The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2018 is the 24th Electronic Entertainment Expo, during which hardware manufacturers, software developers, and publishers from the video game industry
Square Enix might be one of the most recognisable names in the gaming industry but this year marks their first year with a full press conference to showcase their own games. It is surprising that it took so long to see them show up here yet needless to say sent the rumour mill into overdrive about what we would get to see.
However, with Kingdom Hearts III and The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, which had their world premiere trailers at the Xbox Briefing excitement going into the conference was high as to what else they would be showcasing especially for ourselves who were hoping to see a Life is Strange 2 announcement from Dontnod Entertainment, especially now that The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit has been confirmed as the lead in.
Needless to say there were lots of questions as to what will be showcased and the answers are right here. Here’s the rundown.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
The first out of the gates is the opening cinematic sequence of Shadow of the Tomb Raider which time will see her battling to stop a Mayan Apocalypse which will see the action taking place this time in a jungle setting. While Lara might be a more experienced explorer it is clear there is still things for her to learn with this game introducing a new gameplay mechanic being referred to as “Being one with the jungle”.
From the gameplay footage we saw, this basically see Lara blending into her surroundings to play off her foes paranoia and fear much like we saw in the Batman Arkham games and here it certainly plays well in this setting more so with her new moves with sees her stringing up opponents using rope arrows.
The game has a great flow to it while the environments looks fantastic which is only the tip of the iceberg as there will be full underwater exploration new traversal movements and more dangerous tombs to explore than ever as the the journey of Lara Croft becoming the Tomb Raider continues.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider will be released on September 14, 2018.
Stormblood: Final Fantasy XIV Online
Patch 4.3 Under the Moonlight & Monster Hunter World Collab
Sorry to anyone expecting the Final Fantasy VII remake as this is your Final Fantasy quota for the conference which understandably was not quite the Final Fantasy update we were looking for. May saw the release of Patch 4.3 called Under the Moonlight for Stormblood: Final Fantasy XIV Online. However, for fans of Monster Hunter World, the bigger news here is that there will be an upcoming collaboration between these two titles releasing in Summer 2018.
You can play the free trial of Final Fantasy XIV online now at FFXIV-Freetrail.com.
The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit
Dontnod Entertainment really have charmed us with The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, in which you play one morning in the life of Chris, a little boy who is captivated by his imagination in a lonely life by himself where his father isn’t taking good care of him.
The game directors at Dontnod Entertainment emphasizes that this game is not Life is Strange 2 but will give an introduction to the expanded world of Life is Strange and certain links can be made to Life is Strange 2 within some characters and places as well.
This game will launch on June 26th and is completely free.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age takes its players into a colorful RPG story about light versus dark forces in the land.
A final bit of news for this segment reveals another collaboration announcement and that is Dragon Quest with Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius which is due to release in September 2018.
The game will have an Edition of Light version which will include a bonus DLC as well as the Edition of Lost Time with other collectible goodies. The game will release on September 4, 2018 on Playstation 4 and Steam.
Babylon’s Fall
It is always exciting to see what PlatinumGames comes up with next. NieR: Automata’s success last year settled a bit of the loss of Scalebound. Babylon’s Fall was merely a cinematic teaser, if you can even call it that, with a timeline from one event to the next of the Helos Empire. Giant knights and colossus looking creatures and a rather intriguing cinematic fight scene is all we got.
Babylon’s Fall is expected to release on Playstation 4 and Steam in 2019.
NieR: Automata: Become as Gods Edition
Featuring the same trailer as the one at the Xbox Briefing yesterday, NieR: Automata lands on Xbox with the exclusive Become as Gods Edition which will be available on June 26, 2018.
Octopath Traveler
Octopath Traveler is Square Enix’s upcoming RPG featuring eight different characters in different roles like, cleric, merchant, warrior, dancer, apothecary and thief. You play one of these roles for the adventure.
Octopath Traveler will launch on Nintendo Switch on July 13, 2018.
Just Cause 4
Just Cause 4 invites you to bring the thunder with the return of Rico Rodriguez as this time he’s called to a fictional South American region being devastated by the villainous Gabrielle who leads private milita group The Black Hand.
For the sequel the game design has improved with unpredictable weather destruction which will cause chaos but also encourage creative and exciting sandbox gameplay as Tornadoes, blizzards, sandstorms and lightning look set to wreak as much chaos as Rico. There is also a host of new vehicles to control including bulldozers, wrecking balls, cranes and much more while. Rico’s trusty grapple has also improved with more tether.
The new story here will still stay true to Just Cause’s reputation to go anywhere and do anything. In terms of combat, while also boasting the largest world to date. Just Cause 4 now has more intelligent enemies.
Just Cause 4 launches on December 4, 2018.
The Quiet Man
Little is actually known about The Quiet Man other than our protagonist seems to be deaf and proficient in melee combat but the developers have promised an immersive story driven cinematic action experience which will blend high-production live action, realistic CG and pulse-pounding action gameplay which you will be able to finish in one sitting.
Kingdom Hearts III
Square Enix Showcase closes with the much anticipated Kingdom Hearts III which already had a trailer on Xbox yesterday. However, this time we get a slightly extended trailer. Not exactly sure that it gave us much more to look forward to. Kingdom Hearts III is built with Disney characters and worlds so the appeal will be there, especially for the fans that have been waiting.
Kingdom Hearts III will release on January 29, 2019.
Overall, the Square Enix Showcase was a short 30 minute video conference that brought on a few familiar titles which were expected from the masses. For some of their headliners, it featured more in-depth looks however, in general it was far from the conference we were expecting and instead more of a tease with its short reveals and teaser trailers of upcoming projects. Of course by the end we much like I’m sure everyone else were left are wondering why there wasn’t more news on Life is Strange 2 and most importantly, yet again, what is happening to the Final Fantasy VII remake a title which many are certainly losing faith in ever being released.
What stood out for you? Let is know in the comments section below.