Today was the day that I was most anticipating because today was Square-Enix’s turn to show me what I’ve been waiting seemingly forever for—Final Fantasy VII Remake. When I say that they delivered, Square Enix did it in spades. Over in Ubisoft land, the makers of Assassin’s Creed, one of my favorite series, I like that they are adding a few new things to the Odyssey game, among new additions to other franchises, though I was a bit upset one game series wasn’t mentioned.
Ubisoft E3 Conference
So because I’d already seen the latest trailer for Ghost Recon Breakpoint, and I knew that there will be no new Assassin’s Creed game this year, I was only really interested in finding out more information about three of their other game series, Splinter Cell, Beyond Good and Evil and Watch Dogs. I got more information on some of their series, but I was a bit disappointed in not getting information on the other two.
The conference started off with a beautiful orchestra performance by the Assassin’s Creed symphony announcing that they will be embarking on a world tour later this year. After a few words from the quasi-hosts of the show, next came a gameplay trailer for Watch Dog Legion, and I gotta say I loved it. It seems that Ubisoft realized how crappy Watchdogs 2 was and rightfully decided to go in a different direction, merging pros from Watchdogs while evolving into something new. I want to play this game, and I can’t wait to find out more about it before it comes out March 6th, 2020.
Next Rob McElhenney from the show, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” came out to announce a new TV show, Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet that is a partnership between Apple and Ubisoft. The show looks interesting, but I’m not going to get the AppleTV+ service in order to just watch one show. I really hope someone brings out a service that merges all of these streaming services. I will say though that the Creative Director of this fictional game being named Ian Grimm and the game looking very, very similar to a certain Blizzard game, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a thinly veiled jab at WoW and its developers…but maybe that’s just the WoW player in me.
Next, it was Rainbow Six: Siege time, as they introduced some new features and modes coming to the game. I am not a Rainbow Six player, but I was happy to hear that they are bringing a PvE story mode to the series. I want to hear more about it. Also, later in the show, they revealed a new 3-player coop game that they are working on for release next year.
After Rainbow Six, it was announced that Adventure Time would be joining the fight in Brawlhalla, Ubisoft’s Super Smash Bros style game. I’m not that interested in those game, so it wasn’t for me.
After the latest trailer for Ghost Recon Breakpoints played, Jon Bernthal came out with his canine baby to talk about the world of Breakpoint and his character’s headspace and his motivations. I already wanted this game, so this video just made me want it more. Also, the devs announced that there will be a beta that released September 5th, a month before the game releases.
Next was Just Dance. I’ve never played the games, but I do love that they added BlackPink to the game. I absolutely love them and other KPop artists—music addict and all that. After the Just Dance presentation, a new expansion/patch for For Honor was revealed, and it seems very interesting. I like that it is a PVE story mode.
Next, a developer for the Division 2 came out to announce that there will be three new episodes for the game that will eventually send players back to New York to look for a traitor that threatens to dismantle all that you’ve help build after the Dollar Flu. I own this game, and I can’t wait for new story content.
Next Brenda Panagrossi came out to tell us that Ubisoft is entering the subscription service group with UPlay+. I do like that if you have the $15 sub, you can play the games that are yet to be released like Watchdogs Legion and Ghost Recon Breakpoint when they release if I’m right about what she said—at least I hope I’m right. She then also announced that UPlay+ will be partnering with Google’s Stadia.
Next, they showed a new game from Ubisoft called Roller Champions, which seemed like a Roller Derby version of Rocket League. It seems interesting, and I can see people playing this game, as much as Rocket League is played. The game’s demo is available now through the 14th, and I may try it out.
Lastly, there was a new game from the same team that made AC: Odyssey named Gods and Monsters, and it looked interesting, but I need to see more about it before I buy it.
And that was it from Ubisoft. There were some interesting games that they showed, but to be honest I was a bit upset that nothing was said about a new Splinter Cell game or new information on Beyond Good and Evil 2. I’m hoping that before the year is out that something new is announced about those game series.
Square Enix E3 Conference
For me, though their theme was mostly about remakes and remasters, I think Square Enix won E3 with Ubisoft being the best looking conference, even with the interference from the Just Dance people. True, I am very biased, but SE gave me everything I could handle about Final Fantasy VII Remake while surprising me with other remasters and new IP that either I had only hoped for in my dreams, or that I never knew I wanted.
The conference started off (and rightly so) with what everyone in attendance wanted to know about most, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and boy did it deliver. We got to more information on the battle system, we learned that the first chapter of the game will take place in Midgard and allow developers to fully flesh out what is basically the tutorial of the game. I really like that the battle system is a merge of the action combat that we got to play in Final Fantasy XV, with the ATB system of Final Fantasy VII, and I have no issues with any of it. The more time I can spend with Jesse, Wedge, Biggs, and Marlene before being forced to leave, the better. I am not ashamed to say that many cows were had and many tears were shed during this presentation, and finally seeing Tifa having a drink with Cloud, and kicking major ass made this real for me somehow. I think it’s a massive understatement to say that I can’t wait to play this game, when it comes out on March 3rd, 2020.
After the awesomeness that was FFVII Remake, SE showed off Life is Strange 2, a game that seems to really grab people—at least that’s what the trailer tried to portray. I admit the story seemed interesting, but honestly I was on such a high from the things I drooled over from the FFVII remake presentation, that at first viewing I almost paid no attention to this trailer. I had to watch it a second time to learn anything about this game.
