. Red Dead Redemption has a massive following and gamers all over the world are undoubtedly waiting for new information to trickle down from Rockstar for their upcoming installment, Red Dead Redemption 2.

Just as before we expect Red Dead Redemption 2 to be a thrilling video game full of action. Players take on the role of Arthur who is part of a gang that’s on the constant run from the law. Most of the West has started to change leaving it tough for outlaws to make it very long in this new world.

We’re likely to see plenty of quests that will take players throughout the open world though we’re still actively waiting to hear just what the in-game world will provide for players.

Vampyr

Developer: Dontnod Entertainment
Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Release: June 5, 2018

Dontnod Entertainment has crafted up some popular titles so far. Their debut title Remember Me sparked the highly beloved Life is Strange IP. Following up the release of Life is Strange is Vampyr, a vastly different IP than what the developers have worked.

Vampyr takes place during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic in London where players take the role of a doctor Jonathan Reid. Our protagonist is in a predicament as he is a vampire with a bloodthirsty nature, but is battling his condition with his Hippocratic Oath. Being an action role-playing title, players can traverse parts of the world while also leveling up Jonathan in order to unlock new abilities and skills through the skill tree.

God of War

Developer: SIE Santa Monica Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PS4
Release: April 20, 2018

What can we say about God of War that you probably are not already fully aware of? The video game franchise got its start back in the days of the PlayStation 2 and is still going strong today. However, this upcoming title, in particular, is more of a soft reboot to the franchise.

If you’re familiar with the past installments, this time around Kratos has ended his time with Greek mythology and has moved onto Norse mythology. Likewise, Kratos will not be alone anymore as he will be looking over his son named Atreus, preparing him for the real world after the recent passing of his mother.

Adding a son to the mix and an older Kratos will certainly change some aspects that we’re familiar with in the God of War franchise. Kratos will have to control his rage while he teaches his son vital life lessons.

Spider-Man

Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PS4
Release: September 7, 2018

Spider-Man is an upcoming video game title under developers Insomniac Games who are previously known for their Ratchet & Clank and Resistance video game franchises. Their latest upcoming title will breathe some new life into the Spider-Man story as this video game title will not be linked to any past comic books or cinematic movies.

Furthermore, we’re not going through some origin story of Spider-Man, instead, the video game will be focused around Peter Parker, eight years after he has established the role of being the famed hero. From what we know so far, this is an open-world title where the narrative will follow Peter Parker graduating college while keeping up as protector of New York City.

The video game will also give players the ability to go through the narrative as not only Spider-Man but as the civilian Peter Parker character as well. From what we know from so far through trailers released, Spider-Man’s main antagonist will be Mister Negative, who turns out to be Martin Li, one of New York’s prominent philanthropist and owner of the F.E.A.S.T. shelters that Aunt May works at.

Shadow of the Colossus

Developer: SCE Japan Studio, Bluepoint Games, Inc.
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms: PS4
Release: February 6, 2018

Shadow of the Colossus is an iconic title, one of which that originally released back in 2005 for the PlayStation 2. Overall, players take on the role of a young man named Wander who has entered into a forbidden land. Your overall goal in the video game is rather straightforward, players must track down and fight these massive creatures known as Colossi in order to restore the life of a girl named Mono. This title has since seen a release on the PlayStation 3 and now PlayStation 4.

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life

Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Platforms: PS4
Release: April 17, 2018

For those familiar with the Yakuza series, the seventh main installment of the series is slated to launch worldwide in April of this year. Of course, if you’re unfamiliar with the series, you may want to go back and play through some of the past installments as Yakuza 6: The Song of Life picks up the story from the previous game.

The game has already released in Japan where it has received a positive reception. Gamers can still expect a brawler type gameplay set in an open world environment. Players will step into the shoes of Kazuma Kiryu once again who is on a mission to learn what has happened to Haruka after being locked away for three years.

Left Alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fufUeHvQU0c

Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PC, PS4
Release: 2018

Left Alive from development studio Square Enix is an upcoming survival action shooter and there are already gamers online suggesting that this could be the next Metal Gear Solid franchise. Not too many details are available with the upcoming title other than that players will be taking the role of three different protagonists.

It seems that these protagonists are set to tell the story of human survival during the war-torn Novo Slava in 2127. Players will be able to engage in gun battles or go into a more stealth approach by using your wit.

As you progress through the narrative, it seems that there will be a series of choices available that will give big consequences to the storyline. Currently, the game is slated to launch at some point this year.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PS4, PC, XBO
Release: September 14, 2018

Within the upcoming installment, players will find Lara Croft will pick things back up after the events of Rise of the Tomb Raider. So far we know that the game will follow Lara as she attempts to stop a Mayan apocalypse though the antagonist organization Trinity believes they can wield the power in order to reshape the world.

