Oh, how time flies! The 2024 gaming year is almost over and we’ve seen numerous exciting releases already, but there’s still a lot to come in the final months ahead. It is, after all, the holiday quarter and publishers will be going all out as we head into December.
Here are some of the most interesting and most important games still to come. Not only might they achieve decent sales, but they might even end up being gaming highlights — so keep an eye on them!
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred
Blizzard Entertainment
Not a full-fledged game but important nonetheless: the Vessel of Hatred major expansion pack for Diablo IV will be releasing on October 8, expanding the game with a new region called Nahantu as well as an additional class called the Spiritborn.
It’ll also add some exciting new mechanics to the game, such as switching between different elements. The story of Diablo IV will also be expanded with another chapter that looks extremely exciting. The first trailer for the expansion rightly gave many gamers goosebumps.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Microsoft
A new Call of Duty is, of course, one of the biggest and most important releases of the year. Black Ops 6 will be releasing on October 25 and will once again offer an action-packed campaign, gripping shooter battles, and a fantastic zombie mode — a real feast for fans of the series.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Electronic Arts
The next installment in the Dragon Age series has been almost ten years in the making, and it’s finally arriving on October 31. Fans who have been itching since the big cliffhanger in Dragon Age: Inquisition will finally get the much-awaited resolution they’ve been waiting for.
This Dragon Age entry was originally called Dragon Age: Dreadwolf after the antagonist Dreadwolf. But while Dreadwolf will still play a major role, EA felt it was more important to emphasize the role of the Veilguard — our protagonist Rook and his companions, who are tasked with defending the fate of the world against evil forces.
The Veilguard excitingly takes us to Tevinter for the first time, a place that’s legendarily oozing with blood magic and slavery. The gameplay, on the other hand, looks much more action-packed than expected (to the chagrin of fans). We’re curious to see how the game will be received.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Microsoft
Bigger, farther, better: on November 19, Aerosoft will be releasing a new version of Microsoft Flight Simulator, the ultimate experience for flight simulation fans. Not only will we be able to experience the entire world in more aircraft with improved visuals, but we’ll also be able to climb out of the cockpit and walk around with our characters.
In addition, the 2024 version introduces new professions that further enhance the experience, and the game will be playable on weaker hardware thanks to cloud-based worldbuilding.
Anyone who already owns Microsoft Flight Simulator can carry over all their purchased content into the sequel, meaning almost nothing stands in the way of a successful release.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
IDG
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has had an eventful history and numerous postponements. However, the developers aren’t to blame — they’ve been working on this project with a lot of passion for several years, only to be hit hard by the war in Ukraine.
Nevertheless, Stalker 2 is still set to release this year on November 20. The game will take us back to the radioactive zone around Chornobyl with a hard-hitting role-playing experience where you don’t level up and instead progress solely by exploring the game world.
For fans of the first Stalker game, this should be just the right kind of challenge. However, we hope the release won’t suffer from any serious technical problems, given how much the devs have endured.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Bethesda
A new Indiana Jones game? With next-gen graphics and an adventurous story? Developed by Bethesda? Bring it on! That’s what many of us thought when Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was first announced, and it’s finally releasing on December 9.
Not only do we get to control Indy through a new adventure, but we can also wield a whip in proper style to fend off enemies and solve puzzles. For fans of the films and fans of great action-adventure games, this one should be a real highlight this year.
InZOI
Krafton
Fans of life-sim games probably already know of InZOI, but in case you haven’t heard of it: InZOI promises to give The Sims 4 a run for its money.
Not only does it offer beautiful graphics, an extensive character creator, and lots of exciting ideas, the base game will also have many features that are currently only available as add-ons for The Sims.
InZOI may just offer the best bang for your buck as far as life-sims go, and it’s high time that The Sims had some serious competition. South Korean developer Krafton seems well on their way with this title.
No specific release date has been given for InZOI yet, but the publisher recently stated that it should at least be launched in Early Access by the end of the year. Our fingers are crossed!
Konami
Last but not least, we have the remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 that’s expected to come out this year as Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Although no exact release date has been given, the game looked pretty good in its first gameplay videos, so it shouldn’t be far away.
In this remake, we once again slip into the skin of Agent Snake, who’s on a secret mission and sneaks through levels using camouflage, disguises, and other stealth tactics. With Unreal Engine 5, the graphics are better than ever and gameplay should be fun for fans and newcomers alike.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Ubisoft
What if Assassin’s Creed went to Japan? It’s a long-cherished dream for many series fans, and it’s finally happening with Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Though it was originally due for a November 15 release, Ubisoft recently just postponed it to February 11, 2025.
In this entry, we’ll be able to roam Japan as stealthy shinobi and assassinate enemies from the shadows while also dealing out direct combat as powerful samurai. Which of the two protagonists will you play? It’s entirely up to you.
The setting combined with the freedom of play and the beautiful, atmospheric game world could make Assassin’s Creed Shadows one of the most memorable spin-offs in the series.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
