2014 saw the industry move from one generation to another, with

many of the big releases straddling all four consoles. In 2015, I’m expecting more big hitters to launch on PS4 and Xbox One, as well as Wii U. For me, the last 12 months have been all about the indies, with my Steam wishlist growing larger by the day. The indie scene continues to dish up more innovation, so 2015 promises something for everyone. From AAA titles, to quirky sleeper hits or pure art house experiments; t’s a good year to be a gamer.

Here are my most anticipated titles of 2015.

The Big Guns

Halo V: Guardians

When:  Q4 2015    Platform: Xbox One

343 industries is set to unveil its next title in the Halo universe and you can feel the anticipation. This could seriously boost sales of Xbox One units. If you need an excuse to buy an Xbox One, this is it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blW40AVWXrE

Tom Clancy’s The Division

When: 2015 Platform: PC/PS4/XBO

I have to admit, I’m not as excited about this game, as the rest of the world seems to be, but it’s a newcomer to the fray and we all know how much I like something new. This open world, squad-based co-op looks set to be the Destiny of 2015. It’s got the hype and the eye-watering ambition, so it’ll be interesting to see if it delivers. But don’t be surprised if it slips to 2016.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

When: Q4 2015 Platform: Xbox One

The hotly anticipated sequel to the successful reboot looks set to deliver more character development and stunning settings. I’m always up for a bit of Lara Croft. However, there is still some uncertainty surrounding the “Xbox One exclusive” announcement. I suspect it’ll be hitting PC and PS4 in the future. And if not, you’ve always got Unchartered 4: A Thief’s End – also out this year.

The Order: 1886

When: 20 Feb Platform: PS4

I was excited, when I saw the E3 trailer for The Order, but the more I see of this game, the less interested I become. The game brings us the knights of Camelot in a steampunk Victorian London setting, which sounds like a whole lot of awesome. From what I’ve seen, The Order is bogged down by generic shoot and duck-for-cover gameplay – snore. However, it’s a new IP and it’s released this side of Easter – not to be sniffed at.

Splatoon

When: 30 June Platform: Wii U

Wii U owners deserve a reward for their patience and this could be it, along with the forthcoming Zelda title. Splatoon is a brand new game, with the cartoony chaos you’d expect from Nintendo. Think paintball turf wars, involving squid characters who squirt ink to claim territory and blast foes. It’s Nintendo’s tongue-in-cheek FPS multiplayer, which can only be a good thing.

The Indies

The Witness

When: 2015 Platforms : PS4/iOS/Windows

This Myst-like puzzler puts the player on a mysterious island with strange machines to tinker with and where all is not as it seems. From Jonathan Blow, the man behind Braid, Witness looks like one to watch in 2015.

Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture

When: 2015 Platforms: PS4

From Dear Esther developers, The Chinese Room, this game promises a creepy, single player adventure with more than a little of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter about it. There’s an abandoned farmstead, some eerie music and a supernatural presence – sign me up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj8Bn3A-TVo

Inside

When: 31 Mar Platform: Xbox One

From the team behind Limbo, Inside offers us an Orwellian sneak-fest. It’s got slightly more colour than Limbo, but is still largely monochrome and stylish, with plenty of noirish atmosphere. It hits Xbox One first, in a timed exclusive.

Rime

When: tbc Platform: PS4

There’s no official release date for this one, so this is mostly wishful thinking for 2015. Rime is part Ico, part Myst, with a dash of Studio Ghibli and looks like a treat for PS4 owners. It looks epic in a heart-swelling, lump-in-the-throat type way.

Ghost of a Tale

When:  2015 Platform: PC/XBO

From a one-man-band developer, Ghost of a Tale features a Medieval mouse in a dangerous world. The indiegogo project was heading to PC, but has just been picked up for Xbox too. Inspirations include the Redwall books, Robin Hood, Zelda and The Dark Crystal. There’s a mouse with a lute – nuff said.

Life is Strange

When: 30 Jan Platform: PC/PS4/PS3/XBO/Xbox 360

Notably, Life is Strange is the only game to feature female, central characters, except for Tomb Raider – a sad start to 2015. On the plus, this is the latest game from Remember Me developer Dontnod and it wears its indie heritage on its sleeve. If this was a film, it would be at Sundance.  The game centres around Max, a girl who can rewind time and her friend’s gone missing, in this small town mystery with a lot of promise.

No Man’s Sky

When: 2015 tbc Platform: PS4/Microsoft Windows

No, I didn’t forget the most anticipated game of the next generation. With the emphasis on exploration, rather than all out war and mayhem, No Man’s Sky hit everyone’s radar last year. This game has a lot of hype to live up to and shows how thirsty people are for some interesting sci-fi games that don’t focus on xenocide. I’d be disappointed, but not surprised if this one slips into 2016.

Honourable Mentions

The Last Guardian and Beyond Good and Evil 2

When: 2015?

It’s tradition for me to mention these games and one year, my wish will come true.