May is going to be a busy month for shooter fans, thanks to a packed release schedule of big-name titles. Join us as we break down what players can expect from this month and beyond.[Excerpt]
Shooter fans might want to stock up on the deluge of titles coming out this month, as the options will run a bit dry in the summer months. Your wallet may appreciate the reprieve, however, as the fall and holiday seasons promise new releases and expansions from the biggest FPS franchises. Here's a look at this year's most promising shooters.
Battleborn
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release: May 3
This week's big retail release comes courtesy of Gearbox, and features the trademark humor and larger-than-life personalities that Borderlands is known for. Battleborn trades Borderlands' massive open-world and procedurally generated arsenal for MMO raid-style story missions on distinct levels, and a whopping 25 playable heroes, each sporting their own unique weapons and abilities.
Why You Should Care: Battleborn shakes up the competitive multiplayer formula with some MOBA-inspired features such as a rapid leveling system and A.I.-controlled minion droids, and the huge roster of characters ensures everyone can find a hero (or two or three) that fit their play-style.
Superhot
Platform: Xbox One
Release Date: May 3
Xbox One owners can now find out what made Superhot such a hit with PC gamers. This stylish indie game turns the action-packed FPS into a methodical strategy game by linking the speed of gameplay to the player's movement. Sidestepping bullets and shattering enemies into crystalline shards will make you feel like the hero of your own gun-fu action movie, even if the later levels get a little frustrating.
Why You Should Care: If you're suffering from shooter fatigue, Superhot's unique take on the FPS might be just what the doctor ordered.
Overwatch
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: May 3 (early access beta), May 4 (open beta), May 24 (full game)
Overwatch's official launch is still a few weeks away, but fans can get an early – and free – look at the game during this week's open beta. All of the 6v6 team-based shooter's features will be available to check out (aside from monthly seasons), including the 21 unique playable characters, four game modes, unlockable loot, and weekly brawl events.
Why You Should Care: Blizzard is a master at breaking down what makes a genre fun and compelling, and then building it up with nearly infinite replayability. Blizzard has already stated that all of Overwatch's DLC will be free, so if you're looking for a new competitive shooter, now's the time to check it out.
Rainbow Six Siege: Operation Dust Line DLC
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: May 9
Rainbow Six Siege was roundly criticized for its lack of content and technical shortcomings at launch, but a solid gameplay foundation was already firmly in place. The five-on-five matches require careful team planning and communication to survive – steamrolling an unprepared squad with a coordinated ambush is supremely rewarding. Operation Dust Line adds two more unique operatives to the character roster, along with additional content – if the last DLC drop is any indication, the community could be getting another free map as well.
Why You Should Care: Ubisoft's slow trickle of post-release DLC may not be enough to entice new players to check out Siege, but it's still the most tactical team-based shooter on the market right now.
Doom
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: May 13
Few games have the legacy of id Software's genre-defining FPS series, and the latest entry seeks to reintroduce players to the fast-paced, run-and-gun action that old-school shooters were known for. Doom's SnapMap feature has also made waves by promising to give players the ability to easily make and share custom levels.
Why You Should Care: So far what we've played of Doom has been gorgeous, gory, and highly entertaining. If you're tired of taking potshots at enemies from behind cover, Doom shouldn't disappoint.
Homefront: The Revolution
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: May 17
The first Homefront was far from perfect, but Dambuster Studios is hoping that the switch to an open-world format is enough to enlist more would-be guerrillas to its cause. Your hit-and-run tactics are augmented by the ability to customize your weapons on the fly and craft deadly munitions, like an explosives-toting RC car. A separate four-player co-op mode is also available, if being a lone wolf isn't your style.
Why You Should Care: The first Homefront failed to compete with Call of Duty and Battlefield, but that failure has seemingly allowed Homefront to strike out and find its own identity. The open-world format should give players more agency in picking and confronting targets than the standard campaigns of other military shooters.
Coming Up Next: What summer holds for shooter fans...[PageBreak]
Umbrella Corps
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC
Release Date: June 21
Capcom's beloved horror series is taking a detour into the multiplayer shooter space this summer with Umbrella Corps. Resident Evil's undead brain-munchers provide a fresh wrinkle to the three-versus-three team matches, as they'll dine on friends and foes alike if you attack them or disable another player's "zombie jammer."
Why You Should Care: Umbrella Corps definitely isn't what Resident Evil fans were expecting, but the G.I. editors who have played it so far have had a surprisingly good time with it. Given the dearth of new games this summer, the $30 budget title might be worth a look for zombie fans.
The Division: Underground Expansion
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: June (Xbox One), July (PlayStation 4, PC)
Ubisoft Massive's online shooter was off to a good start earlier this year, thanks to its engaging story missions, support for diverse character builds, and endless loot. April's Incursion update tried to address the lack of end-game content, but hopefully the upcoming Underground DLC will be more substantial. Ubisoft hasn't outlined what the DLC entails beyond delving into New York's expansive subway system. Two more DLC expansions are planned for this summer and winter as well.
Why You Should Care: The Division provides solid co-op fun for you and three friends. Our biggest complaint was that we ran out of things to do in the world, which the DLC might just remedy.
