The year might have already started, but the release slate for video games is barely warmed up. The start of the new decade is not looking too shabby when it comes to gaming across all platforms, from meme-inducing games to eagerly anticipated open worlds filled with possibility. Here's what's in store for you.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo Switch)
One of the most beloved franchises in the Nintendo roster, the new instalment of the life simulation game takes place on a deserted island, with players free to explore and develop a community.
ETA: 20 Mar. Available to preorder on Amazon.

Doom Eternal (PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch)
Follow-up to 2016's Doom, as the Doom Slayer attempts to save the human race from extinction. Doom Eternal is going back to its origins with an aesthetic drawing from the early games, in what is considered to be one of the pioneering first-person shooter franchises.
ETA: 20 Mar. Available to preorder on Amazon, including an exclusive steel poster.

Half-Life: Alyx (PC)
After some uncertainty surrounding its release date, the VR instalment of the Half-Life franchise is finally confirmed as an early spring launch. The first-person shooter will take fans back to the fight against the Combine, 13 years after the release of Half-Life 2: Episode Two.
ETA: 23 Mar

Resident Evil 3 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
In a year filled with returns to popular franchises, CAPCOM is re-imagining one of its most popular properties: 1999's Resident Evil 3. Introducing third-person shooter gameplay instead of fixed camera angles, the game will also feature an online multiplayer mode.
ETA: 3 Apr. Available to preorder on Amazon.

Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)
The Final Fantasy series has a nearly unending number of games, but the most popular of them all is making a comeback to the PS4. Along with the mandatory shiny new graphics, this remake also replaces the classic turn-based battles with a hybrid, real-time system.
ETA: 10 Apr. Available to preorder on Amazon, including an exclusive theme.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
The opening scene of Skyrim has become a popular meme, so the newest expansion to Elder Scrolls Online might just bring us a worthy successor to 'You're Finally Awake'. Opening up the west of Skyrim with a quest to bring down a vampire lord, Greymoor is sure to be a hit.
ETA: 18 May (PC), 2 Jun (PS4/Xbox)

The Last of Us Part II (PS4)
The sequel to the critically acclaimed action adventure game by Naughty Dog is finally upon us. Taking place five years after the first game, Ellie takes centre stage as she embarks on a quest for justice and closure.
ETA: 29 May. Available to preorder on Amazon.

Marvel's Avengers (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Reception to early footage has been mixed, but the Marvel action-adventure game might just fool us all. Kamala Khan takes on the task of re-assembling the mighty Avengers after a tragic event, with players being given the choice to go single-player or take their adventure online.
ETA: 4 Sep. Available to preorder on Amazon.

Cyberpunk 2077 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
From the makers of Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Cyberpunk 2077 came out guns blazing with the announcement of Keanu Reeves' involvement in the project. The anticipation has been running high ever since for this dystopian, first-person visual marvel.
ETA: 17 Sep. Available to preorder on Amazon, including an exclusive steelbook.

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands (PC)
The most popular MMORPG in the world has announced the release of its eighth expansion pack. The levelling system will receive a makeover, as druids, mages, paladins and more explore the world of the Shadowlands.
ETA: TBC

Halo Infinite (Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC)
The Xbox's flagship franchise will be churning out a new instalment in preparation for the next generation of Microsoft's console. The sixth Halo game, Halo Infinite, welcomes Master Chief back in a more central role.
ETA: TBC

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
The sequel to the 2004 action role-playing game follows a vampire turned during a rogue vampiric act of terrorism. 16 years in the making, there is still not a definitive release date, as Hardsuit Labs is attempting to avoid the buggy inception of the original game.
ETA: TBC

Watch Dogs: Legion (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC)
All good things come in threes, some say, and fans of the Watch Dogs series will definitely hope that is true ahead of the release of Watch Dogs: Legion. This won't be a lone venture, however, as the game will introduce the ability to control multiple characters.
ETA: TBC

Microsoft Flight Simulator (Xbox One, PC)
Eager fans have been gunning for early invites to test out the new features of this flight simulation game, 14 years after the release of Flight Simulator X. The game will draw from real-world weather data, and feature 3D photo-realistic imagery based on data gathered by Microsoft which covers every part of the planet.
ETA: TBC