So E3 is now over and done with for this year. This is my personal list of favourite games from the show this year. (Note: This list is in no particular order!)
Mirror’s Edge 2
Mirror’s Edge is a cult classic free-running game that gained a small but dedicated following. Since then, that following has grown and last year, DICE finally unveiled a new Mirror’s Edge, 5 years after it’s original release. The minute-long teaser trailer was enough to get the world excited and but DICE kept the game very much under wraps until now. DICE only showed us little snippets of the Mirror’s Edge 2, but I’m already very psyched to play this. Sadly, there’s no release date just yet, but Senior Producer, Sara Jansson, says we’ll be “hearing more news on the title soon”.
Offcial Site: http://www.mirrorsedge.com/
No Man’s Sky
I’m not sure what I’m most impressed with about No Man’s Sky, the fact that’s there’s a universe of possibilities in the game (literally) or the fact it’s being developed by just 8 people. When Hello Games announced No Man’s Sky at VGX last year, only 3 people were on the development team, and even then this game looked fantastic. After more than doubling their team size, the game looks even better and I just can’t wait to get my hands on this and explore a universe of possibilities. There’s no release date planned for this title as of yet.
Offcial Site: https://www.nomanssky.com/
The Legend of Zelda Wii U
I could just write “it’s Zelda” for this and I’m sure most of you will understand what I mean. We still don’t know very much about the latest instalment in the Legend of Zelda series (in fact we don’t even have a name), but what we do know is that it features an entirely open world where you can go to anything you see, have a gorgeous art style, have brand new magic based weaponry and will have a usually awesome soundtrack. Eiji Aonuma tells us (via. MiiVerse) that “the trailer is all actual gameplay footage” and that “you will be able to reach the mountains that appear in the distance if you should choose to!” 2015 is the time slot Nintendo is giving us for The Legend of Zelda U.
Offcial Site: https://www.zelda.com/
Bayonetta 2
Bayonetta is another one of those games that were a cult classic. The original game by Hideki Kamiya and Platinum Games is a hack ‘n’ slash style game with a sexy female lead who is also a fairly badass and has guns for stilettos. Platinum Games have wanted to make a sequel for a while, but SEGA wouldn’t fund the project. Their loss as Nintendo scooped up the idea and threw money at Platinum Games to make the dream into a reality. Bayonetta 2 looks stunning and the bank of Nintendo showing what can happen at Platinum Games given half the chance (which they also proved with The Wonderful 101). Bayonetta 2 will also be bundled with the original game and will feature Bayonetta cosplaying as Link, Peach and Samus. Surely that alone makes you want to pick this up? Bayonetta 2 will be coming to Europe sometime in October this year.
Offcial Site: https://bayonetta2.nintendo.com/
Hyrule Warriors
In December last year, Nintendo announced during one of it’s Direct’s that Hyrule Warriors, a Legend of Zelda and Dynasty Warriors crossover, would be coming exclusively to Wii U, fans everywhere were shocked. It came out of nowhere and no-one expected it. It promised to be true the Zelda spirit but also add the over the top action of Dynasty Warriors. Over the course of E3, we’ve had the chance to see Hyrule Warriors in action and it looks gorgeous, with loads of little nods Zelda fans. And you can play as Midna. Always be Midna. Hyrule Warriors is due to come out in Europe on the 19th September this year.
Offcial Site: https://www.zelda.com/hyrule-warriors/
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Originally called X by Monolith Soft. This game is a continuation of the Xenoblade franchise. Xenoblade Chronicles X is an open world action game and the developers tell us you can go wherever you can see. There’s plenty of enemies to kill and it looks gorgeous to boot. I wrote an article on it which can read here. Xenoblade Chronicles X is due to come out sometime in 2015.
Offcial Site: http://xenobladechroniclesx.nintendo.com/
Splatoon
It’s always refreshing to see a brand new IP regardless of who is making it. Splatoon is one of these new games that Nintendo is showing off at E3. Splatoon is a 4v4, 8 player game where 2 teams, who play as squid girls, work to cover a stage in ink. The team who sprays the most ink is the winner. It’s as simple as that, and that’s what makes this game looks so fun. There’s a plethora of customization options and stage choices. Splatoon is due to come out in the first quarter of 2015.
Offcial Site: https://splatoon.nintendo.com/
Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain
“I’m nuclear! I’m wild!” Easily the most gritty trailer at this years E3. Hideo Kojima went out of his way to ensure that no-one would top the number of dead bodies and blood in this trailer. Phantom Pain is a follow up to the recently released Ground Zeroes game and introduces Metal Gears to the storyline. This game is also an open world and expands over 200 times on the map size of Ground Zeroes. No release date has been announced as of yet, but those who follow Kojima will know that he’ll have something up his sleeve.
