It’s that time of the year again — the Electronic Entertainment Expo is on and we’ve seen some stellar game trailers so far. We’ve also seen launch dates for highly anticipated games and we’ve even seen some Keanu Reeves.
What we won’t see, however, is our friends over at PlayStation. Sony opted to withdraw from this year’s event. Even though no-one’s quite sure why they chose that path, the console company has offered a few Days of Play streams in consolation. We still feel the PS love. Another face E3 is missing is Hideo Kojima, and his upcoming game Death Stranding with Norman Reedus. Fortunately, they did release the launch date on this spectacular-looking game recently. We’re… somewhat satisfied.
Everyone has had a chance to show their hands, along with some PC and VR games. And of course, we’ve gone and picked out all the most epic looking ones and compiled this list just for you.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
Platform: Nintendo Switch
IT’S HAPPENING! Nintendo won our hearts when it decided to drop a “one more thing” at the end of its Nintendo Direct stream — a sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Unfortunately, a release may still be far off, as the company didn’t really make a launch date clear. We’re guessing late 2020, but could be wrong. The early teasers looked damn incredible and it looks like developers are hinting at co-op play with both Link and Zelda fighting in tandem. Granted, we only got a small taste of what’s to come — but we can’t wait to see more of this sequel.
Due: TBA
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Everyone expected to see a full overview of a new Animal Crossing at E3 — and that’s just what you got ya nosey bums. Nintendo really delivered with a fun-filled, heartfelt trailer, but we’re only looking at a 2020 release date, instead of the previously-confirmed 2019 launch. Boo. Hiss.
The short first look didn’t really pack any surprises: Animal Crossing: New Horizons doesn’t mess with the familiar series formula in any significant way, but we’re fine with that. The series has long been one of the premier super-chill games, and it’s definitely one that we’ll be kicking back with come next March.
Due: 20 March 2020
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Platform: PlayStation 4
It’s real. It’s really, really real — the Final Fantasy VII Remake actually has a release date and we just did a happy dance.
Square Enix managed to bring half the audience to tears with this one. The trailer shows our clearest look yet at the reimagined role-playing classic, which swaps to real-time combat and dramatically enhanced graphics while retaining the storyline, spirit, and characters of the iconic 1997 original.
We should note that the trailer only shows footage from roughly the first hour or so of the storyline, which means there’s SO much more left to see. But it’s also because the first piece of the game released in March will focus on Midgar, with the rest to come… later, we guess. That part is a little confounding, but with production values like these, we get it.
Due: 3 March 2020
Halo Infinite
Platforms: Xbox Scarlett, Xbox One, PC
We’re gonna have to wait until the end of next year for this one. But there’s a fairly good reason for that — it’s launching with Microsoft’s next Xbox console, and it’s still coming to Xbox One. Win!
We didn’t get to see any real gameplay this time around, sadly, but the in-engine cinematic showed off some compelling story hooks, and the game certainly looks great. It’s also the first real confirmed game for Xbox Scarlet, and we cannot wait to get our hands on one.
Due: ‘Holiday’ 2020 (We’re guessing late next year)
Cyberpunk 2077
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
CD Projekt RED’s Cyberpunk 2077 stole the show at least year’s E3, and it made a huge impression this time around too, thanks to… Keanu Reeves?!
The Reeves himself showed up to Microsoft’s Xbox briefing, and that’s because he plays a character in the game, according to the E3 trailer. The late-trailer stinger shows his likeness with a bionic arm — and it was pretty brilliant. Unfortunately, we won’t get this game until next year. Still, it looks like one worth waiting for, for obvious reasons…
Due: 16 April 2020
Baldur’s Gate III
Platform: PC
Baldur’s Gate is the series that put role-playing masters BioWare on the map, but the computer role-playing franchise has been without a brand new core entry for almost two decades.
That has changed with the brand new Baldur’s Gate III, and while BioWare isn’t back onboard, Larian Studios – makers of the hugely acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin games – is here to bring the series into the modern era. We just have a small teaser for now, and Larian says it won’t ship until it’s ready, so it could be a while. But now we have another launch date to look forward to.
Due: TBA
Bleeding Edge
Platforms: Xbox One, PC
Ninja Theory has made some of the best action games of the last decade, from Heavenly Sword to DmC: Devil May Cry. The now-Microsoft-owned studio is going in a new direction with Bleeding Edge.
