6 Most Anticipated Games of June 2016

May was a pretty colossal month for gamers, with the likes of Uncharted 4, Doom, and Overwatch heating things up; but it’s June’s turn now and there are some sequels, big adventures, and new ideas set to continue 2016’s strong release schedule.

Mirror’s Edge Catalyst

Release date: 9 June 2016 (Xbox One, PS4, PC)

2008’s parkour-inspired Mirror’s Edge delivered a unique and visually spectacular title that was critically-praised for its original gameplay mechanics and design. The long-overdue sequel, simply known as Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst, sees the return of the heroine Faith and her free-running antics as she tries to topple an oppressive government and uncover a shocking secret. In all the gameplay footage we’ve seen so far, Catalyst is looking fluid, fast, and absolutely gorgeous, running on the Frostbite 3 engine (Battlefield 4). The game will be a lot bigger than the first, and there’ll be some new moves and tricks for gamers to traverse with.

Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter

Release date: 9 June 2016 (Xbox One, PS4, PC)

Focusing on a different version of the famed Arthur Conan Doyle character, Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter gameplay is similar to that of its predecessor – Crimes & Punishments – you’re exploring crime scenes and finding clues. As you collect clues and information, you will be able to connect them together in an attempt to solve the crimes and make some difficult choices.

Your choices unfold across four new cases and a fifth meta-mystery that spans the entire game. Details from your four core cases will contribute to this grand ongoing investigation, providing an additional layer of plot progression.

We Happy Few

Release date: June 2016 (Xbox One, PC)

A first-person survival game, this Kickstarter title looks like someone threw Fallout, Bioshock and Dishonored in a blender. Set in an alternate dystopian 1960s Britain, the populace of Wellington Wells is in the grip of a drug named Joy, which temporarily erases bad memories. The player, one of the drug-free minority, is tasked with blending in with the violent, Joy-addled citizens and escaping the city. The hellish concept blends well with the twisted cartoon style, and having to hide in plain sight should make for a tense experience.

Umbrella Corps.

Release date: 21 June 2016 (PS4, PC)

A spin-off of the Resident Evil franchise, Umbrella Corps. has been developed by Capcom’s Osaka studio and is set two years after the events of Resident Evil 6, and twelve years after the collapse of the Umbrella Corporation. A competitive multiplayer shooter that features zombies, Umbrella Corps. has you playing as a mercenary from either a first-person or a third-person perspective.

You can use semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, pistols, grenades and explosives to make your way to victory, and even use a “Zombie Jammer” which makes the enemies ignore you. There is no campaign here, with all the action focused on multiplayer.

Mighty No. 9

Release date: 24 June 2016 (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U)

Considered as the spiritual successor to Mega Man, Keiji Inafune’s Mighty No. 9 – being developed by Japan-based Comcept and Inti Creates – came to life on crowdfunding website Kickstarter. It reached its funding goal of $900,000 (around R14.2 million) just two days after the campaign started and eventually went on to secure $3.8 million (almost R60 million).

The game is largely 2D platforming, with a mix of 2D and 3D artwork. You control a robot named Beck who can pick up both weapons and abilities from enemies it defeats. At the end of each stage (of which there are eight), Beck has to face a “Mighty” i.e. a boss battle.

Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Release date: 28 June 2016 (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U)

Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is based on the seventh episode of the space family saga and its namesake, and continues the tongue-in-cheek block-busting Lego video games gameplay people have come to love. You will be able to play as Rey, Finn, Captain Phasma, Poe Dameron, Han Solo, Kylo Ren and even droids, including C-3PO and BB-8. The actors who portrayed them on the big screen – Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Domhnall Gleeson, Gwendoline Christie and Max von Sydow – are all lending their voices to the game.

Apart from serving as an adaptation, the game will also bridge the gap between Ep 6: Return of the Jedi and Ep 7: The Force Awakens. If you opt for the Deluxe Edition, you will get a Season Pass and a Lego mini-figure of Finn.

Which games are you most excited for this June? Any on the list above you’re dying to play? Let us know by tweeting @MenStuffZA and commenting below.

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