By Matt Espineli on Jun 15, 2017 10:33 pm
E3 Games Coming This Year
While there's a lot of exciting games coming in 2018, there's still plenty set for this year. To help you keep track of what's coming out next year, we've compiled all the biggest games expected to launch after 2017. Click ahead to see all the games confirmed for this year, and be sure to check back often as we update this feature with more games throughout the show E3 2017 goes from June 13-15 and for the first time ever, the show is open to the public this year, but the show otherwise seems to be largely the same as in the recent past. One notable difference is that things began earlier than usual--EA already held its EA Play press conference on Saturday, while Microsoft's Xbox press conference was a day earlier than usual. To catch up on everything that was announced during the press conferences, you can check out our roundup of all the announcements. And keep an eye on our hub for more news, videos, and impressions from E3 2017.
Agents of Mayhem
On the surface, Volition Entertainment's next open-world action game looks like a major departure from its past work on Saints Row; but at its heart, it's still all about causing as much chaos as possible with a colorful group of characters. Release Date: August 15
Arms
Arms is an arena fighting game where up to two players play duke it out as combatants with extendable arms. Release Date: June 16
Assassin's Creed Origins
Assassin's Creed: Origins is a prequel of the long running action-adventure series. It's set in Eqypt and puts you in control of Bayek, the last Medjay, an Egyptian sheriff tasked with protecting the people from threats local and foreign. Release Date: October 27.
Call of Duty: WWII
Call of Duty: WWII goes back to the series' roots with a new enttry taking place during World War II. Release Date: November 3.
Crackdown 3
Crackdown 3 is an open-world action-adventure game that has you stopping crime in a futuristic city where everything is destructible. It's main protagonist voiced by popular actor, Terry Crews. Release Date: November 7
Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy
Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy is a collection of high-definition remasters of the first three Crash Bandicoot games. Aside from remastered graphics, it also sports new features, including time trials in all three games, as well as adjusted level design and difficulty. Release Date: June 30.
Cuphead
Platformer Cuphead pairs run-and-gun gameplay with a distinct 1930s cartoon art style and plenty of boss battles. Release Date: September 29
Destiny 2
The sequel to Bungie's online multiplayer shooter, Destiny 2 sees the Guardians in a rough spot. The Tower has fallen and is under siege from an invasion force, and it's up to you explore far-flung areas of the solar system to fight back. Plus, it's set to include a number of updates and new features, and it's even coming to PC. Release Date: September 6 (PS4, Xbox One) and October 24 (PC)
Dishonored: Death Of The Outsider
A standalone expansion titled Dishonored: Death of the Outsider puts you in the shoes of Meagan Foster, an ally of Emily and Corvo in Dishonored 2. Release Date: September 14
The Evil Within 2
The Evil Within 2 is a sequel to the 2014 horror game and is being developed by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami's studio. You'll apparently have to save your daughter, but not much else was revealed. Release Date: October 13
FIFA 18
The video game industry's biggest sports franchise, FIFA, returns in September with a new entry with Cristiano Ronaldo on the cover for the first time ever. The single-player story mode, The Journey, returns, while there will of course be the usual gameplay improvements. Release Date: September 26
Forza Motorsport 7
Forza Motorsport 7 is the latest entry in the long running car simulation series. This time around there are more than 700 cars in the game, as well as new tracks and weather systems. Release Date: October 3
Gran Turismo Sport
Gran Turismo Sport marks the long-running franchise's debut on PS4. In addition to the expected visual improvements, it also offers a new online championship system, new concept cars, and more. Release Date: Fall 2017
Hey Pikmin
Hey Pikmin is a Pikmin series spinoff made exclusively for 3DS. Unlike past titles, which were 3D real-time strategy games, this is a 2.5D sidescroller. Release Date: July 28
Knack 2
Knack launched alongside the PlayStation 4 console in 2013, and despite a mixed critical reception, it's getting a sequel. It apparently brings "new moves, improved couch co-op, vibrant environments, and fun-filled combat," but we don't currently know a release window. Release Date: September 5
Life is Strange: Before the Storm
Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a three episode prequel series set before the events of the first game. It stars Chloe with an appearance from Rachel Amber before she went missing. Release Date: August 31
Madden 18
Madden 18 sports a new story mode called Longshot. It stars House of Cards and Moonlight actor Mahershala Ali and follows a football player with the goal of making it to the NFL. Release Date: August 25
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
The upcoming turn-based strategy cross-over game Mario and Rabbids was first revealed at Ubisoft's E3 2017 press conference, but we got to see it again during Nintendo's presentation. It seems to share gameplay similarities to XCOM and retains the colorful, lighthearted nature of the Mario universe. Release Date: August 29
Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite
Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite opts out of the over-the-top 3-on-3 fighting from its predecessor and goes back to its roots with 2-on-2 fights. It also introduces Infinity Stones, a new mechanic that provides you with unique abilities in battle. Release Date: September 19
Metroid: Samus Returns
Metroid: Samus Returns is a re-imagination of Metroid 2: Return of Samus which came out for Game Boy back in 1991. Release Date: September 15
Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War once again stars ranger Talion and his wraith companion Celebrimbor as they work to fight against Sauron and his dark army. The game sports a larger and more open world, as well as new loot and gear to uncover. Release Date: October 10
NBA Live 18
NBA Live 18 will feature a new, campaign-like mode called The One. It lets you play as a custom character who tries to make it big in the NBA; you'll be able to specialize your character into whatever type of character you want. Release Date: Fall 2017
Need for Speed: Payback
