This article originally ran under a different banner/website in June of 2019 and is now being here re-uploaded for purposes of convenience and consolidation. Please enjoy.
The 2019 Electronic Entertainment Expo has come and gone in a flash. Maybe you missed some of the show and would like to know more. Thankfully, I, the Video Game Doomsayer, witnessed the entire conference, just to bring you the good, the bad, and the naked greedy ugly truth. Let the show begin.
Electronic Arts:
I think we can all agree with Anthem’s disastrous launch, Electronic Arts are probably in trouble. Especially with more whispers of loot box regulations looming on the horizon. Surely, EA is prepared. I am sure this EA will come out the gate firing on all cylinders. Ready to impress us with new announcements and gameplay trailers. So what have you brought EA? A new season for Apex Legends equipped with new potentially unbalanced weapons, new uninspired cosmetics, and a new legend. I am sure people aboard that live service are happy, but nothing there inspires this old hermit to give it a second shot. Battlefield V seems to be playing the No Man’s Sky card by promising a drip-feed of maps over the coming year. While it might be too early to call Battlefield V’s death, I can’t see a handful of maps reinvigorating the player base. While watching the Volta mode announcement for FIFA 20, I had a nostalgic callback to playing NFL and NBA Street at my cousin’s house. At this moment I realized what EA was doing: they are adding a “street mode” to FIFA in the hope of nostalgic blinded fools would purchase this casino disguised as a sports game. EA seems to be doubling down on the Ultimate Team mode with star players in Madden 20 having unique signature abilities. I am sure EA would love to see players fork over thousands of dollars to get the max level Patrick Mahomes and his Dashing Deadeye ability. Finally, an island expansion to the five-year-old game The Sims 4. Wait, EA, is that it? A two-second interview for Anthem players? No crappy mobile spinoff to mock? No new exciting game announcement? What about those indie games in your EA Originals, the program designed to lift up indie games. Did the shareholders make you scrap that too?
No there was one more thing shown off at this year’s EA Play: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Now, I will admit, I do like Respawn Entertainment despite having no love for Apex Legends. They absolutely sold me with the Titanfall 2 single-player campaign. I also, like most nerds, enjoy Star Wars. So, yes, I initially got excited for that 15 minutes of gameplay we were shown. The wall running and tricks with the force were able to paint a smile on this Doomsayer’s face, but I do hear people’s concerns. For one, Respawn said this 15 minutes took place a couple of hours into the game, even though it felt more like an early level in the game. None of the enemies seemed to pose much of a challenge, making me question the pacing. EA can boast about it not having microtransactions all they want, I still think we should be wary of Fallen Order because EA is the publisher. That is the main takeaway here is EA’s in charge and they can’t even make an E3 presentation that is better than last year’s presentation. EA always seems to be taking more and more steps backward and this presentation was no exception. I would say I am disappointed, but honestly, I should just come to expect this.
Microsoft
Alright, Microsoft, EA has already lowered my expectations; if you come out the gate swinging you maybe get me interested in your Xbox game pass. Clearly, while everyone was releasing games, Microsoft was plotting their comeback. I can see Phil Spencer rubbing his hands together after acquiring Double Fine studio, scheming new ways to force gamers to buy an Xbox. Certainly, their presentation was about games. It got to the point where I thought it’d be humorous if someone decided to take a shot every time we heard the words World Premiere. Microsoft goes through cinematic trailers for all these new titles at a breakneck pace, giving a scene of excitement lacking at the EA Play show.
Unfortunately, these cinematic trailers honestly don’t tell you anything about these games. From now on, I declare the following rule for E3:
HEAR YE!!! HEAR YE!!! THOU SHALT NOT SHOW GAMEPLAY IF THE TITLE HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED OR HAS A 2019 RELEASE DATE.
