Pokemon trainers, this is your week for news. After a massive amount of Pokemon reveals in the last couple of day, this week's Nintendo Switch news is all about what's coming for the beloved franchise.
Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee was revealed this week, alongside a new Poke Ball Switch Joy-Con, to release in November. While this is not a remake, heavily inspired by Yellow, we will see another core Pokemon title on Switch in 2019. In the meantime, while you're waiting for November's release, check out the new free-to-start title Pokemon Quest in the Eshop. Outside of the horde of Pokemon headlines, Splatoon 2's Octo Expansion is more challenging than we thought, LEGO DC Super-Villains releases in October, and Team Sonic Racing is coming to Switch. For all things Switch at E3, keep on reading. For the rest of our E3 coverage, head on over to our E3 2018 hub.
This week's PlayStation news is all about the reveals. While one of them was a leak, we do know both will be seen at this year's E3 press conferences.
Bethesda revealed Fallout 76 and a leaked keychain spoiled Ubisoft's reveal of Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The Wolf Among Us Season 2 and Ubisoft's Avatar game won't be coming quite as soon as we thought. Anthem is also expected to be shown more at this year's E3 showcase. Pride Month has officially begun, and those who wish to show off their colors can do so with a free Pride theme on PS4. All of the rumors, confirmations, and our predictions of PS4 at E3 are up now, and you can see everything E3 2018 in our hub.
Xbox at E3 is coming in hot, and our predictions, the rumors, and confirmations are all up now. We saw two giant AAA reveals this week, and there are a ton of games on sale that you won't want to miss.
Bethesda released a teaser for its new title Fallout 76, and after a keychain spoiled the surprise, Ubisoft revealed Assassin's Creed Odyssey is on its way. We know Halo will see a new arcade title, but it seems Xbox One won't see that iteration of the franchise. Don't pay more than you have to for your favorite games: Best Buy, GameStop, and the Xbox Store all have awesome summer deals on games you love. For everything Xbox at E3, keep on reading, but for even more about this year's expo, head on over to our E3 2018 hub.
In many ways, the first season of Marvel's Luke Cage was about the rift between cousins Cottonmouth Stokes and Mariah Dillard. Now, in Season 2 of the Netflix series, Mariah stands in that spotlight alone and, in doing so, has become the show's most exciting character.
Played masterfully by Alfre Woodard, Mariah is walking the line between good and evil--Dillard and Stokes--throughout Season 2. In many ways, she's a hero to Harlem just like the titular Luke Cage. They both believe they are fighting to save their neighborhood. Of course, their methods are very different. While Luke is constantly trying to live within a moral code, Mariah doesn't mind playing dirty to achieve her goals. For Woodard, getting to further explore this side of Mariah is what excites her so much about Season 2.
"One of the fun things about being an actor is you get to behave in a lot of different ways," she says during a group interview. "And, especially as a woman, especially as a southern woman, from the time you're three years old, everybody says to you, 'Be nice. Be nice.' They never say that to the guys, they can be whatever they want to... I think women actors like to be, you know, not compliant. They like to do what they feel like doing. Sometimes [it's] not legal, sometimes it is. But I really liked finding a woman that answered to her conscience the way a man has always had liberty to do."
And that's certainly how she answers it. Without giving anything away, Season 2 is as violent and brutal as the first year of Luke Cage, and some of that blood falls right at the feet of Dillard.
"Alfre, in some ways, when you get deeper into the season, will prove to be the biggest bad," creator Cheo Hodari Coker explains during a group interview. "You can't really say that Bushmaster or Mariah Dillard is a bigger bad because they both do some pretty heinous things."
In Mariah's own mind, though, what she's doing doesn't make her the villain of the story. "She's a hero," Woodard says. "She doesn't have superpowers, but she has super tenacity. And she is a hero."
Adds Coker, "What I will say is that all of our villains have dimension. The one thing that [head of Marvel Television] Jeph Loeb always says is that the villain's story should be a hero's story from the villain's perspective." Together, he and Woodard have crafted that journey for Mariah in Season 2, even getting to a point where she may outshine Luke Cage himself.
"Alfre's portrayal of Mariah Dillard is as a woman that's conflicted on a moral level, but not paralyzed," Coker teases. "She evolves, she reacts to things. There are very good reasons why she feels the way that she feels."
That doesn't mean she won't pay the price for her actions, though. "When she makes a decision, when she turns a corner, that corner's turned," he explains. "She turns corners here, in the season, that are gonna be very hard for her to turn back from."
What it will all come down to is how the character sees her true identity--which is one of the core stories of Season 2. "The thing is, in terms of Mariah, is that she can be strong for Harlem, but still be at war with herself as to, is she a Dillard or is she a Stokes?" Coker says. "It's that split and her trying to figure that out that becomes the crux of the season. When she finally embraces one or the other."
While he won't reveal what side of the line she'll fall on, Coker warns, "When you see her make her decision as to whether or not she's a Stokes or a Dillard, it sticks. It's a culminating moment; honestly, one of my favorite in all 26 episodes that we've filmed thus far."
You'll be able to see for yourself exactly what Coker is talking about when Season 2 of Luke Cage premieres June 29 on Netflix.
Lara Croft returns in the upcoming Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the last entry in the Tomb Raider origin trilogy, which began with the titular series reboot in 2013. As one of Square Enix's biggest upcoming games, we're more than likely to hear about it at E3 2018. To prepare for what's ahead, let's breakdown what we already know about Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and what we're hoping to see at this year's E3.
What We Know So Far
Square Enix officially confirmed that Shadow of the Tomb Raider was in development with a trailer in March 2018, though it was technically leaked last year when an employee was spotted in a subway train working on a presentation with the game's name. The game is scheduled to release on September 14 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. While it'll be developed primarily by Eidos Montreal (Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Thief), it's worth noting that original reboot developer Crystal Dynamics will provide additional development on the project.
You once again play as Lara Croft, who is on an expedition to Latin America in search of a Mayan relic. However, Trinity, a paramilitary organization that tried to hunt down Lara in the previous game, is also seeking the relic for its own gain. During this expedition, Lara accidentally sets off a Mayan apocalypse, which thrusts her on a journey to save the world. The game is being touted as the darkest adventure Lara has been on yet, with developers mentioning that there will be far more drama and internal conflict than past games.
In terms of mechanics, Shadow of the Tomb Raider sports a few key additions to the series, including revamped swimming controls for underwater exploration as well as more sophisticated stealth and AI systems.
What's Confirmed For E3?
With Shadow of the Tomb Raider's release in September, it's likely we'll see much more of the game at Square Enix's E3 2018 press conference on June 11. In a recent interview with GamesBeat, Eidos Montreal studio head David Anfossi teased that they'll be divulging more details on what differentiates Shadow of the Tomb Raider from past games. He described the future reveal as new, interesting, and very surprising for Tomb Raider fans.
What We Hope To See At E3
Aside from its initial reveal trailer and several screenshots, no actual gameplay has been shown of Shadow of the Tomb Raider. We're hoping Square Enix remedies this by offering a full demonstration at this year's press conference, showcasing the enhancements that Eidos Montreal has made to combat, stealth, and exploration. A closer look at any of the game's larger hub worlds would also be nice.
There has been discussion of Lara experiencing more internal conflict this time around. We'd love to get a better idea of what's going on with Lara, and how it has impacted her relationship to the game's supporting cast. Currently, we know that Lara's closest ally Jonah is returning, and it has been stated that he's evolved since his appearance in Rise of the Tomb Raider. An example of how his views clash with Lara's would be great to witness during gameplay. In addition, we hope to get a brief glimpse of the game's antagonist, who we know to be a part of Trinity, the villainous organization from the second game.
This might seem a bit cheesy, but if we can get a confirmation that Lara can use her signature dual-pistols, that would be amazing. Since the reboot series began in 2013, we've been slowly seeing Lara grow into the Tomb Raider we all know her to be. From sheltered archaeology graduate student to strong-willed survivalist, it's only a matter of time before she dawns the dual-pistols and performs acrobatic flips while simultaneously killing and skinning a grizzly bear. Okay, maybe that's a bit too much, but we're really hoping for another reference to Lara's classic pistols--at the very least!
The broad premise of The Forest is far from unique. A plane crash lands on a seemingly deserted island, and you, a lone survivor, have to figure out a way to survive. It doesn't take long, however, until blood curdling screeches fill the night and glowing eyes appear in the distance. Once it sets in that your new home isn't as empty as it first appeared, The Forest evolves into a uniquely harrowing adventure that you won't soon forget.
Cannibals inhabit the grassy fields and pristine lakes around you, watching your every move; they are the source of The Forest's ever-present tension. You might expect monsters like this to attack on sight, but their behavior is erratic. Sometimes they'll charge forward to unsettle you during daylight but stop just outside striking distance to simply stare in silence. Other times they might feign a retreat before leaping into nearby trees to quickly get behind you. The Forest's enemies aren't easy to predict, which makes each encounter thrilling.
The breadth of enemy types is impressive too, and they can get surprisingly weird. As you explore the island more and dive into terrifying, pitch-black caverns, enemies transform into terrifying body-horror figures--amalgamations of appendages that bellow deep, disturbing howls. They're frightening to behold and even scarier to fight.
The Forest does a good job of trickling out these surprises while you're already struggling to manage vital meters and resources. It's also imperative that you keep a close eye on the quality of the resources you find. Not every berry bush contains a bounty that won't poison you, and not all water is safe to drink. Meat you gather from hunted animals will rot if not cooked quickly. None of the resulting illnesses are serious enough to dissuade you from eating questionable food if you have no other choice, but needing to think about what you eat adds an additional layer to the minute-to-minute hunter-gatherer gameplay.
Chopping down trees for logs or scouting a route to clean water is paramount in your first few days on the island, and once you establish yourself, this goal shifts to fortifying your position with a base, and perhaps complex spike traps and tree swings. The sheer number of structures you're able to build is impressive, and thankfully The Forest doesn't gate your ingenuity with illusive blueprints. You're given a notebook filled with outlines at the start.
Building has a tangible effect on the island in several ways. Resources like small game and shrubs will respawn over time, but larger trees will remain felled for the entirety of your stay. You might turn a dense forest into an open field of stumps not long after you start, which gives enemies a clearer line of sight into your doings. The more you impose yourself on the island, the more aggressive your aggressors become. Patrols will grow and the more monstrous creatures will emerge from their caves for an all-out assault. The Forest doesn't force you to play in any specific way though, so a more reserved nomadic approach is sometimes safer and more viable. But the sheer delight at seeing an enemy trigger a well-placed trap during a raid is priceless, and well worth the risk of angering the locals.
There's a lot to think about when it comes to surviving in The Forest, but the balance between each of its interlocking parts keeps the game moving at a riveting pace. For every danger the island offers, there's a smart solution around the corner.
Crafting smaller items plays a big part when it comes to personal safety, too. Your inventory screen allows you to combine items you've collected to create new tools; from something as simple as combining a few sticks and stones to make an axe, to creating high-powered explosives using a combination of wristwatches, electrical boards, and spare change. The number of items you can both collect and craft is vast, but the inventory page eventually becomes cumbersome and overwhelming to navigate. And with only four customizable hotkeys, you don't have easy access to everything you want in a pinch.
Although it's constantly testing your perseverance and wants you to feel stretched thin, The Forest never feels overbearing. You'll always be able to depend on your crafted weapons as they aren't hampered by durability. Your pocket lighter will always help you see in the dark, never running out of vital fluid. This reliability frees you from the burden of worrying about the lifespan of any potential upgrades you can make to items too.
Exploration in survival games is usually tied only to your immediate well-being, but The Forest features a narrative that's slowly uncovered by exploration and incidental environmental storytelling. Abandoned camps are a great hunting ground for modern resources and offer hints at past and present events. Putrid remains of long-dead victims aren't an uncommon sight, but you'll also come across small photographs, videotapes and magazines that flesh out a conspiracy with the island at the center.
Uncovering The Forest doesn't have to be a lonely experience, and it offers co-operative play for up to eight people. The time spent getting a fortified settlement up and running is drastically reduced, but remains just as compelling. Co-operative play does, however, deflate the the feeling of being exposed. Larger groups of enemies become easier to deal with, and the fear of diving into caves alone is undercut by both voice chat and the fact that enemies don't scale accordingly. The Forest might be silly fun with friends, but it's at its best when playing alone.
There's a lot to think about when it comes to surviving in The Forest, but the balance between each of its interlocking parts keeps the game moving at a riveting pace. For every danger the island offers, there's a smart solution around the corner. Combined with unpredictable enemies and captivating horror set-pieces, The Forest strikes a compelling balance between survival and horror that you won't soon forget.
Square Enix dumbfounded naysayers and hopeful fans alike when it announced Final Fantasy VII Remake at E3 2015. Given the resulting hype, you'd think that we would've seen more about the game over the past three years, but apart from a second trailer at PlayStation Experience 2015 a few months later, only rumors and scraps of info have surfaced. We've got our fingers crossed that this will be the year--that E3 2018 will be the event--when the curtain is raised and Final Fantasy VII Remake is properly unveiled. Square Enix will have a dedicated presentation at the show, and while we can reasonably expect to see Shadow Of The Tomb Raider, Kingdom Hearts 3, and a few indies from the Square Enix Collective label, the publisher would do very well to feature Final Fantasy VII as much as possible.
What We Know So Far
All things considered, the 2015 trailers gave us a generous look at what's to come, including a few tantalizing moments of combat. We got to see lead characters Cloud and Barret, some of the supporting cast, and a look at familiar locations like Midgar and the North Mako Reactor, the stage for the game's opening infiltration mission.
The combat sections of the two-minute PSX trailer stood out because they took place in real time with characters running around a 3D environment; the traditional turn-based combat from the original game has been abandoned in favor of something closer to Final Fantasy XV. Given the 20-plus-year gap between the original and the remake, it makes sense that Square Enix would change up the game in drastic ways. Only time will tell how deep the changes go.
Additional info has been scarce since 2015. A common story that keeps popping up pertains to difficulties stemming from the collaboration with developer CyberConnect2. Reports from last year suggest that Square Enix had to scrap most of what it was given after taking back control of the game. It was at least confirmed that it's now being made internally to ensure all quality and scheduling standards are met. If it's true that a bunch of CyberConnect2's content had to be remade from the bottom up, this purported restructuring could be a reason for the game's absence at E3 if it winds up missing after all.
Otherwise, longtime Final Fantasy producer Yoshinori Kitase has confirmed that Final Fantasy VII Remake will be a multi-game project due to the herculean task of rebuilding such a massive game to modern standards. Kitase also confirmed that renowned Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu will be involved with the remake, although the extent of his contributions isn't entirely clear.
What's Confirmed For E3?
Square Enix hasn't confirmed whether Final Fantasy VII Remake will appear at this year's E3 or not. If we were optimistic, we might assume the lack of confirmation either way means there's a surprise in store.
Realistically speaking, however, it wouldn't be shocking if the game didn't show up as there's been no word of a release date and no reason to expect that development has progressed far enough to be worthy of an extended showcase. (We hope we're wrong.)
What We Hope To See At E3
There are countless aspects of Final Fantasy VII that Square Enix could reveal at the show: iconic characters, specific battle mechanics (including the new Materia system), and maybe even locations from advanced chapters in the game. We'd love to see it all.
The big question at the moment is the release date. Lots of folks forsee a post-2020 launch on the horizon, but until Square Enix says anything officially it's difficult to pinpoint a window of time, especially in light of the reportedly tumultuous dev cycle.
Love it or hate it, Final Fantasy VII is an incredibly well-known game, and no matter what we see next, the new version will be rigorously examined and compared to the past. There are high expectations afloat, lots of skepticism, and no doubt tons of pressure on the game's developers to deliver something that lives up to Final Fantasy VII's notoriety. It will be amazing if they pull it off, and E3 is a great opportunity for them to turn the tide of opinion for the better. Let's hope that comes to pass.
The dream of the '90s is alive on Netflix. It was a cinematic age where gritty serial killer stories found their niche, indie filmmakers hit the mainstream, and larger-than-life blockbusters set new benchmarks for what could be done on the big screen. Jeff Goldblum fought dinosaurs, Will Smith saved us from aliens, and an unknown video clerk by the name of Quentin Tarantino changed movies forever.
Two decades later, it's hard not to look back on the '90s with nostalgic fondness. And thankfully, plenty of these retro flicks are at your fingertips right now. From a handful of Disney classics to some Oscar-winning dramas to a plethora of big budget action films, here are the 25 best '90s movies currently available on Netflix.
25. Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Before Sharknado tore onto Syfy, another shark movie took audiences by storm on the big screen. Deep Blue Sea follows a team of scientists as they aim to end Alzheimer's Disease for good--by genetically altering sharks. Sure, it's a far fetched concept, but that's the point. Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows and Stellan Skarsgard star as the shark scientists in question. L.L. Cool J shows up in a wacky supporting role--while also providing two original songs to the soundtrack. Most importantly, Deep Blue Sea's most memorable moment comes in the form of Samuel L. Jackson's bloody wink-at-the-camera monologue.
