E3 has begun again, with Monday's press conferences causing gamers to sit at the edge of their seats again. After seeing what Microsoft, Sony, Ubisoft, and EA have to offer, I am torn as to what I am more excited to see coming out in the next year.
Starting off with Microsoft, the company's profile for this year has changed. While last year's press conference was marred by questions over the Xbox One's DRM and always online requirements, this year its all about games. And starting their conference was Activision's latest installment of the Call of Duty franchise, CoD: Advanced Warfare. Set in the near future, Activision blends drawing-board military tech with science fiction to make a new, more vertical shooter. Plus, Kevin Spacey is lending his acting chops to a new character in the franchise. Microsoft then showed off some of Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Unity. Set in revolutionary Paris, the demo showed off the power of cooperative gameplay. Parkouring in Paris looks amazing, and sharing the experience with three other friends is amazing.
Then Microsoft dropped its long-time juggernaut: Halo. Released news on the new Halo 5 Guardians may say that the next installment is coming out next fall, but this year we get something just as good, if not better. Halo: The Master Chief Collection shows off the most iconic protagonist in gaming like you've never seen him before. Relive Halos 1-4 in stunning 1080p and 60 fps, all for the Xbox One. The collection will also allow gamers to play online with their friends on dedicated servers for all the games. with the purchase, Microsoft is giving out multiplayer beta access for Halo 5.
Closing out their conference, Microsoft unveiled applause-worthy games like Sunset Overdrive, Evolve, Crackdown, and the Super Ultra Dead Rising 3 Arcade Remix add-on. Impressive and an improvement over last year's pitfall, Microsoft captured the attention of gamers who were still sitting on the fence for their next-gen consoles.
Electronic Arts was next on-stage, and the game developer decided to hit everything they were working on. A small video showing the development of the new Star Wars: Battlefront was teased, and then an introduction to the highly anticipated RPG Dragon Age: Inquisition. The fantasy role-playing game builds upon the world created in Dragon Age and Dragon Age: Origins. The combat demoed was fluid, and showed how one can either control the characters and their actions or play more of a real-time strategy game in combat. As usual, the game's story is shrouded in mystery, but Dragon Age has yet to disappoint in such department. Speaking of story, another developer profile came next, this time from BioWare. BioWare created the critically-acclaimed, story-driven games in the Mass Effect Universe. Though no game was officially announced, the developers were keen on the return of the series after the end of the Commander Shepard trilogy.
EA then spat out its multiple sports games, from UFC to FIFA 15. UFC now has the immortal Bruce Lee as a playable character, and FIFA expanded its game engine to include more reactions from players on the pitch. A really left-field inclusion was the new PGA Tour. The golf game allows you to play some of the world's most iconic courses, utilizing DICE's Frostbite 3 engine. But why just play on Augusta when you can play on a battleship out of Battlefield 4?
What???
PGA Tour steps out from the standard golf game and allows players to play crazy courses outside the normal world. No other spoilers were given out, but its pretty cool to drive a long one over the bow of a battleship.
Speaking of Battlefield, let's talk Hardline. The leaked cop 'n robbers game to be released later this year was given more light with a multiplayer trailer. The game shows off the versatility of the Frostbite 3 engine, and gives Battlefield players a new experience with new weapons, gadgets, and game modes. other games EA announced included a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game entitled Dawn Gate, and a reboot of the first-person parkour game Mirror's Edge.
Concluding Monday night's press conferences was Sony. Leading off was a game play trailer for Destiny, Bungie's first game since the Halo series. The beta for the MMORPG will be released exclusively first for PlayStation 4 owners later this summer. The official release for the game is set for September, and a special pre-order includes the game plus a special-edition white PlayStation 4. Next were trailers for the Sony exclusives The Order: 1886 an inFamous: First Light (DLC), and Bloodborne. THere were some game play trailers as well, including Far Cry 4, Batman: Arkham Knight, and Mortal Combat X. Far Cry's trailer was voiced over by developers, detailing what players could expect from the newest addition to the franchise.
While they were announcing new games, Sony also showed off some upgrades to its platforms and network, specifically PlayStation Now, streaming game rentals to PlayStation owners, and PlayStation TV. For $99, players will be able to download select PS Vita games, PSP games and PlayStation games from PS One classic through the PlayStation Store, stream select PS3 games to the device via PS Now, and play PS4 games from a PS4 system in their home over local Wifi through Remote Play via PS TV(read more).
Sony backtracked to its impending release list for the upcoming year, showing off trailers for a remastered, PS4 version of The Last of Us, and a new release trailer for the new Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Rockstar then stepped on stage for sony and announced that they will be releasing next-gen versions of Grand Theft Auto V, with additions of higher graphics and denser highways and cities. Sony wrapped up its night with a bang, showing the first trailer for the new Uncharted 4: A Theif's End. Details were kept close, but the PlayStation exclusive will push the limits as to what games can do.
The following morning, before the official start of the expo, Nintendo streamed a press conference for all to see. Jumping on the success of the Skylanders toys-to-games base, the Japanese game company showed off "amiibo," statues of popular Nintendo characters that will interact with multiple games across the Wii U platform. Other initiatives include games specifically designed for the Wii U's GamePad. Players will be able to make their very own Mario level in Mario Maker, pilot vehicles in a new Star Fox, and build a giant robot in Project Giant Robot.
Nintendo also showed off a new game, Splatoon. Pitting 4 players in an arena, the teams work together to paint the grounds for points. The team with the most area painted wins. The game looks refreshing compared to shooters that dominate the markets now, and shows that Nintendo can do multiplayer games as well.
Speaking of refreshing games, Nintendo also plans on launching a new Legend of Zelda next spring. THe game now introduces a complete open-world concept, the first in the series. Also, the graphics are getting a huge boost, and by the trailer it looks like a great new art style for the series. The Super Smash Bros. series is also adding another game to the series this holiday season. The game reportedly features new maps, items, and characters, including Pac-Man!
Yoshi is getting a new stand-alone game, based on a felt and yarn game type. Yoshi's Woolly World will have a cooperative feature similar to the MarioU series, and a complete HD look. HD looks are expanding to Kirby as well, with Kirby and the Rainbow Curse. Using a stop-motion and claymation technique, the Rainbow curse is another example of how Nintendo is utilizing the Wii U's high-definition and increased graphics power to show how their games translate into a new generation.
Other notable games include a Legend of Zelda-Dynasty Warriors mash-up, a new Sonic the Hedgehog game, and the next generation of Pokemon games. Isometric game Captain Toad: Treasure hunter also made a debut trailer, as well as Mario Party 10. While highlighted with new installments of classic series, Nintendo's press conference left something to be desired for the struggling Wii U console.
That about wraps up my E3 recap. I am excited for what this season of games has to offer, but nothing too notable has jumped out at me yet.
Until next time.
I love this shit
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