Home Back to School Top 10 video games students will be playing on campus this fall

Top 10 video games students will be playing on campus this fall

August 5, 2019

491

video games students will be playing

Back to school is rapidly approaching, which means the beginning of the fall gaming bonanza where publishers roll out their most anticipated AAA games of the year is almost here. To keep you in the loop on what games will be the talk of the campus this fall, here are the video games students will be playing.

[Note: The below release dates are subject to change at the sole discretion of the game publisher at any time]

Gears 5

Release Date: September 10, 2019
Platform(s): Xbox One, PC
Genre: Third-person shooter

The newest entry in Microsoft’s highly popular Gears of War series, Gears 5 is about a month away. The game’s story is centred around Kait Diaz. Of Locust descent, Kait must uncover the origins of the Locust and Kait’s family.

At E3 2019 I had the chance to play the new cooperative multiplayer mode called Escape. This new mode features a three-player squad that must work together to take out enemy hives from within and escape within a certain time period. After 30 minutes of playtime I was impressed and left wanting more.

Recently, a Gears 5 Technical Test was available to Game Pass subscribers and those who pre-ordered the game. It featured an Arcade Mode, an unranked deathmatch mode designed for quick play action, where teams of five race to get 50 kills to win. And, there were two different game types of ranked matches: King of The Hill and Escalation. It looks as if Gears 5‘s multiplayer modes will be some of the best yet in the series and one of the top video games students will be playing on campus.

Borderlands 3

Release Date: September 13, 2019
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia, PC
Genre: Action role-playing, first-person shooter

Developed jointly by Gearbox’s Quebec and Texas studios, Borderlands 3 is the sequel to 2012’s Borderlands 2. This loot-driven first-person shooter features four new Vault Hunters: a “Siren” named Amara who summons ethereal fists; a young “Gunner” named Moze who rides a mecha Iron Bear; an “Operative” named Zane with a variety of gadgets; and a robot “Beastmaster” named FL4K who summons creatures to aid in fights.

Each of these Vault Hunters come with their own unique abilities, skill trees and customization. Additionally, each of the four Vault Hunters have new combat maneuvers such as crouch-sliding and wall-mounting to climb up walls. If you love Borderlands 2, then you are sure to love the bigger, badder and loads of loot sequel, Borderlands 3.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Release Date: September 20, 2019
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Genre: Action-adventure

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is an HD remake of the 1993 Game Boy game. This Switch remake features a unique art style that fits the game to a tee. The game’s story takes place on Koholint Island, where Link is stranded after his ship is caught up in a storm.

After being rescued by Marin, Link sets out to collect the eight instruments of the Sirens and awaken Koholint’s legendary Windfish in order to escape. Updates to gameplay include Link’s sword, shield, and upgrades being permanently equipped. Thus, allowing you to equip more items to action buttons than in the original game. Furthermore, Link now has a higher capacity of hearts, at least 20 compared to the old 14 heart limit.

Quiet possibly the best new feature is the ability to collect rooms from completed dungeons. These can be used to make your own dungeon and then complete these dungeons in a time attack mode to earn rewards. Having played Link’s Awakening at E3 2019, I’m as excited as ever to play the final game this September.

Ghost Recon: Breakpoint

Release Date: October 4, 2019
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia and PC
Genre: Tactical shooter

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint is the direct sequel to 2017’s Ghost Recon Wildlands and is promising huge action and new innovations for the genre. Players have the choice to choose between multiple classes and have the ability to switch classes (and heal as well) from just about anywhere using “bivouac” shelters. The bivouac system takes inspiration from real-life tactical military procedure and strategy.

Furthermore, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint promises a robust story campaign along with multiple game modes and content updates and expansions. Players will maintain the same character across all aspects of the game, including styles, loadouts, and progression.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Release Date: October 25, 2019
Platform(s): Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC
Genre: First-person shooter

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a reboot of the Modern Warfare series. The game features a single player story mode in addition to multiplayer modes. Recently announced, Modern Warfare will feature crossplay amongst all systems. New features of interest include a weapon customization option called Gunsmithing that allows you to customize your weapons for any type of multiplayer game mode. You can only apply five upgrades to each weapon, so you have to choose what upgrades matter to you the most.

