Top Ten Games of E3 2013
E3 was a blast!
As publishers and developers battled it felt like the consumers really won. Some new IPs were revealed and the PS4 console was shown for the first time. Here are my highlights and the top ten games I'm looking forward to announced at E3.
1. The Division
New IP's are always exciting if they are shown with a captivating presentation. I obviously wasn't expecting this series, but it brings a lot of intrigue to make it to my top spot.
The graphics are next-gen spectacular. Menus and UI seemed to be displayed in the world similar to what we've seen from Watchdogs. The game boasts an online, open-world RPG experience where exploration and player-progression are part of its core experience. Ubisoft displayed three players live at e3 playing along side each other moving through the world, raiding a police armory, battling against a band of other real players. You really have to see it for yourself.
2. Battlefield 4
I have been a battlefield series fan since 1942, their first game. There has been so much great community support for this game such as the people who put together the incredible Desert Combat Mod introducing what it would be like to fly a chopper in a FPS and project reality.
Battlefield took pride in its large maps with vehicle combat where you could do anything, fly jets with a friend, steer tv guided missiles from the copilot seat in a cobra helicopter, lead a squad of teammates capping bases in a heavily armored blackhawk, to driving around in tank lines offering ground support.
Battlefield 2 I consider the apex of the series. It just got everything right for its time.
Battlefield 3 brought some destructibility to the maps and really elevated the graphics to the best seen in any released product. I did have some issues with the gameplay. Shaking in your cockpit due to g-forces, while more realistic, hindered my fun slightly. A lot of the homing missiles made staying alive in the helicopter much harder. Snipers scopes became huge flashlights when they would aim, visible to much more than the person they were aiming at. It seemed like while they may have been for balance, took a bit away from the gameplay experience.
Battlefield 4 looks even more beautiful than 3. While other games are now catching up in graphical offerings I'm hoping they really focus on the mutliplayer gameplay this time around.
At e3 we did see really nice interiors in a 64 player multiplayer map and improved destructibility with a skyscraper being brought to its knees. We saw a return to commander mode but now with tablet support. Also naval vessels will be brought back in to the BF4 experience.
3. Watchdogs
Watch dogs was clearly the hero last E3. It was the division of yesteryear but stood out even more from its competition. You walk through a huge thriving world of unparalleled graphics. Everything can be hacked into. The ability to manipulate security cameras, traffic lights, cell phone service, bridges, and power to the entire city is in your hand as you walk around in a beautiful open world game.
The protagonist looks cool and the story is intriguing. You could clearly see it was a next-gen game and with the next-gen consoles coming out this year, Watchdogs reality is nearly upon us.
Check out the video.
4. Witcher 3
My all time two favorite games are Dues Ex: Human Revolution and Witcher 2.
So no surprise that you will find Witcher 3 on my list here. It isn't carrying the hype to push it further up my list, nor was it a surprise to me. But there are so many good games coming out that Witcher 3 sitting in my top five is no slight.
The Witcher 3 is an open world AAA experience. A story that will grip you and keep you playing through the game is not something easily accomplished. The story is mature, compelling, and non-linear. You aren't forced down a narrow path like in most RPGs. I find the character more engaging than characters from other open world experiences such as Skyrim.
I know it will be great. Check out the video below.
5. Destiny
Bungie Software, maker of the popular Halo Franchise, revealed its first gameplay video of the new IP Destiny during E3 2013. It looks pretty good. I have faith the developer will do good things with it.
6. GTA 5
The hype train on GTA 5 is massive. I've played every GTA since the first one back in middle school. GTA mastered city life engagement, staking your claim to its world, and exploring and conquering it. I'm actually looking forward to this GTA more than any of its predecessors. It looks incredible and the transport options are more plentiful than ever before.
The city will be huge and rich with content. The cars will be amazing. The voice acting will be top notch. It's all coming on September 17.
7. Dark Souls II
Games have been way too easy to play these days. Everything seems handheld and convenient for players. Struggle or challenge in the game industry looks frowned upon. Not being able to beat content tends to discourage players from continuing on if the experience is too punishing.
Dark Souls changes that attitude. A players motto in dark souls is it's only fun if it hurts. There's really nothing quite like overcoming a major hurdle and the accompanying feeling of accomplishment.
Dark Souls II will continue that brand of pain and give hardcore gamers more of what they want. Better animations, more polish, it's more of the same glorious hell that will leave you saying.. just one more try.
8. Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros. There isn't a lot more to say. One of the most fun games you can have with a group of friends over in your living room.
You take Nintendo's iconic characters like Mario, Samus, Link, Kirby, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi and battle them against each other in a free for all arena where the goal is to knock everyone off the stage. The less hp you have the further you fly until you die. I shouldn't have to explain it. Everyone knows it.
They've added more into the game this time around including one classic video game character of the past. Megaman.
9. Asssassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
Assassins Creed. A great series of games. Open world, running in free form across rooftops, fun combat, all tied together with an interesting story is what comes to mind when I think Assassins Creed. The first two games were great. I thought AC3 fell a little flat. Perhaps the formula is just getting a bit tired.
With Assassins Creed IV you get to be a pirate. Who hasn't romanticized the pirate era. It might just be enough to make this series exciting again.
Check out the gameplay below.
10. Star Wars Battlefront
And finally, Star Wars. EA has put a pretty good foot forward at E3. It can really repair its tarnished reputation if it gets this game right. Dice is going to develop this along with the frostbite 3 engine (the one that makes battlefield look so good).
It's still quite a bit off but the announcement made it a highlight for me at this years E3. Star Wars never looked so good.
That wraps up my E3 impressions and my top ten list of great E3 games coming our way in the future. I hope you enjoyed reading these and watching the videos. Remember you can preorder any of these games or the new PS4 to play them on here at Amazon.
Let me know what games you are looking forward to in the comments below.