Best 2017 games that are worthy of waiting

Here is a list of best 2017 games that are worthy of waiting for your checking out. Let's take a view at right now

Mass Effect: Andromeda

Release date: March 2017

We’re just a day away from seeing the ‘first’ Mass Effect: Andromeda gameplay footage, as BioWare keeps pretending its PlayStation Pro trailer doesn’t exist. Mostly, though, we’ve seen cinematic footage that continues to confirm the dump of information that slipped out a year ago on Reddit, supposedly via a marketing survey. We know that Andromeda takes place hundreds of years after Mass Effect 3, when humans and their alien allies arrive in a new galaxy. There will be mysterious ancient aliens, and alien baddies with alien exoskeletons, and space sex with aliens, surely.

A few more interesting details: BioWare says Andromeda is its biggest game, wewon’t be loading in elevators, and loyalty missions won’t define the end of the game—they can be played after the main story concludes. See all our stories in our Mass Effect: Andromeda hub, and look out for the new trailer tomorrow at the Game Awards.

BattleTech

Release date: TBA 2017 

We've got high hopes the turn-based return of BattleTech. The folks at Harebrained Schemes have earned a reputation for producing great strategy RPGs from responsibly-run Kickstarter projects, and the best conceivable people are in the cockpit: BattleTech creator Jordan Weisman, Mike McCain (creative director on Shadowrun Returns), and Mitch Gitelman, who was game director on the wonderful MechCommander series. Check out my list of fun, weird and just plain amazing fact of life I have found.

The early prototype we played at PAX only featured one mission, but its internal structure seems sound. Harebrained's approach to translating BattleTech's tabletop ruleset shows reverence, but not at the expense of embracing new ideas: we're excited about the idea of light mechs having real utility as scouts and flankers in a turn-based game, where time and speed can be difficult to express. And because the map isn't on a grid, individual angles, rock formations, and details seem like they'll matter.

BattleTech met stretch goals that guarantee 1v1 PvP multiplayer, but we're glad that this game seems mostly focused on its singeplayer mercenary campaign. You'll be riding around in a massive dropship, which structurally seems like it'll resemble XCOM 2's modular base stations for managing mechs, pilots, and salvage.

Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord 

Release date: TBA 2017 

Part spectacle, part sim, part sandbox RPG, Mount & Blade remains a one-of-a-kind blend of systems and ideas. It's the thrill of being in a battle that's way bigger than you, of launching a single arrow into a horde of 50 dudes storming your castle. And it's the fun of being an average lord in a churning political and military sea of medieval NPCs. 

The original (excluding Warband) is almost 10 years old, so as much as anything we're glad to see Bannerlord bringing a visual and technical overhaul to the series. Character customization, as we saw at the PC Gamer Weekender, offers enough flexibility to sculpt convincing dark ages replicas of Adam Driver, Vladimir Putin, Arnold, and others, but we're equally interested in the new item crafting system, which seems like it'll let you build weapons with personality and history. And lord, those sieges look nuts.

Ghost Recon: Wildlands

Release date: March 7, 2017 

Take a big open world, stuff it with 100 Far Cry-type outpost missions, and jump in with some co-op partners—Tom Senior did just that back in June and found Ubisoft’s upcoming third-person tactical shooter full of enjoyable and emergent chaos. Ghost Recon: Wildlands takes place in a Bolivian landmass where four players comprise a military taskforce sent to disrupt a drug cartel and the government it’s aligned with. While players may have a specific missions—whether it’s to steal some intel or kidnap an informant—how they choose to tackle it is up to them. Guns blazing? Stealth? Or, as often happens, failed stealth that leads to guns blazing?

The open world—the first in Ghost Recon’s ten-game history—promises diverse environments like mountains, forests, and deserts, explorable by ground vehicles, helicopters, and parachutes. The setting is close to modern day, so weapons and gear aren’t as futuristic as they have been in earlier Recon games. Ubisoft is also promising that player choice will affect the world, and that non-violent interactions with NPCs like rebels and civilians can have an impact on missions and goals. And, if your pals aren’t around, you’ll be able to play solo using AI teammates in place of real ones. Would you like to get app, device and game reviews?

Prey

Release date: TBA 2017

New Prey has nothing to do with the old Prey, or Prey 2, which was cancelled back in 2014. Now in the hands of Arkane’s Austin studio, Prey is only familiar in name. Set in an alternate history where President Kennedy was never assassinated, the Soviets and the States continued their rivalry, until one took control of the Kletka Program, a space installation meant to control an alien threat. The project is eventually abandoned, and a corporation takes over (uh-oh), turning the station into “a cutting edge innovation center” called Talos 1. Big surprise, things don’t go well.

You play as Morgan Yu (male or female), who happens to be on board when the alien threat gets particularly threatening. From there, it’s a matter of survival and getting to the bottom of what went wrong. Expect plenty of shooting and exploration, and most interestingly, shape-shifting. You and the alien threat can take on nearly any form. An inconspicuous mug or trash bin might be an alien in wait, or if they’re hunting you down, try the mug life for yourself.

Divinity: Original Sin 2

Release date: TBA 2017 

Early Access has already given us a taste of Original Sin 2, which could easily be the best RPG of 2017. Larian has heavily iterated on its dense turn-based battle system, adding an armor system, elevation, and bless and curse statuses that can completely turn your intentions on their head. Set fire to a pool of oil and it will burn your enemies alive—but if they bless it, suddenly it has healing properties. The most obvious change this go-round, though, is a heavier focus on writing and roleplaying, with a stable of writers including Chris Avellone bringing a darker tone and more racial tension into the opening hours of this story. It's a big shift, but the story ended up Original Sin's weakest link, and Larian seems determined not to repeat that mistake. Learn more about interesting science facts via our wide range of articles.

There's already working four-player co-op for a slice of Original Sin 2's first act, and the full game is out sometime in 2017. Larian's still being secretive about its planned Dungeon Master mode, but that may well turn OS2 into a canvas for our own RPG adventures.

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