24. An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)
The sequel to 1986's An American Tail continued the journey of the Mousekewitzes, a family of Russian immigrant mice who moved to America in pursuit of a better life. Five years later, the Mousekewitzes were still living paw-to-mouth, so to speak. The film was told through the eyes of young Fievel Mousekewitz. His dreams of following in the footsteps of Wylie Burp--the legendary Wild West lawdog--keeps a fair share of hope and joy throughout the uneven tale. But as clunky as the sequel may feel, it's hard not to give in to the childhood nostalgia the movie brings.
23. Cruel Intentions (1999)
One thing many people don't know when discussing Cruel Intentions is that it's a modern day adaptation of Christopher Hampton's play Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Glenn Close and John Malkovich starred in the '80s adaptation of the play. Cruel Intentions came in and flipped The Dangerous Liaisons formula on its head, presenting a group of rich kids as the story's main antagonists. Hot off the success of I Know What You Did Last Summer, fresh new face Ryan Phillipe starred as Sebastian Valmont opposite Reese Witherspoon's Annette Hargrove and Sarah Michelle Gellar's evil step-sister, Kathryn Merteuil. Come for the backstabbing drama, stay for the awkward, incestuous sexual tension.
22. Pocahontas (1995)
Disney's Pocahontas takes multiple liberties with its version of the character's real life story. But if you ignore the fact that she was really 11 or 12 when she met her lover Captain John Smith (voiced by Mel Gibson in the film), some important issues are explored in the animated film. White European settlers weren't often presented as the enemy by Disney, but Pocahontas showed these invaders--with their guns and destructive tendencies--as the big bad villains. The story glossed over some of the more gritty details of the princess's life, for sure. But the movie did prove to be a risky pivot in Disney's storytelling strategy, teaching a lesson of environmental protection amid a musical backdrop and stunning animation.
21. Cube (1997)
Vincenzo Natali may be known for his work on genre shows like Hannibal and Westworld, but the director first made his splash with the psychological gorefest Cube. In the film, a group of strangers find themselves trapped in a maze of identical rooms and must solve a plethora of traps, or die a gruesome death. Before Saw took audiences by storm, Cube tested the genre's torturous waters. It was enough of a success to breed multiple sequels. With its simple attention to character development and story, the original installment is easily still the best of the bunch.
20. The Iron Giant (1999)
Tapping into the hysteria of the 1950s, The Iron Giant tells the story of a boy's unlikely friendship with a giant robot (voiced by Vin Diesel), and the government's subsequent mission to seek and destroy it. The animated film offers an alternate perspective of America's past through the guise of science fiction. It's easy to see the influence films like King Kong and E.T. had on Brad Bird's (The Incredibles, Ratatouille) theatrical debut as a director. As fun as it is touching, The Iron Giant is an enduring classic worth watching again and again.
19. Hercules (1997)
The late '90s was a transitional time for Walt Disney Animation Studios. While Hercules may not have achieved the same sort of success of the decade's earlier movies, like The Lion King, Disney's animated take on the classic Hercules story was enough of a success to keep the studio relevant. Upon rewatching the flick, which is surprisingly humorous and endearing, it's hard not to think of the comic book adventures of Superman or Thor. After all, this is a tale about a young god trying to find his purpose and place in the world. And it's way more light-hearted and fun.
18. Quiz Show (1994)
In 1981, Robert Redford won the best directing Oscar for the movie Ordinary People. It took another decade and change for him to receive another Academy Award nomination--this time for his behind-the-camera work on Quiz Show. The movie told the true story of game-show contestant Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes) who became famous for his consecutive winnings on rigged trivia show, Twenty One. It co-starred John Turturro as Herbie Stempel, the whistleblower that led to Van Doren's 1959 admission of guilt to Congress. In an age of fake news, Quiz Show explores the timely issue of misinformation and the media through the lens of 1950s America.
17. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
The final film in Stanley Kubrick's repertoire, Eyes Wide Shut leans heavily on style and tone. Starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, the film takes viewers into an erotic world where masked party goers partake in events both sexual and sinister. It may be awkward watching Cruise and Kidman's performances here, as their highly publicized romance crumbled just two years after the film's release, but Eyes Wide Shut is an aesthetic tour-de-force worth any cinephile's time. Watching Cruise, who was named 1990's Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine, struggle to find intimacy for two hours is the ironic icing on the proverbial cake.
16. Bad Boys (1995)
There's nothing envelope-pushing about Michael Bay's buddy cop action flick, Bad Boys. That's fine, though. The pairing of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as Detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett provided enough chemistry to bring in the big bucks at the box office. Explosions, car chases, hot women, and gun fights are on full display. But as much as the movie overuses every genre trope in the book, the movie proved successful enough to spawn a 2003 sequel and a TV spinoff series. A highly-anticipated third film in the franchise is set for 2020. Bring the carnage, guys. We're ready.
15. The Truman Show (1998)
Up until The Truman Show hit theaters, Jim Carrey was universally known as Hollywood's highest paid funny man. With a steady string of comedy hits under his belt (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, Dumb and Dumber), Carrey began venturing into dramatic territory. His heart-warming performance as Truman Burbank--the unknowing star of his own reality TV show--showed the world there was more to Carrey than the colorful characters and over-the-top poop jokes he became famous for. Before the Kardashians were even a thing, The Truman Show explored the damaging celebrity culture that could elevate seemingly normal people. Oh how far we've come.
14. Schindler's List (1993)
In the '70s and '80s, Steven Spielberg changed cinema as we know it. It wasn't until the release of his World War II masterpiece Schindler's List that the director finally received his first Oscar win. The story follows wealthy businessman Oscar Schindler (Liam Neeson), who risked everything to save 1,100 Jews from Hitler and his concentration camps. Ben Kingsley's Itzhak Stern and Ralph Fiennes' sadistic Amon Goeth rounds out this grueling history lesson. Amid its three hour run time, black and white style, and bleak imagery, lies a movie experience unlike any other. Schindler's List is a difficult movie-going experience, but it's an important story that needed to be told. And Steven Spielberg was indeed the right director for the job.
13. Scream 2 (1997)
Just two years after Wes Craven changed the slasher movie game with Scream, he reunited with writer Kevin Williamson (Dawson's Creek, The Following) to up the ante with the film's sequel. In Scream 2, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and the gang have moved on to college, where Ghostface returns to wreak even more bloody havoc. Not only did Scream 2 up the ante on the tension, the gore, and the meta horror movie sequences, the film ended up providing a worthwhile story and a satisfying end--which, for a genre sequel, is a tough thing to do.
12. Face/Off (1997)
John Woo's action movie reputation precedes him. Even before he brought Face/Off to the big-screen, audiences revelled in the visceral action of such Hong Kong classics as The Killer, Bullet in the Head, and Hard Boiled. In 1997, Woo teamed with Nicolas Cage and John Travolta to bring this bloody bonkers identity-switching tale to life. The chemistry between the two actors really makes this over-the-top movie a worthwhile experience. Cage may have made some questionable acting choices since winning the Oscar for 1992's Honeymoon in Vegas, but his scenery-chewing performance as Caster Troy is really something to behold.
11. Armageddon (1998)
Before Michael Bay buried himself in the Transformers universe, he brought Armageddon to the world. Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck star in this against-all-odds tale which follows a ragtag group of unlikely heroes on a mission to stop a space rock from destroying the planet. Some may view this as Michael Bay's cinematic masterpiece (sorry, Megatron). With enjoyable performances from Steve Buscemi, Owen Wilson, Billy Bob Thornton, and Liv Tyler, the movie proved itself to be a patriotic race against the clock while delivering enough mindless fun and action to keep audiences of all walks of life happy.
10. Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
Lethal Weapon 3 not only continued the adventures of Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), it proved that Shane Black's original game-changing cop thriller concept had longevity. The third installment of the franchise brought Joe Pesci's Leo Getz back while introducing a new love interest for Riggs in the form of Rene Russo's edgy policewoman Lorna Cole. While the danger and unpredictability of the first two films are mostly missing here, the chemistry between the characters keeps Lethal Weapon 3 a thoroughly entertaining chapter in the ongoing mishaps of America's favorite mismatched cop duo.
9. Se7en (1995)
Set in an unnamed city in America--with all that rain, we're thinking Seattle--Se7en follows police detectives Mills (Brad Pitt) and Somerset (Morgan Freeman) as they hunt down a twisted serial killer who has modeled his murders after the seven deadly sins. It was a movie unlike anything audiences had really seen before. The gritty nature of the story's narrative along with the gruesome details behind each kill showed the taste of moviegoers was evolving. Kevin Spacey's role as the psychotic John Doe not only catapulted the actor to A-list status, the movie's jaw-dropping end left fans everywhere screaming, "What's in the box!?"
8. The Sixth Sense (1999)
M. Night Shyamalan made everyone sit up and notice when it was revealed that--spoiler!--Bruce Willis was dead the whole time. The Sixth Sense flipped the whole expected ghost story formula on its head, introducing audiences to Hollywood's new genre twist maker. The result was an exciting slow burn that not only showcased Willis's subdued dramatic chops, it put on display young Haley Joel Osment's talents as well. The writer-director may have since fallen victim to fan expectation and trope overuse, but The Sixth Sense is a firm reminder that his contribution to modern day horror storytelling is an important one.
7. Casino (1995)
When one thinks of the mafia movie trifecta of Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci, the first films that probably come to mind are Raging Bull or Goodfellas. However, keeping Casino out of the conversation would be an egregious mistake. The late '70s gangster tale not only gave viewers a look at Las Vegas's violent side, the flashy epic also gave Sharon Stone a well-deserved Oscar nomination. Casino brought a fair share of humor to offset the gangster violence Scorsese fans had come to expect. And with the engaging dynamic of De Niro and Pesci, it's hard to go wrong.
6. Mulan (1998)
An outlier in Disney's '90s animation slate, Mulan follows the story of a woman who poses as a man to replace her father on the battlefield. With themes of family, loyalty, and honor acting as the solid backbone of the tale, Mulan also stood out from the pack stylistically. The lush landscapes and bold red aesthetics brought Ancient China to life, giving moviegoers a hero that was neither male nor white. Balancing old world traditions with modern day aspirations, Mulan's feminist tale is as relevant now as it was when it hit theaters twenty years ago.
5. L.A. Confidential (1997)
Launching Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe to celebrity status, Curtis Hanson's (The River Wild, 8 Mile) L.A. Confidential is the '90s film noir masterpiece audiences didn't know they needed. The film followed three very different crime fighters as they worked to solve a mysterious murder. In the process, the criminal underbelly of 1950s Los Angeles comes through in a way that recalls Roman Polanski's Chinatown. Adapted from James Ellroy's novel of the same name, the movie earned Kim Basinger an Oscar for her performance as Lynn Bracken. As much as the film deviates from the book, the end product supplies plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments and worthwhile performances to keep you glued to the screen.
4. Men in Black (1997)
Just one year after Will Smith made the jump from television to save the planet from an alien invasion in Independence Day, the actor teamed up with Tommy Lee Jones to police the planet against, well, more aliens. Men in Black was a huge hit for director Barry Sonnenfeld and cemented Smith as a movie star worth paying attention to. Two sequels were spawned from Jay and Kay's original adventure tale. With Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson signed on to pick up the Men in Black mantle, it looks like the secret government organization is still alive and kicking after all these years.
3. Jackie Brown (1997)
After making a name for himself with Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino changed narrative directions and brought Jackie Brown to life. Elmore Leonard's novel Rum Punch was the inspiration behind the big-screen caper that brought Pam Grier out of obscurity to play the title role in the film, which was as an homage to the actress's blaxploitation roots. The film's all-star cast included heavy-hitters like Samuel L. Jackson, Robert De Niro, and Robert Forster--who received an Oscar-nom for his performance as bail bondsman Max Cherry. Oh, and this should go without saying: the movie's soundtrack is on point.
2. Boogie Nights (1997)
After supporting roles in movies like The Basketball Diaries and Fear, Mark Wahlberg officially pivoted from making music--ditching his Marky Mark moniker (as well as the Funky Bunch)--for a career in movies. Audiences didn't really take this move seriously. And then Paul Thomas Anderson (Inherent Vice, Phantom Thread) brought Boogie Nights to the big screen. Taking on the role of '70s adult film star Dirk Diggler, Wahlberg proved he had the chops to act alongside talents like Burt Reynolds, Heather Graham, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, and Julianne Moore--whose performance as Amber Waves earned her first Oscar nomination.
1. Heat (1995)
Michael Mann's 1995 crime thriller is a masterpiece, plain and simple. Running almost three hours, Heat follows the unraveling of a group of bank robbers after a clue is left at their latest heist. That mistake puts homicide detective Lt. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) on an inevitable crash course with career criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro). Stylistically speaking, the movie finds Mann at the top of his game. While the film's daylight bank heist stands out as a breathtaking cinematic achievement, the cat and mouse game De Niro and Pacino play is the movie's biggest selling point. Over two decades after its release, Heat continues to pack one hell of a punch.
One of Microsoft's biggest Xbox One console exclusives is Crackdown 3, a game that's been in a weird place for years now. Following repeated delays, the latest we've heard is that it's due out in 2018, which would surely mean an update at E3 2018 is about to happen. Alongside whatever surprises Microsoft may have in store for its press conference, here's what we're hoping to see from Crackdown 3 as well as what we already know about the game.
What We Know So Far
Crackdown 3 was first announced back at E3 2014, a full four years ago. Little was revealed at the time except to say it would have a co-op campaign, online multiplayer, and stylized visuals like its predecessors. The only other feature that was touted was destructible environments. Soon after, we found out that an impressive tech demo for cloud-based destruction we had seen earlier in the year was related to the project.
Microsoft claimed the new game wouldn't be called Crackdown 3, though plans have since changed on that front. In terms of co-op, it was described as a "mash-up" with single-player where friends can jump in and out of sessions. Beyond that, little was heard from the game for the next year; Microsoft said it would stay hidden until 2015, although it then missed E3 2015, too.
Later that summer, we heard the game's environments would be 100% destructible--but that destruction would be restricted to multiplayer, due to the need to connect to the internet for the cloud-based tech to work. That news coincided with some other reveals: Crackdown 3 would feature an all-new city, the ability to play as a female character, and the multiplayer component would be playable by Summer 2016.
Early 2016 brought more looks at the game's destruction, but E3 2016 didn't feature the game at all, as we learned it had been delayed until 2017. Microsoft initially claimed that's because it had enough games releasing in 2016, though we also later heard the single-player campaign needed work. It then vowed the game was due out by Holiday 2017, only for it to be delayed yet again--this time to Spring 2018--prompting Microsoft to admit it had been announced too early. Last year did bring some new looks at the game, including the character played by Terry Crews, Commander Jaxon.
What's Confirmed For E3?
Microsoft has been quite secretive about its plans for E3, so we don't know what to expect from Crackdown 3. The game is still tentatively slated for release this year, though that was called into question recently when some pre-orders began being canceled. This turned out to only be a retailer error, with Microsoft saying the development team "continues to work hard."
What We Hope To See At E3
After so many delays, just seeing Crackdown 3 in a playable state, with some reassurance about its release date, is the most important thing. Announced too early or not, it's hard to blame those who are worried about the state of the game.
Getting a look at the destruction, and seeing that it will live up the expectations built up over the past few years, would also be welcome. The same could be said for some explanation of how destruction will actually impact the game--does it play any meaningful role in gameplay, or is it just something cool that happens?
On a similar note, Microsoft needs to show how Crackdown 3 meaningfully improves upon its predecessors in other ways. Crackdown 2 did little to expand on the delightful formula established in the original game. Particularly in terms of objectives, we're hoping Crackdown 3 brings more variety to the table. Saints Row IV is one of the few games in recent years to make an attempt at offering a game like Crackdown, and while it has its faults, it did feel like a far more varied experience than the Crackdown games thanks to its story missions and variety of powers.
This is not to say the core of Crackdown should change. Taking down enemies by throwing cars at them, leaping over buildings, and hunting down orbs (the sound effect--one of gaming's best--needs to remain unchanged) is still a pleasant experience even a decade on. But having a larger, more dense world that offers more than just "go here and kill enemy or collect object" will be necessary for Crackdown 3 to be a real hit in 2018 (or whenever it ends up releasing).
PC has always been a fantastic platform for gaming. Thanks to the added horsepower, people can experience the latest games running at their absolute best. With E3 2018 on the horizon, there are a ton of exciting new PC games that'll be showcased. We're already in the thick of the current generation of games, so the focus at this year's show is likely going to be on gameplay and trailers for many of the games we already know are releasing this holiday, as well as a slate of new and unannounced games.
Here, in alphabetical order, are some of the biggest PC games we're pretty sure are going to be at E3 in some form or another. Hopefully most of them are playable, but even if some only show up as a trailer, it's another chance to get a feel for what lies ahead. Many of these titles have been announced, but others are titles we're guessing based on the list of companies on the official E3 homepage.
The first potential look we'll get at most of these games will be during the press conferences before E3 even begins. To make sure you're up to date with the times as well as the location for our E3 livestreams, we have a hub rounding up all of that info as well.
