Square Enix Announce E3 Line-up

You know E3 is only around the corner when publishers start sending out advance warnings of impending awesomeness. Providing an insight into what they’ll be parading at the event in question, Square Enix have done just that with an email that rattles off game titles that will be making an appearance at next week’s expo like they’re going out of fashion.

We’ve cut this down a little (the email is literally the press release equivalent of War & Peace), and we’ve even left in the Nintendo titles. We like Nintendo, even if we don’t show it that often around these parts.

• Deus Ex: Human Revolution (PS3/360/PC) – a hard-hitting cyberpunk themed tale of corruption and social unrest set in a near dystopian future. The series has a renowned cult following. Eidos Montreal might need to barricade up their windows if they mess this up as this is a cult that can mobilise at the drop of a genetically modified pitch-fork.
• The 3rd Birthday (PSP) – Aya Brea is back in what is considered a quasi-sequel to the brilliant Parasite Eve games on the PS1. Manhattan is under threat and it’s your job to save it. Again. Wearing a wedding dress no less. You’ll see.
• Dungeon Siege 3 (PS3/360/PC) – Obsidian Entertainment team up with Square Enix to give Dragon Age a run for its money. “Joined by a group of unique companions, you will travel through the striking land of Ehb, defeating all manner of villains and beasts through a combination of heroic abilities, screen shaking magic and pure cunning.” Sold.
• Final Fantasy XIV (PS3/PC) – Not sure, you may have heard of it.
• Final Fantasy : The Four Heroes Of Light (DS) – From the acclaimed creators of FINAL FANTASY III and IV on Nintendo DS!
• Front Mission Evolved (PS3/360/PC) – A third person shooter from Double Helix Games. Best paragraph in the press release? “Each watches the other in taut vigilance. Towering far above the Earth’s surface, colossal structures called orbital elevators grant both parties unblinking, planet-wide surveillance.” You had me at orbital elevator. Actually, I was pretty much salivating at “taut vigilance”. There’s not enough taut vigilance around these days. Moving on …
• Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (PS3/360/PC) – More grit. More dogs. Less hair. These dudes are getting old, you know. Oh, and here’s hoping no one gets shit-canned this time. Just kidding.
• Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep (PSP) – Trust me, the title makes more sense in Japanese. Apparently everything will link back to the beginning. Handy if you can’t remember where you put your car keys.
• Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (DS) – OK, this one’s title makes a bit more sense but it has Jiminy Cricket and “King Micky” as characters, which should not. So, back to the drawing board.
• Lara Croft & The Guardian Of Light (PSN/XBL) – See Lara from a new perspective. And no, this is nothing to do with the Nude Raider cheat.
• The Tales Of Bearsworth Manor: Chaotic Conflicts (Wii) – Throw animated paper at bears! Can’t wait for Tuffcub’s comment on this one.
• The Tales Of Bearsworth Manor: Puzzling Pages (Wii) – Ehh, the press release says: “Solve innovative puzzles by using the Wii Remote to throw animated paper bears into the picture book’s unusual pages.” But, that’s what it said for the other Bearsworth game. So, this is just more animated paper getting tossed at bears? You couldn’t fit this on one disc? Am I missing something? Is there a massive ursine related origami flinging genre I completely missed?

We reckon the Japanese publisher’s line-up is an impressive one; overflowing with big hitters and an eclectic array of quality titles that should appeal to a wide audience.

Unfortunately no mention of Thief 4, Final Fantasy Versus XIII(!) or some other titles we were hoping would get an airing at E3. What are you looking forward to hearing more about from the list above when the E3 train comes to town?

Source: Monster Press Release