E3 2019
Electronic Entertainment Expo
June 11-13, 2019
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California
There’s been much discussion regarding the decline/demise of E3 over the past year. This year a number of high profile companies and developers (Nintendo Direct, Playstation, and Sony) opted to host separate events focusing on their properties, therefore implying the annual summer gathering was going the way of the dodo. This is not the case. In looking at overall attendance (down roughly 3,000 attendees from last year), the aggressive manner of the early games and hardware announcements that led up to the event, and the widening of scope to include more gamers, there appears to be a healthy transformation occurring in the state of the games community’s marquee annual event. Yes, there is a paradigm shift occurring, but overall this transitory time indicates the morphing to something new. Here, rather than revisiting previously announced games (Cyberpunk 2077, Beyond Good and Evil 2), the focus is on new properties that should tickle the fancy of those interested in future game releases by some rather innovative entities.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Release: November 2019
Baldur’s Gate 3 has been in discussion for the better part of a decade. In all honesty, I had lost interest. There have been a number of fantasy sword and sorcery titles (Dragon Age, Elder Scrolls) that have consumed hours of gameplay in the last decade. Though no gameplay was seen, this highly crafted trailer caused pause. A knight stumbles through a castle’s keep after what appears to have been a fierce engagement of bloodletting. He then grotesquely transforms into a Chthulu-like brain flayer. This reveal, at the very least, gives hope that one day another Baldur’s Gate will be played.
Blair Witch
Release: August 30, 2019
Those fans of the 1999 horror film, Blair Witch Project, set in the Black Hills forest near Burkittsville, Maryland, and subsequent related materials, must be chomping at the bit for another taste after this reveal. Using the same found footage technique, rapid passing, and wobbly handheld camera aesthetic that defined the cult classic, a beat does not seem to have been missed. A boy is lost in the woods, you, the protagonist and his dog, Bullet, are tasked with finding the young lost soul. The first person perspective coupled with flashes of supernatural occurrence created a frenzied atmosphere that is enhanced by the dark dead forest littered with abandoned shacks. Like the film, the trailer appears to be heading into a deep psychological space where more questions than not may go unanswered.
Carrion
Release: Currently available on Steam. Consoles – 2020
In the reverse horror platformer, Carrion, you get to play the monster! You, an amorphous ameoba-like creature, are trapped in a secret scientific facility. Your task is to navigate the environment’s various levels while wrecking havoc. The overarching goal appears to be seeking out engagement (attacking) with unsuspecting persons while growing in size. Though flat in appearance, the space holds obstacles and traps that prove to be complex in a similar fashion to that seen in Shovel Knight. The pixel art is reminiscent of 1990s series Castelvania and Metroid. This and the opportunity to turn the tables from victim to aggressor draws me in and will be something I look to play in 2020.
Deathloop
Release: 2020
From the creators of Dishonored and Prey, Deathloop is a first-person shooter where you play two extraordinary assassins that have been transported to a lawless island called Blackreef. In an endless struggle you play PvPvE while traversing a setting that is visually stunning, full of AI and real-life invaders. Like this game’s predecessors, there are elements of parkour, the supernatural, and precise gameplay. My hope with this title is that it gets the proper attention this exciting studio deserves. I hold Dishonored and Prey in high regard, felt these two games merited more attention, and hope to play the alpha at year’s end!
Elden Ring
Release: TBA
Unveiled at the Microsoft Xbox press conference, this may be the game many were expecting prior to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. To say I’m giddy would be an understatement. The Souls series and Bloodborne are favorites. The time spent in these virtual worlds has defined much of my last decade of gameplay. Though Sekiro is a remarkable work, I miss the multiplayer aspects. The ability to assist and invade other players is one of the more engaging aspects. Hopefully, this is an option in the Elden Ring. The teaser offered a similar tone of mystery and mythos found in FromSoftware predecessors. Operatic fantasy mixed with godlike creatures look to be centerstage. Hidetaka Miyazaki is teaming up with Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin. One can only imagine the weird fantastical environment and narrative these two can produce. If past efforts are any indication, high spectations will be met.