The following games are only a potential sampling of all the exciting titles that will come out of E3, and be sure to check out our editor's picks for the games we're most anticipating. But in the meantime, what games do you hope to learn more about at the show? Let us know in the comments below!
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the latest in Namco Bandai's arcade jet-fighting franchise, and as the first numbered series entry in over a decade, it marks a return to the series' roots in military and political melodrama. The lead writer from beloved entries Ace Combat 4 and 5, Sunao Katabuchi, is back for Skies of Liberation, which is a very good sign.
Ace Combat 7 was first revealed at PlayStation Experience in 2015, and we've seen a little bit about its story, had a brief hands-on with its campaign demo, and heard a lot about its VR mode. It's a beautiful-looking game, with a lot of new technological work going into its clouds. But after a delay last year, we just want to know when it's coming out. Hopefully, Bandai Namco will tell us during E3 2018.
Anthem
BioWare is one of the most beloved developers in the industry. It's best known for single-player RPGs, but with Anthem, it appears to be trying its hand at crafting a competitor to Destiny. That's an intriguing prospect in its own right, although at this point BioWare and EA have shared very little about what we can actually expect.
Destiny appears to be the best comparison based on what we know, which is that you're playing in a shared world as a "freelancer" wearing an exosuit. One thing BioWare has offered reassurances about is that multiplayer is optional. It promises "you can choose to play through the story with only your friends, or even on your own." Games have often struggled with making the story in a multiplayer game feel like you are truly the central character, but BioWare is "taking this problem head-on and structuring the entire game design to provide a specific solution for this."
Again, that's extremely vague, but BioWare is at least saying the right things. EA Play should provide us with a much better sense of how the studio is blending open-world action and third-person shooter gameplay, as well as whether it can avoid the pratfalls that have held Destiny back. Anthem is due out early in 2019.
Ashen
Ashen is an open-world survival game that pits players against a hostile environment. Set in a world with no sun, Ashen puts you in the role of a wanderer in search of a place to call home. Along the way, you'll encounter other players who are also trying to make a living. In addition to a combat system inspired by Dark Souls, Ashen features unique multiplayer where the characters you encounter are other players with their own agendas.
Ashen was first announced back at E3 2015 and was even shown off at E3 2017. As one of the few exclusives in Microsoft's roster, we're hoping to see more of the game at E3, as well as a firm release date.
The Avengers Project
We don't know much about the upcoming Avengers Project, but there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this mysterious collaboration between Marvel and publisher Square Enix. With a terrific-looking Spider-Man game coming up soon and back-to-back blockbuster entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, anything even tangentially related to the Avengers sounds like a sure bet.
And Crystal Dynamics in particular has been earned plenty of good will. After the very good Tomb Raider, then the even better Rise of the Tomb Raider, it's exciting to imagine what might come about from the combination of Crystal Dynamics' development cachet and the Avengers' effortless mix of humor and blockbuster action.
The website for the Avengers Project says it will have a "completely original story," but it'd be great if there was some kind of crossover with the movies, especially in this post-Infinity War world. Maybe the game could offer a glimpse into stories that'd be too far-reaching for a three-hour movie to tackle.
Battlefield V
We now have a ton of information around the next Battlefield game set in WWII. Although we haven't been able to play yet in order to confirm what was shown in the first reveal trailer, we have an extensive breakdown of what we know so far. Battlefield V introduces a large number of new mechanics that drive squads together and get them playing objectives. This includes the idea of ammo scarcity, the ability to build and fortify objectives, the ability to tow weapons with vehicles, and a new squad commander radio in order to call in powerful attacks. The campaign will focus on more personal stories from WWII, and some locations already shown are the mountains of Norway, French Countryside, and North Africa. The game will also have a co-op campaign with randomly generated elements called Combined Arms.
Battlefield V will launch for everyone on October 19 and will not have a premium pass. New content is planned to roll out on a regular schedule through the Tides of War live service starting in November. Players will be able to participate in timed events and challenges to unlock a large variety of customization for their soldiers not seen in previous Battlefield games, including individual items of clothing. We should get our first hands-on at E3.
Beyond Good and Evil 2
Beyond Good and Evil 2 is the long-awaited successor to the 2003 original by acclaimed developer Michel Ancel. Revealed at Ubisoft's E3 2017 press conference, the game was long believed to never come out after having been stuck in development for since as early as 2007. The game takes place several generations prior to the events of the first game. You play as a space pirate of who starts the game at the bottom of the world's social ladder.
Unlike the original, Beyond Good and Evil 2 plays more as a traditional RPG where you complete activities and increase your stats. As you progress, you assemble a crew, explore various planets, and create your own society of like-minded pirates. The game also features multiplayer elements, though not much has been revealed about how it'll work.
Unlike recent games in its catalog, Ubisoft has been focused on involving people in Beyond Good and Evil 2's development via the Space Monkey Program, a community forum where people can contribute ideas and offer feedback to developers. While Beyond Good and Evil 2 only entered active development only just before its reveal at E3 2017, we're hoping that Ancel will offer another look at how the game is shaping up at this year's big show.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Renowned Castlevania developer Koji Igarashi is almost ready to launch his first project after striking out from Konami, and if you're familiar with his past, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. This side-scrolling action game is set in an anime-tinged gothic world built on top of a sprawling map, with plenty of puzzles, boss battles, and upgrades to uncover.
Originally pitched on Kickstarter back in 2015 (a campaign that was fully funded in a single day), Bloodstained is currently set to launch on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC sometime in 2018. Igarashi and his co-developers from Inti Creates might as well take advantage of E3 to keep spreading the word, but a recent surprise announcement has already captured the attention of fans of old-school side-scrollers. A few weeks before E3, an original 8-bit Castlevania-esque game was given to backers and put up on most digital storefronts for about $10.
Anyone interested in Bloodstained's ongoing development can follow the latest announcements over at the game's Kickstarter page. Be sure to keep an eye on the date next to the posts! Igarashi and co pulled a fast one when they announced that Bloodstained would passively mine digital currencies. Thankfully, this one was just an April fool's joke.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
As part of the Black Ops 4's big announcement event in May, we learned that this year's entry in the juggernaut shooter series does not have a traditional campaign. In lieu of that, the game will offer an assortment of solo missions that revolve around each of the game's Specialist characters. Activision says these missions--which are set between Black Ops 2 and 3--will deliver the franchise's iconic set-piece moments, while also diving into some backstory.
In another first for the series, Black Ops 4 will offer a Battle Royale-type mode called Blackout where players will fight to the death to become the last person or squad standing. We don't know all the details yet, but Activision is promising to do battle royale "the Black Ops way," and we're likely to hear more about that soon. Traditional head-to-head multiplayer is also back, along with an all-new Zombies experience. Developer Treyarch created the fan-favourite mode, and this year it looks bigger and better than ever with three distinct maps offering experiences that pull from wildly different things like the ill-fated Titanic and Roman battle arenas. Black Ops 4 launches on October 12 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC (through Battle.net).Crackdown 3
Crackdown 3
Crackdown 3 has been in development for at least four years; we first heard about it back in 2014 after Microsoft used it to demonstrate its cloud-based server technology, which would allow for environmental destruction on a large scale. The sight of giant buildings crashing down within the context of Crackdown's open world was an exciting prospect, but the game has largely gone dark in recent years.
After another delay, Crackdown 3 is currently slated for release in 2018. As such, it's fair to expect to see a sizable portion of it during Microsoft's E3 presentation. The company has been criticized in recent years for lacking exciting exclusives. An open-world game with impressive destruction and the same delightful blend of superhero powers and action would be a terrific showcase for Xbox One.
Code Vein
Yes, the Dark Souls comparison for any game that vaguely resembles the series might be a little tired, but Code Vein is most certainly in the vein of the iconic, brutal third-person action-RPG games. From early gameplay footage it seems that Bandai Namco (which also publishes the Souls franchise) is using the same foundation beat for beat in Code Vein, and we see that as a good thing. Terrifying beasts that deal heavy damage occupy the open world, but at least you'll have a set of supernatural abilities in addition to hulking swords and spears. A key difference here is the anime-inspired art style for character designs and post-apocalyptic setting with a vampiric theme that offers its own distinct flavor.
Code Vein is set to release sometime in 2018, and we expect Bandai Namco to feature the game at E3 this year. Bandai Namco has been trickling out new screenshots and teasing story elements throughout the year, so we have our fingers crossed for a release date announcement.
Cyberpunk 2077
It seems like CD Projekt Red has been working on this game forever. First announced in 2012, Cyberpunk 2077 is the developer's next major game after The Witcher 3--which means it has some big shoes to fill. It, too, is a massive open-world RPG, but this one is set in the future, just like Cyberpunk 2020, the tabletop game it's based on. The game takes place in Night City, California, a fictional metropolis between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The developer has been fairly tight-lipped about Cyberpunk 2077 since the initial announcement, but we do know it's aiming to be even bigger in scope than The Witcher 3 and will support some kind of multiplayer component. But CD Projekt Red has been clear that fans of Witcher-style solo campaigns don't need to worry--it will still feature a meaty single-player experience. CD Projekt Red is confirmed as an E3 2018 attendee, so we hope to learn more soon.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Will the eleventh core entry in the Dragon Quest saga finally be the one to break through to mainstream western success? The last major DQ game was back in 2010--Sentinels of the Starry Skies on the Nintendo DS--and Nintendo's 3DS handhelds have gotten reissues of the earlier entries in the series since. But outside of the offshoot Dragon Quest Heroes games, this'll be the first entry on home consoles since the PS2 era and the first time the series will be available on PC (in the West) ever.
The alliterative title illustrates Dragon Quest's playful nature, and the colorful enemies and turn-based combat are mainstays of the series. But longtime fans know that Dragon Quest's charm comes from its endearing stories and puns that rival Monster Hunter's loquacious wordplay. And the possibility of yet another great game on Switch makes the wait for DQ11 all the more difficult.
The Division 2
2016's The Division got off to a hot start, but it quickly fell off the map due to lingering issues and other problems that pushed players to different games. To its credit, Ubisoft kept updating The Division to make it better, releasing more content to keep existing players pleased. Many would agree that the game eventually got to a better place. But for many others, that ship had sailed. With The Division 2, which is in the works at the same developer--Massive Entertainment--fans will be hoping for a better-realised, more fully fleshed out multiplayer shooter experience. The first game did many things well, from its intuitive co-op and matchmaking, to its tense and thrilling Dark Zone. It was set in a post-disaster Manhattan and offered a faithfully recreated version of the iconic city. We don't know yet if The Division 2 will also be set in Manhattan or what other advancements it may make, but it's definitely one of our most anticipated games.
Just Cause 4
Just Cause 4 has yet to be revealed, but its name did show up in a recent Walmart leak. The same was true of Rage 2, which has already proven to be real and lends some credence to the possibility that Just Cause 4 exists. With a movie happening (with Aquaman/Khal Drogo himself, Jason Momoa, set to star), it's not hard to imagine there being plans for a game to go along with it.
Series developer Avalanche Studios has been fairly quiet since the release of its big 2015 open-world games, Just Cause 3 and Mad Max. Just where it could go with a potential Just Cause 4 is unclear, but we do know multiplayer mods for the last two entries have proven popular, and that multiplayer is something Avalanche has discussed. With GTA Online proving to be such a success for Rockstar, some kind of way to play Just Cause with friends would make for an exciting reveal.
Left Alive
Square Enix caught many people off-guard with the surprise announcement of Left Alive at Tokyo Game Show 2017, and while details remain scarce, an eye-catching trailer and list of notable developers was all it took to grab our attention.
Both the teaser trailer and gameplay trailer released at the show set the stage for a sci-fi epic with war as a central theme. With Metal Gear artist Yoji Shinkawa on board, it's no surprise that Left Alive bears some resemblance to Hideo Kojima's iconic stealth series. But don't confuse it for a spiritual successor, as the brief glimpse of gameplay we've seen so far is solely focused on gunplay, and there's another series known for examining the realities of war that's confirmed to be the basis for Left Alive's setting.
According to producer Shinji Hashimoto, a longtime Square Enix employee with a long list of beloved games under his belt, Left Alive is connected to Square Enix's Front Mission series. The typical grid-based mechanics are out, obviously, but the series' iconic Wanzer mechs are back. Chances are you will eventually get to pilot one (we hope) but in an interesting twist, we know for sure that at some point in the game you will have to face towering mechs as a soldier on the ground. The odds aren't in your favor, but this is part of the appeal thus far: What will it take to come out on top? Hopefully, Square Enix intends to tell us at E3 2018.
Mega Man 11
For several years, it seemed Capcom wouldn't be releasing any more new Mega Man games. Since the character creator Keiji Inafune's departure from Capcom, little had been announced for the fan-favorite blue bomber. However, Capcom has since focused more on supporting Mega Man, having since released several collections of the character's most iconic games on modern platforms. This ultimately paved way for the upcoming Mega Man 11, which was announced late last year to commemorate the character's 30th anniversary.
Unlike past games, Mega Man 11 features 3D polygonal characters and environments. Aside from the new visual style, the game seems to play like classic games in the series. Since its reveal trailer, we've heard little about Mega Man 11. However, if there's any time that Capcom should talk about the game, it's E3. After all, the game is scheduled to release later this year, so we're hoping to that Capcom goes into more detail about the blue bomber's latest adventure.
Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus continues the legacy of the post-apocalyptic first-person shooter series from Ukrainian developer 4A Games. What makes Metro special is its foreboding atmosphere; the underground metro tunnels are home to the human race as the surface is far too hostile and radiated, and the setting truly evokes a sense of vulnerability and desperation. Exodus appears to be continuing this tradition by picking up two years after the events of Last Light's "good" ending. However, it seems as though series protagonist Artyom is spending much more time on the surface as he flees the Metro system alongside fellow rangers to head eastward and start a new life.
But it wouldn't be Metro without irradiated beasts roaming the surface, in and around the city streets that once harbored human life. The challenge has always been surviving radiation by scavenging for gas masks and conserving your limited ammo, all while managing the threat of the deformed creatures.
Although it was recently announced that Metro Exodus' launch was delayed to early 2019, publisher Deep Silver is going to be present at E3 2018, so we expect to see a bit more of the game at the show. Exodus was first revealed during Microsoft's Xbox press conference at E3 2017 and will be also launching for PC.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
The 2015 game Ori and the Blind Forest is like what you'd get if you mixed a Pixar movie with Super Metroid. It's a drop-dead gorgeous game that's clearly inspired by the sprawling side-scrollers of the '90s. It has modern game features like an ability tree and an orchestral score, but it maintains an "old-school hard" level of challenge.
In a teaser trailer that debuted at E3 2017, we got our first glimpse of the sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. It looks more or less like the original, and it still stars Ori, the glowing guardian of the forest. We also get a look at what seem to be bosses that are dozens of times bigger than the diminutive hero.
The teaser closes with a shot of a sad owl looking at the statues or bodies of two larger owls. While it's not stated outright, this seems to be a child of Kuro, the villain of the first game. As the owl mourns, Ori comes in and puts an arm around its shoulder. That's all we know so far about this sequel, but we will probably learn more at E3 2018.
Rage 2
Maybe it's a coincidence, or maybe it's impressive damage control on Bethesda's part, but the recent reveal of Rage 2 and the release of two trailers came hot on the heels of the unusual leak from Walmart just weeks prior to E3.
So what has Bethesda shown thus far? A lot, surprisingly. The first trailer didn't feature any gameplay, but set the stage for Rage 2's new tone with a fun track by rocker Andrew W.K. and a lot of neon-tinted actors in punk-ish, post-apocalyptic armor rocking out. The gameplay trailer was obviously more revealing and gave us a glimpse into a dreary yet-oddly enticing wasteland. Compared to the original Rage, the sequel doesn't seem to take itself too seriously, and will take advantage of that fact by giving you access to outlandish vehicles and weapons with which to battle twisted mutants and other deranged survivors.
All of this is set to take place in an open world. The gameplay seen thus far seems reminiscent of Destiny or Borderlands' first-person action, but with Avalanche Studios behind the wheel it's safe to say that Rage 2 will have a feel all its own. For a more reasonable example of what the team may do with the world, we can look to two of its previous projects: Just Cause 3 and Mad Max. It's also been confirmed that id Software (Doom, Rage, Quake Champions) will co-develop Rage 2, hopefully to keep an eye on the shooting mechanics. We should find out a lot more during Bethesda's E3 press conference on June 10.
Skull & Bones
Inspired by the best part of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag--the sailing--Skull & Bones is a standalone adventure on the high seas. While there will be a multiplayer treasure-hunting component, and you'll also be able to challenge other pirates in their customized galleys, S&B will include a single-player campaign if you'd prefer to go it alone.
Ubisoft has revealed very few gameplay details so far, and there's little chance that the game will even be released this year. But for anyone who might've gotten a taste for piracy in Sea of Thieves (or who really miss AC4), there are going to be a lot more looting adventures to learn about during E3.
