The most highly anticipated gaming event of 2021 has arrived! From June 12-15 many games have been revealed from big players such as Devolver Digital, Square Enix, Microsoft, Nintendo and more.
Read this collaborative news and opinion piece by Jack Proverbs, Kieran Burt and Scarlett Acres to find out more about the exciting games from the event, as well as our views on whether the event was a worthwhile watch!
Devolver Digital’s games
Kieran: On Saturday of the E3 expo, Devolver Digital released its new line up of games and their new gaming pass, the Developer Max Pass. Some of these games in particular caught my attention, those that looked especially wonderful and weird. These are the more interesting games that I cannot wait to play the most.
Shadow Warrior Three
This game is the third entry in the shadow warrior franchise, however this trailer is my first introduction to the series. It has brutal first person shooter action, an emphasis on running around with its fast paced and precision movements with the grapple. Enemies can be shot or ripped apart, similar to the Doom games, especially with the dual wielding guns.
The gameplay trailer released showed a variety of weapons, not only guns but swords as well. The soundtrack to the trailer helped to convey the fast pace of the game, and its colour style looks amazing. My first thoughts when I saw this trailer was a samurai Doom crossover, given the location and fast style of combat.
Shadow Warrior Three will release on Xbox One, PlayStation Four and PC in 2021.
Wizard With a Gun
This game’s premise is intriguing to me. It takes away a wizard’s signature weapon (their wand) and instead gives them a gun to channel their magic into. This is done in-game by the use of different modifiers to bullets, the trailer showcased freezing, high explosives, and teleportation. Hopefully, there is some interesting spells designed specifically around the gun weapon, like a ricochet spell for your bullet to bounce off objects, and not just genic spells attached to a bullet.
The description is also attention grabbing, stating that you will embark on a journey into the unknown, collecting, crafting, and outfitting your wizard along the way. This sees your character take on a scavenger like-role, as you explore the world to find better items to make your character stronger, giving it an open world RPG feel as you develop your character through exploration.
The art style fits perfectly for a game meant to be played on the Switch, as it is the type of 3D style that looks like it has been elevated from the page. The gameplay trailer also displayed a wide variety of enemy typing, with world variety to go with it. This is encouraging to see, as this is something the game will.
Wizard With a Gun will be released on Nintendo Switch and PC in 2022.
Phantom Abyss
If the Kinect had not died out, then this would be a game for the device. The player character explores dangerous temples to retrieve relics, by jumping over gaps, dodging spikes, and avoiding falling objects and so much more. But because this game has simple, repetitive actions like jumping and moving side to side, this meant it would have been simple for the player to perform these actions. Alas, the Kinect did die out.
Though just because it is repetitive button actions does not mean this game will be easy, in fact it looks like quite a challenge. Players cannot return to the same temple after they die, meaning memorising layouts is not possible. This gives the game a rogue-like feel. The fast paced gameplay means that timing and reactions will be key.
The ghosts are used to give players hints; however the catch is they are dead players who have failed the temple before. The temple’s themselves are extremely varied in their colour, using different blues, reds, greens and so on in the temple. This is great to see, as the game would have dull to look at if the same colours were repeated, especially colours typically associated with temples.
Those were my top three games from Devolver Digital, however some others announced include: Trek to Yomi, Inscryption, Devolver Tumble Time Demon’s Throttle and Death’s door. These will release in 2022 and 2021, across a range of devices.
Phantom Abyss releases on PC as an early access title on June 22nd.
Square Enix
Jack: Many fans have had mixed reactions to the Square Enix E3 event, from parts of it being an exciting, joyous reveal of games to come, but many felt disappointed with the lack of mainstream games with no news or trailers being shown. However, of the games which were revealed, some were a clear home run and we can’t wait for their release.
Guardians of the Galaxy
The main highlight of the show was the release of the reveal of the Marvel superhero game: Guardians of the Galaxy. A brilliant entry into the Marvel gaming series, with most of the show being dedicated to revealing many details of the game. From character cutscenes, to boss battles and general gameplay tutorials, this game reeled us right into this sci-fi universe.
