Modern marvels
This year’s virtual E3 gave gamers plenty to look forward to in the rest of 2021
LAST week saw the return of E3, albeit in a virtual format.
While it wasn’t the greatest E3 there’s ever been – with only a handful of genuinely new titles announced – there were some longawaited updates on some of the year’s biggest games.
There was a release date and first gameplay trailer for Elden Ring, Microsoft dropped gorgeous new footage for Halo Infinite, and Metroid fans learned they’ll finally be getting Metroid Dread.
Here’s a round-up of some of the biggest announcements.
MARVEL’S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY PS4, PS5, Xbox ONE, Xbox X/S, PC Anticipated: October 26
Rumours had been swirling for a while, but developer Eidos Montreal finally confirmed we’re getting a new Guardians of the Galaxy game. And what’s even better, it’s due out this year.
Billed as a story-driven, singleplayer, third-person actionadventure game, you play as Starlord (aka Peter Quill), blasting around in jet-boots spitting pithy one-liners at your enemies.
You might control Peter, but you’ll have your team at your side, including a bearded Rocket, and a hardas-nails looking Groot. If the trailer is anything to go by, the soundtrack will be packed full of 80s hits.
The developers don’t have the rights to use the likenesses of the actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so everyone looks very different. But given it’s from the studio behind the rebooted Deus Ex games, this promises to be heaps of fun.
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD 2 Switch Anticipated: 2022
Nintendo’s presentation went out on a high, with a new gameplay trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2.
The hotly anticipated sequel still has no confirmed release date, but the new footage was arguably the highlight of Nintendo’s showcase.
While the name has left fans cold, the game giant said there’s a good reason for it being so plain – and that’s spoilers.
Past Zelda games have had subtitles linked to important game items or concepts – like Ocarina of Time and Windwaker. It’s likely the true name will be revealed when the game’s release date is confirmed.
A PLAGUE TALE: REQUIEM Xbox X/S, PC Anticipated: 2022
The first game was one of the surprise hits of 2019, and developer Asobo Studio is hoping lightning will strike twice.
A Plaguetale: Requiem was revealed as a launch day game for Xbox Game Pass in 2022. Continuing the tale of brother and sister Amica and Hugo in 14th century France, the trailer shows a fresh wave of plague-ridden rats interspersed with battling knights and sinister clergy. But then it cuts to Hugo standing on a sunny cliffside – could it all be a vision? While fans wait to learn more, it was announced Xbox X/S and PS5 owners will get a free upgrade of A Plague Tale: Innocence on July 6, enhancing the game to support 4K UHD resolutions, 60fps and 3D audio support.
METROID DREAD Switch Anticipated: October 8
This game was first talked about in 2005 as a sequel to 2002’s Metroid Fusion. Now rumour has become reality, as Nintendo’s ‘holy grail’ for Metroid fans was finally announced.
Being developed by Mercury Steam Entertainment, the team behind 2017’s Metroid: Samus Returns, it features 3D graphics from a 2D perspective.
The biggest surprise is that it’s out this year, and due to hit consoles on October 8. Keep an eye out for a special edition of the game, which features art cards and an art book.
HALO INFINITE Xbox X/S, PC Anticipated: late 2021
Halo fans got a fresh look at the highly anticipated shooter’s campaign during Microsoft’s E3 segment, including a ‘deep dive’ into the game’s multiplayer.
Launching as a free-to-play alongside Infinite’s paid-for campaign, it features The Academy – a place where you can build and refine your fighting and shooting skills with AI bots.
The game’s Battle Pass system gives players instant access to upgrades and unlockable content in exchange for cold hard cash.
In Halo Infinite, battle passes don’t expire. You can use it until it is completed, or you want to swap it out for a new one. You can also buy old battle passes, so you’ll never have to miss out on content again.
Multiplayer options are also available in the training academy, so you and your comrades can train to be a force to be reckoned with.
FORZA HORIZON 5 Xbox X/S, PC Anticipated: November 9
One of the meatier reveals of E3, Forza Horizon 5 was voted the single most-anticipated game to be announced at the virtual con.
Set in Mexico, developer Playground Games showcased a stunning trailer full of gleaming vehicles which leapt out of the screen.
Billed as the ‘largest, most diverse Horizon yet’, the developers have recreated parts of Mexico’s stunning landscape using photogrammetry data – the same technique employed by Microsoft’s Flight Simulator to map realistic cities.
Due out on Nov 9 – or Nov 5 if you’re a Premium Edition owner.
ELDEN RING Xbox X/S, PC Anticipated: January 19, 2022
One of the year’s most hotly anticipated games delivered its first gameplay trailer. Elden Ring is a collaborative effort between game director Hidetaka Miyazaki (Souls series creator) and novelist George R. R. Martin (Game of Thrones).
Originally announced at E3 in 2019, this was the first new information on the game in two years.
Apparently boasting the ‘largest, most free-form map to date’ by developer Fromsoftware, the trailer promises an intricate game full of blood and adventure.
SEA OF THIEVES: A PIRATE’S LIFE Xbox X/S, PC Anticipated: Out now
One of Microsoft’s more fun surprises saw the reveal of A Pirate’s Life as DLC for 2018’s much-loved Sea of Thieves. Featuring Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean in an all-new original story, the DLC was due to go live on June 22. Davy Jones will also be rising from his watery locker to join the spooky fun, and what’s even better it’s all free!
MARIO + RABBIDS: SPARKS OF HOPE Switch Anticipated: 2022
An unexpected sequel announcement from Nintendo will see Mario teaming up once again with those wascally Rabbids.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was a surprise hit in 2017, and Nintendo and Ubisoft are teaming up again on Sparks of Hope, which will apparently boast more open locations and more fluid combat.
EVIL DEAD: THE GAME PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, PC Anticipated: 2022
A new trailer for the co-op zombie slayer was revealed by developer Saber Interactive.
Based on the TV series Ash vs The Evil Dead, this sees Ash Williams team up once again with Kelly and Pablo to take on the Deadites.
With shades of Dead By Daylight and Left 4 Dead, I’m hoping there’s a bit more of Ash and co’s trademark black humour in the game, as it felt oddly lacking in the trailer.