Resident Evil 2 Remake
Resident Evil 2 Remake was confirmed in 2015, a year after a fan-made version was first shown off (Capcom even asked for feedback on the fan-made remake). The team behind the Resident Evil HD Remaster was confirmed to be tackling 2, but the last we heard from them was in April 2016, when producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi discussed the impact of Resident Evil 6 feedback on the remake project.
Two years later and the project remains veiled in secrecy. Heck, we still don't know if the Resident Evil 2 Remake will retain the original's camera angles or adopt the first-person perspective from Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. However, it's likely that we'll hear more about the game at this year's E3. After all, 2018 marks Resident Evil 2's 20th anniversary, which should be ample reason for the remake to finally release. We're crossing our fingers for a release date at least.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the third entry in the Tomb Raider reboot series. Square Enix officially revealed the game was in development March 2018, though it was technically leaked last year when a Square Enix employee was spotted in a subway train working on a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with the game's name. While the game will be developed primarily by Eidos Montreal, it's worth noting that original reboot developer Crystal Dynamics will provide additional development on the project.
You once again play as Lara Croft, who is on an expedition to Latin America in search of a Mayan relic. However, Trinity, a paramilitary organization who tried to hunt down Lara in the previous game, is also seeking the relic for its own gain. During the expedition, Lara sets off a Mayan apocalypse, which throws her down a journey to save the world.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider sports a few key additions to the series formula, which includes revamped swimming controls for underwater exploration as well as more sophisticated stealth and AI systems. The game is scheduled to release on September 14, but we're hoping Square Enix intends to offer more details about the game at this year's E3.
Shenmue III
During the same Sony press conference Final Fantasy VII Remake was announced, it was revealed that Shenmue III was in the works. Revered Sega developer Yu Suzuki would finally get the chance to close out the trilogy he planned decades ago. Sega had given Suzuki the greenlight; he just had to get the game funded independently. The first Shenmue was originally conceived for the Sega Saturn, but the series would ultimately debut on Sega's next console, the Dreamcast, followed by a sequel which was also ported to the original Xbox. In other words, it's been a long time since Shenmue II left fans hanging; 17 years, so far.
In the three years since the initiative was announced, Shenmue was funded in part by a controversial Kickstarter campaign and was picked up by publisher Deep Silver. Both Sony and Sega continue to support development, according to Suzuki. We don't know when Shenmue III will ultimately be released, though it was recently announced that enhanced HD ports of the first two games will be released for PlayStation 4 in 2018.
While Suzuki and his various teams have released semi-regular updates on the game, the media released thus far has left some concerns in the minds of fans. But given that all footage is from early in development, it's not surprising that it's a little rough around the edges. If Sony has anything new to share, we should get a glimpse during its E3 2018 press conference on June 11.
Splinter Cell
Fans have been waiting for the better part of five years for a new Splinter Cell game. Ubisoft has not yet announced one, but CEO Yves Guillemot has made comments in the past year that certainly tease the possibility of a new entry. E3 might finally be when we see the game emerge.
If Ubisoft hoped to catch everyone off-guard with a Splinter Cell announcement, it hasn't done the greatest job. The first big update of Ghost Recon Wildlands' second year featured a Splinter Cell theme, complete with an appearance by Sam Fisher. In a key move, Ubisoft brought back Fisher voice actor Michael Ironside, who did not appear in the most recent game, Blacklist. It's possible Ubisoft had plans for more than just a small cameo for Ironside, and his brief appearance is capped off with what could be the setup for a new game's plot. Combined with the Walmart Canada leak, which correctly listed Rage 2 and also listed a game called "Splinter Cell," maybe it's really happening.
Star Wars | Respawn
Titanfall developer Respawn Entertainment is working on a new third-person Star Wars game that's being directed by a of War III director Stig Asmussen. According to publisher EA (which owns Respawn as of last year), the game is an "all-new third-person action-adventure game set in the Star Wars universe." That's all we know about the game for certain, but it's intriguing to think about what the team behind one of the most trailblazing shooters in recent years may do with such a big and beloved sci-fi license. Fans may be happy to know that Respawn boss Vince Zampella met with The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams to talk about their respective works; oh to be a fly on that wall. EA would do well to give an update on all of its upcoming Star Wars projects at E3 this year, so hopefully we will know more about Respawn's game soon.
Star Wars Project | EA Vancouver
We actually know quite a bit about the Star Wars project that's in development with EA Vancouver--at least, the history of what it was, thanks to a detailed Kotaku report. But it's very likely that the single-player adventure game, codenamed "Ragtag" and formerly led by Uncharted director Amy Hennig, has gone the way of Star Wars 1313 and all but completely evaporated. In late 2017, the primary studio behind the Ragtag project, Visceral Games, was sadly closed. It had been working on this untitled Star Wars adventure since 2013, but the original game it set out to make has been effectively cancelled.
EA Vancouver has since taken over completely and will pivot the game to become a "broader experience" and one that will "deliver an experience players will want to come back to for a long time to come," according to executive vice president of EA Worldwide Studios Patrick Söderlund.
SoulCalibur VI
The announcement at The Game Awards of SoulCalibur's return was a big, awesome surprise. The weapons-based fighter was once a leading series, and the original was the game to have for every Sega Dreamcast owner. But the series was relegated to secondary status for years while Bandai Namco's other franchises dominated the spotlight. With SoulCalibur VI, it's getting a new lease on life that many would argue is justly deserved. It's also got a few new tricks up its sleeve.
Following in the footsteps of other contemporary fighting games, the introduction of the Reversal Edge mechanic in SoulCalibur VI is designed to give players a more accessible and punishing means of fending off their opponent to turn the tide of battle. It's the biggest addition to the SoulCalibur formula that we know of so far, but there's one big surprise to look forward to: Geralt of Rivia is joining the cast.
There's no word on a specific release date yet, but SoulCalibur VI is on the books for 2018, and that hopefully means we will get a bunch of new info during E3.
By Anonymous on Jun 02, 2018 08:30 am Spawn is getting a movie reboot starring Jamie Foxx, with Spawn creator Todd McFarlane as director! So who is Spawn? Ryan dives into Spawn's convoluted origin story from Image Comics.
There's a lot of excitement surrounding Nintendo at E3 2018. The company has achieved massive success with the Switch thanks to its hybrid functionality and fantastic roster of games. And with highly-anticipated games in its upcoming lineup, like Super Smash Bros., Metroid Prime 4, and Pokemon, many are clamoring for more details and announcements. In addition, Nintendo continues to support the 3DS, consistently announcing compelling new games for the handheld. For both platforms, it's fair to say the focus is going to be on gameplay and trailers for many of the games we already know are releasing this holiday, as well as a slate of new and unannounced games.
Here, in alphabetical order, are some of the biggest Switch and 3DS games we're fairly certain are going to be at E3 in some form or another. Hopefully most of them are playable, but even if some oprnly show up as a trailer, it's another chance to get a feel for what lies ahead. Many of these titles have been announced, but others are ones we're guessing based on the list of companies on the official E3 homepage.
The first potential look we'll get at most of these games will be during the press conferences before E3 even begins. To make sure you're up to date with the times as well as the location for our E3 video streams, we have a hub rounding up all of that info as well.
The following games are only a potential sampling of all the exciting titles that will come out of E3, and be sure to check out our editor's picks for the games we're most anticipating. But in the meantime, what games do you hope to learn more about at the show? Let us know in the comments below!
Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta 3 is the latest entry in the critically acclaimed character-action game series by developer Platinum Games. Revealed at The Game Awards 2017, little has been said about the game since. In the years before its reveal, series creator Hideki Kamiya had often discussed the possibility of a third game. Both Kamiya and Bayonetta 2 director Yusuke Hashimoto expressed interest in a new entry and stated that they still had ideas they'd love to pursue in future games.
Bayonetta 3 will be a Switch exclusive, as Nintendo is funding its development--similar to Bayonetta 2 for Wii U. With so little known about Bayonetta 3, there's still so much to learn, and we're hoping that E3 2018 will be the platform that both Nintendo and Platinum Games uses to discuss it.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Renowned Castlevania developer Koji Igarashi is almost ready to launch his first project after striking out from Konami, and if you're familiar with his past, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. This side-scrolling action game is set in an anime-tinged gothic world built on top of a sprawling map, with plenty of puzzles, boss battles, and upgrades to uncover.
Originally pitched on Kickstarter back in 2015 (a campaign that was fully funded in a single day), Bloodstained is currently set to launch on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC sometime in 2018. Igarashi and his co-developers from Inti Creates might as well take advantage of E3 to keep spreading the word, but a recent surprise announcement has already captured the attention of fans of old-school side-scrollers. A few weeks before E3, an original 8-bit Castlevania-esque game was given to backers and put up on most digital storefronts for about $10.
Anyone interested in Bloodstained's ongoing development can follow the latest announcements over at the game's Kickstarter page. Be sure to keep an eye on the date next to the posts! Igarashi and co pulled a fast one when they announced that Bloodstained would passively mine digital currencies. Thankfully, this one was just an April fool's joke.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Nintendo announced in March that underrated Wii U game Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker would be coming to both Switch and 3DS. The charming platformer stars Captain Toad, who can't jump; instead, you rotate the map to find clever ways around obstacles. The updated version adds new content, including a New Donk City-themed level based on last year's Super Mario Odyssey (in which Captain Toad had a cameo).
The Switch version will have two-player local multiplayer where each player uses a Joy-Con, one controlling Toad and the other providing support. The 3DS version features 3D support and touch controls. Both versions launch in July.
Dark Souls Remastered
Nintendo announced the Switch version of Dark Souls Remastered during a Direct presentation in January. It said the the Switch version would come with the Artorias of the Abyss DLC and display the game at 1080p resolution with 30 FPS when played in TV mode.
That sounds pretty good, but it was supposed to release on May 24, the same day it came out on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. But publisher Bandai Namco announced in April that the Switch version--along with the Solaire of Astora Amiibo--had been delayed to this summer.
The big question is why. Is it having trouble getting it to run smoothly on the Switch hardware? Did it decide to prioritize ironing bugs out of the other versions instead of launching the Switch version on time? We don't know.
Let's hope all of the promises about Dark Souls Remastered running smoothly on Switch remain true when it finally launches this summer.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Will the eleventh core entry in the Dragon Quest saga finally be the one to break through to mainstream western success? The last major DQ game was back in 2010--Sentinels of the Starry Skies on the Nintendo DS--and Nintendo's 3DS handhelds have gotten reissues of the earlier entries in the series since. But outside of the offshoot Dragon Quest Heroes games, this'll be the first entry on home consoles since the PS2 era and the first time the series will be available on PC (in the West) ever.
The alliterative title illustrates Dragon Quest's playful nature, and the colorful enemies and turn-based combat are mainstays of the series. But longtime fans know that Dragon Quest's charm comes from its endearing stories and puns that rival Monster Hunter's loquacious wordplay. And the possibility of yet another great game on Switch makes the wait for DQ11 all the more difficult.
Mario Tennis Aces
Mario might dabble in a lot of sports, but Tennis seems to be his true passion. Mario Tennis Aces marks the eighth dedicated Mario tennis game, putting it on the same level as the Mario Kart series. And while this version will include the same in-depth playing mechanics as previous entries, it will also incorporate some Wii Sports-like physicality. Players will be able to swing their joy-con like a racket to serve up a more visceral on-the-court experience.
While Aces will include new characters (including a large but surprisingly spry-looking Chain Chomp), the biggest change this time around comes from the outfits. Mario is finally getting rid of the overalls in order to play tennis in shorts and a polo shirt. In every previous game, Mario has retained his trademark plumbers outfit. But this time, he's going for a comfortably sporty look.
Just kidding. The bigger change is the adventure-like RPG mode. There's a story to explore that centers around a mystical racket along with bosses to battle and minigames to conquer. But those outfits are pretty fun too, right?
Fire Emblem for Nintendo Switch
A new, mainline Fire Emblem game for Switch was announced in January 2017 alongside Fire Emblem Echoes for 3DS and Fire Emblem Warriors. Both Echoes and Warriors have since released, but we haven't heard anything more about the upcoming entry into the main series. It will be the first time since 2007's Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn that a main Fire Emblem game has launched on a Nintendo home console (as opposed to a handheld). Of course, it'll still be portable, too, thanks to Switch.
Last we heard, the game is scheduled to launch in 2018. If that's still true, it's likely we'll hear more about it at E3.
Luigi's Mansion
In a Direct back in March, Nintendo announced a 3DS remake of 2001 GameCube game Luigi's Mansion. It unsurprisingly stars Luigi, who has to investigate a ghost-filled mansion using a vacuum that can suck up the ghosts. The 3DS version features the same story and levels as the original, but it adds a map of the mansion on the bottom screen, improved visuals, and a new Boss Rush mode. It's slated to launch later this year, though no release date has been confirmed yet.
Mega Man 11
For several years, it seemed Capcom wouldn't be releasing any more new Mega Man games. Since the character creator Keiji Inafune's departure from Capcom, little had been announced for the fan-favorite blue bomber. However, Capcom has since focused more on supporting Mega Man, having since released several collections of the character's most iconic games on modern platforms. This ultimately paved way for the upcoming Mega Man 11, which was announced late last year to commemorate the character's 30th anniversary.
Unlike past games, Mega Man 11 features 3D polygonal characters and environments. Aside from the new visual style, the game seems to play like classic games in the series. Since its reveal trailer, we've heard little about Mega Man 11. However, if there's any time that Capcom should talk about the game, it's E3. After all, the game is scheduled to release later this year, so we're hoping to that Capcom goes into more detail about the blue bomber's latest adventure.
Metroid Prime 4
Beyond the fact that Metroid Prime 4 exists and is coming to Switch at some point in the future, there's very little we can say about the game with absolute certainty. We also know that longtime Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe will lead a new team of talented developers for the project, but what that studio is and who is on the team beyond Tanabe remains a mystery.
With nary an official word from Nintendo following the announcement at E3 2017-- consisting of a teaser video set against a star field, with familiar Metroid music, and the reveal of a logo--we are left to sift through rumors and wonder. The current working theories include: Bandai Namco is co-developing, it is scheduled to launch in 2018, and it may feature the character Sylux, who was confirmed by Tanabe to be in a spaceship featured in the special ending of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
What we know about Sylux is mostly based on lore introduced in Nintendo DS's Metroid Prime: Hunters and, oddly enough, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (in a trophy description). But at the end of 2017's Metroid Prime: Federation Force, we also caught a glimpse of Sylux releasing a metroid from captivity. Is it a hint? Only time will tell.
Octopath Traveler
Octopath Traveler is a gorgeous game. For those who played SNES RPGs back in the '90s, Octopath doesn't just look like those old-school games; it looks the way you remember them. The game is an evolutionary offshoot to a world where game development didn't take a hard turn into more realistic, 3D worlds.
The quirky name refers to the eight different characters and their intersecting stories as well as representing the game's unique mechanics. While E3 will show off a new portion of abilities and gameplay, the Nintendo Switch still has a free demo available for anyone who wants to try out the game early.
Pokemon for Nintendo Switch
At last year's E3, Nintendo announced a new Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch. The tease didn't include a title, logo, key art, or really any details at all--just that series developer Game Freak would be making the game, which will be a "core RPG" that "may not release for over a year." It's been a year now, of course, and although nothing has been confirmed for E3, it would make sense for Nintendo to give more details soon.
Shin Megami Tensei V
Persona 4 and Persona 5 elevated the Japanese RPG series to new heights in the West, but Shin Megami Tensei, the series Persona spun off from, remains a niche product despite having been around for the better part of three decades. With the upcoming release of Shin Megami Tensei V on Nintendo Switch, Atlus has a chance to bring new people into the fold, and while little is known about the game thus far, there's a good chance that Nintendo or Atlus will reveal more at E3.
When SMT V was first announced in 2017, producer Kazuyuki Yamai stated that the game's metropolitan setting and story would invoke contemporary social concerns such as unemployment and the threat of nuclear war to form the basis of its story. Of course, the series is also well known for presenting cities (Tokyo, usually) overrun by demons, and that will be the case once again. Given that this will be the first HD game in the series, Yamai pointed out the 3D modelling process for the many demons in the game (and their combined fused forms) will take three times as long as it did for the previous games. There's currently no firm release date in sight, but according to the official english website, SMT V is "coming soon to the Americas and Europe."
Super Smash Bros.
After a bit of a wait, the next Super Smash Bros. game is confirmed for Switch! Details are scarce, but we do know that Splatoon's Inklings will join the roster for the first time, and there are of course characters we expect to return (including Mario and Bowser, judging by the silhouettes in the reveal trailer).
We also know that Nintendo will be holding a Smash Bros. Switch invitational tournament during E3, and it will be playable on the show floor for attendees. As a result, we can expect to get more information about the game--like whether it's a souped-up port of Smash Bros. on Wii U or an entirely new entry from the ground up--very soon.
