The E3 dust has settled for another year and the release schedules for the major games are in place. Both hardware and software sales surge in the second half of the year as most desirable titles are released in the run up to Christmas. Our video game expert Andrew Jackson names the five he’s most looking forward to playing on the Xbox One…

5. Evolve
(Turtle Rock Studios)
21 October 2014

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From little known developer Turtle Rock Studios comes this amazingly innovative five player survival game. Four players are cast as human warriors, tasked with hunting (or being hunted by) the fifth. The only problem? Their fifth friend has transformed into one of a number of terrifying super-monsters that can continue to evolve and become more and more powerful by devouring humans and animals alike. Featuring massive atmospheric battlegrounds, tight shooting controls and clever twist on the cooperative shooter genre, Evolve is sure to be one of the most popular multiplayer games of 2014.

4. Dragon Age: Inquisition
(BioWare)
7 October 2014

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Considering this is the third game in this highly critically acclaimed fantasy role playing series, and that developer BioWare has barely ever released a bad title, it seems that Dragon Age: Inquisition is set to become one of the biggest AAA titles to hit shelves this year. Set in a massive fantasy universe, players can adventure alone or with friends, slaying dragons and collecting coin, while being entranced by BioWare’s talent for writing engaging storylines and producing some of the best voice acting this side of Frozen. And considering that previous characters in BioWare games have been voiced by the likes of Martin Sheen and Seth Green, we can certainly expect some star power surrounding Dragon Age: Inquisition as well.

3. Forza Horizon 2
(Playground)
30 September 2014

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An Xbox exclusive, Forza Horizon 2 looks to continue the series’ grand tradition of pulse pounding racing in gorgeous and stylish real-world environments, using more stunningly detailed supercars than you can shake a gear stick at. One of only a few racing games releasing this year on Xbox One, and featuring famous courses like the Nurburgring in Germany, Forza Horizon 2 is sure to be one of the big releases for the console this year and an absolute must for racing fans.

2. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
(Sledgehammer Games)
4 November 2014

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Does this game really need an introduction? The first person shooter (FPS) Call of Duty franchise has been breaking sales records since the release of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare in 2007, and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare will be no exception. While details about the game itself are scarce the fact that this game brandishes the golden ‘Call of Duty’ name, and that Microsoft has been producing the console of choice for FPS fans since the original Halo on the original Xbox, means that any retailer without enough copies come release day is going to lose more than a few sales.

1. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
(343 Industries)
11 November 2014

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The only exclusive game to Xbox One on this list is also set to become its biggest release yet. Halo: The Master Chief Collection is a trip down memory lane for gamers as it features not one but four of the previous Halo games, all lovingly rebuilt from the ground up to take advantage of the advanced processing power in the current generation of consoles. Though this release brings no new games to the table, it is the first Halo ‘title’ to be released on the Xbox One, and may be the last time players get to step into the shoes of Xbox mascot and universe saving super soldier Master Chief before he is replaced in Halo 5 next year. Those new to the Microsoft fold will buy this game to experience the definitive editions of some of the best games released on the Xbox consoles. Veteran players will buy it to relive the magic of the Halo franchise’s alien worlds and top-notch multiplayer modes in stunning high definition (and seeing as the first Halo game is now 13 years old, it will be like playing a completely new game). As almost every Halo game has been called one of the best games of its  generation, and certainly the best Xbox FPS, Microsoft’s decision to release these four games as an exclusive for Xbox One is a marketing masterstroke.

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