E3 is long gone, and it’s safe to say the dust has settled. With solid conferences all around, from Ubisoft to Sony, I took some time to pick out some of my favorite announcements from the event. I’m not going to outright say that E3 had a definitive winner because I feel that this year was one of the most well rounded E3’s. This year’s showcase felt genuinely focused on games and gave next gen console owners a direction of where the hardware and software is heading.
5. Grasshopper Manufacturer’s Let It Die
From Shadow of the Damned to Lollipop Chainsaw to their most recent game, Killer is Dead, and everything in between, Grasshopper is one of the most random, out-there developers. Aside from No More Heroes, it’s amazing to think that this developer just keeps putting out new IPs. Let It Die is going to be a PS4 exclusive multiplayer hack-and-slash, combat-style game. Not much was actually shown of the game, due to the trailer being mostly live action. What is known about Let it Die is that its also a survival game. Though the trailer showed off mostly weapons, Goichi Suda, producer on the game, explained in an interview that it’s not just about looting other players’ weapons. Sometimes you’re going to need other items. Suda would not specify what exactly that means, but needless to say, I’m excited for this game
4. Assassin’s Creed Unity: Four Player Co-Op Campaign
Having played every Assassin’s Creed game to date, there was no doubt in my mind I was gonna pick up Unity. Though the time period doesn’t interest me in the least, Ubisoft’s trailer shows off the new four player co-op and has me immensely excited. Teasing us the past two years with the addition of “Wolf Pack” mode on Assassins Creed III, it was clear that Ubisoft was looking into this four player experience, and it looks like it’s going to pay off in spades. Having made a few friends online over Wolf Pack mode by working together, it will be nice to progress the story with friends as well. Another neat addition I have to attribute to my excitement is the ability to down climb from buildings.
3. The Return of Rainbow Six
Very rarely do I work with my team online to take down other online players. I always find myself as a lone wolf; occasionally, I stick with one person, and we’ll go about working together. Not since Rainbow Six: Vegas have I actually used my mic to strategize with a team about which hallway were going down to flank the opposing team. Even if the Ubisoft demo was extremely scripted, it brought back memories of when people actually communicated and worked together. It also came as a surprise to see how far along they actually are in development, given the fact they essentially started from scratch. I’m not the only one excited for this; a group of friends and I already plan to pick this up, and maybe then, we can have an experience like they showed off in the demo.
2. Sunset Overdrive:Lengthy Gameplay Demo
Microsoft took me by surprise this year by actually sticking to what they said they were going to do: focus on games. At first, I was a little concerned that they were so focused on game trailers that they barely took any time to demo anything in depth. Then came Sunset Overdrive. Insomniac Games is a studio I’ve grown up with, especially Ratchet and Clank. Having Sunset Overdrive be an Xbox One exclusive was slightly disappointing, given the fact that I don’t own one. However, this game will most likely prompt a console purchase for me. Marketed by the developers as the game they’ve always wanted to make, it clearly shows with bright colors, unique visuals, and, in true Insomniac fashion, over-the-top weapons. Traversal reminiscent of old school Tony Hawk with chaining combos together, combined with Dead Rising style of weapon crafting and open world. Sunset Overdrive could truly be Insomniacs best game yet.
1. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
For those who don’t know, I skipped out on the entire 360 generation. I absolutely loved Halo back on the original Xbox and was excited when they remastered it for the 360, especially with the incredible detail 343 brought to the table. This collection is bringing Halo 1-4 to the Xbox One with the remastered original game and the newly remastered Halo 2, as well as upscaling Halo 3 and Halo 4. On top of that, Halo 2 Multiplayer, one of the greatest multiplayer experiences I have ever had, will return, fully updated for the new generation. As Billy Mays would say, “But wait, theres more!” This collection will also include the Halo: Knightfall Digital Series and Multiplayer Beta Access in the newest installment, Halo 5: Guardians. All of this at a regularly priced 60 dollars. If this gets bundled with an Xbox One, this is a guaranteed day-one purchase for me.
Thus, The Halo Collection, a Microsoft exclusive, was actually the best thing to come out of E3 for me
