E3 2014: Games In The Spotlight
Humanity forecasts its own future in art; it's a fact we have seen history prove time and time again, especially in art that intertwines with science. Science-fiction is the leading theme of E3 2014 video games conference, and developers from Sony to Microsoft, Ubisoft to Nintendo have all featured awesome trailers of their new releases. They are all next-gen (when will this word become obsolete?) and they all look fantastic and very promising, but most importantly, they forecast painful and fear-infused doom to us, the humans, so I guess my Texas friends are digging and stocking that bunker with food and water supplies, and teaching their 11-year olds how to handle weapons for a good reason.
Without any further ado, here are some interesting highlights of E3 this year. We have focused on some of the most impressive trailers. Which make a large portion of the game's success and helps build immediate reputation among gamers.
Call of Duty
Watch the newest Call of Duty introducing legendary Kevin Spacey in one of his most evil incarnations, leading a private army of mercenaries, fighting the United States, no less. The game takes place in the nearest future, but we can see some highly advanced weaponry and awesome cloaking tech and gadgets. The game is scheduled to roll out on November 4th, so until then enjoy the numerous sneak peeks and trailers. Feel the hair move on your skin as you watch the familiar, iconic places being torn to pieces as your country falls in the abyss if fear and violence.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Ok, this one is not about future, and it's like a breath of fresh air in the overall apocalyptic atmosphere. The Witcher series is mega-popular, praised by the President Obama himself. This fantasy game by a European studio CD Projekt Red, is one of Europe's most popular RPGs, which received a more than warm welcome in the U.S. The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt looks especially promising since it is said to offer a significantly longer and more full-scale game than its previous iteration, and the good news it launches on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in February 2015.
Halo 5: Guardians
The first teaser of Microsoft's Halo 5 at the previous E3 featured Master Chief aka John-117 treading along a deserted planet in yet another spectacular Xbox One title. Now we know the title is Halo 5: Guardians, and it is going to be one of the most prominent releases by virtue of its popularity and brand only, so it's well worth waiting till November 11, for this is the speculated date of beta launch in both Europe and North America. The online beta is said to be accessible a few days after Christmas, with the final release to take place on January 17. We will also see a new Spartan (or Cortana?) wearing a blue visor helmet, even though Josh Holmes said in his Twitter it's a totally new character. Perhaps, the Guardian?
Destiny
Destiny is the project of Bungie, the studio behind the first Halo games, but since it's moved on to work on their own project, the guys at Bungie have come up with something truly impressive. Destiny is one of the most expensive video games ever made, and it is set to launch on September 9th. Humans have expanded way beyond Earth, until it struck the ultimate evil that is destroying the last of us. You are the last hope of human kind, so you have to endeavor on a space trip full of danger, and of course, shooting action. The beasts look drastic, your squad looks cool and armed as hell, ruins and wasteland is abundant.
Destiny has been touted for some time already, but the E3 press conference revealed some more details on this multiplayer futuristic shooter. Halo's aficionados will recognize familiar elements and style, even though Destiny is a unique sort of open-world RPG that has the potential to change the course of shooter games evolution. The great news is Beta arrives on July 17th to PlayStation 4, both for current and next-gen consoles.
Tom Clancy’s The Division
You will explore the massive wasteland of what used to be your Mecca, the New York City, awing at the ruins, never ending violence and total decline in human morale. Yes, it's apocalyptic, post bio-terrorism war era. The game trailer voices a very important idea - war is always a distant event leaving us indifferent, until it comes to our doorstep. Stylistic elegance of an impeccable, nearly bloodless video manages to create an atmosphere of a lonely, desperate doom of us, with our own indifference turning against us. The Division is the last of humans fighting to protect the weak against the marauders and god knows maybe even cannibals, attempting at restoring the remnants of order in a crippled society.
The launch is way off in 2015, but it's definitely worth waiting for. Besides the relevant storyline, the game features highly advanced map system with a complete 3D model of the player's surroundings. Also, there is a smart scanner showing where the enemy line is and how it's structured. As far as the trailer is concerned, the depth of visual output is incredible, while the arsenal of weapons and accessories looks promising. Hopefully, the game itself is going to be as impressive as the trailer.