Much like the previous installments as well, Lara will have to use not only stealth but force as she battles against Trinity’s guards. There is of course wildlife lurking within the jungles, puzzles to solve and resources to gather in order to craft previous materials.

We also expect a deep narrative much like the previous two installments. Being that this seems to be a video game with a bit more dark undertone it will be interesting to see how Lara is affected by the end of her journey.

The game series mostly sways players to use stealth, but during Lara’s adventures there have been known to be quite a few explosive battles and quick time events that left us on the edge of our seat.

Defector

Developer: Twisted Pixel
Publisher: Oculus
Platforms: PC Oculus Rift
Release: 2018

Defector is a VR title that puts players in the role of a super spy agent who must complete the objective by any means necessary.

From what we can tell, the game will play similarly to a James Bond film, where gamers must carefully talk their way through a narrative and take out the henchmen that get in the way. We’re eager to hear more about this game as it looks to potentially be a big hit when it launches later this year.

Fallout 76

Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Release: November 14, 2018

Fallout 76 is the latest upcoming installment to the Fallout franchise though it will be quite a bit different in comparison to past main installments. Bethesda has developed Fallout 76 to be an online multiplayer title that takes place before previous Fallout games.

Within the game, players take on a member from Vault 76 where their goal is to help rebuild the wasteland when the vault opens twenty-five years after the nuclear war. While this is still an action RPG, the gameplay is centered on building up and maintaining settlements.

For instance, when players have managed to build up a base, they will have to defend it from the mutated monsters both old and new along with other hostile players. The ongoing fight to keep your sanctuary settlement safe is bound to bring in some tense action-packed moments. Add in the heavy arsenal of weaponry from the Fallout franchise is known for and we expect some very explosive battles.

Unfortunately, the game doesn’t really have a story element attached to it. Instead, the adventure you’ll be embarking will be of your creation. However, there is audio recording to be found and a giant open world to wander both while fighting off hostile creatures and players alike.

Just Cause 4

Developer: Avalanche Studios
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Release: December 4, 2018

Get ready to jump back into the boots of Rico Rodriguez. Just Cause 4 is coming out this holiday season and as always players will be following Rico who is dealing with a new antagonist group in the South American country called Solis.

From what we know so far about Just Cause 4 is that Rico is going against a paramilitary group known as the Black Hand. This installment is actually slated to unveil the mysterious history of Rico, but you’ll also find that the Black Hand isn’t the only hostility that Rico will have to endure before he is able to learn of his past.

Solis is not only home of conflict and oppression but also severe weather conditions. As such, players will need to prepare to use the wingsuit to soar through the skies while avoiding lightning storms and massive tornadoes.

Battlefield V

Developer: EA DICE
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Release: October 19, 2018

Battlefield V is the latest upcoming installment to the Battlefield franchise which will follow after the previous release, Battlefield 1. This time around, EA Dice is focusing their storyline with World War II as players embark on yet another war-torn journey. Unfortunately, not too many details have been released yet for the game, though from the trailers released it seems that we’ll still have the war stories style campaign much like how EA DICE developed Battlefield 1.

Multiplayer is also still a major component with Battlefield V and it will receive even more new expansive game modes. Also, the game will include a battle royale style mode which doesn’t come to much surprise due to the success other titles have been receiving with battle royale.

What may be the most popular aspect leading up to the release of Battlefield V is the fact that the game has no premium pass or paid expansions which means that everyone will gain access to the content released after launch.

The war stories making a return will give plenty of action-packed moments for players who wish to go through the campaign. Unfortunately, we are still waiting to hear more about the various stories and characters we’ll be battling as or alongside with. However, Battlefield 1 gave a nice action-adventure campaign to go alongside with the multiplayer game mode, even though the campaign may have been a bit short.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Developers: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Release: October 5, 2018

Assassin’s Creed will have a new installment this year with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. The video game is set in 431 BCE where players will have the choice of being a mercenary that fights for Athens and the Delian League or the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta. Either way, players will be a descendant of Spartan King Leonidas I during the Peloponnesian War.

Much like the previous Assassin’s Creed installments, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey will feature a modern day protagonist as well. Ubisoft will be reintroducing players to Layla Hassan who was present during Assassin’s Creed Origins.

Developers over at Ubisoft seems to also be working more on an RPG progressive system in this upcoming title which ranges from dialogue choices to a skill tree that can help in aspects such as stealth and combat.

The adventures Ubisoft tends to take players within the Assassin’s Creed franchise have been full of moments where players are fighting with their backs against the wall. Now with this installment featuring more RPG elements, we’re sure players will be able to really craft their protagonist to be prepared for large battles while venturing through Greece. Additionally, with the ability to steer the story in a direction of your choice, there’s bound to be plenty of tough consequences your mercenary will have to endure either directly within the in-game story or as a side mission.