This time around we’ll still see a lot of blistering hack-and-slash action, but Bleeding Edge isn’t a single-player quest, it’s a 4v4 online multiplayer game that seems primed to be a brilliant esport title. We can see many competitive gamers fall in love with the graphic style of the game, but we have no word yet on a release date yet. They’re kicking off a playable technical alpha test later this month.
Due: TBD
Doom Eternal
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Doooooooooooom! We already got a great look at Doom Eternal at QuakeCon last year and were suitably impressed. The E3 trailer and gameplay footage just added to our inner demon-slayer. Plus, we got a November 2019 release date!
The new and especially interesting part was the introduction of Battlemode, an all-new multiplayer mode that’s limited to just three people: two demons faced off against one fully-armed Doomguy. That’s a really enticing premise and seems likely to be an upgrade over the meh multiplayer of the Doom reboot. We’re just happy it’s not another battle royale mode…
Due: 22 November 2019
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
After the original Jedi: Fallen Order debut at Star Wars Celebration, we were left anxiously awaiting a real slice of gameplay footage. And now, we’ve got it.
Thankfully, it still looks pretty promising. Respawn’s heritage comes into play with Titanfall-esque wall running, plus the lightsaber battles seem potentially satisfying. We’re glad to see Forest Whitaker show up again as Rogue One‘s Saw Gerrera, which helps ground the game within the Star Wars timeline. We remain cautiously optimistic about this one, for obvious reasons (ahem, Battlefront II).
Due: 15 November 2019
The Avengers
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
At long last, Square Enix finally showcased the Avengers game it has been teasing for a couple of years now, and one thing’s for sure — this is definitely not set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That’s clear at the sight of long-haired Tony Stark and sadly-not-Chris-Evans Captain America, but at least everything we’ve seen looks plenty action-packed and they’ve got some stellar voice-talent on board.
We’ve played a lot of terrible comic book games over the years, but Spider-Man and the Batman: Arkham games give us hope that The Avengers will be the next great one. Unfortunately, we’re not 100% sure which of this footage is actual gameplay, so… we’d certainly like to get a better sense of what’s what.
Due: 15 May 2020
Elden Ring
Platforms: Xbox One, PC, PS4
So let’s see… the creator of Dark Souls is making a game with the creator of Game of Thrones? Yeah, we’re into that. This trailer doesn’t really show anything, but go ahead and sign us up, just because.
Billed as FromSoftware’s largest game ever, Elden Ring brings the storytelling chops of George R.R. Martin together with the game design mastery of Hidetaka Miyazaki, creating what we can only imagine is another brutally challenging, Souls-esque affair with a deeply compelling fantasy world. That’s our hope, at least. But there’s no release date or gameplay footage yet, so we’re going on very little for now.
Due: TBA
Pokémon Sword and Shield
Platform: Nintendo Switch
What’s a Nintendo keynote without Pokémon? Now we can look forward to brand new Pokémon games coming to the Switch later this year with Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, both of which introduce the Galar region along with a host of new critters to catch, train, and battle.
Nintendo unveiled some neat new features, including a Dynamax ability that super-sizes any Pokémon into an enormous combatant in battle. And you’ll be able to face those enormous beasts in the new Max Raid Battles, which let you team up with other Pokémon players in four-player co-op matches.
Due: 15 November 2019
Gears 5
Platforms: Xbox One, PC
Like Halo, Gears of War is a long-running shooter series in need of a fresh take. Gears of War 4 was a very good, albeit very familiar-feeling entry (which is what gamers tend to prefer). But Gears 5 might pump some fresh blood into the series.
We caught a strong glimpse of it at last year’s E3, but this time around, Microsoft shared a cinematic that teases at the kind of internal strife that new lead Kait Diaz is dealing with. Also, as seen above, the new Escape mode looks like a wild three-player co-op experience, tasking you with demolishing enemy hives before they take you out. Will it hook players as strongly as the old Horde mode? Here’s hoping.
Due: 10 September 2019
Watch Dogs Legion
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
For its third entry, Watch Dogs Legion shifts the action to London – and things aren’t going so great, as evidenced by the killer drones and people in cages. Your move? Rally the resistance.