Although at times this showcase felt like a Youtube series play through, which unfortunately took the spotlight off many other games which should’ve had a deserving chance to be revealed/spoken more about during the event.
Nevertheless, this action game is bound to be a standout when released, from the amazing graphics, to the illustration of a great game design throughout whole trailer, it’s more than likely going to be a hit when released to fans. Only time will tell…
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy game is released on October 26, 2021.
Life is Strange Remastered Collection
One humble touch of the event was the reveal of the emotional choice game Life is Strange: Remastered. It takes you back to only a few years ago where you experience playing in Arcadia Bay and making dire consequences which impact the world around you.
At E3 it was revealed a remastered version of the game is going to be released later this year with the vent showcasing upgraded graphics of scenery as well as much needed updates on character designs.
However, it’s very early in my opinion for the game to have a remaster, as the game is not even at its 10 year mark and the development doesn’t scream ‘remaster’ as personally the graphics aren’t vastly different in my opinion.
Although I do have high hopes for the remaster as it was such a brilliant and thought-provoking game to play though.
Life is Strange: Remastered will be released later this year.
No kingdom Hearts?
The biggest letdown of the event was the lack of news relating to the Kingdom Hearts franchise. After six long awaited years Kingdom Hearts 3 finally got released in 2019 with its Remind DLC released shortly after in 2020. As well as the Melody of Memory game – a spin off in the main franchise.
However, this is not enough justification behind why there is no news about future games of the series, as all it leads to is frustration among the fans.
The ending of both Kingdom Hearts Remind DLC and Melody of Memory has left fans with huge anticipation around Sora’s whereabouts and the mysterious new world of Quadratum.
E3 would have been the perfect time for Square Enix to reveal what’s next for the franchise, even some confirmation about the next game of the franchise would have been more than enough, but unfortunately for fans these hopes were shattered once again.
Let’s hope more information will be revealed soon and we won’t have to wait another abyssal six years for a new game.
Microsoft and Bethesda’s one Dragon sized omission
Kieran: On the Sunday of E3, Microsoft and Bethesda released announcements for their upcoming games, from Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, to Pyschonauts 2, Redfall, and The Outer Worlds 2. Many of these games will also be on Microsoft’s subscription game service, the Game Pass. This is truly an impressive line-up and should have fans pleased with what they are shown. However, there is one key game omitted from their conference, and that was Bethesda’s next instalment in the massively popular Elder Scrolls series.
This omission is surprising to see and speaks volumes on where they are in development with it. The game, Elder Scrolls 6, was announced at the same time as Starfield back in 2018, with an official release trailer showing off the logo and a mountainous area. The game then was not spoken about in the 2019 E3 event, and then not during 2020 as E3 was cancelled. Bethesda did not release any other information through any other means either, which is disappointing. Elder Scrolls 5 (Skyrim) was widely popular, making everyone extremely excited for any information about the next instalment in the franchise.
However, fans unfortunately won’t find any information at E3 2021. Despite the almost hour and a half press conference, no new information about the game was released. Starfield got a new gameplay trailer and a release date, whereas there was not a word spoken about Elder Scrolls 6. This is hugely disappointing, as going into E3 it was the game I wanted to learn the most about. It was extremely easy to spend time in Elder Scrolls 5, making the Elder Scrolls 6 one of my most anticipated games. Many people are sure to feel the same way. This is a huge, dragon sized game to leave out.
It is clear that Bethesda is focusing on releasing its original open world game, Starfield, before going back to Elder Scrolls 6. This is an understandable approach, as it lets both games receive the attention they deserve to be fully developed. Starfield promises to be a massive open world game set in space, so no doubt there will be several challenges that the game presents that aren’t in earth bound games. How gravity works, the ship combat, all this has to be designed from the ground up. While this is not to dimmish the potential of Elder Scrolls 6, it is clear that game is much more in Bethesda’s wheelhouse. Though this means that the game won’t release until at least 2023, more likely 2024.
Another reason is, of course, the global pandemic. This has let nothing untouched, including the videogame industry. Working from home means that games are harder to develop and work on, thus adding to the pressures that were already there. Other games, such as Halo Infinite, have been delayed due to pandemic related reasons so it is completely plausible that Elder Scrolls 6 has been delayed too.
