E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) is an event held in Los Angeles where hardware manufacturers and software developers and publishers from the video game industry present new and upcoming products. Our own GameWarp has the coverage. Next up: Sony
Sony’s conference is always one of the last to showcase their developments and as such comes with a lot of expectation. Sony is more than keen to deliver and this year opted to forego the expected presentations in favour of a much tighter display of gameplay footage and trailers. Despite some initial sound issues for its first two trailers this was a still a great showing that more than delivered. (Thanks to Gamespot for providing many of the conference video clips).
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Set in Ganesh with two female protagonists, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy – as we saw at the Playstation experience – opened the Sony showcase. This is not a DLC expansion but rather an all-new adventure and considering how Uncharted has only gotten better with each installment of their franchise, there really is no reason to doubt that this game will be as great as the original saga. Set after the events of Nathan Drake’s last adventure, the game now follows fan favourite Chloe Frazer, who first appeared in Uncharted 2: Amongst Thieves were she proved herself just as capable as Drake. Now given her own adventure, she sets out across India to find the mythical “Tusk of Ganesha”. Chloe will be showing off many of the same skills as Drake, and if the trailer is to believed, will have access to a lockpicks and C4, which can be used both on her enemies as well as for puzzle-solving. The footage all looks fantastic and holds the elements that could make Uncharted: The Lost Legacy a great addition to the successful franchise, especially if we are to believe that this is currently being developed as the biggest Uncharted game to date. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy will be released on August 22, 2017
Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds
https://youtu.be/J5xsS1WZA54
Horizon Zero Dawn launched earlier this year in February and has been getting great reviews so there was little doubt that they’d build upon it with a DLC the first of which is called The Frozen Wilds as Aloy ventures into a colder landscape. It’s a brief trailer and frustratingly doesn’t give much away bar the usual new weapons, enemies and armour preview but at this point, any chance to reenter the game as Aloy is a good one, particularly if it expands on the world which proved so captivating in the original game. Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds is coming in 2017.
Days Gone
Zombies may be a tired element in all forms of entertainment however, Days Gone still has a hold on its audience as they show off a new gameplay trailer building upon the show stealing presentation we got at last year’s conference. The footage saw this time showed off the action aspects as the main character, Deacon St. John sets out on his motorcycle to search for his missing friend soon encountering vicious wolves and opportunistic enemy human groups which he is forced to fight in order to survive the cruel post-apocalyptic world the game is set in. Also remember how we loved the Far Cry 5 scene of the guy being chased by a bear? Well Days Gone went one better and sold us completely in the final scenes with their Zombie Bear.
Despite being a lush green world it is still one were danger lurks around every corner and where hordes of zombies roam which we have seen referred to as “Freakers” and as with the original presentation showed up again here as Deacon utilised them to clear an enemy camp. Looking at the footage it is clear he can approach situations in a different way to accomplish his missions including utilising a variety of weapons and items to create diversions. This gameplay trailer shows a much more polished game than anything we’ve seen before and proves that it might be trying to be a lot more than just be another zombie game as well as one that certainly might give us another memorable character to add to the Playstation roster.
Monster Hunter World
Rumors had already spread beforehand that Monster Hunter would be part of the Sony conference but in what way especially with the game in recent years being more linked to Nintendo? Well we here we finally got to see what Playstation has to offer in this trailer based around showing off its big menacing dinosaur inspired monsters. The gameplay itself despite getting a positive reaction from the audience did however look a little janky in spots but considering how this is a work in progress and still has some time before their expected release to polish. Monster Hunter World is looking at release in early 2018.
Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus is possibly one of the most beloved Playstation titles ever and despite being re-released with Ico for the Playstation 3, here it is finally getting the full remaster treatment. For those unfamiliar the game, Shadow of the Colossus is a game based on battling huge towering monsters known as Colossus and watching the trailer it just brought back waves of nostalgia as familiar images flooded the screen. Currently being developed by Bluepoint Games who previously worked on Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection it’s safe to say the game is in safe hands. Shadow of the Colossus will be coming in 2018.
Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite
Presented with a cinematic trailer which could have sold the game as a movie, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite wastes little time in showcasing the impressive and varied roster we have come to expect from the series as we got to see familiar from not only The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy but also the Capcom characters like Megaman and Chun Li. However, without any actual gameplay, it is hard to determine how this all looks in-game outside of the brief glimpses we’ve seen at other conferences which of course begs the question whether it will be structured like the recently released Injustice 2 with a solid storyline or will it just serves as a setup for more fan battles? Certainly the game appears to be aiming for a complete story which ties into the current Infinity Stones plotline we are seeing in the cinematic universe with both Ultron and Thanos clearly set to play a part. The Story Demo is available for download now. With Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite currently set to release on September 19, 2017.
