The Most Anticipated 2016 Video Games

Gamers who love horror have seen some fantastic releases over the last few years, and this year looks very promising. Out of the long list of upcoming 2016 video games, these twelve really captured my attention and several got my heart racing. Whether you’re more of a casual or hardcore gamer, there is definitely something for everyone!

The Peterson Case (PC, VR, Xbox One)

Set near Roswell, New Mexico in the 1940s, The Peterson family has vanished and players must search for clues in their abandoned house. The Peterson Case obviously leans more towards a horror adventure, but early details look promising for edge-of-your-seat thrills. Players who enjoy mystery, aliens, and puzzles should keep an eye on this one.

The Dark Inside Me (PC)

From the twisted mind of Turkish filmmaker Akçay Karaazmak comes a third-person point & click psychological horror game, The Dark Inside Me. After awakening handcuffed to a hospital bed, you must find a way to escape and piece together what has happened to you. The game will not be for the weak of heart, which is why I didn’t post the graphic trailer. But, if you’re up for it, I definitely recommend looking it up. The dramatic storyline will involve violence, nudity, sex, and gore. The intense look has me excited to see how it plays out.

Perception (PC)

Headed by Bill Gardner (who worked on a little title called Bioshock), The Deep End Games brings this unique first-person narrative of a blind girl, Cassie, investigating an abandoned mansion. She uses her heightened senses, echolocation, and a couple of tools to help her find clues as to why she is dreaming about the house. The high contrast visuals look stunning and are sure to lead to some heart-racing moments. Although the initial launch will be via Steam, the team is hoping to add more consoles later.

Last Year (PC)

In this multiplayer-only game, five players assume the role of survivors, who are stereotypical teens from horror flicks. They have specific abilities based on their character, which they use together to try and survive. The killer is controlled by a sixth player and tries to hunt down every last teen. Inspired by campy slashers, the game uses familiar settings and horror clichés. I can’t wait to see what locations and killers are chosen!

Syndrome (OR, PC, PS4, Xbox One)

Bigmoon Entertainment is looking to give players the nostalgic feels with their space survival horror, Syndrome. After waking from cryosleep as the lone survivor in an empty ship, you search the ship and realize something horrible has taken place. Although this is clearly inspired by sci-fi films such as Alien, the enemies you find aren’t extraterrestrial, but robotic. I’m not entirely sold on the bots, but I’m a sucker for a good space horror, so it is definitely on my radar.

Narcosis (OR, PC)

Some of the most horrific situations in fiction are derived from reality, such as suffocating, drowning, psychosis, and loneliness. Soon-to-be released Narcosis looks to take advantage of all those fears. Stranded at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, players must find a way to surface before the situation leaves you void of sanity and, eventually, oxygen.  Considering that the trailer brought a tightness to my chest, I can only imagine what the Oculus Rift experience would be like.

We Happy Few (Linux, OS X, PC, Xbox One)

There are some amazing 2016 video games to look forward to, but one that I am most excited about is We Happy Few. Set in a retro-futuristic 1960s in the town of Wellington Wells, England, everyone takes a pill called Joy that helps them be happy and forget their troubles. The town residents are all super cheery and wear creepy masks to show it. Anyone who doesn’t take Joy is referred to as a Downer and gets beat to a bloody pulp. Players assume the role of a Downer trying to escape the happily violent and addicted city. Thanks to a massively successful Kickstarter campaign, there will be extra features, such as a sandbox mode. I’ve been watching the growth of We Happy Few and can’t wait for the release.

Allison Road (Linux, OS X, PC)

Deemed the “spiritual successor” to the amazing playable trailer (P.T.) for the now cancelled Silent Hills, Allison Road has stirred up quite a bit of hype. The main character awakens in a disheveled house with memory loss and begins to explore the house and surroundings. There hasn’t been a ton of detail released, but it will be a good old-fashioned supernatural horror. Hopefully Allison Road helps make up for the massive disappointment with the Silent Hills cancellation. No pressure, though. Although the initial launch is PC, the developers are hoping to have future console releases.

Dead Island 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

As the third main installment in the Dead Island series, Dead Island 2 takes place months after the events in the first two games. Now set in California, players will explore the open-world territory and face down enemies, both living and dead. The game will bring the gameplay elements fans are already familiar with, but add new weapons to craft and crazy characters. The first games were a bit lacking, but Dead Island 2 looks very promising and may give us the DI game we’ve been wanting.

Outlast 2 (Linux, OS X, PC, PS4, Xbox One)

When I think of intense, sweat-inducing games, Outlast is one of the first to cross my mind. Released in 2013, the game is now getting an indirect sequel that takes place at the same time, but with different characters and settings. Plot details haven’t been released, but if it is anything like its predecessor, expect a lot of running, hiding, and dying.

The Walking Dead: Season 3 (Android, Kindle Fire HDX, Mac OS X/iOS, Ouya, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Telltale Games does an amazing job at combining in-depth stories with gut-wrenching decision making, and The Walking Dead is no exception. As one of the most highly anticipated 2016 video games this year, the development team has kept quiet on details, including which characters would be featured. However, Telltale Games CEO Kevin Bruner has revealed that the game will go in an unexpected direction and tie storylines together.

Friday the 13th: The Game (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

Out of all of the 2016 video games on this list, there’s no doubt that horror gamers are clamoring for this one. Fans have been drooling over any piece of news that comes out about Friday the 13th: The Game, including yours truly. This anticipation helped the game publisher, Gun Media, hit their $700,000 fundraising goal on Kickstarter, and then some. They are going for a mature rating, which is crucial for a franchise that is all about sex, boobs, and bloody kills. Let’s hope the game lives up to the high expectations.

 

The majority of the listed games are set for release towards the end of this year. However, gamers are all too familiar with delays in the industry, and even cancellations. Hopefully we see these 2016 video games come to fruition because there are definitely some exciting things in the works. Which game are you most looking forward to in 2016? Let us know in comments here or on Facebook!