Lords of the Fallen

Lords of the Fallen

Developer: Deck 13, CI Games
Publisher: City Interactive
Release date: TBA 2014

Link:Lords of the Fallen site

As an action RPG with a methodical take on combat, Lords of the Fallen risks immediate comparison to Dark Souls. Its developers say that they’re not trying to capture the punishing survivalist nature of From Software’s modern classic, instead they want players to dictate the challenge for themselves. You can use deadly magic to make fights easier, for example, but that’ll reduce the amount of loot they drop when they die. You play as Harkyn, a huge warrior with an even bigger hammer on a quest to punish the fallen gods of his world for failing mankind.

Magicka: Wizard Wars

Magicka: Wizard Wars

Developer: Paradox North
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Release date: Early 2014

Link:Magicka: Wizard Wars

Wizard Wars is a competitive multiplayer rethink of the manic, joyous co-op of Magicka. It will retain a streamlined version of the same combat system, in which player summon elemental orbs and combine them in to spells. Magicka’s hilarity stems not just from the tongue-in-cheek presentation, but in the huge capacity for self harm allowed for by the elements system. Cast a lightning spell while soaking wet and you’ll electrocute yourself silly. Fire a laser beam inside a reflective dome shield and you’ll likely kill yourself and anyone else in there with you. It’ll be hard to take the competition seriously, but when Wizard Wars eventually arrives, hilarity will ensue.

Nuclear Throne

Nuclear Throne

Developer: Vlambeer
Publisher: In-house
Release date: TBA 2014

Link:Nuclear Throne

Vlambeer’s new roguelike shooter is only available in early access form, but the instantly satisfying, impactful feedback so characteristic of their games is already present. As a mutant in a procedurally generated wasteland, you’ll be running into enemies with guns almost as big as yours. Fortunately, you’ll be able to improve your equipment and your abilities the more of them you kill. If you’d rather wait for the full release, which shouldn’t be too far off (Vlambeer work extremely fast), check out their Twitch channel

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number

Developer: Dennaton Games
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Release: TBC 2014

Link:Hotline Miami site

Originally designed as an expansion pack, Hotline Miami 2 soon spiralled into a full sequel that takes the original's already strange story into even weirder territory. It involves a film inspired by the events of Hotline Miami, a bunch of masked vigilantes who view the original game's Jacket as a hero, and very probably lots of levels where you go around killing gangsters with a variety of handheld weapons and firearms.

EVE: Valkyrie

EVE: Valkyrie

Developer: CCP
Publisher: In-house
Release: 2014

Link:EVE: Valkyrie site

An Oculus Rift-enabled space dogfighting game is obviously something that needs to exist, and who better to make it than EVE: Online developers CCP? Little of Valkyrie has been shown off yet, but if it can live up to even half of its immense potential this is sure to be a Rift must-have.

Dying Light

Dying Light

Developer: Techland
Publisher: Warner Bros
Release: 2014

Link:Dying Light site

Techland's next zombie game might invite comparisons to their shambolic Dead Island series, but on first glance it has more in common with Mirror's Edge, asking you to run away from the undead horde – and climb up buildings, and parkour over rooftops – rather than slowly battering their heads in with a wooden paddle. You'll have to be more careful at night, as zombies become more aggressive when the sun is down.

A Hat In Time

A Hat In Time

Developer: Gears for Breakfast
Publisher: Joystiq
Release date: Mid 2014

Link:A Hat in Time

A vivid 'collectathon' platformer in the vein of Banjo Kazooie with an art style appropriated from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, A Hat in Time saw astonishing success on Kickstarter last year, raising $236,000 and massively overshooting their $30,000 target. An alpha build is due in February, and the developers will be adding Steam Workshop support to allow players to grow the game themselves.