25 games we can’t wait to play in 2020: Cyberpunk 2077 to Doom Eternal

The beginning of a new decade marks a potentially pivotal year in gaming, filled with next-generation consoles, blockbuster VR releases and monster sequels.  

It’s perhaps unsurprising then 2019 lacked a defining killer title. There were unquestionable highlights like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Control, Resident Evil 2 and Fire Emblem Three Houses, but they didn’t necessarily take huge strides from past formulas.  

A scan of 2020’s line-up, however, looks almost overwhelming. So what're the most promising titles on the horizon? Here’s what you should be excited for in 2020.  

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 1. Cyberpunk 2077

It’s coming out, for real. After years of teases and trailers, CD Projekt Red will release its expansive open world sci-fi RPG upon the world.

As the studio who created one of the best western RPGs in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, there’s a whole load of expectation for this new IP to have a similar all-conquering impact.  

• Release date: 16 April 
• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PS4, Stadia and Xbox One 

Interested? read Cyberpunk 2077 - Everything you need to know about the game

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 2. Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite arrives with the new Xbox (Picture: Microsoft) 

Microsoft is set to launch its new Xbox with Halo Infinite, the first mainline entry in the franchise since 2015’s Halo 5: Guardians.  

Developer 343 Industries hasn’t quite achieved the revered success of Bungie’s work on the series, but will it be third time lucky with Halo Infinite? Either way, it’s the best Xbox launch title you could ask for.  

• Release date: Winter 2020 
• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X.  

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 3. Final Fantasy VII Remake

Final Fantasy VII is given a fresh coat of paint (Picture: Square Enix) 

Square Enix will release the first part of its Final Fantasy VII Remake in March, with a revamped combat system and spectacular new visuals.  

The big question is whether it’ll satisfy when split into separate parts, although glossed-up nostalgia might be enough to earn some goodwill over its release plans.  

• Release date: 3 March 
• Platforms: PS4 

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 4. Nioh 2

The original Nioh was a welcome surprise in 2017; offering a Dark Souls clone with depth, style and a steep learning curve to rival its original inspiration.  

The sequel could be the moment Nioh steps out from Dark Souls shadow, with trailers promising crazier move sets and more varied locations.  

• Release date: 13 March  
• Platforms: PS4 

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 5. Doom Eternal

Doom Eternal was delayed until 2020 (Picture: Bethesda) 

The highly anticipated follow-up to id Software’s 2016 reboot was delayed from November 2019 to March 2020, with expectations now even higher for a screamingly violent sequel.  

Early word has been enormously positive, so we have high hopes there’ll be enough fresh mechanics to make the depths of hell worth a revisit.  

• Release date: 20 March 
• Platforms: PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Google Stadia, Microsoft Windows 

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6. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing returns next year (Picture: Nintendo)  

If you don’t fancy chaining kills in hell, take a trip to an island resort with Animal Crossing: New Horizons instead.  

As the first Animal Crossing on Nintendo Switch, the expectation is high for a robust online experience the company isn’t exactly known for. If you’re simply after cutesy charms though, this will deliver in spades and bug nets. 

• Release date: 20 March  
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch 

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 7. The Last Of Us Part II

How do you follow one of the most revered games of the decade? Developer Naughty Dog has the answer in this second part to Joel and Ellie’s story.  

Considering the developer’s astonishing track record, The Last Of Us Part II already feels like a game of the year contender for 2020.  

• Release date: 29 May 
• Platforms: PS4 

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 8. Resident Evil 3 remake

Resident Evil 3 receives the remake treatment (Picture: Capcom) 

After the success of Resident Evil 2, Capcom is doubling down by overhauling Resident Evil 3 for a swift 2020 release.  

The package also comes with new multiplayer spin-off Resistance, an online asymmetric four versus one game that looks to add longevity to the remake.  

• Release date: 3 April 
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One and PC 

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 9. Marvel’s Avengers

Can we get used to these new Avengers? (Picture: Square Enix) 

Arriving just over a year after Avengers: Endgame dominated cinemas, this game interpretation of Marvel’s mightiest heroes feels oddly delayed from the cultural zeitgeist.  

But will it even matter? Following Spider-Man on the PS4, Marvel is perhaps hoping its Cinematic Universe success can jump over into gaming territory.  

• Release date: 15 May 
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia 

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 10. Zelda: Breath Of The Wild 2

While it’s unknown if Breath Of The Wild 2 will release in 2020, the thin Nintendo Switch line-up for the year so far indicates it’s certainly a possibility.  

The first was a beloved shot in the arm for the franchise stuffed with secrets, so it’ll be interesting to see how close to the formula this sequel will stick.  

• Release date: Rumoured for 2020 
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch 

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 11. Bayonetta 3

Bayonetta 3 is expected to arrive in 2020 (Picture: YouTube) 

We’ve barely heard anything about Bayonetta 3 following its initial announcement trailer in 2017, but all signs point toward a release at some point in 2020.  

The first two are easily among the best action games of the decade, so a third entry could pull off an unmissable trilogy.  

• Release date: 2020 
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch 

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 12. Diablo IV

Diablo IV is also rumoured to arrive in 2020 (Picture: Blizzard) 

Announced at Blizzcon 2019, Diablo IV is rumoured to be gearing up for a 2020 release eight years after the previous entry.  