While I loved all the trailers for new indie titles, I am frankly disappointed in titles we know are coming like The Outer World, Cyberpunk 2077, Dying Light 2, Gears of War 5, and Halo Infinite. Microsoft had a golden opportunity to really upsell us on these titles by showing off some gameplay. Granted we all know how Gears of War played, but when you advertise a new gameplay mode and have people there ready to play it, why not show it off. Also, while some people might be excited with Keanu Reeves in Cyberpunk 2077, I am reminded of other celebrity cameos in other video games. Remember Peter Dinklage in Destiny or Terry Crews in Crackdown 3. These don’t usually pan out. CD Projekt Red could have addressed this concern by showing Keanu Reeves in gameplay rather than a cinematic one. I am not asking for a lot, just a small mission in The Outer Worlds and Dying Light 2. I felt a rush of excitement as Master Chief said they needed to fight only for that rush to instantly evaporate as the camera fades to black. Follow through, Microsoft, you had me eating out of the palm of your hand only splash cold water in my face.
Well now that Microsoft has left me unsatisfied, it would be ample time to discuss Xbox Game Pass. A theme going around the conference was subscription services. Microsoft went into more depth about their subscription, Xbox Game Pass, which is coming to PC. Now while I am not a fan of merely paying to have access to a game, I have considered the Xbox Game Pass from a review standpoint. As someone who enjoys standing on his soapbox and shouting about games, it can feel draining purchasing all these games. The Xbox Game Pass would allow me to try a wide variety of games, then purchase the ones I want later; possibly during a sale.
Along with the Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft announced their next console: Project Scarlett. They bragged about a laundry list of specs that I frankly do not care about. Microsoft, do you want to know why I bought a PS4? I bought it for Marvel’s Spider-Man, Horizon Zero Dawn, and God of War. I consider buying consoles for the library, not specs that future PC will be able to beat. With Xbox games coming to PC, I would dare to say you cannibalized any reason to purchase your new fancy box. Though Project Scarlett is a good analogy for the Microsoft conference; both leave me feeling underwhelmed.
Bethesda
I, like many others, have enjoyed the recent past time of kicking Bethesda after tripping over themselves during the release of Fallout 76. While some are mad at how Fallout 76 turned out, I am not. I had a feeling Fallout 76 would be a shameful trend-chasing game and stayed far away. I am frankly disappointed Bethesda abandoned their single-player story-driven games to chase the same exploitative trends as EA and Ubisoft. While it would be easy to mock Bethesda for their poor showing this year, even I can’t say it is all bad. I am quite happy with the Ghostwire: Tokyo and Deathloop trailers, but my faith lies more with their studios Tango Gameworks and Arkane Studio than their publisher Bethesda. While we did get to see some gameplay for Wolfenstein: Youngblood it mixed in between cutscenes, which doesn’t count as actual gameplay. The one thing Bethesda showed that I actually got excited for was Doom: Eternal gameplay. I love the additions to make Doomguy feel even more like a pinball of death and destruction. I cannot wait to get my hands on that shotgun with a grappling hook. Easily, one of the best things shown at E3.
Unfortunately, Bethesda showed off a lot of crap at E3. Let’s start with all the mobile games they showed off. They showed off Elder Scrolls Legends. Was there a new expansion for it, don’t think so. They probably saw all the marketing Activision did for the new Hearthstone expansion and felt they needed to remind us Elder Scrolls Legends was still a thing. They announced Elder Scrolls Blade for the Switch, which should not be a thing. Elder Scrolls Blade is a disgusting example of the cancerous microtransaction hive that gaming has become, and that doesn’t belong with the beacon of fun the Switch has become for many. Publishers like Bethesda have an opportunity to show us that mobile games can be more, but they honestly can’t resist mutating games into software that basically play themselves and only whine for more cash. That is why I do not trust the new Commander Keen mobile game Bethesda tries to get us hyped for. No, Bethesda, I am not excited to shovel more money into a game like Commander Keen. I was also not get excited for dragons in your knock-off World of Warcraft clone, Elder Scrolls Online. Finally, I will definitely not get excited about adding the basic ingredients of a basic RPG into Fallout 76. THOSE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE FROM THE START!!! NO, YOU CANNOT APOLOGIZE WITH A SHODDY BATTLE ROYALE MODE!!! All of this is frankly embarrassing Bethesda, and yes that includes that cringeworthy crowd cheering for all the exciting improvements of Fallout 76. Shameful.
