State of Decay caught quite a few gamers by surprise back in 2013. Few people had ever heard of the title prior to its release, and those that had probably didn't expect it to be the fairly unique take on open-world zombie apocalypse action that it was.

While almost everyone that played State of Decay was caught off-guard by its quality, the sequel will likely not enjoy such an advantage. In order to replicate State of Decay's surprising success, developer Undead Labs is going to have to pull out all the stops for State of Decay 2. Fortunately, it sounds like that's exactly what they have in mind.

Here's everything we know about State of Decay 2:

State of Decay 2 Release Date

State of Decay 2 is coming in Spring 2018. The game will arrive for XBO and PC.

State of Decay 2 Trailer

Here's the first trailer for State of Decay 2:

State of Decay 2 Details

In a blog post on the State of Decay 2 website, Undead Labs outlines some of the ways they hope to improve the original experience by expanding the size of the game's maps. Yes, that's maps as in more than one. According to this latest update, State of Decay 2 will launch with three separate maps that are all "roughly the size of the original."

So what do Undead Labs plan to do with all that new space for activities? Well, the developer wants to make players feel like they are "moving from one small town to another" in order to create a greater sense of immersion in the overall world. The studio also hopes that this expanded overall game size will eliminate some of the repetitiveness of the original's late game by removing the constant need to engage in the same series of missions. 

Undead Labs also alludes to future expansions by stating that, "the multiple map set up makes it easy to expand the world down the line, if you know what I mean."

The developer also suggests that you'll be able to transfer your survivors and resources between maps but seem hesitant to confirm the specifics of this set-up at present. It will be interesting to see how this new set-up affects the story and progression structure of the original game. Will you be able to explore these areas from the start? Will each map feature unique resources and survivors?

Of course, we'll have the answer to all of these questions when State of Decay 2 launches in 2018. 

It was widely rumored that indie hit Ori and the Blind Forest's sequel would be revealed at E3 2017. Well, this is one rumor that we're happy to report was absolutely true. 

Ori's debut kicked off when the game's composer took the stage and played a beautiful track that is seemingly from the sequel's soundtrack. The trailer itself was an atmospheric and wordless affair that showcased the game's beautiful art style.

As for gameplay details, we're still waiting to hear what Will of the Wisps will actually offer. However, unless developer Moon Studios is making a huge departure from the original title, you can likely expect this game to carry on the original's Metroidvania style. That means large levels that you'll have to explore multiple times while taking advantage of newfound abilities that allow you to access previously blocked areas. 

One thing that did seem clear in the trailer is that the story will once again play off of the power of relationships. We see a lonely owl who is presumably one of the game's protagonists mourning next to a statue of two older birds while Ori comforts him. That, combined with the wild storm going on in the background, certainly invokes memories of the way the original title toyed with gamer's emotions via the exploration of friendship in a dying world. 

We can't wait to share more about this game with you as more information becomes available. Here's everything else know:

Ori and the Will of the Wisps Trailer

Here is the first trailer for Ori and the Will of the Wisps:

Ori and the Will of the Wisps Release Date

At the moment, however, Ori and the Will of the Wisps does not have a release date.

Many hailed Shadow of the Colossus as the greatest game ever made upon its 2005 release for PlayStation 2. The game focused on a young adventurer who must slay a slew of ancient beasts in order to save the life of a loved one. Shadow of the Colossus' art design, story beats, large world setting, and involved boss battles made it an instant classic. 

Now, that classic is being remade as a PlayStation 4 experience. The one thing we can say with certainty is that this PS4 remake of Shadow of the Colossus figures to be the game that will test the technological limits of the PS4 and PS4 Pro. 

Here's the latest from Shadow of the Colossus:

Shadow of the Colossus Release Date

Shadow of the Colossus is currently set to release sometime in 2018 for PlayStation 4. 

Shadow of the Colossus Trailer

Just in case you need more proof that the Shadow of the Colossus remake may just be the most visually striking game on the horizon, we bring you this latest trailer for the game which seems to serve as a showcase to its shocking beauty. 

This next trailer was reportedly captured from the PS4 Pro version of the game. Those with 4K capable displays can bask in the visual glory of this increasingly impressive remake of an already incredible title. 

During Sony's 2017 E3 conference, the studio showed...something related to one of the greatest games ever made, Shadow of the Colossus. 

Until we hear otherwise, we're going to refer to this game as a remake of the original Shadow of the Colossus. There's nothing in it which would suggest it is a brand new entrant into the franchise and a few familiar faces do make an appearance in the debut trailer. 

However, it doesn't feel right to simply refer to this title as a remaster either when you take into consideration just how good the game looks. In fact, if the trailer is indicative of the final product, we'd go so far as to say that this may be a contender for best looking game on the market. 

This project certainly shines when you compare it to the PS3 remaster which was a good, but fairly standard, take on the classic original. This one, however, really does show how the right processing power can bring a classic title to life. It certainly doesn't hurt that Shadow of the Colossus has always been a good looking game and that its HUD-free presentation affords it a very cinematic presentation style that. 

As for what we can expect in terms of new content, it's a bit too early to say. It's certainly always possible that this remake could deliver new chapters, new stories, new monsters, and a generally expanded take on the original title, but at the moment, we're going to assume that most of the original game's core elements are in place. 

If you've been living under the shadow of a colossus and are wondering what all of the fuss is about, just know that 2005's Shadow of the Colossus followed a young adventurer tasked with bringing down ancient creatures in order to save the love of his life. It's considered to be one of the most powerful testaments to the games as art debate and has influenced countless other titles.

The wave of Nintendo character returns continues to roll in with the reveal of a new Kirby game for the Nintendo Switch. The game is called Kirby Star Allies. It will feature both single-player and cooperative play. 

While there are quite a few Kirby games in development for the 3DS, it's nice to know that Nintendo is still showing love to one of their longest running mascot platformers by giving him a fully-fledged console experience of his very own. 

Hopefully, Nintendo will expand upon how the multiplayer aspects of this game will work as the power combinations shown in the trailer certainly look to build upon traditional Kirby gameplay in many clever ways.

Here's everything else you need to know:

Kirby Star Allies Release Date

Kirby Star Allies is set to release in Spring 2018. The game is coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch. 

Kirby Star Allies Trailer

Here's the first trailer:

Th new Yoshi game is simply being referred to as Yoshi. The game is based on a fairly fascinating gimmick involving the depth of stages. Basically, Yoshi is able to move in-between and interact with background and foreground elements that would usually be considered static in many such platforming titles. There are numerous instances of this mechanic being utilized during the trailer, but some of the most fascinating examples of this dynamic mechanic involved Yoshi attacking enemies in the foreground and flipping a stage at will to reveal brand new paths that simply looked like background objects before. 

It certainly doesn't hurt that the game's vibrant art style contributes to the storybook nature of the level design and the use of this flip mechanic. The Switch may not be a technical powerhouse, but games like this showcase why a bright color palette and creative design will sometimes best pure processing power.

