5 Games Coming in 2019 That You’re Probably Sleeping On

2019 Games You’re Probably Sleeping On

Left Alive – March 4

Front Mission is one of the longest-running mecha series out there, but you’d never know Left Alive is set in the Front Mission universe at first glance. The game does something very different from previous entries, creating a stealth-shooter experience that takes the focus away from Wanzer mechs.

There are obvious comparisons that you can draw to Metal Gear Solid, and that’s just what makes Left Alive so promising; that it might deliver the new Metal Gear-style experience fans have been craving since The Phantom Pain.

Taking place in the fictional city of Novo Slava in 2127 you control three different characters as they try to survive an invasion by a massive enemy army. Choice plays a central role, both in terms of the story and gameplay.

Whether you creep past an enemy squad and let them execute civilians, or try and save the citizens, decisions like this can affect both the limited supplies you have and factor into the overall story and ending of the game.

While stealth-action is central to Left Alive’s gameplay, Wanzers still play an important role, and the game sports character designs by Yoji Shinkawa (Metal Gear Solid) and mech designs by Takayuki Yanase (Mobile Suit Gundam 00).

With all of the other big Square Enix games lately, like Kingdom Hearts 3, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Final Fantasy XIV, it’s been hard for Left Alive to get any attention. Still, everything we’ve seen of the game looks promising, and if done properly, Left Alive could help fill a serious gap in gaming as of late.

2019 Games You’re Probably Sleeping On

Judgment – Q2 2019

The Yakuza series has exploded into popularity in the last few years, with quality titles like Yakuza 0, Yakuza 6, and Yakuza Kiwami 2. Although it doesn’t bear the Yakuza name, Judgment comes from the same studio, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, and shares a lot of DNA with the cult classic series.

You play as Takayuki Yagami, a disgraced defense attorney now living as a private investigator. Yagami seeks his redemption as he investigates the twisting and turning world of the Yakuza in Kamurocho, the same red-light district used in Yakuza.

Despite being set in the same city, Judgment sports a starkly different story than that of Yakuza, focusing more on the other side rather than the criminal organization, the Yakuza. By this same token, Judgment has similar but different gameplay elements as well.

The game will have a combat system that lets you swap between different styles, like in Yakuza 0, and there will still be plenty of minigames and side stories to partake in.

Investigation mechanics are a big difference in Judgment, however, requiring you to do things like tail a suspect, questions witnesses and present evidence, and don disguises while in certain areas.

On top of all this, Judgment will have a full English dub, meaning this is easily one of the most accessible games from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio so far.

The developer has become quite well-known for the gripping and dramatic stories they tell, mixed in with some absurdly fun combat and gameplay elements. So far it looks like Judgment hits all of these beats, and it’s bound to be another surreal experience that you won’t want to miss.

2019 Games You’re Probably Sleeping On

BioMutant – TBA 2019

With open world games being a dime a dozen these days, new titles have to do something unique in order to stand out. Luckily, that’s just what BioMutant does, and why it should be on your radar.

In a post-apocalyptic world filled with mutated creatures, you create your very own mutant with an intense degree of customization, altering body shape and size, fangs, length, fur thickness, and more.

All of these customization options will directly play into the stats and abilities of your creature. The story of BioMutant has you journeying around the world to try and save the Tree of Life, which is in danger of being destroyed by a mysterious poisonous oil that has seeped up through the surface.

Along your journey, you’ll be able to recruit companions, and customize your mutant with new weapons, abilities, and even bio-mechanical body parts. By doing this, you can change the look and function of your character, outfitting them with mechanical wings to fly, or mechanical legs that let you jump and dash at crazy speeds.

BioMutant’s combat leans heavily into action-RPG, and the entire game has an almost comic book-y element to it, with exaggerated effects and action words popping up when you cause damage in combat.

BioMutant looks incredibly ambitious, and its art style and mutation mechanics are definitely unique. Only time will tell if all of that ambition pays off, but at the very least it’s at least a game that open world fans need to have their eye on.

2019 Games You’re Probably Sleeping On

Psychonauts 2 – TBA 2019

Despite being critically acclaimed in nearly every way, the original Psychonauts is still known as a cult classic, rather than a mainstream title. It’s also easily one of the best action-platformers ever created, right up there with the likes of 3D Mario games, Ratchet & Clank, Banjo-Kazooie and more.

Like its predecessor, Psychonauts 2 follows a young boy named Raz who has psychic powers, and ends up joining the Psychonauts, a group of psychically-gifted spies. Picking up right after the VR game, In the Rhombus of Ruins, Psychonauts 2 sees Raz returning to the organization to find it completely changed.

Now, its purpose has been changed from a peacekeeping organization to one researching questionable practices like Necromancy.

Players will use powers like telekinesis, pyrokinesis, and levitation to solve puzzles and move through different levels, in tandem with the usual platforming elements like jumping and battling enemies. Just like the first game, each level in Psychonauts 2 will involve Raz journeying through the consciousness of another character.

The latest trailer for the game showed off an absolutely gorgeous art style, and it seems Psychonauts 2 still has the same wit and humor as most Double Fine games. If you still haven’t played the first one,  you have time to catch up on one of the best platformers of all time before the sequel releases later in 2019.

2019 Games You’re Probably Sleeping On

Code Vein – TBA 2019

When From Software released Demon’s Souls and then Dark Souls, they inadvertently created an entirely new genre of Souls-likes. For however many great Souls-like games there have been, however, no one has managed to add an anime style that would work so well.

Code Vein might be the game to change all that, sporting a stunning cel-shaded anime style that combines elements of sci-fi and gothic fiction. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where vampiric creatures known as the Lost wander, endlessly searching for blood.

The only thing standing between them and the destruction of humanity is a society of Revenants called Vein, who straddle the line between humanity and vampirism due to their “gifts.” If you’ve played a Souls game you should be familiar with the core tenets of Code Vein.

Combat is very methodical, requiring you to learn enemy attack patterns and when to take advantage of them, however, some core differences set Code Vein apart. At all times you’ll be able to bring a companion character with you, and who you bring will even decide which “Gifts” or abilities you have access to.

To use these Gifts you’ll need to use your Blood Veil to drain the blood from enemies, which in turn powers you up. Code Vein also has a bonfire-like save system and risk-reward experience system, pushing it into the Souls-like genre even more.

Code Vein looks like it has all the makings of a cult classic, and despite a couple of delays, it should still be on the top of your list of 2019 games.