Next Square Enix revealed that Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is getting remastered for PS4, Switch and mobile and will be released this winter. Octopath Traveler was up next with information that it is now on Steam. The Last Remnant Remastered…haven’t played that game in a long time, and it is now on Switch. Dragon Quest Builders 2 coming out on July 12, 2019. Honestly, it reminds me of Minecraft, and that is not a game for me. Then they announced that Dragon Quest XI: Definitive Edition was coming out on Switch on this fall.
After an indies recap and a couple new indie titles, along with the announcement that all of Final Fantasy soundtracks are now available to be streamed from our favorite places, a new teaser trailer for Kingdom Hearts III called Kingdom Hearts III: Remind is coming soon this winter. Then during the midpoint of the show, information about Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers was released, and I gotta say it made me want to get back into trying this MMORPG.
Next was Dying Light 2. It comes out in spring 2020. Frankly, I don’t play survival horror or zombie games, so this wasn’t for me. After the announcements of Romancing Saga 3 and Saga Scarlett Grace: Ambitions finally coming to the West soon, and their announcement of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius: War of the Visions, a new companion mobile game to Final Fantasy Brave Exvius that is in development. This game looks like a Risk or a…I don’t know…Command and Conquer style game. Next was Outriders, a new drop-in/drop-out coop game from the developers at People Can Fly studios. It looks interesting, even though I don’t know what the story of this game actually is. Can’t wait to hear more about it though.
Next, there was a new game named Onikami that is being released on August 22nd, 2019 that looked like a JRPG. It was interesting. But what came next gave me a major case of goosebumps. They are remastering Final Fantasy VIII!!! I never thought that it would ever happen. It’s coming out this year. I can’t believe it! Lastly came a game that many (me included) were very interested in because I loved Spiderman PS4. An introductory cinematic trailer was revealed for Marvel’s Avengers, and I gotta say that I really liked what I saw. The thing is I want to know more information about the battle and skill systems, before I decide if I want to play it when it comes out on May 15th, 2020. I can say this though, the little bit of the story that they did show looks very interesting.
Nintendo E3 Direct
I don’t own a Switch, but I’ve always wanted a reason to purchase one, beside Warframe. So here are a few notes on each game announced.
The Direct started off with a video of furious fighting announcing that characters from Dragon Quest XI and later Banjo Kazooie will be joining the evergrowing roster of players in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate.
Next, Dragon Quest XI Remastered was announced for Switch, coming out September 27th. Then, a new game in the Luigi series was revealed, as it was announced that Luigi’s Mansion 3 will be released on, complete with 2 and 4-player coop (4-player being through online multiplayer).
Next was a reveal for a new game in the Dark Crystal universe called Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics. It looks like a Final Fantasy Tactics for the Dark Crystal’s universe, and I think it could be fun.
Then came a new top-down version of the Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening that will be released September 20, 2019.
Next, Square Enix revealed that they are bringing Trails of Mana as a port to the Switch will release early next year and the Collection of Mana games that release later today. Then something was announced that I never thought I’d see on the Switch—The Witcher Complete Edition. I love the Witcher series, with Wild Hunt being my favorite in the series.
Fire Emblem is releasing a new game in the series with Fire Emblem: Three Houses that will release on July 26th, 2019. It looks interesting. Reminds me of Final Fantasy back in the day.
Resident Evil is coming to the Switch?! Nani?! Also, RE 5 and 6 are coming to the Switch as well this fall. Rock on, Switch players. Then No More Heroes 3 was announced and I gotta say the trailer reminded me of games like Just Cause. Contra: Rogue Corps?!! September 24, 2019?!! OMG!! I am a longtime fan of the Contra games. I really loved that the old Contra games are on the Nintendo store as well now.
Next came Daemon x Machina, and though I was interested in this game in the past, what was shown here didn’t interest me at all. It does come out September 13th of this year though, so I’m hoping that it changes my mind. After Daemon x Machina a trailer for a new Panzer Dragoon game was revealed, and it will be released this winter. A new Pokemon combo of games was announced to be releasing o November 15th of this year, and new interesting feature is the ability for players to use a physical Pokeball to carry a pokemon around with you in the real world. I am hoping that eventually, players will be able to use their PokemonGO characters in the actual games.
Then came AstralChain, a new game about the potential destruction of the world, if not for the use of captured mechs. At its base though is a story about loss and redemption. I liked the look of this game, and want to see more when it releases on August 30th, 2019.
Another new game, Empire of Sin is releasing spring 2020. Then a trailer for Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance 3 played, and finally, I have a reason to buy a Switch besides Warframe. I loved Ultimate Alliance 1 and 2 and was always hoping that a third installment in the game would be released, and I am finally getting it, as the game will be released July 19th, 2019. I can’t wait.
After another Zelda game called Cadence of Hyrule that will be releasing June 13th, 2019, a trailer for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 was announced and I gotta say I really liked what I saw. The game doesn’t come out until November of next year, but it looks really good.
Then, after a new Spyro was announced for release September 9th, 2019 and A LOT of other games including a new Animal Crossing, Ni No Kuni coming to the Switch along with Wolfenstein Youngblood, Just Dance, and Dauntless; a new teaser was revealed to announce that a sequel to Breath of the Wild is now in development.
That is true a lot of stuff to go through above, but I found quite a few games that I am interested in to keep my fall, winter, and spring very busy. I’ve already pre-order Final Fantasy VII Remake as soon as it was available a while ago, and I recently preordered Cyberpunk 2077, so I will already be busy with those two. Then there are so many other games that I’m waiting for more information on. Man, the rest of this year and next year in gaming is going to be amazing.
Well, what did you think? What games caught your fancy? Be sure to leave your picks in the comment below, and thank you for visiting my little corner of the interwebs.
