10 Games That Could Carry the Xbox One in 2018

Crackdown 3

Games That Could Carry the Xbox One in 2018

Talk to Xbox One owners and chances are, they’re very hyped for Crackdown 3. This upcoming entry into the series looks set to carry on in its predecessors’ footsteps, allowing players to become a super-powered law enforcement officer. Alongside taking down crime lords, you’ll probably spend most of your time speeding around in a futuristic car, leaping onto skyscrapers, or destroying entire blocks with explosives.

Alas, Crackdown 3 has been on the Xbox One’s release schedule for quite some time. Having faced numerous delays since its initial reveal in 2013, we’re actually not all that wiser about the story or more in-depth details of the game. Here’s hoping 2018 will finally allow us to dive into the cloud-powered multiplayer destruction and epic single-player story.

State of Decay 2

Games That Could Carry the Xbox One in 2018

Everyone loves facing off against a seemingly endless torrent of zombies. Whether it’s in a fast-paced shooter like Left 4 Dead, or something a little more strategic and survival-focused such as State of Decay, or just about anything in between. State of Decay 2 retains the same core gameplay that made the original such a blast. You’ll still be focused on establishing a community of survivors and exploring nearby points of interest to continue to build it, all while fighting off zombies along the way.

State of Decay 2 makes a number of notable improvements, though. Your base now has more customization options to allow you to truly personalize it the way you want. Every decision you make now has a consequence that’ll stick with you throughout your playthrough, which looks set to add a bunch of replayability, too. Finally, there’s four player co-op multiplayer to boot, too. No more feeling lonely when you’re doing your part for your community of survivors! Top all that off with 4K and HDR support on the One X (and powerful enough PCs) and you’ve got a sequel that looks set to breathe fresh life into the undead once again.

Sea of Thieves

Games That Could Carry the Xbox One in 2018

Sometimes, you just want to go on an adventure with friends, and that’s what Sea of Thieves is all about. Band up, set sail on your pirate ship, and explore the seas and the islands scattered within them. Whether you want to engage in some naval warfare with other players online, or you just want to drink rum and get drunk (yes, this is actually a thing), it’s all possible in Sea of Thieves.

It’s not just other players sailing the seas you need to be worried about, though. Wild animals and exotic creatures will try and catch you off-guard as you explore desert islands in search of forgotten treasure, or dive under the waves to loot abandoned shipwrecks. With a beta slated for a few weeks time and the full release in just a couple of months, it’s time to start practicing your best pirate impression!

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Games That Could Carry the Xbox One in 2018

Ori and the Blind Forest almost came out of nowhere back in 2015. Sure, we knew it looked great, but those kid-friendly visuals were deceiving, for at its heart, Ori was a challenging and compelling platformer.

In Will of the Wisps, Ori is pushed out of the safety of the forest of Nibel and must discover the mysteries that lie beyond. Whether or not the gameplay will be drastically different from the Blind Forest remains to be seen, especially considering we’ve only had a brief look at the game at E3 2017. We did like that owl, though!

While we’re still waiting for a solid release date, we could see Ori hitting the Xbox One (and PC) sometime later in 2018. And if it does, it has absolutely got to be something Xbox One owners check out.

Kingdom Hearts III

Games That Could Carry the Xbox One in 2018

If you’re a Final Fantasy and Disney fan, then Kingdom Hearts III’s (hopeful) arrival on the Xbox One in 2018 is definitely going to be of interest to you. It’s been 13 years since the release of Kingdom Hearts II, and despite a number of smaller spin-offs in the series, it’s never quite been the same as the core experiences.

