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2014 marks the eighth year of the PlayStation 3 life cycle. Even with the release of new consoles, many people wait to upgrade. One of the big reasons for this is because some of the best games of a console generation come many years into its life, as developers master the inner workings of the hardware. That said, this year will be one of the biggest for the PlayStation 3. There are a number of exciting titles that will debut throughout the year, and you won't want to miss out on a single one. With this in mind, here are five we can't wait to play.

Dark Souls II

Release Date: 14/03/2014

The original Dark Souls was one of the sleeper hits of the PlayStation 3 console generation. Developed by From Software and published by Namco Bandai, Dark Souls combined raw difficulty with immersive gameplay and outstanding visuals. It helped to breathe new life into the dungeon crawler genre, and proved that challenging games were still high in demand. With the sequel coming, many players are anticipating a return to the challenging series, only this time, the gameplay has been streamlined to be more open-ended, while still maintaining the difficulty that players of the original know and love.

Mad Max

Release Date: TBC 2014

The classic movie franchise will head back to the big screen next year, lead by the likes of Tom Hardy. While that may seem like a long time from now, there's no need to wait for your Mad Max fix. The PlayStation 3 title will help kick start Mad Max fever by recreating the stylized world of the Thunderdome. With an emphasis on vehicular combat in a post-apocalyptic world, Mad Max will see new life on the PlayStation 3. The new game features over 50 vehicles and the ability to create your own death machine, allowing Mad Max on the PS3 to capture the magic of the film franchise while allowing players to pick up arms and explore the world you've only been able to glimpse.

Wolfenstein: The New Order

Release Date: TBC 2014

Wolfenstein is a franchise that helped spark the first-person shooter revolution, and the upcoming new installment to the series will carry it to new heights. While multiplayer has been the overwhelming focus of FPS titles in the current generation, The New Order focuses on the single-player side of FPS games. This is a refreshing take on a genre now dominated by multiplayer map packs and DLC add-ons. The game takes place in the 1960s and features an alternate history in which the Nazis were victorious in World War II. With your help, it's time to begin a counter-offensive and rise up against your rulers.

The Evil Within

Release Date: 24/04/2014

The survival horror genre is a fan favorite across all consoles, but it exploded into the mainstream with the release of Resident Evil on the original PlayStation. Now, Shinji Miakmi, the original creator of the Resident Evil franchise, is back with a brand new game for the PlayStation 3. Take control of Detective Sebastian Castellanos as you fight your way through a world of death, after arriving at the scene of a gruesome mass murder. Will you be able to face your fears and the insanity of your closest friend as you progress through The Evil Within? You'll be able to find out later this year.

Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD Remaster

Release Date: 21/03/2014

Square's first great PlayStation 2 role-playing title is finally being remastered in high-definition for a release on the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita this March. Both Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 will be included in the compilation, but it's not the original versions of the games you may be familiar with. Instead, Square is going the extra mile by basing the HD remastered versions on Final Fantasy X International, and Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission. Before now, both titles have been exclusive to Japan.

In addition to a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, improved character models, maps, textures and voice work for both games, Final Fantasy X International adds a new Sphere Grid, along with optional bosses and abilities. Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission adds a Coliseum, the new Iutycyr Tower dungeon, new dresspheres and a Creature Creator system. In addition, Final Fantasy X -Will- a 30-minute audio drama, is also included in the package.