I asked. You answered. Over 100 votes, and too many games to keep track of, but here we are- System Wars has picked its most anticipated game of 2017, and the result is- well, I suppose whether you find it expected or surprising will depend entirely on where you are standing.
This one game, however, and the nine runners-up, represent what is likely to be the cream of the crop of gaming come 2017- the best games in a year that promises to be packed with great games. Here they are, in order:
SYSTEM WARS MOST ANTICIPATED GAME OF 2017: RUNNERS-UP:
10. GOD OF WAR (PS4)
The next entry in Sony Santa Monica's flagship franchise promises to be a structural and mechanical reboot- a complete change in setting (we've shifted gears to Norse mythology, now), coupled with entirely different gameplay (featuring branching paths, camera control, new mechanics, and the addition of an AI partner), and a more sedate pace, the new God of War looks like the kind of dramatic overhaul the series has been yearning for. God of War has spent years getting long in the tooth, and it is incredibly satisfying to see the series be exciting and fresh again. It's no wonder that, even knowing as little about it as we do, System Wars is excited enough for God of War for it to land on the Most Anticipated Games of 2017 list.
9. SHENMUE 3 (PS4/PC)
The impossible is happening, and Shenmue 3 is actually going to be made. Fans who have wondered how Ryo's story ends now need to wait not much longer- Shenmue 3 caps off the saga and resolves the cliffhanger from Shenmue 2 at last. While it is unclear if the new game will be able to set standards for open worlds, immersion, graphics, and storytelling like the original duology did - it is being made on a Kickstarter budget after all - fans of Yu Suzuki's crowning achievement are likely to simply be happy that the game is allowed to exist at all.
8. SCALEBOUND (XONE/PC)
Platinum Games and Hideki Kamiya's upcoming Scalebound has been a long time coming- and while its showings haven't necessarily been the most convincing, the sheer pedigree of the talent behind the game ensures that fans are going to be excited for it, and sit up and take notice. Plus, come on- an action RPG with dragons made by Platinum Games? Who wouldn't want some of that? Thankfully, we don't have long to wait before we get to play this game at last. If it's even half the game that Kamiya's previous work has been, it will be a legendary addition to the Xbox One lineup.
7. NIOH (PS4)
Team Ninja's brutally difficult game starring the only western samurai ever seems to be a spiritual successor to From Software's Demon's Souls- the game promises that same brand of difficult, exacting, satisfying gameplay, with the same kinds of smart encounters that made the Souls games so beloved worldwide. For Team Ninja, who have been having a bad patch ever since the departure of Itagaki, the game promises a shot at a return to form. And for PlayStation fans, many of whom have been waiting for this game for ten years, since when it was first announced in 2006, this game represents the chance to have a truly stunning addition to the PlayStation library, unlikely to be like any other game releasing next year.
6. SEA OF THIEVES (XONE/PC)
Rare haven't had the best time of it lately- the studio has seen so many high profile departures, has been variously made to work on Kinect projects, or Xbox Live avatars, and is generally just a shell of its former shell now. Which is why seeing Sea of Thieves is such a pleasant surprise- the game looks to be Rare back in top form, delivering a charming, pleasant, and addictively fun experience that is bound to win the hearts of gamers the world over. Sea of Thieves looks like it will be one of the most unique additions to the Xbox One library- and simultaneously, it also looks like it will remind the gaming world why we all loved Rare to begin with.
5. RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 (PS4/XONE)
Surprisingly enough, Rockstar's upcoming Red Dead Redemption 2 only lands itself a fifth place position on this chart. The original Red Dead Redemption is one of the highest rated games of all time, one of the most beloved games of last generation, and a title that probably boasts one of the most passionate fanbases in gaming (and that truly is saying something). All of this means that Red Dead Redemption 2's fifth place finish is a bit confusing, sure, but it also means that the sequel is likely to be every bit as great as the original game- especially coming as it is from Rockstar, who, fresh off of the world shattering success of Grand Theft Auto V, really can do no wrong right now.
4. HORIZON: ZERO DAWN (PS4)
Guerrilla Games' upcoming project looks to be unlike anything they have done before- an open world action RPG with what might be one of the most unique and visually arresting settings in video games, and an immensely intriguing lead character, every part of Horizon instantly piques interest. That we have been seeing the game for so long, and that it has only gotten better in all that time with each new look that we have gotten at it, inspires even more confidence in it. Guerrilla Games have, thus far, been known for largely middling shooters with overly linear gameplay- can they make the jump from something like Killzone, to something as audaciously ambitious as Horizon? We're going to find out in February when the game releases at last, but all early indications seem to point at a resounding 'YES' as the answer to that question.
3. PERSONA 5 (PS4/PS3)
For the third year straight, Persona 5 manages to make it on to this list, and it does so this year at the highest position it has ever held on this poll- indicating the generally high level of excitement surrounding Persona 5. The higher and more visible profile the series has enjoyed in the west in the years since Persona 5's original announcement all those years ago, plus some great showings over the last year, as well as the stunningly positive reception the game got upon its Japanese release earlier this year, all seem to have people on board- Persona 5 promises to be a truly special game, and a triumphant return to form of the JRPG, a genre that has languished on consoles in the last few years. Persona 3 and Persona 4 are widely regarded by fans to be among the greatest games ever made- can Persona 5 perform a threepeat and top those two? Four years after its initial announcement, we're this close to finally finding out.
2. MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA (PS4/XONE/PC)
Five years after the most controversial ending in video game history, Mass Effect will be returning with Mass Effect Andromeda, which looks to be among the most ambitious RPGs ever made. Bioware's newest game will follow humanity attempting to explore and chart a home for itself in the Andromeda galaxy, facing new threats along the way. With an entire galaxy open to players to explore, and a return ti the kind of open ended, exploration based gameplay that made the original Mass Effect so beloved, before its sequels went in an entirely different direction, Mass Effect Andromeda, should it stick the landing, could end up being one of the most beloved games of this generation. Will it stick the landing? Bioware's recent track record isn't the most encouraging, but as long time fans of the studio know, when the developer is firing on all cylinders, it really fires on all cylinders.
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Okay, so just to recap, here's the list of the runners-up:
10. God of War
09. Shenmue 3
08. Scalebound
07. Nioh
06. Sea of Thieves
05. Red Dead Redemption 2
04. Horizon: Zero Dawn
03. Persona 5
02. Mass Effect Andromeda
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