After a year away, the Need for Speed series returns with Payback. More than just the standard racing game you might expect, EA says you'll also engage in heists, car battles, and more while playing as three distinct characters. Release Date: November 10
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is the long-awaited sequel to 2010's Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. Rather than continuing the adventures of the protagonists from the first game, it introduces a completely new cast of characters who must fight against an emerging threat in the kingdom of Ding Dong Dell. Release Date: November 10
Pokken Tournament DX
Pokken Tournament DX is a an enhanced Switch port of the well-received Pokemon-themed fighter. It features five new playable Pokemon and other new features, such as 3v3 team battles, online ranked play, and friendly and group matches. Release Date: September 22
Sonic Mania
Sonic Mania returns to the gameplay and visual style of the original Sonic the Hedgehog games on Sega Genesis. It's being developed primarily by programmers Christian "Taxman" Whitehead and Simon "Stealth" Thomley, who are both known by fans as major contributors to the Sonic ROM hack community. Release Date: August 15
Super Lucky's Tale
Super Lucky's Tale is an expanded version of the VR-focused original built to display on televisions. The game first appeared as a launch title on Oculus Rift in March 2016. Release Date: November 7
Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is the newest entry in the Super Mario series, and it returns to the more open-ended style of exploration previously seen in games like Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. Release Date: October 27
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
Set the day after The Stick of Truth, The Fractured But Whole has the South Park kids caught up in another game of make believe that quickly gets out of hand. Trading out swords and sorcery for capes and utility belts, the kids will explore the town, fight crime, and engage in turn-based battles to decide who gets to lead their new superhero franchise. Release Date: October 17
Splatoon 2
Splatoon 2 is the Switch-exclusive sequel to the hit Wii U third-person shooter. It features a new campaign, weapons, maps, and modes. Release Date: July 21
Star Wars Battlefront II
EA spent a lot of time talking about Star Wars Battlefront II, and it showed gameplay for the first time. It also announced that the game's maps, modes, and characters will be free, but there will be microtransactions. Release Date: November 17
Tacoma
Tacoma is the latest game by Gone Home developer, Fullbright. It tasks you to recover data on the crew of an abandoned spaceship, but in the process of doing so, you discover the drama of the crew's last days on board. Release Date: August 2
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is a standalone chapter in the Uncharted series where you play as fan-favorite character Chloe Frazer, as she embarks on an adventure alongside mercenary Nadine Ross in search of a mystical treasure known as The Tusk of Ganesha. Release Date: August 22
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
A direct sequel to 2014's Wolfenstein: The New Order was officially revealed as the finale to Bethesda's press conference. As last year's teaser indicated, it's titled Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and franchise-long protagonist BJ Blazkowicz makes a return. He'll be operating in Nazi-occupied America with a new cast of characters. Release Date: October 27
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a sequel to the critically acclaimed Wii-exclusive open world-RPG, Xenoblade Chronicles. It stars a new hero who's in search for something known as "Elysium." Release Date: Holiday 2017
Yakuza Kiwami
Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of the first entry of the Yakuza series. It improves the resolution, textures, and loading times, and clears up some of the first game's more confusing plot lines and inconsistencies. Release Date: August 29
Vampyr
Vampyr is the next game from Remember Me and Life Is Strange studio Dontnod. It's an action-RPG vampire game set in flu-ridden 1918 London. A new trailer for the intriguing-looking game was released at E3--watch it here. Release Date: November 2017
Total War: Warhammer 2
Creative Assembly's next strategy game Total War: Warhammer II will is coming this year. The game features four new playable races and a "storming" campaign that publisher Sega says builds up to an "earth-shattering crescendo." You can read more about the game from E3 here. Release Date: September 28
By Jimmy Thang on Jun 15, 2017 08:53 am
Turtle Beach showed off new wireless gaming headsets for the Xbox One and the PS4. Both of the Xbox One headsets use Microsoft's Direct Connect technology, which makes pairing a bit simpler. The company will offer $100 starting models for both consoles. The $150 models feature a slightly different aesthetic and leather-like ear cups.
Turtle Beach also showed off a single open-ear headset for those who like to keep one ear uncovered. This headset retails for $20.
Bionik showed off its Mantis on-ear headphones attachment for the PlayStation VR. It's similarly designed to the Vive's Deluxe Audio Strap's solution and will release in July.
The Mantis also includes an over-the-ear solution that offers more sound isolation for PSVR.
Bionik is releasing a USB-to-Ethernet adaptor for the Switch's dock.
Bionik also revealed a portable charger for the Nintendo Switch that also has slots to charge the Joy Con controllers.
Bionik is releasing some Xbox One controller attachments, called Quickshot, that will provide hair trigger shoulder buttons to standard Xbox One controllers. They feel very similar to the ones on the Xbox One Elite controller.
Bionik is releasing a tiny old-school arcade cabinet with a bunch of old retro DECO games like BurgerTime.
DisplayLink XR was at E3 showing off its wireless virtual reality solution for the HTC Vive.
VR City Zone showed off its Odyssey VR capsule, which had moving seats tailor made to showcase VR roller coaster rides.
This Xsens suit allows you to track your entire body in VR.
Plantronics showed off a variety of new gaming headsets geared for the Xbox that all support Dolby Atmos out of the box. Other Xbox gaming headsets that support Dolby Atmos require you to pay a one-time fee. This is the company's RIG 600LX.
This is Plantronics RIG 400LX, which offers three EQ modes and noise-isolating ear cups.
This is Plantronics' high-end RIG 800LX headset for the Xbox. The company says the wireless headset offers 24 hours of battery life.
This is Astro's A10 gaming headset. It supports the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. The company advertises the headset's flexibility and durability. It's launching for $60.
