Game Rant’s 15 Most Anticipated Games of 2013

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Game Rant's 15 Most Anticipated Games of 2013

While the time of year has come to look back at our Top 10 Games of 2012, it's also an occasion to take a collective breath, and start to look at what the next year will hold. Starting with a list of over 50 games releasing in 2013, the Game Rant editorial staff has narrowed down and ranked what games appeal to us the most.

From shooters to platformers and action adventures, there's a wide variety of titles that have caught our eye. They may not be the only games we're all looking forward to playing, but they're the ones we'd give anything to have arrive a little sooner. And unlike last year's, the release dates don't look to be pushed back into 2014.

Without further ado, continue on for our 15 Most Anticipated Video Games of 2013.

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While the time of year has come to look back at our Top 10 Games of 2012, it's also an occasion to take a collective breath, and start to look at what the next year will hold. Starting with a list of over 50 games releasing in 2013, the Game Rant editorial staff has narrowed down and ranked what games appeal to us the most. From shooters to platformers and action adventures, there's a wide variety of titles that have caught our eye. They may not be the only games we're all looking forward to playing, but they're the ones we'd give anything to have arrive a little sooner. And unlike last year's, the release dates don't look to be pushed back into 2014. Without further ado, continue on for our 15 Most Anticipated Video Games of 2013. Beyond Two Souls Most Anticipated

Release Date: TBA 2013 (PS3) Developer: Quantic Dream Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment This one had our attention since we first laid eyes on the announcement trailer. Their follow-up to Heavy Rain, Quantic Dream's next project was expected to be an extension of its successor's modes of gameplay and approach to story. But with Beyond: Two Souls, David Cage is promising even more of a change - one that won't be challenging players' thumbs, but "their minds." Guaranteed to push the limits of the industry and relying on top talent, we're sure we'll still end up being surprised.

Release Date: April 23, 2013 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) Developer: Digital Extremes Publisher: Namco Bandai, Paramount Digital Entertainment We may have been skeptical about the tie-in game for the upcoming sequel to J.J. Abrams' reboot, but we've more than come around on Star Trek. Taking a page out of the industry's leading action adventure franchises, but not forgetting the importance of Spock and Kirk, the game's progress pleasantly surprised us at E3 2012. With the decreasing amount of local multiplayer to be found in today's market, the fact that Digital Extremes has designed this one around co-op is promising. Also, it includes Gorn. So there's that. Pikmin 3 Most Anticipated Games

Release Date: Spring 2013 (Wii U) Developers: Nintendo EAD Publisher: Nintendo It's the game Nintendo fans have been demanding for years, and may end up being a major selling point for those still on the fence about the Wii U. Pikmin 3 isn't revolutionizing the formula of the first two games, simply adding new Pikmin, new enemies, and better graphics than ever before. Unfortunately the Big N didn't embrace online multiplayer for the third iteration like we'd hoped, but from what we've played of it, that will simply be an afterthought for a game that will both delight and challenge the already-sizable fan base. Rayman Legends Most Anticipated Games

Release Date: February 26, 2013 (Wii U) Developer: Ubisoft Montpelier Publisher: Ubisoft/Nintendo Anyone who either played or read our review of Rayman: Origins knows why we're so excited for the next iteration on classic platforming from Ubisoft. The art style, multiplayer and precise controls and mechanics made it one of our favorite games of the year, and Rayman Legends is building off that success. With new characters, a new classical art direction and new forms of gameplay as a result of its exclusivity to the Wii U, Nintendo made their latest console a lot more enticing. Battlefield 4 Most Anticipated Games

Release Date: TBA 2013 (Beta) (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) Developer: DICE Publisher: Electronic Arts Our most anticipated modern military shooter (now that Bad Company 3 seems to have gotten the axe), we've got high hopes for Battlefield 4 now that its predecessor laid the groundwork. The developers at DICE have maintained their desire to bring more innovation to the FPS genre, and Battlefield 3 took some big technical steps. The game is still without a release date, but a Beta or launch is rumored (and expected) for November. Crysis 3 Most Anticipated Games

Release Date: February 19, 2013 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) Developer: Crytek Studios Publisher: Electronic Arts Crysis 2 held its place atop the list of games that can put a PC to the test, and Crysis 3 looks to do the exact same (and then some). The staggering power of CryEngine 3 aside, the story is what many will be drawn to in this age of bombed-out, brown and dusty post-apocalyptic shooters. Set among the tropical swamps and overgrown New York City of 2047, Crytek's visual prowess is being put into gameplay, not just polish. New weapons, new enemies and the same classic choose-your-approach strategy is all making a return, in what looks to be its best iteration to date. DMC Devil May Cry Most Anticipated Games

DMC Devil May Cry Most Anticipated Games

Release Date: January 15, 2013 (PS3, Xbox 360) Developer: Ninja Theory Publisher: Capcom First impressions are really everything. So when DmC: Devil May Cry was revealed to be somewhat of a reboot of the series, with a new-look Dante, the reaction was predictable. Now the developers at Ninja Theory claim potential players are coming around, and realizing that the gameplay is what counts - and that won't be nearly as different. The fighting looks to be just as insane and intense as in past games, and our hands-on experience with the game proved it scratches the same itch as always. The demo will hopefully convince the last holdouts, but we're giving the developers the benefit of the doubt. Dead Space 3 Most Anticipated Games

