It feels like we say this every year, but this may have been one of the strongest E3’s ever. There really hasn’t been a better time to be a gamer.
EA, Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Ubisoft, Bethesda and Square Enix have all showcased so many exciting games that there’s almost too much to choose from.
Still, if you’re looking for a new title to play on your PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One or Nintendo Switch then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve seen a vast amount of games this week yet we have somehow narrowed that long list down to the 10, absolute best games that were show in Los Angeles this week.
We’ve picked our top 10 favourite games from this year’s E3… these are the ones to look out for
The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us was a masterpiece and undoubtedly, one of the best games of last generation and arguably up there as one of the greatest games ever made.
That means there’s a lot of pressure of Sony and Naughty Dog to deliver, they’ve set an incredibly high bar for themselves. However, judging from the gameplay we were shown – diehard fans of the series have nothing to worry about.
With Ellie seemingly the main protagonist for the sequel, the game has somehow become even darker, with brutal takedowns and executions. The gameplay shown was incredibly refined with beautiful yet subtle animations which brought the world to life. If Naughty Dog maintain that level of polish for the entire game once it’s eventually released, we could be looking another classic.
Release date: Unannounced at the moment but late 2019 has been rumoured.
Cyberpunk 2077
CD Projekt Red know how to make an RPG; the Witcher is one of the greatest series of RPG games ever made.
After a long wait, we’ve finally been given a glimpse of their new game Cyberpunk 2077. The first-person RPG is set in a futuristic dystopia and Projekt RED have said we can expect mature themes throughout the game.
The new title will have an extra level of immersion compared to Witcher as you’re able to create and play as your own character. The game looks stunning and we already know that with Projekt RED in charge, we’re in store for a game packed with hours of content.
Release date: Unknown but sometime in 2019 looks plausible.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
The Nintendo Switch has been a roaring success with titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey scoring impeccable reviews.
Nintendo’s main title this year is undoubtedly Super Smash Bros Ultimate which promises to be the biggest game of the popular series yet.
The game will feature every single character who has ever appeared in a Smash Bros game plus new additions like Splatoon’s Inklings and Metroid’s Ridley also announced. Smash Bros competitive style and 2D format will complement the Switch’s portability beautifully and will be massive for Nintendo’s new online subscription service.
Release date: December 7 2018.
Beyond Good and Evil 2
A game that is still a very long way from release yet it says it all that Ubisoft are willing to showcase the game this early.
We were fortunate enough to witness the behind closed doors demo for the game and were blown away by the potential this game possesses. The game sees you playing as your own character and building your own crew of space pirates as you rebel against a corrupt society.
While this game is an RPG, we couldn’t help but be reminded of GTA as you explore cities, customise your ships and can even go clothes shopping.
The open world game features a lot of very cool vehicles and also displays excellent combat with both hand-to-hand and spaceship battles present in the game. We won’t see the game for a long time, but it’s certainly going to remain in our minds for a while.
Release date: Unknown but it won’t be anytime soon.
FIFA 19
The EA Sports staple is still the best football game around and arguably, one of the best sports games on the market.
Gaining the rights to the Champions League is a massive coup for EA, walking out to the classic theme tune before a big European match feels fantastic and the game has done a superb job of capturing the tournament’s big-match feel with its new pre-match displays.
This could become one of the most important FIFAs ever as EA have taken a massive step in eradicating one of the series‘ biggest issues – randomness.
There is a lot more skill to the gameplay as the person who positions best and reacts quickest will now always win the loose ball with the new 50/50 battles. Defending in the game feels fantastic as players actually make use of their weight, leading to some very meaty tackles which we Brits always love to see.
On top of that, you can now double tap the shoot button to try and unleash the perfect strike. You have to time the second tap perfectly to when your player would connect with the ball. Pull it off and you’ll fire a thunderous effort that is almost guaranteed to score. The yearly changes in FIFA never feel too substantial but we felt a massive difference during our hands-on with an early version of the game. Gameplay feels more rewarding than ever as we no longer have to rely on a bit of luck to win matches.