Nvidia was powering the PC version of Destiny 2 at 4K 60FPS with systems that were equipped with GeForce GTX 1080 Tis.
NZXT showed off a glowing RGB system to promote its BLD initiative, which allows customers to tweak PC builds on NZXT.com based on their budget and the games they would like to play.
Evil Controllers showed off its Evil Shift controller modifications. It offers a bunch of the enhancements to stock Xbox One controllers that are on the $150 Xbox One Elite solution. The most notable one is the ability to swap out the sticks for different height solutions. It also offers faster actuating shoulder and face buttons.
The Evil Shift controller also adds four programmable paddle buttons on the back.
Evil Controller also offers the same modifications to Sony's PlayStation 4 controller as well.
Here are the four programmable paddle buttons on the back of the PlayStation 4 controller that allow you to essentially press face buttons while both your thumbs are on the control sticks.
This is Hyperkin's wireless gun inspired by Nintendo's Duck Hunt gun. HTC had it at its booth with a Vive tracker attached to it demoing the VR game Duck Season.
By Kallie Plagge on Jun 15, 2017 08:51 am
Enlist In Divisions
Among other changes, Call of Duty: WWII switches up Create-A-Class with Divisions. You'll be able to see more during the beta in August, but for now, click ahead to get a look at the kinds of weapons and loadouts you'll have access to in the World War II-themed multiplayer. There are five Divisions to choose from: Infantry, Expeditionary, Armored, Airborne, and Mountain. Each has different weapon options; for example, the basic Infantry loadouts can include the M1 Garand or the BAR. Your progression is tied to your chosen Division and you level up certain abilities within each, but you can also switch at any time. The game's multiplayer introduces a new mode called War that's similar to Battlefield 1's Operations mode. It features narrative-driven, objective-based combat inspired by real WWII battles and is more about strategy than other Call of Duty modes. Of course, Team Deathmatch, Domination, and other popular multiplayer game types are returning. For more on Call of Duty multiplayer, check out the multiplayer reveal trailer shown during Sony's E3 press conference. Be sure to check our E3 hub for all the latest news, impressions, trailers, and more.
Infantry
The Infantry Division is your standard soldier. With the M1 Garand, you also have a bayonet charge that's mapped to R3 on PS4, and it's a handy melee attack in a pinch. In addition to the M1 Garand, we know that Infantry also have access to the BAR.
Infantry
Infantry
Infantry
Expeditionary
Expeditionary
Airborne
Airborne
Airborne
Armored
Armored
Armored
Armored
Mountain
Mountain
Mountain
By Mat Elfring on Jun 15, 2017 08:26 am
Who will climb the ladder to get the Money in the Bank briefcase? This year, the now Smackdown brand-exclusive event is having fans ask that question twice, since both men and women will have Money in the Bank matches. The big event comes to PPV and the WWE Network on Sunday, June 18. Here are the matches and our predictions for the show.
Naomi (c) vs. Lana
(For the Smackdown Women's Championship) We're just as confused as you are. This is Lana's second televised match, with the first being Wrestlemania 32, in 2016. Her match against the current women's champion, Naomi, may be too much for her to handle when you also consider this is her first singles match. There is a scenario where Lana wins the championship, then quickly loses it to whomever wins the women's Money in the Bank match. However, we just don't see that happening. This should be a match that asserts Naomi as champion again, as she prepares to take on the Money in the Bank winner. Our Prediction: Naomi wins
The Usos (c) vs. The New Day
(For the Smackdown Tag Team Championships) The New Day has arrived on Smackdown, and now that they're on the Tuesday night show, the longest reigning tag team champs in WWE history want a shot at The Usos' titles. However, the Usos have been on a roll, proving their day one is anything but "H." The Usos have been incredibly entertaining since turning heel, but we're thinking this will be the first bump in the road for them. They've already defended their titles against Breezango, but New Day are going to put up a fight, and they'll come out victorious. Our Prediction: New Day wins
Tamina, Natalya, Charlotte, Carmella, and Becky Lynch (Money in the Bank match)
Most of the Smackdown women's roster will take part in the first-ever women's Money in the Bank match. Five superstars will step into the ring for a chance to win a contract for a Smackdown women's championship match. This match could go any way. All of the stars in this match have the ability to go on a title run right now. However, we're going to pull for one of our favorites, who feels she's been under the radar as of late, and that's Becky Lynch. Our Prediction: Becky Lynch wins
Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, AJ Styles, Dolph Ziggler, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Kevin Owens (Money in the Bank match)
Smackdown's top talent will be facing off in the Money in the Bank match. There is a whole lot of rivalries between the superstars in this match, so we can expect tempers to flare as these six men try to reach the briefcase hanging above the ring. Much like the women's match, we could see this going a multiple of ways. Out of everyone in this contest, we see AJ Styles as the person with the best chance to win. However, we were very close to giving this to Baron Corbin, who should have a title run this year. Our Prediction: AJ Styles wins
Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton
(For the Heavyweight Championship) Jinder Mahal defends his title against Randy Orton again. Mahal has to prove that he isn't a one-trick pony, and considering this is a Money in the Bank PPV, the winner may have to immediately defend his title against the winner of the Money in the Bank match. In order to cement Mahal as a champion, he needs to win this one. Sure, he has the belt now, but Orton will be the first real test for his title run. We don't see Orton winning this one, especially when Mahal has the Singh brothers by his side. Our Prediction: Jinder Mahal wins
By Miguel Concepcion on Jun 15, 2017 05:15 am
A slow build up was the theme of Ubisoft's E3 2017, which began weeks ago with the reveal of Far Cry 5. By the time their press conference started, we'd already learned about Assassin's Creed Origins and Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. While most of the major titles were known by the start of the briefing, Ubisoft maintained their momentum all the way to the end of their presentation with the re-reveal of a long-awaited sequel. In this feature we lay out some of our favorite moments from the show, a few of the things we wish Ubisoft had done differently, and a handful of the biggest Ubisoft games. This is the spot for a high-level analysis of all things Ubisoft had at E3. To get more information about all of Ubisoft's E3 announcements, we've got you covered with: All of the news and from the Ubisoft press conference, all of the new Ubisoft trailers (including that new one for Beyond Good & Evil 2), and a list of all the new Ubisoft games announced at the show! And for our analysis of the other press conferences, check out the roundup of right here of all the highs, lows, and biggest games for the other big publishers and developers, including Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.
