The 2016 E3, also known as the Electronic Entertainment Expo, has recently passed and has left fans excited for many upcoming games. Now that E3 has passed I would be providing a list of games I am personally excited for.
Microsoft:
This year Microsoft's conference wasn't too exciting. There was an announcement of a new Xbox, Xbox One S, and the Xbox Design lab, which allows gamers to personally design their Xbox remotes. Although it wasn't too exciting, there are a couple of Xbox exclusive games that have caught my interest.
1. We Happy Few
We Happy Few is an upcoming psychological thriller that is being developed and published by Compulsion Games. The game is set to be on Xbox Preview on June 26, 2016 and it looks creepy.
The game takes place in a dystopian-steampunk town, Wellingtons, England, in 1964 after World War II. In this alternate world, Germany had successfully began Operation Sea Lion and invaded England. However, their plan was later stopped by citizens which instigated an incident that caused severe depression and guilt. To stop this series of emotions, everyone is being controlled by a personality-altering pill, known as the "joy pill."
During Microsoft's latest conference at E3 2016, there was a live preview of gameplay for We Happy Few. The gameplay begins with the character sitting on his desk working. He is informed about a celebration and needs to take his "joy pill," however, he refuses to take the pill and suddenly begins to witness some horrible things.
The game does look very disturbing and exciting. Because of its steampunk style, We Happy Few reminds me of the game Bioshock. This is part of the reason why I am excited for the game, but another reason is because of the story. It is quite interesting that a whole town is required to take a pill to remain happy and I am curious to what the character will be witnessing when off the pills.
2. Gears of War 4
Gears of War 4 is a continuation of the series Gears of War and is set to be released October 11, 2016. The game will be an Xbox exclusive, like always, and it will be developed by the Coalition.
The game is set to take place 25 years after the Imulsion Countermeasure weapon destroyed all Imulsion on the planet Sera, along with the Locust and the Lambent. This destruction caused humanity to loose the use of fossil fuse which meant humanity must adapt without them. As if it wasn't difficult enough to adapt, the COG has also issued a martial law that is preventing anyone to travel outside. So much is happening after the use of the Countermeasure weapon and Marcus' son, J.D. Fenix, must find ways to deal with the new threat to humanity's survival.
Gears of War 4 was announced during Microsoft's conference in E3 2015. However, this past conference finally issued a release date which got many fans excited.
Although it would be interesting to learn about Marcus' son, the game doesn't completely capture my excitement. More than anything I am excited to see where the Gears of War series will take me next, but I am also not jumping for joy.
Sony:
Sony's E3 2016 conference was all about the upcoming games. Each game was announced one after the other which allowed the games to speak for themselves. So here are a few upcoming games that were announced and that I am personally excited for.
1. Spiderman
A new Spiderman game was announced and it will be developed by Insomniac, which is know for its popular game Sunset Overdrive. There wasn't much explanation of the game and its story, however there was a teaser trailer and it looks absolutely amazing. There was no announcement as to when the game will be released, but it will be a PlayStation 4 exclusive.
2. Horizon Zero Dawn
During last years E3 conference in 2015, Sony introduced the world with a new game called Horizon Zero Dawn. The initial release date was set for sometime in 2016, however the game is now set to be released on February 28, 2017. Horizon Zero Dawn is being developed by Guerrilla Games and will be a PlayStation 4 exclusive.
Horizon Zero Dawn is an action role playing game that is set 1,000 years into the future. Humanity has abandoned Earth due to the world being being dominated by robotic creatures. The main character, Aloy, is a hunter and archer that players will control to progress through the post-apocalyptic land that is being ruled by these mechanical dinosaurs.
During Sony's E3 2016 conference, a gameplay trailer was released for Horizon Zero Dawn and it was beautiful. The trailer allowed fans to witness what skills could be used to defeat these creatures and how they could use them to their advantage. Horizon Zero Dawn can possibly be one of the best games of 2017. The graphics look outstanding and for what has been shown so far, the storyline looks incredibly interesting.
3. The Last Guardian
In 2009, The Last Guardian was originally introduced at Sony's E3 Conference and was later reintroduced in 2015. During Sony's 2016 E3 Conference, after many years of rescheduled release dates, Sony has finally announced that The Last Guardian will be released on October 25, 2016 and fans are excited. The Last Guardian is being developed by genDESIGN and SIE Japan Studio. The game has been in development for approximately nine years and fans are finally excited to have the opportunity to experience this game.
The Last Guardian's story is about an old man's memory of escaping a lage castle and suddenly encountering a large chained feathered creature named Trico. After helping Trico escape, the two of them work together to escape the castle and fight against anyone who gets in their way.