You can choose anyone… literally, anyone from the open city, from athletic chap to grizzled old lady, as seen in the trailer above. We’re glad to see that the sense of humour from Watch Dogs 2 has been kept intact in this new setting, and the play-anyone hook is certainly compelling. Will the third time be the charm for this series? Here’s hoping. Seriously.
Due: 6 March 2020
FIFA 20
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Another year, another FIFA? Maybe, but EA Sports didn’t show off the usual footie action with its first taste of FIFA 20 at E3 this year. Instead, the publisher showed off the new Volta Football mode, which has more than a bit of the old FIFA Street about it.
Part Street and part NBA 2K’s MyCareer mode, Volta Football lets you create your own male or female player and compete in street football battles in the likes of an Amsterdam underpass, Tokyo rooftop, or caged pitch in London as you play and complete challenges. No doubt, FIFA 20 will also have the usual array of pro teams and modes, but this is definitely an interesting first foot forward for this year’s release.
Due: 27 September 2019
Phantasy Star Online 2
Platforms: Xbox One, PC
Phinally, jeez. Many with fond memories of Phantasy Star Online for Dreamcast and other consoles back when, have been baffled by the lack of Phantasy Star Online 2 in the West – especially since it hit Japan a full seven years back.
Well, it’s finally coming – at least to North America (no word on Africa just yet). Sega’s free-to-play online battler looks to capture the spirit of the early online pioneer while delivering much larger bosses to fight and even cooler character customisation. It’s coming to Xbox One and PC, and hopefully, we’ll see the English version elsewhere later on too (like Switch).
Due: Spring 2020
Forza Horizon 4: Lego Speed Champions
Platforms: Xbox One, PC
This will be the first year in ages without a new Forza game, but don’t worry — we’re getting something way better. And it has a boatload of digital Lego bricks involved.
Like the Hot Wheels expansion for Forza Horizon 3, the Lego Speed Champions expansion for Forza Horizon 4 pairs the brilliant open-world racing with a beloved toy brand, and the results look absolutely amazing. We can’t wait to play. And we won’t have to — the expansion launches this week.
Due: 13 June 2019
Ghostwire: Tokyo
Platforms: TBA
This one will have to live up to the horror and dread of the Evil Within games. Because Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami’s new studio, Tango Gameworks, made a couple of super-freaky throwback survival horror games, and its next original affair looks to continue that tonal approach.
The first teaser for GhostWire: Tokyo doesn’t give much info on actual game design, but the eerie atmosphere is already spot-on, and the official description promises an action-adventure game with evil ghosts and spectral powers at your command. There’s no doubt we want to get on board. Unfortunately, we have no indication of a release date so far, so don’t expect it this year.
Due: TBA
Roller Champions
Platform: PC
As expected, Ubisoft had a curveball to throw during its E3 conference, and this time around, it was Roller Champions, a roller derby game with a dash of Rocket League in the mix. Yeah, you read that correctly.
Here, you’ll speed around the rink in team-based battle and try to outscore your rivals. The game has a sleek look and cool allure to it. It’s also free-to-play and there’s an E3 demo available this week, although the full release isn’t coming until early next year.
Due: Early 2020
Borderlands 3
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
What did you expect from Borderlands 3? It’s clearly a Borderlands game through and through, complete with pulsing personality, a zillion weapons, and plenty of raucous action.
This E3 trailer spotlights the four new Vault Hunters you’ll choose from in the long-awaited threequel, showcasing new kinds of abilities you can harness in search of your prize. It also coins the word “shloot,” which we’re keen on adding to our vocabulary. Also, if you have Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, there’s a new piece of free Borderlands 2 DLC out now that helps connect it to Borderlands 3. Sweet bonus.
Due: 13 September 2019
Pistol Whip
Platform: VR TBA
Beat Saber? Totally great. Superhot VR? Ditto. If this combo of VR games sounds like an ace team, you should take a look at Pistol Whip.
As the trailer shows, Pistol Whip is a rapid-fire, rhythmic VR shooter, pairing elements from both of those games as you breeze through hallways with pistols drawn. It looks like a John Wick sequence brought to life in your headset, and seems like just the kind of game we want to break a sweat to. Cloudhead Games hasn’t yet confirmed platforms, but we’re hoping to see it across all of the big VR headsets.
