Jan. 27 – “Grim Fandango: Remastered” (PS4, Vita, PC, Mac, Linux) 

Sony made a big splash for a rather small game at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2014 when it announced its was teaming up with Disney and Double Fine to remake the classic dark-humored adventure game, “Grim Fandango,” for new hardware. If you haven’t yet experienced the quirky, noir-inspired romp through the land of the dead, you’ll have a chance to later this month.

Feb. 10 – “Evolve” (XBO, PS4, PC)

Instead of the typical, equal match-ups you might see in other online multiplayer games, “Evolve” pits four players controlling unique hunters against a fifth player controlling one of five giant monsters. The game has survived its own hype train through an open beta, so it’s certainly possible it will live up to expectations. But even leaving that unconsidered, the 1v4 system is interesting enough to give the game a look.

Feb. 13 – “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D” (3DS)

“Majora’s Mask” for the Nintendo 64 had the mountainous job of following up a game many consider to be the best ever made, “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.” But over the years, it’s slowly accrued a giant following for its dark world and peculiar characters and three-day time mechanics. Now, after years of begging for a remake, Nintendo’s finally pulling through.

Feb. 20 – “Kirby and the Rainbow Curse” (Wii U)

For what can be considered a sequel to “Kirby: Canvas Curse,” “Rainbow Curse’s” main draw may be less about the mechanics many people loved from the original DS title and more about the aesthetics of the game. Put simply, everything in the game appears to be made of clay, including Kirby himself. As if you thought he couldn’t get anymore adorable.

Feb. 20 – “The Order: 1886” (PS4)

“The Order: 1886” sits in much of the public mind as a sort of familiar oddity. First impressions of the game may seem like a generic third-person shooter placed in a more Victorian, sci-fi setting. As one continues through the game however, it seems to take on a unique, theatrical form. For example, there is a level where the player encounters a werewolf-type monster and must try to escape it alone, creating a dramatic gameplay not necessarily associated with shooters. It will be interesting to see what critics think of it upon release, but whatever the case, all signs point to “The Order” having mastered the art of blending gameplay and cinematics.

March 11 – “Ori and the Blind Forest” (XBO, PC)

The first Xbox One exclusive title on this list, “Ori,” is four years in the making and made a hefty impact at E3 2014. It appears to mix beautiful artwork inspired by the likes of Studio Ghibli and a game design known as “Metroidvania,” or gameplay that relies heavily on exploratory action-adventure. The Xbox is sometimes thought of as the system you buy for Halo, Call of Duty and Gears of War, but if you want to sit back and get pulled into a beautiful, challenging world, “Ori and the Blind Forest” may be for you.

March 21 — “Bloodborne” (PS4)

A spiritual successor to the “Dark Souls” series, “Bloodborne” appears to borrow many of that game’s mechanics – including the painfully difficult challenge. A dark, apocalyptic Victorian world mixed with From Software’s brilliant designers promises an excellent and challenging game for those brave enough to venture into its streets. 

April – “Mighty No. 9” (PS4, PS3, Vita, XBO, 360, Wii U, 3DS, PC, Mac, Linux)

Another of many spiritual successor games releasing this year, “Mighty No. 9” is made by developer Comcept and led by Keiji Inafune, creator of “Mega Man.” Borrowing many mechanics “Mega Man” fans will find familiar, Inafune and company have designed enough unique differences in mechanics, characters and enemies to separate the game from its predecessors without betraying the fan base that made the original Blue Bomber beloved in the first place.

May 19 – “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” (PS4, XBO, PC, Linux)

The long-awaited “The Witcher 3” releases the day before graduation, and while I don’t suggest missing such an event in one’s life for a video game, it would not surprise me if a few people do. If there’s any enormous, fantastical, living world to get lost into and miss college graduation, it makes sense it would be this one.