Indeed, Yoshi may very well be the game for Switch fans who still harbor a deep love for classic platformers. While Super Mario Odyssey promotes a more open-world take on the platformer genre, Yoshi looks like the kind of classic platforming experience that we might have dreamed of as kids if we could dream quite as big as game's clearly imaginative development team. 

Yoshi Switch Release Date

Yoshi is due in 2018. The game is coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch.

Yoshi Switch Trailer

While not the most high-profile reveal of Nintendo's E3 2017 showcase, this trailer for an upcoming Nintendo Switch Yoshi game was certainly one of the most interesting previews of the show.

While its far too early to say that 2018 will be as great as 2017 in terms quality video game releases, it is already shaping up to be a fascinating year for the video game industry. While Sony and Microsoft battle for control of a rapidly approaching 4K future, Nintendo is hoping to prove that the Switch's early success will carry over into year two. Meanwhile, the PC market continues to benefit from the growing VR industry and a constant influx of indie titles. 

Of course, the true star of 2018 will ultimately be the games. So far as that goes, there are already quite a few promising titles on the horizon. We've taken a look at all of the games that are confirmed for next year, at least as a release window, and have chosen the ones we think you need to an eye on.

Here are the best looking games of 2018 so far:

A Way Out

March 23 | Hazelight Studios | XBO, PS4, PC

Nobody outside of EA and Hazelight Studios had ever heard of A Way Out prior to E3 2017, but it ended up being one of the most noteworthy games featured during this year's show. A Way Out is a co-op action title displayed entirely through the lens of a split-screen. While the game’s early sections will focus on completing an elaborate prison break, later levels will seemingly cast both players as fugitives. 

We’ve played co-op games for years, but few have ever taken advantage of the concept from a presentation and storytelling standpoint quite the way that A Way Out does. The game’s split-screen style allows for both players to always influence the events of the story even when one is watching a cutscene or is otherwise indisposed. It’s a remarkably fresh take on the co-op concept that may prove to be the shot in the arm the cinematic action genre desperately needs.

Anthem

TBA | BioWare | XBO, PS4, PC

What is Anthem? Well, it's a sci-fi shooter from BioWare that casts players into the role of a mercenary tasked with protecting a walled society beset by a variety of threats. If that sounds like a pretty generic description, that's because EA and BioWare haven't exactly been eager to share more details about what figures to be one of 2018's most high-profile releases. 

In a way, that's what makes Anthem so exciting. We know that BioWare has been working on this game for some time, and we know that it represents a pretty dramatic departure from the studio's RPG roots. We also suspect that the game will utilize an online multiplayer element similar to the one seen in Destiny. This is the game that may very well determine whether or not BioWare will reclaim the glory of their name.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

March | Inti Creates, ArtPlay, DICO Co. Ltd | XBO, PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, OS X, Linux

Koji Igarashi is the man you should thank for translating the Metroid style of gameplay to Castlevania and helping create the fabled "Metroidvania" genre. He was the driving creative force behind Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and the producer of many Castlevania titles released since 1996. Bloodstained represents his long-awaited return to the genre. 

As we recently explored, Bloodstained is a Metroidvania-style Castlevania game in every way but its name. It is Igarashi's attempt to develop the kind of Castlevaniagames that he wanted to make before policy changes at Konami made the development of such titles an uncertain prospect. Castlevania fans have been supporting this game since its debut on Kickstarter, and we can't wait to see whether or not Igarashi can deliver the Castlevania spiritual successor that gaming desperately needs. 

Code Vein

TBA | Bandai Namco Studios | XBO, PS4, PC

While many developers of Dark Souls-like games have attempted to avoid that comparison whenever possible, Code Vein director Hiroshi Yoshimura has welcomed the comparison. He knows that Dark Souls changed the action RPG genre, and he hasn't tried to hide the fact that Code Vein was heavily inspired by that classic franchise. 

However, Code Vein is much more than a flattering tribute to Dark Souls. With its anime style and outlandish storyline involving a world of vampires, Code Vein is clearly not interested in replicating Dark Souls' somber tones and vague narrative. Instead, Code Vein figures to be a fast-paced and genuinely wild take on this genre that should still be rooted in the kind of deep and satisfying combat system that this genre is known for. 

Buy Code Vein

Crackdown 3

TBA | Reagent Games, Sumo Digital, Ruffian Games, Cloudgine | XBO, PC

It's been almost eight years since we last heard from the Crackdown series. There was a time when Microsoft's hidden gem open-world title provided a breath of fresh air to the subgenre. Its outlandish, superhero-like gameplay afforded players the chance to just go wild in a metro setting. Since those days, though, the open-world genre - and the world at large - has changed quite a bit. 

In order for Crackdown 3 to make the same impact that Crackdown protagonists make when they jump off the city's highest buildings and crash onto the streets below, it's going to have to invoke the casual gameplay of the first two Crackdown games while finding a way to advance the game's style just enough to make us feel that old joy of galivanting around a superhero sandbox. 

Buy Crackdown 3

Detroit: Become Human

TBA | Quantic Dream | PS4

Much like director M. Night Shamalayn, game designer David Cage's projects tend to either be brilliant (Heavy Rain) or bewilderingly misguided (Beyond Two Souls). His next game, Detroit: Become Human, can honestly go either way.

Become Human is a neo-noir sci-fi thriller that tells the story of a group of androids who are trying to rebel against an abusive society and the people assigned to hunting them down. It's hard not to think of Blade Runner from that description, but Detroit: Become Human figures to distinguish itself from its inspirations through a branching narrative and its more thorough look at both sides of this conflict. It remains to be seen whether or not Cage's sometimes bewildering brand of brilliance will make this a truly special title. 

Buy Detroit: Become Human

Days Gone

TBA | SIE Bend Studio | PS4

Despite the fact that Days Gone has been one of Sony's centerpiece titles for the last two E3s, we still don’t really know all that much about the game. It seems to be about a group of survivors in the zombie apocalypse just trying to do what they can to live another day, but the exact roles of the game’s principal characters remain a source of debate.

What we do know is that Days Gone’s The Last of Us presentation style and Horizon: Zero Dawn world design may just prove to be tantalizing enough to justify another trip through the zombie apocalypse. Days Gone’s emphasis on the power of a horde in an open-world setting is a fascinating way to ensure that the game’s zombies don’t just become bullet sponges or jump-scare devices. We look forward to seeing what other innovations Days Gone brings to the table.

Buy Days Gone

Dragon Ball FighterZ

January 26 | Arc System Works | XBO, PS4, PC

Hearing that another studio is making a new Dragon Ball Z fighting game is a lot like finding out you’re out of toilet paper. It's a potentially disastrous situation that you quite honestly should have seen coming. However, Dragon Ball FighterZ is not just another Dragon Ball fighting game, and that’s because it’s not being made by just another studio.

