E3 2016: Ubisoft

30 years of Ubisoft is as good an excuse as ever to showcase some more awesome games! We started with a year in review video which was awesome, even if it made me want another Rayman game even more than ever!

Just Dance 2017:
Fact:
Coming to all video game platforms including the PC in October and for the Nintendo NX next year.

Opinion:
You can never have enough Just Dance, right? Right?

Favourite Moments:
The human giraffe dancing
Realising this was all real

Ghost Recon Wildlands:
Fact:
What if the humble coca leaf, used for medicine and drinks for the people of Bolivia, found its way to a Mexican drug cartel? And they used its other property, the ability to turn into cocaine? And they then took over Bolivia and turned it into a Narcos state where anyone who opposed them would die? This is the world of Ghost Recon: Wildlands. This is the first open-world shooter which you can play in either solo or up to 4-player co-op for the entire game and it is also the largest open-world Ubisoft has ever done. You have the choice to complete a mission however you want.

You can use a drone to gather intel from a location (guard positions etc.) and can move around the area with relative ease, with vehicles, including helicopters, being able to be used by you. Environments are mostly destructible and you can jump off a bike while still going with minimal damage to yourself (instead of throwing yourself off them like with other games). Releasing on March 7th, 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

Opinion:
I'm cautious due to Ubisoft's reputation with downgrading their games come release but if it looks as good as it did in the trailer and the 4-player co-op is that smooth then Ubisoft definitely have a winner on their hands.

Favourite Moments:
The teamwork between players to take the guards down
The guard's idle animations
The graphics
Jumping off the bike
Driving smoothly over unique terrain

South Park: Fractured But Whole:
Fact:
Superhero themed and set in a civil war between the kids of South Park. Many digs at superhero movies and the MCU's dominance on film are sure to follow. You can create your own super-hero out of a list of 12 classes (and can mix and match the powers from those classes) and can even be a girl, this time, around, although Cartman will pick up on that. Combat is not restricted to one location anymore, instead many squares are available for you to move to and try and get the edge on your opponent as well as move behind cover and you can also push/pull enemies into other areas, characters and props to get some extra damage (this can happen to you as well). Some moves can hit enemies over obstacles. Your farts are more powerful than in the first game and can be used to rearrange the turn order (the game is still turn-based) by literally changing the fabric of time. You can pre-purchase The Fractured But Whole and get The Stick of Truth for free on PS4, Xbox One or Steam. Releasing on December 6th.

Opinion:
Like The Stick of Truth but so much bigger. And that can only be a good thing.

Favourite Moments:
Realising it was South Park after quite a dark opening trailer
The commentary on superhero movies in general in the second trailer
Advancements to the combat

The Division:
Fact:
Year One DLC: Incursion, Conflict, Underground have been already released. Survival and Last Stand will be released throughout this year. To celebrate UBI 30, three costumes have been made available, one for each of the other Tom Clancy series: Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six and Splinter Cell. They are free if you are a member of Ubi Club. The Survival expansion allows you to try and survive with limited resources and in extreme weather conditions. It will be released first on Xbox One and PC and then PS4 shortly afterwards.

Opinion:
More expansions are always good if they can fix the bugs and hackers everywhere, that is. Also, I'm not sure you should have an idea of a year-long set of DLC before you release a game. That can make fans annoyed.

Favourite Moments:
The setting of Survival

Eagle Flight VR:
Fact:
There is a PVP game mode called Capture The Prey, which is a 3 vs 3 player, capture the flag-esque game where you have to catch the prey and bring it back to the nest to score a point. Set in a world which has been reclaimed by nature, with zoo animals running rampant in overgrown cities. You can 'shoot' enemies to take them down and allow you to get the prey back. Coming in Autumn to all VR platforms.

Opinion:
The game looks really smooth and the addition of VR allows for really precise movements. Not too sure about the entire 'shooting' mechanic though and did anyone else see the red light keep popping up on screen?

Favourite Moments:
The steals
The movement

Star Trek Bridge Crew:
Fact:
You can play as either the captain, in tactical, helm or engineer. You play on the Starship Enterprise and do things such as exploring the universe, putting up shields to defend from Klingons etc. all like in the shows, with up to 4-players. You all have to work together to accomplish the goals and no one job is more important than the other. Coming out this Autumn on all major VR systems.

Opinion:
*Heavy breathing*

Favourite Moment:
Seeing the Enterprise

For Honor:
Fact:
Apollyon wants war and desperation breeds war. As a Knight, join the Blackstone Legion and drive your enemies from your homelands. As a Samurai, unite the people to prevent a civil war and restore the reputation of your clan. And as a Viking, you play as a raider, who in the aftermath of war, fed your people and made them strong again. Go to the Samurai's land and plunder all for the glory of Valhalla! Releasing 14th February 2017. Head to forhonor.ubisoft.com and register for alpha.

