2018 is quickly approaching and with it will come a slew of new video game titles to look forward to playing. With that said, now’s a good time to start marking down what video games to keep an eye on when they officially launch next year. Let us lend a hand, in this list, in particular, we’re going over the top open world RPG video games launching in 2018.

Anthem

• Developer: BioWare
• Publisher: Electronic Arts
• Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
• Release: 2018

The upcoming Anthem video game will be a third-person shooter much like BioWare’s past video game franchise, Mass Effect. In order for players to transverse the world, the use of an Exo suit will be required which are known as Javelins within the video game. These Javelins will give players new powers and abilities such as the flight to soar through the open air or propel them through the depths of an ocean.

So far what we know about Anthem is that players will be taking the role of a freelancer who finds work by protecting civilians by exploring the dangerous landscapes outside of the safe zones. Likewise we know that the game will feature some co-operative multiplayer elements, but there have been no fine details on the matter quite yet.

Shenmue 3

• Developer: Neilo, Ys Net
• Publisher: Deep Silver
• Platforms: PC, PS4
• Release: 2018

It’s been a longtime coming but we’re finally getting a release of Shenmue 3. The video game is the third installment to the Shenmue saga that launched starting back in 1999, but with the titles not being a commercial success, the third installment found itself in development hell.

Now that we’re finally gearing towards its release, players will be able to pick up the story of Ryo Hazuki. What we know is that the video game will still take place after the events of Shenmue II where Ryo Hazuki continues his journey to find his father’s killer, Lan Di.

With so many fans requesting the third installment and the cult following Shenmue managed to craft, we’re hoping the upcoming video game lives up to expectations. Currently, Shenmue 3 is set to launch towards the end of 2018.

Monster Hunter: World

• Developer: Capcom
• Publisher: Capcom
• Release: Jan 26, 2018
• Platforms: PS4, XBO, PC

The Monster Hunter franchise is consistently growing and with each new installment a number of new gamers explore the monster filled worlds development studio Capcom has crafted. Monster Hunter: World will mark as the fifth main installment to the franchise and as you can expect, there will be a number of notable updates.

For instance, Capcom has placed larger maps, a more seamless experience between zones and what’s a Monster Hunter video game without the ability to hunt with friends? Outside of the offline campaign, the game will allow a four-player online co-op opportunity.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there’s any word on the video game seeing a release on the Nintendo Switch, but you can expect a launch for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC platforms.

Dual Universe

• Developer: Novaquark
• Publisher: TBD
• Platforms: PC
• Release Date: 2018

This is an upcoming title that very well might not officially release within 2017 as developers hope to release an alpha version next year. Overall, Dual Universe seems to be quite ambitious and even said to combine elements from Minecraft, No Man’s Sky, Eve Online, Star Citizen, and Space Engineers.

Players will share a massive single universe with the ability to edit game worlds by adding structures, altering terrain, along with creating ship scripts and constructs. Dual Universe will focus on collective gameplay with gamers exploring, mining, trading, crafting, and creating in-game politics.

Biomutant

• Developer: Experiment 101
• Publisher: THQ Nordic
• Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
• Release: 2018

In Biomutant, players take the role of a raccoon-like creature that must save the world. With a poisonous oil springing up from the ground, most the world is quickly infected and dying off. This also has spread to the Tree of Life, a giant tree that brings life to the whole world.

Players must go to each of the six roots of the Tree of Life and stop the oil and defeat each boss. Furthermore, the game will be tossing players a number of decisions that will affect the overall narrative storyline.

Kingdom Hearts 3

• Developer: Square Enix 1st Production Department
• Publisher: Square Enix
• Platforms: PS4
• Release Date: 2018

Everyone should be well aware of the Kingdom Hearts franchise. The third installment is expected to release sometime 2018, continuing the narrative Disney story. Since the release of Kingdom Hearts 2, The Walt Disney Company had acquired Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Entertainment, and Lucasfilm, which could result in seeing a variety of characters and worlds from these three newly acquired companies. Just as before, we can expect Sora to be the leading protagonist in a journey filled with Disney settings and Final Fantasy characters.