No, Dragon Ball FighterZis a high-octane, beautifully rendered, pure 2D fighting game from the makers of the Guilty Gear series. With its impressive roster of memorable characters and 3 vs. 3 team system, Dragon Ball FighterZ is shaping up to be a fascinating alternative to the Marvel vs. Capcom series for those looking for a pure fighting title that emphasizes the insanity of epic encounters.

Buy Dragon Ball FighterZ

Far Cry 5

March 27 | Ubisoft Montreal | XBO, PS4, PC

Far Cry 5 is a difficult game to read. On the surface, this looks like just another Far Cry game. What that means - at least since Far Cry 3 - is a large world, co-op madness, a psychotic villain, and a variety of weapons and vehicles. Given that Far Cry 4 was admonished for adhering too closely to this system, it’s strange to see how much Far Cry 5 looks like more of the same in many ways

However, Far Cry 5’s fascinating rural setting and emphasis on narrative may just prove to be the X-factors that elevate this title above its predecessors. While the world of Far Cry 5 is no doubt controversial, the game’s creative look at a cult whose warped sense of morals have corrupted a small town and the rebellion that results in response to their actions is the kind of new twist that makes an old ride worth taking again.

Buy Far Cry 5

God of War

TBA | Santa Monica Studio | PS4

Much like Days Gone, God of War has been one of the centerpieces of Sony’s E3 press conference the past two years, yet we still know relatively little about the game. What we can tell you is that God of War looks like a hard reboot of the franchise in terms of gameplay. The demos showcased thus far suggest that this new title will ditch the original God of War trilogy’s combo-based high octane gameplay in favor of a more methodical combat system, with a much bigger emphasis on narrative.

The jury is still out on that approach, but what really gets us excited about this game is the way that it incorporates rarely explored aspects of Norse mythology and seemingly casts Kratos into the role of protective father. In fact, God of War feels like a brand new IP due to the number of changes made to the formula.

Buy God of War

Kingdom Hearts III

TBA | Square Enix Co., Ltd. | PS4

It hasn't exactly been a long time since we last played a new Kingdom Hearts game - the series is kind of infamous for its oddly named sequels, prequels spin-offs, and re-releases - but it has been about 13 years since the release of Kingdom Hearts II. Suffice to say, that time has only made the game's passionate fanbase even more rabid.

Fortunately, Kingdom Hearts III is shaping up to be the Kingdom Hearts game that we've all been waiting for. This strikingly beautiful title will not only finally bring classic Disney classics like Toy Story into the fold, but it figures to improve the franchise's already great gameplay through the implementation of a better camera and a refined combat system. Dare we say that this game might just live up to the hype?

Buy Kingdom Hearts III

Kirby

TBA | Nintendo | Switch

While the next Kirby game certainly wasn’t the star of Nintendo’s E3 2017 showcase - how you doin' Samus? - it was one of those games that many found themselves taking a second look at when the festivities were over. Those that did may have noticed that this looks like a return to some of Kirby’s platforming roots, albeit with a very welcome upgrade in visuals.

What really gets us excited about Kirby, however, is the way that it seems to be designed as a four-player co-op experience. Recent Nintendo multiplayer platformers - most notably Super Mario 3D World - rank among the most purely enjoyable gaming experiences of this generation, and Kirby looks to deliver more of that timeless fun.

Buy Kirby for Switch

Marvel’s Spider-Man

TBA | Insomniac Games | PS4

When we heard that Insomniac Games was making a Spider-Man game, we wiped our monocles with our monogrammed handkerchiefs and declared it “acceptable” with an exhale of dignified air. When Sony actually showcased said Spider-Man game at E3 2017, we were forced to drop our cautious pretense and simply embrace the sheer fanboyish joy of what looks like a truly fantastic Spider-Man experience.

While there have been a few great Spider-Man games over the years, Insomniac’s take on the character is already shaping up to be the character’s greatest gaming adventure. Thanks to the innovations of the Arkham series and Insomniac’s own experience with silky smooth movement controls, this upcoming Spider-Man game may just be the one Spider-Man title that actually captures everything interesting about the character rather than simply mastering a lone iconic aspect of one of Marvel’s greatest heroes.

Buy Marvel's Spider-Man

Metro: Exodus

TBA | 4A Games | PS4, XBO, PC

If you haven't yet dived into the Metro franchise, then you've been missing out on some of the best first-person shooter experiences in years. Metro 2033 was a post-apocalyptic masterpiece that brilliantly portrayed a dark and demented end of the world scenario. Metro: Last Light was the even better sequel to that classic shooter/RPG experience. 

We don't know much about Metro: Exodus, but we do know that developer 4A Games has fought hard to ensure that their vision for this much-anticipated sequel lives to see the light of the surface world. If they deliver an experience that is even close to what they've already achieved with this franchise, then Metro: Exodus may just end up stealing 2018 from some considerable competition. 

Buy Metro: Exodus

Monster Hunter: World

January 26 | Capcom | PS4, XBO, PC

While the Monster Hunter franchise is most certainly popular - particularly in Japan - it has arguably been some time since the series has expanded the size of its dedicated fanbase. That's largely because Capcom hasn't found much reason to tweak the franchise's formula in recent years. That has been enough to please current fans, but hasn't given those who aren't already spending their time besting a variety to towering behemoths reason to do so. 

Monster Hunter: World represents the developer's clearest attempt at creating a Monster Hunter game that will turn nonbelievers into devotees. The core gameplay remains the same as ever - hunt down a variety of monsters using a series of incredible weapons - but World figures to be the largest Monster Hunter game yet as well as the most ambitious from a sheer technological perspective. 

Buy Monster Hunter: World

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

TBA | Obsidian Entertainment | PC, Mac, Linux

Obsidian Entertainment has long been known as one of gaming's best sources for deep and intelligent RPGs. With Pillars of Eternity, Obsidian returned to the glory days of the isometric RPG experience and delivered one of the best genre experiences in recent memory. Now, they are back to improve upon their considerable previous efforts.

With Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, it's already clear that Obsidian is ready to fix the few design flaws that prevented Pillars of Eternity from being everything that it could be. Its controls will be smoother, its story will deeper, and its world will be a rich and lively tapestry of cultures and personalities. This may be the first time that Obsidian has had the pleasure to develop a sequel to one of their own games, but it's clear that the studio knows exactly what they want to accomplish with this title. 

Red Dead Redemption 2

TBA | Rockstar | XBO, PS4

What do we want? Red Dead Redemption 2! When do we want it? In a time frame that will reasonably allow developer Rockstar to find a way to somehow top the greatest western video game ever made and quite possibly the studio’s finest hour.

Ok, that chant needs a little work, but the point is that we don’t fault Rockstar for deciding to delay Red Dead Redemption 2 to 2018, nor do we blame them for telling us relatively little about the game thus far. Red Dead Redemption was an almost perfect video game experience. In fact, Rockstar accomplished so much with that game that we doubt it even technically needs a sequel. If they’re going to give us one, though, we want to know they are able to deliver the kind of experience that makes us feel just like we felt the first time we rode into Mexico with a gut string melody lingering in the air.

