This year's E3 was one of the most exciting in a long time. Many spectacular-looking games and consoles were announced that have caused an absurd amount of hype and promise for innovation in the future. There are loads of games announced this past week that I am excited for, but I am going to narrow it down to just ten.
10. Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare
The people at PopCap Games sure know how to make endlessly addicting games. They've been the leaders in the mobile and casual area for years and everyone was expecting them to continue working on a proven formula. Which is why it was surprising to see what Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare actually is. Instead of a mobile and browser-based tower defense game, Garden Warfare is a next-gen, console-based, third-person action game with tower defense elements running off of DICE's Frostbite 3 engine. The demo shown at EA's press conference showed co-op as well as boss battles. The game is planned to release next spring.
9. Sonic Lost World
Sega and Sonic Team have recently been focusing their efforts on bringing Sonic back to the golden days of the Genesis. They have been somewhat fruitful in their most recent attempts, but they haven't quite seen the level of excellence witnessed in the early '90s. That may change this year when Sonic Lost World is released for the Wii U and 3DS.
Sonic is seeing some changes in control and level design this time around. The levels seemed to be inspired by Super Mario Galaxy as they resemble the many planets from that game. The levels have been designed to accommodate the changes in gameplay allowing for many different paths to take. A new control scheme is introduced that slows Sonic down until a trigger is pressed to speed him up and another is pressed to bring him into his Spin Dash. The new control scheme will attempt to correct the control problems seen in more recent games. A new parkour system will also attempt to correct past momentum issues. The game is expected to release this holiday season.
8. Infamous: Second Son
Sony didn't show off a huge selection of exclusive PS4 games this year. The most interesting new game shown was The Order: 1886, but it's still a mystery as to what that game is. So for now, the most exciting PS4 exclusive is Sucker Punch's Infamous: Second Son. It may not be an entirely new experience, but Second Son is changing things up in the Infamous series by introducing a new protagonist with different powers. The plot and setting seem to be a little too similar to the upcoming Watch Dogs, but the main focus seems to be the gameplay variety of the powers. Infamous: Second Son releases early next year.
7. Super Mario 3D World
I have to admit, I was a teeny bit disappointed that Nintendo didn't announce a successor to the 3D Mario games like Super Mario Galaxy. But I can't stay disappointed when the alternative is a follow up to the excellent Super Mario 3D Land. Super Mario 3D World will release for the Wii U and it features the same four player co-op seen in console New Super Mario Bros.games except in the style of Super Mario Bros. 2. Each character has their own unique ability. Luigi floats down after every jump, Peach can hover, Toad can run faster, and Mario is the well-rounded character. Nintendo also introduced cat suits that give the player the ability to climb walls and swipe at enemies. Super Mario 3D World releases this December.
6. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
The Legend of Zelda fans are in for a treat this year. Not only will there be an HD remake of The Wind Waker, but a sequel to A Link to the Past as well. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds will be released on the 3DS and feature the same top-down perspective as A Link to the Past to emphasize the 3D technology. Link will also have the ability to transform into a drawing on the wall which allows him to access different areas. On top of this, the Dark World will also make a return. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds releases this November.
5. The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls Online poses a number of interesting questions. One of the biggest questions is how will Zenimax Online Studios create an MMO from a series that is built around a single player experience? New gameplay shows that the developers are making sure to keep the signature Elder Scrolls immersion and detail with an MMO scale. Players will be able to join factions like the Mages Guild and the Fighters Guild along with player-created guilds. Other little elements like stealth and first-person view will also be brought back to work with the MMO system. In addition to PC, The Elder Scrolls Online will release on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One next spring.
4. The Witness
Jonathan Blow's Braid pretty much created the big indie and downloadable game scene back in 2008. It was a critical and commercial success that not only involved a novel gameplay mechanic, but also had an important message behind it. Blow's next project, The Witness, may just do all of those things again.The game involves traversing a small island and solving its many puzzles in order to open a path up a mountain. Solving the puzzles in each area will create a beam of light needed to open the path up the mountain. Only seven lights are needed, but if all ten are lit, the player is rewarded with a special ending. The Witness will be released this year.
3. Titanfall
Respawn Entertainment, the studio created after the mass exodus from Infinity Ward, has kept its new game, Titanfall, a secret for quite some time. Its unveiling at the Microsoft press conference was the highlight of that show. The game aims to marry single player and multiplayer by creating a story around multiplayer matches. The basic gameplay is reminiscent of Call of Duty but with a sci-fi setting. Foot soldiers have increased mobility through the use of jet packs and wall grabs. The biggest part of the game is the dynamic atmosphere that revolves around the game's Titans. When these giant war mechs enter the field, it transforms into a different game. As of now, Titanfall is easily the main reason to own the Xbox One. Titanfall is expected to release early next year.
2. Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS
The Super Smash Bros. series has always had a ridiculous amount of hype surround it when a new game is announced. It was no different this year when Nintendo announced Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS. The series is finally gaining a portable version with its own unique art style separate from the console version. Three new characters have already been announced, Villager from the Animal Crossing series, the Wii Fit Trainer, and, most excitedly, Mega Man. Aside from the new characters, there's not a whole lot of information about the new games, but it's enough to get Smash Bros. fans waiting in anticipation. These two games are expected to release next year.
1. Destiny
Bungie's newest project, Destiny, was the most intriguing shown at E3 this year. It seems to combine all kinds of expansive elements to invite as many people as possible to this giant sci-fi party. It's a mash-up of sandbox and MMO games that uses Bungie's top-notch matchmaking system. The different classes, races, and weapons allow for a large amount of customization. Strict console players will be able to experience MMO "instances" within the game, which are called "public events". The developers have said that Destiny will try to appeal to every kind of gamer and will allow for as much of a deep or casual experience as the player chooses. Destiny is expected to release sometime next year.
The next generation of games is just around the corner. A new wave of exciting games will show up within the next year-and-a-half. Do you agree with my choices? Let me know in the comments, and tell me what your favorites were.
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