The Games of 2013: 5-1

With the potential for two new consoles to arrive just in time for Christmas, 2013 could well be a landmark year in the video game world. But it’s also a year full to the brim with AAA releases for current consoles that we hope won’t disappoint. Here’s our look at our top 5 most anticipated games of 2013.

5. Battlefield 4

Besides a rough date for a beta, and an even rougher date for release, absolutely nothing is known about Battlefield 4 outside of DICE’s heavily-fortified walls. But when the developer does finally blow the lid off its shooter, expect a blast big enough to ripple across the entire industry. Nowadays, the announcement of a new Battlefield is almost up there with the reveal of a new Call of Duty, especially when (as we suspect) it’s announced for next-generation consoles.

Remember the shivers that Battlefield 3’s theme sent down your spine the first time you heard it? Expect it all again later this year. Dun-dun-dun, dun-dun.

4. Watch Dogs

Only this morning did this very writer receive a message from a Twitter user asking if I could “categorically” tell them a release date for Watch Dogs. The truth is, I can’t, but as ambitious it may sound, Watch Dogs is scheduled to launch later this year – and possibly across more than one generation.

Ubisoft’s hi-tech espionage thriller has every bit the potential of being the cross between Hitman, Deus Ex and Assassin’s Creed that we (I) have always (just) dreamed of, with its near-futuristic open-world setup letting players hack into anything with an electrical pulse as they think up ways of taking down targets. You’ll also get to launch investigations into dodgy builders and wonky online modes, before the mid-game twist sends the co-star to jail for benefits fraud. Only joking. But Anne Robinson is on board to receive her own set of side-quests. Maybe.

3. The Last of Us

With the end of days fast-approaching for the PS3, it could be left to Naughty Dog to give the console a fitting send-off. Sure, it’s another zombie game (kinda), but it’s one delivered by the same team that brought us Uncharted 2, and with a story pitched partway between The Road and The Walking Dead we’re confident that The Last of Us will not only be one of the PS3’s most visually arresting titles, but one of the most poignant, too.

2. Destiny

Still no new news on Activision and Bungie’s insano-dollar (approx cost) new franchise, apart from a lovely logo and some concept art. That said, we’re expecting 2013 to be the year when we finally see what the house that Halo built has been up to. But there are still a lot of unanswered questions: will it be massively multiplayer? How different will it be from Halo? How much space-faring combat will there be? And will the songs that Paul McCartney wrote for it be palatable? No-one knows, but one thing is for sure: this is going to be big.

1. GTA V

Not since The Jackson 5’s ABC have three letters caused as much of a global ruckus as GTA, and Rockstar’s next major instalment in its criminal universe could prove to be a sensational last hurrah for the current generation.

Rockstar’s expertise in building engaging game worlds crammed with humour and personality has been core to its success in recent years, and GTA 5’s colossal size, three-character structure and technical ambition is beyond anything attempted by the publisher before. If Rockstar North really can deliver on everything it promises, GTA 5 will surely be one of the most technically and creatively accomplished games ever released.

But GTA 5 isn’t just our most anticipated. Judging by the things you’ve been clicking on VideoGamer.com over the past 12 months, it’s yours too. 2013 seems certain to be an altogether better year for games than 2012 – and Rockstar’s super-sandbox looks set to lead the charge.