Release date: September 28 2018.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
One of Ubisoft’s biggest franchises is travelling to Ancient Greece which feels like the perfect setting for the franchise.
However, the new time period is only the tip of the iceberg as the series has taken a slight change of direction. The breathtaking combat, smooth freerunning and unrelenting violence is still at the game’s core but now there is also a strong narrative accompanying those defining details.
Players make choices, not only when picking missions but in every conversation. You can pick sides, you can lie and you can even flirt with many characters. On top of that, you can play as a male or female character – Alexios or Kassandra. You’ve been able to play as women in the series before, but this is the first time you’re given the choice of which character to play as.
Nowadays, people expect complex characters and thrilling, gory action isn’t always enough. Assassin’s Creed is moving into RPG territory and the series is benefiting massively by doing so.
Release date: October 5 2018.
Spider-Man
Another PlayStation exclusive but one that we won’t have to wait much longer to get our hands on. The new Marvel game adds to the rich history of excellent Spider-Man video games with spectacular gameplay.
Spider-Man’s worst nightmare is realised as some of the strongest villains he has ever faced have escaped prison and each of them wants a piece of the friendly, neighbourhood spider.
We can’t emphasise enough just how incredible the gameplay this looks. From web swinging around the city to taking on multiple enemies at once with badass, creative combos which seamlessly flow into each other. On the surface, this looks like just another superhero game but Sony could be onto another winner here with potentially one of the funnest games releasing this year.
Release date: September 7 2018.
Devil May Cry 5
One of the big surprises of E3 this year was the return of the beloved Devil May Cry series. The new title brings epic demon slaying to current gen and we can’t wait to try it out.
During Microsoft’s conference the developers form Capcom didn’t hide their confidence in the game – stating they believe it is the best game they have ever made and will feature some of the nicest combat we have ever had the pleasure of trying.
It’s been a decade wait for a new numbered DMC game but judging from the quick glimpse of gameplay, that long gap will be justified. It won’t be long before we’re hacking and slashing monstrous demons again.
Release date: Spring 2019.
The Division 2
An experiment gone wrong during Black Friday sent America into chaos with an outbreak of a major virus wiping out the majority of the country. The last few cases of the virus are now being dealt with but America is in tatters as civilians fight for their survival.
The Division 2 continues where the first game left off, offering excellent multiplayer gun play as you scavenge for items.
During our time with the game, we were delighted with just how satisfying the gameplay is. The AI are relentless and will heavily punish any wrong moves you make while continuously moving and flanking to keep you on your toes. The level design is also superb with every area offering different areas and plenty of verticality which lead to a diverse choice of options when setting up and planning how you and your squad are going to strike.
Every character eventually specialises in a certain class, giving them access to special and signature weapons. In our playthrough, we had an explosive crossbow and a gun which fired a cloud of flammable gas into a chosen area. Theses weapons were incredibly impactful and felt fantastic to use in between cover-hopping and protecting teammates.
If you’re looking for a great online co-op game or simply a satisfying cover-to-cover shooter – you’ll absolutely love the Division 2.
Release date: March 15 2019.
Kingdom Hearts 3
Another franchise we’ve waited an incredibly long time for, Sora and the Kingdom Hearts games are finally back. There have been KH games in the interim, Человек-паук: Нет пути домой онлайн but the second installment of the franchise released all the way back in 2005.
The beloved series is visiting a whole bunch of new Disney worlds including Frozen, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tangled, Ratatouille, Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Hercules and Big Hero 6.
The fan favourite series will certainly make waves in the gaming world and Square Enix know that, showcasing it not only during their conference but also during Sony and Microsoft’s.
The gameplay this year has also been greatly improved on, offering more strategic battles and a much faster, frantic pace. Scheduled to release early next year, the action-RPG will be a special treat for die-hard fans of the series with a massive dose of nostalgia making it that much sweeter. The other Kingdom Hearts games have remastered versions available on consoles too so it’s not too late to get into the series.
Release date: January 29 2019.