Buy Red Dead Redemption 2

Sea of Thieves

March 20 | Rare | XBO, PC

At the risk of toppling the “It’s been awhile since Rare has delivered a truly great game worthy of their legacy” bandwagon, it really has been awhile since Rare has delivered a truly great game worthy of their legacy. At first, Sea of Thieves didn’t look like that game. However, its impressive E3 2017 showing has left us singing a different shanty.

Sea of Thieves' greatest asset is Rare’s complete abandonment of “realistic” pirate culture. Instead, Sea of Thieves embraces the romanticized concepts that propelled these seafaring outlaws into the pop culture stratosphere. The highest compliment we can pay Sea of Thieves is that it looks like it will perfectly recreate the imaginary adventures we enjoyed on the playground so many years ago when the jungle gym was a ship mast.

Buy Sea of Thieves

Shadow of the Colossus

February 6 | Bluepoint | PS4

We’d be lying if we said that we haven’t thought much about Shadow of the Colossus since its 2005 debut - memories of the grand epic stand as a measuring stick for all other gaming experiences - but we never thought that we’d see a Shadow of the Colossus remake. Generally speaking, games casually, yet accurately, described as timeless aren’t candidates for remakes.

However, the moment we laid eyes on the new Shadow of the Colossus’ stunning visual design, we immediately felt the need to jump back into this world and replay a game that could be considered the truest testament to the “Games are art” argument. If you've not played the original or need an excuse to play this game again, 2018’s Shadow of the Colossus is going to be a must-have.

Buy Shadow of the Colossus

Shenmue III

TBA | YS Net, Neilo | PS4, PC

When we first heard that Shenmue was finally receiving the third installment that most gamers figured would never happen...well, there may have been some entirely unprofessional giddy cheers. In the days, weeks, and months that have followed that reveal, we've unfortunately not been treated to many official updates regarding the game's story, gameplay features, or final visual style. 

Still, we're talking about a sequel to a franchise that was not only revolutionary but has remained in the hearts of the many who played its first two installments. With any luck, Shenmue III will be the epic tale of kung-fu revenge and bizarre minigames that we've been waiting for. 

State of Decay 2

TBA | Undead Labs | XBO, PC

The original State of Decay was a fascinating example of how true ambition can conquer all. Developer Undead Labs didn’t have much to work with when they began working on State of Decay, but they did have a vision. Their vision was an epic open-world zombie apocalypse title that focused more on survival than action or horror. State of Decay was about building something strong in a defeated world. Its blend of base building, resource management, and role-playing was intoxicating.

While the biggest on-paper change coming to State of Decay 2 is the inclusion of co-op play, the reason we’re especially excited for this game is that Undead Labs finally has the resources and experience they need to deliver the game that they attempted to deliver the first time around.

Buy State of Decay 2

System Shock

TBA | Nightdive Studios | XBO, PS4, PC

It’s been far too long since we’ve played a new System Shock game. While you can’t deny the impact of titles like BioShock or the appeal of a game like Prey, no title in this genre has ever quite replicated System Shock’s usage of horror and suspense. While System Shock 3 is unfortunately not on the near horizon, this remake of System Shock will most certainly help pass the time.

Developer Nightdive Studios has proven time and time again that it cares about ensuring that truly classic games are played by a new generation of gamers. The studio's love for System Shock combined with the few snippets of the game we’ve seen thus far leaves us with little doubt that Nightdive will be able to revitalize everything that makes System Shock an essential experience.

The Swords of Ditto

March | onebitbeyond | PS4, PC

Never heard of The Swords of Ditto? We’re not surprised. Every E3, there is at least one game which can’t quite match the budget or graphical prowess of major titles, but ultimately ends up being one of the best games revealed at the show. Based on everything we’ve seen thus far, The Swords of Ditto may very well prove to be that game.

The Swords of Ditto’s core mechanic involves the legacy of the game’s playable heroes. Much like Rogue Legacy, every successful and unsuccessful run through this game will leave a mark on the world. You can even quest to find the epic weapons that the previous hero left behind. What really makes The Swords of Ditto stand out, however, is its Adventure Time-esque visuals and creative co-op combat options. This is just one of those games that takes the best of what came before and binds it all together with irresistible charm.

World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth

TBA | Blizzard Entertainment | PC, Mac

2016's World of Warcraft: Legion arguably did more to revitalize the 13-year-old MMO than the last few expansions combined. Through a combination of fan-requested features and innovative new concepts, Blizzard used Legion as proof that World of Warcraft still has plenty of life left in it. Now, they look to top their considerable efforts with the release of the game's next expansion, Battle for Azeroth.

Battle for Azeroth looks to take World of Warcraft back to its Horde vs. Alliance roots. That means a greater emphasis on PvP battles, new worlds specific to both factions, and a brand-new conflict system that incorporates elements of classic Warcraft RTS games gone by. On top of all that, you get the usual additions of fresh raids, new gear, and an even higher level cap to grind towards. This could just be the best WoW expansion yet. 

Yoshi

TBA | Good-Feel | Switch

Much like Kirby, the list of things we don’t know about Yoshi is slightly longer than what we do know about the game. What we can tell you, though, is that Yoshi’s Woolly World was one of the Wii U’s most underrated titles and one of Yoshi’s greatest adventures. The reason that matters is because this upcoming Yoshi title looks like it intends to replicate many of the qualities that made Wooly World as great as it was.

This time around, however, the Woolly World formula is bolstered by the introduction of a new mechanic that allows players to “flip” a stage and open up new paths. It sounds simple, but if the game’s first trailer is any indication, this mechanic will force players to completely reconsider the way that they view the typical 2D platformer level. For those who lament how far Mario has walked away from his platformer roots, Yoshi may just be the classic Nintendo experience you’re looking for. 

Buy Yoshi for Switch

Back in January 2007, Japanese game designer Fumito Ueda got his fans in a lather with a single image: a rusty chain emerging from what appeared to be an old, moss-covered well. It didn't look like much, and given that the image was discovered in a job listing on Sony's website, could have been overlooked altogether. But such was the affection for Ueda's first two games, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, the mere thought of a third title was exciting enough by itself. 

The Last Guardian, after almost a decade of delays, finally emerged in 2016. Another fusion of action-adventure, environmental puzzles, and a nagging air of existential gloom, it was a flawed yet beautiful-looking title. Unfortunately, the stresses of making it essentially tore its developer, Team Ico, apart - Ueda left long before development ended, and wound up working for Sony on a freelance basis. 

He's since set up a new studio, Gen Design, and if its website's anything to go by, work is currently under way on Ueda's fourth opus. To mark the new year, the company updated its site's front page with a new image - a shadowy, minimal glimpse of a spectral figure sitting in what appears to be a dungeon. Here it is...

