If there is one upside to games that are delayed into the following year, it is that the months ahead becomes jam packed with tantalizing titles. And then of course, there are still the games scheduled for release in that year as well. Either way, 2015 is looking extremely good on the gaming front.

Dying Light

PS4, Xbox One, PC

February

Techland

Combine two primal fears – darkness and the dead coming back to life, hungry for your blood – and you have Dying Light, a game which links the walking dead’s aggressiveness, and your vulnerability, to the inevitable passing of day into night. This also changes the game’s dynamic, from scavenging and hunting during the day, to just trying to survive other lurking monstrosities that also come out when the sun retreats. The game appears to be a mash-up of two genres – action adventure and survival horror, and looks set, along with the equally alluring The Order: 1886, to start 2015 off with a bang.

The Order: 1886

PS4

February

Ready at Dawn, SCE Santa Monica Studio

The Order:1886 takes players to an alternate Victorian era London, to play as part of an elite team of Knights dedicated to protecting humanity from half breed monsters, that are combinations of animals and beasts. These protectors aren’t your run of the mill Knights, and thanks to the discovery of a substance called Black Water, boast advanced healing and special abilities. Add to the fact that the game’s setting is more technologically advanced than the Victorian London we are familiar with, and a number of intriguing weapons, then The Order: 1886 may just win the prize for being the most distinctive game we will see early 2015.

Bloodborne

PS4

March

From Software

Another of the games leading the charge into 2015 is also a PS4 exclusive, which mixes a dark Gothic world that oozing atmosphere, with challenging, and gory gameplay. Bloodborne may have spoken softly last year, but it nonetheless carries the proverbial big stick in the form of seriously wicked looking weapons and monstrous denizens that make Freddy Krueger look like a pulpit boy. Did we mention that it comes in a killer collector’s edition? The game, hailing from the makers of Demon Souls and Dark Souls, From Software, is certainly not going to be a cakewalk; however, it has plenty of its own distinctiveness.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

PS4, Xbox One

May

CD Projekt

Finally, Geralt is expected to come bewitch us again, in a game world that is apparently larger than the first two titles combined. Even though Wild Hunt was recently delayed yet again into May, the gameplay, world building and mature story looks no less compelling than it did during 2014. Somewhat heartening is CD Projekt’s determination to shore up any bugs before the game hits the shelves, making this the next RPG to watch out for.

Batman: Arkham Knight

PS4, Xbox One, PC

June

Rocksteady Studios

The third (and apparently final chapter) in the Dark Knight trilogy from Rocksteady Studios looks nothing short of amazing, with the Batmobile being given a chance to shine and Batman boasting a number of flashy and innovative ways to take down his enemies. Not only will players have to contend with the Scarecrow and other familiar foes like The Riddler, Two Face and Harley Quinn, but also a much more formidable foe – the titular Arkham Knight.  

Until Dawn

PS4

TBA

Supermassive Games

Eight friends, a remote mountain retreat, the anniversary of a friend’s death and some Ouija board fun – what could possibly go wrong? Well, throw in a serial killer and you have a bunch of terrified youngsters running and screaming for their lives. Until Dawn is already looking suitably spooky, as survival horrors ought to, but beyond that, every choice players make will have its own set of consequences and determine each player’s unique story.  

Rise of the Tomb Raider

Xbox One, Xbox 360

TBA

Crystal Dynamics

Forget for a moment all the controversy about the game receiving a timed exclusive on Microsoft’s console, the fact remains that 2013’s Tomb Raider was an extremely strong and enjoyable game. While its story of Lara’s beginnings as the Tomb Raider was neatly wrapped up, it also concluded open-ended enough to leave the door open to a sequel, as well as with the possibility of further refinements in any follow-ups. The main improvements we are looking forward to seeing in Rise of the Tomb Raider include globe trotting and larger, much more complex tombs to explore.  

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

PS4

TBA

Naughty Dog

Xbox One players may be getting the next Tomb Raider in 2015, but action adventure PS4 players have ample recompense in the next (and first next gen) Uncharted. What we do know about Uncharted 4 is that Nathan Drake is back, apparently pulled out of retirement for one last score, hunting for pirate treasure with an older brother in tow. This time round, the PlayStation’s most prolific climber will have a little help from a grappling hook, although the biggest question at this point is where are Sully and Elena?

In the meantime, play this:

These are by no means the only games coming in 2015, with the next Legend of Zelda, and the reboot of Ratchet and Clank also incoming this year. Admittedly, several of these games are several months away. Thankfully, there are still titles from the tail end of 2014 that well justify your attention, such as the superb Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and Assassin’s Creed: Unity (fully patched). For something family friendlier, Smash Bros for Wii U, or Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham are also solid considerations