That nagging sensation of something being too good to be true is a common frustration, particularly prevalent in the world of video games. With an overwhelming number of titles released each year, it is almost inevitable to encounter the disappointment that arises when games fall short of their lofty promotional promises. As a dedicated gamer, I have navigated through a fair share of unmet expectations myself.
From indie games that promise to innovate gameplay to AAA titles that stumble early in development, there are myriad reasons to approach certain upcoming releases with skepticism, especially when they seem overshadowed by excessive hype. If you share my apprehensions regarding the potential letdowns of highly anticipated games, I invite you to explore this curated list of ten upcoming games that seem almost too good to be true.
10 Marvel’s Blade
A History of Disappointments
Marvel’s Blade is a title shrouded in mystery, with scant details available apart from its connection to the Blade franchise and its development under Arkane Studios. This lack of information adds to my hesitance, placing this title at the bottom of my list, even though it triggers my greatest concerns.
Given Arkane’s recent checkered history with releases like Redfall and Wolfenstein: Youngblood, it seems that the studio’s reputation hinges on this project. Despite my faith in their creative prowess, evidenced by their remarkable stealth games, the thought of underperformance lingers in my mind.
Once more concrete promotional material is released for Marvel’s Blade, I hope to reassess my outlook on its potential and perhaps elevate it on my list. Ideally, I would love to feel confident enough to remove my doubts altogether.
9 Dark Dreams
I Won’t Believe It Until I See It
When it comes to trust, my faith lies heavily with New Blood Interactive, renowned for titles like ULTRAKILL and Gloomwood. All signs indicate that their upcoming game, Tenebris Somnia, will excel, provoking plenty of sleepless nights with its promised thrills.
However, I harbor concerns surrounding the integration of pixel art and live action, an intersection that poses unique challenges. Still, the concept is enticing enough that, even if the end product disappoints, I would eagerly engage with it. My faith in Tenebris Somnia remains strong, and I’m willing to extend it some grace, should it fall short of my lofty expectations.
8 The Sinking City 2
The Child of Problems
Given the myriad of legal disputes between Frogwares and Nacon over the intellectual property, the mere existence of The Sinking City 2 feels surreal. I was a fan of the original title, which I believe is an underappreciated adaptation of Lovecraftian lore.
While I didn’t feel a sequel was necessary, I am curious about how they will elevate their remarkable first installment. Although I celebrate Frogwares’ decision to carry on the franchise, anticipation for The Sinking City 2 is coupled with reserved apprehension, even though the reveal trailer was quite impressive.
7 Styx: Blades of Greed
An Unexpected Third Entry
Regrettably, I find myself as the sole fan of Styx among my peers, leaving me without anyone to vocalize my concerns regarding Styx: Blades of Greed. After enjoying the original game, I was somewhat underwhelmed by its sequel, which makes me cautious about the upcoming third installment.
While I wholeheartedly advocate for the resurgence of stealth games, a genre that has been notably dormant, the latest promises of freedom in this entry suggest it may attempt too much. Regardless, the series has historically struggled with success, and I was surprised by the announcement of a third installment. I had given up hope for this adventure’s continuation.
Currently, we have only seen a cinematic trailer featuring our goblin protagonist, a promising visual that raises my expectations, albeit with trepidation regarding how innovative the gameplay mechanics will be. Nonetheless, I plan on purchasing Styx: Blades of Greed on launch day.
6 Rue Valley
In the Absence of Disco Elysium
The fallout surrounding the creators of ZA/UM and their opus, Disco Elysium, felt devastating. The unrealized sequel remains my most significant “what if”in gaming. In its wake, Rue Valley appears to strive to fill a gap I suspect is impossible to cover.
Each moment of its demo radiates with unique narrative and aesthetic flair, reminiscent of Detective Du Bois’ journey. As such, my enthusiasm spikes with any fresh update regarding the project. I genuinely believe Rue Valley will live up to the lofty expectations I have, yet there’s a looming challenge: competing with the void left by this century’s defining RPG, which could prove perilous for its reception.
