IT’S BEEN A BUSY E3 this year with the PS4, Xbox One and Wii U showing off what is one of the more exciting lineups in recent years.
There were far too many to list here but here are the most eye-catching titles covered at one of the biggest gaming events of the year.
Note: where possible, we’ve included all the platforms each title is being released on. Since some of them are timed releases (Eg: Rise of the Tomb Raider is appearing on Xbox One first), we’ll make reference to other platforms they will likely appear on in brackets.
Fallout 4
For: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: 10th November
The post-apocalyptic series gets a splash of colour and some new features when a preview of the game was shown off. On top of exploration, you will be able to build settlements, modify your weapons and do the usual exploration where you visit towns and complete quests.
A collectors edition will come with a real-life Pipboy, a wrist-mount which includes a slot for your smartphone to create a second screen experience, and mods for the PC version will also work on Xbox One.
Halo 5: Guardians
For: Xbox One
Release date: 27 November
While it appeared at last year’s Xbox event, the focus this year was on the single player experience, a squad-based shooter that also includes some cinematic moments. There was also time to show off multiplayer which places particular emphasis on level size as well as the weaponry and vehicles available to you.
Rise of the Tomb Raider
For: Xbox One/360 (PS4 and PC)
Release date: 10th November
Rise of the Tomb Raider got an extended gameplay trailer featuring Lara Croft trying to survive an avalanche while climbing a mountain. The sequel looks like it will improve upon the cinematic set pieces from the previous game as Croft survives the harsh wilderness and explores ancient ruins.
Starfox Zero
For: Wii U
Release date: Christmas 2015
Originally announced at last year’s E3, the new trailer showed a variety of new vehicles including a small mech walker, and a drone-like aircraft.
It also combines the GamePad gyroscope so you can look around your spacecraft by moving it while your TV screen keeps a third-person view.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
For: PS4
Release date: 2016
Likely to be the final game in the series, personal circumstances force fortune hunter Nathan Drake to come out of retirement and search of a fabled pirate treasure. He may be older but the action pieces are still as dynamic as before, making you feel like you’re part of a live action movie.
Legend of Zelda: Triforce heroes
For: 3DS
Release date: Autumn 2015
Looking similar to Four Swords, Triforce Heroes will see three Links explore the world and join forces to save the world.
The focus is very much on multiplayer as you aid each other – one action is totem mode where you stack on top of each other to complete specific aims – when navigating dungeons. Although if you don’t have friends, you can still enjoy it.
Dark Souls 3
For: Xbox One (PC and PS4)
Release date: Early 2016
Will you expect it to be anything less than brutally difficult? The answer is no and you wouldn’t want it any other way.
Doom
For: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: Spring 2016
The classic shoot-em-up foray into horror didn’t quite go to plan with the release of the third game, but the sequel looks like it’s going back to basics. Weapons like the chainsaw and the super shotgun will make a reappearance. Either way, it’s going to be bloody and violent.
Yoshi’s Wooly World
For: Wii U
Release date: 16th October
Yoshi’s Island was one of the best games of the SNES-era – if not one of the best games in general – so it’s not a bad thing that the next Yoshi game continues this tradition.
It takes some inspiration from Kirby’s Epic Yarn – both in style and gameplay – and it’s on course to be titled ‘most adorable game of 2015′ (if such an award exists, which it should).
Mirror Edge Catalyst
For: Xbox One, PS4, PC
Release date: 23rd February 2016
The stylish first-person free-runner is back and is a prequel building upon the solid foundations the original had. From the trailer alone, it looks like it will add an extra layer of complexity to both the parkour and combat.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
For: Wii U
Release date: 4th December
Following the strong critical reception the original received, the sequel looks like more of the same but with more expansive worlds as you battle massive lifeforms and try to survive on a new planet.
Mario & Luigi: Paper Worlds
For: 3DS
Release date: 2015
An RPG that combines both the worlds of 3D Mario and Paper Mario is an odd proposition in itself, but this is Nintendo we’re talking about. You use the abilities of Mario, Luigi and Paper Mario to navigate the world, find hidden secrets and battle enemies in turn-based combat that rewards timed attacks.
