Gamers consoled as new stars join old favourites

The usual suspects are back in new video game installments in 2014 — Mario, Solid Snake, and Master Chief, to name a few — but this year they’ll also be joined be some shadowy newcomers with monikers such as Aiden Pearce and Delsin Rowe.

Following last year’s release of Xbox One and Sony’s PlayStation 4, many games scheduled to debut this year will harness the power of those next-generation systems in hopes of fulfilling long-simmering expectations (Watch Dogs, Metal Gear Solid V), pushing pre-existing franchises into the future (Thief, inFamous: Second Son), or potentially revolutionising the medium altogether (Titanfall, Destiny).

Here’s a glimpse at some of 2014’s most anticipated games: