12 biggest upcoming games in 2018 on PS4, Xbox, Switch and PC

~From Red Dead Redemption 2 to God of War and Sea of Thieves, these are some of the most exciting upcoming games of 2018

 2017 proved a strong year for gaming, with some incredible titles released, and 2018 is shaping up to be another great year for players.

While there are still plenty of opportunities for publishers to surprise us with a host of revelations - particularly E3 and Gamescom in the summer months, which usually treat us to dozens of new announcements - here are 12 of the upcoming games we're most excited about in the months ahead.

Monster Hunter World

  Capcom's cult hit has been slowly growing in popularity outside of Japan for years, but Monster Hunter World could be when it boils over into full fledged hit. While earlier entries have been heavy on time-eating grinding – kill monsters, craft tougher armour and weapons from its carcass, hunt more powerful monsters, repeat – this will offer a deeper story to take players through its vast open world.
 
Sea of Thieves

 Rare's multiplayer loot-hunter is shaping up to be great fun (if you have the right crew, at least), as you set sail to become a pirate legend in the heart of the Caribbean. Set to allow complete freedom as you hunt treasure, attack rival crews, or simply explore, it's going to be a cruise to remember.

Due out 20 March for Xbox One and Windows 10 PC.

Far Cry 5

After Far Cry 4 felt like a redux of the third instalment, it's promising to see an energy and boldness around Ubisoft's fifth instalment in the open-world action series. Not dodging controversy, Far Cry 5 takes players to the USA for the first time, and focuses on your efforts to liberate the town of Hope County in Montana from a cult of religious extremists. Alongside Far Cry staples including free exploration, dozens of vehicles, and countless weapons, you'll now be able to recruit Hope County's residents to aid your rebellion.

Due out 27 March for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Crackdown 3

Announced back in 2014 with some ambitious claims of how it would utilise Xbox One's features – cloud computing for more advanced physics, an entirely destructible world, a free unicorn (that last one's a lie) – 2018 looks like it might finally be the year that Crackdown returns. The series has always been one of the Xbox family's best exclusives, with hi-tech agents using incredible arsenals to blast their surroundings to pieces with abandon, and this looks to continue the tradition – just on a grander scale.

Due out Spring 2018 for Xbox One and Windows 10 PC.

Red Dead Redemption 2 

Rockstar Games finally deliver one of the most requested sequels of all time in this breathtaking open world western. Seemingly set to offer a twist on The Magnificent Seven, players will take on the identity of outlaw Arthur Morgan and partner with the Van der Linde gang to make their mark on the American frontier. Expect a lengthy story campaign set before 2010's Red Dead Redemption, but the real revelation could be the (still-undetailed) online features – Rockstar has had several years of Grand Theft Auto Online to prepare for whatever cowboy delights they unleash here.

Due out Spring 2018 for PS4 and Xbox One.

Kingdom Hearts III 

After twelve years, almost a dozen spin-off games, and an entire console generation, the third 'full' Kingdom Hearts game is set to arrive this year. The story picks up with Sora, Donald, and Goofy searching for seven "guardians of light" in order to face down the series' arch-villain, Master Xehanort – which may sound like nonsense to the uninitiated, but trust us, it's a big deal. With more Disney worlds to explore than ever, including new additions based on Toy Story, Big Hero 6, and Tangled, and a story that ties together literally decades of plot threads, this is going to be one of the biggest JRPGs of the year.

Due out 2018, for PS4.

The Last of Us, Part II

Set five years after the original, this returns to protagonist Ellie for what director Neil Druckmann has promised will be an exploration of hate, and what it does to a person – potentially the opposite arc of the original. Either way, it's shaping up to be another dark, mature, and emotionally challenging tale. Whether Naughty Dog actually gets it out this year remains to be seen, though

Due out 2018, for PS4.

Yoshi

Nintendo has been relatively quiet about its 2018 plans so far, but one of its more charming releases will be the latest platform adventure for Mario's egg-gobbling dino chum. Taking on a papercraft style – similar to how Yoshi's Woolly World was based on crochet puppets – players will guide Yoshi through a host of layered worlds. The twist seems to be that you'll be able to affect fore- or background elements at will. Certain to be adorable, but also far tougher than it looks.

Due out 2018, for Nintendo Switch.

God of War

Sony's ode to deicide is also set to return this year, but while this is a sequel to Greek warrior Kratos' god-slaying sprees of yore, it also serves as a soft reboot for the series. Now set in the frozen climes of northern Europe, this will see Kratos as a father, guiding his son Atreus to adulthood while facing the monsters and gods of Norse myth. Expect more of an RPG edge than in past instalments too, as well as Kratos swapping his iconic chained blades for the new, elementally powered Leviathan Axe.

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Still one of Japan's biggest RPG series, the latest chapter in the storied Dragon Quest franchise launched last summer in its homeland. The western release, later this year, is quite a big deal though, as Dragon Quest X never left Japan. Echoes of an Elusive Age features a player-created hero setting out on a journey after discovering he's the reincarnation of a legendary warrior. Available on PS4 and 3DS in Japan, with gameplay differences between the formats, hopefully both versions will make it westward.

Due out 2018, for PS4 and Nintendo 3DS, with a Nintendo Switch version to follow.

Dreams

From MediaMolecule – developers of LittleBigPlanet and Tearaway – comes this truly magical looking sandbox title. Controlling an imp, you'll create and explore entire worlds, all drawn from the raw imagination of, well, dreams. A guided campaign is joined by one of the most comprehensive creation toolkits we've seen, and players will be able to share their efforts online. This could be very special.

Due out 2018, for PS4.

Bayonetta 3

The witch is back, in the latest hyper-stylish action shooter from PlatinumGames. The series has proven equal parts weird, imaginative, and unashamedly sexy, but always delivered some of the most polished gunplay around. Little is known about the third instalment yet – and we might be being optimistic on it landing in 2018 – but this will surely be a treat whenever it lands.

Due out 2018, for Nintendo Switch.