GhostWire: Tokyo
Release: TBA
Known for the horror series The Evil Within, developer Tango Gameworks looks to continue their excellent record in creating spooky encounters with GhostWire: Tokyo. The population of Tokyo is disappearing. In this action-adventure you are charged with uncovering the mystery and purging the city of this evil entity. The trailer presented an unusually dense tour of Tokyo as inhabitants went about their day-to-day. A pervasive eerie quietness enveloped the scenes as people disappeared leaving clothing and pets behind. What piques interest is to see the gameplay. Uncertain if this will be a first or third person experience, the role the player will undertake remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the teaser provided one of the more memorable views at this year’s event.
Gods & Monsters
Release: February 25, 2020
Taking a cue from the aesthetics of Zelda’s Breath of the Wild, Gods & Monsters appears to be setting up to become a new all ages action-adventure RPG. The cinematic trailer pans into a lush fertile landscape dotted with sanctuaries overlooking clear blue lakes eventually revealing a female figure dressed in attire associated with early Greek culture. Suddenly, a fierce blue birdlike beast (cockatrice?) emerges to attack the armed female figure. Battle ensues. You will take on the role of Fenyx, a long forgotten hero, who sets out to battle Typhon, who has stolen the Greek God’s powers. The imagery and setting are magical. From the developers of Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, this team has a proven recorded in merging legend, story, and gameplay in a manner that consumes players with depth, humor, and intelligence.
Roller Champions
Release: Pre Alpha Build available on Steam. Consoles – 2020
Roller Champions looks to be for those who love the energy and excitement of Rocket League. The setting is a team-based roller derby set in a futuristic arena. This just looks like loads of fun! The visuals remind of Overwatch meets Pixar meets the 1975 film Rollerball. Another Ubisoft property, the hope is that you have the ability to build distinct characters, minus the micro-transactions, that showoff the flair seen in the game trailer. A a pre-alpha build is available on Steam currently until June 14, 2019. This will be something to play with the family and insures to offer an enjoyable experience.
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel
Release: TBA
Certainly the shortest trailer in length at E3 was the teaser for the sequel to Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. In 2017, this iteration was not only the best game of the year, but clearly established Zelda as an iconic entity that defined youthful discovery for the next generation of gamers. Simply put, this minimized message broke the internet. This is apparent due to the video having been viewed over a million times on Youtube since dropping a les than 24 hours ago. For those that played Zelda: Breath of the Wild understand that this is truly “Art”. All aspects – art, mechanics and story – were developed with clarity in voice. I believe the most difficult item to consider is for Nintendo to achieve the same quality, this is a game that will certainly not available until late 2020 or early 2021.
Watch Dogs: Legion
Release: March 6, 2020
Just consider what it would be like playing as a kick-ass granny, complete with automatic weapon. In Watch Dogs: Legion, you will do just this! Yes, Watchdogs continues to develop into a most curious series of games. The initial Watch Dogs was set in a fictionalized Chicago, the 2nd installment in San Francisco. Here, you hop the pond to play a wide variety of characters in modern day London. The hacking of internet, emphasis on technology, and crafty characters appeared to be present in the gameplay. Ubisoft appears to have hands in all gaming quarters at this E3. And, in the next Watch Dogs there appears to be continued advancement seen in other long running Ubisoft IPs.
Spiritfarer
Release: Currenty available on Steam. Consoles – 2020
I want to play Spiritfarer in my pajamas, sipping hot cocoa with a peanut butter sandwich in the early hours of a spring morning (minus the pollen count). This game looks like visual comfort food. Beautiful animation creates a mesmerizing atmosphere for this 2-D side-scrolling adventure. Though somewhat vague, only a fraction of what the game will be was revealed. You appear to play a young girl with her cat. You visit local stores ran by friendly speaking animals, fish from boat-side, and make your way in life. When viewing I sensed a bit of Ori and the Blind Forest and the Sims. If Spiritfarer holds a fraction of the noted, I intend to play this game with my young nephew, complete with his favorite treats.
Review by Chester Alamo-Costello
