‘Not E3’ Season highlights

Ever since the death of E3 and the rise of Summer Games Fest, it’s gotten harder to keep track of everything that gets announced, in no small part due to the asinine number of streams that happen – everyone wants a piece of the pie and a special place to show off their game. Like, I get it but it makes it hard to keep track. I struggle, how does the average Joe manage? Regardless there was actually a decent amount of games shown off over the various shows that I’m interested in playing. Here’s the list, as they appeared in their respective shows:

Concord (Firewalk Studios)

Honestly, I look at Concord and it’s a coin flip. The game either reaches Overwatch level success or the servers are shut down by the end of the year. I don’t think there will be any middle ground here. Given the state of many hero shooters and other popular online games, there can’t be a middle ground.

Concord looks fun don’t get me wrong, and I don’t mind a liberal taking from Guardians of the Galaxy tonally. I absolutely wish this game was singleplayer but I’m not opposed to Multiplayer. Concord’s biggest competition will be the arrival of Valorant on Console as well as the upcoming Overwatch clone Marvel Rivals. According to previews, Concord is actually good so it just needs to fend off it’s competitors.

Until Dawn Remake (Ballistic Moon)

In the modern trend of remastering and remaking games that are certainly more recent than other potential offers, Until Dawn isn’t escaping the very valid questions of “Why?”. Personally I don’t mind, I played the game (properly) for the first time last year and enjoyed it immensely.

Things certainly get more interesting when you hear about the changes - New areas and interactions as well a new third person camera. I often haven’t played the original games when I play the remakes so I have no feel for changes. Here though, I get to see what’s new and that’s exciting

Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom)

I will play Monster Hunter Wilds day 1. That is my promise. I’ve been interested in the series for a while now and each game looks really cool, I’ve just never dived in. I’ve got Monster Hunter World + Iceborne DLC, Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak DLC or even either of the Monster Hunter Stories games to try to tide me over, or I can take the plunge for the first time with Wilds. We’ll certainly see what happens. Regardless, I’m playing the game.

Season Highlight: Astrobot (Team Asobi)

This is Kino. This is Cinema Video Games. When the rumours started about their being a new Astrobot game, I didn’t want to let myself believe. It was too good to be true. Yet, the game is real and looks phenomenal. I can’t wait for the game, the previous 3 experiences have been wonderful so a full game is paradise.

The Thing: Remastered (Nightdive Studios)

The next “Big” project from the remaster house Nightdive is a remaster of PS2’s The Thing - a game I vaguely knew existed. Having just watched The Thing the night prior to this (the announcement of the game sparking the renewed interest in playing this) I’m excited to see what kind of game it can be, given the long list of improvements Nightdive Studios intends to implement.

Hollowbody (Headware Games) and Post Trauma (RED SOUL Games)

I feel bad lumping these two together as they are both their own indie games worthy of their own respect. That being said I’d just be repeating myself for both entries. Both of them are survival horrors inspired by the likes of Resident Evil and Silent Hill yet each of them seems to be doing their own thing and adding their own stamp onto the genre thanks to their settings.

Lego Horizon Adventures (Guerilla and Studio Gobo)

Given the existence of the two Lego Horizon sets - the Longneck and the Thunderjaw, it probably shouldn’t be too surprising that a game would eventually exist. Horizon is a massive franchise even if I don’t see it myself/ As far as I can tell, this is a new game in the series that is going to cover new ground rather than rehashing the plots of Zero Dawn, Call of the Mountain and Forbidden West. On that note, I best catch up with the series.

Tears of Metal (Paper Cult)

I don’t know what it was about it, but this reveal felt out of place for Summer Games Fest – in a good way, as the game looks quite interesting. A Scottish themed Dynasty Warriors esque game with the hub management of Darkest Dungeon is certainly an intriguing concept, I’m excited to learn more.

Blumhouse Games

Not one game but five games are coming out of Blumhouse Games, the recently announced branch of Blumhouse Productions. Focusing on publishing AA and Indie horror, their announced lineup is already looking really good.

The first game on the block is Fear the Spotlight, which comes out later this year. There is also ‘Crisol: The Theatre of Idols’, ‘Grave Seasons’. ‘Sleep Awake’ and ‘The Simulation’. There’s even Sam Barlow’s Project C here which is exciting. I’m looking forward to all of these and love that a bigger publishing name is taking an interest in games.