Highlights: Just Dance 2018 struts its stuff quickly and effectively.
This dance series has long since transcended guilty pleasure status into a franchise that is more ubiquitous to Ubisoft than even Far Cry. The presentation itself was emblematic of all of this year's briefings, which has favored conciseness over long-winded speeches. In this world nothing is certain except Madden, Call of Duty, and Just Dance.
Highlights: Beyond Good & Evil 2 ends the press on a high note.
Easily the most requested sequel among all of Ubisoft's dormant properties, the reveal of Beyond Good & Evil 2 was a perfect ending to the press conference. If you haven't come around to playing the original cult hit, you most likely have a friend who has. And given that it's been 15 years since the first game, the almost cathartic response by the audience was not surprising.
Highlights: Ubisoft returns to the age of pirates with Skull & Bones.
Given the wholly positive reception of the seafaring features of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, the existence of Skull & Bones doesn't seem at all surprising. From ship-vs-ship long ranged battles to melee battles aboard enemy vessels, expect an involving experience that should rival Microsoft's Sea of Thieves. And it was heartwarming to hear the sea shanties from Black Flag making a boisterous return.
Needs improvement: Missing Aisha Tyler
While we are huge fans of letting the games speak for themselves, a part of us missed the enthusiasm and charisma of Aisha Tyler, who had hosted Ubisoft's recent press briefings prior to this year. Still, we prefer no hosts over Mr. Caffeine.
Needs improvement: There's more to learn about Starlink: Battle For Atlas.
Amiibo's aside, many of us are still recovering from the Toys To Life hangovers of Skylanders and the defunct Disney Infinity series. Starlink takes the Toys To Life market to space with spaceships featuring interchangeable parts. We're hoping the promises of an epic space adventure compensates for messy living rooms with spacecraft segments strewn throughout living rooms.
Needs improvement: Beyond Good and Evil 2 has many unanswered questions.
A trailer of pre-rendered footage of a hotly anticipated sequel can only do so much. Despite that Beyond Good and Evil 2 got the crowd reaction Ubisoft was hoping for, there are concerns that this will fail to capture the narrative focus of the original game. This is in part to the curious crowdsource initiative surrounding this sequel.
Biggest games: Assassin's Creed Origins takes us back in time.
If this is what an Assassin's Creed game looks like after giving the series a one-year hiatus, any annual breather is worth it. While some of us have been eagerly waiting an Assassin's Creed predominantly in a modern day setting, having to "settle" for an origin tale is a lovely problem to have. And we were greatly amused by the elbow-jabbing charm of taking eagle vision to its literal conclusion with the game's avian surveillance mechanic.
Biggest games: Mario + Rabbids meets cover-based tactical combat.
This seemingly unholy alliance of Rabbids and Mario might feel surprising at first glance, but it's merely just the latest in a long string of Nintendo partnerships with third-party developers. What was more unexpected was the choice of genre, which can be described as Super Mario Brothers Meets XCOM. It shows promise as there might very well be a tactical combat game of substance under the novelty of Rabbids cosplaying as Princess Peach and the rest of the gang.
Biggest games: Far Cry 5 takes the battle to rural Montana.
Ubisoft knows a winning formula when they see it, even if it comes at the expense of innovation (eg. the recycled Far Cry 4 map in Far Cry Primal). Far Cry 5 preserves the stylistic and gameplay designs that began with Far Cry 3 and there's hope that this unusual premise of confronting a religious cult in Montana will
By Michael Higham on Jun 15, 2017 05:15 am
What Did We Think Of Bethesda's E3 Press Conference?
What Did We Think Of Bethesda's E3 Press Conference?
Bethesda held its own press conference for E3 2017 and while it was one of the shorter ones, it still packed highlights, but wasn't without its shortcomings. The prominent publisher unveiled a few games that warranted the big stage presentation as well. However, we're here to share what we thought of Bethesda's show. In this feature we go over our favorite moments from the show, a few of the things we wish Bethesda had done differently, and a handful of its biggest games. This is the spot for a high-level analysis of all things Bethesda had at E3. To get more information about all of Bethesda's E3 presence, check out all of the news and from the press conference, all of the new Bethesda trailers, and a list of all the Bethesda games seen at the show! And for our analysis of the other press conferences, check out the roundup of right here of all the highs, lows, and biggest games for the other big publishers and developers, including Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.
Highlight: Wolfenstein 2 Revealed In Style
Highlight: Wolfenstein 2 Revealed In Style
Though it wasn't much of a surprise to see Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus this year (considering the teaser from last year), its stylish and bold presentation was the star of the show. It opened with an alternate reality version of 1950-60's Americana, where faux-friendly Nazi's have a terrifying grip of the States, even going as far as running a game show called "German...or Else!" Enter the return of BJ Blazkowicz, who's equipped with an exo-suit and the same hardened determination to eliminate Nazis. Familiar faces such as Anya (who's now pregnant with twins and still fighting), and a new cast of characters to usher Wolfenstein into another era. To top off the reveal, it closed with a new character on an acid trip while Anya stabbed an enemy, reminding us that Wolfenstein isn't going to wrap itself in a super-serious light.
