And Sony played it safe and, for a week, looked like the clear winner of the next generation.
But consoles can only go so far, and unlike the big three who keep pushing gimmicks, whether it's touchscreen controllers that no one wants to develop for, a camera that offers an Orwellian nightmare or sharing every useless aspect of your playtime; it's games that gamers want and, as with every year, here is my top ten titles of the year.
Word of warning; a few repeat offenders from last year will rear their heads and, as a PS3 owner, expect an emphasis on more Sony titles.
...and the other elephant in the room; although Nintendo did have some decent first party titles, there was nothing, in my humble/biased opinion, that surpassed these ten games. Sorry Nintendo; there's always next time.
Anywhoo:
10) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
One of the only things done right at the Microsoft conference was the emphasis on exclusive console based games for the system and, easily one the best is the Witcher series. The third in the series promises to continue the trend of moral choice, superb visuals and excellent combat. Add in a promise to eliminate the chapter gameplay of the previous two titles and The Witcher series may indeed, be the RPG of choice come next year.
09) Destiny
Developed by Bungie and possibly the spiritual successor to the Halo series (which going by this year's E3, will never end); Destiny treads the well worn ground of the FPS, but offers a "true living universe" as it's setting and offering MMO elements, ranging from players simply interacting with one another to completing giant quests to save the universe. It looks gorgeous and, going by Bungie's previous work; it looks in safe hands.
08) TitanFall
It didn't unveil any single player footage, but the the Xbox One exclusive; for all intents and purposes, looks like Call of Duty...with mechs. Now, depending on which COD may depend on the quality of the title, but it's impressive multiplayer demo, despite all the negativity of Microsoft's press conference; delivered a potential must-buy for multiplayer enthusiasts who want there modern warefare...with giant robots.
07) Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy has hit hardtimes. FFXIII didn't set the world alight with it's linear gameplay and non-sensical story, nether did it's sequel XIII-2. And MMORPG FFXIV was so bad; that Square-Enix pulled the plug on it, publicly apologising in the process and only now look comfortable releasing it.
The former FF Versus XIII, after much delay, has been redeveloped for the next gen after several years on non-stories and rumours, warranting an apparent name change to make it a fully fledged numeric title.
The title's brief trailer looked fantastic, showcasing realtime combat and environmental destruction that the player will need to adapt too; a far cry from the days of turn-based combat in the same backdrop in each dungeon.
FFXV will need to be good to restore the series stature, but if it's E3 demo-trailer is anything to go by, it might just do the trick.
06) Battlefield 4
Arguably THE FPS multiplayer experience to beat; gets a sequel, which promises to up the ante to sixty-four player deathmatches, players capable of utilising new skills and weaponry...and destruction being taken to another level, with the e3 demo showcasing an entire skyscraper being brought down.
One of the most technically impressive titles unveiled at the show (despite how scripted the sequence was) and easily, the FPS to beat at e3 this year.
05) South Park: The Stick of Truth
New publisher, same South Park. Just enough of a tidbit to restore the faith in those worried that South Park's wonderful return to videogames, was doomed with THQ's demise. Unveiling fart mechanics and short snippets of destruction; The Stick of Truth promises a holiday release...and gosh darnit; it's about time!
04) Batman: Arkham Origins
There's tough acts to follow; and then there's producing a prequel to one of the most critically acclaimed titles of the current gen...with a different development team and a different cast.
Yet, somehow; Arkham Origins looks for all intents and purposes, like it will succeed. Promising an expanded sandbox, new villains (or older villains in the narrative) and new gadgets but the same formulaic combat and gameplay that made the series the acclaimed darling, Arkham Origins, despite it's potential failure, could easily be the must buy this Christmas, if this extended gameplay footage is anything to go by.
03) Watch Dogs
Another year, another listing for Watch Dogs.With a holiday release fast approaching; Watch Dogs is almost certainly the first must-buy for the next gen and after two e3's; it's easy to see why. Technically marvellously and offering a new spin on the sandbox title; Watch Dogs will be the one to watch this holiday season.
02) inFAMOUS: Second Son
My inner fanboy couldn't resist, but considering that inFAMOUS 2 is one of...if not the, best superhero titles ever made, a next gen sequel would rank high. Offering a new setting and a new lead, with the ability to absorb multiple abilities (as opposed to the Cole's electricity-based powers in the original), inFAMOUS: Second Son was the game that pushed me towards the PS4, and I honestly can't wait until next spring for this one.
01) Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Number one was easy. Number one was a sequel to a game I, beforehand, didn't want. MGS4 was the perfect ending to the series, wrapping up everything in a nice neat bow. This numeric sequel however, delves deep into the series lore; following Big Boss on a quest of revenge, with something regarding weapons potentially more powerful than the series' namesake.
Featuring expanded gameplay elements such as real time weather changes, true-freedom (you can complete the game's missions in any order you choose) and an expanded take on Portable Ops and Peace Walker's Outer Ops gameplay mechanics; MGSV promises a bloody tale of revenge, in the classic OOT style that only Hideo Kojima could dare pull off.
H
@Retcon_Nation
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