After genre-defining hits like Baldur’s Gate 3, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Modern Warfare 3 raised the bar sky-high in 2023, plenty of major publishers are setting expectations high for 2024 with a slate of big-budget titles on the horizon.
While delays are always inevitable, over the next 12 months we can expect to enjoy over a dozen hotly-anticipated new Triple A games. We’ve rounded up 11 of the top upcoming AAA games that you can add to your gaming calendar for 2024.
HELLDIVERS 2
HELLDIVERS 2 is the sequel to the popular top-down shooter HELLDIVERS, bringing more intense tactical combat action to PC. Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by PlayStation PC, the game transports players to a distant future where humanity battles endless alien threats.
The story continues the efforts of the HELLDIVERS, elite soldiers defending Super Earth and humanity across the galaxy. Players must work together, strategizing and using a vast arsenal, to complete critical missions on enemy-occupied planets.
Players employ tactical awareness to overcome adversaries and make the most of their loadouts. There is a strong emphasis on co-op, with friends seamlessly dropping in and out of the action.
There is also friendly fire, which can add to the chaotic and unpredictable nature of encounters. Features include procedurally-generated levels, upgradable weapons/stratagems and a rewarding progression system, and of course, plenty of satire and comedic dialogue.
HELLDIVERS 2 launches on Steam on February 8th for PC. There is also a deluxe Super Citizen Edition with bonus content.
Destiny 2 – The Final Shape
Bungie’s Destiny 2 will conclude its epic sci-fi saga with its final expansion, The Final Shape. This content drop will wrap up The Light and Darkness storyline that has spanned years and multiple games. Players can expect answers to Destiny’s deepest mysteries and an explosive culmination of events set in motion from the very first game.
The Final Shape will feature new missions, locations, weapons and more as players experience the climax of the ideological war between the Traveler and the pyramids. Marketing material promises that formidable characters from Destiny’s past will make appearances. The expansion will also introduce new allies and enemies as Guardians fight for the fate of their universe.
The trademark Destiny gameplay, combining powerful abilities and futuristic weapons, has been promised and hopefully will deliver for long time fans of the game.
The Final Shape launches on June 4th for Xbox, PlayStation, Steam and the Epic Games Store.
The Division Heartland
Tom Clancy’s The Division Heartland is a new free-to-play multiplayer survival shooter set in a fictional rural town in the American Heartland. Players take on the role of Division agents sent to investigate a crisis-stricken community called Silver Creek.
The storyline has players uncovering the mysteries behind what has happened in this rural area while completing missions and facing threats from contamination, enemy factions, and other squads at night. Gameplay involves both PvE and PvP modes as players battle to survive against the elements and rivals.
Features include six distinct classes of Division agents, each with their own unique skills. The game promises a rich setting focused on exploration, investigation, and dynamic combat.
Tom Clancy’s The Division Heartland is in development by Ubisoft and will be available on PC, Xbox and Playstation. The release date hasn’t been announced but is expected to be sometime this year.
Skull and Bones
Ubisoft’s highly-anticipated pirate RPG Skull and Bones launches on February 16th. This multiplayer naval combat adventure allows you to take command of your own pirate ship and plunder the rich trading routes of the Indian Ocean.
In Skull and Bones, you’ll recruit and customize your crew, upgrade deadly weapons like cannons and mortars, and engage in epic battles with merchant ships and other players. The expansive open world is yours for the taking through acts of piracy, smuggling stolen goods, or forming alliances and betraying rival pirate crews. Your legend will grow as you seize control of ports and establish your own pirate haven.
Once you reach max level, the endgame introduces new challenges like battling legendary pirate lords and competing against other pirate hideouts. Each new season brings additional endgame content to conquer, including new locations, world events, enemy ships manned by real players, and exclusive legendary ships and gear to earn. Expand your pirate empire by any means necessary!
Skull and Bones sets sail on February 16th for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via the Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Store. Subscribers of Ubisoft+ can embark on their piracy adventure early on February 13th.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is the sequel to 2017’s critically acclaimed game Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. The game is set in the brutal and unforgiving land of Viking Iceland and continues the story of Celtic warrior Senua.
Still haunted by darkness and voices from her past, Senua must embark on a merciless journey of survival against the odds.
In Hellblade II, players will experience Senua’s battle against new monsters and unworldly threats as she pushes herself to the extremes.
The gameplay promises to build on the previous game’s intense melee combat and deep character-driven storytelling. Developers Ninja Theory aim to leverage cutting edge performance capture and audio technology to further enhance the game’s realism and immersive qualities.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is being created exclusively for Xbox Series X/S and PC on Steam and will launch on the 21st May this year.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
After many years in development and a few heartbreaking delays, GSC Game World’s S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl will finally be released in September this year.
The game is part of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series and will throw players back into the dangerous Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.
Players take on the role of a stalker exploring the Zone and dealing with deadly anomalies, mutants, and faction wars. The non-linear story promises multiple paths and endings based on the choices players make to determine their fate.
