Hello everybody! This week was the Electronic Entertainment Expo, better known as E3. If you are unaware, E3 is the time when gaming studios show off what’s next in gaming. I’ve never been to E3, but I watch the press conferences every year on YouTube.
I’ve seen the premiere of gaming consoles like X-Box One and Nintendo Switch. I’ve seen early trailers for games like Street Fighter V, Persona 5, Fallout 4, Fallout ’76, Super Mario Maker, South Park: The Fractured But Whole, etc.
Like years past, this year’s E3 press conferences were full of surprises . 2020 looks like it’s going to be an incredible year for video game fans, including your’s truly. I thought I’d compile a list of some of the games I’m looking forward to. Keep in mind that Sony did not do a press conference this year, Hideo Kojima premiered a big trailer for Death Stranding before E3, and I did not watch EA, the PC Gaming Show, or Ubisoft.
Ok! Let’s see who is taking my money in 2019/2020! I’ll put it in order of the studio that is taking a little money, to the “I may be homeless” studio.
Bethesda
Bethesda’s press conference included some major updates to Fallout ’76 that had the audience all worked up, including the addition of new campaigns and NPCs. I do not play Fallout, but I can understand the excitement, especially after the disappointing rollout. With that being said, here are games I’m looking forward to playing from Bethesda Studios.
Ghost Wire Tokyo
I’m excited about this title for two reasons. First, I’m fascinated by the way people are disappearing like the rapture. I cannot wait to see what that’s about. Second, the super sweet creative director Ikumi Nakamura presented the game with such enthusiasm and positive energy, that you want to support her any way that you can.
Deathloop
Deathloop gives me a “grindhouse meets sci-fi” feel that I absolutely live for. The fact that our two main characters with two different ideologies try to kill each other over and over piques my curiosity. How are they going to break free from the loop? Who will come out on top?
Microsoft
Microsoft did not come to play this year. They have people talking about games, and I’m not sure they know how to turn on an X-Box. We’ll get to the excitement in a minute. First, I want to honorable mention a few games. I may not buy them right away, but they are definitely on my radar. They are Dragon Ball Project Z and Borderlands 3.
12 Minutes
What an interesting concept. It appears that you and your significant other are in your one bedroom apartment and you’re stuck in some sort of time loop. There’s mystery, intrigue, and…MURDER! It gives you a claustrophobic feel. I’m looking forward to it.
Tales of Arise
A long time ago, my husband played Tales of Vesperia. I watched him play and felt that I was really immersed in the story. Here’s another installment in the Tales series. It gives me a good anime story vibe. Believe me when I tell ya, I will be playing this game.
Cyberpunk 2077
This should’ve been the finale of the Microsoft showcase but they decided to put it at the beginning. You cannot snatch wigs at the beginning of the presentation. We’ve seen Cyberpunk 2077 at a few E3 presentations. This time, we get a longer cinematic trailer. The only way to describe the characters is that they are dope! At the end of the trailer, one of the biggest movie stars in the world pops up…KEANU FREAKING REEVES. The audience loses it and I lose it. Then he walks onto the E3 stage to announce the release date (April 16, 2020) and my head nearly explodes. Cyberpunk 2077 looks like it’s going to be a great story with interesting characters. My fear is that it’s going to suffer from the Fallout ’76 rollout debacle. It’ll be a whole bunch of hype and then disappoint us upon its release.
Square Enix
Final Fantasy VII Remake
I’m not really excited about this game, but my husband is stoked! I want to say the first announcement of the remake was 2015 (it may have been 2014). Fans like my husband grew up on this game, so they had a jolt of adrenaline when the remake was announced. This year, they announced a release date and showed a little gameplay. The boss fight looks really tough. I will not play it, but I will definitely watch my husband play. The scheduled release for the game is March 3, 2020.
Nintendo Is Stealing My Purse!
And the winner of E3 (for me anyway) is Nintendo with its Nintendo Direct presentation. Nintendo had some great announcements. They include the introduction of Banjo and Kazooie to Smash Brothers Ultimate, a new Animal Crossing game, Fire Emblem: 3 Houses, No More Heroes 3, Pokemon Sword and Shield, and Ultimate Alliance 3. These are all titles that I’m willing to buy, I’m just not going into detail here.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi is back in Luigi’s Mansion 3. This time, our friend is in a haunted hotel. I relate to Luigi because I’m just as easily startled and often under appreciated.
Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
This game looks fun and super cute. Of course, I would want to play a game with one of the most iconic characters in video game history.
Cadence of Hyrule
Speaking of Link, this game looks very entertaining. I’m here for the “fighting to the beat” mechanic. I would love to play this with someone who lacks rhythm and they have a few drinks in them. I bet this is hilarious.
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games
You guys, I played the crap out of the last installment of Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games. This one is in honor of the next Olympic Games, to be held in Tokyo. I will make me a cocktail, grab the hubby, and play this game.
Overall
Microsoft also announced a new console in the works, Project Scarlet. They didn’t exactly set the world on fire with this announcement because they really didn’t show anything. Many video game fans and journalists are a little disappointed at E3 this year. There was a lot of cinematic trailers, as opposed to actual gameplay. I can understand the audience frustration. After all, they are gamers, so they want to see gameplay, not movies. Hopefully next year Sony will present and we will see more gameplay.
Wrapping it Up
Well, that’s it for this special list. Next week, it’s business as usual with Demon Slayer, Yu-No, and a list where I revise a previous post. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all the dads out there!
Couch Cruisin' 