Another year, another glimpse of what Microsoft has in store for fans in the future during its Xbox E3 press event.
With games like Cyberpunk 2077, Battletoads and Phantasy Star Online 2, fans certainly have something to be excited about; though, honestly, the event as a whole didn’t seem to be good as last year’s. Well, at any rate, here are the good, bad and ugly of Microsoft’s E3 2019 event:
The Good
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is back and it looks like Keanu Reeves will be joining the fun!
The presentation focused mostly on the protagonist, V, a fully customizable character, and how your choices during an early event will have an impact on his friends’ fate.
Honestly, we’ve seen so much of this game thanks to a 50-minute gameplay demonstration at last year’s E3 and Gamescom, that all we’ve really wanted was a release date, and CD Projekt Red and Reeves were more than willing to share — April 16, 2020.
Cyberpunk 2077Â will release on the PlayStation 4, Windows PC, and Xbox One.
Battletoads
Battletoads has achieved meme status in recent years, so Microsoft finally wised up and commissioned Dlala Studios to make a new one.
Technically, we already knew about its existence since 2018, but we were treated to gameplay this time around, blending the nostalgic fast-paced and zany gameplay with a handcrafted and equally zany aesthetic.
And speaking of nostalgia, word is still out on whether it will be as difficult as the original.
Oh, word is also still out on when it arrives.
Tales of Arise
At long last, we have a new Tales game coming to consoles — Tales of Arise.
We actually knew about this in advance due to a leak, but it’s still exciting nonetheless. Not only because of the announcement, mind you, but also since Bandai Namco is finally giving the series a graphics overhaul — something it desperately needed.
Unfortunately, we don’t know much about the characters, plot or what kind of adjustments will be made to Tales’ combat system, but I’m sure more will be revealed in the near future. Perhaps Tokyo Game Show?
That said, we do at least know its coming in 2020 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
The Bad
Before continuing, it’s worth mentioning that the following titles look great. The issue here is that their trailers didn’t really do them justice — we left with the same level of information we came in with.
The Outer Worlds
We had our first look at Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds during The Game Awards 2018, and it’s looking like everything we’ve come to expect from the developer.
Unfortunately, this years showing didn’t expand much upon what we already knew: it’s a player-driven story that takes place on-board a colonist ship at the furthest reaches of the galaxy. You were in hibernation, but awoke to find yourself in the midst of a plot to that threatens to leave the ship in shambles. And, as expected, your choices will depend on the way the story unfolds.
We saw some sparse amounts of gameplay this time around, but nothing really worth mentioning.
At least it confirmed a release date: Oct. 25, 2019
Dying Light 2
After so much anticipation, I can’t find the words to express how disappointed I found this trailer to be.
Sure, we we were offered a premise, but it’s really not all too different from what was presented in the original — an infected young man trapped in a city that’s falling apart due to a disease. In fact, we got more from the first viewing than this one!
To its credit, some parts of the trailer do suggest that some zombies will be more dynamic, with some being able to latch on to the player even as they’re climbing.
Beyond that though? Nothing.
Dying Light 2 is due out for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC in Spring 2020.
The Ugly
Gears of War 5
What a trailer.
For those unaware of the context, protagonist Kate Diaz is currently in possession of a medallion that gave her visions of the Locust Queen — as well as change her personality, apparently.
What do these visions mean? What is her connection to the Locust? In Gears of War 5, Marcus Fenix will help her find out.
She better hope they find those answers too. Seriously, look at her — it’s like her head’s splitting.
Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too long to find out if she does, as Gears of War 5 is set to arrive on Sept. 10.
Finale
That’s it for the good, bad and ugly of Microsoft’s Xbox E3 event. What were your favorite (and least favorite) parts of the event? Do you think Microsoft did a good job overall? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