Alan Wake II: Night Springs DLC (Remedy Entertainment)

Revealed and released on the same day, the DLC got some rave reviews which is good to see but I won’t be playing it until October when the second DLC – The Lake House – comes out. I intend to marathon the original Alan Wake, American Nightmare, ending with Alan Wake II’s Final Draft NG+ mode and the two DLC’s, so that should be fun.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (Warhorse Studios)

I’ve not played the original Kingdom Come nor have I seen much (or anything really, now that I think about it). That being said, the tone of the new trailer seems really cool - serious with some dry humour. I know this series is more focused on the realism side of medieval settings which is an interesting difference to something like say The Witcher. No release for the sequel but I am more interested to play the original now than I ever was.

Dune: Awakening (Funcom)

MMORPG’s are a strange genre. It’s one of the few I haven’t really had much experience in, save for like maybe 3-4 hours of Star Wars; The Old Republic. I want to try The Elder Scrolls Online. Final Fantasy XVI is the final boss of the Final Fantasy series for me. This brings us to Dune: Awakening. Those other two are part of established gaming franchises but Dune is comparatively smaller fry despite recent resurgence.

There’s just somethng about the game that’s speaking to me, making me want to give it a try. Whether or not I do is another matter entirely. There are a lot of games on this list, a MMO is quite the time investement.

Slitterhead (Bokeh Game Studios)

Every bit of new footage released for Slitterhead reveals more and more of the games actual tone and gameplay as you'd expect, however each bit of footage shows how far away the game is from it's initial teaser. Not that I mind, the game looks fun if a little jank but it's fairly different from the horror tone of the reveal. I have to wonder if things changed behind the scenes or not but either way, it's had my interest since reveal and I'm still interested now.

Wanderstop (Ivy Road)

From the mind of The Stanley Parable comes an altogether different kind of game. The trailer advertises it as a tea making farm sim like game, which is a far cry from the meta narrative stuff of previous titles. Developers can branch out sure, but the Steam page seems to offer hints on what the game actually is. Still making tea, but there's something more brewing (heh) beneath the surface. This feels like one to watch.

Unknown 9: Awakening (Reflector Entertainment)

While the grand ambitious plans for a multimedia franchise do scare me somwhat, the game existing as its own entity has me interested in playing it. Nothing is standing out as must play but I feel it’s important to have games that are just fun or just interesting enough - not everything has to be a most anticipated blockbuster.

Day of the Devs offerings:

• Cairn (The Game Bakers)

• UFO50 (Mossmouth)

• Screenbound (Crescent Moon Games)

• Tom the Postgirl (Oopsie Daisies)

• Psychroma (Rocket Adrift)

• Building Relationships (Tan Ant Games)

• Hello Again (Soup Island)

• While Waiting (Optillusion)

• Phoenix Springs (Calligram Studio)

• Tides of Tomorrow (Digixart)

Slay the Princess: Pristine Edition (Black Tabby Games)

This is one of those games where it's the less you know, the better. I already know more than I want to about the game unfortunately. The one thing I do need to know is that the expanded version is coming to consoles this year and I'm excited to play it.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream (River End Games)

The trailer didn’t give away much but what it did show has me very intrigued – a top down stealth game set in early 1900’s Scandinavia. The store page is also very tight lipped on whats happening but does tell us it’s a brother/sister story. My most immediate comparison is to A Plague Tale – if it’s half as good as those games it’ll be one to watch.

DOOM: The Dark Ages (iD Software)

If Astrobot and Lego Horizon were Sony’s big leaks, then DOOM: The Dark Ages was certainly Microsoft’s. Not that it matters because the reveal felt just as cool as it would have if this was the first time I was seeing it. A prequel to the previous two titles (2016 and Eternal), Dark Ages seems to be putting more of a medieval spin on things with a skull shotgun, chainsaw shield and dragon riding. Count me in.

State of Decay 3 (Undead Labs)

If I didn’t already know what made State of Decay different to other zombie games then this trailer would have been fairly generic feeling. However, despite having never played them, I do know what these games are like and it’s interesting to see how the series will evolve.