To the right, there's a huge, wrinkled hand - that of a giant, perhaps, or some Trico-like mythical beast.

Like the chain and the well from January 2007, the image seems designed to provoke at least a bit of discussion. The glowing female figure looks very much like Yorda, the ghostly character from 2001's Ico. The stone slabs hint at a castle setting akin to Ico, too, though whether the giant hand belongs to something friendly or dangerously unfriendly is anyone's guess. 

Above the figure, birds appear to circle - possibly attracted by the ray of light emanating from the girl's head. Can she attract birds as some kind of defense mechanism? If so, she may want to pack an umbrella.

Naturally, there's nothing more to go on at this stage, so we'll leave the idle speculation on pause for now. We'll bring you more on this mystery Ueda project as we get it - but if The Last Guardian's anything to go by, the finished game should be ready some time in 2026.

If for some reason you still haven't seen The Last Jedi, then you're going to want to skip this 16-bit recreation of the film's infamous finale. Everyone else should feel free to check out this glorious fan tribute made by a professional animator named John Stratman. 

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The 16-bit style of this video will surely be familiar to anyone who played the infamous Super Nintendo Star Wars games. Certain details like the blur of the lightsabers, the choppy walking animations, and the way characters seem to lose half their facial details when facing the camera are seemingly cribbed from the style of that tremendous trilogy of games. 

However, it's clear that Stratman has taken some liberties in regards to what modern technology allows. For instance, the way the salt parts to reveal the red ground underneath feels way too smooth for a proper Super Nintendo game. The same can be said of Luke's - or ghost Luke's - evasive maneuvers. It's pretty easy to forgive such historical accuracy trespasses, though, considering how good the final product looks. 

The line for line recreation of the movie's dialog is perhaps the most fascinating part of this entire tribute, though. There's something about the film's lines that remind us of an old-school LucasArts adventure game when viewed in this format. We know that director Rian Johnson has stated he's a fan of the Knights of the Old Republic games, but watching this video may leave you with the impression that his dialog writing style may have been partially inspired by other games. 

Unfortunately, this is likely as close to a modern-day 16-bit Star Wars game as we're going to get. Now that EA holds the exclusive rights to develop Star Wars games, we find it extremely unlikely that they'll pull a Mummy Demastered and approve the design of a throwback tribute to their golden goose property. 

Still, no one can stop you from dreaming.

The Nintendo Switch is already a runaway success by just about any metric, but it seems that Nintendo isn't quite ready to rest on the console's laurels. 

In an interview with Kyoto Shimbun - as translated by wccftech - Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima revealed that the company expects to sell an additional 20 million Nintendo Switches during the 2018 fiscal year. Kimishima stated that this ambitious projection is based on the fact that the Switch's sales figures thus far have exceeded all of the company's expectations. 

Still, that 20 million unit estimate is significant for quite a few reasons. First off, the latest round of sales reports indicates that over 10 million Nintendo Switches have been sold thus far. It's currently believed that Nintendo will sell at least an additional 4 million units before the beginning of the 2018 fiscal year. 

While it's certainly not unheard of for a console to sell more in the years after its release than it did in the year of its release, Nintendo's ambitious estimate seems to at least be partially based on the fact that many people who wanted a Nintendo Switch during its first year of availability simply weren't able to find one.

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Once Switches became easier to find, gamers from across the globe jumped at the chance to buy one. In fact, it's been reported that the Nintendo Switch beat the first year sales figures of the PlayStation 2 in Japan. 

What really makes this number so amazing, though, is the fact that the Nintendo Switch is already going to blow past the all-time sales figures of the Nintendo Wii U in just a matter of weeks. If Nintendo is able to triple the lifetime sales of their previous console in just two years...well, that's what they call "growth" in the world of business, sales, and - we presume - charts. 

Nintendo currently expects to manufacture 25-30 million Switches during the next fiscal year, so you should be able to get your hands on a Switch soon if you haven't already. 

PUBG Corp. CEO, Chang Han Kim revealed to InvenGlobal that the company's grand plan is to bring PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds to every available platform. 

"I’d like PUBG to become a universal media franchise based on the game," said Han Kim. "We want to take part in diverse industries including Esports, movies, drama, cartoons, animation, and more. In fact, we received a couple of love calls from a number of developers in Hollywood and Netflix. Our dream is to build a new game-based culture through various ways like this, and have the lead of that culture."

That's certainly an ambitious goal, but before you throw cold water on the idea, consider that PUBG has sold over 30 million copies in less than a year and recently boasted over 3 million concurrent players via Steam. Prior to the release of PUBG, the Steam record for concurrent users was just over 1.2 million. 

What we're saying is that PUBG is popular in a way that few games in recent memory have been. We've already seen the game ported to Xbox One and two mobile versions of PUBG are reportedly in the works in China. 

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Oddly enough, one of the biggest hurdles facing PUBG's bid for global domination is Sony. 

"Early Access on Steam and Game Preview on Xbox One are like pre-release, so they don’t have a restriction on quality," said Han Kim. "However, PS is very strict about this. There were cases where a game took 6 months more to launch even when it was already completed. We are still in the stage of learning the console development environment and console gamers’ taste."

PUBG has infamously suffered from technical issues since the game's debut, but it must be said that the most recent patch has fixed or addressed a considerable number of the issues that have plagued the popular title. Whether or not that release is good enough for Sony's standards remains to be seen. 

What we can tell you is that PUBG will likely continue to grow until a true competitor emerges. 

A year after Pong invaded homes all over America, there were already clear signs that the video game industry was here to stay. In 1973, another major pillar of gaming was released, one you might remember fondly from the arcade: Atari's Space Invaders, one of the first shooting games ever made. The game tasks you with taking down waves of aliens before they can destroy your city. It's not the fast-paced bullet hell you've come to expect nowadays, but Space Invaders is an important precursor to all of the different shooting games we enjoy today. In 2018, Space Invaders turns 45. 

Mario Bros., Star Fox, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Call of Duty, StarCraft, and Doomare only a few of the other classic titles that are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. Below, you can find a complete list of the big video game anniversaries of 2018. 

Put a party hat on, pull out all of your old consoles, and, if you've been playing video games for a few decades, crack open a beer. Here are the gaming anniversaries of 2018:

January

30th Anniversary

January 1988 - Super Contra is released by Konami.

20th Anniversary

January 21, 1998 - Resident Evil 2 is released by Capcom.

January 28, 1998 - Final Fantasy Tactics is released by Square in North America.

January 29, 1998 - Panzer Dragoon Saga is released by Sega.

15th Anniversary

January 25, 2003 - Devil May Cry 2 is released by Capcom.

10th Anniversary

January 22, 2008 - No More Heroes is released by Nintendo.

January 31, 2008 - Super Smash Bros. Brawl is released by Nintendo.

January 31, 2008 - Devil May Cry 4 is released by Capcom.

5th Anniversary

January 15, 2013 - DmC: Devil May Cry is released by Capcom.