Although there has been a lack of official information about Elder Scrolls 6, some eagle eyed fans believe they have managed to figure out the setting of the game, hidden in the Starfield trailer. Users on Reddit explained that the map in the trailer looked similar to the map of Hammerfell, the map of Elder Scrolls 2, Daggerfall. While this could be a simple Easter Egg, many fans are now convinced that this will be at least part of what is bound to be a huge map for Elder Scrolls 6. Either way, fans will have to wait to find out that, and everything else the game has to offer. Hopefully their patience will be rewarded.
Nintendo Direct
Scarlett: The only thing I truly needed this E3 was news on The Legend of Zelda: BOTW 2. While I am upset about it being postponed to a hopeful 2022 release, the new clips look incredible and I absolutely can’t wait to delve back into this incredible story.
To follow with the Zelda news, Nintendo also have The Legend of Zelda Skyward HD game coming out July 16, an extension pass for Age of Calamity and have even announced a little handheld device ‘Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda’ that lets you play three classic Zelda games in a fun and retro way.
Another release I’m excited for is the announcement of Life is Strange: Remastered (available later this year) and Life is Strange: True Colours (out September 10). I have not got to experience these games yet but they are supposed to be truly incredible and I can’t wait to try them.
People have agreed online that Nintendo have definitely had the best news at the E3 event but there was still tons of news missing that people speculated online, including: A new Switch, Splatoon 3 and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
But still tons to look forward to with the releases of Just Dance 2022, Mario Golf: Super Rush, Two Point Campus, Guardians of the Galaxy and all the ones mentioned above!
Overall thoughts about the E3 2021 event
Kieran: Overall, E3 this year was disappointing for me. My favourite piece of news is that Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is getting a second year of support and content, which makes me more excited to go back into the game and finding out about what the content is.
It does however make me think there won’t be another mainline Assassin’s Creed game for some time. The news from Devolver was also more fun than I was expecting. However, neither of these were my most anticipated announcements.
Elder Scrolls Six and any Pokémon news would have excited me, though neither got any news. Elder Scrolls Six was first announced three years ago, though there’s not been a peep from Bethesda about it.
No new Pokémon news also surprised me, as there were recently several Pokémon games announced that any update would have been gladly received. The remakes of Generation Four, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, release in November so it surprised me even more that no news was released about the games.
Scarlett: The only thing I truly needed this E3 was news on The Legend of Zelda: BOTW 2. While I am upset about it being postponed to a hopeful 2022 release, the new clips look incredible and I absolutely can’t wait to delve back into this incredible story.
To follow with the Zelda news, it was a pleasure to see that Nintendo also have The Legend of Zelda Skyward HD game on the way this summer, as well as the reveal of the handheld device ‘Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda. It was a great show for Zelda at this E3 event!
As previously mentioned, there is still tons to look forward to with the releases of Just Dance 2022, Mario Golf: Super Rush, Guardians of the Galaxy and all the others mentioned above.
While this E3 event may have been disappointing to some, there were quite a few releases that I can’t wait to play this year and updates for games coming out next year that I’m extremely excited to play. I can’t wait to be able to finally delve right into these.
Jack: Similarly to how Kieran feels, I have to agree and say this event has been ever so disappointing for me. While it was brilliant witnessing new games be revealed such as Guardians of the Galaxy, there were many games which were cut out of the spotlight.
Pokemon, Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy – where were they? Yes, Final Fantasy was spoke of but not Final Fantasy 16 – the game we all are waiting for. It’s just plain unfortunate at this point as it feels gamers are just being taken for granted. Each year E3 is showing less and less and its getting ridiculous.
Gaming companies don’t seem to be bothered about their fans as they used to be, the event used to be an ever so exciting once but now it’s just another way for fans to be disappointed as either their games are shown very briefly, or not at all.
Companies such as Sony have chosen to not take part of the event and I fear due to similar reasons, others may pull out in the upcoming years. E3 is labelled “the biggest gaming event of the year” but how can it be when it has so little to show for it?
E3 you might want to step up your game next year, give the fans what they want and excite us back into the gaming event which many of us ever so enjoyed.