Valkyria Chronicles 4
If you ever wanted an anime-esque tactical RPG in the modern era, you'll want to dive into the Valkyria Chronicles series. It's known for a unique blend of real-time controls within a turn-based strategy framework, but also for how it draws inspiration from World War II and European military history for its fiction. Valkyria Chronicles 4 continues the series' story of the Second Europan War fought on the continent of Europa between Atlantic Federation and the Eastern Imperial Alliance, but it instead focuses on the smaller stories taking place throughout the conflict.
This will be the first mainline Valkyria Chronicles entry for major platforms since the first game, which released in 2008. Valkyria Chronicles 2 and 3 were exclusive to the PlayStation Portable, and the third game never came to North America. An action-RPG spinoff called Valkyria Revolution came out in 2016 but didn't come close to filling that void. Needless to say, we're hoping to see more from Sega about the localized version of Valkyria Chronicles 4 at E3 2018.
The game is currently out in Japan for PS4 but is set to release in worldwide on October 16 for Nintendo Switch and other platforms.
WarioWare Gold
The 3DS is probably near the end of its long, long lifecycle, but the console's not dead yet. And there are few finer series than WarioWare to see the system through its golden years.
The next entry in the fast-paced franchise is a more of a Greatest Hits-type collection, rather than a wholly original creation. As it features 300 new and returning micro-games from previous entries in the franchise, Nintendo is touting this game as the largest in the series to date.
Yoshi for Nintendo Switch
Revealed during Nintendo's E3 2017 presentation, the new Yoshi game for Switch looks as adorable as you'd expect. While we know very little--not even the game's official title--the E3 reveal included a trailer showing off this game's twist on the series' slower-paced platformer gameplay. Levels look sort of like dioramas, and you switch from the front view to a behind-the-scenes look to reveal the stages' secrets. The game will also support two-player local co-op. Since Nintendo has said that this year's E3 presentation will focus on games coming out soon, it's likely we'll hear more about Yoshi then.
We're five years into the the life cycle of PS4, which means it's going to be all about the games at E3 2018. While there's always the possibility of some of kind of big tech or hardware tease, it's more likely that Sony will save any of those types of announcements for another time. The focus is going to be on gameplay and trailers for many of the games we already know are releasing this holiday, as well as a slate of new and unannounced games.
Here, in alphabetical order, are some of the biggest PS4 games we're pretty sure are going to be at E3 in some form or another. Hopefully most of them are playable, but even if some only show up as a trailer, it's another chance to get a feel for what lies ahead. Many of these titles have been announced, but others are titles we're guessing based on the list of companies on the official E3 homepage.
The first potential look we'll get at most of these games will be during the press conferences before E3 even begins. To make sure you're up to date with the times as well as the location for our E3 video streams, we have a hub rounding up all of that info as well.
The following games are only a potential sampling of all the exciting titles that will come out of E3, and be sure to check out our editor's picks for the games we're most anticipating. But in the meantime, what games do you hope to learn more about at the show? Let us know in the comments below!
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the latest in Namco Bandai's arcade jet-fighting franchise, and as the first numbered series entry in over a decade, it marks a return to the series' roots in military and political melodrama. The lead writer from beloved entries Ace Combat 4 and 5, Sunao Katabuchi, is back for Skies of Liberation, which is a very good sign.
Ace Combat 7 was first revealed at PlayStation Experience in 2015, and we've seen a little bit about its story, had a brief hands-on with its campaign demo, and heard a lot about its VR mode. It's a beautiful-looking game, with a lot of new technological work going into its clouds. But after a delay last year, we just want to know when it's coming out. Hopefully, Bandai Namco will tell us during E3 2018.
Anthem
BioWare is one of the most beloved developers in the industry. It's best known for single-player RPGs, but with Anthem, it appears to be trying its hand at crafting a competitor to Destiny. That's an intriguing prospect in its own right, although at this point BioWare and EA have shared very little about what we can actually expect.
Destiny appears to be the best comparison based on what we know, which is that you're playing in a shared world as a "freelancer" wearing an exosuit. One thing BioWare has offered reassurances about is that multiplayer is optional. It promises "you can choose to play through the story with only your friends, or even on your own." Games have often struggled with making the story in a multiplayer game feel like you are truly the central character, but BioWare is "taking this problem head-on and structuring the entire game design to provide a specific solution for this."
Again, that's extremely vague, but BioWare is at least saying the right things. EA Play should provide us with a much better sense of how the studio is blending open-world action and third-person shooter gameplay, as well as whether it can avoid the pratfalls that have held Destiny back. Anthem is due out early in 2019.
The Avengers Project
We don't know much about the upcoming Avengers Project, but there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this mysterious collaboration between Marvel and publisher Square Enix. With a terrific-looking Spider-Man game coming up soon and back-to-back blockbuster entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, anything even tangentially related to the Avengers sounds like a sure bet.
And Crystal Dynamics in particular has been earned plenty of good will. After the very good Tomb Raider, then the even better Rise of the Tomb Raider, it's exciting to imagine what might come about from the combination of Crystal Dynamics' development cachet and the Avengers' effortless mix of humor and blockbuster action.
The website for the Avengers Project says it will have a "completely original story," but it'd be great if there was some kind of crossover with the movies, especially in this post-Infinity War world. Maybe the game could offer a glimpse into stories that'd be too far-reaching for a three-hour movie to tackle.
Battlefield V
We now have a ton of information around the next Battlefield game set in WWII. Although we haven't been able to play yet in order to confirm what was shown in the first reveal trailer, we have an extensive breakdown of what we know so far. Battlefield V introduces a large number of new mechanics that drive squads together and get them playing objectives. This includes the idea of ammo scarcity, the ability to build and fortify objectives, the ability to tow weapons with vehicles, and a new squad commander radio in order to call in powerful attacks. The campaign will focus on more personal stories from WWII, and some locations already shown are the mountains of Norway, French Countryside, and North Africa. The game will also have a co-op campaign with randomly generated elements called Combined Arms.
Battlefield V will launch for everyone on October 19 and will not have a premium pass. New content is planned to roll out on a regular schedule through the Tides of War live service starting in November. Players will be able to participate in timed events and challenges to unlock a large variety of customization for their soldiers not seen in previous Battlefield games, including individual items of clothing. We should get our first hands-on at E3.
Beyond Good and Evil 2
Beyond Good and Evil 2 is the long-awaited successor to the 2003 original by acclaimed developer Michel Ancel. Revealed at Ubisoft's E3 2017 press conference, the game was long believed to never come out after having been stuck in development for since as early as 2007. The game takes place several generations prior to the events of the first game. You play as a space pirate of who starts the game at the bottom of the world's social ladder.
Unlike the original, Beyond Good and Evil 2 plays more as a traditional RPG where you complete activities and increase your stats. As you progress, you assemble a crew, explore various planets, and create your own society of like-minded pirates. The game also features multiplayer elements, though not much has been revealed about how it'll work.
Unlike recent games in its catalog, Ubisoft has been focused on involving people in Beyond Good and Evil 2's development via the Space Monkey Program, a community forum where people can contribute ideas and offer feedback to developers. While Beyond Good and Evil 2 only entered active development only just before its reveal at E3 2017, we're hoping that Ancel will offer another look at how the game is shaping up at this year's big show.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Renowned Castlevania developer Koji Igarashi is almost ready to launch his first project after striking out from Konami, and if you're familiar with his past, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. This side-scrolling action game is set in an anime-tinged gothic world built on top of a sprawling map, with plenty of puzzles, boss battles, and upgrades to uncover.
Originally pitched on Kickstarter back in 2015 (a campaign that was fully funded in a single day), Bloodstained is currently set to launch on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC sometime in 2018. Igarashi and his co-developers from Inti Creates might as well take advantage of E3 to keep spreading the word, but a recent surprise announcement has already captured the attention of fans of old-school side-scrollers. A few weeks before E3, an original 8-bit Castlevania-esque game was given to backers and put up on most digital storefronts for about $10.
Anyone interested in Bloodstained's ongoing development can follow the latest announcements over at the game's Kickstarter page. Be sure to keep an eye on the date next to the posts! Igarashi and co pulled a fast one when they announced that Bloodstained would passively mine digital currencies. Thankfully, this one was just an April fool's joke.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
As part of the Black Ops 4's big announcement event in May, we learned that this year's entry in the juggernaut shooter series does not have a traditional campaign. In lieu of that, the game will offer an assortment of solo missions that revolve around each of the game's Specialist characters. Activision says these missions--which are set between Black Ops 2 and 3--will deliver the franchise's iconic set-piece moments, while also diving into some backstory.
In another first for the series, Black Ops 4 will offer a Battle Royale-type mode called Blackout where players will fight to the death to become the last person or squad standing. We don't know all the details yet, but Activision is promising to do battle royale "the Black Ops way," and we're likely to hear more about that soon. Traditional head-to-head multiplayer is also back, along with an all-new Zombies experience. Developer Treyarch created the fan-favourite mode, and this year it looks bigger and better than ever with three distinct maps offering experiences that pull from wildly different things like the ill-fated Titanic and Roman battle arenas. Black Ops 4 launches on October 12 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC (through Battle.net).
Code Vein
Yes, the Dark Souls comparison for any game that vaguely resembles the series might be a little tired, but Code Vein is most certainly in the vein of the iconic, brutal third-person action-RPG games. From early gameplay footage it seems that Bandai Namco (which also publishes the Souls franchise) is using the same foundation beat for beat in Code Vein, and we see that as a good thing. Terrifying beasts that deal heavy damage occupy the open world, but at least you'll have a set of supernatural abilities in addition to hulking swords and spears. A key difference here is the anime-inspired art style for character designs and post-apocalyptic setting with a vampiric theme that offers its own distinct flavor.
Code Vein is set to release sometime in 2018, and we expect Bandai Namco to feature the game at E3 this year. Bandai Namco has been trickling out new screenshots and teasing story elements throughout the year, so we have our fingers crossed for a release date announcement.
Cyberpunk 2077
It seems like CD Projekt Red has been working on this game forever. First announced in 2012, Cyberpunk 2077 is the developer's next major game after The Witcher 3--which means it has some big shoes to fill. It, too, is a massive open-world RPG, but this one is set in the future, just like Cyberpunk 2020, the tabletop game it's based on. The game takes place in Night City, California, a fictional metropolis between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The developer has been fairly tight-lipped about Cyberpunk 2077 since the initial announcement, but we do know it's aiming to be even bigger in scope than The Witcher 3 and will support some kind of multiplayer component. But CD Projekt Red has been clear that fans of Witcher-style solo campaigns don't need to worry--it will still feature a meaty single-player experience. CD Projekt Red is confirmed as an E3 2018 attendee, so we hope to learn more soon.
Days Gone
We first learned about Days Gone during Sony's press conference at E3 2016. The publisher showed an announce trailer and a gameplay demo that revealed a somber game about a biker trying to make his way in a post-apocalyptic Pacific Northwest. You play as Deacon St. John, a bounty hunter traveling through a broken world that's infested with zombie-like creatures called Freakers.
What caused the apocalypse is a mystery, as is much of the game's plot. But we've seen plenty of the enemies, which sure do look like zombies, despite developer Bend Studios swearing up and down that they're not. These creatures lust for blood and have a tendency to group together in fast-moving hordes, just like the zombies in World War Z.
Though it was originally set to release in 2018, Sony announced in March that Days Gone would be delayed until 2019. That's where we stand now, but we hope to see more of the game at E3 2018.
Death Stranding
Hideo Kojima is in a class of his own when it comes to making you want something you know next to nothing about. Ever since the debut of Death Stranding at E3 2016, the year following his very public post-Metal Gear Solid V departure from Konami, we've been trying to understand what exactly is going on with Norman Reedus and the enigmatic and near-lifeless world where the laws of time and space are in flux. So far we've seen only three incredibly cryptic trailers that showcase some amazing visuals, but they have left us even more confused.
According to Kojima, his upcoming game--published by Sony and running on the same engine as Horizon: Zero Dawn--is an open-world action game with online elements. Other than that, we have next to no clue regarding how it will play. What we do know is that Norman Reedus plays a character named Sam who's exploring a world where the very rain--known as Timefall--will cause people to rapidly age upon exposure. Oh yeah, and there's a baby in a high-tech container, and Mads Mikkelsen--who can control a group of skeleton soldiers wielding weapons from World War II--may or may not be the villain. It's really bizarre stuff, yet all of it is strangely alluring.
It was recently confirmed that Death Stranding will be one of the four major titles to be presented at Sony's E3 2018 press conference, and Kojima himself has even been sharing some teases of the game on social media. We'll likely see some actual gameplay of Death Stranding this time around, and we'll probably be just as confused as before. And that's OK. The three trailers have left a spellbinding effect on the audience, and we're looking forward to Kojima sharing some even more ridiculous and grotesque footage with everyone.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Will the eleventh core entry in the Dragon Quest saga finally be the one to break through to mainstream western success? The last major DQ game was back in 2010--Sentinels of the Starry Skies on the Nintendo DS--and Nintendo's 3DS handhelds have gotten reissues of the earlier entries in the series since. But outside of the offshoot Dragon Quest Heroes games, this'll be the first entry on home consoles since the PS2 era and the first time the series will be available on PC (in the West) ever.
The alliterative title illustrates Dragon Quest's playful nature, and the colorful enemies and turn-based combat are mainstays of the series. But longtime fans know that Dragon Quest's charm comes from its endearing stories and puns that rival Monster Hunter's loquacious wordplay. And the possibility of yet another great game on Switch makes the wait for DQ11 all the more difficult.
The Division 2
2016's The Division got off to a hot start, but it quickly fell off the map due to lingering issues and other problems that pushed players to different games. To its credit, Ubisoft kept updating The Division to make it better, releasing more content to keep existing players pleased. Many would agree that the game eventually got to a better place. But for many others, that ship had sailed. With The Division 2, which is in the works at the same developer--Massive Entertainment--fans will be hoping for a better-realised, more fully fleshed out multiplayer shooter experience. The first game did many things well, from its intuitive co-op and matchmaking, to its tense and thrilling Dark Zone. It was set in a post-disaster Manhattan and offered a faithfully recreated version of the iconic city. We don't know yet if The Division 2 will also be set in Manhattan or what other advancements it may make, but it's definitely one of our most anticipated games.
Just Cause 4
Just Cause 4 has yet to be revealed, but its name did show up in a recent Walmart leak. The same was true of Rage 2, which has already proven to be real and lends some credence to the possibility that Just Cause 4 exists. With a movie happening (with Aquaman/Khal Drogo himself, Jason Momoa, set to star), it's not hard to imagine there being plans for a game to go along with it.
Series developer Avalanche Studios has been fairly quiet since the release of its big 2015 open-world games, Just Cause 3 and Mad Max. Just where it could go with a potential Just Cause 4 is unclear, but we do know multiplayer mods for the last two entries have proven popular, and that multiplayer is something Avalanche has discussed. With GTA Online proving to be such a success for Rockstar, some kind of way to play Just Cause with friends would make for an exciting reveal.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Since it was announced in 2015, the most notable headline regarding the Final Fantasy VII Remake was that Square Enix's partner studio on the project, Cyberconnect2 (.Hack, Asura's Wrath, Naruto Shippuden) would be relegated to the sidelines. This shift was the result of a decision to make the remake a multi-game project in order to avoid making cuts to the original story. The current aim is to make each game roughly the same size as Final Fantasy XIII.
The best look we've had at the game thus far was the PSX 2015 trailer, which landed a mere few months after the game's announcement. In that two-minute-plus trailer, we got a look at the opening scene where Cloud, Barret, Biggs, and Wedge infiltrate an energy plant, as well as a glimpse at the real-time combat system. By all appearances, Final Fantasy VII Remake will play a bit like Final Fantasy XV, but it's difficult to say without hands-on experience, and there's no telling what's changed since Cyberconnect2 handed over key development to Square-Enix. Hopefully, if we end up seeing Final Fantasy VII Remake at E3, we will have more definitive answers.
Ghost of Tsushima
Since Infamous: First Light released in 2014, the public has been kept in the dark as to what developer Sucker Punch Productions has been working on. Sony had confirmed in 2015 that the studio was working on a new game and that it was playable. We finally learned what it has in development at Paris Games Week 2017 when Sucker Punch Productions unveiled Ghost of Tsushima, an open-world samurai-themed action game.
Ghost of Tsushima is set on the island of Tsushima during the Mongol invasions of Japan in 1294. You play as a lone samurai turned vengeful assassin--likely fighting to drive out the Mongol army from Japan. The game appears to take you to numerous locales across Tsushima, which includes rural villages, bamboo forests, and wide-open fields. A brief instance at the end of the teaser showcased the ability to throw bombs and surprising enemies with a jumping attack from above.
Sony hasn't said much about Ghost of Tsushima since its initial reveal trailer half a year ago. However, the company has confirmed that it'll talk more about Ghost of Tsushima at its E3 2018 press conference.
Kingdom Hearts III
It's important to remember that the original Kingdom Hearts came out in 2002. Back then, the absurd premise was initially laughed off as a too-weird-to-work idea, but upon playing it, players were introduced to an incredibly heartfelt and charming story that coupled the cheerfulness of classic Disney with some engaging action-RPG gameplay. While exploring several classic Disney worlds with Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy, they'd battle some well-known Disney villains and discover the almighty power of friendship. As cheesy as that sounds, it all worked, and Kingdom Hearts is a game that stuck with many fans over the years.
