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E3 2019 Schedule and Early Announcements

 Video games  3 Responses »  Tagged with:
Jun 072019
 

Our E3 2019 coverage begins tomorrow with EA’s press conference, but let’s take a look at the schedule today, along with a few recent game announcements.

E3 2019 Schedule

June 8
EA – 9:15 AM PT / 12:15 PM ET

June 9
Microsoft – 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET
Bethesda – 5:30 PM PT / 8:30 PM ET
Devolver Digital – 7 PM PT / 10 PM ET

June 10
PC Gaming – 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
Limited Run Games – 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET
Ubisoft – 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET
Square Enix – 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET

June 11
Nintendo – 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET

There are a few other things in there as well, including one from Kinda Funny Games, but these look like the major ones to cover. The biggest change from previous years is the lack of Sony. Some people also consider the Google Stadia presentation yesterday to be a part of E3. What do you think?

Anyway, we have a few early announcements to discuss, so let’s take a look.

Early Announcements

Do you remember the RPG Citizens of Earth (which I still need to play)? It’s getting a sequel, Citizens of Space, due out for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC on June 18 for $14.99.

In even more exciting news (and news from the Stadia presentation, in fact), Baldur’s Gate III has been announced for PC and Stadia. It’s being developed by Larian Studios, the developer of the Divinity games.

I played Baldur’s Gate last year, and I hope to play Baldur’s Gate II ahead of this new entry.

Next, the lighthearted RPG Work x Work for the PS4 and Switch is being localized under the name Heroland. Heroland will become available later this year.

Finally, a new Yooka-Laylee game has been announced for the PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is more a spin-off than a sequel, being a 2D platformer with a 3D overworld. It’ll get both a physical and digital release later this year.

And yes, I still need to play Yooka-Laylee.

That’s all for now, just a few announcements I wanted to take a look at ahead of E3.

Remember, our E3 coverage begins tomorrow with EA’s press conference! I typically haven’t enjoyed EA’s shows, but I’m looking forward to more information about Jedi: Fallen Order.

Are you excited for E3?

Thoughts on the Pokémon Sword and Shield Nintendo Direct

 Video games  3 Responses »  Tagged with: , ,
Jun 052019
 

After getting some news from the Pokémon press conference, today is the day we were really waiting for – the day of the Pokémon Direct!

The Pokémon Direct provided a lot of new details about Pokémon Sword and Shield, so let’s take a look.

First off, while Pokémon Sword and Shield aren’t open world (again, something I’m happy for), they do have a wide open region called the “Wild Area” that connects several towns and cities. The Wild Area has a wide variety of locations and lets you freely control the camera while exploring.

Pokémon also appear in the field in the Wild Area, although it’s unclear if other parts of the Galar region will still have random encounters or not. (Maybe only in tall grass?)

The big new combat mechanic this time is “Dynamax,” a feature where Pokémon turn into giant versions of themselves. You can use Dynamax once per battle, and it lasts for three turns. It sounds like this might replace the Z-Moves from Sun and Moon.

Gyms are back and will feature Dynamax battles, and there are also new multiplayer “Max Raid Battles” in the Wild Area that let up to four players team up to take on a special Dynamax Pokémon with a chance to capture it.

They introduced several important characters, including the Champion Leon, his younger brother Hop who also acts as your rival, Professor Magnolia and her granddaughter, and the Grass Gym Leader Milo. A few new Pokémon were shown off as well, include Corviknight, a giant raven-like Pokémon. From the way they described Corviknight, I worried it might only serve as a taxi, but it looks like you can catch them as well.

Finally, they showed the two Legendary Pokémon, Zacian of Pokémon Sword and Zamazenta of Pokémon Shield.

Pokémon Sword and Shield will be out worldwide on November 15.

Overall, this was an exciting Pokémon Direct. I didn’t particularly enjoy the last couple Pokémon generations, but I’m excited for Pokémon Sword and Shield. It’s adding plenty of exploration without going full open world, there’s still turn-based combat, and everything they’ve shown so far looks great.

The only thing I dislike is that apparently the Rotom Phone is returning with your Pokédex and other feature, but here’s hoping it’s less annoying than in Sun and Moon.

I’ll want to know more about any version exclusives, but right now I want Pokémon Sword because of Sif Zacian.

Are you excited for Pokémon Sword and Shield after what we learned today?

E3 2019 Hopes and Predictions

 Video games  2 Responses »  Tagged with:
Jun 032019
 

It’s hard to believe, but another E3 is almost upon us already! E3 begins next week, so we have a lot to look forward to.

E3 2019 Pipe Dreams

So let’s take a look at the pipe dreams that have yet to come true (which is most of them).

From 2015:

  • Ace Attorney Investigations 2 localization (perhaps as an Investigations 1 & 2 bundle for the Switch)
  • The World Ends With You 2
  • Tales of Symphonia prequel

From 2016:

  • The Great Ace Attorney localization (though I don’t expect this until 2023)
  • Xenosaga HD
  • Knights of the Old Republic 3 (which I’d like much more than the rumored KotOR film)
  • A true Paper Mario game (but at least we have Bug Fables)

From 2017:

  • World of Final Fantasy 2

And from 2018:

  • Mother 3 localization
  • Persona 3 remake

Okay, so none of these things are likely announcements. Let’s move on to games that might actually be announced or shown at E3.

E3 2019 Predictions

We already know Psychonauts 2 gameplay will be shown at E3, and I think we’ll see more from games like Death Stranding and Cyberpunk 2077 as well.

I also think Final Fantasy VII Remake will get a release date at least for the first part, and Square Enix will also show the Kingdom Hearts 3 ReMIND DLC and more of Babylon’s Fall.

On that note, it’s high time we saw Bayonetta 3, so that’s a good contender for Nintendo’s show. And since Luigi’s Mansion 3 is due out this year, I think they’ll show that as well, along with the new Animal Crossing.

As for new titles, I predict Monolith Soft will finally unveil its fantasy RPG, Nintendo will announce a new Mario and Luigi entry, and the Metroid Prime Trilogy will be brought to the Switch.

I think the next God of War game will be at least teased, and FromSoftware will announce a new game.

And while I don’t care for their games personally, I think Rockstar Games will tease their next title.

Finally, I think we’ll get some sort of Yakuza news, either the full reveal of Shin Yakuza or localization news for the Yakuza 3-5 HD remasters.

Conclusion

These are my hopes and predictions for E3 2019. What do you think will be revealed at E3 this year?

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