Traditionally, you might expect to find a top ten list of games or movies to look forward to in the upcoming year. But we want to be different. Plus, one of the games that would have made the list has already been released (and I’m playing it now). Expect a review of “Bravely Default” soon. For now, look forward to these up-and-coming titles of the year.

9. “Thief” (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

“Thief” is a reboot of the classic game series originally released in 1998. Taking place in a vibrant Victorian-inspired world, it’s a nice refresher from the gritty realistic world setting of many games today. In this world, master thief Garrett must successfully become the steampunk Robin Hood by stealing from the rich and helping the poor. (Release Date: Feb. 25, 2014)

8. “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

“The Witcher” game series follows the long and harrowing adventures of Geralt of Rivia. Based on the Polish book series written by Andrzej Sapkowski, it is the flagship series of developer CD Projekt RED and is recognized as one of the greatest game series of this generation. “The Witcher 3” is going to follow the series’ staple of challenging yet rewarding gameplay and the deep dark political story. (Release Date: TBA)

7. “South Park: The Stick of Truth” (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

This little gem of a game has been stuck in development purgatory since 2011 when it was first announced. The game was originally being developed by THQ, but when the company went bankrupt, Ubisoft bought the rights to the game and handed it off to Obsidian Entertainment to be finished. Featuring everybody’s favorite politically-incorrect fourth graders, the game is going to be a RPG with South Park’s creators Trey Park and Matt Stone writing and providing the voices of all the characters. (Release Date: March 4, 2014)

6.  “Destiny” (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

When Bungie broke away from Microsoft back in 2010, not many people knew what would be the future of the company that created the “Halo” game series. After three years of silence the game was officially announced in February 2013. The game is set seven hundred years into the future after an event called “the collapse” which killed all human life on each of Earth’s planetary colonies and most life on Earth. The only known survivors are left on Earth confined to one city surrounded by hostile alien life on all fronts. In Destiny you play as a Guardian of the City, an elite fighting force tasked with investigating and destroying the alien threats before humanity is completely wiped out. (Release Date: September 9, 2014)

5. “Dark Souls 2” (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)

2011’s “Dark Souls” is widely considered one of best games ever created, spawning one of the greatest communities in gaming and providing a refreshing alternative to the modern warfare military games of today. “Dark Souls 2” is hoping to continue the series staple of challenging yet rewarding gameplay of fighting hellish monsters thirsting for cursed blood. “Dark Souls 2” hopes to expand upon the lore of the original game while adding new and refreshing changes to the core of the series. (Release Date: March 11, 2014)

4. “Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix” (PS3)

A lot can be said about the “Kingdom Hearts” franchise from the sheer wackiness of the story to the stupidly fun mash-up of Final Fantasy and Disney characters. “Kingdom Hearts 2.5” is the high-definition version of “Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix” and the high-definition release of “Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix.” The game will feature all the excluded content from the U.S. release of the games such as the Cavern of Remembrance, the lingering spirit boss fight, and the true ending of “King Hearts Birth by Sleep.” (Release Date: TBA)

3. “The Evil Within” (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Made by Shinji Mikami, father of the horror genre in gaming as well as “Resident Evil,” “The Evil Within” is going to be a throw back to the classic survival horror game. Players must survive the hellish world of Detective Sebastian Castellanos where he watches his fellow police officers get murdered in front of him. With very limited tools and horrifying monsters, the player must guide Sebastian to the end of the game, which often with creator Mikami, means there will be more than one. (Release Date: Aug. 26, 2014)

2. “Titanfall” (PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Made by the creators of the highly successful “Call of Duty” franchise, “Titanfall” is one of this years most anticipated games. Inspired by games such as “Mirror’s Edge,” “Armored Core,” and of course “Call of Duty,” “Titanfall” hopes to bundle in one package the varied gameplay of each of these titles . The gameplay is between the standard soldier, and the Mechs known as Titans. The soldier is light, fast, and able to parkour around terrain to reach a destination, while the Titan is a Japanese-inspired Mech capable of giving even the most experienced first-person shooters a run for their money. Packing some of the greatest firepower available in a multiplayer FPS game, the Titan is an excellent defensive unit that will take massive amounts of teamwork to bring down. (Release Date: March 11, 2014)

1. “Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes” (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Straight from the half-insane mind of Hideo Kojima comes “Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes.” Picking up right where “Peace Walker” left off, Jack/Snake/Naked Snake/Big Boss/Punished Snake must enter into Camp Omega to extract the Cipher agent Paz Ortega and rescue child soldier Ricardo “Chico” Valenciano Libre. Being only the first part of a much larger game, “Ground Zeroes” is going to help establish the groundwork for why and how legendary soldier Naked Snake transformed into the merciless dictator Big Boss. With one of the most gripping stories in gaming, “Ground Zeroes” will be an emotional roller coaster that won’t let up until the end. (Release Date: March 20, 2014)