Its direct-sequel was released in 2006, and while we've had a number of games that covered several side-stories and events with Sora and his friends, Kingdom Hearts III was officially announced at E3 2013. It's been many years since we've seen Sora and crew in a mainline entry of the series, and their time away has shown us some remarkable growth. We recently had the chance to play some of Kingdom Hearts III, and we were surprised at how much the game has not only kept its charm, but its story and characters have gotten a bit better with age. With many of Kingdom Hearts' most diehard fans growing into adulthood, Sora has grown up as well, showing a newfound level of maturity.
It'll interesting to see how E3 2018 will turn out for Kingdom Hearts III. We'll likely see more gameplay and the reveal of some upcoming worlds at the show, but there is one thing coming up that will excite fans even more. During a recent event, Kingdom Hearts' director, Tetsuya Nomura, stated that the official release date will be revealed at the upcoming show. It's been a long time coming for the next major game in the series, and it now looks like the end is in sight.
The Last of Us Part II
Naughty Dog's follow-up to 2013's The Last of Us may be one of the most highly anticipated games of E3 2018. The Last of Us Part II sees the return of Ellie and Joel, with Ellie as the main playable character. A brutal trailer unveiled at last year's Paris Games Week didn't show Joel or Ellie at all, though; it instead featured an unknown young woman who is tortured by a mysterious group of people, and it concluded with Infected rushing the scene.
We haven't seen much of the game itself, but we do know some background details. The first game's director, Bruce Straley, isn't returning to direct the sequel. Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann has also stated that if the first game's theme is love, the theme of Part II is hate--and that neither Joel nor Ellie is safe from harm.
Left Alive
Square Enix caught many people off-guard with the surprise announcement of Left Alive at Tokyo Game Show 2017, and while details remain scarce, an eye-catching trailer and list of notable developers was all it took to grab our attention.
Both the teaser trailer and gameplay trailer released at the show set the stage for a sci-fi epic with war as a central theme. With Metal Gear artist Yoji Shinkawa on board, it's no surprise that Left Alive bears some resemblance to Hideo Kojima's iconic stealth series. But don't confuse it for a spiritual successor, as the brief glimpse of gameplay we've seen so far is solely focused on gunplay, and there's another series known for examining the realities of war that's confirmed to be the basis for Left Alive's setting.
According to producer Shinji Hashimoto, a longtime Square Enix employee with a long list of beloved games under his belt, Left Alive is connected to Square Enix's Front Mission series. The typical grid-based mechanics are out, obviously, but the series' iconic Wanzer mechs are back. Chances are you will eventually get to pilot one (we hope) but in an interesting twist, we know for sure that at some point in the game you will have to face towering mechs as a soldier on the ground. The odds aren't in your favor, but this is part of the appeal thus far: What will it take to come out on top? Hopefully, Square Enix intends to tell us at E3 2018.
Madden NFL 19
Madden Season may still be a few months off, but it's never too early to get excited about the next instalment in EA Sports' football series. Last year's Madden 18 was generally great, praised for its advancements to gameplay and visuals along with its brand-new single-player mode, Longshot, featuring Oscar winner Mahershala Ali. The game's Franchise mode lacked significant updates and improvements, so hopefully EA can give more attention to it with this year's game. Another interesting wrinkle is that Madden's creative director for the past half-decade, Rex Dickson, has left the company, teasing in his departure notice that some changes would be coming to the Madden formula this year.
Mega Man 11
For several years, it seemed Capcom wouldn't be releasing any more new Mega Man games. Since the character creator Keiji Inafune's departure from Capcom, little had been announced for the fan-favorite blue bomber. However, Capcom has since focused more on supporting Mega Man, having since released several collections of the character's most iconic games on modern platforms. This ultimately paved way for the upcoming Mega Man 11, which was announced late last year to commemorate the character's 30th anniversary.
Unlike past games, Mega Man 11 features 3D polygonal characters and environments. Aside from the new visual style, the game seems to play like classic games in the series. Since its reveal trailer, we've heard little about Mega Man 11. However, if there's any time that Capcom should talk about the game, it's E3. After all, the game is scheduled to release later this year, so we're hoping to that Capcom goes into more detail about the blue bomber's latest adventure.
Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus continues the legacy of the post-apocalyptic first-person shooter series from Ukrainian developer 4A Games. What makes Metro special is its foreboding atmosphere; the underground metro tunnels are home to the human race as the surface is far too hostile and radiated, and the setting truly evokes a sense of vulnerability and desperation. Exodus appears to be continuing this tradition by picking up two years after the events of Last Light's "good" ending. However, it seems as though series protagonist Artyom is spending much more time on the surface as he flees the Metro system alongside fellow rangers to head eastward and start a new life.
But it wouldn't be Metro without irradiated beasts roaming the surface, in and around the city streets that once harbored human life. The challenge has always been surviving radiation by scavenging for gas masks and conserving your limited ammo, all while managing the threat of the deformed creatures.
Although it was recently announced that Metro Exodus' launch was delayed to early 2019, publisher Deep Silver is going to be present at E3 2018, so we expect to see a bit more of the game at the show. Exodus was first revealed during Microsoft's Xbox press conference at E3 2017 and will also be launching for PS4.
NHL 19
Though it doesn't get as much attention as EA's other big-name sports franchises like FIFA and Madden, the company's NHL series is still a hit each year. NHL 18 was a fantastic, genuine recreation of the sport, and with its 3v3 mode, it offered a simpler way for new players to pick up the game and learn the basics. Every year EA continues to surprise and impress with the incredible level of detail it pours into recreating hockey in a video game, and we expect this year's entry to be no different. It's likely that NHL 19 will be officially announced during EA's briefing, and it should be out in September for home consoles.
Rage 2
Maybe it's a coincidence, or maybe it's impressive damage control on Bethesda's part, but the recent reveal of Rage 2 and the release of two trailers came hot on the heels of the unusual leak from Walmart just weeks prior to E3.
So what has Bethesda shown thus far? A lot, surprisingly. The first trailer didn't feature any gameplay, but set the stage for Rage 2's new tone with a fun track by rocker Andrew W.K. and a lot of neon-tinted actors in punk-ish, post-apocalyptic armor rocking out. The gameplay trailer was obviously more revealing and gave us a glimpse into a dreary yet-oddly enticing wasteland. Compared to the original Rage, the sequel doesn't seem to take itself too seriously, and will take advantage of that fact by giving you access to outlandish vehicles and weapons with which to battle twisted mutants and other deranged survivors.
All of this is set to take place in an open world. The gameplay seen thus far seems reminiscent of Destiny or Borderlands' first-person action, but with Avalanche Studios behind the wheel it's safe to say that Rage 2 will have a feel all its own. For a more reasonable example of what the team may do with the world, we can look to two of its previous projects: Just Cause 3 and Mad Max. It's also been confirmed that id Software (Doom, Rage, Quake Champions) will co-develop Rage 2, hopefully to keep an eye on the shooting mechanics. We should find out a lot more during Bethesda's E3 press conference on June 10.
Skull & Bones
Inspired by the best part of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag--the sailing--Skull & Bones is a standalone adventure on the high seas. While there will be a multiplayer treasure-hunting component, and you'll also be able to challenge other pirates in their customized galleys, S&B will include a single-player campaign if you'd prefer to go it alone.
Ubisoft has revealed very few gameplay details so far, and there's little chance that the game will even be released this year. But for anyone who might've gotten a taste for piracy in Sea of Thieves (or who really miss AC4), there are going to be a lot more looting adventures to learn about during E3.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar typically doesn't have a big presence at E3; the company's games are big enough to draw hype on all their own without the need to share the spotlight with other companies. But there's always the chance that there'll be a new trailer or feature announcement during someone's stage show for Red Dead Redemption 2.
As many teases as we've seen around the game's Western story, there are even more unexplored mysteries. What's the gunplay like? What new features will the game introduce? And most importantly, how will multiplayer work? Don't expect to get a full demo or even to see much gameplay, but another Red Dead tease is always possible.
Two years later and the project remains veiled in secrecy. Heck, we still don't know if the Resident Evil 2 Remake will retain the original's camera angles or adopt the first-person perspective from Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. However, it's likely that we'll hear more about the game at this year's E3. After all, 2018 marks Resident Evil 2's 20th anniversary, which should be ample reason for the remake to finally release. We're crossing our fingers for a release date at least.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the third entry in the Tomb Raider reboot series. Square Enix officially revealed the game was in development March 2018, though it was technically leaked last year when a Square Enix employee was spotted in a subway train working on a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with the game's name. While the game will be developed primarily by Eidos Montreal, it's worth noting that original reboot developer Crystal Dynamics will provide additional development on the project.
You once again play as Lara Croft, who is on an expedition to Latin America in search of a Mayan relic. However, Trinity, a paramilitary organization who tried to hunt down Lara in the previous game, is also seeking the relic for its own gain. During the expedition, Lara sets off a Mayan apocalypse, which throws her down a journey to save the world.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider sports a few key additions to the series formula, which includes revamped swimming controls for underwater exploration as well as more sophisticated stealth and AI systems. The game is scheduled to release on September 14, but we're hoping Square Enix intends to offer more details about the game at this year's E3.
Shenmue III
During the same Sony press conference Final Fantasy VII Remake was announced, it was revealed that Shenmue III was in the works. Revered Sega developer Yu Suzuki would finally get the chance to close out the trilogy he planned decades ago. Sega had given Suzuki the greenlight; he just had to get the game funded independently. The first Shenmue was originally conceived for the Sega Saturn, but the series would ultimately debut on Sega's next console, the Dreamcast, followed by a sequel which was also ported to the original Xbox. In other words, it's been a long time since Shenmue II left fans hanging; 17 years, so far.
In the three years since the initiative was announced, Shenmue was funded in part by a controversial Kickstarter campaign and was picked up by publisher Deep Silver. Both Sony and Sega continue to support development, according to Suzuki. We don't know when Shenmue 3 will ultimately be released, though it was recently announced that enhanced HD ports of the first two games will be released for PlayStation 4 in 2018.
While Suzuki and his various teams have released semi-regular updates on the game, the media released thus far has left some concerns in the minds of fans. But given that all footage is from early in development, it's not surprising that it's a little rough around the edges. If Sony has anything new to share, we should get a glimpse during its E3 2018 press conference on June 11.
Splinter Cell
Fans have been waiting for the better part of five years for a new Splinter Cell game. Ubisoft has not yet announced one, but CEO Yves Guillemot has made comments in the past year that certainly tease the possibility of a new entry. E3 might finally be when we see the game emerge.
If Ubisoft hoped to catch everyone off-guard with a Splinter Cell announcement, it hasn't done the greatest job. The first big update of Ghost Recon Wildlands' second year featured a Splinter Cell theme, complete with an appearance by Sam Fisher. In a key move, Ubisoft brought back Fisher voice actor Michael Ironside, who did not appear in the most recent game, Blacklist. It's possible Ubisoft had plans for more than just a small cameo for Ironside, and his brief appearance is capped off with what could be the setup for a new game's plot. Combined with the Walmart Canada leak, which correctly listed Rage 2 and also listed a game called "Splinter Cell," maybe it's really happening.
Star Wars | Respawn
Titanfall developer Respawn Entertainment is working on a new third-person Star Wars game that's being directed by a of War III director Stig Asmussen. According to publisher EA (which owns Respawn as of last year), the game is an "all-new third-person action-adventure game set in the Star Wars universe." That's all we know about the game for certain, but it's intriguing to think about what the team behind one of the most trailblazing shooters in recent years may do with such a big and beloved sci-fi license. Fans may be happy to know that Respawn boss Vince Zampella met with The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams to talk about their respective works; oh to be a fly on that wall. EA would do well to give an update on all of its upcoming Star Wars projects at E3 this year, so hopefully we will know more about Respawn's game soon.
Star Wars Project | EA Vancouver
We actually know quite a bit about the Star Wars project that's in development with EA Vancouver--at least, the history of what it was, thanks to a detailed Kotaku report. But it's very likely that the single-player adventure game, codenamed "Ragtag" and formerly led by Uncharted director Amy Hennig, has gone the way of Star Wars 1313 and all but completely evaporated. In late 2017, the primary studio behind the Ragtag project, Visceral Games, was sadly closed. It had been working on this untitled Star Wars adventure since 2013, but the original game it set out to make has been effectively cancelled.
EA Vancouver has since taken over completely and will pivot the game to become a "broader experience" and one that will "deliver an experience players will want to come back to for a long time to come," according to executive vice president of EA Worldwide Studios Patrick Söderlund.
SoulCalibur VI
The announcement at The Game Awards of SoulCalibur's return was a big, awesome surprise. The weapons-based fighter was once a leading series, and the original was the game to have for every Sega Dreamcast owner. But the series was relegated to secondary status for years while Bandai Namco's other franchises dominated the spotlight. With SoulCalibur VI, it's getting a new lease on life that many would argue is justly deserved. It's also got a few new tricks up its sleeve.
Following in the footsteps of other contemporary fighting games, the introduction of the Reversal Edge mechanic in SoulCalibur VI is designed to give players a more accessible and punishing means of fending off their opponent to turn the tide of battle. It's the biggest addition to the SoulCalibur formula that we know of so far, but there's one big surprise to look forward to: Geralt of Rivia is joining the cast.
There's no word on a specific release date yet, but SoulCalibur VI is on the books for 2018, and that hopefully means we will get a bunch of new info during E3.
Spider-Man
Though Spider-Man has had a spotty history when it comes to video game adaptations, Sony's upcoming exclusive looks to be one of the rare standouts. Developed by Insomniac Games--the creators of Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet and Clank, and Sunset Overdrive--the studio has paired its talents for open-world action and solid-platforming mechanics with the agility and finesse of Spider-Man's moves. Fun and verticality are some of the key things to have in a good Spider-Man game, and those are on full display in the upcoming one. It truly looks like it will be a blast to play.
According to the developer, we've only seen a fraction of what you can expect to do in the game. It picks up with Spider-Man at the top of his crime-fighting game, and the wallcrawler will still have his work cut out for him when new villains start popping up in New York City. But when he isn't battling multiple armed robbers and stopping super-powered bad guys, he'll stop to take selfies with civilians and help the locals out with their errands. Though helping kids find their balloons doesn't seem to be a thing in the game, Marvel's Spider-Man looks to fulfill the fantasy of being web-slinger quite accurately.
Valkyria Chronicles 4
If you ever wanted an anime-esque tactical RPG in the modern era, you'll want to dive into the Valkyria Chronicles series. It's known for a unique blend of real-time controls within a turn-based strategy framework, but also for how it draws inspiration from World War II and European military history for its fiction. Valkyria Chronicles 4 continues the series' story of the Second Europan War fought on the continent of Europa between Atlantic Federation and the Eastern Imperial Alliance, but it instead focuses on the smaller stories taking place throughout the conflict.
This will be the first mainline Valkyria Chronicles entry for major platforms since the first game, which released in 2008. Valkyria Chronicles 2 and 3 were exclusive to the PlayStation Portable, and the third game never came to North America. An action-RPG spinoff called Valkyria Revolution came out in 2016 but didn't come close to filling that void. Needless to say, we're hoping to see more from Sega about the localized version of Valkyria Chronicles 4 at E3 2018.
The game is already out in Japan for PS4 but is set to release in worldwide on October 16 for PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One.
Yakuza Kiwami 2
2018 is the year of Yakuza, and Kiwami 2 is going to be one of the key components for spreading the good word of Kazuma Kiryu. As a remake of the second entry, Yakuza Kiwami 2 will tell the story of how Kiryu's friends in the Tojo Clan are on the brink of destruction due to a coup that took place within their Omi Alliance rivals. The sinister Ryuji Goda seizes control of the Omi, but that's only scratching the surface of the gripping drama of Yakuza 2. A foreign mafia meddles in Japanese affairs, and uncovering the mystery as to why and how alongside the Osakan detective Kaoru Sayama becomes the game's narrative focus.
Yakuza games wouldn't be the same without everyone's idol Goro Majima, and Kiwami 2 brings a brand-new campaign called The Truth of Goro Majima that delves deeper into the backstory of the beloved, eccentric character. You'll learn of the events that occurred between the first two games and how Majima's ridiculous journey led him to become a construction business tycoon in Yakuza 2.
Kiwami 2 released in Japan for PS4 back in December 2017, but it was recently announced for the West and is set for an August 28 launch. We hope to get our hands on this reimagination of one of Kiryu's most wild rides, especially since it's made with the Dragon engine which powered Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and brought Kamurocho to life like never before.
We're several years into the the life cycle of the PS4 and Xbox One, and Nintendo just released the Switch last year, which means one thing for E3 2018: it's going to be all about the games. Sure, there's always the possibility of some of kind of big tech or hardware tease, but it's more likely that the major console companies will save any of those types of announcements for another time. Instead, the focus is going to be on gameplay and trailers for many of the games we already know are fast-approaching this holiday, as well as a slate of new and unannounced games.