Devolver Digital
Oh, Devolver Digital, do not change. The mockery on display will always and forever bring warmth to my jaded heart. On top of being the self-aware court jester, you always show off interesting and fun games to boot. From the release date of My Friend Pedro, symbiote simulator Carrion, to a free tropic expansion to The Messenger, I can always count on you to remind me, games should be fun. I also really want that game that mocks those shotty NES rip-off games, Devolver Digital Bootleg, and your light gun arcade cabinet Enter the Gungeon: House of the Gundead. Fortunately, Devolver Digital Bootleg is on Steam and the arcade cabinet is, well, not on Steam but a five thousand dollar cabinet. One day though.
Ubisoft
Now, a lot of people were down at the Ubisoft conference, and I can see why. While I am not the biggest fan of Ubisoft’s game, I don’t believe what they presented was bad, just how they presented it. Honestly, felt like it was all out of order. I SHALL ATTEMPT TO RECTIFY THIS.
First off, I know we mock you every year for showing off the newest Just Dance but don’t show it off in the middle of the conference. Show it off in the beginning so the conference has that energy running through it. From there I would try to mix in the exciting news with the so-so announcements and things that probably won’t go over so well. If you ask me which announces belonged where, I say the Adventure Time and Brawlhalla crossover, Rocket League dethroner Roller Champion, and Rainbow Six: Quarantine are all the games I would look forward to. New characters in Rainbow Six: Siege and For Honor spark no reaction out of me. Finally, mobile game spinoffs Tom Clancy’s Elite Strike and a bland sandbox sequel named Ghost Recon: Breakpoint had my eye-rolling in contempt. You can drag the Punisher and his dog out on stage, I will still have zero interest in that game. Finally, I wouldn’t tease Gods and Monsters at the end. That feels like a card you pull early. No, without a doubt you have to end with Watch Dogs Legion.
Watch Dogs has always felt like a series Ubisoft has no idea what to do with. It felt like futuristic Assassin’s Creed. Thankfully, it seems like the team behind Watch Dogs was given free rein to try any intriguing idea, and they certainly found one. Set in post-Brexit London, you are in charge of the underground hacker movement, DecSec. In Watch Dogs Legion, you don’t play as one specific character, you can play as anybody that you recruit into DecSec, but be careful as when characters die, they are permanently gone. Almost has an X-Com vibe to it, as you try to balance leveling up everyone in case your favorite characters are killed. I am not quite sure how the story will fit, but the gameplay feature alone is fascinating. On top of that, we got actual GAMEPLAY!!! Which makes me wonder with The Outer Worlds and Gears of War 5 coming out before Watch Dogs Legion, why didn’t they show gameplay? Watch Dogs Legion was the most exciting thing Ubisoft showed, which makes it more baffling why they showed it off first.
Side note. Ubisoft’s subscription Uplay Plus only seems worth it if you ONLY play Ubisoft games. If not, I’d pass on it. Don’t get Uplay Plus, just purchase Watch Dogs Legion.
Square Enix
Now Square Enix easily had the worst E3 show in 2018, showing us about 30 minutes of cinematic trailers. With so many questions surrounding their Final Fantasy VII Remake, I didn’t think they could afford to pull that trick twice. Luckily, they come out the gate swinging with the gameplay of Final Fantasy VII Remake. While it does look fun, I worry about the combination of hack and slash gameplay with momentary menu-based tactics. It just feels like two elements at odds with each other that will alienate players. I also wish they answered more questions about the episodic nature of this game. How many episodes are we getting? When will get the rest? Is the rumor of each episode costing sixty dollars true? Still, huge props for showing us gameplay.
