We’ve already been besieged overnight by the video game industry, and it continues tonight, before LA’s convention center plays host to a myriad of publishers and studios showcasing their latest innovations. From jaw-dropping reveals to the occasional on-stage stumble, E3 is always full of special moments, some of which can feel incredibly personal. For example, when it was announced that Final Fantasy VII would be remade for PlayStation 4, it struck a chord with an awful lot of gamers.
Truth is that, year in year out, we always come into E3 with a certain wishlist. Although most of the joy is had in being stunned or duped by on-stage reveals, these can be matched with quiet moments of disappointment whenever our niche dream sequel fails to appear yet again.
I’ve certainly had my hopes dashed in the past though with each successive E3, I’ve leanred to care less and less when my own personal demands are met. That said, I’d be lying in telling you I’m not keeping an eye out for a God of War sequel during Sony’s press conference. Action adventure games are becoming less and less of a thing on new platforms, with studios always looking to cram in a first person view, open world, or other substantive features. God of War IV could easily fill that void, with or without the return of Kratos.
Next to that, I want to see more of previously announced titles, with For Honor being a particular stand-out. The prospect of tense multiplayer melee has always interested me, yet so few games have managed to get the feel right. With the funding of a AAA publisher, Ubisoft Montreal could be the ones to crack the formula.
Instead of launching into a ramble, Dave has rather handily chalked up an actual wish list:
- A new Metroid that isn’t Federation Force. (IE: One that is more Metroidvania than Prime). I was disappointed by Federation Force as it relegates Metroid to the sidelines, despite being one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises.
- A release date for Cuphead that’s this year. That looks like the best Indie console exclusive for them and I badly want to play it again.
- Details of new mechanics for Pokemon Sun/Moon. I’m possibly the biggest nerd when it comes to Pokemon and I’ve been constantly looking at all the stuff that’s happened over the past fortnight. But I mostly want to see if my hunch about the legendaries is correct.
- Naughty Dog to return to Crash Bandicoot. I want this so badly, I personally asked Shuhei Yoshida at the 20 years of PlayStation if such a thing could be possible. When it gets to asking the President of Sony’s Worldwide Studios if this could be possible, then you know that would send me over the edge if it happens.
- Some decent indie titles. I always look forward to the indie segments to see the weird and wonderful creations. There’s some indie games that have defined my gaming over the past couple of years and I hope that the trend continues.
Dom is pining for a new console-centred Monster Hunter, much as I am, among a slew of SEGA sequels. With so many series having fallen dormant, he hopes to see sequels for Virtua Fighter, Jet Set Radio, and SEGA’s All-Star Racing. Then there’s the new Valkyria Chronicles, not to mention a localised version of Phantasy Online 2. A new Burnout is also high on that list, as well as a new Project Gotham Racing, Rival Schools, and Elder Scrolls.
Heading Aran’s wishlist this year is a sequel to Red Dead Redemption, following on from one of the best games from the previous console cycle. Any potential follow-up to Rockstar’s landmark title has been spared the pre-E3 leak fest but that isn’t to say it won’t appear. Aside from that, Aran is keen to see what the crew at 4A Games is working on, having left the Metro franchise behind them. He’s also hyped for CD Projekt Red’s standalone Gwent game.
Compared to many people’s wants and wishes, Teflon’s may seem a bit tame:
I think my strongest hope for E3 is that Microsoft have a good, strong show. Even with rumours of “Scorpio” and more powerful hardware, I’d welcome a slim redesign of the current hardware. Of course, there needs to be games, but Microsoft have quite a few exciting games on their docket already and can easily build on that.
Microsoft had a very good 2015, with plenty of exclusives, and hopefully they can carry that forward this year.
What about you? Following on from EA and Bethesda last night, what announcements and games do you have your fingers cross for over the next few days?
The Lone Steven
Would have liked a new TES game. Either a new spin off series, something like the old Redguard and Battlespire games. Or TES adventures. Instead of a remaster of Skyrim. But that’s just me.
Trying to think of what i would wish for E3 but struggling to come up with things.
There’s Devil May Cry 5. A spirtual Successor to Asura’s Wrath. Erm….. ooo, a remaster of Second Sight. Would love to see that get the chance it deserved.
Don’t know if it’s just me being a last gen peasent but E3 kinda lost it’s charm for me. Granted, most of my life is focused on getting a job and being disapproved by the mail for merely existing but still.
Just unexpected games, i suppose. I mean, if Asura’s Wrath 2 was announced or Half Life 1 in HD, that would be very unexpected. Yes, i know Black Mesa is a thing but it’s just an example i’m using.
Guess i’ll be over here, in the past. Playing the games of yesteryear. And whoever’s playing the world’s smallest violin, stop it! It’s not a sad thing! Playing games from yesteryear is fun. Damn young’uns and their WiiOnesstation4s. Back in my day, consoles had no RAM. We powered using coal.