Opinion:
I saw the multiplayer aspect of the game last year and thought that it looked great but would be enhanced by a single player mode. Now I'm hyped.

Favourite Moments:
The detailed CGI trailer
The change in armour over the years
The AI doing things!

Grow Up:
Fact:
Sequel to Grow Home, now set in an open-world with new power-ups and abilities. Can you reach the moon? You can now throw down seeds to grow plants which can bounce, shoot and catapult you to places you couldn't reach before. Released in August for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

Opinion:
I never played the original but always thought it looked interesting and this release (and a Nerdcubed video) may make me have to check the series out.

Favourite Moments:
The vibrant colours
To the moon!

Trials of the Blood Dragon:
Fact:
A spin off of a spin off, Trials of the Blood Dragon takes the Trials formula and injects some Far Cry: Blood Dragon spirit into it. What you get is a bonkers mash-up of bikes, tracks, guns and dragons. Out now for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

Opinion:
I loved Far Cry: Blood Dragon when I played it a year or so ago and while I'm a tad disappointed that it's not just a new entry in that series, anything this 80's action moviey is fine by me.

Favourite Moments:
The very 80's advert/trailer
Explosions

Assasin's Creed (movie):
Fact:
Michael Fassbender stars in an all new story, with all new characters. Shot in 4 countries, the movie is staying true to the history of Assassin's Creed and its gameplay and story elements. It will be released on December 21st, 2016.

Opinion:
Could this be the first great video game movie? Do people need to stop asking that question? We'll find out in December I guess.

Favourite Moment:
The behind-the-scenes look at making the film

Watch_Dogs 2:
Fact:
Set in a scaled down version of San Fransisco, you are a part of Ded Sec, the hacker group prevalent in the first game. You play as Marcus Holloway, a character who is very far removed from Aiden Pearce - happy and carefree. You can drive cars remotely, profile and manipulate more people, easier and can seamlessly encounter other Ded Sec hackers (players) throughout the world and invite them to join you in co-op. You can control drones and RC cars as well to help you complete your mission either all guns blazing, stealthily or hack them from afar. You can also, finally, hack doors from afar to open or close them, as well as lock them. Instead of a baton as a melee weapon like in the first game, you now have a ball bearing attached to a rope. Releasing on November 15th, 2016 on PS4, Xbox One and PC. Sony is the official partner of Watch_Dogs 2, so PlayStation owners get all DLC 30 days ahead of other consoles and Sony is also releasing a Watch_Dogs feature film. Many pre-order editions have been announced including one which gives you your very own robot, Wrench Jr. Check them out on the Ubi Store.

Opinion:
After finally getting to play the original this year, I really enjoyed the game and all its features although I did think that even more hacking could've been done. Well, Watch_Dogs 2 promises exactly that and more and I'm really excited for the more vibrant setting. If only those pre-order bonuses weren't there - I mean, you have to buy 3 of them if you want all the extra collectables.

Favourite Moments:
Controlling the cars remotely
The brighter colours and art style
Wrench
Deadly assignment? Play me something fresh
All the Marcus' in the second trailer

Steep:
Fact:
Challenge your friends and the community in winter extreme sports. Featuring an open world, partially set in the Alps and a variety of sports from snowboarding to skydiving, parachuting and skiing. You can zoom out from your position using Mountain View, allowing you to see the surrounding peaks more clearly and bask in their wonder as well as navigate the environment to figure out where you want to go. Drop zones are placed throughout the world allowing you to drop onto peaks quickly and easily. First person/Go Pro views are in the game as well to help with immersion, or you can play in 3rd person. Every line down the mountain you do is recorded, allowing you to see what you've done as well as allowing you to replay it from any moment. You can rewind, pause and play the action as well as move the camera around the player to get the best shots. You can go slow-mo as well for intricate analysis and can also swap the viewpoint to any other player you've met. Finally, you can share this footage on social networks to share your best jumps or crashes with the world.

If you particularly like that line, then you can share it with your friends by making it a challenge, defining the rules and making fresh content for your friends to see and complete in their own worlds. Register for the beta at steepgame.com and the full game will be released this December.

Opinion:
Not completely sure about the 'completely new genre part' but this game looks good, to say the least. Look at the snow!

Favourite Moments:
The jumps
The crashes
The music

And to end the presentation, how about some running? A lot of running actually, through 30 years of gaming history.

Thanks for reading, Satamer.

P.S. what was your favourite game of the conference? Are you annoyed that no new Beyond Good and Evil or Rayman was announced? Let us know in the comments.