Offcial Site: https://www.konami.com/games/us/en/products/mgsvtpp/
GTA V (Next-Gen)
GTA V might be the weirdest inclusion in this list, seeing as I already own it, but the prospect of owning it on PC and being able to mod it makes me rather excited. The updated textures and “new features” (please be online heists) will hopefully make what is already one of the best online experiences of last-gen, even better on the next-gen systems. The next-gen GTA V is coming sometime this Autumn.
Offcial Site: https://www.rockstargames.com/V/
Battlefield Hardline
Before you groan and move on, I’d like to say I’m not a fan of the fps genre. I think it’s an over-saturated market that lacks originality. The thing that grabs me about this game though, is the fact its cops versus robbers. The thrill of being a robber running away on the rocky path to freedom or the thrill of hunting down robbers as they escape has always been a thing that has caught my interest, especially in games like Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. It’s also at least a little refreshing to see that this isn’t just another war game too. Battlefield Hardline releases on October 21st 2014.
Offcial Site: https://www.battlefield.com/games/battlefield-hardline
Assassin’s Creed Unity
I’ve not long finished AC4, which I recommend you check out by the way, and AC5 looks like it takes all the best elements from that (expect boat riding) and adds to it, which can only mean good things for the series. What caught my eye the most though, is the ability to do the campaign with your friends. From what we’ve been shown, it looks like the players can work as a team and tackle different routes to work together to reach an objective. I get the feeling that this will be an incredibly fun addition to the AC series. AC Unity will arrive on October 28th and will entirely lack a female assassin option.
Offcial Site: https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/assassins-creed-unity
The Division
The snowdrop engine looks gorgeous, I think we can all agree on that. The multiplayer aspect of the game also looks really interesting too and working together with a group of friends to reach objectives would be fun as well. It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out online with a bunch of randomers playing together. The Division has a release date of 2015 after it’s recent delay.
Offcial Site: https://tomclancy-thedivision.ubisoft.com/game/en-gb/home
The Crew
After a year of waiting, we finally got to see more gameplay of The Crew at E3 this year. I really like racing games and the scope of having a whole country to drive around does make me very excited. Ubisoft also confirmed that there will be two hour-long “missions” ( I think they mean races…) going from coast to coast which also has me pretty pumped too. I’m just hoping beyond hope that the driving is nothing like Watch Dogs… The Crew is due for release on November 11th and hopefully, Ubisoft won’t delay it again.
Offcial Site: https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/the-crew/
Sunset Overdrive
I’m not really much of a zombie fan, so what has me excited for Sunset Overdrive it’s brilliant sense of humour. At its core, Sunset Overdrive has you slaughter large waves of zombies. Think Dead Rising 3, but without the horrible framerate issues. What makes it different is it’s cartoon style visuals and it’s sense of having bundles of fun. If the game can continue to make me laugh (or at least smile) throughout the duration of the game, then this will be a winner. Sunset Overdrive has been given an October 28th release date.
Offcial Site: https://insomniac.games/game/sunset-overdrive/
Tomb Raider: The Rise of the Tomb Raider
The recent Tomb Raider reboot was really enjoyable and hopefully, the sequel will go on to improve on that. Apart from the ridiculous name, the set up for this title is pretty great although Crystal Dynamics didn’t show off any gameplay. Hopefully, we will see more of this game soon and you can check out an article I wrote on it here.
Offcial Site: http://tombraider.wikia.com/wiki/Rise_of_the_Tomb_Raider
Codename S.T.E.A.M.
One of the last games to be announced at E3 this year was Codename S.T.E.A.M. which is being developed by Intelligent Systems, who make the Fire Emblem games. I have a love for turn-based strategy games, and Fire Emblem is up there as one of my favourite games in the genre. After seeing this game in action, you might be able to see some similarities with Valkyria Chronicles. The steampunk art style is also a nice twist away from Nintendo style games and helps the game look very sharp and nice to look at. As this was only just announced, the 2015 release date isn’t unsurprising.
Offcial Site: http://codenamesteam.nintendo.com/
Super Smash Bros. 4
As if Smash wouldn’t make the list!? Nintendo successfully generated enormous amounts of hype for Smash 4 over the course of E3, with the Smash Invitational demonstrating the game with some of the world’s best players. It looks packed full of content too, as you’d expect from a Smash game and also includes all those refinements you’ve come to expect of a Nintendo product. The Iwata vs. Reggie video was also great to see! The 3DS version is due to be released on the 3rd October 2014 and the Wii U version will be released on during the winter period Winter 2014 (just in time for Christmas!).
Offcial Site: https://www.smashbros.com/wiiu-3ds/us/