Judging by the first trailer, this new entry is swinging back into darker colour palette with some excellent monster design.  

• Release date: 2020 
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

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 13. Half-Life: Alyx

It might not be Half-Life 3, but Half-Life: Alyx could be a major milestone towards VR’s killer app. Valve is promising a full-length Half-Life title in VR, with gravity gloves to boot.  

We’ll have to wait and see if it can live up to the franchise’s pedigree, but let’s embrace the fact a new Half-Life title is actually definitely coming out.  

• Release date: March 
• Platforms: Microsoft Windows 

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 14. Ghost Of Tsushima

Ghost Of Tsushima is another big Sony exclusive (Picture: Sony) 

Sucker Punch hasn’t released a game since Infamous Second Son at the beginning of the PlayStation 4’s lifecycle, so it’s perhaps fitting their next title is a bookend before the next generation.  

A metaphorical bookend, of course. Ghost Of Tsushima is an action-adventure title featuring samurais during the first Mongol invasion of Japan in the 1270s.  

• Release date: 2020 
• Platforms: PS4 

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 15. Dying Light 2

Dying Light became a surprise smash (Picture: Techland) 

The sequel to Techland’s 2015 open world survival horror title looks to build on the original formula in every way, with more zombies, customisation and weapons.  

Dying Light 2 picks up 15 years after the first and features a map four times larger for your parkour escape needs.  

• Release date: 2020 
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows 

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 16. Bleeding Edge

Developer Ninja Theory’s first Microsoft exclusive is a multiplayer combat title, sporting a collection of characters reminiscent of Overwatch.  

Considering it has the same combat designer from the underrated DmC: Devil May Cry, expect polished mechanics with plenty of depth.  

• Release date: 24 March  
• Platforms: Xbox One and Microsoft Windows 

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 17. Gods & Monsters

Gods & Monsters dives into Greek mythology (Picture: Ubisoft) 

From the creators of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a new fantasy open-world adventure, touted as an “epic journey through the fantastical world of Greek mythology”. 

The art style is probably enough to convince a purchase though, striking a similar tone as Zelda: Breath Of The Wild.  

• Release date: 25 February 
• Platforms: PS4, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

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 18. Ori And The Will Of The Wisps

Ori And The Blind Forest has since arrived on Nintendo Switch (Picture: Microsoft) 

The sequel to Microsoft’s breakout hit Ori And The Blind Forest, this platform-adventure boasts stunning visuals and a surprisingly heartfelt story.  

But will it achieve the same success as the original? 

• Release date: 11 February  
• Platforms: Xbox One and Microsoft Windows 

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 19. Rainbow Six Quarantine

Ubisoft is attempting to capitalise on the success of Rainbow Six Siege with spin-off Quarantine.  

Set several years in the future from Siege, operators will face off against a breed of mutated alien parasites – which sounds like it was inspired by limited time Siege mode Outbreak.  

• Release date: 2020 
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows 

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 20. Watch Dogs: Legion

Watch Dogs Legion was delayed until later in 2020 (Picture: Ubisoft) 

One of the most promising titles from E3 2019, Watch Dogs: Legion could pave the way for future Ubisoft sandbox games – offering the ability to play as anyone in the world by recruiting them through tailored missions.  

It sounds like Ubisoft’s most ambitious game in years, although we’ll have to see whether the world is ready to sink into futuristic dystopian London.  

• Release date: 2020 
• Platforms: PS4, Google Stadia, Xbox One 

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 21. Disintegration

Disintegration could be the next big sci-fi shooter (Picture: V1 Interactive) 

Developed by V1 Interactive, founded by Halo creative director Marcus Lehto and SOCOM director Mike Gutmann, Disintegration could be the next first-person shooter IP to rival Destiny.  

Early trailers make it look like a cross between Titanfall and Destiny. We’ll have to see though if it can find a distinctive identity all of its own.  

• Release date: 2020 
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows 

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 22. No More Heroes 3

Travis Touchdown returns for a proper outing next year following this year’s spin-off, Travis Strikes Again.  

The original games are some of the wackiest action games available, combining hack and slash combat, incredible villains and hilarious mini-games. A third entry could finally give the franchise the audience it deserves. 

• Release date: 2020 
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch 

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 23. Tell Me Why

Tell Me Why is from the makers of Life Is Strange (Picture: Dontnod) 

Following the success of acclaimed series Life Is Strange, Dontnod Entertainment is releasing Xbox exclusive narrative adventure Tell Me Why. 

The story is revolved around twins, one of which has transitioned to male. It’ll be released in three parts across summer 2020.  

• Release date: 2020 
• Platforms: Xbox One 

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 24. Outriders

Outriders could be a Gears Of War rival (Picture: Microsoft) 

From the developer of Bulletstorm and Gears Of War: Judgment, Outriders is a new sci-fi co-op shooter that supports up to three players.  

It looks very similar to Gears Of War, and considering that franchise has largely stuck to the formula in recent entries, Outriders could be a welcome alternative if it brings some new ideas.  

• Release date: September 2020 
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows 

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 25. Destroy All Humans! remake

Originally released in 2005 on PlayStation 2, Destroy All Humans is getting the remake treatment in 2020 from Black Forest Games.  

This new version hopes to revive the franchise, which built its name through a distinct personality, humour and crazy sci-fi weapons.  

• Release date: 2020 
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows and Google Stadia 

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