Ten things to be excited about in 2016
December 31, 2015It’s never been a better time to be a geek.
Geek Culture has never been more mainstream or “cool” and we’re being rewarded for that with awesome things to look forward to this coming year.
So here’s a list (in no particular order) of some of the things to look forward to this year
Deadpool (The Movie)
Deadpool has long been a cult favourite among comic fans, and with Ryan Reynolds assuming the “Wade Wilson” role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, fans thought they would finally see the ‘Merc with a Mouth on the big screen; and they did; for about five minutes. Then…something happened. Let’s not talk about what, but instead focus on the future.
You may have read my article on why seeing Deadpool is important (check it out here) but it also looks like it’s going to be a fantastic, faithful, adaptation of the character. The fact it’s rated R makes that all the more likely.
At San Diego Comic Con this past year fans went crazier for the Deadpool trailer than any other; even more than Suicide Squad OR Batman Vs. Superman!
Mass Effect: Andromeda (For Windows, Xbox One, and Playstation 4)
The Mass effect trilogy concluded in 2012, and work was promptly begun on a new game in the series.
It won’t be a direct continuation, but instead will take place in the Andromeda galaxy; hence the appropriate title.
Mass Effect re-defined what a shooter could be, integrating strong RPG elements, and grand story into the mix. Andromeda promises to build on that legacy with impressive visuals using the same engine as Dragon Age: Inquisition and a sweeping storyline that will engulf the player in consequential decisions that have the potential to shake the foundations of the universe.
The X-Files (On Fox this January)
Mulder and Scully return to television in a six episode mini-series that has promised to tie up some of the major loose ends that the series and its two films could not.
The trailers that have been released so far evoke the same chills that its previous run did but look to bring The X-Files into the age of mass media and a camera in almost every pocket.
Batman vs. Superman
This is the make or break movie in the DC Universe.
Anything less than 1 billion worldwide would be a mammoth disappointment. In fact, if it doesn`t outpace Avengers: Age of Ultron, the weaker of the two Avengers films, it will probably considered a disappointment.
DC has recognized this and thrown everything at the movie; Batman and Superman, obviously. Doomsday, Wonder Woman, apparently also Aquaman, Cyborg, and others; anything to make the movie stick in the minds of fans.
Even if it`s a financial bust, seeing Superman and Batman (Ben Affleck looks like an inspired casting choice, thus far) will be uber-cool.
The Legend of Zelda (Wii, Wii U)
[Image via Nintendolife.com]
Few characters, or series` for that matter, are as beloved as Link and The Legend of Zelda.
The fact that they`re making an open world version of this classic series that looks like it was painted by the most talented of artists has fans clamouring to see what the Wii U can do with Link.
The fact that it keeps getting pushed back is a concern; will it get delayed and become the launch title of Nintendo`s next gen system codenamed NX? We’ll find out next year!
Preacher (On AMC this year)
When Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg revealed that they had picked up the rights to Preacher, the DC Vertigo masterpiece by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, it was hard to imagine how it would turn out; how could a pair that were responsible for films like Superbad and Pineapple Express do justice to something like Preacher?
If the trailer is any indication, so far so good.
If they can infuse their trademark humour into the show without sacrificing what made the comic great…with the adult theme AMC has traditionally offered, Preacher could be amazing.
Virtual Reality (Oculus Rift, Playstation VR)
[Image via Forbes.com]
When it first came out, Virtual Reality was quickly revealed to be a fad that couldn’t match it’s hype. It was cool, sure…but not as cool as just walking around. (Community lampooned VR in a classic episode in its most recent season)
2016 appears to be the year that changes. The mind blowing experiences that demos have revealed at major cons across North America, VR will change the way we interact with technology (again.)
Captain America: Civil War
[Image via superherohype.com]
The excitement for this film has been building since it was announced; and when Marvel made the deal to get Spider-man back in their movies, it’s been at a fever pitch.
The trailers have only intensified this already mammoth anticipation.
It’s basically an Avengers movie, except the Avengers are fighting each other.
Phantasy Star Online 2 Anime
The Phantasy Star series has been running for years, and though the Japan only MMO may never be available in North America, this year an anime adaptation WILL be.
The show will be an “action-adventure series that follows Itsuki Tachibana, a player of Phantasy Star Online 2, and the challenges he faces both in and outside of the game.”
Seems like there might be a little room for Inception-style plots!
Star Wars: Rogue One
Like Batman vs. Superman, this movie has a ton riding on it in 2016. With the monumental success of The Force Awakens, Disney will be looking to the first of its “anthology” films to continue its momentum through 2020, which sees a Star Wars movie every year until then.
The Force Awakens was, in some ways, a known quantity. It continued the existing trilogy, using many of the main characters as anchor points.
But Rogue One is a prequel. It will be a litmus test about how much Disney should invest in these anthology films going forward.
How many Bothans will die? We’ll find out next year!
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What are YOU looking forward to in 2016? Let us know in the comments!
TL: DR
Top Ten things in 2016
The Legend of Zelda
Virtual Reality
[…] meaning it’s likely that the open world Zelda game we discussed in our New Year’s Eve wishlist will be a console launch title for NX and won’t drop in 2016 as we […]