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive)

A real surprise and my second favourite overall announcement from any of the shows. Taking place in a fantasy world where a mysterious painter decides the age people die and it descends every year, a group set out to stop them. Featuring the voice of Ben Starr (Clive from FFXVI) and a cool turn based RPG like combat system., I feel like this is definitely one to watch.

South of Midnight (Compulsion Games)

I’ve been in love with this project since first reveal with the giant guitar playing Skeleton. Originally I thought the game may have been Monster Hunter esque in gameplay but the gameplay reveal has shown it to be more in line with normal action games. The gameplay could be anything since I’m so enamoured by the theming but seeing some is nice. Just need to see some longer sections.

Perfect Dark (The Initiative)

Long presumed dead thanks to the radio silence from the studio and the cascade of rumours about the project being in trouble. This might still be the case but there is a new gameplay trailer for the game that looked pretty cool – plenty of spy action, gunplay and gadgets. I get a sort of Dishonored vibe from it honestly, which is a very favourable comparison to me.

Fable (Playground Games)

Admittedly, I don’t know much about the Fable series save for the fantasy setting and snarky British humour, both of which the new trailer had. While there’s still little in the way of gameplay for the new title, the aforementioned elements are all I need. I know Avowed is coming out but Fable is more what I’m looking for (I think, anyways).

Mixtape (Beethoven and Dinosaur)

Completely out of the control of the developers, it was cruel for Microsoft to put the trailer for this game right before the trailer for the newest Life is Strange but alas.

There’s a certain genre of 80’s nostalgia that I consider a wee bit of a guilty pleasure. It’s the same genre that has small American towns and a feeling of adventure I didn’t have as an introverted child in the North of England. The artstyle here looks really good and despite not liking the previous B&D game that much, I’m keen to see more.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure (Deck Nine Games)

The original Life is Strange really was lightning in a bottle, Chakabra! (sorry). The series it seems tried to reach that high but always came back to Chloe. Now its Max’s time back in the spotlight. Grown up and not using her powers, she gets caught in the midst of a murder mystery. I was going to buy it no matter what, just so happens this premise is an intriguing one.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Machine Games)

If I wasn’t sold on The Great Circle before (I was) then the showcase put my excitement much higher. Showing a cutscene from the game, it genuinely felt like it could have been from any of the first three movies which is the biggest compliment I could give them. Just need a release date ASAP. Rumours have it this year, around December time.

Atomfall (Rebellion)

Primarily known for their works on the Sniper Elite series and the spinoff Zombie Army games, Rebellion seem to struggle with their attempts at new things - see Strange Brigade. Their new project seems interesting though, I’d describe it as Atomic Heart set in England rather than Fallout in England. I’m already sold conceptually and I always enjoy seeing a studio successfully branch out.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl (GSC Game World)

I’ve not played the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games but I have played the tangentially related Metro games. From what I know, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is Metro’s older masochistic cousin. It’s a niche series with troubled development – very troubled thanks to the Russian invasion of Ukraine but might finally hit it big thanks to backing from Microsoft. I wish the team luck.

Gears of War: E-DAY (The Coalition)

The one last announcement of the XBOX show and a genuine surprise. There was a lot of rumbling (and maybe even official confirmation) of a Gears 6 but I don’t think anyone expected a prequel game, especially since Judgement – the game released between 3 and 4 – is also a prequel game. Narrative stakes may be on the lesser side thanks to the setting but the new Locust design looks very good. I’ve been meaning to get back to playing Gears, having only played 3, most of Judgement, half of the original and the multiplayer of 5. A full series playthrough is in order.

Sumerian Six (Artificer)

Announced in a tweet after the Devolver Showcase rather than during it for whatever reason. Immediately I get the vibes of the semi-recently released ‘The Lamplighters League” based on genre and theming but the actual details are probably fairly different if I actually looked properly into it. It’s caught my attention at least.

Happy Bastards (Clever Plays)

I’m not sure where I saw this one, might of been on Twitter like Sumerian Six. Regardless, the crude art style caught my attention and the concept of being a mean opportunistic mercenary leader is quite an amusing one. Sometimes a concept is all you need to sell an idea.