5 Phantom Blade Zero
Carrying the Chinese Baton
The success of Black Myth: Wukong has catalyzed the emergence of the Chinese AAA single-player market, introducing a host of exciting projects set to captivate Western audiences. One of the most anticipated titles making this leap is Phantom Blade Zero, a game that has continually mesmerized me through its stunning gameplay trailers.
It’s hard to wrap my head around how such visually spectacular and fluid combat could seamlessly materialize from a developer outside the mainstream action genre, but Game Science has proved doubters wrong before with their work on Monkey King.
I carry high hopes that Phantom Blade Zero will introduce players to a new facet of the Eastern gaming landscape, despite the skepticism that always comes with expectations for a title that looks this magnificent.
4 Crowsworn
Silksong’s No-longer-Replacement
|
Developer |
Mongoose Rodeo |
|---|---|
|
Platforms |
PC, Consoles (Potentially) |
|
Release Date |
TBA |
It’s ironic that I began following Crowsworn in anticipation of easing the wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong, only to find that it closely resembles Team Cherry’s masterpiece, albeit a lesser version. As time progresses, the game becomes increasingly refined, yet it dodges any semblance of a solid release schedule, which is deeply concerning because indications reveal it may excel.
Its visuals and gameplay evoke the spirit of Hollow Knight, creating a double-edged sword situation; while the homage is commendable, matching the standards set by the genre’s reigning title is challenging.
3 Judas
BioShock’s Hesitant Spiritual Successor
Judas emerges from the fascinating irony of Ken Levine’s departure from Irrational Games aiming to evoke new experiences beyond BioShock, only to craft a game that mirrors its predecessor’s tone. My excitement for Judas largely stems from the stellar team behind it and the character’s unique perspective on breaking free from BioShock’s shadow.
While I acknowledge that comparisons to BioShock will be inevitable due to the stylistic similarities, it’s essential to recognize Judas as an independent narrative. Its trailers have genuinely enthralled me, presenting a distinct artistic identity while capitalizing on elements reminiscent of Rapture and Columbia. It’s been over a decade since we’ve seen something like this, which incites both anticipation and concern.
2 Lost Soul Aside
A Long Decade in the Making
Only true industry veterans recall the unveiling of Lost Soul Aside more than ten years ago. Initially part of the China Hero Project, it stood out as the most promising addition. Unfortunately, many titles in that initiative were shelved, but Lost Soul Aside has persevered and will see a release, which I had previously doubted.
Yang Bing’s solo journey in developing this ARPG has enthralled me throughout the years. I am continually captivated by his work, accompanied by an undertone of concern regarding its protracted development. A project of such extended duration often faces significant hurdles historically.
Nonetheless, after a decade of wondering if this game would remain merely a striking vision, I now anticipate its release with hopeful anticipation that Lost Soul Aside can indeed fulfill the dreams of my younger self.
1 Darksiders 4
The Hype Rider
Throughout my gaming journey, I have often hailed the Darksiders series as one of the best trilogies in gaming, frequently considering it an underrated gem. Understandably, I am elated at the reveal of Darksiders 4.
The prospect of concluding this saga, which began in 2010 and has weathered various commercial and creative trials, feels like a miracle. Yet, the announcement that all Horsemen of the Apocalypse will be playable tempers my enthusiasm. It seemed ambitious to combine four distinct protagonists in this fourth chapter.
Considering Gunfire Games struggled to balance Fury’s character in Darksiders 3, I fear attempting to integrate multiple heroes could lead to issues in gameplay execution. While I celebrate the return of this beloved franchise, I am aware that Darksiders 4 has an immense responsibility ahead, making me question its potential success. Regardless, my faith lies with the studio, and I pledge to support them, hoping to look back at this article in years to come and marvel at how misplaced my worries were.
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