Smooth Gaming‘ is a new column to ValueWalk which will discuss various aspects of the video game industry. From AAA titles, business aspects, and independent developers who often go under-reported. ‘Smooth Gaming’ will take a multi-pronged look at the world of gaming. This week we dive into more hot video game releases coming in 2019 including Gears 5 and Total War.
Last week we touched on the upcoming releases of Mortal Kombat 11, The Division 2, Far Cry New Dawn, Left Alive, Anthem, and Devil May Cry 5. That went so well, I thought it would be great to speak on some of the other video game releases coming in 2019 such as Gears 5 and Shenmue III.
Let’s get right to it, shall we?
Shenmue III
Shenmue III is likely to not make the top 10 list of best selling games in 2019, but I won’t be shocked if it far exceeds expectations. Shenmue II was released in September 2001, making the third and final installment of the series one of the most anticipated (and long waited for) sequels in gaming history.
The game received over $7 million in crowdfunding, proving how inspired the cult fan base was to help make a third game a reality. Sony and Deep Silver provided Director Yu Suzuki’s Ys Net company with further funding to continue the project.
If Shenmue III can become a box office hit, a spin-off series of some sort could be likely. Currently, the game is scheduled for release on August 27th.
Total War: Three Kingdoms
Creative Assembly has no problems selling games in their Total War franchise. That trend will definitely not break with the upcoming release of Total War: Three Kingdoms, which was the focus of the second Smooth Gaming column.
Total War and Three Kingdoms fans have asked for this game to become a reality for nearly as long as Shenmue fans have waited for the third installment of that critically acclaimed franchise.
The Creative Assembly team is bringing back familiar features to go along with several innovations to bring the Three Kingdoms lore to life while keeping the feel of a Total War game.
The title is set for release on March 7th.
Gears 5
The Gears of War franchise shortens its name with the upcoming Gears 5 entry. The Coalition return as developers for their second entry of the series after developing Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, which was basically a complete remake of the original Gears of War title.
The Gears 5 game will focus on Kait Diaz and will aim to continue one of the most popular franchises of the modern console era going in the right direction. The third person shooter is without a specific release date, but it is expected to be available by the end of this year.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
FromSoftware decided to take on a new challenge after becoming famous for its famously difficult Dark Souls franchise. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice takes players to the Sengoku period in Japan, and will allow gamers to experience a unique Katana style gameplay.
It’s likely Sekiro will be extremely difficult, so players should go into it with that in mind. The title also remains a mystery in how well it will perform at the box office, initial reviews by outlets and fans will probably go a long way in determining whether or not the game will be a big commercial success. It’s set to become available on March 22nd.
Dead or Alive 6
Dead or Alive is back with Dead or Alive 6. The fighting genre is one of the most popular in Esports and among traditional gamers. Also, new to the series is the toning down of sexuality, which was one of the aspects which helped the franchise gain popularity.
However, the incorporation graphical violence is said to have picked up heavily in this entry. There is little that will keep the game from being a commercial success. It doesn’t seem like there’s much that could keep Dead or Alive from continuing to be a powerhouse in the fighting genre. The game is currently set to drop on March 1st.
Shenume III, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Gears 5, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Dead or Alive 6 all look like they will be critical and commercial successes in 2019.
Next week we will discuss how I became interested in gaming, along with my favorite games, franchises, and characters.
Stay Smooth!