Shovel Knight DIG, DX, 3D (Yacht Club Games)

A big blowout from Yachtclub Games regarding the Shovel Knight IP, reaching it’s 10th anniversary this year (I might need to lie down). On the smaller end of announcements, DIG is finally coming to PS5 and Xbox, meaning the whole series is available in all major places.

Next up were the two new announcements, the first being a remaster(?) of the original Shovel Knight campaign. Not sure what else this entails as of yet. The other announcement, certainly more of a tease, was that of Shovel Knight in 3D. Can’t get enough 3D Platformers so count me in.

Mario and Luigi: Brothership (Nintendo)

A pleasant surprise seeing this series return as it’s been 9 years since the last main entry in the series and 6 years since the remakes that cemented the end of previous developer AlphaDream. Perhaps not the best idea to release 3 Mario RPG’s in the same year, but that’s not Brotherships fault - the game looks really fun as all Nintendo games should.

Fantasian Neo Dimension

One of the jewels from Apple Arcade, a fantasy JRPG in which the world is made up of paper dioramas. Visually phenomenal although I have no idea of the gameplay. Might very well give it a try when it hits home consoles this year.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (Nintendo)

Probably the lowlight of the Direct for many people but personally I’m buzzing. I love the original Donkey Kong Country Returns and Tropical Freeze after that. Being able to play the game with a normal controller will be a bonus too. When the game is out, I want to 100% both of them – bloody fingers be damned.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (Nintendo)

Somewhat of a monkeys paw situation here. I didn’t really mesh well with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom with their more open design and do it your own way structure so I hoped for a more traditional Zelda game, perhaps a 2D one. Well we’ve got one, but it’s following the same sort of “Open” format as the 3D games. Admittedly this new approach does seem quite fun, being able to place anything as long as you’ve first copied it elsewhere. It’s a step in the right direction for me.

Ace Attorney: Investigations Collection (Capcom)

Regardless of the quality of the two titles here, there are two huge matters of importance this release brings. The first of the two being that the second game in this collection – Prosecutor’s Gambit – is in English for the first time. The second of the two is that save for the Vs Professor Layton spinoff, the entire series is available all in one place across all modern platforms which is a big win for preservation.

As for the series, I’m still on Game 3 of like 7 or what have you so I’ve got plenty of catching up to do.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Nintendo)

Credit where it’s due – when Nintendo announces a game you can almost guarantee it’ll be out in the next 6 months or so. Ahem. Metroid Prime 4 was announced mid 2017, had it’s development restarted at the start of 2019 followed by 5 and a half years of radio silence until it appeared at this Nintendo Direct, for a release next year. Better late than never?

As for the game, it looks like more Metroid. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing yet because I haven’t played the others. Much like other items on the list, the series is in my to do list.

Limited Run Games Showcase

As much as I dislike the stranglehold Limited Run Games has on physical media for a lot of smaller game titles, I do appreciate their efforts in remastering and rereleasing games. Their recent showcase showed new looks at the likes of Tonba (as well as Tonba 2), the GEX trilogy, Clock Tower and now Fear Effect. These are all games I’m looking forward to trying out, but they’ll be all digital.

GHOSTS (Visible Games)

An original title being published by Limited Run, this one seems the most artsy and experimental of the games I’ve mentioned on this list, meaning it has the highest chance of being very hit or miss.

An FMV horror game that is only truly playable after 10pm. The game can be played anytime but is on a sort of easy mode? Before 10pm. After 10pm the game becomes real and there’s consequences for things like idling too long. If nothing else it should be a very interesting experiment.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster (Capcom)

I was ready to wrap up my list and begin writing when Capcom announced this title randomly on their YouTube before featuring it in a Capcom Presents. It’s the original Dead Rising redone in the RE Engine and it looks really good. I haven’t played the original so I can’t make any comparisons. With that being said, I may very well start with this version.

There’s also a THQ event due in August sometime, and I’d sacrifice the newborn I don’t have for a new Darksiders. The events a bit far away to be holding up this article though, so I’ll save that for closer to the time.

There we have it. A whole load of games to look forward to. E3 may be gone and Geoff Keighley a nob, but hey - Video Games are good.