Gears Of War 4
Platform: Xbox One
Release Date: October 11
Despite being developed for a new console by a new studio and featuring a new cast of characters, Gears of War 4 looks like it contains everything that fans love about the series: gory action, grotesque enemies, and enough explosions to level a small city.
Why You Should Care: Microsoft knows what kind of expectations fans have for Gears of War, and isn't going to let its second biggest series go to waste. In addition to offering up plenty of popcorn movie action, we expect Gears of War 4 will be a technical powerhouse that show's off just what the Xbox One is capable of.
Destiny Fall Update
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release Date: Fall
In a recent post, Bungie's David Dague slipped in a small mention of what's next for Destiny: "The next point on the horizon is an update we're cooking up for the Fall. I've seen it. I'm excited about it. I will say no more...For now." While that's not a lot to go on, Destiny's April Update proved more substantial than its lackluster holiday events, giving fans hope for the future. At the very least, we're expecting to see some new weapons, armor, and activities, which is good enough for us.
Why You Should Care: Destiny had its fair share of haters after launch, but you can't accuse Bungie of not supporting the highly ambitious project. The developer has constantly been coming up with new ways to improve and expand the game, and we don't expect them to stop anytime soon.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: November 4
Call of Duty jumped the shark years ago – in the best way possible. Eschewing the serious tone of most military shooters has allowed the series to amp up the set-piece moments way past 11, and Infinite Warfare looks no different. Taking the fight to space will allow firefights to play out on multiple planes (gravity is so passé), and managing your ship sounds like it has some Mass Effect-inspired elements. Fans will also be getting a new installment of the ever-popular Zombies mode, plus a current-gen remake of Call of Duty 4 if you buy the Legacy Edition.
Why You Should Care: It's Call of Duty – you either love it or you hate it, and based on sales, most players still love it.
Coming Up Next: The currently undated – but still promising – shooters of 2016...[PageBreak]
Battlefield Next
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: TBA 2016
The new Battlefield doesn't even have a name yet, but we know it's expected to release in late 2016. The only other tidbit we have to go on is the rumor that the game takes place during World War I. If true, this could not only signal a return to a more traditional Battlefield, but it would also differentiate the game from plethora of futuristic military shooters that have come out in recent years.
Why You Should Care: Whether the WWI rumors turn out to be true or not, we know that DICE is back in charge of Battlefield, which should be enough to pique the interest of fans. In any event, we won't have to wait long to find out what the new game is – DICE is currently teasing a countdown reveal that ends on May 6.
Shadow Warrior 2
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: TBA 2016
The reviews of 2013's Shadow Warrior reboot were decidedly mixed, but that isn't stopping developer Flying Wild Hog from going all out for the sequel. Shadow Warrior 2 will feature four-player co-op, over 70 weapons, and procedurally generated levels. It might not win any awards for its story or character design, but the nonstop enemy dismembering could still end up being a lot of fun.
Why You Should Care: Sometimes you want a deep, meaningful adventure, and sometimes you just want to blow crap up. Shadow Warrior 2 delivers one of those experiences.
Sniper Elite 4
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: TBA 2016
You may know Sniper Elite as "that series that lets you shoot Hitler in his one good testicle." If so, we don't blame you – the gory X-ray kill cam is definitely the series' standout feature. However, Rebellion Developments has put a lot of work into creating a realistic sniping simulation, and the latest, Italy-bound adventure will surely raise the bar yet again.
Why You Should Care: Did you miss the part about shooting Hitler's testicle?
Rising Storm 2: Vietnam
Platform: PC
Release Date: TBA 2016
The creators behind the ultra-realistic Red Orchestra are heading to a (slightly) more modern battlefield in Rising Storm 2: Vietnam. The game will feature 64-player matches in wide-open levels, as well as smaller maps designed for 16-player squad-based matches. The developer is also adding an updated recoil system to complement other realism-based features such as bullet drop, and is improving its squad and communication systems.
Why You Should Care: Part of Rising Storm 2's appeal is what it lacks: The developer boasts that the game has no class ranks, weapon upgrades, or unlocks – instead, the game comes down to your own personal skill. If that's what you're looking for, Rising Storm 2 shouldn't disappoint.
Squad
Platform: PC
Release Date: Early access available now, full release TBA
Speaking of realism, Offworld Industries is designing its team-based military shooter to be as true to real-life modern combat as possible. Squad has been dubbed the spiritual sequel to the still-popular Project Reality mod for Battlefield 2, and while many features have yet to be implemented, the current early access version has been widely praised on Steam. Massive environments, 100-player battles, and a wide assortment of vehicles are all planned for the final game.
Why You Should Care: Project Reality has a long and venerable history in the PC shooter space, and by all accounts Squad is living up to its legacy. If you're looking for more strategy and camaraderie than more fast-paced shooters offer, keep Squad on your radar.
Lawbreakers
Platform: PC
Release Date: Summer 2016
Cliff Bleszinski's new competitive FPS was originally announced as a free-to-play, but has since adopted a traditional pricing structure. The frenetic shooter allows players to manipulate gravity as they shoot, shock, and blow up their competition.
Why You Should Care: Out of all the competitive shooters on this list, Lawbreakers looks to be the most frantic (and profane). If you're looking for nonstop action, the alpha test should be available this summer.
Which shooter are you most looking forward to? Share your favorite in the comments below!