Gameplay blends first-person shooter combat with horror and immersive simulation across a vast open world. Key features include advanced AI with the A-Life 2.0 system, dynamic weather, day-night cycle, radiation effects, sleeping, hunger, bleeding and other survival mechanics.
Developed using photogrammetry and 3D scanning for realistic graphics, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 aims to be the most immersive game in the cult franchise yet. Mod support and multiplayer are planned post-launch.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is set for release on September 6, 2024 for PC on Steam and Xbox Series X/S.
FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail
FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail will be the latest expansion pack for the massive MMORPG FINAL FANTASY XIV Online. The expansion will bring players to the new areas of Tural, Urqopacha, and Yak T’el to encounter new threats and tribes like the Pelupelu.
The story will follow the next chapter after Endwalker, introducing new plotlines and challenges. Players must defend the land from new enemies and explore the regions for answers.
Gameplay in Dawntrail focuses heavily on battle content like FATEs, Hunts, Treasure Hunts and Sidequests. The level cap is now 100, with new jobs, dungeons, raids, crafting recipes and upgraded PvP. Key features include new Alliance Raids, variant dungeons, and an increased focus on lifestyle content.
Developed and published by Square Enix for PC, FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail will release in Summer this year.
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
Staying with Final Fantasy, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is the next entry in Square Enix’s remake of the classic PS1 game FINAL FANTASY VII. Serving as the second part in a trilogy retelling the story, REBIRTH continues the breathtaking reimagining of the FINAL FANTASY VII universe.
In REBIRTH, Cloud Strife and his allies embark on a journey to the Forgotten Capital in pursuit of their nemesis – the fallen hero Sephiroth. Players can expect the story to further unfold, revealing more about the fate of their planet as Sephiroth attempts to exert control.
Gameplay and features remain faithful to the original while making use of cutting-edge technology. Developer Square Enix has rebuilt the game from the ground up to take advantage of next-gen consoles.
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH will launch February 29th, 2024 as a PlayStation exclusive. Pre-orders are available now. This highly anticipated title lets nostalgic fans relive an iconic story updated for a modern age while opening the experience up to new players.
Call of Duty 2024
The next installment in the blockbuster Call of Duty series is expected to release in October or November this year. We have little to no official information about this title, however there are some rumors flying around that are worth noting.
Early reports indicate the game could be set during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu or the Iraq War in the early 2000s. The campaign mode may feature an open-world environment, similar to the Far Cry games, enabling players to freely explore and fast travel.
Gameplay is rumored to include the return of Treyarch’s acclaimed round-based Zombies mode, a staple that has been absent from recent Call of Duty titles. The cooperative multiplayer experience pits players against endless hordes of the undead in a fight for survival.
We may expect more concrete information, such as official confirmation of the release date, setting, story premise and gameplay features in the next few months and we’ll keep you posted. For everything else MW3 related, check out our featured Call of Duty game page.
Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars Outlaws is the first ever open world Star Wars game from Ubisoft, set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Players take on the role of Kay Vess, a scoundrel looking for freedom who finds herself taking on jobs from the galaxy’s crime syndicates.
The story follows Kay and her companion Nix as they explore distinct planets across the galaxy, taking on high stakes missions to earn their keep.
Gameplay involves fighting, stealing and outwitting across bustling cities, cantinas and outdoor landscapes with the goal of joining the galaxy’s most wanted. Players can approach missions stealthily with gadgets or go in blasters blazing. They can also pilot their ship The Trailblazer in intense dogfights against the Empire.
Features include distinct planets to explore, missions to take on, choices in gameplay approach, and ship combat. As players take bigger risks they stand to reap greater rewards. Developers at Ubisoft are aiming to capture the essence of Star Wars while creating new stories.
Recent rumors suggest that Star Wars Outlaws might be released sometime in May this year, however it’s a safe bet to say it’ll be launched sometime in the first half of 2024. The game will be available on Xbox, PlayStation and PC.
Avowed
Avowed is a highly anticipated upcoming fantasy RPG developed by acclaimed studio Obsidian Entertainment, known for titles like Pillars of Eternity and Fallout: New Vegas. Avowed utilizes a first-person perspective to immerse players in its rich world.
Players will take on the role of an envoy investigating a dangerous plague spreading across the island of the Living Lands. This mysterious locale is filled with wondrous environments and creatures to discover. Player choices will shape the tale as they uncover the secrets behind the plague.
Avowed promises visceral real-time combat with a variety of options, allowing players to blend magic, melee weapons, firearms, and shields. The game also features companion characters with specialized abilities to aid you on your journey. Players can explore the diverse regions of the Living Lands and interact with its unique inhabitants and ecosystems.
The game is in development exclusively for Xbox Series X/S and PC on Steam. The release date for Avowed is yet to be announced but the game is expected in Fall this year.
