E3 Overview: Day Zero

Say’s Overview: Microsoft’s Xbox One-dominated presser offered a lot of brilliant trailers and big names, but it sure lacked gameplay and answers regarding all their restriction controversy. They got started with Metal Gear Solid V and they moved forward on to a lot of visually stunning titles such as: Ryse, Quantum Break, Forza 5, Killing Instinct, Dead Rising 3, Battlefield 4, Witcher 3 and Titanfall. Mixed in were some intriguing new projects such as Project Spark, which I am most certainly eager to know more about, alongside and the return of Minecraft– which didn’t seem to cause the impact they probably expected.

Microsoft failed to address any of the inquiries their first presentation provided such as: 24 hour internet connection, Kinect sensor requirement, lending and renting game issues. One thing was clear since their firs presentation is that Xbox got a makeover and that they want to be billed as an “all-in-one” entertainment option – all the restrictions and doubts still remain uncertain. Oh, and they also partnered up with Twitch, in case anyone would care.

Moving to Electronic Arts: Unexpectedly, they opened up with Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare and teased Peggle 2 before relying on celebrity endorsement and a lot of testosterone. They flaunted NBA Live 14, Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14, and UFC and sadly not much was shown but teaser trailers and some concept information to go with it, certainly a lot to look forward from EA Sports. We got to see Need for Speed: Rivals, Dragon Age III: Inquisition and a tease for Star Wars: Battlefront series.

Luckily, we got to see more of Battlefield 4 without much of the awkwardness that Xbox One presentation had. They seem to have created interest into their multiplayer where they presented the option of 64 players able to engage in live. And of course, the most anticipated title, Mirror’s Edge 2, which promises to bring more (and new) from the lead Faith I must admit this is very interesting to attempt a reboot of a franchise with only one game out.

On to Ubisoft: Starting out with the obvious, Aisha Tyler returns to host their presentation, I loved her energy but I had a hard time appreciating her scripted humor, as well as it seemed like for the attendees. They opened up with Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Rayman Legends, South Park: The Stick of Truth, Watch Dogs, Rabbid Invasion, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – that’s from what we sort of know, and from the new they presented the Mighty Quest for Epic Loot, The Crew, and The Division.

Quickly surveying their titles – Splinter was all about big explosions and guns, South Park obvious fart jokes, Rayman, featured  beautiful visual and Rabbid brings the mini games for party environments.  Watch Dogs and Assassin’s Creed were the ones that stole the show from those titles we expected, the graphics are absolutely amazing with quite an interesting perspective of what next generation consoles would be.

Rounding out the day was the PlayStation 4 reveal. While many will continue to argue whether this should be the highlight of the press conferences so far, it was rather clear that Sony did come forward with all the uncertainties many people were on the fence about the new consoles, while Microsoft refused to acknowledge Sony did and quite loud.

They opened up with the PS Vita Lineup, I’d say this was a great move to show some Vita love. Nothing was really presented extensively, however what little was mentioned was: Doki Doki Universe, Tearaway, God of War 1&2 HD, Final Fantasy X and X2, Flower, Walking Dead:400 Days, Counterspy and Destiny of Spirits. They moved forward to: Grand Theft Auto and the surprisingly bundle proposal for PS3; It brings the game, the console and a special GTA gaming headset. This follows through with the presentation of the console and the launch titles coming for it: Killzone: Shadow Fall, Knack, DriveClub and Infamous: Second Son, Elder Scrolls Online, Destiny, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and also presenting a few news interesting IPs such as Mad Max and Order:1886. The later introduces a timed era in an alternate history, I believe the premise explained that you’re a knight and you fight for mankind’s survival.

Of course, the moment that made me believe in consoles once again was when Sony showed PS4 Indie support, they took the time to show up a line up for indies which had the preview of Transistor by Supergiant Games and from the other indie titles that went by the screen quickly we had Don’t Starve, Mercenary Kings, Galaxy, Oddworld: New and Tasty and Octodad. I must say this was a big milestone for all indies to understand and realize the options and support we may have from a brand like Sony; I hope this is only one of the many good things yet to come for indies everywhere.

And of course, as if what was already presented didn’t close the deal, they finally presented Final Fantasy Versus XIII (which got renamed to Final Fantasy XV) and Kingdom Hearts III. I don’t even need to say more, if you haven’t seen the trailer for either one of these please do so right now.