February

30th Anniversary

February 10, 1988 - Dragon Quest III is released by Enix.

25th Anniversary

February 1993 - Star Wars: X-Wingis released by LucasArts.

February 21, 1993 - Star Fox is released by Nintendo.

20th Anniversary

February 11, 1998 - Xenogears is released by Squaresoft.

February 24, 1998 - Gex: Enter the Gecko is released by Midway.

February 28, 1998 - Star Wars: Rebellion is released by LucasArts.

15th Anniversary

February 14, 2003 - Nintendo releases the Game Boy Advance SP.

February 14, 2003 - Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is released by Square.

February 15, 2003 - Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner is released by Konami.

February 24, 2003 - Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb is released by LucasArts.

10th Anniversary

February 4, 2008 - Sins of a Solar Empire is released by Stardock.

February 12, 2008 - Lost Odyssey is released by Microsoft.

5th Anniversary

February 5, 2013 - Dead Space 3 is released by Electronic Arts.

February 19, 2013 - Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is released by Konami.

March

45th Anniversary

March 19, 1973 - Konami enters video game industry.

25h Anniversary

March 26, 1993 - Kirby’s Adventure is released by Nintendo.

20th Anniversary

March 10, 1998 - Yoshi’s Story is released by Nintendo in North America.

March 29, 1998 - Parasite Eve is released by Square.

March 31, 1998 - StarCraft is released by Blizzard.

15th Anniversary

March 9, 2003 - Sonic Advance 2 is released by Sega.

March 11, 2003 - Mega Man & Bass is released by Capcom.

March 13, 2003 - Final Fantasy X-2 is released by Square Enix.

March 19, 2003 - Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire are released by Nintendo.

March 24, 2003 - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is released by Nintendo.

10th Anniversary

March 24, 2008 - Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is released by Square Enix.

5th Anniversary

March 19, 2013 - Gears of War: Judgmentis released by Microsoft.

March 20, 2013 - Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is released by Nintendo.

March 26, 2013 - BioShock Infinite is released by 2K Games.

April

25th Anniversary

April 1, 1993 - The 7th Guest is released by Virgin Interactive Entertainment.

April 3, 1993 - Mortal Kombat II is released by Midway.

10th Anniversary

April 10, 2008 - Mario Kart Wii is released by Nintendo.

April 29, 2008 - Grand Theft Auto IV is released by Rockstar Games.

5th Anniversary

April 9, 2013 - Guacamelee! is released by DrinkBox Studios.

May

20th Anniversary

May 12, 1998 - Gran Turismo is released by Sony.

May 22, 1998 - Unreal is released by GT Interactive.

15th Anniversary

May 2, 2003 - Mega Man Zero 2 is released by Capcom.

May 6, 2003 - Castlevania: Aria of Sorrowis released by Konami.

May 23, 2003 - Silent Hill 3 is released by Konami.

May 27, 2003 - Brute Force is released by Microsoft.

June

40th Anniversary

June 1978 - Space Invaders is released by Taito.

35th Anniversary

June 1, 1983 - Mario Bros. is released by Nintendo.

June 16, 1983 - Microsoft releases the MSX console.

June 23, 1983 - Dragon’s Lairis released by Cinematronics.

30th Anniversary

June 1988 - Metal Gear arrives to North America for the NES.

June 1, 1988 - John Madden Football is released by Electronic Arts.

25th Anniversary

June 6, 1993 - The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is released by Nintendo.

June 25, 1993 - Day of the Tentacle is released by LucasArts.

20th Anniversary

June 11, 1998 - X-Men vs. Street Fighter is released by Capcom.

June 29, 1998 - Banjo-Kazooie is released by Nintendo.

15th Anniversary

June 26, 2003 - Star Wars Galaxies is released by LucasArts.

June 26, 2003 - Viewtiful Joe is released by Capcom.

10th Anniversary

June 12, 2008 - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is released by Konami.

5th Anniversary

June 5, 2013 - State of Decay is released by Microsoft.

June 14, 2013 - The Last of Us is released by Sony.

July

45th Anniversary

July 16, 1973 - Atari releases its second game, Space Race.

40th Anniversary

July 22, 1978 - SNK enters the video game industry.

July 25, 1978 - Koei enters the video game industry.

35th Anniversary

July 1983 - Bomberman is released by Hudson Soft.

July 15, 1983 - Nintendo releases the Famicom console.

July 15, 1983 - Sega releases the SG-1000 console.

30th Anniversary

July 1988 - Nintendo releases the first issue of Nintendo Power magazine.

July 20, 1988 - Bionic Commando is remade by Capcom for home consoles.

15th Anniversary

July 1, 2003 - Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne is released by Blizzard.

July 15, 2003 - Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is released by LucasArts.

July 17, 2003 - Mega Man X7 is released by Capcom.

July 28, 2003 - Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour is released by Nintendo.

August

30th Anniversary

August 1988 - Altered Beast is released by Sega.

25th Anniversary

August 1993 - Daytona USA is released by Sega.

August 6, 1993 - Secret of Mana is released by Square.

20th Anniversary

August 21, 1998 - Tom Clancy’s Rainbox Six is released by Red Storm Entertainment.

August 31, 1998 - Mega Man Legends is released by Capcom.

10th Anniversary

August 6, 2008 - Braid is released by Number None.

September

25th Anniversary

September 6, 1993 - Master of Orion is released by MicroProse.

September 23, 1993 - Sonic CD is released by Sega.

September 24, 1993 - Myst is released by Broderbund.

20th Anniversary

September 1998 - Dance Dance Revolution is released by Konami.

September 9, 1998 - Spyro the Dragon is released by Sony.

September 28, 1998 - Pokemon Red and Blue are released in North America by Nintendo.

September 30, 1998 - Fallout 2 is released by Interplay.

15th Anniversary

September 12, 2003 - Valve launches Steam.

September 17, 2003 - Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is released by LucasArts.

10th Anniversary

September 16, 2008 - Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is released by LucasArts.

September 22, 2008 - Mega Man 9 is released by Capcom.

5th Anniversary

September 4, 2013 - Outlast is released by Red Barrels.

September 10, 2013 - Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs is released by Frictional Games.

September 17, 2013 - Grand Theft Auto V is released by Rockstar Games.

October

40th Anniversary

October 1978 - Namco releases its first arcade game, Gee Bee.

30th Anniversary

October 1988 - Ninja Gaiden is released by Tecmo.

October 9, 1988 - The North American version of Super Mario Bros. 2 (originally Doki Doki Panic in Japan) is released by Nintendo.

October 23, 1988 - Super Mario Bros. 3is released in Japan by Nintendo.

October 29, 1988 - Sega releases the Genesis home console.

25th Anniversary

October 1993 - Virtua Fighteris released by Sega.

October 7, 1993 - Ridge Racer is released by Namco.

20th Anniversary

October 20, 1998 - Metal Gear Solid is released by Konami.

October 21, 1998 - Turok 2: Seeds of Evilis released by Acclaim Entertainment.

