Beat ‘em up video games, otherwise known as brawlers, have been popular for decades with some of the classic titles that really stood as a staple for the genre being Golden Axe and Streets of Rage. Since that early golden age of brawler titles, we’ve seen plenty of new entries that kept us button mashing at the wave of enemies heading our direction.
Check out the top upcoming beat ‘em up titles set to launch throughout 2017. Also, let us know what brawlers you’re looking forward to playing most by leaving a comment down below!
More upcoming video game lists of 2017:
- Top Upcoming First-Person Shooters of 2017
- Top Upcoming Third-Person Video Games of 2017
- Top Upcoming Open World Video Games of 2017
- Top Upcoming Platformers of 2017
- Top Upcoming Zombie Video Games of 2017
Gang Beasts
Developer: Boneloaf
Publisher: Double Fine Presents
Platforms: PC, PS4
Release Date: TBA 2017
Gang Beasts have already been played and shared online since 2014, thanks to the early access title, however, the full release is expected to launch in 2017. The video game is a local multiplayer beat ‘em up and a perfect one to enjoy as a party game.
Players will take the role of a colored humanoid figurine and battle against friends in a series of hazardous environments. Gameplay is easy to master and a bit more relaxed compared to titles such as the upcoming Tekken 7. If you have yet to enjoy the early access version of this game, do yourself a favor and mark down Gang Beasts as a title to watch for in 2017.
Street Warriors Online
Developer: Crazy Rocks Studios
Publisher: Crazy Rocks Studios
Platforms: PC
Release Date: TBA 2017
Street Warriors Online is an upcoming online brawler that will allow teams of eight players duke it out in a variety of game modes. Being an online focused game, there’s really not too many details we can really go through with the game.
There doesn’t appear to be any narrative to follow for players but instead will allow gamers to customize their character and level up as they progress through fights. The game is currently available for play as an early access title with developers allowing gamers to go through three different game modes which are skirmishes, conquest, and capture the bag.
Brawlout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97BDoEMyuks
Developer: Angry Mob Games
Publisher: Angry Mob Games
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Release Date: TBA 2017
Brawlout is an upcoming platform fighting title that plays out similar to the Super Smash Bros. series. The video game allows players to choose from a series of animal characters, each with their own unique abilities.
Again, much like the Super Smash Bros. series, players are tasked with battling friends on a small stage platform while attempting to score points by knocking the opposing players off the stage entirely.
Battlerite
Developer: Stunlock Studios
Publisher: Stunlock Studios
Platforms: PC
Release Date: TBA 2017
Battlerite, by developers Stunlock Studios, is considered a spiritual successor to Bloodline Champions. Players can expect an intense PvP team arena brawler with 2v2 or 3v3 battles. Because the battles consist of just a few players on each team, Battlerite makes for a perfect title to brawl through with friends.
Likewise, the game matches are relatively short lasting only about ten minutes allowing players to quickly complete a game and head to another match. While the official full release of Battlerite is expected at some point in 2017, gamers can try the title out right now through early access on Steam.
Way of the Passive Fists
Developer: Household Games Inc.
Publisher: Household Games Inc.
Platforms: PS4
Release Date: TBA 2017
Way of the Passive Fists is the first title to release under indie development studio Household Games Inc. The video game has players taking on the role of The Wanderer, a mysterious figure with an unknown origin.
What makes Way of the Passive Fists a bit more unique compared to other arcade-style brawlers is that players will not be button mashing their way through a flood of enemies. Instead, gameplay focuses mostly on the deflection and other defensive moves to counter attacks while defeating enemies. So far the game doesn’t have a specific release date set quite yet though it will be coming out on the PlayStation 4 next year, 2017.
Rivals of Aether
Developer: Dan Fornace
Publisher: Dan Fornace
Platforms: PC
Release Date: TBA 2017
Rivals of Aether, similar to Brawlout, is another platform type fighting brawler that resembles the Super Smash Bros. franchise. Players will brawl against each other in a platform while each character will have their own unique movements and powers.
Unlike Brawlout, Rivals of Aether focuses mostly on powers that surround fire, water, air, and Earth elements. Gamers can already give the game a go as an early access title on Steam while the official full release has yet to receive a release date.
Deformers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTLr0gQ9r4E
Developer: Ready at Dawn
Publisher: GameStop
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Release Date: TBA
From the creators of The Order: 1886, Ready at Dawn’s upcoming title will be a multiplayer brawler. The video game is known as Deformers and will have players taking on a squishy blob type character as they brawl against one another.
According to the development team, Deformers has been in development since they wrapped The Order: 1886. While we don’t know too much about the game at the moment, the gameplay looks similar to the Super Smash Bros. series mixed with Splatoon.
More upcoming video game lists of 2017:
