This year’s E3 officially begins today (June 11), as various developers and publishers show off demoes of their upcoming games to those in attendance. However, for those unable to physically attend the convention, E3 2019 might as well be over, as the last major showcase concluded this morning. Needless to say, there were a ton of reveals and announcements over the past few days from companies like EA, Microsoft, Bethesda, Ubisoft, Square Enix, and Nintendo. If you’re a more casual video game fan, or if you’re simply someone who doesn’t have enough time to sit through nine or ten hours of reveals, the idea of combing through all the new trailers for something you might care about may not be super appealing. So, I’ve decided to compile a smaller list of the essential announcements from this year’s E3. These will be only the biggest announcements from the highest of high-profile games and franchises. Here is everything you absolutely, positively NEED to know from E3 2019:
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
During EA’s EA Play event this year, the company decided to forgo a traditional press conference and instead focus more on giving details about previously announced titles. One such title was the upcoming Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, which had gameplay revealed for the first time. The game will launch on November 15 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
Cyberpunk 2077
One of the most highly anticipated games of this console generation is Cyberpunk 2077, a cyberpunk RPG being made by The Witcher developer CD Projekt Red. At Microsoft’s Xbox E3 briefing, it was revealed that John Wick and The Matrix actor Keanu Reeves will play a role in the game, before the actor himself took to the stage to announce the game’s release date of April 16, 2020. Cyberpunk 2077 will launch on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
Gears 5
One of Microsoft’s biggest first-party franchises is Gears of War. The fifth entry in the main series was revealed during last year’s E3, but this year it was announced that Gears 5 will be launching for Xbox One and PC on September 10, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers getting access to the game on September 6. Also shown off was the game’s multi-player co-op mode, “Escape,” which received a cinematic trailer.
https://youtu.be/ErqsgG0HRR8
Elden Ring
During the Xbox E3 presentation, Bandai Namco officially revealed Elden Ring, a collaboration between Dark Souls developer FromSoftware and Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin, so that’s a pretty big deal. The game is currently being developed for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
Halo Infinite and Project Scarlett
Closing out Microsoft’s showcase, the company finally officially revealed their next generation console, Project Scarlett. The new console is set to release during the holiday season next year and Halo Infinite, which received a new story trailer, will be a launch title. Halo Infinite will also come out for Xbox One and PC.
DOOM Eternal
Bethesda ended their E3 conference by revealing that DOOM Eternal will be launching for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on November 22. The company also showed new gameplay, including the multi-player mode BATTLEMODE, as well as revealing the game’s Collector’s Edition.
Watch Dogs: Legion
Kicking off Ubisoft’s E3 presentation, a ton of information about Watch Dogs: Legion was revealed, including its March 6, 2020 release date and several gameplay mechanics. The game will launch on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, and Google Stadia.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Quarantine
Ubisoft also revealed a new entry in the Rainbow Six series, Rainbow Six Quarantine. Whereas Rainbow Six Siege focuses more on competitive multi-player gameplay, Quarantine will lean more into co-operative multi-player. The game is expected to launch in early 2020.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Square Enix revealed a ton of information about the upcoming Final Fantasy VII remake, including a release date of March 3, 2020. At the start of their E3 show, Square Enix gave a detailed look at the remake’s gameplay, as well as explaining that remaking the game has been such a huge endeavor, it will actually be split into multiple games. The first game will greatly expand on the Midgar storyline and will be so big on its own, it’ll have to be released on two discs. A Deluxe Edition and 1st Class Edition of the game were also revealed. Oh, and Tifa’s new character model was finally shown.
Marvel’s Avengers
At long last, an official look at Marvel’s Avengers was shown off at Square Enix’s showcase. The game’s plot was revealed, which involves the Avengers getting outlawed after an accident kills tons of people, as well as the game’s cast, including Troy Baker as Bruce Banner, Laura Bailey as Black Widow, and Nolan North as Iron Man. The game will also get free DLC after its launch. Marvel’s Avengers is set to release on May 15, 2020 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Google Stadia, with perks coming to PS4 players in particular.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Yes, the game may have come out six months ago, but Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is still relevant as it continues to add more playable characters via DLC. During Nintendo’s E3 Direct, two DLC fighters were revealed. The Hero from Dragon Quest XI, along with alternate skins that are the protagonists of several other Dragon Quest games, will be added to the game this summer, while Banjo and Kazooie will come to the game this fall.
Hero
Banjo and Kazooie
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The Animal Crossing Switch game was officially given the title Animal Crossing: New Horizons and delayed past its initial 2019 release window. However, fans won’t have to wait TOO much longer, as the game, which sees the player camping out on a deserted island, received the release date of March 20, 2020.
The Legend of Zelda
Okay, there were a few Zelda-related things announced, so let’s go in order of increasing importance.
Cadence of Hyrule
First, the spin-off/Crypt of the NecroDancer crossover Cadence of Hyrule received a June 13 release date. Pretty cool.
Link’s Awakening
Next, the remake of Link’s Awakening was given a September 20 release date. It was also revealed that the game will allow players to create their own dungeons. VERY cool.
Breath of the Wild
Finally, Nintendo saved their biggest announcement for last. Currently in development is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild. Not more DLC, but an entirely new game. No release date or window was given, but it’s happening. EXTREMELY COOL.
