Release Date: 2017
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rnPlatforms: PC, Xbox One
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rnThere's only one indie game on this list, and it certainly deserves the spot. We can already say that Cuphead is a special game that not only plays well, but has an unequaled hand-drawn visual presentation. Appearing like an early era cartoon, its boss battles are highly engaging. This is going to be one of the year's most unique games, and that's something worth supporting.

Release Date: April 17th, 2017
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rnPlatforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
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rnMass Effect is one of our favorite series. It's a good thing it didn't go anywhere after the conclusion of its initial trilogy. Here's an opportunity for BioWare to prove that it can tell a great story that doesn't end on an awful note.

Release Date: Q1 2017
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rnPlatforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
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rnAs horror fans, 2016 was a very disappointing year. 2017 might more than make up for it, especially with Outlast 2 scheduled for an early debut. We've played the demo and are sold on its scare factor. Now it's just a matter of whether or not the story can live up to the first game's.

Release Date: April 4th, 2017
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rnPlatforms: PS3, PS4
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rnWe've already played this game, albeit in Japanese. We had no idea what any of its characters said while playing through the story and still managed to truly enjoy the experience. A second go around, this time in English, sounds like a good idea.

Release Date: Q1 2017
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rnPlatforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
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rnMany games try to be funny, but few are ever genuinely hilarious. In this regard, South Park: The Stick of Truth stands out as one of the industry's few success stories, and we haven't forgotten that. This sequel looks to be everything its predecessor was and then some. It's a no brainer as far as we're concerned.

Release Date: 2017
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rnPlatforms: Switch, Wii U
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rnLet's be real here, any Zelda game would make this list. The fact that Breath of the Wild is an open-world game with some tricks up its sleeve just made sure this particular game got a high ranking. The fact that it'll be one of the Switch's first AAA games helped a little, too.

Just kidding. There's no way Final Fantasy VII Remake is coming out in 2017... right?

Release Date: Q1/Q2 2017
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rnPlatforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
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rnFirst-person shooter games with RPG elements are right up our alley. This sequel to Human Head Studios' 2006 Blockbuster has our attention in a big way, even if only because its sci-fi with aliens plot sounds deeply intriguing.

Release Date: Q3/Q4 2017
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rnPlatforms: PS4, Xbox One
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rnRed Dead Redemption is one of the best games of all-time, and was deserving of a sequel. Little is known about this game, and frankly that doesn't even matter. We are already sold on its premise, especially since it's set in the Wild West. Playing as someone other than John Marston will require some getting used to, but if there's one thing we know about Rockstar it's that it is a king at creating characters.

Release Date: January 24th, 2017
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rnPlatforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
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rnThis is the real deal, folks. It's scary, plays well, and does a darn good job of keeping your attention. We know this because we've already played more than an hour of the game. Resident Evil 7, alongside Outlast 2, are going to make sure that 2017 is remembered as a golden year for horror games. Resident Evil is about to reclaim its throne.

Release Date: Q1 2017
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rnPlatforms: PC, Xbox One
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rnWe haven't played a good pirate game in a long, long time. Rare Ltd. is looking to change that. This open-world multiplayer game earned our interest with its premier which showed a group of players drinking stout before engaging in ship battles. It sounds like the swashbuckling vacation that's been long overdue.