October 21, 1998 - Nintendo releases the Game Boy Color handheld console.

October 30, 1998 - Grim Fandango is released by LucasArts.

15th Anniversary

October 14, 2003 - Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne is released by Rockstar Games.

October 21, 2003 - Castlevania: Lament of Innocence is released by Konami.

October 21, 2003 - Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge is released by Microsoft.

October 28, 2003 - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is released by Ubisoft.

October 29, 2003 - Call of Duty is released by Activision.

10th Anniversary

October 13, 2008 - Dead Space is released by Electronic Arts.

October 21, 2008 - Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is released by Konami.

October 21, 2008 - Far Cry 2 is released by Ubisoft.

October 21, 2008 - Fable II is released by Microsoft.

October 27, 2008 - LittleBigPlanet is released by Sony.

October 28, 2008 - Fallout 3 is released by Bethesda.

5th Anniversary

October 12, 2013 - Pokemon X and Y are released by Nintendo.

October 14, 2013 - The Wolf Among Us is released by Telltale Games.

October 25, 2013 - Batman: Arkham Originsis released by WB.

October 29, 2013 - Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is released by Ubisoft.

October 29, 2013 - Battlefield 4 is released by Electronic Arts.

November

30th Anniversary

November 1988 - Splatterhouse is released by Namco.

25th Anniversary

November 1993 - Sam & Max Hit the Road is released by LucasArts.

November 5, 1993 - Mega Man 6 is released by Capcom.

November 11, 1993 - Disney’s Aladdin is released by Virgin Interactive Entertainment.

November 15, 1993 - ClayFighter is released by Interplay Productions.

November 23, 1993 - Atari releases the Jaguar home console.

20th Anniversary

November 19, 1998 - Half-Life is released by Valve.

November 20, 1998 - Tomb Raider III is released by Eidos Interactive.

November 21, 1998 - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is released by Nintendo.

November 27, 1998 - Sega releases the Dreamcast home console.

November 30, 1998 - Thief: The Dark Project is released by Eidos Interactive.

15th Anniversary

November 7, 2003 - Mario Kart: Double Dash is released by Nintendo.

November 11, 2003 - Beyond Good & Evil is released by Ubisoft.

November 11, 2003 - Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando is released by Sony.

November 17, 2003 - Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is released by Nintendo.

November 27, 2003 - Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly is released by Tecmo.

10th Anniversary

November 10, 2008 - Gears of War 2 is released by Microsoft.

November 17, 2008 - Left 4 Dead is released by Valve.

5th Anniversary

November 12, 2013 - XCOM: Enemy Within is released by 2K Games.

November 15, 2013 - Sony releases the PlayStation 4 home console.

November 21, 2013 - Super Mario 3D World is released by Nintendo.

November 22, 2013 - The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is released by Nintendo.

November 22, 2013 - Microsoft releases the Xbox One home console.

December

30th Anniversary

December 1, 1988 - Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is released by Nintendo in North America.

December 17, 1988 - Final Fantasy II is released by Square.

December 24, 1988 - Mega Man 2 is released by Capcom.

25th Anniversary

December 10 - Doom is released by id Software.

December 17 - Mega Man X is released by Capcom.

20th Anniversary

December 1998 - Rockstar Games is founded.

December 3, 1998 - Star Wars: Rogue Squadron is released by LucasArts.

December 21, 1998 - Baldur’s Gate is released by Interplay.

December 23, 1998 - Sonic Adventure is released by Sega.

15th Anniversary

December 2, 2003 - Deus Ex: Invisible War is released by Eidos Interactive.

10th Anniversary

December 18, 2008 - Dissidia Final Fantasy is released by Square Enix.

Miscellaneous

45th Anniversary

1973 - Taito enters the video game industry.

40th Anniversary

1978 - Konami releases its first arcade game, Block Game.

1978 - Magnavox Odyssey 2 is released.

35th Anniversary

1983 - The Video Game Crash of 1983 in North America.

1983 - Spy Hunter is released by Midway.

1983 - Punch-Out!! is released by Nintendo.

30th Anniversary

1988 - Phantasy Star is released by Sega in North America.

25th Anniversary

1993 - NBA Jam is released by Midway.

Super Famicom Wars, the Super Nintendo precursor to the Advance Wars series, has finally been translated into English by fans. 

While Western Game Boy fans are no doubt familiar with the Advance Warstitles - they're some of Nintendo's most beloved handheld games - only Japanese gamers, or those who follow the Japanese gaming scene, know that Advance Wars can trace its roots to a 1988 Famicom series called Wars.

The Wars series displayed many of the mechanical and visual conventions that would later become associated with the Advance Warsfranchise. Right from the start, these games asked players to move various units around a grid-based battle in order to defeat the enemy. Actually, it's kind of fascinating to see just how little this series has "evolved" since 1988. It's clear that Nintendo understood they'd struck gameplay gold early on.

Super Famicom Wars is the 1998 follow-up to Famicom Wars and the Japan-only Game Boy Wars titles. Despite being released so late into the Super Nintendo's lifecycle - it was arguably released well-beyond its expiration point - Super Famicom Wars doesn't actually advance the franchise formula all that much. It's clear that its subtle visual upgrades to the unit and terrain designs were the inspiration for 2001's Advance Wars, but it looks shockingly basic for a 1998 Super Nintendo game. 

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The visuals don't really matter, though. What matters is that Western gamers finally have the chance to experience this important part of the Advance Wars series for themselves without having to navigate some tricky Japanese text menus. Like most other games in the Wars series, Super Famicom Wars is an incredibly entertaining strategy game that requires you to master a series of simple mechanics. 

If you're interested in trying Super Famicom Wars out, you can download a free version of the fan translated edition of the game via this website. As with all Nintendo fan projects, we recommend you do so as soon as possible. 

As for the Advance Wars series, there still hasn't been any indication that Nintendo is interested in formally continuing that franchise. However, the recently releasedTiny Metal serves as a notable spiritual successor to those games. 

If you're the type of gamer who played through New Super Mario Bros. DS and thought "Man, I just wish that this game had 80 more levels," then we have got some tremendous news for you. 

A group of Nintendo fans has created a sequel/expansion to New Super Mario Bros. DS called Newer Super Mario Bros. DS. This project consists of 80 new levels (zoinks) and even features some new gameplay mechanics and music tracks. We can't guarantee that these levels are all of the quality that we've come to expect from Nintendo's design team, but it is worth noting that this project was designed by the game team who released Newer Super Mario Bros. Wii. That project was especially well-received by Mario fans, so we fully expect that this latest endeavor will satisfy your need for more Mario levels. 

Just note that this is a Nintendo fan project which means that it has the approximate shelf life of an on-sale banana. If you'd like to get to it before the lawyers do, you can download it for PC, Linux, and Mac here. 

