If you enjoy game narratives then you should be pleased to note that there is plenty of upcoming titles that will showcase a storyline likely to keep you intrigued from start to finish. 2020 is shaping up to be a big year and with it comes a slew of video game titles that are both available for current generation consoles and preparing for the next generation. In this list, we’re going to showcase our most anticipated narrative titles slated to release in 2020 but you’ll want to bookmark this page. We’re going to continue this list with more video game titles as they are announced.
12 Minutes
- Developer: Luis Antonio
- Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
- Platforms: PC, XBO
- Release: 2020
Announced during E3 2019 comes 12 Minutes, an adventure game coming from a former artist that worked at Rockstar Games and Ubisoft. The game is rather simplistic to understand, it mimics concepts such as the film Groundhog Day or the video game The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask in that gamers have a time loop aspect. In order to progress, players will be replaying a 12-minute cycle until they complete the tasks at hand. From what we know so far, the game follows a man who learns that his wife is pregnant but the celebration is cut short as a cop bursts into the room and accuses the wife of murder. The scuffle ends up with the wife dead but then the game restarts and it’s up to you in navigating the day in hopes in finding a peaceful resolution.
Cyberpunk 2077
- Developer: CD Projekt Red
- Publisher: CD Projekt
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: TBA
Cyberpunk 2077 is one video game title that fans of CD Projekt have been waiting to hear more about since its initial announcement in 2012. This is an RPG that can be played in either a first-person or third-person mode. Set in 2077, the world has become drastically different, at least within the United States of America.
Civilians thrive if they are part of the elite social class structure where big corporations taking control of the nation. Now the lower class struggle to survive in the harsh environments that have become flooded with gangs leaving a barren shell of what used to be lovely cities.
Players take the role of a mercenary which are broken up into various classes as they explore and take on various quests. This is supposedly a video game set in a massive world as well, leaving plenty of areas to explore. Likewise, there also seems to be an emphasis on upgrades and augmentations.
CD Projekt became a household name for their epic adventures in The Witcher series and we’re hoping that their success bleeds over into the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 release.
The Elder Scrolls VI
- Developer: Bethesda
- Publisher: Bethesda
- Platforms: TBA
- Release: TBA
After years of dealing with releases of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Bethesda made the announcement at E3 2018 that the next iteration of the franchise is in development. The problem here is that we have practically no information at all about the game. Bethesda didn’t offer any details but instead stated that the next installment to The Elder Scrolls franchise will be a next-generation game and will release after their newest upcoming IP, Starfield. It’s likely that this game won’t release this coming year but crazier things have happened. It’s also highly unlikely the title will launch on current generation platforms, outside of PC, as Bethesda has spoken of both their upcoming titles Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI as a next-generation title.
Bethesda’s line of games normally has a decent narrative that expands across a large world and The Elder Scrolls franchise is no exception to that. We’ve seen a number of video game titles release with their own expansions and add-ons to help craft more of a unique world for players to explore. With The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim being such an iconic title that will easily go down as a classic, we can’t wait to see what the development team brings out into the market next.
Twin Mirror
- Developer: Dontnod Entertainment
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: 2020
Dontnod Entertainment has a new episodic adventure title for players to enjoy. The development studio may be best known for their Life is Strange series but the next episodic journey coming this year that’s not attached to the Life is Strange franchise is Twin Mirror. This is an upcoming psychological thriller which follows a protagonist named Sam who returns back to his old hometown to attend the funeral service of his best friend. Things take a turn for the worse when he awakens with no memories of the previous day while covered in blood.
One thing that Dontnod Entertainment takes care of when it comes to their video games is the narrative journey players will be embarking. Life is Strange was a critical hit and it sparked a huge following. Their follow-up title, Vampyr was also enjoyed from its narrative thanks to the various choices that came up in conversations along with the atmosphere. Both IPs have been considered for television series adaptations and as a result, a story-driven journey is something that we fully expect from their line of video games. Twin Mirror already has an enticing story from the little information we have received so far and knowing that Twin Mirror is another episodic game then it’s a safe bet that players will be left with cliffhanger endings.
Halo Infinite
- Developer: 343 industries
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Platforms: PC, Project Scarlett, XBO
- Release: 2020
The Halo series has been popular since it first came out during the original Xbox generation. Now years later we’re gearing up for the next big release, Halo Infinite. This installment takes place after the events of Halo 5: Guardians but unfortunately, we don’t have too many details as of yet in what the narrative will hold. What has us excited is that the game has been stated to be Master Chief’s greatest journey to save humanity. With the less than stellar reviews for Halo 5: Guardians, we’re hopeful that the development team opted to go back and bring out an excellent story for veteran players along with a great jumping point for newcomers to the franchise.
Starfield
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Platforms: TBD
- Release: TBD
Bethesda is known for delivering an in-depth RPG experience with their franchises and it was unveiled during E3 2018 that the studio has a new IP in the works. Known as Starfield, this new title will likely bring out the same experience that the development studio is known for. While we don’t have any real details about the game story, the trailer shows off some constellations so perhaps this science fiction title will receive a proper announcement in the near future.
