Upcoming Games in the Year of the Snake
Games I'm looking at throughout 2025
2024 is closing soon and I am already using the Chinese Zodiac!
Yes, the year of the snake is almost upon us, and what better way to end 2024 than with some upcoming games I’m personally watching next year. Or at the very least, put them on my wish list to revisit later. I counted in my one hand, five games I’m looking at coming into 2025. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Developer: Omega Force; Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Type of Game: “Musou” Hack & Slash
Platform: Pc, Xbox, Ps5
Release Date: January 17, 2025
Kicking it off is Dynasty Warriors Origin, a franchise that is a “return to form.” Omega Force and Koei Tecmo’s recent outings for this series in the Musou genre haven’t been adequate even for their standards, and it is just trotting along in relative mediocrity. The last shake-up was Dynasty Warriors 9, where they attempted an open-world setting, which didn’t work out for them. Origin looked to elevate over anything they put out in the last decade.
I took a look at the trailer it’s nothing like their past outings. Origin kept what the Dynasty Warriors represented while making changes to its formula which was needed for a long time. The gameplay looked less mindless compared to previous entries. DW Origins appears to have actual effort this time around and felt compelled to put it on the list. What surprised me was a demo being available for those curious to try. Defiantly doing a playtest on it before release!
Developer: Warhorse Studios; Publisher: Deep Silver
Type of Game: Open-World Medieval Immersive Sim RPG
Platform: Pc, Xbox, Ps5
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Fixing their mistakes from their first outing, Here’s an RPG set in a country not talked about nor shown in entertainment, Central Europe! More specifically, the Czech Republic, which was called Bohemia and used to be a vassal state for the Holy Roman Empire during the 15th century. This is a treat for those who want a historically authentic experience. Kingdom Come Deliverance II is the game that will turn heads and win for AAs!
Developer/Publisher: Monolith Soft
Type of Game: Sci-Fi Fantasy JRPG
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: March 20, 2025
My personal anticipated game I’m getting on day one for sure is a Wii U exclusive that’s finally being put on the Switch. Just in time before Nintendo’s next console makes its presence in the world. Xenoblade Chronicles X was in purgatory on a console that didn’t sell well. There were Wii U games that have been ported over to the Switch over the years. Super Mario 3D World, Captain Toad Treasure Tracker, Pokkén Tournament, and many more. Xenoblade X looks to finally be moving to the family as well. I cannot wait to pilot Gundams in this vast sci-fi adventure. Albeit in short bursts, this JRPG is longer than the new ones in the franchise! Took me 92 hours to get through Xenoblade 3 not excluding the DLC… How long will this game take me I wonder?
Developer/Publisher: SNK Corp.
Type of Game: 2D Fighting Game
Platform: Pc, Xbox, Ps5
Release Date: April 24, 2025
After 26 years since the release of Garou: Mark of the Wolves and anything Fatal Fury related once King of Fighters took the reins. City of the Wolves looks to be the successor to Fatal Fury and a direct sequel of the mentioned Garou. I’m confused on the title but still very excited to see this long awaiting that SNK fans and fighting games players alike can get their hands on. What’s the difference between Fatal Fury and King of Fighters you might ask?
Fatal Fury gameplay is a traditional 1 vs 1 affair compared to its younger brother who has focused on team battles (3v3) since its inception. Trailers for this title recently have shown it looked to be completely different from King of Fighters as well. Despite retaining the SNK art style the company has been known for. City of the Wolves will have different gameplay mechanics, and characters are not present in KoF but are only in Fatal Fury. As well as characters crossing over in between. While I’m no fighting game junkie, this fighting game takes me back to simpler times.
Developer/Publisher: 11-bit Studios
Type of Game: Narrative-driven Sci-fi Survival
Platform: Pc
Release Date: Q1 2025 (Late Winter/Early Spring?)
The demo (which you can still play) of this title came out of nowhere during Steam Next Fest some time ago. It is a game that for me fulfills the idea of having different clones of myself being in different professions. Though having to do that while trying to survive on a hostile planet all by myself usually doesn’t come into play. That’s exactly what The Alters is and doing something different compared to its contemporaries in the genre. This is a narrative-driven- single-player survival game which was unheard of considering these types of games are multiplayer-focused. Perhaps that is why I’m interested in The Alters in the first place. Doing outside the norm like what 11-bit Studios doing is admirable and hopefully translates on launch day. Wish them luck!
Honorable Mentions
Despite what I said at the beginning of this post, I couldn’t help giving out some honorable mentions here.
Developer/Publisher: Toukana Interactive, Kurzgesagt - in a nutshell
Type of Game: Cozy Asteroid Base Builder
Platform: Pc
Release Date: TBA 2025
Developer/Publisher: Level5
Type of Game: Fantasy Farming Sim
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: April 2025
That’s all I got for you guys—ending off 2024 with upcoming games that interest you as it did for me. Also proves daily that good games on every level of production are still a thing. But only if you’re willing to expand your horizons, even if the games shown here are not what you’re into. Have a good Christmas and see you in 2025!