Highlight: More Dishonored
Highlight: More Dishonored
The original Dishonored had some amazing DLC expansion packs so there's reason to believe Dishonored 2's new content will deliver. Though we didn't get a gameplay sequence to see the new powers we'll use, a new perspective on the Dishonored saga is always welcome. We'll play as Meagan Foster, an ally to Emily and Corvo in Dishonored 2, in this expansion subtitled Death of the Outsider. And we can't wait to see what it's in store for her, especially with Daud making an appearance at the very end of the reveal.
Highlight: Bethesdaland
Highlight: Bethesdaland
The entire show was done with an amusement park-themed presentation that was cute as hell, aptly titled Bethesdaland. The quirky, cartoonish art style keep things moving and captivating. And each game revealed during the show had its own little section within the park. It's even an actual thing here at E3, though it is essentially a makeshift carnival.
Needs Improvement: Creation Club
Needs Improvement: Creation Club
Remember paid mods which crashed, burned, and rubbed users the wrong way? In a way, it's back in a new form called Creation Club. Fallout 4 and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim will be part of Creation Club where currency can be used to purchase game mods. Modders will get official support to help polish their work, however. Though there are details that remain to be seen, we can't see something like this existing without community backlash. Hell, it's already stirring things up and it's only been three days.
Needs Improvement: Lack of Gameplay Footage
Needs Improvement: Lack of Gameplay Footage
Despite a few exciting titles and the comfort of Bethesda Land, there wasn't much in the way of gameplay footage. It's disappointing that big games like Wolfenstein 2 or The Evil Within 2 lacked some sort of gameplay walkthrough or showcase, especially since everything shown was said to come this year. Punchy trailers are fun to watch and will get you hyped up, but they should be complemented by actual gameplay to get a taste of the games that'll arrive in the coming months. In this regard, Bethesda failed. It's also curious, because....
Needs Improvement: Short
Needs Improvement: Short
...the press conference itself was pretty short. Clocking in at 38 minutes, Bethesda came up a little shy of the expected 45 minutes. It's great to be snappy and to the point, but it's E3 and you have the stage and everyone's eyes are on you. We wish they took advantage of that this year, by (again) bringing more gameplay to the table.
Biggest Games: Skyrim on Switch
Biggest Games: Skyrim on Switch
It's been six years since the initial release of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and it took on a life unlike any other game in the series. The latest version of this open-world first-person fantasy RPG will come to Switch with some Nintendo specific features, shown during the presentation: Link as a playable character! It seemed that you'll need the Link Amiibo for this, so it's worth pondering other treats that may lie ahead in terms of Amiibo support. The most captivating part, however, is actually seeing this game run on the Switch console, so we know it's really a thing that's coming this year.
Biggest Games: Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Biggest Games: Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Wolfenstein: The New Order was a welcome surprise in that it brought an iconic franchise back with a whole new tone and atmosphere. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus will continue that balance of serious drama and comic relief in its chilling story of Nazi-occupied America. You'll team up with a few old friends and some new ones along the way in this story-based off-the-walls first-person shooter. We're real curious about how BJ's exo-suit is going to work in-game and if acid trips will be a sweet powerup.
Biggest Games: The Evil Within 2
Biggest Games: The Evil Within 2
The Evil Within 2 is a sequel to the 2014 horror game developed by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami's studio. It seems that you'll have to save your daughter, but not much else was revealed, although the prospect of another atmospheric and terrifying experience shouldn't be overlooked. Oh yeah, we're looking forward to how deranged and messed up this game can get.
By Miguel Concepcion on Jun 15, 2017 05:15 am
Save for some technical streaming issues at the start of its press conference, Sony had a solid E3 2017. While its reliance on known quantities made its press briefing less memorable than its last two E3 showings, it proved that there's a lot to be excited about from a new Uncharted to more God of War. Even though there wasn't anything worthwhile on the hardware side, PlayStation is well-positioned for a packed 2017 holiday and an equally promising early 2018. However, there's always room for improvement. In this feature we lay out some of our favorite moments from the show, a few of the things we wish Sony had done differently, and a handful of Sony's biggest games. This is the spot for a high-level analysis of all things Sony had at E3. To get more information about all of Sony E3 announcements, check our our roundup of all of the news and from the Sony press conference, all of the new Sony trailers, and a list of all the Sony games shown at the show! And for our analysis of the other press conferences, check out the roundup of right here of all the highs, lows, and biggest games for the other big publishers and developers, including Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.
Highlights: Days Gone shows gameplay depth.
The Days Gone demo was the most effective gameplay showcase of the night, as its emphasis on stealth was a marked contrast to the open combat of the E3 2016 reveal. One aspect of the demo that was not conveyed that we later discovered was how the presence and activities of hostiles would change with the dynamically evolving weather. Given that this zombie-killing adventure still doesn't have a release date, we can expect more tricks up the sleeves from developer, Bend Studio.
Highlights: Monster Hunter: World breaks the franchise mold.
Easily the most promising aspect of the Monster Hunter World reveal is how it appears to signal a departure from the style and gameplay from the last decade's worth of Monster Hunter games. That includes new ways to take down beasts and the removal of segmented maps. And its synchronized worldwide release early 2018 only shows that Capcom could not be more serious about the franchise's global success.
Highlights: Shadow of the Colossus is new again.
