While there were a multitude of incredible gaming titles released in 2023, the industry never stands still. Thoughts are already turning to 2024 and what the forthcoming year will bring. Yes, gaming enthusiasts will be chomping at the bit to get their hands on some of the much-anticipated releases over the coming 12 months, and the titles will inevitably continue to fly off the production line.
With that in mind, we have provided the lowdown on some of the biggest titles, fleshed out some details on the synopsis of each game, as well as explored the gaming trends that are cropping up. This guide is bound to whet your appetite.
Star Wars: Dark Forces
Reworkings and remasterings of gaming franchises are in vogue, and such treatment has been afforded to Star Wars. Indeed, Star Wars: Dark Forces, which now has a confirmed 2024 release date (February 24), has been given a fresh reboot of the original Dark Forces that exploded into the public consciousness nearly 30 years ago.
You will play Kyle Katarn, the nefarious defector of the Empire, who has now become a mercenary ready for hire. Representing the Rebel Alliance, Katarn infiltrates the Empire when he uncovers his findings on the Dark Trooper Project.
It is worth noting that Star Wars: Dark Forces has upgraded its gameplay features, although porting the game to modern hardware was a lot harder than originally thought, at least according to the port’s developer Nightdive Studios. Despite initiating one of the more challenging ports, the first-person shooter game has enhanced the lighting and rendering textures, as well as instilled more advanced 3D elements to make it a highly immersive game.
Oh, and Star Wars: Dark Forces will be available on all major gaming consoles, including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl
Although post-apocalyptic in nature, Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl, this gripping first-person shooter game is set in the Chernobyl exclusion zone where monsters run riot, while humans can be friends and foes alike. The premise of this game is to unravel the mysteries while trying to survive the dangers simultaneously.
16 years on from the previous release of Shadow of Chernobyl, there have been numerous delays with this game which was originally slated for release in December 2023. That said, Ukraine has been ravaged by the effects of war, but there were also fears that Russian hackers were trying to leak early builds which didn’t help matters.
Anyway, while a fixed date hasn’t been set for release, it has been widely reported the game will be made available during Q1 of 2024 so any time essentially between January and March. Xbox Series X will carry this game, but it will also be made available on Xbox Game Pass, so fans will be able to play it as soon as it becomes available.
Tomb Raider trilogy remastered
In keeping with the theme of remastering, the revered Tomb Raider trilogy will be restored to life with a 1-3 bundle packaged and ready to hit the shelves on February 14. A nice Valentine’s Day treat for fans if we may say so!
Fans will be able to uncover the riddles of the ancient world in Tomb Raider I-III as they will be able to face off against deadly enemies, reveal myths, as well as solve dangerous puzzles with the spotlight firmly shone on Lara Croft.
The original titles were masterpieces in their own right, but the new and improved versions will have enhanced graphics and visuals. With the visuals, you will be able to toggle between the vintage polygonal style or the new graphics whichever you prefer.
Aside from the Xbox, and PlayStation, the Tomb Raider trilogy will be accessible for Nintendo Switch users.
New trends emerging
What has become abundantly clear is that rebooted games are one of the significant cultural trends that have emerged in the industry. Just like Hollywood, the gaming industry has cottoned onto the impact of remakes and understood they are likely to sell well. Unlike a fresh franchise, they are less inclined to crash as gaming aficionados will appreciate previous incarnations of titles just as much as they will something that is entirely new.
But it’s not just the remakes or the increased diversity of games that have caught our attention. Arguably, the live-streaming element incorporated has imbued a greater sense of connectivity in the industry. With more live broadcasts than ever before, gamers can play anywhere in the world at a time that suits them, and it can be quite social. That being said, the popularity of Twitch and eSports can only further soar in the new year.
The live streaming element has also transferred over to the gambling industry where now there is a greater emphasis on live games to keep players engrossed. For UK players who are after live table games, such as craps or roulette, or even Specialty Games like bingo, such sites are easily accessible. Yes, the top bingo sites not on GamStop will cater to bingo fans with a live stream, so they can see the balls being drawn in real-time. Casino operators, such as Blood Moon, utilize the best graphics for bingo games, and they are extremely immersive.
As things stand, the gaming industry is in a robust shape. With a swathe of new titles lined up for release in 2024, it will be fascinating to see how they are received.