Call of Duty: WWII
There was no doubt that the highly anticipated Call of Duty: WWII would make an appearance at the show and here we finally got to see as the demo showcased settings in France, Germany, Belgium, England and the Soviet Union taking the series. At this point, you are either on board with the Call of Duty games or you aren’t, but this new setting might bring in gamers infatuated with historic locations and events, perhaps even provide a suitable competition to the Battlefield 1 community in their World War 1 setting especially with the franchise of late being more focused on modern and future wars it’s great to see the franchise getting back to its roots. Call of Duty: WWII is coming on November 3, 2017.
Playstation VR
Playstation VR only launched last year and there is no way that they are abandoning this new tech yet. With that said, they gave a quick rundown of their upcoming games and there is a pretty huge variety:
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Star Child
- The Inpatient
- FF XV: Monster of the Deep (September 2017)
- Bravo Team
- Moss
For Elder Scroll fans still wanting a new game the wait continues as instead we get yet another remaster of Skyrim which has been remastered last year and now remastered for VR. While, Final Fantasy XV VR had its issues and makes us wonder whether it’s for that reason, they are releasing Monster of the Deep, which is essentially a fishing game but for water creatures set in the Final Fantasy XV world, which makes it an odd idea and makes us wonder who would be appealed by this however it is also the only one with a release date on September 2017. Of course, the Inpatient is the single horror title and a genre that works best for VR. The last remarkable VR game would be Moss. An adorable little rodent creature in a beautiful world which shows off a lot of charm.
God of War
Surely one of the biggest titles that everyone wanted to see especially after being showcased at last year’s show and unquestionably having one of the biggest crowd reactions, God of War made an appearance. Show off a more in-depth gameplay trailer. we also got to see more of the dynamic between Kratos and his son as the game trades out Greek mythology for Norse mythology which also sees Kratos exchanging his trademark blades of chaos for a double handed battle axe which can be thrown at his enemies before magically re-summoned to his hands but of course he proves himself just as capable beating the living hell out of his enemies with his bare hands. Packed with all the things we’ve come to expect from the series from vicious battles and huge monsters it ends on a high note by having Kratos and his son coming face to face with Jörmungandr the world serpent who according to legend grew so large he encircled the earth and utilising the power of the Playstation looks nothing short of stunning. God of War is set for release in early 2018.
Detroit: Become Human
Detroit: Become Human makes a return this year with a gameplay trailer featuring their main protagonist, Marcus, an android who has a grudge and decides to fight for the androids’ right. How will his choices affect the future of this city? Are Androids a threat to security? Detroit: Become Human shows the android’s story while coming From the developers of Heavy Rain and Beyond Two Souls, this game sees them working with a futuristic setting and promising a gripping tale complete with a brand new set of choices to change how the story plays out as you lead the Android revolution.
Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is almost among us and with little known still about the game the trailer certainly painted an exciting picture of what we can look forward to as this time they opted for a more cinematic trailer than the humorous ones we have seen in the lead up. Destiny 2 will have Playstation exclusive items such as gear and weapon along with PVP map: Retribution. Destiny 2 is coming on September 6, 2017
Spider-Man
The final trailer of the showcase goes to Insomniac Games and the upcoming Spider-Man. This time, there is an extensive gameplay trailer which showed us villains like Kingpin and his henchmen “The demons” but also the fluid motion of Spider-Man whether it is performing stealth or in the action sequences. A clumsy stinger at the end of the conference however revealed the current Spider-Man Miles Morales, but this lost some of its impact when half the audience thinks the conference is over and are heading to the door though It’s unclear if you’re playing as Peter or Miles yet.
At first glance, it reminds us heavily of the Arkham trilogy in terms of the gameplay mechanics however, in keeping with the character there are also some intense scenarios shown here which requires rely on quick reactions and interaction with the surrounding environment. In much the same way that the Arkham series finally gave us a Batman game which made you feel like you were Batman here we finally get the same for Spider-Man. Unquestionably the game looks impressive and fun from its fighting and stealth attacks through to the trademark quips from old webhead. If any game made you want to buy a Playstation this could honestly be it. Spider-Man is coming in 2018.
Sony’s showcase was about an hour long but featured over 15 games including 6 Playstation VR titles. Many of these games are exclusives and even more so, gave us a first look at the gameplay for many anticipated upcoming games while also adding in a vague release date. Overall, Sony’s conference, like previous years, was all about less talk and more content, which works well as it keeps things tight, giving their fans exactly what everyone is looking for and generally letting the trailers speak for themselves. Obviously it was a disappointment not to see any more from Death Stranding, which has only been teased so far with a pair of artsy trailers but no gameplay and with Hideo Kojima and his team still locked in production, it’s understandable while only adding to the anticipation.
What are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments below.