If the image of the iconic bridge didn't catch your attention, the "JAPANStudio" did. It's easy to say that a full on remake of Shadow of the Colossus was the most unexpected reveal at this press conference. What's most intriguing is that this is being helmed by Bluepoint games, a studio known for their remasters of Sony first party remasters, not remakes.
Needs improvement: Technical issue kick off the presser.
For those streaming the press conference, the spectacle of the first five or so minutes was dampened by the lack of audio. This occurred during the latest trailer of Uncharted: Lost Legacy and during the initial seconds of the Days Gone demo. When one of the goals of press conferences is to make a statement, Sony's press conference got off on the wrong foot.
Needs improvement: PSVR was mostly lacking.
Bethesda's aggressiveness in bringing its properties to virtual reality will be one of the contributing factors to VR's eventual mainstream acceptance, provided that games like Skyrim remain largely unaltered. By contrast, the rest of Sony's VR showings felt like an afterthought, a wave of titles that resembled the mostly mediocre offerings of the games at PSVR's launch. Supermassive Games' Bravo Team, for example, looked promising though it's easy to question its replay value.
Needs improvement: The absence of The Last of Us: Part II.
Given the largely positive response to the reveal of The Last of Us: Part II at the last PlayStation Experience, the absence of new footage--even more pre-rendered cinematics--at this press conference was disappointing. Shortly after the press conference, Naughty Dog's Neil Drunkmann tweeted "Believe me, we're super excited to show you more of Ellie and Joel's 2nd journey, but right now it's Chloe and Nadine's time to shine." It's a good point, but that doesn't diminish our anticipation for new details on how Ellie and Joel continue to survive their desolate world.
Needs improvement: Chun-Li in Marvel Vs Capcom: Infinite
What....happened to Chun-Li's face in Marvel Vs Capcom: Infinite's trailer at Sony's press briefing? It's not as if this classic Street Fighter character hasn't been rendered in 3D before. We learned that a kewpie doll expression and excessive eyeliner isn't her best look.
Biggest games: More God of War, more mystery.
You can argue that this demo of God of War showed less than the E3 2016 reveal, but that didn't diminish the hype level of Kratos' return. This demo drove home the point that this new, often snowy setting would present a new host of environmental hazards not seen in prior God of Wars. And it finished on an anticipation-building high note, leaving you wondering what creatures are friend or foe.
Biggest games: Spider-Man appears to be in Insomniac's good hands.
While Sony has had stronger E3 press conference endings in the past, wrapping up this year's briefing was nonetheless effective. The best parts about this lengthy gameplay showcase of this PlayStation-exclusive is that it looks nothing like what we've seen from the Activision-published Spider-Man games, nor does it resemble anything that developer Insomniac has put out in the past. We can't wait to see what the studio behind Spyro and Ratchet & Clank will do with this Marvel property.
Biggest games: Uncharted: The Lost Legacy flexes its muscles
As much as Uncharted 4 ended Drake's story on a high note, it would've been a shame if that was the only Uncharted adventure built specifically for the PlayStation 4, especially now that Naughty Dog is all the more familiar with the system's tools. This pairing of Chloe and Nadine is just the latest in the studio's tradition of single player experiences with dependable AI companions. We can attest that this duo will have a unique dynamic that you haven't seen in prior Uncharted games.
By Peter Brown on Jun 15, 2017 05:15 am
This year, Nintendo once again eschewed a traditional pre conference for a direct-to-video presentation, the Nintendo Spotlight. The show was only 25 minutes long, but it was packed with announcements and fresh looks at existing Switch games due to come out later this year. The most surprising move of all was the announcement of not just one, but two new Metroid games; a series that has been absent for far too long in the eyes of its fans. Of course, there's always room for improvement, and despite a few pleasant surprises, Nintendo failed to address more immediate concerns for Switch owners. Let's take a look at what Nintendo did right, what its biggest games were at the show, and where it could have done better. This is our analysis of Nintendo as a whole at the show, but to get a deep for a deeper dive, we've got you covered with: All of the news and announcements from the press conference, all of the new E3 Nintendo trailers, and a list of all the new Nintendo games announced at the show! And for analysis of the other press conferences, check out the roundup of highs, lows, and biggest games for all the other big publishers and developers.
Highlight: Nintendo revives Metroid.
After years of speculation and demands from its biggest fans, Nintendo finally answered the call and announced that Metroid is back. We now know that this was a two-fold announcement: in addition to Metroid Prime 4, Nintendo also announced Metroid: Samus Returns, a remake of the 1991 Game Boy game, Metroid II: The Return of Samus. Nintendo not only revived a renowned series, but it let fans know that it's listening.
Highlight: The Pokemon Company teases a Pokemon RPG for Switch.
The Pokemon Company president Tsunekazu Ishihara announced that Game Freak is currently working on a core, RPG Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch. No other details were shared, unfortunately, but for many the surprise announcement was exciting enough.
Highlight: Super Mario Odyssey is incredibly weird, apparently.
When we saw Mario walk among realistically proportioned humans in the first trailer for Super Mario Odyssey last January, we knew the upcoming game was going to be strange. When we saw a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex wearing a Mario Hat become Mario during the recent Nintendo Spotlight, we knew we'd underestimated how strange the game actually is. Mario can now turn into his enemies rather than simply taking on their powers, and in turn, this twist has re-energized the series' own identity.
Highlight: A parade of new Amiibo appear.
To go along with many of its biggest games, Nintendo also revealed a slew of new Amiibo: 11, to be exact. The announced Amiibo include: Super Mario Odyssey: Mario, Peach, and Bowser The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Revali, Mipha, Daruk, and Urbosa. Metroid: Samus Returns: Samus, Metroid Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga: Koopa Trooper, Goomba
Highlight: The Nintendo Spotlight was quick but efficient.
