How significant are the launch games for the latest console? The answer can vary a lot.
Some of them launch with epic generation-defining games, for example, the N64 with Mario 64 or the original Xbox with Halo: Combat Evolved. But in the last generation, the launches of 2013 weren’t too important for software. The highlights of Xbox One are Forza game, and the pretty good Dead Rising 3. And the PS4 launched with the overlooked Killzone: Shadow Fall, the heavily-memed Knack, as well as the great shooter Resogun.
We remember late 2013 as the time when everyone was playing Call of Duty and Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag on their new consoles. The exclusive highlights of PlayStation 4’s didn’t arrive until much later, it’s just to say though that Destiny was one of the console’s earliest significant moments. It appeared 10 months after PlayStation 4 was launched in September 2014.
So, how relevant is this console generation’s launch window?
Honestly, it seems like, it’s more important to Microsoft than to Sony. The PS5 is likely to be sold out during the holiday season no matter what games are available at launch unless it’s too expensive. The Xbox Series X is positioned well to profit on Microsoft’s recent attempts to enhance its gaming offering, however, it’s coming off a generation that the company has spent being second.
Starting with a Halo game is a declaration of intention from Microsoft; it desires to hit the ground running with software now.
We grasp much more about what Sony is planning for the launch comparing to Microsoft at the moment, as they have confirmed only Halo Infinite from Xbox’s in-house studios. We anticipate other games to be announced as well during Xbox’s first-party-focused presentation in July. It will probably include a brand-new title in the Forza Motorsport series.
But are there any new games that are officially coming to the consoles in 2020 at the moment? Each of the consoles has a couple of games worth being enthusiastic about if you want to be an early adopter. Read on to find out about prospective launch line-ups, and the games that are promised for next-gen before the end of the year.
The PS5
While the Sony presentation held in June was generally well-received, the real number of first-party exclusives we’re confident are releasing in 2020 is…one. It’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
It doesn’t mean that it’s the only console game that will be out in 2020. Deathloop, from Arkane Studios, the creators of Dishonored, is releasing this year as well. We suspect that it will be a timed exclusive, just because it’s going to be published by Bethesda, which is not an in-house Sony game. The same is probably going to happen to Bethesda’s Ghostwire: Tokyo, which will be out in 2021.
Even though the price is going to influence Sony’s success, we expect the PS5 to be sold out regardless. It was announced on the event for PS5 that everything that will be published by Sony (like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Forbidden West and Returnal) will be released next year or even later.
Here’s the list of the new games that are coming to PS5 in 2020:
- Deathloop
- Outriders
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Marvel’s Avengers
- Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Planet Coaster: Console Edition
- Madden 21
- FIFA 21
- Astro’s Playhouse
- Jett: The Far Shore
- Observer: System Redux
- NBA 2K21
- Dirt 5
- Godfall
- Kena: Bridge of Spirits
- Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
Xbox Series X
Similar to Sony, Microsoft has some exclusive games sourced from outside studios, for example, The Medium, Call of the Sea, and The Ascent. It’s also a unique next-gen platform because it’ll get the new Yakuza game at the launch.
These are the games that have been announced:
- FIFA 21
- Halo Infinite
- Dirt 5
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Marvel’s Avengers
- Yakuza: Like A Dragon
- Outriders
- NBA 2K21
- Call of the Sea
- The Ascent
- Planet Coaster: Console Edition
- Madden 21
- Observer: System Redux
- The Medium
- Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
Don’t forget, despite Cyberpunk 2077 not getting a formal release on PS5 and Xbox Series X this year, it’ll be compatible with both of them. This is the only thing you can almost guarantee everyone will be playing by the end of the year.
