For those who don’t know, the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is an annual event for the video game industry. Hosted at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California, it spans about a week and includes some of the biggest names in video games.
Gaming companies, including Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony use the stage-time to announce their new titles on a worldwide scale. From anticipated titles such as Fallout 4 and Metal Gear Solid V, to the brand new and unexpected, the hype train was running over-time these last couple of days. It was a great time all around. With this, you can be sure that the hidden gems behind the copious amount of new titles shan’t be ignored!
Here’s my Top 4 list of games shown (in some capacity) at E3 2015:
4. The Last Guardian (Sony Entertainment):
Assumed long dead and gone, Sony surprised its fans this E3 with a reveal trailer blatantly stating the contrary. All I can say is that the tears were very real.
We now know that the Last Guardian is alive and well, boasting a similar game play style to its first showcase back in 2009. Taking control of a human child, you make the acquaintance of a large bird-like creature, nicknamed “Trico”, as you solve intricate puzzles using this human to animal dynamic.
What makes the puzzle-solving so exciting can be derived from Trico himself; the creature will respond to external stimulus akin to a normal cat or dog, choosing to obey (or disobey) your commands depending on how close of a bond you've developed with the animal up to that point. Not only does this heighten the potential of the game play, but it also provides a sense of realism that is unique to this title.
As the third game from the director of Ico and Shadows of the Colossus, Fumito Ueda, fans should have much to look forward to.
Release Date: TBD 2016
3. Fire Emblem: Fates (Intelligent Systems):
If I happened to approach any random individual or self-proposed gamer, and ask them whether or not they’ve played a TRPG, surely they’d respond with a look of confusion. Well, that’s exactly what Fire Emblem is.
As a tactical role-playing series, the game play encourages strategy and more intricate and restricted movement than your typical RPG. This is generally one of the reasons why Fire Emblem is incredibly niche. To sum it all up, it was Japanese-only series until the popularity surge from Super Smash Bros. Melee, which included characters from Fire Emblem. The inclusion of these characters prompted the release of “Fire Emblem” for the Game Boy Advance, back in 2003.
This new incarnation, Fire Emblem: Fates, is the 14th installation in the franchise, and the first to feature two different versions, similar to Pokemon. The two variations: Fire Emblem: Conquest and Fire Emblem: Birthright have you, the player, control an individual in command of his or her own army. As war slowly looms closer, you’re forced to choose between two kingdoms. Whichever side you ally with, decides your "fate" in the context of the story.
Release Date: TBD 2016
2. Remake of Final Fantasy VII (Square Enix):
Being in a Skype call with friends at the time, it was safe to say from the excitement that NOBODY saw this coming. For those unaware, Final Fantasy VII is one of the most well-acclaimed video games of all time. Hailed to be a classic and to have kickstarted the 3D generation, a remake was highly anticipated. Of course, that does not mean that it was expected any time soon, especially at E3.
A CGI trailer with the words "Final Fantasy VII", and a showcase of several key locations from the original game were shown; obviously an indicator that the game is more or less still at the beginning of development, but the confirmation was all we ever really wanted.
The announcement was nothing short of amazing, and the world is excited to see how Square Enix could make an already perfect title even better.
Release date: TBD
1. Kingdom Hearts 3 (Disney/Square Enix):
Square Enix has been on a roll lately. From the highly anticipated Final Fantasy XV, to a remake of fan favorite Final Fantasy VII, how can you possibly top it all?
Well, Kingdom Hearts does just that.
After being absent from E3 2014, many of us were left confused. Is development still running along? Were there significant problems that had to be addressed? The concerns were high then, but fears were eased on Tuesday morning with a new trailer, showcasing a highlight from the game's opening scene, and some classic KH-esque game play, with a twist.
In all honesty, I have yet to meet a person that wasn't excited for this announcement. As a long-time fan of the series, this reveal trailer felt like the second coming of Jesus. Although it has seemed like an eternity, we finally have confirmation that Kingdom Hearts 3 is happening, and that it will soon be released.
I still can't believe it.
Release date: TBD.
So many games...so little money. Oh, what’s a poor college student to do.