"All said aside," it was great to see Nintendo deliver such a well-composed event. It was substantial despite the short runtime, thanks to the number of new announcements and a range of presentation styles. Best of all: every game looked promising, ensuring that Switch owners have a lot to look forward to in the near future.
Needs improvement: The biggest announcements were teases.
It was great to know that Metroid Prime and Pokemon are in development for Switch, but it would have been great to see evidence of the progress made on either front. No matter how successful Nintendo was at making our imaginations run wild, the total lack of gameplay or release date info was a tough pill to swallow.
Needs improvement: No new Wii U ports (Mario Maker, Smash Bros., Zelda HD games)
It's understandable why Nintendo wouldn't focus on Wii U ports at a show where everyone wants new games to be announced, but that doesn't erase the fact that many people are eager for more. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was a runaway success and evidence of the fact that the best Wii U games can find new life on a new console. And when you consider a natural fit like Super Mario Maker, it's sad to see good opportunities get left behind for another day.
Needs improvement: No Mother 3 Announcement
Speaking of good opportunities left behind: Mother 3 was nowhere to be found. Again. [Editor's Note: GameSpot managing editor Justin Haywald has unsuccessfully predicted the game reveal of the Earthbound sequel at every E3 for the last three years.]
Biggest games: Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is diverse, creative, and unlike any other Mario game in existence: and we can put this claim to the test as soon as October 27.
Biggest games: Metroid Prime 4
Despite knowing virtually nothing about Metroid Prime 4, we do know that it's in development, and that's practically enough.
Biggest games: Metroid Samus Returns
Metroid: Samus Returns was more than just an announcement, with Nintendo showcasing a substantial amount of gameplay during its Treehouse live presentation.
Biggest games: Rocket League
Rocket League is one of the most original sports games to come out in the past few years, and to get it on Switch is great news for existing League players looking to enjoy their favorite game on the go. Nintendo No problem.
Nintendo No problem.
Nintendo No problem.
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By Chris Pereira on Jun 15, 2017 05:15 am
Like last year, Electronic Arts was the first company out of the gate to host a press conference at this year's E3. The company is not officially a part of E3 itself; it instead chose to again showcase its games through an event open to the public called EA Play. This took place in the days prior to E3 proper, with the highlight being the company's press conference on Saturday. In this feature we lay out some of our favorite moments from the show, a few of the things we wish EA had done differently, and a handful of its biggest games. This is the spot for a high-level analysis of all things EA had at E3. To get more information about all of EA's E3 announcements, we've got you covered with: All of the news and from the EA press conference, all of the new EA trailers (including the Anthem teaser), and a list of all the EA games shown at the show. And for our analysis of the other press conferences, check out the roundup of right here of all the highs, lows, and biggest games for the other big publishers and developers, including Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.
Highlight: Anthem
Undoubtedly the biggest news out of EA's press conference concerned the new IP from BioWare, Anthem. We unfortunately had to wait for Microsoft's press conference to get a real sense of what the Destiny-esque game is all about, but the brief teaser aired during EA's show was enough to get fans excited about what the Knights of the Old Republic studio can do when creating its own universe.
Highlight: A Way Out
A new co-op game from the people behind Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is intriguing enough. Make it a full-on action game with apparent triple-A production values, and you've won over a lot of people. It's not often we see a game designed from the ground up with mandatory co-op in mind, and one in which you try to escape prison and engage in all sorts of illegal activities sounds incredibly novel.
Highlight: NBA Live 18
Only time will tell whether NBA Live can ever hope to compete with the NBA 2K series, which is firmly entrenched as the definitive basketball sim experience. EA says it's looking to nail the fundamentals of basketball with NBA Live 18, which will be critical, but that's not enough--offering a version of the sport that's almost as good as NBA 2K isn't going to be enough to win over someone planning to pick up NBA 2K18. But EA also laid out an intriguing vision for what NBA Live 18 could offer with it's The One mode. This sounds almost like an RPG mode for a basketball game, which--if executed properly--could make Live 18 worth a look. Revealing a new game in the series after its struggles over the last decade-plus was always going to be a challenge, so for it to be in this position seems like a real positive.
Needs Improvement: Where's NHL?
EA's major sports games were given their time in the spotlight: FIFA 18 looks good, NBA Live 18 seems potentially promising, and Madden is adapting FIFA's The Journey for its own story mode. But NHL 18 was nowhere to be seen, apparently so that it can be shown off separately at some point in the future. If you're a hockey fan who doesn't think the sport gets its due, you probably weren't happy with this no-show.
Need Improvement: Talk More About Star Wars
EA has, understandably, become more hesitant to talk about games that far off in the distance. Likewise, it's no surprise that EA would want to focus Star Wars fans' attention on the game that's due out this year in Battlefront II. But after the company has provided overviews of what its various studios are doing on the Star Wars front in the past, it would have been nice to get some insight--however surface level--into what else is on the horizon for the franchise.
Biggest Game: Star Wars: Battlefront II
EA Play brought with it a new map and a lengthy demonstration of Battlefront II's multiplayer. It looks to be addressing many of the criticisms of the first game; aside from the addition of a campaign, a new points system provides more of a sense of progression, making it feel like you've earned your way to spawning in as a hero. It's also completely gorgeous, with a wealth of new vehicles and characters, and the ability to bring together content from all eras of Star Wars. It still may not offer some of the elements of the earlier Battlefront games, but Battlefront II looks to be offering a great experience.
Biggest Game: Need for Speed: Payback
A year off for Need for Speed has provided the series with a serious injection of Fast and Furious DNA. Provided that doesn't immediately strike you as a turn-off, Payback looks to offer a different approach to racing.
