Considering the dude behind Alliance Alive I hope it does well. I didn't play the first Persona dancing game and I doubt I'll play the new ones either, but I'll definitely be paying attention to the P3 dancer at least just for all the updated design work. Put FemMC in and maybe I'll buy it, Atlus, okay?
I want to believe in Far Cry 5, but there's so many ways it could fall flat, especially after Austin's intimations regarding studio turnover on a recent Waypoint Radio.
I knew the FTL folks were working on something new but I had no idea it would be that. I'll keep my eye on it. At the very least, it should mean we're getting another great soundtrack.
I have State of Decay in my library but I've never started it. The concept is solid enough to get me over my disinterest in zombies, but yeah, I think the sequel may have lost me the moment you said "Windows Store."
Vampyr looks like it could be
amazing and the setting alone sounds worth the price of admission. WW1-era London in the midst of an influenza epidemic, plus vampires? You don't see that every day.
I still need to finish Banner Saga 2 but 3 is for sure on my list. It's one of the few games series I've loved despite the combat system never quite clicking with me, just because the art design and storytelling make up for the battles so completely.
Anyway, as for a few of my own 2018 picks... assuming these come out... and are good...
I'll be cribbing from Polygon's list for this post.
Anthem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL5GSfs9fi4
I really, really want this to be good, partially because Bioware could
really use the win right now, but also 'cause while games like Destiny and Warframe have never clicked with me enough to really try 'em out, Anthem looks like it has most of the pieces in place to change that.
Metro Exodus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F87ky5KNGGY
Like many other things, I've never played a previous Metro game despite somehow owning both of them. On paper they should be my jam. In practice? I dunno. This one could be a great starting point though as it kinda looks like it's spending more time on the surface than underground.
Mineko's Night Market
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQRdJ1G-SGQ
Cats!
But also I guess this is going to be an Animal Crossing sorta thing and I'm always down for a fresh one of those
even if Pocket Camp has already kinda lost me a little but more importantly LOOK AT ALL THE CATS and also this thing looks stylish as hell.
Monster Hunter World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2ohXbAG2Dc
I too would be more likely to actually play a Monster Hunter game if it were called Monster Hunter Y'all. But since it isn't, Monster Hunter World looks close enough to finally getting me in, thanks maybe a little to it having a PC version this time around, but probably mostly 'cause it's full of the kinda accessibility and QOL improvements that I've always felt the series has
sorely lacked.
Sea of Thieves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbE8BnO6oug
Multiplayer co-op pirate adventures on the high seas! It'll have a Windows version, which I hope isn't a Windows Store exclusive, but ehhhhh we'll find out. Normally just the phrase "a game made by Rare" is enough for me to make a bunch of pavlovian response fart noises and then fall asleep standing, but boy does it look like they might finally be onto something here.
Valkyria Chronicles 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_otGpDTvbM
I doubt this makes it out in 2018, but
man I hope it does
if it's indeed a back to basics return to form for this series, which is too damn cool to only have one truly great game in its franchise.
SoulCalibur 6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1sdAmSq4vs
Despite all its various minor-to-moderate issues - weird customization, aimless progression, incomplete story modes, chasing DOA's fan service with hilarious/creepy-ass results, writing its title as a single word one of which is always misspelled - I do still love me some
SoulCalibur Soul Caliber and I'm really happy to see it return, like Valkyria Chronicles,
if they can get it right
and especially if they can make the series feel relevant again.
Where The Water Tastes Like Wine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnznWYE_wxc
I knew nothing about this or even knew it existed until I started poking through the Polygon list, but the concept alone sounds strong enough to be worth a look.