Mortal Kombat X
Bloodier than ever before, the tenth release of Mortal Combat cinematic trailer features Sub-Zero's head getting ripped off and hammered into a tree. We are still waiting for more details from Netherrealm Studios on this release, though.
Batman: Arkham Knight
As gorgeous as this gameplay teaser looks, we sure hope Arkham Knight will manage to repeat or even surpass Rocksteady's success with Arkham City in style, for we have tired to receive bleak attempts, such as Infamous or Saints Row.
Inside
Playdead is an indie developer that already managed to impress gamers with a 2010 Limbo hit, and Inside is its next title. Inside is said to be a 'spiritual sequel' to Limbo, where you explored the haunting and engrossing underworld of hell. The game combines the core elements of Limbo that helped it make it to the top rankings - engrossing atmosphere, simple platforming elements, complicated puzzle dynamics and a unique style in visuals. Check out its trailer for a truly frightening peek at the Inside set to release in 2015.
Alien: Isolation
Even though the previous incarnations of the Alien never managed to become congenial, proper Alien horror games, Alien Isolation trailer looks like we may finally have a truly creepy space survival ahead. Sega took a different approach, and instead of sending a squad of heavily equipped marines to demolish the slobbery Xenomorphs, you are just running to survive.
Featuring Ellen Ripley's daughter, Amanda, the game takes a more realistic touch and instead of looking for a fight, you do what everyone else would do under the circumstances - run, hide and occasionally blast the monster with fire. It also looks like there are other hidden dangers aboard the ship, so Amanda's perspectives really suck - she is alone, poorly armed against an armada of aliens and something that looked like human zombies. Hopefully, the game is as polished as the trailer, and the October release is going to be a huge, horrifying event.
Rise of Tomb Raider
Now, this is odd - the recent trailer of Lara Croft: Rise of Tomb Rider shows Lara undergoing psycho-therapy to treat her anxiety and flashbacks. Lara Croft doesn't suffer from anxiety, Crystal Dynamics.
However, the studio chose to give the game a touch of Lara's tormented soul evolution, as she realizes she became who she is thanks to the drastic events that haunt her. Thus, empowering the Tomb Raider for new adventures. Looking even more gruesome than its predecessor, Rise of Tomb Raider is set for release in late 2015.
No Man’s Sky
Hello Games introduced one of the most interesting projects at E3 this year - No Man's Sky takes you on a wonderful adventure of exploration. Featuring a contiguous universe, the trailer depicts colorful, vibrant world of a newly discovered planet where you can wander among the prehistoric animals living a peaceful and content life 'before humans.' The developers say it's a game 'without limits,' and judging by the trailer, you can have a walk on one planet, hop into a spacecraft, shoot to the stars, fry some alien spacecrafts and meteors, land on the next planet and continue your journey discovering life forms. The release date is yet to be revealed.
Rainbow Six: Siege
Rainbow Six by Ubisoft is a lure for the fans of the tactical shooting, and the Siege has plenty of action in store. Watch the trailer to get a glimpse of this meticulously crafted action game with the main focus on multiplayer shooting. From what we can see, the game features an outstanding capacity to plot and execute rescue missions with impeccable, impressive realism second to none in the genre.
The game is scheduled for release in 2015, and is said to offer 'fully destructible' environments.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
The Phantom Pain is one of the bloodiest titles on the list, and considering its apocalyptic prophecy, I'd rather die fast than live in its reality. The game trailer is a masterpiece in itself, blending thrilling narrative, retrospection and tidbits of violent fighting.
Set to launch on current and next-gen consoles in 2015, The Phantom Pain looks painstakingly bloody, desperate and violent, with awesome open-world locales and impressive graphics. Obviously, the developer is taking advantage of the PS4 capabilities to expand the graphical output of its next Metal Gear Solid title.
This is by far not the full list of most awaited games featured at E3, so keep an eye open for more intro on the biggest games showcased at the Los Angeles Electronic Entertainment Expo 2014.