The Last Guardian catches my attention because of the fact that the game is basically about two friends who work together and can overcome anything that gets in their way. Not only does it have potential to have a beautiful story, but the design of the world within the game has beautiful scenery.
4. Crash Bandicoot Remaster
Crash Bandicoot is a PlayStation classic, and at Sony's 2016 E3 conference it was announced that it will be remastered for PlayStation 4. There will be three games that will be remastered, Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot Warped.
Crash Bandicoot is a big part of my childhood. So the fact that it will be remastered makes many fans, that have grown up with the game, very happy.
Nintendo:
Nintendo did not have a large conference in an auditorium filled with press and fans. Instead they had a small discussion between developers, which allowed for them to show gameplay for each game that was being presented.
1. Pokemon Sun and Moon
Pokémon Sun and Moon are Game Freak's new games that should be released on November 18, 2016. The game is still in development, however, during Nintendo's 2016 E3 discussion, there was some live gameplay that was being shown and fans were able to take a sneak peek as to what they might be expecting.
So far the two upcoming games have many differences compared to previous games. Something that is very different, and can be quite helpful for first time Pokemon players, is that players, while battling, can select an icon that allows players to learn about certain moves and what they can do. After attacking players can also see what changes has occured to their oponent. Although these changes seem small, for previous Pokemon players these changes are quite drastic and can be quite helpful for upcoming players. There are many more differences to come for the game is still in development.
![]()
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is Nintendo's new upcoming game that should be released sometime in 2017.
During Nintendo's 2016 E3 discussion, Nintendo allowed players to witness live gameplay and explained all the new things the game has to offer. This game is unlike any other Legend of Zelda game seen before. Players are required to use survivor skills to adapt to the changing environment in its large free roaming world. Not only does the world have a variety of climate changes, but there are also a variety of creatures that players must battle. The game will have new amiibos that players can purchase and use within the game.
Nintendo has broken the continuous mold that each Zelda game posses and it is incredible. The fact that we are able to experience the climate change each part of the world has to offer and find new ways to defeat villains and solve puzzles makes the game very exciting.
EA (Electronic Arts):
EA's 2016 E3 conference was very large and announced a variety of games. Although there were many games that were introduced, there is only one specific game that caught my attention.
1. Mass Effect: Andromeda
Mass Effect: Andromeda is BioWare's new game and it was announced at EA's 2015 E3 conference and has been rescheduled to be released in 2017. The game will be available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Mass Effect: Andromeda takes place centuries after the events of the first three Mass Effect games, in the Andromeda Galaxy. Ryder, Mass Effect's new protagonist, is sent on a mission to find a new planet for the Human race to inhabit.
Mass Effect is known for its amazing story and this specific game has been in development since 2012. There have been many teasers and in 2015 it was officially announced to be released in 2016 and now has been rescheduled for sometime in 2017. Since the game has been in development for so long I am curious to see what the game will have to offer.
Bethesda:
Bethesda's 2016 E3 press conference did announce a couple of games and future DLC (downloadable content) for their recently released games. They also announced that their popular game, Fallout 4, will be available to play on Vive VR (Virtual Reality) System. Excited for the things to come, here are just a few that really caught my attention.
1. Fallout 4 DLC
Bethesda announced at their E3 2016 press conference that three new downloadable content (DLC) will be released for their popular game Fallout 4. The three upcoming DLCs will be Contraptions, Vault Tech Workshops, and Nuka World.
Contraptions will allow players to add convayer belts, working elevators, and so much more to improve their building. This DLC will be released during the month of June of this year, players will be able to improve their structures very soon.
Vault-Tec Workshop will allow players to conduct their own experiments, and will be released in July of this year. Players will be able to build their own Vault attractions and experiment on dwellers within.
Nuka World will open an entire new world for Fallout 4 along with a variety of quests and characters. Nuka World is set to be released in August of this year and it will be the last DLC for the game.
As a fan of the Fallout series I am very excited to be able to experience the new DLC Bethesda will have to offer.
2. Skyrim Remastered
Skyrim is well known and the fact that it will be remastered excites many fans, including myself. The game should be released later this year and fans are excited.
3. Prey
Prey is an upcoming first-person shooter game that is being developed by Bethesda and should be released sometime in 2017. The game will be available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Although many believe this will be a sequel to the original 2006 game Prey, it actually is a reboot. Originally Human Head Studies was developing the sequel, however the right to the game were transferred to Bethesda and was eventually cancelled. During Bethesda's 2016 E3 press conference Prey was announced and the trailer looks somewhat scary. This first-person shooter will also be a psychological thriller and fans are excited to see how Bethesda will change the game.
These are just some of the games I am personally excited for. Although this years E3 wasn't as exciting as last years, there are still a variety of games fans have to look forward to in the next couple of years.
