Following last year’s release of Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s PS4, 2014 is sure to be a huge year for gaming. Some titles will be aiming to fill their long-standing expectations (The Division, Watch Dogs), others will be bringing pre-existing franchises into the future (inFamous: Second Son, Thief), and a few games have the potential to revolutionize the industry (Titanfall).

The 2014 lineup also includes updates to a couple of beloved RPG’s (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Dragon Age: Inquisition, The Elder Scrolls Online), new entries in long-running Nintendo franchises (Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Brothers), and an interactive parody where passing gas is considered a lethal weapon (South Park: The Stick of Truth).

Here is a look at the games that have us the most excited for Winter/Spring 2014:

Thief

PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC

February 25, 2014

After a decade-long absence from the video game world, the pickpocket series “Thief” returns with a reboot from developers Eidos Montreal. It marks the long awaited return of hooded protagonist Garrett. He’s come back to his moody hometown to find it overrun by a money-grubbing regime.

Tom Clancy’s The Division

PS4, Xbox One

TBA Winter 2014

Ubisoft and Bungie’s “The Division” made a huge first impression at E3 in 2013.  After a disease leaves the United States in turmoil, players take control of government sleeper agents codenamed “the Division” to try and save what is left. This ambitious tactical online shooter incorporates elements from both the survival and RPG genres.

South Park: The Stick of Truth

Xbox 360, PS3, PC

March 4, 2014

The long-delayed “South Park” game written by TV show creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone is expected to finally see the light of day this spring. Can the video game version of South Park be as funny as the actual show? Obsidian Entertainmentis banking on it.

Titanfall

Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC

March 11, 2014 

This Microsoft exclusive game is poised to bring some much needed innovation to the over saturated first person shooter genre. Developed by Respawn Entertainment (mostly made up of Call of Duty4 developers) Titanfall is a futuristic combat action game that infuses first-person-shooting with mechanized robotsuit piloting into one fierce online battlefield.

inFamous: Second Son

PS4

March 21, 2014

inFamous: Second Son is the latest open-world edition of Sucker Punch Productions‘ super-powered series featuring new protagonist, Delsin Rowe. Exploiting his ability to absorb powers, the graffiti artist-turned-superhero uses all new “Neon” abilities as a means to fight back against the oppressive Department of Unified Protection, which has seized control of Seattle.

Watch Dogs

PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC

Spring 2014

Based in a futuristic Chicago, this open-world thriller lets players hack into the City’s central operating system opening endless creative possibilities. The game was delayed (from an initial release date in 2013) to give Ubisoft Montreal more time to sharpen the interconnected action, which will spill out not just into online multiplayer but also onto tablets and smartphones.

Mario Kart 8

Wii U

TBA Spring 2014

Nintendo: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and all their friends are hitting the road again in the eighth entry of this iconic kart racer.

Other games anticipated this year: Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, Game of Thrones, The Order: 1886, The Witness, Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes, Tomb Raider, The Evil within, The Crew, Diabolo, Child of Light, Uncharted 4.

– Christophe Chanel