Biggest Game: FIFA 18
FIFA 17's The Journey was a big hit, and that's evolving for FIFA 18. While the premise--protagonist Alex Hunter may move from the Premier League to Major League Soccer, which sure sounds like a step down--is a bit silly, it's nice to see EA continue to do something new with its sports games than refine mechanics and improve the visuals.
Biggest Game: Battlefield 1
Battlefield's post-launch support continues. And although you'll need to be a Premium member to get most of the benefits, a lot of this content does look solid--particularly the nighttime maps, which should help to offer a different dynamic.
By Eddie Makuch on Jun 15, 2017 05:15 am
Here's what we thought of Microsoft's showing this year.
Microsoft's E3 2017 briefing took place earlier this week, delivering a lot of big news, game reveals, new trailers, and more. But it also finally revealed Xbox One X, its most powerful console yet. Suffice to say, there was a lot to see. In this feature we go over our favorite moments from the show, a few of the things we wish Microsoft had done differently, and a handful of its biggest games. This is the spot for a high-level analysis of all things Microsoft had at E3. To get more information about all of Microsoft's E3 announcements, check out all of the news and from the Microsoft press conference, all of the new Microsoft trailers, and a list of all the Microsoft games seen at the show! And for our analysis of the other press conferences, check out the roundup of right here of all the highs, lows, and biggest games for the other big publishers and developers, including Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.
Highlight: Scorpio is revealed as Xbox One X
Finally, Microsoft announced the official name, price, and release date for Project Scorpio. Now known as Xbox One X, the super-powerful console launches on November 7, priced at $500. We also saw the final form factor of the console--and it's the smallest console that Microsoft has ever made, featuring an internal power supply. [Read more here]
Highlight: OG Xbox Backwards Compatibility
Backwards compatibility support for Xbox 360 games on Xbox One is a popular, beloved feature, and now it's expanding. Microsoft announced that its adding more than 385 games to the Xbox 360 backwards compatibility catalog. Original Xbox games are coming later this year, starting with Crimson Skies. [Read more here]
Highlight: BioWare's New IP
Anthem, the next big game from Mass Effect developer BioWare, was announced at EA's briefing but had its big gameplay reveal during Microsoft's show. You play as a Freelancer, a member of a group of brave souls who venture into the dangerous wild to protect the world. You're equipped with an exo-suit you can use to zip around. [Read more here]
Highlight: Minecraft Cross-Play
We didn't see this one coming. Microsoft announced during its briefing that it is re-launching Minecraft as a unified product, with cross-play support between not only Xbox One, PC, and mobile, but also Nintendo Switch. Yes, really. Minecraft has become one of the first console games ever to have cross-platform play for competing console platforms. Microsoft had discussions with Sony about cross-play, but nothing has come of it as of yet. Here's to hoping it does. [Read more here]
Needs Improvement: Xbox One X is a bit expensive.
The $500 price point for the Xbox One X is higher than some thought it would be. It's a full $100 more than the PS4 Pro ($400), and while Xbox One X is certainly more powerful than Sony's machine, price is important. That difference could be a big deal. Some analysts agree that $500 is too expensive to reach a wide audience. [Read more here]
Needs Improvement: Where are the games?
Microsoft's E3 2017 briefing did not have a lot of big game reveals. In fact, the only major first-party game reveal was Forza Motorsport 7, a stunning-looking game, but an expected one. We knew we weren't going to see the next Halo or Gears of War games at the briefing, but their absence was noticeable.
Biggest Games: Sea of Thieves
Rare's ambitious-looking Xbox One and PC game Sea of Thieves had a big presence at Microsoft's E3 briefing this week. An extended gameplay demo showed off more of the multiplayer pirate game, with some cool sequences from the swashbuckling adventure showing action on the high seas and land, with a good amount of griefing, of course.
Biggest Games: Metro Exodus
A big surprise during Microsoft's E3 briefing this year was Metro Exodus. The latest installment in the series, Exodus is set in an open world, unlike the more linear Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light. The first trailer blew us away with its stunning visuals and intense, violent gameplay. We're excited to see more of Metro Exodus.
Biggest Games: Ori and the Will of the Wisps
2015's Ori and the Blind Forest was a beautiful and challenging game, and one that we adored. So we were happy to find out at Microsoft's E3 briefing this year that a sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, is in the works. We've seen one trailer so far, and it shows a beautiful, scary world that we're sure will be challenging just like the first game.
Biggest Games: Forza Motorsport 7
It was not a surprise, but we saw Forza Motorsport 7 for the first time at E3 during Mirosoft's briefing. And it was stunning. This game looks incredibly good, running at 4K and 60FPS on Xbox One X, it appears to be a powerhouse of graphical fidelity. It has more than 700 cars in it, making it one of the biggest rosters ever for a racing game. Forza Motorsport 7 launches in October for Xbox One, Xbox One X, and PC.
By Array on Jun 15, 2017 04:49 am
There's a Mario tank. Seriously.
E3 2017 begins today and for the first time ever, the show is open to the public this year. As a result, it seems Nintendo has brought its best to the show, creating a booth themed around New Donk City, one of the stages from the upcoming Super Mario Odyssey. It also showcased its latest series of Amiibo, which includes the champions from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, as well as Mario and crew in white formal attire. For a deep for a deeper dive at what Nintendo announced at this year's show, take a look at all the news and announcements from the press conference, all of the new E3 Nintendo trailers, and a list of all the new Nintendo games announced at the show! For our complete coverage, head to GameSpot's E3 hub for all of our news, videos, and impressions. And be sure to check back often as more stories and videos get published.
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