Sports and racing
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Pro Evolution Soccer 2018
Release date: September 12, 2017 (Out now) Developer: Konami Link: Official site
With newly added online co-op, a presentation overhaul from last year's version, and other new gameplay features, "PES 2018 looks every bit as good on PC as it does on the PS4 and Xbox, possibly even better on the highest settings," according to our review.
Forza Motorsport 7
Release date: October 3, 2017 (Out now)
Developer: Turn 10 Studios
Link: Official site
The first full-on entry in the Forza sim racing series is coming to PC alongside the Xbox One this fall. After the fantastic Forza Horizon 3 in 2016, Forza has a shot at becoming one of the PC's premiere racing series going forward. And Microsoft's talking big game about how amazing this one looks at 4K and in HDR, which will make it a great testbed for the new wave of 4K HDR monitors.
Need for Speed Payback
Release date: November 10, 2017
Developer: Ghost Games
Link: Official site
Need for Speed is back, and this time it's... Fast & Furious? That seems to be the vibe of the new Need For Speed, which showed off a heist sequence in its E3 presentation. You'll be taking down other racers, stealing cars from convoys, outrunning the cops, and customizing your cars. It feels like a bit of a kitchen sink racer, but in the right hands that could be really cool. Recent PC Need For Speeds have had some PC issues, so hopefully that's not the case for Payback.
Super Mega Baseball 2
Release date: Delayed to spring 2018
Developer: Metalhead Software
Link: Official site
We had one wish for the otherwise enjoyable Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings, and that was online play. Happily, Super Mega Baseball 2 will support four-player online co-op and head-to-head modes, and more robust stats and player customization systems.
Old Time Hockey
Release date: March 28, 2017 (Out now)
Developer: V7 Entertainment
Link: Official site
The moment editor-in-chief Evan Lahti published the words “the PC needs a hockey game,” the trailer for Old Time Hockey, set in the rinky-dink 1970s minor leagues, reached up and punched him full in the face. Sure, we were hoping for an official NHL game, but we’ll take it where we can get it.
We were excited about this one, and not just because Evan keeps threatening to drop his gloves and throw down. Old Time Hockey looks like it’s got the speed and physicality of classics like NHL ‘94, but that’s not all. It’s got fashion like small-town Michigan, speed like small-town Wisconsin, and mustaches like small-town British Columbia. In the end, we found it to be a bit of a letdown.
Pixel Soccer
Release date: December 1, 2017
Developer: Super Rock Games Limited
Link: Official site
As far as soccer games go, this one wins the award for Most Adorable Athletes. There’s something charming about seeing the world’s most popular sport played by little pixel sprites, but we’re more excited about the possibility for local multiplayer.
BeamNG.drive
Release date: 2017? (Out now in Early Access)
Developer: BeamNG
Link: Steam page
Currently in Early Access—which it will leave at some undetermined date—BeamNG.drive is a simulation focused driving game. It’s a sandbox more than strictly a racing game, providing soft body simulation to drive realistic handling and crashes, whether you’re steering a truck or a race car.
Road Rage
Release date: December 29, 2017
Developer: Team 6
Link: Official site
It’s not exactly a racing game, but there are no other motorcycles in this section—so here’s some motorcycles! And also pipes, swords, and axes that you can bash and slice and hack at people with.
Drift Stage
Release date: 2017?
Developer: Super Systems Softworks
Link: Official site
A crowdfunded throwback to arcade racers with a colorful vector illustration style that’ll make your pupils contract. It’s the ‘80s, baby. And good news if that sounds awesome: there’s a free public alpha version you can play.
Fifa 18
Release date: September 29, 2017 (Out now)
Developer: Electronic Arts
Link: Official site
The trusty annual football (or soccer) game is definitely coming to PC, and along with the expected graphical improvements, it’ll also boast more detailed player traits and even better dribbling than ever before. One can never stop perfecting dribbling.
Project Cars 2
Release date: September 21, 2017 (Out now)
Developer: Slightly Mad Studios
Link: Official site
The crowdfunded follow-up to Project Cars was announced back in 2015, and development has been quietly going on behind private forums. It promises over 200 cars and over 200 tracks, and a continuation of the Project Cars dedication to high-fidelity graphics and simulation.
