Another year, another E3. As usual Microsoft were first out of the gate with their conference, looking to continue clawing back Sony and PlayStations’ early lead in this new console cycle. Going into the show it was clear that there was only really one direction for them to take. Games, games and more games. No TV, Kinect or User Interface distractions, just pure games. So did they deliver?
The short answer has to be a resounding yes. With an opening promise to show nothing but wall to wall games, the new head of Microsoft’s Xbox Division Phil Spencer more than made up for previously disappointing shows at prior E3s.
What exactly did they show that made a compelling case for Xbox One? Read on to find out.
As predictable as the Sun rising and setting, there is a new Call Of Duty title on the way. Developer Sledgehammer games first title in the series jumps straight in with an all new take on the biggest franchise in Interactive Entertainment. Set in 2054 it arms players with some futuristic, but plausible, new weapons and technology, much of which is already in development in some shape or form. It looks sufficiently bombastic, with a few additions that wouldn’t be out of place in Titanfall and seems to be a rather fresh look at the fatiguing franchise. Oh and Kevin Spacey plays the baddie.
A new Forza Horizon title was shown off in trailer form and looks to continue the spin-off from the main Forza line. Expect to see a brand new day/night cycle and dynamic weather when it launches September 30th. Also, free Nurburgring track DLC for Forza 5 available now.
A new trailer for co-operative shooter Evolve shows off a brand new monster. From Turtle Rock, the team that created Left 4 Dead before being snapped up by Valve, it promises to be at least as good as it’s spiritual predecessor.
While most details of the next-gen Assassin’s Creed title, Unity, were divulged at Ubisoft’s own show later in the evening, Microsoft were given the world-premiere of the four player co-operative gameplay that it includes. Up to four players can take control of a highly trained Assassin and work together to take out targets.
The latest installment in the Dragon Age franchise from RPG specialists Bioware, launching later in the year.
If there was one Xbox One exclusive that had me interested prior to the Microsoft show it was Sunset Overdrive. From Resistance and Ratchet & Clank creators Insomniac Games, Sunset Overdrive is manic, colourful and very over the top. Gameplay is fast and varied, with multiple options for navigating around the world, as well as many different ways of dispatching the various mutants and survivors you encounter. It’s certainly peaking my interest in what it has to offer.
I wouldn’t normally have included an announcement of DLC here, but I have for the simple reason that the trailer is just so full of win. Available now.
Lionhead demoed some footage of their upcoming multiplayer action RPG Fable Legends. The game allows four players to fight their way through encounters controlled by a fifth player, who can place monsters and traps to try and hinder the heroes.
Returning after it’s debut at last years show, Project Spark gives players the ability to create their very own games that they can share online with other players and friends. In addition it will also include the return of classic Rare character Conker, though it’s not yet clear in what capacity this will be.
One of the brand new games showcased was beautiful platformer Ori and The Blind Forest. Looking to have a touching storyline it’s being developed by Moon Studios for Xbox One, 360 and PC.
It was next to impossible to NOT have some form of Halo announcement at E3. While Halo 5 was notably absent, the Master Chief Collection for Xbox One, provides an amazing entry point for newcomers to the franchise as well as a fantastic value proposition. The collection will launch in November and contains:
- Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition
- Halo 2: Anniversary Edition
- Halo 3
- Halo 4
- Live Action Series Halo: Nightfall produced by Ridley Scott
- Access to Halo 5: Guardians Beta
All run from within one unified menu system, players can create custom playlists of levels, mixing and matching from each of the titles within the collection. Also included are every multiplayer map released for the games, as well as the original Halo 2 multiplayer. Speaking of Halo 2, it’s been given a full re-master, so each game on the disc will run at 60 frames per second at full 1080p HD. This astounding collection will ship on a single disc for $60 (So expect £45-£55).
From the creators of indie hit Limbo, Inside will be launched first on Xbox One.
Inside, wasn’t the only indie game Microsoft had to show off though. Several different titles were revealed through the above trailer. Particular highlights for myself included Cuphead, Mighty No 9 and Below, each of which looks to bring something fresh and exciting to their respective platforms.
When SquareEnix released their Tomb Raider reboot last year, none were more surprised then myself when it turned out to be absolutely excellent. So I was very happy when the sequel was announced and teased above. Shame about the name though.
The Witcher series of games has always passed me by so far. I completely missed the original title, and I’ve had the critically acclaimed sequel “Assassin Of Kings” waiting to be played for quite some time. But I think I’ll be giving it a proper go after seeing more of the newest installment. A dark fantasy world, with engaging combat and RPG elements puts it high on my list of games to look forward to in 2015.
A rebirth for a little known Xbox title, Phantom Dust was shown for the first time. While not much is known about it right now, it is slated to be released in 2015.
Another title originally revealed last year, little has been seen of Tom Clancy’s The Division since. But here we get some live gameplay footage of the multiplayer cover shooter with tactical elements. It’s certainly one to be watching over the next year.
An announcement and a trailer were all we got for Platinum Games newly announced Scalebound. Be sure to expect their signature style as well as substance as we see more in the future.
If there was one early 360 title that I loved unconditionally it was Crackdown. After a disappointing 2010 sequel Microsoft are finally bringing back the original super-powered open-world game. This was the big one for me. Not Halo, Sunset Overdrive or any of the others. Crackdown. Nothing is quite as much fun as being an over-powered agent of justice, especially when you work for the shadowy and sinister “Agency”. If Microsoft can bring more titles like this to the Xbox One in the next few years I’ll be much more inclined to get one.
So there we go. Microsoft’s offering for the next year or so. They achieved exactly what they had to do, which was show off nothing but games.
There may have been a lot of multi-platform titles, but they had some good exclusives and set the bar high for the rest of the show.
Join me in the next couple of hours as I share highlights from the EA and Ubisoft shows, as well as Sony’s 2am blowout from this morning. Capping it all off with Nintendo later this evening.
Enjoy!
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