The Settlers 2019
- Developer: Blue Byte
- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Platforms: PC
- Release: 2019
Ubisoft with the creator of the original entry to the franchise is back with a new installment to The Settlers. This is a strategy title that will play out similar to the eight past previous titles but with overall improvements to the visuals and mechanics. For instance, everything will play out in real-time which means you could watch your settlers work on an individual item from start to finish such as cutting down a tree and bringing to a storehouse. Visually, this installment looks to be more catered to making the world feel more alive while players can also expect plenty of action-packed battles when opposing factions come around.
Team Sonic Racing
- Developer: Sumo Digital
- Publisher: SEGA
- Platforms: PC, NS, PS4, XBO
- Release: May 21, 2019
Nintendo really set the bar high when it comes to kart racers thanks to the Mario Kart franchise. While Nintendo is doing well with their exclusive franchise, Sega has opened up the Sonic Racing series from the start in 2010 with Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. Essentially, this is very similar to the Mario Kart gameplay but instead of Mario and the cast of Nintendo characters, you’ll be trading them off for a cast from Sega’s line of video game titles along with tracks designed around their various IPs. This upcoming title will be similar to the previous two installments though developers, Sumo Digital, are hoping it stands out enough to be its own title when it launches into the market later this year.
One of the ways that Sumo Digital is making Team Sonic Racing different compared to previous installments is that they are dropping out all IPs outside of Sonic. Instead, the installment will solely be based around Sonic, the cast of characters within it, and likely memorable courses made from the franchise. Whether dropping the rest of the Sega line of IPs from the title will hurt the number of units sold for the game remains to be seen.
Yakuza Kiwami
- Developer: SEGA
- Publisher: SEGA
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, PC
- Release: February 19, 2019
You may have already enjoyed Yakuza Kiwami as it came out back in 2017 outside of Japan for the PlayStation 4 platform. Sega is bringing out a port of the PC platform this year which will potentially give players a chance to enjoy Yakuza for the very first time. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the game, Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of the first Yakuza title which originally released for the PlayStation 2. Without spoiling the story, players follow a former Yakuza member named Kazuma Kiryu who is framed for the murder of a high ranking Yakuza leader.
After doing a stint in prison, Kiryu is set out to pick up the pieces and learn of what actually happened to the former leader along with those who he cared about. This is a slightly open-world with optional quests and activities to partake in. Likewise, this game will set you up for Yakuza Kiwami 2 though as it stands right now, the game is only available on the PlayStation 4 platform.
Tropico 6
- Developer: Limbic Entertainment
- Publisher: Kalypso Media
- Platform: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: 2019
The Tropico series is well-known with the sixth main installment launching at some point this year. Players will handle the role of a political president that must bring his country through the hard times it’s currently in. With social unrest and a turmoil over the political outlook, maintaining order and bringing the country together will bring players a challenging task as they attempt to win the citizen’s favor. We know that players will be taking the role of El Presidente within the Caribbean island nation of Tropico where players will control the lands over the course of four eras. One of the new elements being introduced to the franchise is controlling an archipelago of islands where players can build bridges and connect the islands together. Likewise, AI will be tweaked even further which means that if players make a decision that is unfavorable to the citizens then that may cause a shift in productivity to even dealing with revolts.
Warcraft III: Reforged
- Developer: Blizzard Entertainment, Classic Games, Lemon Sky Studios
- Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
- Platforms: PC
- Release: 2019
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos released back in 2002 and now for fans who enjoyed the game when it initially released will get a chance to replay a newly revamped edition. This is a classic strategy title which is coming out in 2019 that will bring not only a visual improvement to the base game but also the expansion, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. This title is in good hands as its being taken care of by the team who put out StarCraft: Remastered and while the developers are looking to bring out a visually pleasing title, they will also bring out some new improvements. For instance, we know some mechanics and AI will be tweaked and that players can even expect new enemies. Likewise, there may also be a push to further connect the Warcraft franchise together with this title release which may be an undertaking due to the wide range of books and video game titles.