Here, in alphabetical order, are some of the biggest games we're pretty sure are going to be at E3 in some form or another. Hopefully most of them are playable, but even if some only show up as a trailer, it's another chance to get a feel for what lies ahead. Many of these titles have been announced, but others are ones we're guessing at based on the list of companies on the official E3 homepage (as well as our infallible intuition).
The first potential look we'll get at most of these games will be during the press conferences before E3 even begins. To make sure you're up to date with the times as well as the location for our E3 video streams, we have a hub rounding up all of that info as well.
The following games are only a potential sampling of all the exciting titles that will come out of E3, and be sure to check out our editor's picks for the games we're most anticipating. But in the meantime, what games do you hope to learn more about at the show? Let us know in the comments below!
Ashen (Xbox One, PC)
BioWare is one of the most beloved developers in the industry. It's best known for single-player RPGs, but with Anthem, it appears to be trying its hand at crafting a competitor to Destiny. That's an intriguing prospect in its own right, although at this point BioWare and EA have shared very little about what we can actually expect.
Destiny appears to be the best comparison based on what we know, which is that you're playing in a shared world as a "freelancer" wearing an exosuit. However, BioWare has confirmed that multiplayer is optional. It promises "you can choose to play through the story with only your friends, or even on your own." Games have often struggled with making the story in a multiplayer game feel like you are truly the central character, but BioWare is "taking this problem head-on and structuring the entire game design to provide a specific solution for this."
That's...vague, but BioWare is at least saying the right things. EA Play should provide us with a much better sense of how the studio is blending open-world action and third-person shooter gameplay, as well as whether it can avoid the pratfalls that have held Destiny back. Anthem is due out early in 2019.
Battlefield V (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
We now have a ton of information around the next Battlefield game, which will be set in WWII. Although we haven't been able to play yet in order to confirm what was shown in the first reveal trailer, we have an extensive breakdown of what we know so far. Battlefield V introduces a large number of new mechanics that drive squads together and get them playing objectives. This includes the idea of ammo scarcity, the ability to build and fortify objectives, the ability to tow weapons with vehicles, and a new squad commander radio in order to call in powerful attacks. The campaign will focus on more personal stories from WWII, and some locations already shown are the mountains of Norway, French Countryside, and North Africa. The game will also have a co-op campaign with randomly generated elements called Combined Arms.
Battlefield V will launch for everyone on October 19 and will not have a premium pass. New content is planned to roll out on a regular schedule through the Tides of War live service starting in November. Players will be able to participate in timed events and challenges to unlock a large variety of customization for their soldiers not seen in previous Battlefield games, including individual items of clothing. We should get our first hands-on at E3.
Bayonetta 3 (Switch)
Bayonetta 3 is the latest entry in the critically acclaimed action game series by developer Platinum Games. Revealed at The Game Awards 2017, little has been said about the game since. In the years before its reveal, series creator Hideki Kamiya had often discussed the possibility of a third game. Both Kamiya and Bayonetta 2 director Yusuke Hashimoto expressed interest in a new entry and stated that they still had ideas they'd love to pursue in future games.
Bayonetta 3 will be a Switch exclusive, as Nintendo is funding its development--similar to Bayonetta 2 for Wii U. With so little known about Bayonetta 3, there's still so much to learn, and we're hoping that E3 2018 will be the platform that both Nintendo and Platinum Games uses to discuss it.
Beyond Good and Evil 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Beyond Good and Evil 2 is the long-awaited successor to the 2003 original by acclaimed developer Michel Ancel. Revealed at Ubisoft's E3 2017 press conference, the game was long believed to be vaporware after having been stuck in development since at least 2007. The game takes place several generations prior to the events of the first game. You play as a space pirate who starts the game at the bottom of the world's social ladder.
Unlike the original, Beyond Good and Evil 2 plays more like a traditional RPG where you complete activities and increase your stats. As you progress, you assemble a crew, explore various planets, and create your own society of like-minded pirates. The game also features multiplayer elements, though not much has been revealed about how they'll work.
Unlike recent games in its catalog, Ubisoft has been focused on involving people in Beyond Good and Evil 2's development via the Space Monkey Program, a community forum where people can contribute ideas and offer feedback to developers. While Beyond Good and Evil 2 only entered active development just before its reveal at E3 2017, we're hoping that Ancel will offer another look at how the game is shaping up at this year's big show.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch)
Renowned Castlevania developer Koji Igarashi is almost ready to launch his first project after striking out from Konami, and if you're familiar with Igarashi's past, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. This side-scrolling action game is set in an anime-tinged gothic world built on top of a sprawling map, with plenty of puzzles, boss battles, and upgrades to uncover.
Originally pitched on Kickstarter back in 2015 (a campaign that was fully funded in a single day), Bloodstained is currently set to launch on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC sometime in 2018. Igarashi and his co-developers from Inti Creates might as well take advantage of E3 to keep spreading the word, but a recent surprise announcement has already captured the attention of fans of old-school side-scrollers. A few weeks before E3, an original 8-bit Castlevania-esque game was given to backers for free and put up on most digital storefronts for about $10.
Anyone interested in Bloodstained's ongoing development can follow the latest announcements over at the game's Kickstarter page. Be sure to keep an eye on the date next to the posts! Igarashi and co pulled a fast one when they announced that Bloodstained would passively mine digital currencies. Thankfully, this one was just an April fool's joke.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
As part of the Black Ops 4's big announcement event in May, we learned that this year's entry in the juggernaut shooter series does not have a traditional campaign. In lieu of that, the game will offer an assortment of solo missions that revolve around each of the game's Specialist characters. Activision says these missions--which are set between Black Ops 2 and 3--will deliver the franchise's iconic set-piece moments, while also diving into some backstory.
In another first for the series, Black Ops 4 will offer a Battle Royale-type mode called Blackout where players will fight to the death to become the last person or squad standing. We don't know all the details yet, but Activision is promising to do battle royale "the Black Ops way," and we're likely to hear more about that soon. Traditional head-to-head multiplayer is also back, along with an all-new Zombies experience. Developer Treyarch created the fan-favourite mode, and this year it looks bigger and better than ever with three distinct maps offering experiences that pull from wildly different things like the ill-fated Titanic and Roman battle arenas. Black Ops 4 launches on October 12 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC (through Battle.net).
Crackdown 3 (Xbox One, PC)
Crackdown 3 has been in development for at least four years; we first heard about it back in 2014 after Microsoft used the game to demonstrate its cloud-based server technology, which would allow for environmental destruction on a large scale. The sight of giant buildings crashing down within the context of Crackdown's open world was an exciting prospect, but the game has largely gone dark.
After another delay, Crackdown 3 is currently slated for release in 2018. As such, it's fair to expect to see a sizable portion of it during Microsoft's E3 presentation. The company has been criticized in recent years for lacking exciting exclusives. An open-world game with impressive destruction and the same delightful blend of superhero powers and action would be a terrific showcase for Xbox One.
Cyberpunk 2077 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
It feels like CD Projekt Red has been working on this game forever. First announced in 2012, Cyberpunk 2077 is the developer's next major game after The Witcher 3--which means it has a lot to live up to. It, too, is a massive open-world RPG, but this one is set in the future, just like Cyberpunk 2020, the tabletop game it's based on. The game takes place in Night City, California, a fictional metropolis between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The developer has been fairly tight-lipped about Cyberpunk 2077 since the initial announcement, but we do know it aims to be even bigger in scope than The Witcher 3 and will support some kind of multiplayer component. But CD Projekt Red has been clear that fans of Witcher-style solo campaigns don't need to worry--the game will still feature a meaty single-player experience. CD Projekt Red is confirmed as an E3 2018 attendee, so we hope to learn more soon.
Days Gone (PS4)
We first learned about Days Gone during Sony's press conference at E3 2016. The publisher showed an announce trailer and a gameplay demo that revealed a somber game about a biker trying to make his way in a post-apocalyptic Pacific Northwest. You play as Deacon St. John, a bounty hunter traveling through a broken world that's infested with zombie-like creatures called Freakers.
What caused the apocalypse is a mystery, as is much of the game's plot. But we've seen plenty of the enemies that sure do look like zombies, despite developer Bend Studios swearing up and down that they're not. These creatures lust for violence and have a tendency to group together in fast-moving hordes, just like the zombies in World War Z.
Though it was originally set to release in 2018, Sony announced in March that Days Gone would be delayed until 2019. That's where we stand now, but we hope to see more of the game at E3 2018.
Death Stranding (PS4)
Hideo Kojima is in a class of his own when it comes to making you want something you know next to nothing about. Ever since the debut of Death Stranding at E3 2016, the year following Kojima's very public post-Metal Gear Solid V departure from Konami, we've been trying to understand what exactly is going on with Norman Reedus and the enigmatic and near-lifeless world where the laws of time and space are in flux. So far we've seen only three incredibly cryptic trailers that showcase some amazing visuals, but they have left us even more confused.
According to Kojima, his upcoming game--published by Sony and running on the same engine as Horizon: Zero Dawn--is an open-world action game with online elements. Other than that, we have next to no clue regarding how it will play. What we do know is that Norman Reedus plays a character named Sam who's exploring a world where the very rain--known as Timefall--will cause people to rapidly age upon exposure. Oh yeah, and there's a baby in a high-tech container, and Mads Mikkelsen--who can control a group of skeleton soldiers wielding weapons from World War II--may or may not be the villain.
It was recently confirmed that Death Stranding will be one of the four major titles to be presented at Sony's E3 2018 press conference, and Kojima himself has even been sharing some teases of the game on social media. We'll likely see some actual gameplay of Death Stranding this time around, and we'll probably be just as confused as before. And that's OK. We're looking forward to Kojima sharing some even more ridiculous and grotesque footage.
The Division 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
2016's The Division got off to a hot start, but it quickly fell off the map due to lingering issues that pushed players to different games. To its credit, Ubisoft kept updating The Division to make it better, releasing more content to keep existing players pleased. Many would agree that the game eventually got to a better place. But for many others, it wasn't enough to bring them back. With The Division 2, which is in the works at the same developer--Massive Entertainment--we'll hopefully get a better-realized, more fully fleshed out multiplayer shooter experience. The first game did many things well, from its intuitive co-op and matchmaking, to its tense and thrilling Dark Zone. It was set in a post-disaster Manhattan and offered a faithfully recreated version of the iconic city. We don't know yet if The Division 2 will also be set in Manhattan or what other advancements it may make, but it's definitely one of our most anticipated games.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age (PS4, PC, Switch)
Will the eleventh core entry in the Dragon Quest saga finally be the one to break through to mainstream western success? The last major DQ game was back in 2010--Sentinels of the Starry Skies on the Nintendo DS--and Nintendo's 3DS handhelds have gotten reissues of the earlier entries in the series since then. But outside of the offshoot Dragon Quest Heroes games, this'll be the first entry on home consoles since the PS2 era and the first time the series will be available on PC (in the West) ever.
The alliterative title illustrates Dragon Quest's playful nature, and the colorful enemies and turn-based combat are mainstays of the series. But longtime fans know that Dragon Quest's charm comes from its endearing stories and puns that rival Monster Hunter's loquacious wordplay. And the possibility of yet another great game on Switch makes the wait for DQ11 all the more difficult.
Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)
Since it was announced in 2015, the most notable headline regarding the Final Fantasy VII Remake was that Square Enix's partner studio on the project, Cyberconnect2 (.Hack, Asura's Wrath, Naruto Shippuden) would be relegated to the sidelines. This shift was the result of a decision to make the remake a multi-game project in order to avoid making cuts to the original story. The current aim is to make each game roughly the same size as Final Fantasy XIII.
The best look we've had at the game thus far was the PSX 2015 trailer, which landed a mere few months after the game's announcement. In that two-minute-plus trailer, we got a look at the opening scene where Cloud, Barret, Biggs, and Wedge infiltrate an energy plant, as well as a glimpse at the real-time combat system. By all appearances, Final Fantasy VII Remake will play a bit like Final Fantasy XV, but it's difficult to say without hands-on experience, and there's no telling what's changed since Cyberconnect2 handed over key development to Square-Enix. Hopefully, if we end up seeing Final Fantasy VII Remake at E3, we will have more definitive answers.
Ghost of Tsushima (PS4)
Since Infamous: First Light released in 2014, the public has been kept in the dark as to what developer Sucker Punch Productions has been working on. Sony had confirmed in 2015 that the studio was working on a new game and that it was playable. We finally learned what it has in development at Paris Games Week 2017 when Sucker Punch Productions unveiled Ghost of Tsushima, an open-world samurai-themed action game.
Ghost of Tsushima is set on the island of Tsushima during the Mongol invasions of Japan in 1294. You play as a lone samurai turned vengeful assassin--likely fighting to drive out the Mongol army from Japan. The game appears to take you to numerous locales across Tsushima, which includes rural villages, bamboo forests, and wide-open fields. A brief instance at the end of the teaser showcased the ability to throw bombs and surprising enemies with a jumping attack from above.
Sony hasn't said much about Ghost of Tsushima since its initial reveal trailer half a year ago. However, the company has confirmed that it'll talk more about Ghost of Tsushima at its E3 2018 press conference.
Kingdom Hearts III (PS4 and Xbox One)
It's important to remember that the original Kingdom Hearts came out in 2002. Back then, the absurd premise was initially laughed off as a too-weird-to-work idea, but upon playing it, players were introduced to an incredibly heartfelt and charming story that coupled the cheerfulness of classic Disney with some engaging action-RPG gameplay. While exploring several classic Disney worlds with Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy, they'd battle some well-known Disney villains and discover the almighty power of friendship. As cheesy as that sounds, it all worked, and Kingdom Hearts is a game that stuck with fans over the years.
Its direct-sequel was released in 2006, and while we've had a number of games that covered several side-stories and events with Sora and his friends in the meantime, Kingdom Hearts III wasn't officially announced until E3 2013. It's been many years since we've seen Sora and crew in a mainline entry of the series, and the characters' time away has shown us some remarkable growth.
With many of Kingdom Hearts' most diehard fans growing into adulthood, Sora has grown up as well, showing a newfound level of maturity. It'll interesting to see how E3 2018 will turn out for Kingdom Hearts III. We'll likely see more gameplay and the reveal of some upcoming worlds at the show, but there is one thing coming up that will excite fans even more. During a recent event, Kingdom Hearts' director, Tetsuya Nomura, stated that the official release date will be revealed. It's been a long time coming for the next major game in the series, and it now looks like the end is in sight.
The Last of Us Part II (PS4)
Naughty Dog's follow-up to 2013's The Last of Us may be one of the most highly anticipated games of E3 2018. The Last of Us Part II sees the return of Ellie and Joel, with Ellie as the main playable character. A brutal trailer unveiled at last year's Paris Games Week didn't show Joel or Ellie at all, though; it instead featured an unknown young woman who is tortured by a mysterious group of people, and it concluded with Infected rushing the scene.
We haven't seen much of the game itself, but we do know some background details. The first game's director, Bruce Straley, isn't returning to direct the sequel. Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann has also stated that if the first game's theme is love, the theme of Part II is hate--and that neither Joel nor Ellie is safe from harm.
Mario Tennis Aces (Switch)
Mario might dabble in a lot of sports, but Tennis seems to be his true passion. Mario Tennis Aces marks the eighth dedicated Mario tennis game, putting it on the same level as the Mario Kart series. And while this version will include the same in-depth playing mechanics as previous entries, it will also incorporate some Wii Sports-like physicality. Players will be able to swing their joy-con like a racket to serve up a more visceral on-the-court experience.
Aces will include new characters (including a large but surprisingly spry-looking Chain Chomp), but the biggest change comes from the outfits. Mario is finally getting rid of the overalls in order to play tennis in shorts and a polo shirt. In every previous game, Mario has retained his trademark plumbers outfit, but this time, he's going for a comfortably sporty look.
Just kidding. The bigger change is the adventure-like RPG mode. There's a story to explore that centers around a mystical racket along with bosses to battle and minigames to conquer. But those outfits are pretty fun too, right?
Metro Exodus (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Metro Exodus continues the legacy of the post-apocalyptic first-person shooter series from Ukrainian developer 4A Games. What makes Metro special is its foreboding atmosphere; the underground metro tunnels are home to the human race as the surface is far too hostile and radiated, and the setting truly evokes a sense of vulnerability and desperation. Exodus appears to be continuing this tradition by picking up two years after the events of Last Light's "good" ending. However, it seems as though series protagonist Artyom is spending much more time on the surface as he flees the Metro system alongside fellow rangers to head eastward and start a new life.
But it wouldn't be Metro without irradiated beasts roaming the surface, in and around the city streets that once harbored human life. The challenge has always been surviving radiation by scavenging for gas masks and conserving your limited ammo, all while managing the threat of the deformed creatures.
Although it was recently announced that Metro Exodus' launch was delayed to early 2019, publisher Deep Silver is going to be present at E3 2018, so we expect to see a bit more of the game at the show. Exodus was first revealed during Microsoft's Xbox press conference at E3 2017 and will be launching for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Metroid Prime 4 (Switch)
Beyond the fact that Metroid Prime 4 exists and is coming to Switch at some point in the future, there's very little we can say about the game with absolute certainty. We also know that longtime Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe will lead a new team of talented developers for the project, but what that studio is and who is on the team beyond Tanabe remains a mystery.
