As we kick off summer, the world of gaming is abuzz with vibrant, anticipated revelations from the industry’s top conferences. The game showcases this summer have proven to be a goldmine of thrilling surprises, revealing an array of exciting games on the horizon. These are the most promising games to keep an eye on and possibly wishlist. Strap in, the future looks brighter, bolder, and better than ever.
The list features both indie games and headline AAA titles across a variety of different genres.
And remember, this is just the beginning. We’re only midway through June, and there are a few showcases yet to take place. So, do keep an eye on this space. We will continuously update this post with the latest and most promising games from upcoming events.
Star Wars: Outlaws
- Developer: Ubisoft Massive
- Publisher: Ubisoft Entertainment
- Genre: Adventure
- Expected Release Date: 2024
I’m honestly completely blown away by how good the two trailers for Star Wars: Outlaws look. Both in terms of graphical fidelity and from a gameplay perspective. Go and watch both of them right now. If you’re even remotely interested in a Star Wars action adventure, it will be worth your time. I promise.
This is probably my highlight announcement so far and definitely on my list of most anticipated upcoming releases.
Unfortunately, I’m still getting upset that we will never see Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic III with each and every new Star Wars game.
Frostpunk 2
- Developer: 11 bit studios
- Publisher: 11 bit studios
- Genre: Strategy
- Expected Release Date: 2024
It’s not news that the very good Frostpunk is getting a sequel. Seriously, if you have never played Frostpunk you should consider remedying that sooner rather than later. But I digress.
In Frostpunk 2 the age of steam has passed and we’re digging up oil again. The cinematic trailer below is just oozing this special atmosphere and I’m all here for it. Let the carnage begin, I’m going to be a (mostly) benevolent ruler and I can’t wait for the 2024 release.
Clockwork Revolution
- Developer: inXile Entertainment
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Genre: RPG
- Expected Release Date: TBD
Look at that, inXile is going first person! If you’re an RPG fan, you surely know inXile Entertainment from games like the Wasteland series, The Bard’s Tale series, or Torment: Tides of Numenera. However, most of those were isometric RPGs. We’re not counting the later entries in The Bard’s Tale, are we?
With Clockwork Revolution inXile is fully entering the realm of first-person RPGs and they’re doing it in a steampunk setting with a time travel twist in a city called Avalon. What could possibly go wrong?
Anyway, the trailer looked fantastic, inXile has a reputation for developing quality games and this one is going on the list!
Airborne Empire
- Developer: The Wandering Band
- Publisher: The Wandering Band, Stray Fawn Publishing
- Genre: Strategy
- Expected Release Date: 2024
Next on the list, we have Airborne Empire which was featured in the Future of Play Direct and OTK Games Expo. Building, managing, and defending a city in the skies? Yes, please! I think I would make a great ruler of an airborne empire.
Avowed
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Genre: RPG
- Expected Release Date: 2024
Avowed is the second RPG on the list and, like Clockwork Revolution, it’s developed by RPG veterans, namely Obsidian Entertainment. Avowed is a first-person RPG in the Pillars of Eternity world that is probably familiar to a lot of isometric RPG fans.
Both trailers and the good track record by Obsidian are definitely enough to get me excited to see more of the game so it’s really just a bonus that I really like the Pillars of Eternity world.
Cataclismo
- Developer: Digital Sun Games
- Publisher: Humble Games
- Genre: Strategy
- Expected Release Date: TBD
When I first saw the trailer for Cataclismo during the Humble Games Showcase 2023 I was caught by its unique vibe. Who could say no to a poem and epic music?
However, when I played the demo, it was a way different game than I initially expected it to be. By no means worse, just different. If a mix of tower defense and real-time strategy sounds enticing to you, chances are that Cataclismo will scratch that itch just right.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
- Developer: Ubisoft Bordeaux
- Publisher: Ubisoft Entertainment
- Genre: Adventure
- Expected Release Date: 12 October 2023
Hold up! This actually looks like Assassin’s Creed gameplay from the games I loved and not at all like the open-world action games that had the Assassin’s Creed name slapped onto them. I know that there’s a good number of people who really clicked with Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla but they weren’t my cup of tea at all.
I always got the impression that the latest trilogy is too grindy, too on the nose with its action, and not enough Assassin’s Creed. Well, it seems like that’s about to change again with Assassin’s Creed Mirage and I for one I’m glad that we’re apparently going back to the roots of the franchise.
Sand
- Developer: Hologryph, TowerHaus
- Publisher: tinyBuild
- Genre: Adventure
- Expected Release Date: TBD
Sand was covered during the PC Gaming Show and is on the list purely based on its reveal trailer below because I know next to nothing about it. The spidery vehicle at least gave me strong Wild Wild West vibes.
Sand is a vast, open world PVPVE game where you explore the fallen planet of Sophie. Build gigantic Tramplers to conquer this hostile environment, filled with mystical anomalies, monuments, and other players. Find out what happened in this fallen world, once ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
IGDB
Ok then. I’m still interested.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
- Developer: Massive Entertainment
- Publisher: Ubisoft Entertainment
- Genre: Adventure
- Expected Release Date: 7 December 2023
Is it still cool to hate Avatar? I enjoyed both movies for what they were, stunning presentations of next-level visual fidelity and effects with action set pieces sprinkled in here and there.
And you know what, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora looks like it wants to keep up in the graphical department. It looks nothing short of gorgeous. Whether the gameplay will hold up is yet to be determined but oh my god does the world of Pandora look vibrant in these trailers.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
- Developer: Jump Over The Age
- Publisher: Fellow Traveller
- Genre: Adventure, RPG
- Expected Release Date: TBD
Now I’ll be honest, I’ve never played Citizen Sleeper but I have heard great things about it and it has been sitting on my wishlist for ages.
The trailer for Citizen Sleeper 2 looked awesome so that alone justifies its spot on this list.
Starfield
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Genre: RPG
- Expected Release Date: 6 September 2023
Starfield is on this list because I really want to like it. The game looks absolutely stunning and the SciFi setting is right up my alley. Everybody and their mother seems to be hyped about Starfield but I do have my reservations.
What I don’t want is Skyrim in space. In fact, I hope it’s going to be a lot less like a typical Bethesda open-world game and a lot more like let’s say The Witcher 3. Because let’s face it, despite their enormous fanbase, Skyrim and its predecessors really are as wide as an ocean but as deep as a puddle.
In that aspect, The Witcher 3 has ruined me forever because I immensely enjoyed the random encounters throughout the world that would often lead to the best storylines the game had to offer. So give me a bit of that, maybe with a slight touch of Mass Effect and only a minor hint of Skyrim and I’ll be over the moon.
Baby Steps
- Developer: Bennett Foddy, Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch
- Publisher: Devolver Digital
- Genre: Adventure
- Expected Release Date: 2024
Baby Steps, revealed during the Devolver Direct showcase, is a late entry on the list because I actually didn’t know about the trailer until someone pointed it out to me when I asked for suggestions for this article over on my Youtube channel.
So I had a look and let me tell you that trailer is weird. But in a good way. After watching it I still have no idea what’s going on. It’s giving me QWOP in adventure form vibes? Anyway, the writing seems to be funny and the premise is interesting so we should all keep an eye on it.
Remember that this is just a glimpse of the upcoming games the future holds for us. Keep these promising titles on your radar and consider adding them to your wishlist. After all, each one represents a unique world waiting to be explored. We will continue to update this post as more conferences unfold and new gems are unveiled. Keep your mouse, keyboard, and gamepad at the ready, because the landscape of gaming is about to get even more exciting.
For all trailers from every conference head over to Games Recap.