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Of course, Nintendo is usually at their most aggressive whenever they're dealing with fan projects that interfere with games that they intend to develop in the near future. So far as that goes, the status of the New Super Mario Bros. series is somewhat up in the air at the moment. New Super Mario Bros. DS is recognized as the best-selling Nintendo DS game ever (it sold just over 30 million copies), and New Super Mario Bros. 2 sold reasonably well on the 3DS (11.7 million copies sold), but the popularity of the Nintendo Switch has raised questions regarding the future of these mostly handheld properties. 

To put it another way, nobody is quite sure if and when Nintendo will release "classic" entries into franchises like Zelda and Mario. In the past, they've used handheld devices as an outlet for retro-fuelled franchise entries. Now that they seem to be moving away slightly from the 3DS and gravitating towards the Nintendo Switch, it's not yet clear if, when, and how they'll release these spin-off entrants. 

For now, we'll gladly settle for excellent fan versions of these games.

Publisher Nexon believes that the reason you didn't play arena shooter LawBreakers is that you were too busy playing PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds.

"LawBreakers is a unique FPS developed for core users. We had very high expectations for its launch," said Nexon financial exec Shiro Uemura during a recent conference call. "However, the timing of its launch turned out to be unfortunate, specifically the blockbuster PC online game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds came out right about the same time, making the market environment very tough for first-person shooters in general and for LawBreakers."

It's easy enough to understand why Uemura and Nexon are looking for a reason to write-off the failures of LawBreakers. After all, the majority of Nexon's reported $32.6 million losses is attributed to LawBreakers' low sales figures and growth rate. 

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However, the details of the situation do not support that theory. Uemura himself describes LawBreakers as a "unique" game, which should mean that it's immune from the success of other gaming experiences that don't offer what it has to offer. Of course, LawBreakers is not a unique game. The game can proudly boast some unique features, but it's not too far removed from titles like Overwatch, Paladins, and Quake Champions.

In theory, LawBreakers and PUBG could have both succeeded. Of course, it's understandable why Nexon points at PUBG when explaining why LawBreakers just didn't catch on. After all, PUBG is one of the most successful online shooters in recent memory and certainly the most surprising game of 2017. To put its success into perspective, PUBG's developers recently boasted that they had broken their own concurrent player record with three million active users. At the time that over three million people were playing PUBG on Steam, 90 gamers were on Steam playing LawBreakers.

The real shame here is that LawBreakers is actually a very interesting and very entertaining online hero-based shooter. Its low-gravity battles are usually intense and always visually striking. In a perfect world, Lawbreakers and PUBG would have both found a sizeable audience. 

New Japan Pro Wrestling is teaming up with the developers of Fire Pro Wrestling World to deliver exclusive New Japan-related content to the indie wrestling game in time for its PlayStation 4 release date. 

The partnership was announced during a fan event hosted on the eve of NJPW's WrestleKingdom 12 event. Non-NJPW fans should think of WrestleKingdom as the company's equivalent of WrestleMania. 

It's currently believed that this NJPW content will ship alongside Fire Pro Wrestling World's PlayStation 4 release. That PS4 version of the game is currently expected to debut sometime later in the summer. There is no official word regarding whether or not this content will also be made available for Fire Pro Wrestling World's PC version, but it seems highly likely that it will be available across all platforms. 

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Some of the details of this partnership remain unknown - there was reportedly a trailer for the content shown during the event that hasn't yet been released to the public - but NJPW and video game correspondent Chris Charlton states that this NJPW update will not only include the official roster of NJPW stars but a new story mode as well. Supposedly, this story mode will cast players as one of NJPW's young lions - new wrestlers - who must work their way up the ladder and become a star. 

What's somewhat surprising about this announcement is that Fire Pro Wrestling World kind of allows you to incorporate wrestlers from NJPW as well as wrestlers from WWE and pretty much everywhere else. Granted, that's because Fire Pro Wrestling World doesn't use any official names or properties and instead offers a deep customization system, but it's not hard for fans of the game to create dream matches. 

Of course, we're certain that the Fire Pro Wrestling World developers are happy to receive the official blessing of a major wrestling company. That's especially true as it concerns New Japan Pro Wrestling. NJPW's growing fanbase so happens consist of many of the same hardcore wrestling fans who love Fire Pro's seemingly infinite customization options and complex gameplay system.

In lieu of an official NJPW game, this is certainly a welcome alternative. 

The Shenmue III announcement was one of the big surprises of E3 2015, leading to an initial clamor of support which saw its Kickstarter campaign well over $2m within hours of launch.

Shenmue III's $6.3m total eclipsed the previous record holder, Blood Stained: Ritual of the Night, which raised $5.5m. It's undoubtedly good news for fans of the earlier Shenmue games, and a sign of how much demand there is for a sequel among the sandbox series' cult following. But it's also some distance from the (perhaps over-ambitious) target Suzuki once set. He recently said he needed to raise $10m to make Shenmue III "a much larger, completely open world" video game.

You may recall that the first Shenmue, first released in Japan in 1999, cost a reported $70m - a staggering sum for the time, and still a significant budget for a piece of entertainment even in 2015. Shenmue III will, barring some hefty private investment added at a later date, have less than 10 percent of that budget to play with - though its designers at Ys Net will at least be able to save money by using an off-the-peg engine (Unreal Engine 4) and recycled assets from earlier entries in the series.

At any rate, the success of the Kickstarter campaign means that the once-dormant Shenmue franchise has a new lease on life. We'll just have to wait and see how Suzuki can reintroduce the series to a new generation of consoles and potential fans.

Here's everything else we know about the game:

Shenmue III Release Date

Shenmue III has been delayed to the second half of 2018.

Said the game's director, Yu Suzuki, about the delay: "By utilizing new technologies, we have been able to discover new possibilities and expressions. In many ways, the game has become bigger and more beautiful than I initially expected. We do, however, need more time to deliver the game to you." 

The game is coming to PS4 and PC.

Shenmue III Trailer

The Shenmue III team have released a teaser trailer for this highly-anticipated project, and it is...oh boy, it's rough. It's probably important to keep in mind that the game is still in the very early stages of development and, as such, this trailer is perhaps best thought of as a glorified piece of concept art for the final project. 

With that in mind, here's the first full-length teaser for Shenmue III:

Yu Suzuki's team at Ys Net shared a brief yet atmospheric taste of what it could look like:

Here's the reveal trailer that was shown at E3 2015:

Shenmue III Screenshots

Ys Net has released three brand new screenshots from Shenmue III, which has just opened PC pre-orders. You can pre-order here.

Check out the screenshots:

"Main game scenarios are nearing completion, motion capture tests are well under way, and voicing tests with the cast have begun," Ys Net said in a Kickstarter update.Ys Net is also working on other elements, such as mini games, events, and battles.

"I have been completely absorbed in development [of] Shenmue IIIrecently, and often stay at the studio throughout the night to make it the best game possible. My life has become Shenmue both day and night, and I'm happy," said creator Yu Suzuki about developing this highly-anticipated sequel.