With nary an official word from Nintendo following the announcement at E3 2017-- consisting of a teaser video set against a star field, with familiar Metroid music, and the reveal of a logo--we are left to sift through rumors and wonder. The current working theories include: Bandai Namco is co-developing, it is scheduled to launch in 2018, and it may feature the character Sylux, who was confirmed by Tanabe to be in a spaceship featured in the special ending of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
What we know about Sylux is mostly based on lore introduced in Nintendo DS's Metroid Prime: Hunters and, oddly enough, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (in a trophy description). But at the end of 2017's Metroid Prime: Federation Force, we also caught a glimpse of Sylux releasing a metroid from captivity. Is it a hint? Only time will tell.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Xbox One, PC)
The 2015 game Ori and the Blind Forest is like what you'd get if you mixed a Pixar movie with Super Metroid. It's a drop-dead gorgeous game that's clearly inspired by the sprawling side-scrollers of the '90s. It has modern game features like an ability tree and an orchestral score, but it maintains an "old-school hard" level of challenge.
In a teaser trailer that debuted at E3 2017, we got our first glimpse of the sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. It looks more or less like the original, and it still stars Ori, the glowing guardian of the forest. We also get a look at what seem to be bosses that are dozens of times bigger than the diminutive hero.
The teaser closes with a shot of a sad owl looking at the statues or bodies of two larger owls. While it's not stated outright, this seems to be a child of Kuro, the villain of the first game. As the owl mourns, Ori comes in and puts an arm around its shoulder. That's all we know so far about this sequel, but we will probably learn more at E3 2018.
Pokemon Switch (Switch)
At last year's E3, Nintendo announced a new Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch. The tease didn't include a title, logo, key art, or really any details at all--just that series developer Game Freak would be making the game, which will be a "core RPG" that "may not release for over a year." It's been a year now, of course, and although nothing has been confirmed for E3, it would make sense for Nintendo to give more details soon.
Rage 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Maybe it's a coincidence, or maybe it's impressive damage control on Bethesda's part, but the recent reveal of Rage 2 and the release of two trailers came hot on the heels of the unusual leak from Walmart just weeks prior to E3.
So what has Bethesda shown thus far? A lot, surprisingly. The first trailer didn't feature any gameplay, but it set the stage for Rage 2's new tone with a fun track by rocker Andrew W.K. and a lot of neon-tinted actors in punk-ish, post-apocalyptic armor rocking out. The gameplay trailer was obviously more revealing and gave us a glimpse into a dreary yet-oddly enticing wasteland. Compared to the original Rage, the sequel doesn't seem to take itself too seriously, and will take advantage of that fact by giving you access to outlandish vehicles and weapons with which to battle twisted mutants and other deranged survivors.
All of this is set to take place in an open world. The gameplay seen thus far seems reminiscent of Destiny or Borderlands' first-person action, but with Avalanche Studios behind the wheel it's safe to say that Rage 2 will have a feel all its own. For a more reasonable example of what the team may do with the world, we can look to two of its previous projects: Just Cause 3 and Mad Max. It's also been confirmed that id Software (Doom, Rage, Quake Champions) will co-develop Rage 2, hopefully to keep an eye on the shooting mechanics. We should find out a lot more during Bethesda's E3 press conference on June 10.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4, Xbox One)
Rockstar typically doesn't have a big presence at E3; the company's games are big enough to draw hype on all their own without the need to share the spotlight with other companies. But there's always the chance that there'll be a new trailer or feature announcement during someone's stage show for Red Dead Redemption 2.
As many teases as we've seen around the game's Western story, there are even more unexplored mysteries. What's the gunplay like? What new features will the game introduce? And most importantly, how will multiplayer work? Don't expect to get a full demo or even to see much gameplay, but another Red Dead tease is always possible.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the third entry in the Tomb Raider reboot series. Square Enix officially revealed the game was in development March 2018, though it was technically leaked last year when a Square Enix employee was spotted in a subway train working on a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with the game's name. While the game will be developed primarily by Eidos Montreal, it's worth noting that original reboot developer Crystal Dynamics will provide additional development on the project.
You once again play as Lara Croft, who is on an expedition to Latin America in search of a Mayan relic. However, Trinity, a paramilitary organization who tried to hunt down Lara in the previous game, is also seeking the relic for its own gain. During the expedition, Lara sets off a Mayan apocalypse, which throws her down a journey to save the world.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider sports a few key additions to the series formula, which includes revamped swimming controls for underwater exploration as well as more sophisticated stealth and AI systems. The game is scheduled to release on September 14, but we're hoping Square Enix intends to offer more details about the game at this year's E3.
Skull & Bones (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Inspired by the best part of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag--the sailing--Skull & Bones is a standalone adventure on the high seas. While there will be a multiplayer treasure-hunting component, and you'll also be able to challenge other pirates in their customized galleys, S&B will include a single-player campaign if you'd prefer to go it alone.
Ubisoft has revealed very few gameplay details so far, and there's little chance that the game will even be released this year. But for anyone who might've gotten a taste for piracy in Sea of Thieves (or who really miss AC4), there are going to be a lot more looting adventures to learn about during E3.
SoulCalibur VI (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
The announcement at The Game Awards of SoulCalibur's return was a big, awesome surprise. The weapons-based fighter was once a leading series, and the original was the game to have for every Sega Dreamcast owner. But the series was relegated to secondary status for years while Bandai Namco's other franchises dominated the spotlight. With SoulCalibur VI, it's getting a new lease on life that many would argue is justly deserved. It's also got a few new tricks up its sleeve.
Following in the footsteps of other contemporary fighting games, the introduction of the Reversal Edge mechanic in SoulCalibur VI is designed to give players a more accessible and punishing means of fending off their opponent to turn the tide of battle. It's the biggest addition to the SoulCalibur formula that we know of so far, but there's one big surprise to look forward to: Geralt of Rivia is joining the cast.
There's no word on a specific release date yet, but SoulCalibur VI is on the books for 2018, and that hopefully means we will get a bunch of new info during E3.
Spider-Man (PS4)
Though Spider-Man has had a spotty history when it comes to video game adaptations, Sony's upcoming exclusive looks to be one of the rare standouts. Developed by Insomniac Games--the creators of Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet and Clank, and Sunset Overdrive--the studio has paired its talents for open-world action and solid-platforming mechanics with the agility and finesse of Spider-Man's moves. Fun and verticality are some of the key things to have in a good Spider-Man game, and those are on full display in the upcoming one.
According to the developer, we've only seen a fraction of what you can expect to do in the game. It picks up with Spider-Man at the top of his crime-fighting game, and the wallcrawler will still have his work cut out for him when new villains start popping up in New York City. But when he isn't battling multiple armed robbers and stopping super-powered bad guys, he'll stop to take selfies with civilians and help the locals out with their errands. Though helping kids find their balloons doesn't seem to be a thing in the game, Marvel's Spider-Man looks to fulfill the fantasy of being web-slinger quite accurately.
Star Wars | Respawn (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Titanfall developer Respawn Entertainment is working on a new third-person Star Wars game that's being directed by a of War III director Stig Asmussen. According to publisher EA (which owns Respawn as of last year), the game is an "all-new third-person action-adventure game set in the Star Wars universe." That's all we know about the game for certain, but it's intriguing to think about what the team behind one of the most trailblazing shooters in recent years may do with such a big and beloved sci-fi license. Fans may be happy to know that Respawn boss Vince Zampella met with The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams to talk about their respective works; oh to be a fly on that wall. EA would do well to give an update on all of its upcoming Star Wars projects at E3 this year, so hopefully we will know more about Respawn's game soon.
Star Wars Project | EA Vancouver (platforms unconfirmed)
We actually know quite a bit about the Star Wars project that's in development with EA Vancouver--at least, the history of what it was, thanks to a detailed Kotaku report. But it's very likely that the single-player adventure game, codenamed "Ragtag" and formerly led by Uncharted director Amy Hennig, has gone the way of Star Wars 1313 and all but completely evaporated. In late 2017, the primary studio behind the Ragtag project, Visceral Games, was sadly closed. It had been working on this untitled Star Wars adventure since 2013, but the original game it set out to make has been effectively cancelled.
EA Vancouver has since taken over completely and will pivot the game to become a "broader experience" and one that will "deliver an experience players will want to come back to for a long time to come," according to executive vice president of EA Worldwide Studios Patrick Söderlund.
Super Smash Bros. Switch (Switch)
After a bit of a wait, the next Super Smash Bros. game was confirmed for Switch. Details are scarce, but we do know that Splatoon's Inklings will join the roster for the first time, and there are of course characters we expect to return (including Mario and Bowser, judging by the silhouettes in the reveal trailer).
We also know that Nintendo will be holding a Smash Bros. Switch invitational tournament during E3, and it will be playable on the show floor for attendees. As a result, we can expect to get more information about the game--like whether it's a souped-up port of Smash Bros. on Wii U or an entirely new entry from the ground up--very soon.
E3 2018 is fast approaching and our excitement for the biggest upcoming games continues to build. The show is bound to yield plenty of announcements and surprising reveals from companies, like Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, Bethesda, Square Enix, and more. To prepare you for the upcoming event, we've created multiple features on the biggest games we're likely to hear more about at E3, detailing everything we know so far about them and everything we'd love to hear. Below you can find a list of all the features we've made thus far. Be sure to check back often as we update this roundup with even more features.
There's a lot of excitement around Anthem leading into E3 2018 since it's BioWare's next big project and new IP. Expectations are high given this is a franchise debut from the same studio that brought us a slew of iconic RPGs: Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, and Baldur's Gate to name a few. To give you a look at what's ahead, here's what we know about Anthem, as well as what we're hoping to see from it at this year's E3. [BioWare's Anthem: What We Want At E3 2018]
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
A new Assassin's Creed game is inevitable; it's only a matter of time before it comes along. May's big Walmart Canada leak suggested an announcement could be coming soon, and it increasingly looks as if E3 might be when we get to hear about the game. A new leak has revealed a possible name--Odyssey--and setting for the next Assassin's Creed, which may be coming out by the end of March 2019. [Assassin's Creed Odyssey: What We Want At E3 2018]
Battlefield V
EA's Battlefield V is definitely a game we're excited to learn more about at E3 2018. Following the game's announcement earlier this month, EA and developer DICE plan to talk a lot more about it next month at E3. In this feature we're rounding up important details about the game including what we know about it so far, what's confirmed for E3, and what we hope to see from the game at the show. [Battlefield 5: What We Want At E3 2018]
Borderlands 3
A new Borderlands game has been expected for some time now. The series is among 2K's most successful franchises, and Borderlands 3 has been teased time and again. We know 2K has a new (but as-of-yet unannounced) game for one of its big franchises in the works, although it was recently delayed--rather than releasing by the end of March 2019, it's not due until sometime between April 2019 and March 2020. That suddenly makes it less likely that E3 2018 is where we get a look at Borderlands 3--or whatever the game ends up being called. Nevertheless, here's what we know about the potential project, as well as what we'd hope to see from an E3 reveal. [Borderlands 3: What We Want At E3 2018]
Call of Duty Black Ops 4
Treyarch is planning some interesting changes to the familiar Call of Duty formula with Black Ops 4. While every game in the long-running FPS series has had its own spin on things over the years, this year's game is looking to buck some trends that has already made the community stand up and take notice. There was a lot to take in from the May 17 reveal event, so here's a more detailed breakdown of what's coming up for Blacks Ops 4, and we want to see at E3 2018. [Call Of Duty Black Ops 4: What We Want At E3 2018]
Cyberpunk 2077
E3 promises to bring news on lots of big games, and CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 is definitely one we're excited to learn more about. While it is not confirmed to be at the event, signs are pointing to some kind of reveal in June. In this feature we're rounding up important details about the game like what we know about it so far, what's confirmed for E3, and what we hope to see from the game at the show. [Cyberpunk 2077: What We Want At E3 2018]
Days Gone
The setting is the Pacific Northwest. Freakers are on the loose. A biker gang rides on at the end of the world. This is Days Gone, the latest game from Sony's Bend Studio, the team behind the Syphon Filter series and the handheld Resistance and Uncharted games. But Days Gone is bigger than anything Bend has done before. It's an ambitious, open-world game in which you can travel vast distances while being stalked by hordes of zombie-like enemies. [Days Gone: What We Want At E3 2018]
Death Stranding
Death Stranding is one of the most exciting upcoming games appearing at E3 2018. The next project from famed developer Hideo Kojima has had us intrigued ever since its provocative E3 2016 reveal trailer. With the game confirmed as one of the four major games Sony intends to primarily focus on during its press conference, our hype and anticipation only continues to build. To prepare you for what's ahead, here's what we know about Death Stranding. [Death Stranding: What We Want At E3 2018]
The Division 2
Tom Clancy's The Division came out in 2016 and it seemed like an ideal cross between shooter and MMORPG. The game immediately set itself apart with its contemporary setting, a realistic depiction of a snow-covered New York City enveloped in a pandemic crisis. Two years later, Ubisoft has announced that a sequel is in the works and that it's set to appear at E3 2018. [The Division 2: What We Want At E3 2018]
Fallout 76
After nearly 24 hours of teasing on their official livestream, Bethesda has revealed the next installment in its post-apocalyptic series with Fallout 76. Set for release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, the next game looks to focus a lot more on life within the insular inner-worlds of Vaults, and what comes after. Though the trailer was a satisfying teaser for what's the come, there's still a lot we want to know--so here's a more detailed breakdown of what Fallout 76 is all about, and we want to see at E3 2018. [Fallout 76: What We Want At E3 2018]
Ghost of Tsushima
Revealed at Paris Games Week 2017, Ghost of Tsushima is one of Sony's newest exclusives. There's much excitement around the upcoming open-world game, as its premise as a historically authentic samurai action game is one its most unique aspects. Here's what we know about Ghost of Tsushima, as well as what we're hoping to see from it at this year's E3. [Ghost of Tsushima PS4: What We Want At E3 2018]
Kingdom Hearts 3
Kingdom Hearts III has been a long time coming. While the series has had several spin-offs and side-stories since Kingdom Hearts II released 13 years ago, this is the game fans have been waiting for. To ready you for what's ahead, here's what we know about Kingdom Hearts III today, and what we're hoping to see from it at E3 2018. [Kingdom Hearts 3: What We Want At E3 2018]
The Last Of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II is one of the most highly anticipated games appearing at E3 2018. As one of the games Sony intends to focus on during its press conference, we're expecting to gain a lot of new insights and hopefully see a bunch of fresh gameplay. To prepare for what's ahead, let's breakdown what we already know about The Last of Us Part II, and what we're hoping to see at this year's E3. [The Last Of Us 2: What We Want At E3 2018]
Metroid Prime 4
Knowing full well that it would leave fans wondering what's to come, Nintendo's E3 2017 reveal that Metroid Prime 4 is in development was short but sweet. All we got was a logo, and Bill Trinen's word that it is due to ship sometime "beyond 2017." We are well into 2018 now and there's still nary a word about what the game will look like, let alone what studio is currently piecing it together. Assuming that Nintendo makes a big show at this year's E3, here's what we hope to find out about the secretive sequel. [Metroid Prime 4: What We Want At E3 2018]
Pokemon Switch
Though not confirmed to appear during Nintendo's E3 2018 presentation, the upcoming Nintendo Switch Pokemon game is high on our wishlist this year. Here's everything we know about the game and everything we really want to see come June. [Pokemon On Nintendo Switch: What We Want At E3 2018]
Rage 2
After a retailer leak and a series of teaser images, we finally got confirmation that Rage 2 is real. Bethesda released a live-action reveal trailer that set the tone for the game and a follow-up gameplay trailer that gave us a glimpse at some in-engine action. Senior vice president of Bethesda Pete Hines has confirmed that we'll find out even more about the game at E3, so in preparation for that, here's a wrap-up of everything we know so far and what we want to see more of when June rolls around. [Rage 2: What We Want At E3 2018]
Splinter Cell
The Splinter Cell series has been dormant for quite some time now. Ubisoft has done little with its signature stealth-action game franchise for half a decade, but there have been enough shreds of potential information to think a new Splinter Cell game might finally be happening. With Metal Gear Solid in a weird place after Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami, the time is certainly right. Here's what we know about the status of Splinter Cell, as well as what we'd hope to see at E3 2018 if Ubisoft does decide to surprise us. [Splinter Cell: What We Know And Want At E3 2018]
Super Smash Bros. Switch
E3 promises to bring news on lots of big games, and Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. for Switch is unquestionably one of the show's most anticipated titles. Nintendo has already said the fighting game will be the focus of its overall showing this year, so you can expect a lot of news and reveals during the event. In this feature we're rounding up important details about the game like what we know about it so far, what's confirmed for E3, and what we hope to see from the game at the show. [Super Smash Bros. Switch: What We Want At E3 2018]
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