After the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Square Enix went back to blitzing through trailers. Thankfully, most of these trailers were of JRPG that I really didn’t have much interest in. The one game that peaked my interest was People Can Fly’s new shooter, Outsider. While not showing much in terms of gameplay, the trailer reminded me of their first game Painkiller: Black. Certainly will be keeping an eye on that one.
Finally, there was Crystal Dynamic’s Avengers. Honestly, Square Enix’s Avengers has me worried. I was not troubled by the trailer they showed. While it is disappointing to see brief snip-its of gameplay mixed with cutscenes, the game is almost a year out so I’ll excuse that. What honestly disappoints me is the line that this is a game we will be playing for years to come. Another live services game. IS THE AVENGER LICENSE NOT ENOUGH TO SELL A COMPLETED GAME??? MUST WE CONTINUOUSLY GRIND TO UNLOCK NEW MISSIONS, CHARACTERS, OR SKINS? Marvel’s Spider-Man worked completely fine as a completed product and I have no doubt Avengers could too. Frankly, the message of no loot boxes and pay-to-win feels more like Square Enix saying they won’t add those because the backlash terrifies them. Also, the fact four other studios are assisting Crystal Dynamics is not a good sign. Other studios were helping Bethesda stitch together Fallout 76 and look how that monstrosity turned out. I was excited for Avengers, just like I was excited about this year’s E3, but all these live services just remind me greedy this industry can be. It is all disappointing.
Nintendo
Alright, last, but certainly not least, Nintendo. Now, much like the PS4, I am intrigued by the Switch for its impressive library. Especially the indie titles. Since the release of the Switch, I have always looked at Nintendo’s press conference as an opportunity to sell me on the Switch. How did this sale pitch go? A little so-so.
First off, I know the joke involving new Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser and Mario’s arch-nemesis Bowser is low-hanging fruit, but I felt the joke was performed very well. It even got me to smile after many disappointing conferences. What of the games though? Well, Nintendo like Microsoft chose to rapid-fire announce the new title for the Switch including Luigi’s Mansion 3. While showing no specific level, Nintendo showcased many tools in Luigi’s arsenal, making the title out to be an exciting adventure. With Crypt of the Necrodancer being one of the few roguelites I enjoy, I certainly think it’s Zelda crossover, Cadence of Hyrule will be a must-own for Switch owners. Frankly, I have more faith in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 than I do in Crystal Dynamic’s Avengers. I am disappointed that we only got a trailer for Astral Chains, especially so close to release, but thankfully, Platinum Games has a good track record so I wouldn’t worry. I have always loved the gangster aesthetic, so I would be willing to give Empire of Sin a shot. No More Heroes 3 looks wacky but fun. Finally, Pokemon is Pokemon.
Now you might be noticing I missed a couple of games, and well, those would be games that I am not excited about. New characters in Super Smash Bros Ultimate will not get me to buy a Switch. Neither will all the JRPG’s announced. Neither will Animal Crossing, but good on Nintendo for not engaging in crunch to get it released. Finally, neither Link’s Awakening nor a teaser of Breath of the Wild 2 will get me to buy a Switch. I just don’t find anything appealing in the Legend of Zelda series. Does this mean I think any of these games will be bad? No, they will probably be good games that you will enjoy and I won’t. Such is the way the world works.
Ladies and Gentlemen!!! This year’s E3 felt lifeless and lacking in joy. I am not sure if the cynicism of the slow march towards the gaming industry’s demise has finally gotten its cold grip around my heart. Maybe it has finally hit me how many live services were advertised to me. I don’t say this to destroy your excitement, but merely to remind you of the past. I foresaw Fallout 76 and Anthem being mediocre during last year’s E3. I urged caution, but my warnings went unheard. Once again, though, I ask you to exercise caution when purchasing the latest and greatest game. Hold off pre-ordering. Read reviews. Watch a live stream. The industry won’t protect you. You can only protect yourself. Choose your games wisely.
