This year’s E3 was a true test for Xbox’s new head, Phil Spencer. He promised to deliver a conference full of games. From the beginning, the team at Xbox has been promising that they will only talk about games at this year’s E3, why Xbox is the best place to play games and so on.
Here is a recap for Microsoft’s press conference.
From the beginning to the end, this year’s conference was very different for the viewers. Traditionally MS kicks off the press conference with a surprise for the audience, which is usually a 1st or 3rd party game, but this year things were different. Phil Spencer took over the stage and gave a warm welcome to the audience. His speech reflected the passion for Xbox and his aggression to take it to new heights.
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Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
A CoD being showcased during Microsoft’s E3 press conference is certainly not a new thing, but this year’s ‘Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare’ feels like an actual step ahead for the stagnated franchise. With the new approach towards a sci-fi world, SledgeHammer has succeed in adding some freshness to the game. The game looked much better than the previous iterations. The futuristic approach dials the action up to 11, but the only problem is that we will need to see how this sci-fi approach translates into multiplayer. As usual CoD will be best experienced on the Xbox One thanks to the exclusive DLC deal which ensures first launch for all content on the Xbox along with timed exclusivity for the same.
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Making New Friends
For the past few years, Ubisoft has been releasing exclusive content for the Playstation. But this year, in a bizzare twist, Ubisoft will launching exclusive content for the Xbox One as well. ‘Tom Clancy’s The Division’ will be getting exclusive content first on the Xbox One. Gamers were also amazed by the first ever gameplay video for the new ‘Assassins Creed: Unity’ during Microsoft’s press conference. This definitely shows Ubisoft’s strong commitment to the Xbox One.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62QxAJegws8
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Evolve
The multiplayer shooters have always found their home on the Xbox. The same can be said for Turtle Rock Studios’ latest game. ‘Evolve’ is 4 vs 1 multiplayer shooter, where players can choose to co-operate by filling the shoes of one of four Hunter classes or go it alone by playing the Monster who is initially the hunted, but can become the hunter by levelling up. The game will be getting exclusive content and a beta first on the Xbox One. Some new footage for the game was also made available during the conference.
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Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Witcher fans were treated to the first ever gameplay footage for ‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’. The game is much bigger and better than its predecessor in every way. It takes the RPG genre to a whole new level. The game is packed with loads of content, besides being set in such a huge open world and it looks so stunning that it’s a visual masterpiece.
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Sunset Overdrive
We all were aware of the existence of ‘Sunset Overdrive’ for a fairly long time. Tons of information was already made available, but at E3, Insomniac games talked a little bit about the game’s multiplayer mode and showcased some new footage. Insomniac has successfully imbibed a good amount of humour into the game. The artstyle of the game feels fresh and adds diversity to the Xbox One exclusive collection.
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Reviving Old Franchises
At the beginning of the conference, Microsoft clearly stated that today they will unveil some of the old classics that the fans have been demanding. The biggest surprise was the Conker IP pack for ‘Project Spark’. No concrete information was made available, but you will be able access the IP pack very soon. Besides the Conker IP pack, Microsoft has revitalized ‘Phantom Dust’. It’s not clear whether it is a remake of the original game or a reboot of the franchise. Trailers follow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQIaPPvFxqA
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Halo
The biggest megaton at E3 goes to Halo hands down. Bonnie Ross took over the stage to unveil the ‘Halo Master Chief Collection’ which includes ‘Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary’, ‘Halo 2 Anniversary’, ‘Halo 3’ and ‘Halo 4’. Similar to Halo CE Anniversary, in Halo 2 Anniversary you can shift back and forth between the original and the remastered look of the game. Halo 2’s multiplayer will also be getting special treatment. Halo 3 and 4 will not be getting any upgrades other than being able to run at 1080p and 60fps. Halo: Nightfall, the live action series, will also launch with the Halo Master Chief Collection. The icing on the cake is that users who buy the Master Chief Collection will able to enjoy the Halo 5: Guardians beta which will be launching this fall. For $60 (₹3500-4000), the Master Chief Collection is one of the best deals Xbox One users will find.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tlt4VDGM4iY
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Fable Legends
Since the departure of Peter Moleynux from Lionhead, Fable fans have been speculating about the future of the beloved Fable series. During E3, Lionhead Studios revealed the first ever gameplay footage for the next instalment in the franchise, ‘Fable Legends’. In Fable Legends players can choose from a wide variety of heroes and they also have the option to play as the villain, adding a whole new perspective to the game. The beta will be launching this fall.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdMa22YETb4
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Smaller Game Development Studios
Microsoft has once again rekindled its interest in indie games. The ID@Xbox program has led to a greater number of developers choosing to develop for the Xbox One. Chris Chala, head of ID@Xbox showcased a whole bunch of new indie games coming to the Xbox One in the following months.
A few months back, Microsoft registered a trademark for ‘Ori and the Blind Forest’.While speculation hinted at a mobile game, to our surprise, it was one of the best games showcased during the MS E3 conference. The game runs at 1080p/60fps and looks gorgeous. The music in the game is mesmerizing. Developer Moon Studios describes the game as an atmospheric platformer. The story is a “coming of age” yarn with several characters with greater commitment to emotional payoffs than the average platformer. The game will be releasing for the Xbox One and the PC.
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Forza Horizon 2
This whole week we are being showered with Forza news. Ralph Fulton had announced that ‘Forza Horizon 2’ will have more than 200 cars, dynamic weather and a day-night cycle. The Drivatars from ‘Forza 5’ will be carried over to Forza Horizon 2 and will play a much bigger role this time. The game will run at 1080p and 30fps with motion blur. Forza fans will be able to buy their copies starting 30th September.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX7r61fyltc
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ScaleBound
We are well aware of Microsoft’s miserable situation in Japan, where they are barely able to sell any consoles, but can they reverse the situation this year? Every bit will help and today that bit comes in the form of Platinum Games revealing ‘ScaleBound’, a fantasy game where you will be killing loads of beasts while sporting a cool pair of headphones.
“Prepare to see action at a whole new scale.” That’s how Platinum’s Hideki Kamiya introduced his latest exclusive baby, Scalebound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrszC-famSU
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A new Crackdown
Rumours were floating all around the globe regarding a new ‘Crackdown’, but today it’s official. It’s being developed by Cloudgine, who have tried their best to stick to the original’s cartoon style and the explosive action. The game is a step ahead for the franchise. The action just oozes out from the trailer below.
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Rise Of Tomb Raider
During Microsoft’s E3 press conference Crystal Dynamics revealed ‘Rise of the Tomb Raider’, coming in Holiday 2015. The game takes place after the events of 2013’s ‘Tomb Raider’. The trailer showed a hooded Lara Croft going through some therapy. The traditional Tomb Raider gameplay was also shown (sneaking through caves and killing enemies stealthily). The platforms were not revealed but one can guess it will be available on the Xbox One, the Ps4 and the PC (this is speculation but the Xbox One is confirmed).