The Last Guardian
For: PS4
Release date: 2016
From the same team which brought Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, The Last Guardian was originally announced in 2009 but has been stuck in development hell. Not anymore as it now has a 2016 release date and features a child and a giant griffin/rat-like hybrid creature as you navigate desolate and crumbling ruins.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force
For: 3DS
Release date: 2016
A co-op game based in the Metroid world, you don’t control Samus but four members of a force exploring different worlds and hunting down monsters. The other multiplayer game is BlastBall, which is a 3 vs 3 sci-fi sports battle.
No Man’s Sky
For: PS4
Release date: N/A
No Man’s Sky looks both amazing yet slow-paced if this demo is anything to go by. We know it’s going to be massive, but there could be a lot of downtime between exploring worlds and even the dogfights in space look a bit slow. Still, it’s too early to judge and since there’s no release date yet, there’s time to polish it further.
Horizon: Zero Dawn
For: PS4
Release date: 2016
From the makers of Killzone comes this post-apocalyptic (we’re assuming it is) where your opponents are mechanical dinosaurs and you control a cavewoman with nothing but a spear and a bow to defend yourself with.
Star Wars: Battlefront
For: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: 17th November
So this is a continuation of the Battlefront series, but it’s an original Star Wars game which takes place during the Battle of Hoth.
The footage shown was only pre-alpha gameplay, but everything you can expect is there, AT-STs, TIE Fighters, lightsabers and large battles so if you’re a fan, you’ve every reason to be excited.
Dreams
For: PS4
Release date: N/A
Do we have any idea what’s happening in this trailer? Not in the slightest but Dreams certainly looks intriguing. You can create your own game worlds/dreams as well as explore and remix other people’s creations.
ReCore
For: Xbox One
Release date: Spring 2016
Not much was revealed about this game from one of the people behind Mega Man (Keiji Inafune). The trailer featured a young woman making her way through a desert and fighting mechanical enemies. She’s accompanied by her own robot pets to help her. Certainly one to keep an eye on.
Yo-Kai Watch
For: 3DS
Release date: Christmas 2015
Another RPG from Level 5 (of Dark Cloud and Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch fame), Yo-Kai Watch is all about summoning monsters and battling them against evil spirits in the town of Springdale. A bit like Pokémon but with the charm and style associated with Level 5′s titles.
Cuphead
For: Xbox One, PC
Release date: 2016
A Contra-style game that has the look of a classic 1930s cartoon? Sure, why not.
Unravel
For: PS4, Xbox One
Release date: N/A
EA’s title was one of the more adorable announcements and takes place in the real world. Taking control of a red yarn called Yarny, you must navigate the woods, snow and nature using your thread. A similar idea to Yoshi’s Epic Yarn but it looks just as good.
Final Fantasy VII
For: PS4 (PC & Xbox One versions likely)
Release date: N/A
Chances are if you’re familiar with games, you know the deal with Final Fantasy VII. All you need to know is a remake is happening and that’s all that matters.
Shenmue III
For: PS4, PC
Release date: 2016
Since it was released back in 1999 on Dreamcast, Shenmue was seen as one of the best games ever created, showcasing the kind of open world detail we take for granted in titles like GTA.
Not much is known about the third edition (it’s likely it will wrap up the loose ends of the second game) but it already smashed its $2 million Kickstarter target in the space of 12 hours so it’s going to be popular at least.
Rare Classics
For: Xbox One
Release date: 4th August
A collection that features 30 games from Rare catalogue including Battletoads, Perfect Dark, Jet Force Gemini and Banjo-Kazooie to name a few. What’s not to like?
(Update: an earlier version of this article said that Goldeneye was included in the anthology. This was incorrect and has been updated to reflect this).
Super Mario Maker
For: Wii U
Release date: 11th September
The level design of the original Super Mario Bros still puts most games to shame, but if you played it and thought ‘yeah, I could do better’, that’s what Super Mario Maker is for.
Soon you’ll be able to prove you’re better than most game designers with ingenious level structure and enemy placement. Or you could just create the kind of levels that will emotionally break anyone foolish enough to attempt it. Your choice, really.
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