15 Upcoming Video Games That Have Already WON
Nobody can buy every new release, so here's a list of sure-fire hits that will fulfil fans' wishes
The video game industry is in a bit of a tumultuous time lately. The cost of development keeps going up, with the returns not always meeting expectations. Now more than ever, publishers are aiming for sure-fire hits, and gamers can't afford to buy every game that comes out.
Sometimes, what a publisher wants isn't always what the gamers want, but now and again, a game slips through the cracks and delivers on everything gamers (and publishers) want.
Here's a list of games that we believe are in good running to deliver on all of the hopes and dreams of the industry, giving us the fans everything we want while also keeping the big wigs happy.
15. Stage Tour
Stage Tour sounds like a dream come true for all of us who were around during the heyday of Guitar Hero and Rock Band. RedOctane, the original developers of Guitar Hero, have returned (sort of, more on that in a bit) to the world of rhythm games played with plastic instruments. While not the original RedOctane, as they were closed in 2010 by Activision, this new RedOctane consists of former Vicarious Visions and the original RedOctane staff.
Activision made their attempt at reviving the Guitar Hero franchise in 2015 with Guitar Hero Live, but it wasn't what the fans wanted at all. Completely changing how the game was played, it alienated old fans who wanted to experience games like Guitar Hero 3 again, and it drove away newcomers, as it just wasn't what they wanted.
Rock Band 4 also released the same year as Guitar Hero Live but didn't fare much better. It stayed true to what the franchise was before in terms of gameplay, but critics were quick to point out the weaker on-disc tracklist when compared to previous entries. It had big names like Ozzy Osbourne on the tracklist, but the song chosen was 'Miracle Man'. I'm no 'Miracle Man' hater, but out of Ozzy's extensive discography, that wouldn't be the song I choose. Critics shared the same opinion; it included many A-List names but featured their lesser-known songs.
Stage Tour promises to bring us back to the prime of rhythm games with a tracklist that includes hits such as Parklife by Blur, Rio by Duran Duran, and Kickstart My Heart by Mötley Crüe. We'll soon see the results as Stage Tour is set to release on the 10th of December 2026, and I, for one, can't wait to start my band back up.