Due: 2019
Wolfenstein: Youngblood
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
As the name suggests, Wolfenstein: Youngblood introduces some fresh blood into the Nazi-blasting fan-favourite. It swaps the legendary B.J Blazkowicz for his twin daughters, Jess and Sophia after he’s gone missing. And they seem to have the same knack for ultraviolence he did.
With a pair of sisters on-hand, Youngblood is a co-op shooter, whether you’re playing online with a real person or solo with an AI companion, but it doesn’t feature split-screen, it seems. It’s cheaper than the usual Wolfenstein games, so we’re guessing it’s a bit more compact, but we’re always down for this series. It’s out next month, too, so the short wait time makes it so much more desirable.
Due: 26 July 2019
Outriders
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
What is Outriders? We’re not 100% sure, to be honest – but the latest original game from People Can Fly (Bulletstorm) has a really cool aesthetic to it, enough to have us curious to see plenty more.
It has sort of a Mad Max: Fury Road meets fantastical sci-fi allure, and while the bits of gameplay footage seen at Square Enix’s conference suggest another over-the-shoulder shooter like the studio is known for, we’re hoping the world and premise elevate the experience into something more memorable. But we’re down either way.
Due: 2020
Deathloop
Platforms: TBA
After making the Dishonored games, Arkane Studios has our attention going forward – but a trailer as stylish as Deathloop‘s will certainly do the trick, too.
The trailer spotlights a pair of brilliant assassins stuck on an island where they cannot escape a constant loop of time in the same back-and-forth cycle. We don’t get any kind of glimpse of gameplay here, unfortunately, but the premise is seriously intriguing and the trailer is great fun. We don’t have a concrete launch date here either.
Due: TBA
Telling Lies
Platform: PC
Her Story was a true feat in gaming: a totally original game unlike any before it, and it made a huge impact as you tried to solve a mystery by watching reams of police interview footage.
Developer Sam Barlow is back with Telling Lies, a spiritual successor to the game that now has you flicking through stolen video conversations from four main characters, all of whom are tied together by some horrible incident. What exactly happened? You’ll have to play to find out. We’ll see this title sometime this year, and we cannot fricking wait to let our inner investigator out.
Due: 2019
Gods & Monsters
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Whatever Gods & Monsters ends up being, we already know that it’s downright gorgeous with its lush, colourful terrain and compelling character designs.
Ubisoft is positioning it as a trip through Greek mythology that hails from the makers of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, but this seems to have a much more family-friendly bent to it. We didn’t get anything more than this trailer, but it is a very solid initial tease.
Due: 25 February 2020
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Platform: Nintendo Switch
It might not be the vast open-world wonder that is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (we already got a sequel tho), but we’re thrilled all the same to see Link’s Awakening on the horizon for later this year – especially since the just-announced Breath of the Wild sequel is probably another year or two out.
Link’s Awakening began life as a Game Boy original, and more than 25 years later, it’s been given a truly stunning makeover in this reimagined Switch edition. The tilt-shifted, almost toy-like aesthetic is incredibly beautiful, and this is the ideal opportunity for anyone to enjoy this fan-favourite classic.
Due: 20 September 2019
Panzer Dragoon: Remake
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Sega’s Panzer Dragoon never got the spotlight it deserved, in large part to the failure of the Saturn console, but the original classic is getting a fresh shot at life on Switch.
Panzer Dragoon: Remake is exactly what it seems — it takes the Saturn original and gives the on-rails, flying-dragon shooter a beautiful new coat of paint, along with improved controls. Hopefully, we’ll also get the sequel before long, and – dare we say? – the ultra-rare Panzer Dragoon Saga RPG.
Due: Late 2019
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Mario’s taller sibling gets no respect. Case in point: his one starring role in a game takes place amidst a group of terrifying ghosts. But hey, it’s fun, so we’ll take it.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 brings in some fun twists, switches the setting to a haunted hotel and brings in some new play mechanics as you suck spectral beings into your vacuum pack (can someone say Ghostbusters?). Our favourite feature? Gooigi, a gooey companion that you can summon to help you overcome certain challenges, who makes his console debut after appearing in the 3DS remake of the original game. The ScareScraper multiplayer mode looks fun, too. Now to find some friends…
Due: TBA 2019