All players will be able to enjoy new maps and content as there will not be a season pass for Modern Warfare. While we don’t know a whole lot about Modern Warfare, a quick glance at the trailer below will reassure you this will be one of the most popular games on campus this fall.

Luigi’s Mansion 3

Release Date: October 31, 2019
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Genre: Action-adventure

Luigi is back and this time he is on a dream vacation with Mario and friends. As you might expect, Luigi’s dream vacation quickly becomes a nightmare. Professor E. Gadd returns to help Luigi as he traverses a mysterious hotel. Luigi’s Poltergust G-00 has been upgraded and can now slam and blow away the ghosts’ defenses.

Additionally, you can summon Gooigi, Luigi’s doppelganger that helps him overcome obstacles he can’t on his own. Having played Luigi’s Mansion 3 at E3 2019, I can tell you these new gameplay features are vital to your success in the game. Furthermore, exploring your surroundings in Luigi’s Mansion 3 is important.

And, there is a multiplayer mode called ScareScraper. This can be played locally or online.

Death Stranding

Release Date: November 8, 2019
Platform(s): PlayStation 4
Genre: Action

Death Stranding has been shrouded in mystery ever since it was first announced at E3 2016. Developed by Kojima Productions, Death Stranding is the first game from legendary game producer Hideo Kojima since leaving Konami in 2015.

From the trailers released so far, we can tell that Death Stranding is an open world game with a connection between life and death. It is a completely new type of action game, where your goal is to reconnect isolated cities and a fragmented society. You take on the role of Sam Porter Bridges and attempt to bridge the divides in society. As a result, you create new bonds or “Strands” with other players around the globe.

Without a doubt, Death Stranding is a game that everyone will be talking about.

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield

Release Date: November 15, 2019
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Genre: Role-playing

The first traditional Pokémon games are coming to the Nintendo Switch this November. Assume the role of a Pokémon Trainer and embark on a brand-new journey in the Galar region. One of the newest gameplay additions, Dynamax Pokémon, allows your Pokémon to grow to a massive size and gives them access to Max Moves. These moves are essential super powered attacks that can also have additional effects on your opponents.

You must unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta as you explore the vast expanse of land. Having played Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield at the Nintendo booth at E3 2019, it was one of my favourite games of the show.

I have no doubt in my mind that Pokémon fans will love Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield when it comes out on November 15, 2019.

Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order

Release Date: November 15, 2019
Platform(s): Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC
Genre: Action-adventure

Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order is a single player action-adventure game. It is set post Order 66 after the events in Episode 3. The game is a mixture of exploration, adventure and combat. You assume the role of Cal Kestis who is on his way to becoming a Jedi but is not quite there yet.

However, you are not alone, you’ll have the help of your trusty new droid, BD-1. Surprisingly, BD-1 is more than just a friend. He can hack doors, scan new environments, illuminate dark corners, act as a meter for Cal’s health and even help in battle. No doubt that BD-1 is genuinely an important part of Star War Jedi: Fallen Order’s gameplay.

Developed by Respawn Entertainment, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order looks like it won’t disappoint when it releases this November.

Doom Eternal

Release Date: November 22, 2019
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Google Stadia and PC
Genre: First-person shooter

Without a doubt, Doom Eternal is shaping up to be one of if not the biggest and baddest game in the series yet. The game takes place sometime after the Doom 2016 reboot and you once again assume the role of the Doom Slayer. Earth has been overrun by demonic forces thus transforming it into a nightmarish hell hole. It is up to you, the Doom Slayer, to save the human race one more time.

The game contains a few new gameplay elements such as wall climbing and dash moves, a grappling hook, a new arm blade, and a shoulder-mounted flamethrower. Doom Eternal will feature a new multiplayer mode called Battlemode. It was described as a first-person fighter. One Slayer faces off against two demons in a fight to the finish. It’s a really cool concept that has potential to be big with the fans.