6 Highly Anticipated Games That (Probably) Won’t Release This Generation

Highly Anticipated Video Games That Aren’t Releasing This Generation

The Last of Us Part II

Since its reveal in 2016, people have eagerly awaited their chance to return to the world of The Last of Us.

Shifting the focus from Joel to an older Ellie, the game looks to be just as dismal, violent and morally ambiguous in its storytelling, with tender moments between lovers mixed together with bloody clashes against raiders.

Unfortunately, a release date continues to elude fans. Each new year and trailer brings with it hopes of finally finding out when it will release only for Naughty Dog and Sony to remain, mums, the word.

While it is still possible that this long-awaited sequel could make its way to the PlayStation 4, Sony’s pivot away from public showcases doesn’t foster confidence in the idea that they’re still holding out many releases for this console generation.

As such, it’s more than possible that The Last of Us Part II will instead be an early AAA release by the company for the next generation, and a huge selling point for prospective buyers of Sony’s next console.

Highly Anticipated Video Games That Aren’t Releasing This Generation

Halo Infinite

Though the series may not be the household name it once was, the next release in the Halo series has people excited regardless.

Once again placing players in the space-faring adventures of Master Chief, the game looks to be set in a massive world full of wild life and jaw dropping vistas.

The visuals appear top of the line too, courtesy of the Slip Space engine used by developer 343 Industries, and the game’s director Frank O’Connor has expressed excitement and confidence around the title’s multiplayer component.

Unfortunately, there still isn’t much to go off of regarding the title’s final product. Having only been revealed at E3 2018, there’s little to no footage of the game available for preview.

Both 343 and Microsoft have also been silent on the game’s release window, leaving fans to speculate on when they’ll actually get their hands on it.

There’s still chance the game a late-gen release, especially given the Xbox One’s slim roster of big releases moving into the next couple of years, but there’s an equal chance it could be a must-have early offering on Microsoft’s next console.

Highly Anticipated Video Games That Aren’t Releasing This Generation

Beyond Good and Evil 2

After more than a decade of floating between development hell and vapor ware status, Beyond Good and Evil 2 has slowly taken shape as a title fans will one day get their hands on.

It looks to be an extremely ambitious offering too. Placing players in control of a space faring vessel and its crew, the game sees them travel the stars in search of new planets and the technologies they hold.

The more of the universe players see, the more well equipped their ship and crew will become, allowing them to take on an undisclosed threat that threatens the safety of all planets.

With this ambitious premise, however, comes an understandably long development process. While the game has received trailers, livestreams and gameplay footage in the past few years, Ubisoft still has yet to reveal a release date for the title.

As such, it’s likely that there’s still plenty of work to be done before the title finally sees a release.

There’s a slim chance it could make the window for release this console generation, but considering how long fans have already waited for it, waiting one more generation wouldn’t be the end of the world.

Highly Anticipated Video Games That Aren’t Releasing This Generation

Final Fantasy VII Remake

It would be an understatement that the remake of Final Fantasy VII is highly anticipated.

Boasting graphics and gameplay remade from the ground up using current-gen technology, the remake stands as a way for fans new and old to dive back into the iconic JRPG.

Its prospects for success are only bolstered by the fact that Tetsuya Nomura, one of Square Enix’s top creative figures, is heading the project.

Among all this excitement though, there is the reality that the game isn’t coming out anytime soon, or at least not in one piece.

Since it was first announced back in 2015, it was revealed that the remake would be released in an episodic, multipart fashion. Each episode would have a full-sized game of content, and as such would require that much more time to develop.

This long development cycle has only been exacerbated by Square Enix having to split their attention between it and Kingdom Hearts 3’s development, both of which are high profile releases that have required extensive development time.

Nomura has stated that the Final Fantasy VII remake will have the company’s complete attention once Kingdom Hearts 3 releases, though there’s no telling exactly how much work would still need to be done once this happens.

As such, it’s no surprise there hasn’t been any hint of a release window, and that news on the title has been few and far between.

There’s a very small chance one of the game’s episodes could release on the tail end of this console generation, but all things considered, fans should be prepared to see the game on a new generation of consoles.

Highly Anticipated Video Games That Aren’t Releasing This Generation

Starfield

When an acclaimed developer like Bethesda announces a new property, let alone their first new in-house franchise in 25 years, it’s understandable that the gaming community at large would be excited.

Set to be a Sci Fi epic on par with The Elder Scrolls, the new franchise is one which Bethesda has had under consideration for development for sometime. Its name was first trademarked back in 2013, months before they even trademarked Fallout 4.

All that has been shown of the game so far is a brief teaser trailer at E3 2018, and Bethesda hasn’t revealed any more on the title since.

Todd Howard has confirmed that Starfield won’t be releasing on current generation hardware.

Unsurprisingly, little to nothing has been revealed about the title’s actual gameplay or story, let alone if it’s an experience meant for single player, multiplayer or both.

That’s to say nothing of the fact that Bethesda’s attention is focused on maintaining and refining Fallout 76, a multiplayer Fallout title that has had a rocky first few months to say the least.

If anything, fans can expect previews and gameplay to trickle out before this generation is done.

Highly Anticipated Video Games That Aren’t Releasing This Generation

The Elder Scrolls VI

It’s been over seven years since the release on the mainline Elder Scrolls game, so fans were happy to learn that the Elder Scrolls VI was in development at Bethesda’s E3 2018 press conference.

Little was revealed about the title, though fans have since speculated that the game could take place in High Rock and Hammerfell, two regions found in the North of Tamriel.

Of course, these are only guesses, and Bethesda has yet to confirm or deny these theories.

It’ll likely be a while before they do so too. Like with Starfield, little has been revealed about The Elder Scrolls VI at this point, and with Bethesda’s attention focused on supporting Fallout 76, they’re not likely to pivot their development efforts anytime soon.

There’s also the fact that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is still a highly profitable title for the company.

As recently as June of last year, the game’s director Todd Howard said the title was still played by millions, hence why the title still sees releases across most every platform.

This gives Bethesda even more breathing room in VI’s development window, with fans still happy to stick to the previous entry.

It’s much more likely that the game will see trailers and gameplay reveals at E3 and other conferences for the remainder of this console generation, with a release in the early or mid-portion of the next generation of consoles.