Release Date: February 5, 2013 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) Developer: Visceral Games Publisher: Electronic Arts We're still not convinced that Dead Space 3 won't be foregoing much of the chilling scares and psychological trauma that first set it apart from other third-person shooters, but there's no denying it will be a polished experience. The developers at Visceral first raised eyebrows by confirming that the campaign would be co-op - somewhat unusual for a game built on isolation and fear. They maintain that co-op will add to the scares, not reduce them, and the wealth of reviewer and fan criticisms of Dead Space 2 were heard. With the addition of a new weapon crafting mechanic, suits and gameplay and more, Dead Space 3 is one game that should grace any short list. South Park Stick of Truth Most Anticipated

South Park Stick of Truth Most Anticipated

Release Date: TBA 2013 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) Developer: Obsidian Entertainment Publisher: THQ One of the few optimistic pieces of news attached to THQ of late, Obsidian Entertainment's work on bringing South Park to life with the help of the show's creators is looking more than a little promising. Despite several disappointing titles bearing the show's name, South Park: The Stick of Truth is poised to succeed where others have failed. With writing from Trey Parker and Matt Stone, a visual style that perfectly replicates the TV show, and classic RPG gameplay, the game may end up as a pleasant surprise for both fans of South Park's crude humor and old-school RPGs alike. Injustice Gods Among Us Most Anticipated Games

Injustice Gods Among Us Most Anticipated Games

Release Date: April 2013 (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U) Developer: NetherRealm Studios Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Mortal Kombat proved that NetherRealm Studios still has what it takes to make one heck of a fighting game, and adding superheroes to the mix only heightens our excitement. The mere name of Injustice: Gods Among Us piqued our curiosity, and seeing the game at E3 2012 proved it's one with a serious possibility of delivering. With a growing roster of DC's most beloved superheroes and villains, a promise of surprising even the most devoted fans of the genre, and some entertaining and promising mechanics, NetherRealm's follow-up now has our full attention. Tomb Raider Most Anticipated Games

Release Date: March 5, 2013 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) Developer: Crystal Dynamics Publisher: Square Enix A reboot for Tomb Raider was more than needed, and Crystal Dynamics has been putting plenty of time and energy into making it the success we all hope it will be. Unfortunately that meant a delay, but so far the changes seem to be worth it. The inspiration taken from games like Uncharted is clear (where isn't it these days?) but the more we see, the more Lara Croft looks poised to distinguish herself. With every new trailer released, and each look at the underlying systems, any skepticism we had has been dispelled. Now, we're counting the days. Watch Dogs Most Anticipated Games

Release Date: TBA 2013 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) Developer: Ubisoft Montreal Publisher: Ubisoft One look at Watch Dogs, and we were hooked. It's easy to sum up everything we know about the game (not much), but the first gameplay trailer and walkthrough shown at E3 caught our attention, along with most of the games industry. We were convinced that the graphics and implied multiplayer integration meant the game would be next-gen, but Ubisoft Montreal (never ones to disappoint) surprised us by confirming a 2013 launch. It's hard to know if that raises our hopes or somewhat lowers them, but we know one thing: we've seen enough to know we can't wait for Watch Dogs to get here. The Last of Us Most Anticipated

Release Date: May 7, 2013 (PS3) Developer: Naughty Dog Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment 'The next game from Naughty Dog.' That's all we needed to hear to start anticipating the game that would turn out to be The Last of Us. And considering it's an action-adventure game in a post-apocalyptic world, that's saying something in itself. As time has passed we've seen its similarities to Uncharted more and more, but the core relationship between Joel and Ellie is what we're most interested in. Every gameplay video has us wanting to take the controller ourselves, and the continuing commitment to cinematic performances has the potential to offer a welcome step forward from Naughty Dog's past work, at least where story is concerned. Grand Theft Auto 5 Most Anticipated Games

Grand Theft Auto 5 Most Anticipated Games

Release Date: Spring 2013 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) Developer: Rockstar Games Publisher: Take-Two Interactive The next game in the Grand Theft Auto series is always one to look forward to, but Rockstar seems to be going all out. Following stellar releases like Red Dead Redemption and Max Payne 3, the bar was high to begin with. And now that Grand Theft Auto V has started its marketing campaign (we're still recovering from the trailer) it's hard to imagine the game not taking things to a whole new level. With even stranger protagonists and a staggering game world, the team's enthusiasm for the game is understandable. So is ours. BioShock Infinite Most Anticipated Games

BioShock Infinite Most Anticipated Games

Release Date: March 26, 2013 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) Developer: Irrational Games Publisher: 2K Games As one of our most anticipated games of last year, it's no surprise BioShock: Infinite still has us waiting with baited breath. The game ended up being delayed, but Irrational has let the world enjoy the first five minutes of the game. That was enough. The spiritual successor to BioShock may not end up quite as revolutionary in terms of storytelling as its predecessor, but Ken Levine promises its ending won't disappoint. Claiming the game's final moments are "like nothing you've ever experienced in a video game." Given what we know of the unique mechanics and memorable enemies, we think the time spent getting there will be more than worth it as well. Most Anticipated Games 2013

Narrowing down the list of game's we're looking forward to is never easy, especially with the increasing number of surprises seen (including our Game of the Year for 2012). But there you have it: our 15 most anticipated games of 2013. Everyone has their own favorites, so we want to hear yours! Tell us your own most anticipated titles in the comments. - Follow Andrew on Twitter @andrew_dyce.