Kingdom Hearts III not only features a Pixar-themed world, but will also introduce new gameplay mechanics to the series such as the ability to wield guns, as well as adding more party members to your crew. On top of these slick new features (and the giant 13-year wait), Kingdom Hearts III will mark the debut of the series on Microsoft’s console. As a series predominantly found on Sony systems, with the odd appearance on a Nintendo handheld, Kingdom Hearts III could open the series up to a whole new audience.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Games That Could Carry the Xbox One in 2018

When it comes to third-party, multi-platform titles releasing in 2018, there are few that have quite the same level of hype surrounding them as Red Dead Redemption 2. Though we’ve seen very, very, little of Rockstar Games’ prequel to the 2010 smash hit, the two trailers we have received have been more than enough to get fans ready to head to the Wild West once more.

This time around, players will actually be a part of the Van der Linde gang, filling the shoes of Arthur Morgan as they steal a bunch of stuff and shoot a bunch of people across the Wild West. On top of what looks to be a very gritty and mature single-player story, chances are that Red Dead Redemption 2 will also include Red Dead Online. After the success Rockstar has seen with GTA Online (even now, five years after its initial release), we can only assume we’ll be thrown into a multiplayer world just as immersive and enjoyable.

Anthem

Games That Could Carry the Xbox One in 2018

Anthem may look and even sound similar to other titles already out there. Players venture out to uncover unexplored landscapes beyond the walls of civilization, fight dangerous alien creatures, and get a bunch of increasingly powerful loot. Oh, and you can do it all with your friends, too.

What makes Anthem stand out from the rest, though, is the caliber of the developer behind it. BioWare knows what it’s doing when it comes to multiplayer-centric titles. Just ask one of the hundreds upon thousands of fans of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Currently set for a fall 2018 release, this could well be one giant time sink for the end of the year.

Far Cry 5

Games That Could Carry the Xbox One in 2018

Far Cry 5 sparked a bit of controversy when it was revealed early last year. Now that the dust has finally settled on all that, it’s time to just be excited about exploring another great open-world teeming with side quests to complete and creatures to turn into crafting materials. Set in Montana, Far Cry 5 sees players lead a resistance movement against The Father, leader of the evil Eden’s Gate group that preys on the hopeless.

Rather than just occasionally talking to an NPC for a quest, this time around, every quest you complete or settlement you take control of will boost your resistance meter, allowing you to unlock more missions and gain access to more of the game. You’ll have access to the entire map from the start of the game, too, so the land of Montana is quite literally your oyster.

Having seen just how great Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Origins looked on the Xbox One X, we can’t wait to see the world of Far Cry 5 brought to life in 4K and HDR. A potentially perfect showcase of the Xbox One X’s power not long after its release is just what it needs to continue its charge on the PS4.

Below

Games That Could Carry the Xbox One in 2018

Below is, for the most part, a game that’s shrouded in mystery. Despite having been revealed back at Microsoft’s 2013 E3 conference alongside the likes of Crackdown 3, we still don’t know much about it at all. Developer Capybara Games has remained fairly silent aside from the game’s basic premise.

Below puts players in control of a tiny warrior as they explore the depths of a remote and eerie island. The experience is equal parts exploration and survival, meaning you just know you’re going to be coming up against some hard-as-nails enemies. Plus, all of the environments are randomly generated, so you’ll be getting a fresh experience every time.

Unfortunately, Below was delayed back in mid-2016 while the developer shifted its focus to a different title, OK K.O! Let’s Play Heroes. However, with this also due to release in 2018, we can’t help but feel like Below could finally get its Xbox One release towards the tail-end of 2018.

The Last Night

Games That Could Carry the Xbox One in 2018

Scheduled to release on Xbox One and PC just sometime in 2018, The Last Night stole a lot of hearts when it was shown off during Microsoft’s E3 2017 conference. Its stunning, vibrant colors and pixelated visuals bring its “post-cyberpunk” world to life, which players will see plenty of as they make their way through this side-scrolling action-adventure game.

We don’t know all that much about The Last Night, but we do know we’ll be taking control of a lower-class citizen known as Charlie, living in a thriving metropolis he’ll never truly be a part of. One day, he’s offered an opportunity to change his status-quo and that’s the story we’ll follow in the title. If you’ve not heard of The Last Night before, we strongly advise checking out its trailer.